- Garlic Planting in Central Texas
  
  Posted at 7:37 am by turnipcreations, on October 29, 2020
  Have you got your garlic in the ground yet? If not, now is the perfect time to plant your garlic cloves. Around here, mid-October to the end of November is the key time or at least several week before the first heavy freeze. The goal is to plant early enough to allow roots to develop before the ground freezes, but late enough to avoid sprouts from emerging and being damaged by freezing.
  
  Today has been a beautiful sunny day in Central Texas, following a very early cold snap with lots of rain and wind. Usually, we would have put the garlic in earlier this week, but with the weather not cooperating, we has to wait for a more suitable day. And, today is the day. Over the last several weeks, Shane has prepared the garlic beds in preparation for planting. Below are some good tips when getting your bed ready.
  
  Preparing Garlic Beds
  1. Make sure your are rotating your garlic and onion plants. You do not want to use the same bed you used last year, for this year’s garlic garden. In fact, some people even suggest a four year rotation.
  2. Do not plant garlic in poorly draining soil. The cloves can rot and go bad if they are sitting in a pool of water during the winter months.
  3. So, make sure your soil is well drained. A nice rich fertile loamy soil is ideal. But if you only have sand or clay soil, be sure to add a generous compost or organic material. We use a combination of dried and aged sheep manure and an aged hay compost and work it well into the soil.
  4. Make sure the top 10-12 inches of soil is nice and loose. Again, you want the soil to drain so the cloves do not rot.
  5. Garlic prefers full sun; although, ours does get an afternoon shade and always grows just fine. We think soil content is most important, but adequate sun is essential. If you are planting hardneck varieties, in a warm climate area, like central to south Texas, you will benefit from planting in an area that receives shade during the hottest part of the day.
  Choosing your Garlic
  
  I love garlic. Shane didn’t know he loved garlic until he married me. Seriously, he was not a fan, but has come to appreciate the depths of flavor it adds to just about any dish. With so many garlic varieties out there and each lending a different flavor, it can be hard to choose. But first, know where to purchase your garlic. As tempting as it is, do not buy garlic from the grocery store for planting, unless it is certified organic. Often times, this garlic is treated with an anti-sprouting agent and therefore will not grow if planted. Your safest bet is to order your garlic online from a reputable seed company.
  
  There are generally two types of garlic, hardneck and softneck. Harnecks typically have a more complex flavor than your softneck varities. They are hardier and are best grown in northern, cool climates. If you want the type of garlic you find in most grocery stores, you will want to grow softneck, which is much more suitable for southern growing zones. They mature more quickly than hardneck varieties and tend to store better and longer.
  
  So, be aware of your climate and choose garlics that thrive in warmer weather if you live in Zones 7 or above. For these zones, start with a thermadrone or Italian late. Creole garlics such as creole red, ajo rojo and pescadero red are also good choices for warmer climates. Sans Creek, Carpathian, German Red, Amish and Legacy, which are all rocamboles varieties, are hard to grow in Zones 6 and higher, but thrive in cooler climates.
  
  We live in a warm southern climate, growing Zone 8; however, we do grow hardneck varieties of garlic. There are several tips and tricks you can do to keep your garlic roots cool.
  
  Planting Garlic
  
  Your garlic seed will come as a bulb. You will want to separate each garlic bulb into individual cloves. Each clove will grow a new bulb of garlic. Be careful when separating the garlic as you do not want to damage the cloves and you want to keep the papery husk on the cloves.
  
  Plant the garlic clove 4-6 inches deep, 5″ part, in rows 1.5-2′ apart.
  
  Be sure you are planting the pointed end of the clove up and the round blunt end down. Cover with soil and water. Garlic cloves don’t need to be watered too often. You just need to make sure that the soil doesn’t get dry. In the winter, the ground will be cold and dry, so you will need to keep the soil moist, but not saturated or else the cloves will rot.
  
  Mulch your bed, which will not only help with weeds, but will also keep the soil cooler, especially in warm climates. In colder climates, it can prevent the cloves from being heaves out of the ground during a freeze. It also will conserve soil moisture.
  
  In the spring, pull the mulch back when the new shoots emerge, but keep the area weeded.
  
  Did you know you can also plant garlic in a container if you do not have garden space. An 18″ x 12″ container will hold about 6 cloves.
  
  Planting garlic is one of the most rewarding aspects of gardening and one that will teach you great patience, especially since it will take up to 8 months before you can harvest the fruits of your labor.
  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments
- Cheesy Poblano Pepper Casserole
  
  Posted at 7:28 am by turnipcreations, on October 29, 2020
  As the weather starts transitioning to cooler temperatures, I start craving warm & spicy foods. This cheesy poblano casserole hits the spot. A perfect blend of summer flavors with the warmth & spice of fall. With the layers of roasted poblano, seasoned ground beef and cheese, you will be making this again & again!
  
  This recipe is really a good base for experimenting with different spices and ingredients. For example, if you want to take the heat level up, add some red pepper flakes or for added spice, toss in a dash of smoked paprika. And of course you can always add a can of rotel or green chili’s for added flavor.
  
  To start, you want to give your poblano peppers a nice char by roasting them. You can achieve this on an open flame such as your grill or gas stove; however, I just pop them in the oven at 450 degrees for about 20 minutes.
  
  Once you take them out of the oven, pop them into a zip lock bag for a little steam action. This will make it much easier to peel the skin.
  
  While the peppers are roasting, sauté your chopped onions and garlic in a glug of olive oil, until tender. Add ground beef, cumin and any other spice or ingredient you want and cook until meat is browned. Drain grease.
  
  Once the peppers steam in the ziplock bag for about 15 minutes, peal the skin, cut in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds out.
  
  Finally assemble the casserole by layering the sliced poblanos in the bottom of a greased 9″ baking pan. Follow that with the ground beef mixture and then cheese; repeat the layers.
  
  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned on top. Enjoy with some homemade avocado salad or rice and beans.
  Cheesy Poblano Pepper Casserole
  
  This warm and hearty casserole with layers of poblano peppers, seasoned ground beef and cheese is sure to be a favorite!
  
  Print Recipe Pin Recipe
  
  Prep Time 35 mins
  Cook Time 30 mins
  
  Course Main Course
  Cuisine Mexican
  
  Servings 4 people
  
  Ingredients
  
  4 Poblano Peppers
  1 lb Ground Beef
  1 Small Onion, chopped
  3 cloves Garlic, mincedd
  1 tsp Cumin
  Salt & Pepper to taste
  1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  1.5 cups Monterey Jack Cheese Combine the two cheeses together
  
  Instructions
  
  Preheat Oven to 450 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.
  Wash and dry the peppers; place them on the baking sheet. Cook in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the skin is charred and blacken. You may want to turn the peppers after 10 minutes of cooking.
  Once roasted, take the peppers out of the oven and transfer to ta zip lock bag, to steam for 15 minutes. This will loosen the skin. When cool enough to handle, remove the skin, slice in halve lengthwise and scrape the seeds out.
  Turn oven down to 350 degrees.
  While the peppers are roasting, saute onions and garlic in a glug of olive oil over a medium heat. Once soft, add ground beef, cumin, salt, pepper and any other spices you want. Once the beef is thoroughly cooked, drain grease and return to pan.
  In a 9" baking dish, spray with a non stick cooking spray. Place four poblano pepper halves on the bottom of the baking dish, then spread half of the beef mixture on top of the peppers and then layer half of your cheese mixture. Repeat the layers once more, peppers, beef then cheese.
  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 30-35 minutes or until the cheese is melted and browned.
  Serve with chips and an avocado salad or with rice and beans.
  Posted in Cook | 0 Comments | Tagged casserole, mexican cuisine, poblano pepper, Recipe
- 5 Ways to Decorate with Pumpkins
  
  Posted at 7:56 am by turnipcreations, on October 26, 2020
  
  Do you ever see those adorable mini pumpkins at the Farmer’s Market and grocery stores and wonder what to do with them besides just sitting them randomly around the house? With all the amazing colors they come in, from pure white to almost black, green, yellow and of course orange, there are so many fabulous ways to decorate with these tiny gourds.
  
  Of course, you can always paint, embellish or add fun accessories to them, but today we are talking about just using them in their natural state, using items you already have around the house. So, let’s get creative and get to decorating.
  
  First off, these little guys will last a long time, so don’t be afraid to purchase them early in the season. In fact, we have some from last year that are still looking great. Of course you will have the occasional mini pumpkin that get a bad spot and start to rot; however, for the most part they will last until Thanksgiving even if purchased in September.
  
  So here we go…5 ways to decorate with Mini Pumpkins!
  
  1. Fill a Bowl
  
  For a Farmhouse vibe, choose a vintage crock bowl and fill with white pumpkins. The key to this look is to choose pumpkins that are not bright white. I love the ones with field spots & sugar spots for that perfectly imperfect look.
  
  By skipping the perfect pumpkins, you really get a warm vintage farmhouse feel.
  
  2. Fill any Vessel You Can Find
  
  What is so great about pumpkins, they really can incorporate into any decor. Think outside of the box and choose some unique items to fill. This vintage suitcase is a perfect example. By taking a variety of colors, shapes and sizes and piling them into the body of the suitcase, you create a unique and interesting display.
  
  So, go on a treasure hunt around you house. Find items that can be filled with pumpkins and bring them out to the front and center of your holiday decor.
  
  3. Head Outside
  
  Sure, we all stack and pile pumpkins on the porch for a fabulous Fall feel, but don’t forget about the window boxes and flower pots. By incorporating pumpkins into your seasonal plantings, you can really take the greenery and flowers up a notch with the added pop of color and texture.
  
  4. Incorporate Mini Pumpkins into Your Existing Decor
  
  There really is no need to completely pack everything away and move items you love just to decorate for a holiday. Simply incorporate bits and pieces into already displayed decor.
  
  In our entryway, I have this dough board and acorns displayed year round, but I always add seasonal pieces to it depending on the holiday. Here I simply added green and white pumpkins.
  
  What are you favorite home decor items in your house? Leave them there and try adding a few pumpkin to create a fabulous holiday vignette. This is a great way to use what you have and transition through the seasons at the same time.
  
  5. Find a Funky Basket
  
  This cool basket was picked up at an estate sale and has been incorporated into so many different decor schemes. For a fun & funky vibe, I filled it with different shape, size and colors of pumpkins for an anything goes look.
  
  Want a more natural feel? Find a pretty wooden basket and add leaves, twigs and neutral colored pumpkins.
  
  With Halloween and Thanksgiving approaching, it’s the perfect time to add a little seasonal spirit to your decor. And mini pumpkins are an inexpensive yet fun way to do that. Have fun with it and get creative!
  
  Posted in Decorate | 0 Comments
- Succulent and Pumpkin Arrangements
  
  Posted at 6:19 am by turnipcreations, on September 10, 2019
  What goes better than Pumpkins and Succulents? Really! Do you even have to think about it? I’m not sure anything screams Fall more than these gorgeous <and super simple> Pumpkin and Succulent planters.
  
  Well, since we grow both Succulents and Pumpkins, they really are the perfect combination this time of year and they are so easy to make with just a few simple craft items. So perfect for Thanksgiving centerpieces, hostess gifts, wedding favors or just to sit around the house and enjoy yourself.
  
  There are a lot of tutorials out there on how to creases these pretty planters and lots of different ideas on whether or not to plant the succulent in moss on top of the whole pumpkin or to plant inside the pumpkin in soil. For these, I prefer to not cut into the pumpkin at all and rather “plant” the Succulents in the moss that is layered on top of the pumpkin.
  
  <Scroll to the bottom for a quick instruction guide>
  
  They will last for up to 2-3 months and when the pumpkin has no more life in it, you simply remove the moss topper, succulents and all and plant in a planter or flower pot, using a good rich succulent soil. The roots will already be established in the moss and will continue to grow into the new soil and look amazing- I love that!
  
  You can use any size or variety of pumpkins. I really prefer the mini pumpkins, even the micro pumpkins, but the large & colorful ornamental pumpkins make stunning arrangements. Just experiment and have fun.
  
  The supply list is pretty simple…pumpkins, succulents, moss, spray adhesive, hot glue gun and glue sticks. That is all you need to create the perfect Fall centerpiece.
  
  So let’s talk supply details. The spray adhesive will be for attaching the moss, in layers, to the top of the pumpkin. Any spray adhesive will work. You could also just use hot glue to adhere the moss; however, I like using a spray adhesive because it is more forgiving and easier on your fingers (and how many times have you been burned by the hot glue?!)
  
  Now the moss— Sphagnum moss is a natural product, is long lasting and has excellent water holding capabilities. This is what I recommend using, especially if you plan to transplant your succulents later. However, I have seen other types of moss used.
  
  Pumpkins come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes. I get more bang for my buck when using the mini pumpkins because it doesn’t take as many succulents to make it look full. And I think the small succulent filled pumpkins look great adorning a desktop, kitchen counter, or side table. But, if you were using the arrangement for a large table or focal centerpiece, I would use a bigger variety pumpkin. If using a larger pumpkin you want to look for an ornamental pumpkin with a flat or inverted top.
  
  And lastly, you need succulents. I use cuttings, with 1/4″ stem, first letting them air dry for a few days which allows them to form a callus end. If you cut and plant in the same day, the moisture from the plant stem could cause rot.
  
  You can also purchase small succulent plants to use, which is especially helpful for your large center pieces. Be sure to take away and shake off all the dirt before placing in the moss.
  
  So let’s get to the crafting. Spray the adhesive to the top of the pumpkin and place a layer of moss. Press down and hold to ensure it has adhered. Continue to spray adhesive and place more moss until it is built up 1/4″-1/2″ thick. I like to have a little moss trailing down the sides as well but you may want it neat and symmetrical. Just layer it to suit your taste.
  
  I like to get an idea of how I want the plants arranged before I begin gluing them in place. Start with your larger and taller plants in the center and work your way to the outside. Then go back enough and add smaller filler plants to make a full arrangement. Also use draping succulent to line the outside edge. I like to use all green or neutral succulent for a natural arrangement but the bright and vibrant colored succulent look great too. Maybe even use a monochromatic look with a large orange pumpkin and orange succulent or a green pumpkin with green succulent. There is really no wrong way to arrange them as long as you like it!
  
  Once you figure out a plan for the arrangement, use the end of a pencil or something similar to poke a hole in the moss then dab a little hot glue onto the end of the succulent and poke into the hole you made in the moss. Press down a little and hold until the glue sets. The hot glue will not damage the stem and the succulent will continue to grow and take root in the moss.
  
  Continue to glue a variety of succulent in the moss and fill in blank areas with smaller succulent. Make it as full as you want. I like to stick to just a few succulent if I am using a micro pumpkin and 10-12 cutting for a mini pumpkin, depending on the size of your succulent cuttings.
  
  After a day or two, give the moss a good spritz with a spray bottle and then continue to lightly spritz it using a spray bottle every week to week and a half and it should last a few months.
  Print
  
  Succulent Pumpkin Arrangement
  
  A beautiful way to celebrate the Fall Season by combining pumpkins and succulent.
  
  Prep Time10 mins
  Active Time30 mins
  
  Equipment
  Hot Glue Gun
  
  Materials
  Hot Glue Sticks
  Spray Adhesive
  Sphagnum Moss
  Variety of Succulent Cuttings or Plants leave stem 1/4" long
  Ornamental or Mini Pumpkins
  
  Instructions
  Spray top of pumpkin with adhesive and layer the moss on top. Continue to spray and layer until moss is 1/4"-1/2" thick.
  Poke a hole into the moss where you want the plant to be placed.
  Dab hot glue all around the stem of your succulent and place in the hole in the moss and hold down until glue hardens.
  Continue gluing succulents in the moss until the arrangement is full.
  After a day or two, give the plants and moss a good spritz with a water bottle and continue to water every week to week and a half.
  
  Notes
  If using succulent cuttings, cut stems back to 1/4" and allow to air dry for a few days before planting.
  If using full plants, remove all the dirt before planting.
  Use large or tall succulents in the middle and work outward adding plants. Use smaller plants or trailing succulent to fill in between large plants and on the edges.
  Posted in Craft, Garden | 0 Comments | Tagged centerpiece, fall craft, fall decorations, pumpkin, pumpkin succulent, Succulent, succulents
- Cinnamon Spice Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Bites
  
  Posted at 3:49 am by turnipcreations, on September 7, 2019
  The temperature dipped down to a cool 92 degrees for one day last week, which can only mean one thing – Fall in Texas is right around the corner! Even though it climbed back to 100 degree days soon after, I felt the first hint that my FAV season of the year would be here soon.
  
  September has rolled around and it makes me crave all things Fall! And these Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Bites, with a punch of spicy clove, are all things fall, rolled into a perfect bite size portion.
  
  The best part is how super simple they are to make and whip up in just a matter of minutes. Perfect for last minute guests or just when you are craving a taste of Fall.
  
  Canned Apples and Snickerdoodle Cookie mix makes this recipe super simple and easy; but, the added addition of clove, nutmeg and cinnamon gives it a warm homemade taste.
  
  The best part about this recipe, besides the AH-mazing flavor, is that you get to use the mini-muffin pan! I love anything & everything in a mini version & that’s what makes this sweet treat all the better.
  
  Mix the Snickerdoodle Cookie mix according to package direction. Using a small ice cream scoop, dip out 1″ balls of dough and roll in the cinnamon mixture, that came with the cookie dough mix. I highly recommend a small ice cream scoop…it is invaluable in the kitchen. But, you can just drop the dough by the tablespoon and roll in the cinnamon/sugar.
  
  Poop each dough balls individually into the muffin pan and bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown .
  
  When done take out of the oven and quickly press the back of a tablespoon size measuring spoon into the dough, to form the indention for the cup.
  
  Let cool in pan 3-5 minutes then carefully pop out and sit aside to cool completely.
  
  Now for the yummy filling– Apple Pie in a Can! I like to mix in some added flavor using cinnamon, nutmeg and ground clove to give it a powerful punch of all the yummy flavors of the Fall Season. Now, I know canned apple pie filling is already flavored, and of course can be used as is straight from the can and will be delicious. If you do not like the added punch of spice flavor, just omit the added cinnamon, clove and nutmeg or season to taste.
  
  Of course you could also cook down fresh apples to form the filling or even use peaches instead of apples. The spices will really stand out on their own regardless of the fruit you use.
  
  Pour the canned apples into a bowl, add a touch of cinnamon, a sprinkle of nutmeg and smidge of ground clove and give the apples a good chop. You want to chop and turn the bowl, then stir with a spoon and repeat until the apples are diced small.
  
  Once mixed, use the small ice cream scoop to fill the Snickerdoodle cups with the apple mixture and serve (or save them all for yourself!)
  
  Perfect as is or even better drizzled with caramel or served with ice cream! I love serving these mini treats even as an appetizer and they are perfect to take for a pot luck or to the office to share with co-workers.
  Cinnamon Spice Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Bites
  
  These Cinnamon Spice Snickerdoole Apple Pie Bites combine all my favorite flavors of Fall into a bite sized treat!
  
  Print Recipe Pin Recipe
  
  Prep Time 15 mins
  Cook Time 10 mins
  
  Servings 30 bites
  
  Ingredients
  
  1 package Betty Crocker Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix (1 cookie mix + cinnamon sugar mix that comes with cookie pouch)
  1 tbs water
  1 egg
  1/2 c butter, melted
  1 can apple pie filling
  1/8 tsp ground clove
  1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  
  Instructions
  
  Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a mini muffin pan with cookie pray, thoroughly.
  Mix cookie mix, according to directions. If using the Betty Crocker mix, stir together egg, butter, water and cookie mix until dough forms.
  Pour the cinnamon sugar mixture from the cookie mix into a plate or flat bottom bowl.
  Using a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon, scoop the dough into balls and roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture and then place into the mini muffin pan.
  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. Immediately after removing pan from oven, use the back of a tablespoon measuring spoon to press down and make an indention in the top of each cookie.
  Let cookie cups cool in pan for 3-5 minutes and then gently pop out each cookie using a knife or edge of a spoon and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
  Pour the contents of the apple pie filling into a bowl. Add the ground clove, ground nutmeg and ground cinnamon. Using a knife, chop up the apples then stir the mixture to combine the spices.
  Using the small ice cream scoop or tablespoon, place a little apple mixture into each cookie cup. If desired, you can sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture or serve with ice cream or a drizzle of caramel.
  Posted in Cook | 0 Comments | Tagged apple pie, baking, fall baking, snickerdoodle
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