Now and Then by Nancy Kline: CYPRESS VINEThis fast growing, trumpet shaped, sta...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: CYPRESS VINEThis fast growing, trumpet shaped, sta...: CYPRESS VINE This fast growing, trumpet shaped, star faced beautiful vine is a huge attraction for butterflies and hummingbirds.  It is...

CYPRESS VINE

This fast growing, trumpet shaped, star faced beautiful vine is a huge attraction for butterflies and hummingbirds.  It is easy to grow but does require water and sunshine.  I let mine grow along with my blue morning glories to make a fantastic statement.  They are from the same family and get along very well.  The leaves have a delicate feathery almost lacey look which adds to the beauty of the plant and such a contrast from the broader morning glory leaves. 



If you do plant cypress vine make sure you buy plenty of weed killer because next year you will have a million little seedlings appear.  They love to climb on my chain link fence but we try to keep them off as they are a real pain to pick out of the wire when fall comes.  They will also take over any other plants close by.  They love to attach themselves to my rose bushes. 



They are a blessing to pass by every morning as we load the van to go to work.  You just can't resist saying "Good Morning" to them as you walk by.  Believe it or not, I do talk to my plants!  It is so nice because they can't talk back! 

 

 



Now and Then by Nancy Kline: CHOCOLATE BROWNIES Quick and to the Mouth! When...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline:  CHOCOLATE BROWNIES  Quick and to the Mouth!  When...:   CHOCOLATE BROWNIES     Quick and to the Mouth!  When I do a mix I try to dress it up with a good topping.  This one never fails...

 

CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

 

 

Quick and to the Mouth!  When I do a mix I try to dress it up with a good topping.  This one never fails to get eaten quickly.

 

Love the $1.00 Brownie Mix no matter what brand.  The secret is in the topping.

 

Bake the Brownie Mix according to directions.  I use a 10 x 10 pan. 

 

As soon as brownies come out of the oven cover the top with mini marshmallows. ( Always making sure there are some left that grandkids didn't find.  Sometimes I get left holding the bag.)  Put brownies back in the oven to slightly melt the marshmallows.

 

Fudge Frosting:

 

6 Tablespoons of butter

1/4 Cup Cocoa

1/3 Cup milk

 

Bring to boil.

 While still in the pan add 3 cups of confectioners sugar.  I use a little hand mixer for this.  Beat until mixed really good and pour on top of the Marshmallows. 

 

Warning:  If planning to take to an event do not leave in sight of grandkids.  They will help themselves!

                     They didn't last till noon in VHC Brands break room!

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: CUCUMBER ??? A small basket of pickings from the...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: CUCUMBER ???  A  small basket of pickings from the...: CUCUMBER ???     A  small basket of pickings from the back yard garden yesterday afternoon.  This new little garden got off to a de...

CUCUMBER ???

 

 

A  small basket of pickings from the back yard garden yesterday afternoon.  This new little garden got off to a delayed start this year as it was mid June before getting the whole thing finished.  Therefore, plantings were rather late.  Someone told me that planting a late garden in Missouri was a wonderful idea.  Wrong!  It was so hot for several weeks that anything I put out dried up the next day.  Most of the seeds I planted never even germinated so we will have no green beans or okra this year.  But on the optimistic side a few things did survive and flourish. 

These strange egg shaped veggies are actually Dragon's Egg Cucumbers.  Son number three purchased a tremendous amount of different kinds of seeds for my garden several years ago from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company up in Mansfield, Missouri.  It has been fun experimenting with the different varieties.  Since I keep seeds forever I decided to plant these Dragon's Egg Cucumbers this year.  They did come up and we are enjoying the bounty of Dragon's Eggs this summer.

  

                                     

Sliced up they really are  delicious little cucumbers with a mild, bitter-free and sweet taste. It is a good thing, too as it looks like there will be many more coming on the vines from the looks of the many blooms.

 

Think I will have another slice or two for mid morning snack!



Now and Then by Nancy Kline: WHAT TIME IS IT? You don't have to ask that quest...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: WHAT TIME IS IT?  You don't have to ask that quest...: WHAT TIME IS IT?     You don't have to ask that question when entering our home.  There seems to be clocks all over the house. Mo...