GARDEN DELIGHTSWritten by Arleen M. Kaptur
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Fun objects such as butterflies, angels, little play benches, or bird baths give a light touch to any area that is too serious or intense. Also using your imagination can give visitors impression that you labored just as hard on amenities as on garden itself. If you should ever encounter one of those old clawfoot bathtubs (retail shops, demolition area, or even city recycling center) you can have a very one-of-a-kind fountain. Outfit your cast-off tub with a shower head, put it in a corner of your garden, especially near a wooden fence with ferns or ivy and you have one terrific waterfall that adds fresh water, sound of a waterfall, and appeal of “antique” to your garden. Store bought objects are fine in a pinch, but hunt down those discards or garage dust-collectors and you have “original” accents. An old rocking chair can be painted with weather resistant paint and cushions. Clay pots decorated by your children or grandchildren add a light touch. Old buckets, stepladders, watering cans or animal figurines are just so many colors on your artist’s palette of ideas just waiting to be used. There is so much fun to have in decorating your outdoors home-area. You only need imagination, some bright paint or material, and a whole lot of enthusiasm. There is never a mistake to be had - if you don’t like something - change it. If you stick to inexpensive items, they can be interchanged at whim and your garden will always have a fresh perspective. Show off your plants, as well as your artistic talent! ENJOY! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 May
Arleen Kaptur has written numerous articles, cookbooks, and the novel: SEARCHING FOR AUSTIN JAMES Websites: http://www.arleenssite.com http://www.Arleens-RusticLiving.com http://topica.com/lists.simpleliving http://webspawner.com/users/rusticliving
| | SMOOTH VELVETY CANTALOUPEWritten by Arleen M. Kaptur
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To serve: Let sherbet stand at room temperature for 10 mins. for easier scooping. *************************** Have fun - Remove rind from cantaloupe. Slice into rings. Place on glass plate and place a scoop of lime or pineapple sherbet in center. Place a few mint leaves around ring - Refreshing as a summer rainfall! - but much tastier. ***************** or Remove rind from cantaloupe. Slice in rings, then slice in half. Place on lettuce-lined salad plates and drizzle with French dressing and crumbled Camembert cheese. ***************** Would you like to wow your guests? Cut a cantaloupe lengthwise into six sections with knife. Remove seeds. Loosen melon and cut it into small sections, but do not remove. Fill with fresh cut watermelon, ruby red strawberries, just-picked raspberries, tropical pineapple and a few kiwi slices. Place in center of plate and surround with finger or tea sandwiches. or Cut a cantaloupe in 6 lengthwise sections. Remove seeds. Remove fruit with a small knife. Soak fruit in a light fruity wine for about an hour. Replace fruit and accent with mint leaves. Serve as a salad on watercress-lined small plates. ****************** Peel cantaloupe, cut in half and remove seeds. Slice into strips. Toss with prosciutto and serve as a meat accompaniment. ****************** or just serve plain. It is sweet, juicy and smooth. Use cantaloupe to decorate your food, as a part of a meal, and even as dessert with ice cream or sherbet. Take advantage of this beautiful fruit. Cantaloupe can be used as part of a picnic lunch or as an elegante entree at a “fancy” affair. However, you serve it - ENJOY ! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002
Arleen Kaptur has written numerous articles, cookbooks, and the novel: SEARCHING FOR AUSTIN JAMES Websites: http://www.arleenssite.com http://www.Arleens-RusticLiving.com http://www.webspawner.com/users/rusticliving http://www.topica.com/lists.simpleliving
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