Throughout the year, it is challenging to live with a food allergy or intolerance, but the holidays between Thanksgiving and Christmas are extremely difficult.  Every party I visit is a potential health risk.  Over the last two years, I've developed a strategy for keeping myself as safe as possible.  For each party I attend, I bring something savory and something sweet (if I'm in the mood for a dessert).  I can promise you that with gluten and dairy intolerances, I can't eat any dessert except fruit at a friend's house.   I take that back, my BFF, Aimee, makes some sweet and spicy pecans similar to these which I can eat.  Thanks Aimee. However, my strategy wouldn't work, if I didn't have Karina, the Gluten Free Goddess's, recipes.  For me, Karina is more angel than goddess.  I've read her blog and used her recipes for over two years.  This winter, she...

Advent is all about waiting.  Lighting the purple and pink candles.  Waiting for the Christ child to be born and placed in the manger.  Waiting for Him to come again at the end of time. When I lit the wreath today, I wondered how people felt before electricity.  In the coldest and shortest days of the year, candles were a significant symbol of hope.  For me, they still are.  I've tried this Advent to hold a place of stillness in my heart, to be a part of the world as I prepare for Christmas, but to remain calm in spite of all the busyness.  Sometimes, I succeeded.  Other times, not so much. Winter is also about waiting, but the promise of new life is everywhere if you look. The buds of my Magnolia x soulangiana, Tulip Magnolia, are cloaked in their warm, fuzzy coats, but in only a few months,...

Knockout truly is one. Patootie. In her comment on my last rose post, Kerri from Colors of the Garden asked how I combat blackspot.  The answer is complicated, but I'll try to tackle it. First, I do everything the experts tell you to do. Plant roses in the sun.  This may seem elementary, but roses need plenty of sunshine to produce more flowers and increase their resistance to all diseases. Give roses enough food and agua.  Roses are heavy feeders, and they get stressed without plenty of food and water.  In the hot summer, when all of my plants, including the roses, are stressed, I spray them once a week with Sea Tea.  I love that stuff.  Like humans, when plants get adequate food and rest, they are less likely to get sick.  You can also make your own compost tea, if you're so inclined. Provide roses with good air...

With a low this morning of 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and a projected high of 18F, this is all I've got.  Three of these little plants grow in my sunny, bathroom window.  The one, above, which I call holiday cactus, Schlumbergera sp., starts blooming around Thanksgiving.  The coral one, which I call Christmas cactus, will bloom around Christmas and continue for at least three weeks.  My new one, a rescue from Wal-Mart, has already bloomed a light pink and white.  With a little TLC, I hope to see it in full bloom next Thanksgiving. I don't know too much about these plants other than they grow in the forests of South America. I do know I like them because they are forgiving and easy-peasy, lemon squeezy. I have one other indoor plant container which I'm saving for the colds of January.  I also planted some Amaryllis and Calla lily bulbs, but...