Newsletter 33 – November 20, 2008

Christmas Gift Cards       Winter House Plant Care       Cape Cod Corn Bread Stuffing         Italian Sausage with white bean Stew

We Are Truly Thankful

For all the times you ‘came on out’,

and took home our plants to care about.

For being there in good and bad

When days and days of rain we had.

For all the calls, the emails, too,

Giving us the chance to talk to you.

For smiles and hugs, so warmly shared.

The many ways you’ve shown you cared

For being the most important part

Our thanks to you comes from our hearts.

“Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year,

to the honest man it comes as frequently

as the heart of gratitude will allow

Edward Sandford Martin

Gift Cards for Christmas

Let us help you get a jumpstart on your Christmas shopping.  A gift card from America’s Best Flowers is the perfect answer for all the gardeners on your list.  Our gift cards have no service charges or expiration dates.  Just order them over the phone (608-222-2269) and we will mail them for you. A gift card from America’s Best not only shows you care, but it gives the recipient a promise that spring really will come again.

“Give me the end of the year an’ its fun

When most of the plannin’ an’ toilin’ is done;

Bring all the wanderers home to the nest,

Let me sit down with the ones I love best,

Hear the old voices still ringin’ with song,

See the old faces unblemished by wrong,

See the old table with all of its chairs

An’ I’ll put soul in my Thanksgivin’ prayers.”

Edgar A. Guest, Thanksgiving

Give Your Houseplants Reason to ‘Thank’ You

In winter, the lack of humidity inside our homes is very stressful on your plants.  Give them a special treat with a once-a-month shower.  Just set them in the tub and turn on a gentle, cool spray, being careful not to flood the pot and cause soil to wash into the tub.  Small plants can be done in the kitchen sink.  The shower will wash dust off the leaves, as well as give a thorough watering to your plant.  Allow them to thoroughly drain, then dry pots off with an old towel.

Keep in mind that your plants will do better if they are positioned close together.  This creates a more humid environment.  In between showers, mist lightly with a spray bottle filled with distilled water, being careful not to get wooden floors and furniture wet.

One More Game For You

Computer games can be addictive.  I’ve done this one more than once.  If you have time over this holiday weekend, you might enjoy a little Thanksgiving fun. http://www.southbankdesign.co.uk/turkeyshoot/index.htm

“So once in every year we throng

Upon a day apart

To praise the Lord with feast and song

In thankfulness of heart.”

 Arthur Guiterman, The First Thanksgiving

BONNIE’S KITCHEN

You can cut down some of the preparation time for Thanksgiving by using this super easy stuffing recipe.

Cape Cod Cornbread Stuffing

2 cups cornbread stuffing cubes

½ pound sausage meat, cooked, drained and crumbled

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

½ cup diced onion

1/3 cup chopped pecans

2 teaspoons thyme

½ cup chicken broth

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients, except chicken broth, in a medium casserole dish.  Add chicken broth; mix well.  Add more broth for a moister stuffing.  Cover and bake for 30 minutes or until heated through.  Makes 3 cups.

Italian Sausage and White Bean Stew

The hot Italian sausage perks up this stew and is delicious, but for a different character, replace the hot sausage with the sweet variety. Both are very good 1 large onion, sliced

1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 pound hot Italian sausage, cut into 1” pieces

5 large cloves garlic, minced

2 carrots, chopped

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups chicken broth

1 cup water

1 can (15 oz.) small white beans, rinsed and drained

1 t dried Italian herb seasoning

1/8 t crushed red pepper flakes

8 ounces spinach, stems removed

Coat a large nonstick saucepan with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Add onion, pepper, and sausage. Cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes, or until the onion and sausage are lightly browned. Add garlic, carrots, and flour. Cook 1 minute.

Add broth, water, beans, Italian seasoning, and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the stew is thick and the sausage is no longer pink. Stir in the spinach. Cook for 1 minute, or until the spinach has wilted.

“An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.” Irv Kupcinet joke 2

SEE YOU IN THE SPRING!!!

Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn’t sleep,

I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep.

The leftovers beckoned – the dark meat and white

But I fought the temptation with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation,

The thought of a snack became infatuation.

So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door

And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,

Stuffing with gravy, green beans and tomatoes.

I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,

‘til all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky

With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie

But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees-

“Happy eating to all – pass the cranberries, please.”

Author Unknown