Winter Garden Time! Today I began the change from summer to a winter garden.

I have been planning my winter garden. The seasonal change is upon us and I am changing out the old garden for a new winter friendly one.

This is our asparagus plants, with basil near them. I let them go to seed so that the roots get feed for next years' crop. They are 4 year old mature plants now. Next year should be a great production season for them. They will stay in the ground over the winter to rebloom into asparagus shoots for cutting in the spring. Yum.

Yummy!!! So worth the work to grow these babies. They are expensive in the grocery store. If you can be patient with them the first three years. The first year I did not cut any of these shoots, letting them grow to feed the roots. The second and third year I took some, but stopped midway in the season. This last year we ate alot more of the green goodness.

Now this coming year, I will feel free to take these shoots until the end of the season. Because it is all about the root system and mature plants have well developed roots.

Planting Seeds for fall and winter garden in Aug. or Sept.

Today, I was sowing seed for a new winter crop. The kale that you see here will regrow, but I like to plant fresh seed too. The darker dirt is where the new seeds are. A tall basil can be seen too.

Just look on the seed packets to see how long they need to germinate. The crop needs to be harvestable before the first frost.

Today I was baking squash seeds that I added salt, pepper and olive oil to for eating. And I started drying out some of them to plant next spring. Delicata squash is my favorite squash, we make alot of it this time of year. Here are the seeds from one of the extra yummy squashes that we ate:

I just lay them out to dry:

Once they are dry, place them in a bag or jar of rice and store for up to two years. These will not be in the winter crop because they need up to 110 days to mature into squash.

A winter harvest of onions and various greens.

Herbs that grow well in winter:

Rosemary is one plant that is in the evergreen family. It will survive the winter and it will provide you with the tasty herb thoughout the cold season.

Sage, thyme, oregano, and rosemary will last the entire winter. Clipping them will just encourage new growth. This one just sits in an above the ground container next to my deck.

Ornamental:

I like to add colorful ornamental peppers to my fall arrangements. I read that they are edible, but that they are almost to hot to eat. I have never attempted it... I just love their color. They will not survive a winter, but are great for the fall.

This white cabbage adds to the cabbage display that is only safe from deer (a large problem for me) if I spray it with deer off. It is safe from the cold winter months. Cabbages and the evergreen family are winter friendly plants.

Purple ornamental Cabbage adds alot of color to a drab winter.

Plants like my lime tree, I drag into the house for the winter:

Oriental vegetables are very cold resistant. They are very hardy. Pak Choi is one of my favorite.

Yummy!

This year I had a problem with bugs eating my produce; you can see how they eat the leaves in the above pic. At the end of this blog, --I will discuss tips on getting rid of those pesky insects.

See the basil at the top... I have it growing everywhere, but it will not survive outside in the cold winter. I will have to grow it inside. Rapini or Broccoil Raab grows well in the winter.
Raini or Broccoli Raab is a tasty green treat thoughout the winter, so is brussel sprouts. This year, I am not doing a brussel sprout crop. But, they do just as well as cabbage in a winter garden.

Yummy...

Spinach! Another staple for us.

Winter Spinach bed.

Winter Spinach sits next to the green onions. Both do very well in a cold climate garden.

Kale!

Kale is my favorite green leafy vegetable. It is a hardy one that will be as cold hardy as your Mustard Greens.

Kale

This is how the onions and kale look after surviving a full winter. Last year I had so much left over that I had to harvest my crop before planting my spring garden.
I like to grow Swiss Chard because it is my second favorite green leafy vegetable.

There are a few plants that can be fun. I plant purple potatoes, easter egg colored radishes and the many colored Swiss Chard.

This is the yellow Swiss Chard.

 I grow the green variety, but I also grow the different colors to have fun with it!

This is the rainbow variety of Swiss Chard.

Then there are the really colorful, five color variety of Swiss Chard! --Kinda resembles the red rubbard from my childhood.

This is a section of my Swiss Chard that the deer got to.

Root Vegetables:

Here you can see Golden Beets, Red Beets and Red Spring Onions. I have learned that I prefer the red beets over the golden, so I will most likely not grow the yellow variety anymore. However, for salads they make a nice colorful dish.

Beets are a great winter crop. You can grow all colors.

Carotts, beets and radishes are root vegetables that are considered winter crops. They grow underground, so it kinda just makes since.

Carrots just pulled up after a long winter, that were extra before washing them.

They are a great winter crop item.

Collards:

I love Collard Greens! Not only are they delish, but they are winter hardy plants too.

You can let the leaves get large, or cut them small:

Then there are the more colorful varieties:

Red Mustard Greens are very hardy. In the colder season's there are fewer plants blooming with color. These edible tasty greens are pretty and ornamental to look at.

Mustard Greens in the summer look like this. They are really hardy and are fine through colder seasons.

This is what the mustard greens look like if they are not cut. If cut, they just grow new growth. They are very forgiving.

Arugula!

Arugula is a must have lettuce for me. I love this peppery lettuce for sandwiches!

Sometimes I simply put arugula on individual plates; then place whatever meat I cooked (fish, chicken, etc) on top of the leaves. They become wilted and the drippings off the meat make a dressing. Eating this peppery green with the meat provides another layer of flavor. ;-)

Note the marigolds. I do not plant them every year because I think they are pretty. Why plant marigolds on the edge of edible plants?

Why do I plant marigolds in my vegetable garden?
Marigolds are easy to grow and they help keep the away aphids. “The relationship between plants and insects is known as ‘companion planting.’ it’s by far the safest, natural way to garden organically.” My mom has been sharing with me the tips of Indiana farmers since I was a kid.
 My mother and the Farmers Almanac have provided tricks for gardeners to outsmart their pesky unwelcomed bug occupants.

Plants That Naturally Repel Insects:
Ø Peppermint repels ants, white cabbage moths, aphids, and flea beetles.
Ø Garlic discourages aphids, fleas, Japanese beetles, and spider mites.
Ø Perennial Chives repel aphids and spider mites.
      Chives are often planted among roses to keep aphids away and to resist the disease, Blackspot.
Ø Basil drives away flies and mosquitoes.

I place basil thoughout the yard and gardens. This is the tomato patch that the deer ate most of. You can see one canalope left.

Ø Borage deters that monster of vegetable garden insects, the tomato hornworm.

This is what the hornworms did to one of my tomato plants. They eat every green leaf until you kill or relocate them.

Ø Rosemanry and Sage repel cabbage moths, bean beetles, and carrot flies.
Ø Annual Marigolds can be used anywhere to deter Mexican bean beetles, squash bugs, thrips, tomato hornworms, and whiteflies. They are also known to repel harmful root knot nematodes (soil dwelling microscopic white worms) that attack tomatoes, potatoes, roses, and strawberries. The root of the Marigold produces a chemical that kills nematodes as they enter the soil. If a whole area is infested, at the end of the season, turn the Marigolds under so the roots will decay in the soil. You can safely plant there again the following spring.
Ø Nasturtium is another annual, in this case a trailing vine, that keeps away Potato bugs, squash bugs, and whiteflies.
Ø The perennial, Artemisia or Wormwood deters slugs that are so devastating to foliage.
Ø Radishes can be planted to discourage cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and stink bugs.

Attracting Good Insects To Your Garden:

Plant certain vegetables, herbs, or flowers in your garden to attract predatory insects that will feed on the harmful, undesirable ones.
Perennial Yarrow…attracts ladybugs that consume masses of aphids. The preying mantis is my favorite bug because not only are they just really cool looking, but they eat their weight in the bugs that consume your garden! I have purchased eggs of both ladybugs and preying mantis to begin my year more bug free.

The lacewing that feeds on aphids, mealy bugs, mites, and scale needs lots of pollen from flowers and evergreens for shelter. This is why I surround my vegetable garden area with boxwoods. They also give the garden a more pleasant look to it. Sometimes vegetables are not as pretty, so I try to make them appealing to the eye. Wasps and bees are also beneficial to the garden. When you create a natural balance in your garden you’ll discover how much better everything grows and you won’t need to worry about damaging the environment.

Ideal Planting Companions For Vegetables:

• Beans-like celery and cucumbers but dislike onions and fennel. 
• Beets are compatible with bush beans, lettuce, onions, kohlrabi and most members of the cabbage family. Keep pole beans and mustard away from them.
• Cabbage, celery, dill, onions, and potatoes are good companion plants. Dislikes include strawberries, tomatoes, and pole beans.
• Carrots, lettuce, radish, onions, and tomatoes are friends. Dill isn’t, so plant it at the other end of the garden.

There are so many different kinds of lettuce to choose from. I regrow, reseed all year long. It does well in a cold weather garden too.

• Corn prefers to be near pumpkins, peas, beans, cucumbers, and potatoes. Keep tomatoes away.
• Cucumbers like sweet corn, peas, radishes, beans, and sunflowers. Dislikes include aromatic herbs and potatoes.

Our cucumber patch is done for the year.

• Lettuce grows especially well with onions. They are also compatible with strawberries, carrots, radishes, and cucumbers.

I just planted more lettuce seeds; salads are a staple for me, so I keep the cycle of growing going on this green leafy stuff.

• Onions can be planted near lettuce, beeroot, strawberries, and tomatoes but keep well away from peas and beans.
• Peas, carrots, cucumbers, sweet corn, turnips, radishes, beans, potatoes, and aromatic herbs are good companions. Keep peas away from onions, garlic, leek, and shallots.
• Radish grows well with beetroot, carrots, spinach, parsnip, cucumbers, and beans. Avoid planting near cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or turnips.
• Squash can be planted with cucumbers and corn.
• Tomatoes, carrots, onions, and parsley are good companion plants. Basil improves growth and flavour. Keep cabbage and cauliflower away from them. It is nearing the end of tomato plant season. See parsley and basil growing on the sides.

I was the administrator for an art contest:

Art, I just love to view other artist's work, from so many different mediums too. Here are the results of an art contest that I had the joy of administrating. 

Metallic Angel is the icon used for the contest and the Fine Art America group.

Metallic Angel Sent to Ameliorate

60X48

Oil, Acrylic, Mixed Medium

You can find me here at: http://lisakramerartlifestyle.blogspot.com/

or at my web site: http://www.lisakramerart.com/

On Fine Art America: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/lisa-kramer.html

or on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/LisaKramerArtcom/133445520049567

email: lisakramerart@yahoo.com

Angels and Anything Spiritual says a big Congrats to the winners!
All the winners who submitted their winning works are also featured on the Fine Art America group, 'Angels and All Spiritual Things.'

The first, second and third place winners were done by popular vote.

First place winner: Meagn Miller, 'Step Through To Change.' Her work will stay on the home page of the Angels and All Spiritual Things' until November 17 (2 months) as the winner of the contest. To contact this artist, her email is: boundlessartbymeg@gmail.com. Or you can view more of her work at: http://megan-miller.artistwebsites.com/
or on her facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Arts-Desire/214121078645095

The following is the interview with the first place winner, Megan Miller:

Tell us about you --and the age you began to experiment with art?

I started painting specifically when I was in my late teens. I was really searching for an outlet and had been using writing short stories and poetry for a long time, but needing to do something different, although I do still write. My mother is an artist she does mostly oil paintings. I think she dabbled in watercolor in the beginning but has settled on oils.

I read your bio on FAA. Can your share a story of how art has affected some of the clients that you have worked with?
I do use painting in my job as a Mneme Therapist, which is a newer therapy used with children and adults with brain diseases, disorders, recovering from trauma, or after having a stroke. The style of painting I use for this is called 'directed painting' and we are able to create simple, but mature looking paintings that bring genuine praise and are very rewarding.

Describe how art is therapeutic?
Painting is therapeutic in many ways, especially when it comes to brain stimulation, using both sides of the brain simultaneously, and balancing the chemicals produced in the brain.

What is the story behind the title of your photo?
The title 'Step Through To Change' came from the way the photo looks like stepping through a looking glass into another world, a green beautiful place of peace.

What is your inspiration?
My inspiration is a inner feeling to create always tugging at me, seeing something beautiful and feeling an awe about it, --just an enjoyment of taking in the world.

Do you have a hero, or admire a famous-master-of-your-craft?
I love all of the classic impressionist painters, they are my favorite. I feel so much emotion when I look at their works. But, I have an appreciation for so many talented artists. With the internet and venues like FAA, I am amazed at number of gifted and talented people creating art of all kinds; it is wonderful.

Where did you take the picture (location)?
This photo was taken in Ector County TX, just outside of Odessa, which is very ironic since it is such a desert landscape!

But this place is an oasis of beauty that someone has worked on for about 16 years. It is truly is an oasis in the desert.

Were you at this location to take photos, or were you there for a different reason?
I had visited before and had asked the person who owns property if I could come back and take photos.

What do you want this photo to say to all who view it?
I want this photo to say, "you can make changes in your life, there can be beauty in all things with the right perspective, you must make the effort to change."

What does the future hold for you as an artist/photographer?
I am really starting to work towards making my art more than just a hobby and a personal outlet, so I guess we will just see what the future holds. I certainly plan on doing my part, but the rest is not up to me.

Second place winner: Juls Adams, 'Spirit Lake.' 

Third place winner: Steven Michael, 'Amazing Grace.'  

872 pieces were received for this contest. To honor a variety of mediums and multiple cultures and beliefs; Honorable Mentions were added to the contest.

The mediums of the artists: photography, watercolor, oil, acrylic paintings, painting on leather, pencil, charcoal drawing, coffee painting, statue, bronze sculpture, stained glass.

More information may be added regarding each artists inspiration for their work as they arrive to me. I will be traveling soon... (my mom's surgery coming up)... so, I wanted to get this art celebration posted to honor all who participated.

The honorable mentions were selected by a jury of art friends that I solicitated. So because their work was so beautiful,

Honorable Mentions were given to the following artists:

Juls Adams, 'Saying Goodbye.'

Cathy Jourdan, 'Christ.'

Carla Carson, 'Christ.'

Marvin toddy, 'Praying To the Morning Sun.'

Julian B, 'Sacrifice.'

Karen Giles, 'Feather Fall.' Just received a message from this artist regarding the contest and her contact information, should you be interested in viewing more of her work: "Sorry this took so long Lisa!  Thanks for running such a great contest!" spiritmandala@yahoo.com.

Brenda Owen, 'Alaska Graveyard.'

Joe Triano, 'Finding Inner Peace.'

Elisheva Nesis, 'Blessing Over The Vine.'

Laurie Stewart, 'Muse of Dawn.'

Nathalie Chavieve, 'Music Lesson.'

Joyce Hayes, 'Peace in Mind.'

John Keaton, ' The Cross', when asked about the inspiration of this painting, the artist said, "This oil painting is based on the Spanish painter, Goya's work. This powerful image depict Jesus carrying the cross. What is particularly striking is the facial expression which shows Jesus looking up to His Father in heaven.

'In The Shadows of Golgotha.' John Keaton said his inspiration for this pencil drawing was, "This drawing is a reminder that we all, in one way or another live in the Shadow of Golgatha. The figure praying is very intense yet at the same time very sensitive. He represents all of mankind."

Ben Christianson, 'Atom Bomb.' To answer the question about his inspiration for his piece, the artist said, "the inspiration for the piece comes from making random lines and shapes. My thoughts are scattered at first but like a jigsaw puzzle they find their place. I made this painting when the earthquake hit Japan. It wasn't my goal to represent the earthquake but when I let my mind run free it does what it wants. This is good for painting and bad for sanity. I lived here for a day (unpleasant). But my mind is stronger for making it through all the atombombs and such. PAINTERS ADVISE- live in the painting."

Stetson Honyumptewa, 'Twin Warrior.'

Gloria Merritt, 'My Own Point of View.'

Lenard Aitken, 'Enroute to A Celebration.'

Adam Long, 'Seraph Angel -bronze.'

Jason Kasper, 'The Passion.'

Bijay Biswaal, 'Faith.' The artist humbly said, "Thanks Lisa for giving honorable mention to my painting "FAITH" in the, just concluded, contest: Angels and Anything Spiritual. With all the thought provoking works, I consider that an achievement on my part. I am so happy to be in the list... thanks ton for that." I asked the artist to discribe the meaning of his work and faith, "what inspired me to do FAITH is rooted deep in my Hindu upbringing. I have taken Shiva as my muse. Ans the Bull is his vahana or the "faithful carrier." The faith carrier is waiting for his master to come out of His samadhi. Shiva is depicted by the black stoned Lingam, he is adorned with his favorite flowers offered by his devotees. The roots that are hanging, wrapping around the animal shows the timelessness of the surrounding. The unwavering faith of Hindus is reflected through the patiently seated bull in rapt attention, almost turning into a stone himself."

Carole Powell, 'Baptism New Life.'

Georgie Harson, 'Suffer the Children.'

Jani Freimann, 'Mercy.'

Marsha Elliott, 'Behold the Lamb.'

Part of the winning package included this feature on lisakramerlifesyle: http://lisakramerartlifestyle.blogspot.com/

Congratulations to all the winners!
--Disclaimer : (Note: All the work is the copyright of each artist. Attempting to reproduce their work for profit, without permission is illegal).

 

Sorry about that folks, you would be surprised what artist's can run into.

Stages of paintings; Finished two Current Works in Progress

Update: Okay, for those who asked me about the status of these two painting's of our neighbor's home... I took a break from these two paintings for awhile. They are just about finished. A few finishing touches and they will be done. It always feels good to get a project done. I have other paintings that I am wanting to begin. So, for those who like to watch the progress and stages, sorry about only taking two photos on this one. ;-) I'm just glad they are finished! It was kinda sad thinking about the night of the fire. I am ready to paint something fun!

Sad House 2, Your dreams flew away.

and
Sad House1, Your dreams flew away.

Mixing Impressionist painting style with hyper-realism to create these Surrealistic Works of the night my neighbor's home caught fire. 

Works in progress, as I painted them --two surrealism paintings. There were many stages on these two, and drying time in between. But, I only took two pictures.

I paint most things that impact me in my life. Both works will be in a series and are of my neighbors' home that burned down. "Sad House" will be made into two surrealism paintings.

Sad House on a Rock

This is At the stage of just sketching out the plan on canvas with paint:

These two paintings are at stage two, so they are in the very beginning stages. So, for those that follow my work; I will keep in touch regarding their development. I'm planning on using mixed media acrylic supplies to create texture, I also plan on burning paper to add into the acrylic mediums. Lastly to obtain shine and richness, I will use oil paints and to add even more texture, I'll use thick varnishes at the end. These works are more planned out then most.