Thankfully I am not the only person that thinks giving a Hostess/Host a gift is not just a great idea, but is also good basic etiquette!At Portico we try and offer a variety of gifts that Customers are excited to give, but also the Hostess/Host is eager to receive. Don't get me wrong, a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers are always welcome, but why not consider something unique or with a twist that says you put some real thought into it.........?Exquisite napkins from France, coasters made from pressed fibres that are printed with vegetable based dyes, "Welcome" signs or Bottle Tags, Wind Bells, or for the ultimate gift...one of our Chair Hammocks; these are just a few...
One of the things I love most about this time of year is going to all the Farmers' Markets! With so much fresh local produce it is hard not to be excited and inspired to create something new daily in the kitchen....this week it is all about preserving as much of that Summer goodness as possible. Black Currants are one of my favourite berries so I picked up a basket of them (14 cups worth :() and made this delicious jam from a recipe my Mum has used "forever". Black Currants are a lot of work to top and tail/clean, but are SO worth the reward! (FYI I used the remaining 8 cups of Black Currants to make my own...
"Ladybugs are capable of consuming up to 50-60 aphids per day but will also eat a variety of other insects and larvae including scales, mealy bugs, leaf hoppers, mites, and various types of soft bodied insects".*
Sooo that means Ladybugs are the "Good" insects that eat the "Bad" insects and make for a healthy, organic, and pesticide free Garden - how awesome is that? The more things you can do to attract Ladybugs the better, and having one of our Ladybug Castles in the Garden does just that (and they are just so darn cute too).
Enjoy!
T
*Excerpt from: www.gardeninsects.com
What better time to enjoy something living and growing indoors than in the dead cold of Winter? Take a look at some of the beautiful (and extremely fragrant) Hyacinths we are "forcing" in the shop right now in handwoven willow baskets and antique French glass forcing bowls! Here are the care instructions we include with all our bulbs for when you take home, or give as a gift - so no mystery on what to do. But let's be honest, there really is not much effort required. Forcing Bulbs (in peat/stones)Care:- Your bulb(s) have already been chilled and are ready to go!-Water bulb(s) minimally, keeping soil slightly damp until 1” or more ofgrowth becomes noticeable and then increase watering...
Every year starting in November, and continuing into February, we carry glass Forcing Vases that we plant up with an assortment of bulbs; Hyacinths, Paperwhites, and Amaryllis, these are perfect for winter and Holiday decorating as well as making exceptional gifts for gardeners and non-gardeners alike. If you are not familiar with this technique you are missing out! Below are the care instructions we include on all our forcing vases (and a separate version on our baskets as well) Care: Your bulb(s) have already been chilled and are ready to go! Maintain water level to approximately ¼” below the bulb(s); this provides humidity for the roots to grow while ensuring the bulb does not rot To speed up the growing...
