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Archive for December, 2009

Sometimes, there just isn't enough yard space to give your green thumb the workout it craves. Maybe you live in an apartment... or maybe your garden is full and you still want to plant more. If you have open patio space then fill it with lush foliage using container gardening.If you have front or back patio space open container gardening can be the solution to a problem you did not know you had, Bare Patio Syndrome! Below, I've outlined tips gained from years of experience with container gardening. It makes sense to invest in quality high fired ceramic pots for your container garden as these do not absorb water and crack in winter. Alternative - the new fiberglass and plastic pots can work well if you chose high quality. These can be very light and tough and last for years. Smaller pots restrict root growth and provide little moisture reserve, be sure to match container size to your plants then go up a size or two, remember that plant will grow larger soon. Plan for size increase and be ahead of the problem many amateur container gardeners face. Drainage is very important. Drainage holes should be 1/2 inch or .. more »

This innovative new European cafe in Sarasota, Florida, is my kind of place.It is small, unassuming, and tucked into an annex in the Coral Cove Mall along South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Yet, is has character... the simple old world charm of a corner cafe.The staff, and hostess, Joanna, is personable and knowledgeable, the service perfect.The classically trained chef, Kris Chinielewski, originally from Poland, was a chef in my Connecticut hometown to rave reviews.Now Kris is the chef-owner of the Dream Cafe. A dream come true for Kris, as well as many happy customers. The food lovers I met, with oohs and ahhs for the dishes, were local, U.S. visitors and natives from Eastern Europe.It is, always, all about the food. I have been twice in the same week and cannot wait to return. Every tasty morsel is made fresh, in house. There was no opening of a freezer door, or the rattle of a can... only the intoxicating aromas of authentic ingredients, made to order, hot and delicious.Although there are delightful German, Russian and Hungarian influences (the cabbage rolls are the best I have ever tasted), I think of Kris's innovations as Polish country, comfort food. Many folks come .. more »