Growing your own Basil

This spring, I started growing a few herbs in containers. There is nothing like the scent of freshly cut Basil. So far, I have Thyme, Rosemary, and Basil. New sprouts of Lemon Balm, Parsley, and Lavender have finally appeared. For some reason, the mint seeds are not sprouting, but I’m not giving up.

For me, the best way to learn is by diving in and seeing what works and what doesn’t. I have a little knowledge since my grandparents were farmers and my dad was passionate about gardening. If it wasn’t for the amazing people out there on YouTube, I don’t know what I would do! Thank you, YouTube Creators! You are amazing.

On to Basil. Here are a couple of videos on growing and pruning this wonderful herb. After I prune my herbs, I tie them up with twine and dry them for a couple of weeks before placing them in glass jars. Herbs can be enjoyed fresh or dried and used in recipes as needed.

Self Sufficient Me

Epic Gardening

Garden Answer

Epic Gardening

Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Lord's Handyman Service, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, J McCravy, Lawrenceville

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#rice, #dinner, #plate, #food, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Lord's Handyman Service, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, J McCravy, Lawrenceville

#icecream, #candy, #dessert, #fun, #summer, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Lord's Handyman Service, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, J McCravy, Lawrenceville

#breakfast, #tea, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Lord's Handyman Service, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, J McCravy, Lawrenceville

#fries, #frenchfries, #ketchup, #snacks, #snack, #sauce, #lunch, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Lord's Handyman Service, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, J McCravy, Lawrenceville

#wine, #steak, #salad, #vegetables, #dinner, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Lord's Handyman Service, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, J McCravy, Lawrenceville

#flowers, #pretty, #beautiful, #lovely, #love, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Lord's Handyman Service, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, J McCravy, Lawrenceville

Greg McCravy, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Lord's Handyman Service, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, J McCravy, Lawrenceville

#cinnamon, #coffee, #breakfast, #tea, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Lord's Handyman Service, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, J McCravy, Lawrenceville

#pasta, #grapefruit, #raspberries, #alvacado, #croissant, #snack, #snacks, #lunch, #fork, #bread, #spoon, #pomegrante, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Lord's Handyman Service, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, J McCravy, Lawrenceville

#cake, #dessert, #chocolate, #icecream, #yum, #snack, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Lord's Handyman Service, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, J McCravy, Lawrenceville

#warm, #cozy, #coffee, #breakfast, #tea, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Lord's Handyman Service, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, J McCravy, Lawrenceville

Best Grilled Sandwich Ever!

He makes it look so easy. I love grilled cheese sandwiches, but never would have thought about trying mayonnaise instead of butter. I can’t wait to give this a try.

#cake, #dessert, #chocolate, #icecream, #yum, #snack, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Sandi McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, Johnathan McCravy

#warm, #cozy, #coffee, #breakfast, #tea, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Sandi McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, Johnathan McCravy

Photo by Ana Madeleine Uribe on Pexels.com

#flowers, #pretty, #beautiful, #lovely, #love, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Sandi McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, Johnathan McCravy — Photo by Rania alhamed on Pexels.com

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.com

Oh my goodness…I know what we are having for dinner tomorrow night!

He makes it look so easy. I love grilled cheese sandwiches, but never would have thought about trying mayonnaise instead of butter. I can’t wait to give this a try.

“Mason-able” Snacks

I wish there were more creative options like this when my children were small. I am so impressed with moms today.

#coffee, #breakfast, #tea, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Sandi McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, Johnathan McCravy

Greg McCravy, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Derek McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, #Flowers, #Peonies, #Garden — Photo by Maria Orlova on Pexels.com

losing, #summer, #water, Cookies, #Pandemic, #virus, #jobs, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, Kathryn Brooks, Kathy Brooks, Griffin Brooks, William Griffin Brooks, #Love, #Grace, www.sandramccravy.com, www.gritsandbacon.com — Photo by Maria Orlova on Pexels.com

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#love, #walkaway, #beautiful, #hope, William Griffin Brooks, Kathryn Brooks, Griffin Brooks, Johnathan McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandi McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Greg McCravy, Tree — Photo by ArtHouse Studio on Pexels.com

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#love, #walkaway, #beautiful, #hope, God, Jonathan McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Hope, Johnathan McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandi McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Greg McCravy, Push Your Eyes Towards Jesus

“Mason-able” – Mason Jar Lunchable Video

I wish there were more creative options like this when my children were small. I am so impressed with moms today.

#love, #walkaway, #beautiful, #hope, #love, #walkaway, #beautiful, #hope, William Griffin Brooks, Kathryn Brooks, Griffin Brooks, Greg McCravy, Gregory McCravy, Lord's Handyman Service, Sandi McCravy, Sandra McCravy, Sandy McCravy, Sandra Brooks McCravy, Derek McCravy, Derrick McCravy, Johnathan McCravy, Jonathan McCravy, J McCravy, Lawrenceville

Comfort foods, Part 1

I’m slowly coming out of my shell like so many around the world. Do you feel like you’ve lost direction? Need a purpose? A plan? Over the past year, I learned how to bake bread, grow a vegetable garden, sew homemade bags, de-clutter, etc, etc, etc.

One thing I have especially enjoyed are cooking videos and television shows. There are too many to name all in one blog post. I wish I was as creative and talented as the people in the videos, whether they had a few hundred subscribers or over one million there are always new and interesting things to learn.

I’m going to return to this blog by posting one of my favorite comfort foods by The Pioneer Woman. Hope you enjoy.

Bacon and Cheddar Cheese Grits Casserole

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/bacon-cheddar-cheese-grits-casserole

Oxmoor House

Mrs. Riley says that this recipe may be halved and baked in a 13″ x 9″ baking dish at 350° for 40 minutes or until bubbly. She also recommends fresh herbs (when in season) instead of dried. To avoid extra chopping, she sometimes steeps sprigs of fresh herbs in the milk as it comes to a boil (this takes about 10 minutes). She then removes the herbs from the hot milk, adds the grits, butter, and salt, and cooks the grits as directed before assembling the casserole.

Yield:

Makes 14 to 18 servings.

Ingredients:

8 cups milk, divided

1 tablespoon salt $

2 cups uncooked stone-ground white grits

1 cup unsalted butter

4 large eggs, lightly beaten $

2 teaspoons dried dill weed, thyme, or sage or a combination of the three (or 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs)

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Cheddar, Gruyère, or Swiss cheese or a combination of the three, divided

6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled $

Preparation

Combine 6 cups milk and salt in a large, heavy saucepan; cook over medium-high heat just until milk starts to boil. Gradually whisk in grits and butter. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes or until thick, stirring often.

Preheat oven to 350°. Remove grits from heat; add remaining 2 cups milk, stirring to cool grits mixture. Stir in eggs, herbs, and 1 cup cheese. Pour grits mixture into a lightly greased 15″ x 10″ baking dish; top with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 45 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle crumbled bacon on top of casserole; serve immediately.