winter prep you kitchen:

that cool breeze is here to stay but while the sun is still warm it's high time to get your kitchen and garden ready for all and winter.

plan for your 2013 garden



  • it's not too late to pick up herbs for your 2013 summer savory kitchen gardens.  I always have thyme (in 3-4 varieties), rosemary, dill, sage (2 varieties), and mint in my flower beds, close to the house for easy "grab in a pinch" recipes  pick-up fresh herbs HERE
  • plant your garlic bulbs by Thanksgiving for early summer harvest  buy local garlic HERE
  • clean up your beds, removing any debris and weeds, tilling if necessary rodale's 9 TIPS
  • create checklist of items you missed from this year's garden and buy seeds for 2013. remove unsuccessful/cheaper-to-buy than grow plants from your garden... garden smarter not harder
  • rotate your veggie garden to prevent disease and repell persistent bugs. TIPS


bring the outside in
  • if you have a sunny window that needs a splash of green, when your view will soon be all brown, bring in some of those herbs.   I love bringing in potted rosemary and scented geraniums.   They are perfect to use in sweet or savory winter dishes or baked goods.
  • take herb cuttings and dry for use all fall & winter. TIPS
  • get every last bit of basil for pesto.  freeze, in snack-sized sandwich bags, for dips and soups during the cold months
  • take rosemary and lavender cuttings to make herb infused salts and sugar.   the perfect gift for foodies this holiday season.   you can also dry the lavender buds and pulse in your spice mill (fancy talk for coffee grinder dedicated for pulsing herbs) and mix with sugar to use in baking or with tea all winter long!  

we came, we saw, we BLOOMED




just a little shout out of love over here on the blog from the bloom girls to everyone who made saturday a blooming success! we met so many amazing people, reconnected with fabulous friends and got lots and lots of inspiration for what bloom can be to all of you!

a huge heart-felt thank you, again, to alex at hello, bluebird for being our hostess with the most-tess! and to all the lovely local brands that participated with us :)

stay tuned to the bloom blog and facebook over the next few weeks to meet us, if you missed out over the weekend, or to just get to know us better. we've got some fun QA for you from the bloom girls you won't want to miss.

until then, check back for lots of eye candy from over the weekend and have a beautiful monday!

xx,
the bloom girls

Hello Bluebird,  have you been?   We bloom girls love cozying up to Hello Bluebird.  It is the go-to place for the kind of gifts you'd love to receive and would be proud to give (not all puffed up kinda proud...but proud you are gifting handcrafted, eco-friendly and socially-conscious goods).



There is a special reason we chose Hello Bluebird to introduce bloom.  Alex McCarty, owner, epitomizes the movement & support of local indie-made goods as she works to celebrate lovely things and people in her cozy nest of a shop, located in the heart of West Reading on the Brownstone Row.
  
A recent upstart, this cozy, colorful palette of all things hand-crafted is celebrating their 3 years.   The self-described Alex, is a "plucky gal who prefers maryjanes and pigtails to heels and a suit, is the mastermind of this indie art emporium" and has given voice to the small business folks with big dreams of creating.



Alex has been supportive in her community not such by representing about 250 independent artists, but buy hosting non-profit events, hosting DIY craft gatherings, featuring local artists on her porch for fun & family events, and organizing Handmade in the Shade, at Shupp's Grove.

  

As if you need us to talk her up...she was voted, by local shoppers, “Best In Berks 2010” for local gift shop (Berks County Living Magazine). Jump on her fan bandwagon via Facebook to follow her events, view her spotlighted artists and for shopping specials.

Be sure to stop by Hello Bluebird to celebrate her 3 years in happy, indie business this Saturday for the Fall Festival and to meet we three Bloom Girls and shop our area favorites!

xoxo,
bloom girls


Bloom Girls + Hello Bluebird hostess + Fall Festival = popup magic


Hello Bluebird,  have you been?   We bloom girls love cozying up to Hello Bluebird.  It is the go-to place for the kind of gifts you'd love to receive and would be proud to give (not all puffed up kinda proud...but proud you are gifting handcrafted, eco-friendly and socially-conscious goods).


There is a special reason we chose Hello Bluebird to introduce bloom.  Alex McCarty, owner, epitomizes the movement & support of local indie-made goods as she works to celebrate lovely things and people in her cozy nest of a shop, located in the heart of West Reading on the Brownstone Row.
  
A recent upstart, this cozy, colorful palette of all things hand-crafted is celebrating their 3 year birthday.   The self-described Alex, is a "plucky gal who prefers maryjanes and pigtails to heels and a suit, is the mastermind of this indie art emporium" and has given voice to the small business folks with big dreams of creating.


Alex has been supportive in her community not such by representing about 250 independent artists, but buy hosting non-profit events, hosting DIY craft gatherings, featuring local artists on her porch for fun & family events, and organizing Handmade in the Shade, at Shupp's Grove.


As if you need us to talk her up...she was voted, by local shoppers, “Best In Berks 2010” for local gift shop (Berks County Living Magazine). Jump on her fan bandwagon via Facebook to follow her events, view her spotlighted artists and for shopping specials.

  

Be sure to stop by Hello Bluebird to celebrate her 3 years in happy, indie business this Saturday for the Fall Festival and to meet we three Bloom Girls and shop our area favorites!

xoxo,
bloom girls