We live in a world where everything has become URGENT. With 2012 Tax Deadline upon us, it seems that everyone is just a little more stressed than usual. Let’s put this into perspective!
“The only thing that hurts more than paying an income tax is not having to pay an income tax.”
Lord Thomas Robert Dewar
“Taxes, after all, are dues that we pay for the privileges of membership in an organized society.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
I have always looked forward to this day. Middle Tennesseans are usually out of danger of a hard frost, by April 15. It’s planting time! I have cleaned my herb beds, conditioned my soil and set a new crop of basil. Later this week, it will be time to till and amend the soil for a new crop of tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers and okra to name a few. Just as you have to get all your receipts and statements together in preparation to file your taxes, make sure to take necessary steps for your 2013 garden:
- Decide what kind of garden you would like to have.
- Choose an appropriate location for your garden.
- Mark your layout based upon plant selection.
- Till the area and remove weeds and other vegetation.
- Test the soil.
- Amend the soil.
The UT Extension Office is such a great resource for farmers, but also for the backyard gardener. In fact, mark your calendars as The Urban Garden Festival is May 18!
Meanwhile, let’s get back to this URGENT business. Life is way too short to run around with your hair on fire. I hate the smell of burnt hair! It is a beautiful spring day and time for you to feel the cool grass under your bare feet. Make yourself a fun cocktail and get outside already!
Panky’s Limoncello
| 750 ML Pure Grain Alcohol
The Rinds of 10 Organic Lemons 4 cups of water 2.5 cups of raw sugar |
Using a vegetable peeler, cut the rinds off your lemons. Avoid any of the white pith as it will make your batch bitter. Steep the rinds in the alcohol for at least 10 days at room temperature. Beer growlers are perfect for this as it must be sealed to avoid evaporation. Make a simple syrup by dissolving the sugar in boiling water. Let cool. Strain the alcohol and add the syrup. Let the flavors marry at least a month at room temp. The longer the better! We keep it on hand like some keep iced tea. It’s great straight out of the freezer or a fun addition to cocktails! |