Accent on Natural Landscaping Inc

Donna VanBuecken

American Toads 2018

As you read in my earlier post, we had tadpoles in our pool cover again this year. Only one batch, however, which is unusual. They were all gone by the 7th, so I opened my pool on Saturday, June 9th. Here’s some a new video. This is the first time, I’ve actually been able to witness them leaving the pool

After growing from a tadpole to a teeny-tiny American Toad in the security of our pool cover, they crawl up the sides of the cover and hop off to see what they can see. Sometimes it takes more than one try! (‘Wish the film could have been a little sharper, but at least I have a record for this year.

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Another Year – Another Batch of Tadpoles

Despite all the lovely warm weather we’ve been having, my pool has stayed covered waiting for the tadpoles to grow big enough to vacate the premises. Some have started to get their legs, so any day now I’ll be feverishly working at opening my pool!

See Tadpoles to learn more about the American Toad.

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WOFVA Native Plant Sale Pick-Up May 19th

Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) aka Gray-headed Coneflower, Scarlet Catchfly (Silene virginica), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and Monarda (Monarda fistulosa) aka Wild Bergamot are wonderful pollinator plants. See a complete listing of pollinator plants in the Wild Ones Wild for Monarchs brochure. Photo by Donna VanBuecken; click on photo to enlarge.

Just a reminder!

If you live in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin, next Saturday May 19th is the day to pick up your order from the Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chapter’s Spring Native Plant Sale. All the pre-orders will have been sorted, and will be ready for pick-up. But there will be plenty of additional native prairie and shade plants available for you to add to your order or to just simply pick out. This plant sale is a good opportunity to purchase native plants at a lucrative price to add to your landscape, while at the same time “talking to the choir” about native plants, pollinators and the environment in general.

PICK-UP LOCATION

This year’s Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chapter (WOFVA) plant sale is again being held at the WILD Center, 2285 Butte des Morts Beach Rd, Neenah, Wisconsin from 9AM to 2PM CST on May 19, 2018.

PLANTS FEATURED

Plants featured are high quality nursery-propagated native forbs, grasses, ferns and vines in 4-inch pots, 1- to 2-year growth. Wild Ones continues in its efforts to save America’s favorite butterfly, along with other pollinators, through the Wild for Monarchs campaign. Through our spring native plant sale, we encourage everyone to buy and plant more milkweed (host plant for monarchs) and more nectar plants (food sources for pollinators). WOFVA volunteers will be on-site to help you plan butterfly and pollinator gardens with native plants, or to integrate these plants into your existing gardens.

VOLUNTEERS

The week prior to the plant sale pick-up date, volunteers get together at the WILD Center to stage the pick-up area, unload the truck and sort plants. If this is something with which you’d like to help, contact Donna VanBuecken, Plant Sale Coordinator to volunteer your time.

Directions to WILD Center.

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Deviled Eggs

Now that the Easter day celebration is over, it’s time to do something with those leftover eggs. One of my favorite uses for hard boiled eggs is Deviled Eggs. (Egg Salad isn’t far behind!) Over the years I’ve perfected my recipe (although it’s always slightly different in taste….) and I thought I’d share it with you.

Deviled egg container. Photo Courtesy of Shopko.com

To begin with you need a Deviled Egg container — something that will hold the eggs in place. I got mine as a Christmas present many years ago from my niece. It holds 24 egg halves. So let’s get started.

Deviled Eggs

18 eggs — Cover eggs with water and bring to a boil. Boil at medium heat for 5 minutes. Let sit until water cools. (typically 3-4 hours) Then crack shells all around by hitting gently on a hard surface. Peel broken shells away, rinse and drip dry on clean paper toweling. Then cut each egg in half, scooping out the yolk into a separate bowl. Place egg halves in Deviled Egg container.

Serrated Food Chopper. Photo Courtesy of Amazon.com

Chop the egg yolks in the bowl. Into the bowl with the egg yolks, mix:
1 heaping T minced onion (or to taste)
1 sprinkle of garlic powder (or to taste)
1 heaping T celery salt (or to taste)
1 T French’s salad mustard (or to taste)
1/4 c Miracle Whip (or more depending upon desired consistency, but it needs to be a little thick to hold its shape)

Once mixed, scoop up some mixture with a tablespoon in one hand. Then using a teaspoon in the other hand, push off an appropriate amount of the egg yolk mixture into the holes of the egg halves. After all the mixture has been evenly divided between the egg halves, sprinkle dill weed and paprika over each egg. (Looks like Christmas!) Be sure to keep refrigerated until being served, although they are their most tasty at room temperature.

Egg Salad

Chop the remaining 6 eggs, yolks and all, and follow the same recipe as above, except double the mixture. Serve on crackers or bread of your choice.

Notes:

  • I boil more eggs than necessary because it seems I always have a problem getting a couple out of their shells without complications, and you always want whole, unmangled eggs to use for Deviled Eggs. The broken eggs can be used for egg salad.
  • If you aren’t able to make your Deviled Eggs right away, refrigerate them until you’re ready. To make peeling easier, warn the eggs to room temperature. Four eggs for 30 seconds in my microwave is just right.
  • When drip drying peeled eggs, place on paper toweling that has been placed inside a bowl to keep the eggs from rolling away.
  • I used to use fresh onions and celery, but I found if the eggs sit more than a day, the mixture begins to weep. So to assure good-looking Deviled Eggs, I switched to dehydrated veggies.
  • Large size eggs are the best for Deviled Eggs. Get to know your grocer and the products they sell. I purchase large eggs from certain stores I know sell eggs which are on the largest end of the large-egg weight range. Certain chain stores in my community sell eggs on the small end of the large-egg weight range. Then you might just as well buy small eggs right away and pay the cheaper price.
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