New Website

Come check out my company website and see what is new at Heibert+Ball, Land Design www.hblanddesign.com

A Few Side Projects

Lately I have been doing some side projects with a very talented builder.  Here are some of the things we have done lately.

What I have been up to/I am back to Blogging

Plants around the yard

 

 Callicarpa americana
 American beautyberry 
I planted 3 of these early last year. This is the first year they have bloomed and they are amazing!  Growing very fast in full shade.

 One of 3 Clematis growing on my fence at the car port.

Fallopia japonica 'Crimson Beauty'
Crimson Beauty Knotweed
This has become one of my favorite plants in my garden.  I have heard it is invasive, but I have not seen the tendency yet.

Deutzia gracilis
Slender Deutzia
This deutzia was growing on a job site I was on.  I am shocked that it is growing in our area and has been her for over 8 years.

Decidious Azalea
I think it is Mandarin Lights, but if anyone knows otherwise please let me know.

I received this after helping a contractor do a small design for a client.  I think I could get used to being paid in plants!

 Viburnum carlesii
Korean Spice Viburnum
Greatest fragrance of any plant! 

Wine and Roses Weigela

I can not express how much I love this plant!

It is Fishing Time again!

Really Little Hyacinth...Really?

So, we had no winter this year and my perrinials are going to go ahead and bloom a few month early...and I am sure get zapped by a late snow or frost for their haste...

 The lambs ear never though about going dormant this year!

 The NRS Holly put on a show all "winter" long!

 Andre Aka. Killer Kat. Aka. KK stalking its pray (more than likely a doodle)

Really...

Rare Perfection!

My sister came over for dinner the other night and provided the steaks.  2" Butcher Cut and trimmed BEAUTIFULLY marbled Ribeyes!

There is only one way to prepare a steak!  Worcestershire Sauce, lots of salt and lots of pepper.  Hot ass grill and about 6min on each side! 

Rare perfection!

 The next morning I threw the steaks on the cast iron with some eggs over easy!  What a great way to start the morning!

Even Miss. Picky liked it! (she had scrambled b/c she has 

yet to understand the wonderfulness of a runny egg!

BBQ - Bacon wrapped Chicken

4 chicken breasts cut in thirds (8 pieces)

1/2lbs Bacon slices

salt and pepper to taste

garlic salt

chili powder

brown sugar

Cut each breast into 2 pieces, season all the chicken with the spices, then wrap a couple of bacon slices around each piece, roll in brown sugar and place on a plate and refrigerate for a bit.

Place on the top shelf of a hot grill untill cooked through turning only once and the bacon is crisp.

Honestly...one of the best recipes I have enjoyed in a LONG time!

Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoons garlic powder
1 Bag fresh steam in bag whole green beans
1/2 pound sliced  bacon

In a small saucepan, combine first 4 ingredients over medium-high heat. When butter has melted, remove from heat and set aside. Bundle 6 to 7 beans together, wrapping with 1 strip of bacon. 

Place on a baking sheet. Spoon butter mixture over each bundle. Grill on top rack until bacon is crisp

 

 I took a photo of the finished dish, but it did not save...oh well.  Just take my word for it...This dish was AMAZING!

He's Crafty...

A little toot of the old horn is sometime necessary...
Lindsey wanted some shelves for the kids room after x-mas.  So I went to HD to buy some.  I got there and like most things like this though, "$30! F-that!  I can make that!.
Then unlike most time (I think b/c Linds was not there to pull me back down to earth and remind me of my ADD and that it will never get done) This time I DID make that AND for $25 I made 2 of them!

 Finished Product.

Slow Cooked - Winter BBQ Chicken

This is a recipe from Southern Living with my adds and edits on it.  Its cooking right now and smells amazing!
~ Rub 1LBS Chicken Breasts (whole) w/
    2tsp. Salt
    2tsp paprika
    1/2tsp Garlic Salt
    1/2tsp Pepper
Add chicken into crock pot with 2T EVOO

Combine in small bowl:
1 C Coke
1/2 C Ketchup
1/3 C Brown Sugar
3T Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4C Bourbon
1/4C Tripple Sec

Pour Liquid mixture over chicken.
Slice 1 Orange and place 2 pieces over each breast

Cook on Low for 8H

Cornbread:
1 Box Glory Cornbread Mix
1 C Corn
2 Eggs
1/2C 2% Milk
 1/2 C Cheddar Cheese
S&P

Mix all and bake @400 for 15min.

 Ate this up with homemade Chow-Chow, Mayo, and some Hot and Sweet Peppers!

Planning my Trip...

To Mary's Greenhouse in McMinnville!

 http://www.marysgh.com/

I have been fighting the leaves all fall and winter long and am tired of raking them out of my shrubs.
I have decided that the perennial beds  that I have are the easiest to take care of, So I am turning my entire front yard into a Part Sun Perennial garden!

I am putting together my list.  Any suggestions of great plants I should include in a zone 6/7 climate in Part Sun/Part Shade garden please let me know!!!