Gardening

The annual fall “Big Sweep/Litter Sweep” cleanup sponsored by Keep Belmont Beautiful and the City of Belmont is Saturday, Oct. 6.

Volunteers will meet at Stowe Park at 8:30 a.m. for refreshments and assignments for cleanup areas. The anti-litter project begins at 9 a.m.

Gloves and litter bags will be provided. Volunteers will work in their assigned areas for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

For information call 704-825-8587.

yes, it is hot and dry.

The Charlotte Observer is reporting that the fall leaves will be shortlived this year without rain.

It is amazing, grass turns brown, and noxious weeds turn green. Several yards in Belmont have beautiful “lawns” (re:weeds have taken over).

This morning (8/15, at 8:15 AM), the weather is much cooler than the past few mornings (67 compared to high 70’s), but mother nature is not foolin’ us ! It is still forecasted to be up to 101 (record high temps) by this afternoon. The weekend is expected to be very hot as well. Every day in the low 100’s.

Tropical Storm Erin (TD-5, right now) is brewing in the Gulf and should probably bring rain to the Carolinas sometime late in the weekend or the beginning of next week.

We do need the water.

Ran across this blog entry after searching Food and Recipes. We thought it looked good:

http://jasonmichael24.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/arkansas-green-tomoto-relish/

“This is a favorite of many southern cooks. It’s actually a friend’s recipe, and it tastes great!

12 large onions, chopped

8 cups chopped green tomatoes

½ cup salt

6 red peppers, chopped

6 green peppers, chopped

6 cups sugar

3 cups vinegar

1 ½ tablespoon celery seed

Put onions, tomatoes, and salt in saucepan.  Cover with boiling water.  Cook 5 minutes.  Drain for ½ hour.  Combine vegetables with remaining ingredients in saucepan.  Bring to a boil and cook 10 minutes.  Seal in jars.

To “drain for ½ hour” simply pour the mixture into a colander and let set in your sink at least 30 minutes.  Do not press on the mixture or attempt to remove excess liquid.  Simply let the mixture sit and drain naturally.”