Authors in Bloom Blog Hop

Today the 7th Annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop begins! Oh, how I LOVE spring. Not only do April showers bring out the best in my flowers, my vegetable garden is brimming with beautiful bounty!! Woohoo!

authors in bloom giveaway

These gorgeous wildflowers are right behind my garden. Actually, they’re beginning to move INTO my garden. Not a bad thing, until the blueberry plants start to complain. But that’s a different story. Today is where I share one of my gardening tips.

wildflower garden

And speaking of blueberries, mine haven’t been doing so well lately. I water them, feed them, yet still, they seem sick. I decided the problem must be something that I CAN’T see, like bugs underground eating my roots. My solutions?

marigold and blueberry plants

Marigold. These are lovely yellow and gold flowers that are easy to grow and lovely to look at–except the bugs hate them. Similar to garlic, the aroma of the marigold is NOT a favorite for bugs, or those invisible nematodes that lurk in my soil. Planting these flowers with my blueberry plants is a form of companion planting. Some companion plants help improve the flavor of one another or provide support, like corn provides for beans, but in this case, I’m using the flowers as pest control.

companion plants

Easy-peasy-lemony-squeezy! I plant marigold around all my plants facing critter problems which makes my garden even more beautiful. Now for my giveaway. For my stop on the Authors in Bloom Blog Hop, you have a chance to win a print copy of Show Me the Green! (book 1) chapter book and coloring book, plus a nature accents for your garden. They are the cutest and very popular with kids. (Mine loved them.)

authors in bloom venetta giveaway

Enter for your chance to win via the Rafflecopter below. Thanks for taking part in our blog hop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now get hopping–you have a BUNCH more places to visit!



First Annual School Garden Farmer’s Market

Partnering with Whole Foods Market and Florida Hospital, I co-hosted the First Annual School Garden Farmer’s Market where students were invited to showcase their school garden to the community as well as share ideas and practices with fellow educators. The event also served as an educational opportunity for students, as they were encouraged to price, package, and merchandise their Farm Stand.

school garden farmer's market

“This is an opportunity for students to learn the retail side of agriculture as they will be in charge of pricing, merchandising and selling their produce,” said Vicky Santamaria, Marketing &amp; Community Relations Manager for Whole Foods Market. “We are proud to partner with Florida Hospital and <a href=”http://www.dsvenetta.com”>Author D.S. Venetta</a> to support this project for the youth in our community.”

farmer's market

Some schools simply shared what they were doing at school, inspired by others to expand their school garden programs. Such a wide array of gardening experts!

farmer's market

In addition to the school garden Farm Stands, this event featured activity and information stations from organizations such as Fleet Farming, Florida Hospital’s Mission Fit, Winter Park Honey, The Fresh Stop Bus, and the Amazon Treasure Truck.

blender bike

Three area chefs conducted Garden Inspired demonstrations in the store’s produce department. Chef Shirley Stamper of John &amp; Shirley’s Catering, Chef Allyson Van Lenten of Edible Education Experience and Chef Zac Kara from Master Chef Jr. Garden-inspired recipes included Asian Slaw, Homemade Fresh Pasta &amp; Tomato Sauce and Grilled Pineapple Lettuce Wraps. All were delicious!

cooking demonstration

And what fun would there be without prizes? Courtesy of Whole Foods Market, of course!

whole foods market

Overall, it was a great day enjoyed by all and we look forward to making this an annual event. A huge thank you to Florida Hospital for sponsoring the event, as well as to the Whole Foods Market team that worked tirelessly to host the event. The kids worked hard, too, and their efforts were evident in every farm stand.

If you would like information on organizing a similar event for your area, contact dsvenetta@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to assist!

Best of 2017 Books & Giveaway

Happy New Year! And what better way to start the new year than by talking books. The BEST books of 2017.

best books giveaway

There were so many great releases, from Dan Brown’s Origin to 400+ Tips for Organic Gardening Success by Christy Wilhelmi, and of course, the not-to-be-missed book #3 in my series, The Muddy Fingers Garden Crew to the Rescue!

What was your favorite book of 2017? Do share! Voracious readers are always looking for that next great read.

To celebrate reading, I’m giving away your choice: Dan Brown’s Origin or the gardening book of your choice (retail value not to exceed $15). Plus, you’ll receive a FREE copy of book #1 in my Wild Tales and Garden Thrills series, Show Me the Green!

It’s easy to enter with up a total of five options. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Print books available for shipping to US residents only. Ebooks available for International entrants.

Thankful This Season

As we look forward to the holiday season, it’s time to give thanks. As a gardener, I give thanks for the abundance of nature, the beautiful bounty that blooms just outside my doors. From seed to harvest the circle of life is complete. Yet, while I’m tucking those seeds away for spring planting, I will soon be immersed in the season of gift-giving, too. And $250 in cash would go a long way into spoiling some of my favorite family and friends!

thankful for cash giveaway

Which is why I like to participate in these giveaways. Someone has to win. Why not one of my readers? It’s easy to enter and nothing is required–other than your contact info so we can notify you of your windfall! For me, I’ve simply asked for a visit to my Facebook page and sign up for my newsletter. In doing so, you’ll receive news on what’s new in the world of kids and gardening, the farm-to-table student harvest share event I’m planning for spring, and of course, my new releases.



Good luck! There are a TON of possibilities to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

$250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card

Ends 12/15/17
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Back to School Giveaway

 

Enter for your chance to win $250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon Gift Card.

This giveaway is SUPER easy. Simply visit these fabulous authors on the Rafflecopter for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to this fabulous group of bloggers and authors for sponsoring this giveaway!

Sponsor List

I Am A Reader

Geybie’s Book Blog

S.T. Bende

Lori’s Reading Corner

Laurisa White Reyes

Every Free Chance Books

The Editing Hall

Simple Wyrdings

Author Al Stone

D.S. Venetta ~ Organic Gardening for Kids!

Anna del C. Dye

My Life. One Story at a Time.

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The Page Unbound

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Heather Gray, Christian Romance

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Karmack by JC Whyte

Kasey’s Book Reviews

Giveaway Details

$250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card

Ends 9/7/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by <a href=”http://kathyhabel.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Kathy</a> from <a href=”http://iamareader.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>I Am A Reader</a> and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Let’s Can Peppers!

Wahoo~my Hungarian Wax peppers are ready to be canned!!  It’s the moment my son has been waiting for.  He can’t wait to get started harvesting–well, in between entertaining the neighbor girl peering at him through the chain link fence, that is.  In between introducing him to all 100 of her imaginary brothers and sisters, her fleet of horses, her real life dogs…

Well, you get the picture.  The boy was distracted, but still managed to snip this bounty of peppers.

Beautiful.  From red to yellow (and a few green we’ll chalk up to the distraction factor), my son has given me quite the beginning for a canning fiesta.  Mind you, he didn’t lug this basket up to the house himself.  I did.  He was busy impressing the young girl with his digging abilities, creating a hole deep enough to step in clear up to his thighs!  Needless to say, she was thrilled.

I looked down my nose at him.  “You will re-fill that before you come up to the house, yes?”

“Sure,” he said.  (To his credit, he did.)

Meanwhile, I was engaging in an adventure of my own.  Chopping peppers.  This time I thought I’d be smart, and utilize my Cuisinart for the task.  GREAT idea, save for the mix of seeds left in the bowl.  No problem.  I found an easy way to separate them.

Gasp.  I know many of you are cringing at this photo and rightly so.  What can I say?  Don’t try this at home?

It was a mind bleep.  A weak moment of “action” before “thought.”  It happens.  But please, take my word on this–hot wax peppers are just that–hot.  The oils on my hands lingered through dinner, bedtime and pulsed early the next morning.  Use gloves for this step.  Gather and lift, gather and lift, and the seeds will fall to the bottom leaving you near seedless slices.

All that said, it does work to separate the seeds from the rings. 🙂 Another idea is to place your peppers and seeds in a colander and rinse the seeds through.

Next up, the drying process.  Set the seeds on a plate and allow them to dry.  Once dry, we’ll remove the chunks of pulp and pack them away for spring planting.

The peppers must be dried as well.  First we liberally salt them, rinse them, then place them in a colander and set something heavy on top to press the remaining liquid from the peppers.

We leave them overnight and begin the canning process the next day.  Which is easy.  Provided you know how to boil water.

For those still with me, your first step is to fill your washed and dried jars.  Pack them well and if you like, add a little more oil to the mix.  Note the gloves.  Smart boy. 🙂

Next, you’ll want to pre-warm your jars in a separate pot.  Doing so prevents possible breakage once they’re loaded with peppers and submerged for the duration.  It DOES happen, so please, pre-warm.  Oil and water don’t mix and make for a huge (preventable) mess.  You can manage this step with filled are pre-filled jars, your choice.  I’ve done both and both work (just keep the water out of the interior as you warm them).

My son loves this part.  Okay, he loves ALL parts of the canning process, but especially this one, because there are tools involved.  He plucks up the jars and sets them down into the water.

Once warmed, we place the lids on the jars and boil.  While they’re boiling, he fills out the labels.

“Venetta peppers” and the date.  People sometimes get a little cagey when offered home-canned peppers.

“How old are these?”

“I just canned them.”

Sure you did.

Yes, you get the picture.  Folks are health conscious.  Once jars are cooled and dry–usually the next day–he presses his labels into place.  And there you have it.  Canning peppers is so easy, a kid can do it!!

For full details on canning peppers, check my recipe, Hungarian Wax Peppers for complete step-by-step instructions–and ignore the fact that those peppers were mostly green.  That was BEFORE I knew the peppers were supposed to turn yellow, orange and red.

Spring Into Cash!

I LOVE spring. It’s my favorite time of year, in fact. Not only is the sun shining warmer, but the leaves are turning brighter, the wind whisking a bit brisker–and it’s time to garden! Who WOULDN’T be excited? And to celebrate, an awesome group of bloggers, authors and publishers has joined with me to bring you one fabulous prize!!

Not only is it time to plant those seeds you’ve been saving since last season, it’s time for a chance to win some $$.

Wahoo–I love FREE stuff!

And it’s easy to enter. Simply subscribe to my newsletter to hear all the latest and greatest–including news about the upcoming release of book three in my series: The Muddy Fingers Garden Crew to the Rescue!--and that’s it. You’re in!

And while you’re here, how about a sneak peek at my new characters? Book three follows the kids from school to a nearby neighborhood where they work to save Jamal’s community garden in jeopardy of closure. Yikes! Who would try to close a community garden?

Find out in book three…  The Muddy Fingers Garden Crew! 

Tabitha Parks, local global warming expert, along with her dog Rocco, help Jamal Livingston save the community garden his family and he worked so hard to establish. Gabe Hernandez and his brother Joey are instrumental in the effort, as are Lexi and Jason Williams. As usual, there’s never a dull moment as the kids work feverishly to prove the garden provides more good than harm for the neighborhood.

Set for release summer 2017

And you know Rocco is a HUGE help in and around the garden. (Sort of ) But he is a lot of fun!!

Now, sign up to hear the latest and greatest news from D.S. Venetta and then get moving–you have a bunch more sites to visit.



Spring Into Cash $250 Giveaway

Time to enter for your chance to win $250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com gift code!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to these sponsors for helping make this giveaway possible.

Sponsor List

I Am A Reader

Kim Cresswell -Author of Suspense and Thrillers

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Laurie Here – Cont Fiction and MORE

Kimber Leigh Wheaton

Krysten Lindsay Hager author

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Helen Smith

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Happily Ever Chapter

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Author Deb Atwood

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D.S. Venetta

Aubrey Wynne: Timeless Love

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D.E. Haggerty, author

B. Kristin McMichael

Dawn Malone, Author

Inger Iversen

 

Giveaway Details

$250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card

Ends 4/15/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

6th Annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop!

Welcome to my corner of the 6th Annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop! What a fun way to celebrate spring AND win prizes. Win-Win!!

As for my gardening tip, I’m going to share a fun fact. Everyone knows that milk is good for the body, but did you know it may also be good for the garden? People have milk in the garden for several generations. Why, your grandparents probably used it! Not only is milk good for providing calcium, it can also protect plants against viruses and powdery mildew.

Wow. Raw or unpasteurized, cow’s milk has some of the same nourishing properties for plants that it has for us. It contains proteins, vitamin B and sugars that are good for plants, improving their overall health and crop yields. The microbes that feed on the fertilizer components of milk are also beneficial to the soil.

Why do our plants need calcium?

To avoid ugly blossom-end rot, like this poor little fella.

However, using too much milk isn’t a good idea. The bacteria in it will spoil resulting in a stinky odor and wilty, poor growth. Yuck.

So what type of milk can be used as milk fertilizer in the garden? I say use old milk–past its expiration date. This way you’re recycling/composting the old milk while fertilizing your plants at the same time. I do love a win-win proposition!

You can also use milk as a leaf spray. However, some plants (like tomatoes and squash) are prone to developing fungal diseases. If the milk remains on the leaves too long, it will cause more harm than good.

CAUTION: After spraying your plants with milk, don’t treat the area with any chemical pesticide or fertilizer. It can affect the fertilizer components in milk that actually help the plants—bacteria.

Now for the prize. I’m giving away a set up Batman gloves and garden tools to celebrate the release of my upcoming book, The Muddy Fingers Garden Crew to the Rescue! And why?

Because kids love to wear costumes and there’s no better place than in the garden. Seriously. Joey Hernandez LOVES to garden and he LOVES to have fun–especially when it comes to his favorite superheroes. (Check out my Facebook page for a sneak preview!)

Book three follows the children from school to a nearby neighborhood where they work to save a friend’s community garden in jeopardy of closure due to a squabble among neighbors. Will all be lost? Not if the kids have anything to say about it!

(Coming summer 2017)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


All righty now–get hopping! You have LOTS of places yet to visit!!

 

And

Gratitude Giveaway

Giving thanks this time of year… As 2016 comes to a close, I’d like to give thanks for my readers.

gratitude-giveaway

Sharing the adventure of gardening with kids brings me joy every single day, so for my giveaway, I’m offering a Junior Garden Kit to get the adventure started! Complete with junior garden gloves, fertilizer and seeds, this kit will provide a child with all the tools necessary to grow your very own herb garden! Or choose whatever seeds you like–YOU’RE the gardener.

junior-garden-kit

Entering is easy. Simply leave your email address or tweet a message. That’s it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thanks for stopping by! Now hop on–you have a bunch more stops to visit…



Back-to-School Cash Giveaway!

I’m joining with I Am A Reader and an awesome group of authors & bloggers to bring you 1 fabulous prize!! We’re giving away $250 in Paypal Cash! Or alternately you can choose a $250 Amazon.com Gift Code!

Back to Books

Summer is winding down and it’s time to head back to school. But alas, it’s not ALL bad news. Sure your carefree days of doing nothing but frolicking in your garden, chasing butterflies and plucking caterpillars are behind you, but guess what I have in store for you?

Show Me the Green!

Venetta, Dianne- Show Me the Green! (RGB)

Sure, book 1 in the Wild Tales & Garden Thrills series is the perfect read for school, but this time I mean the “cash” kind of green — and $250 worth. Someone is going to win it. Why not you?

All you have to do is enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below — the more times the merrier (and the better odds for winning!) — and there’s no purchase necessary. Entering will not secure your chance to win, but allow you to discover of bunch new authors and bloggers, kinda like the first day of school when you meet a bunch new friends!

And $250 is MORE than enough money to secure your copy of my new book, Beans, Greens & Grades. You can even purchase the coloring book, too!

In book 2, Lexi and Jason head to school and share their new gardening expertise with their fellow students when Principal Gordon enlists their help to establish a garden at Beacon Academy. The kids are thrilled to be selected as Green Ambassadors for this important project, but quickly learn how challenging it can be to work with others toward a common goal. Not only must they teach their fellow students how to garden, Lexi and Jason feel the pressure to make it fun and exciting (or become known as “The Most Boring Gardeners Ever” in school history). When the principal reveals a generous amount of grant money has been offered to continue the green program if the children succeed, the stakes rise.

No worries! Lexi and Jason are up to the task, assisted by their student council members. But as they formulate, organize and implement the plan for Beacon Academy’s first school garden, the kids are sidetracked by trouble, toils and trauma. Everyone has their OWN opinion on how to care for their plants, what should be done, and who should be doing it.

Hey–wait a minute. Who’s in charge around here? Find out in book 2 of the Wild Tales & Garden Thrills series…

Venetta, Dianne- Beans, Greens and Grades (final)

Does your school have a garden? If not, share Beans, Greens & Grades with them and they’ll quickly learn how EASY it is!
Good luck. 🙂

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Sponsor List

I Am A Reader

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Kimber Leigh Wheaton

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Laurie Here – Cont Fiction and More

Krysten Lindsay Hager author

Heather Boyd, Historical Romance Author

The Page Unbound

Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke

Rockin’ Book Reviews

Lori’s Reading Corner

Rice & Rocks, by Sandra L. Richards

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D.S. Venetta

Author Dorothy Dreyer

Diana’s Book Reviews

MK McClintock

Books & Benches

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Bella Street Time Travel Romance

Bonnie Blythe Faith Based Romance

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Talia Jager

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Giveaway Details

$250 in Paypal Cash (alternately the winner can choose a $250 Amazon.com Gift Code)

Ends 9/7/16

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.