Joette Reger's archive

You say ‘aubergine’ but I say ‘eggplant’

eggplant

Our cup runneth over this time of year! Recent trips to our farmers market and local stands has my kitchen counters laden with huge quantities of fruits and vegetables. I can’t help myself! I’m finding myself looking up those recipes from last summer about canning and freezing and drying. Not everyone likes eggplant as much as I do, but it could be thought of as an art installation. Just look at those purple and white beauties.

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Herb Society draws Beaumonters to annual meeting

Governor’s mansion in historic Quapaw

Herb enthusiasts from Texas and all over the United States met in Little Rock, Arkansas, from May 4-7 for the annual meeting and educational conference. Many from the Beaumont area were in attendance. Highlights of the conference included a presentation by P. Allen Smith and tour of his Moss Mountain farm, trip to Garvan Gardens in Hot Springs, dinner at the governor’s mansion, and presentations by many well-known herbal experts.

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Notes from a farmer

I had the great pleasure of talking with a real local farmer recently. I first met William Perego at the festive Saturday morning farmer’s market on College Street by the tennis courts a couple of weeks ago. William and his wife, Lori, live in Kirbyville and are pretty popular up that way this time of year. They farm acres of land and produce quite an inspirational variety of produce. If they have just too much of something some weeks, they give the extra to the local nursing homes. William says, “I make sure to keep the local widow women with some produce, too.”

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Know your tomato personalities

tomato

Maybe I like to grow tomatoes because they are so quirky. Maybe its because I can grow whatever weird kind of tomato I’d like to eat rather than pick from those limited options at the grocery store. I pulled some delicious red ones off the vine this morning and sliced them to go onto toast. Life can’t get much better than that.

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Color palette for your garden

I’ve walked through many a furniture store trying to find just that ‘right’ area rug to inspire the rest of the room.  Certain colors just make me happy and others bring me a sense of calm while others just don’t do a thing at all.   Your outdoor room can inspire you in just the same way.  Why would you want a yard that makes you snooze?  Choosing the colors that you find appealing when you are outdoors at your home are just as important as what you see inside.

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