Will soon be dead at last.

They’re back. The creepiest, crawliest, ugliest of them all. In the past three days I have killed several of these miserable critters at home.  One even had the audacity to climb into my shoe.  Yuck!  Bayer Complete Insect Killer is your best defense to rid your plants of these disgusting bugs.  Come on out today and pick up a bottle.  In a few days the earwigs will be gone.  Great news – the same product also works for Japanese Beetles.

How do you fix a broken tuba?

With a tuba glue.

Joke 5

Try Your Mapping Skills – Try It

This is truly fun.  All you do is look at the top of the page and drag’n’drop the state where it belongs.  Smart map, it varies the order of the states’ placement with each new try. Don’t get discouraged, it’s easier after you get some states in place.  When you get pretty good at it, try without looking at the name of the state.  Enjoy. But watch out. It’s almost as addictive as solitaire.

http://jimspages.com/States.htm 

What’s an accordion good for?

Learning how to fold a map.

Joke 6

Mark Your Calendars

July 4-5 Independence Celebration – Stop by our main location in Cottage Grove and receive FREE Ice Cream and Popcorn to celebrate our amazing country’s independence.

July 11-19 ABF Dollar Days – This is the first of two opportunities to use your orange ABF Dollars for up to 50% off the total price of purchase on our entire stock

Did you know?  Only Loyalty customers receive our newsletters via email.  Only Loyalty customers receive ABF Dollars.  And, best of all, only Loyalty customers receive all our great mailings throughout the year.  If you know anyone who shops here, but hasn’t signed up as a Loyalty customer yet, please encourage them to do so.  We thank you and so will they.

If you are receiving double mailings, please email or call us at 222-2269 so we can reduce the amount of paper coming to your home.  It’s just one small way we are working to save our environment.

What do you get if Bach falls off a horse, but has the courage to get on again and continue riding?

Bach in the saddle again.

Joke 7

A Dilly of an Herb

Our dill plants are looking awesome! Dill is a must-have herb, this time of year. New potatoes are showing up at the markets, people are making potato salad for their cookouts and outdoor parties, and soon, some of you will be putting up jar after jar of your favorite family pickles. Dill’s uses are numerous, but it is also a beautiful plant with a very distinct aroma.  We carry two varieties, and the one you select should depend on what you’ll be using it for.

Bouquet Dill is the best American cultivar for seed production, and is great for pickling. It’s finely cut foliage and the seeds, can be used in many dishes. Foliage height is 24”-36” with a spread of 18”-24”.

Fernleaf Dill is a dwarf dill, good for containers. It has extra finely cut foliage that is slow to go to seed. Foliage height is 18” with a spread of 12”-18”.

Grow both in average, well-drained soil in full sun.

The best way to use dill is fresh from the garden (or pot), so during the growing season, cut your dill to use fresh as you need it. If not kept cut, your dill will go to seed, so cut often until you are ready to switch to seed production.  If you find that you have cut more than you can use, dry the excess in the microwave.  Spread the dill in a single layer on a paper towel and microwave on high for 3 minutes.  The result is fabulous - much better than the dried dill you buy in stores.  After microwaving, remove and discard the hard stems, crumble the leaves, and store in an airtight container protected from light.

Once seedheads begin to form, it’s time to stop cutting dill for fresh use. Allow the seedheads to dry completely, then cut them. You’ll be able to remove the seeds easily with your fingers.

While at a concert being performed by a very bad orchestra, George Bernard Shaw was asked what he’d like them to play next. “Dominoes,” he replied.

Joke 8

Bonnie’s Kitchen

I love fingerling potatoes, and this time of year they are easy to find and a bit more affordable.

Dilled Fingerling Potatoes

Recipe from the Barefoot Contessa

2 T unsalted butter

1 ¼ pounds fingerling potatoes, rinsed but not peeled

1 t kosher salt

¼ t freshly ground black pepper

1 ½ T chopped fresh dill

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot. Add the whole potatoes, salt, and pepper, and toss well. Cover the pot tightly, and cook over low heat for 20-30 minutes, until the potatoes are just tender when tested with a small knife. From time to time, shake the pot without removing the lid to prevent the bottom potatoes from burning. Turn off the heat and allow the potatoes to steam for another 5 minutes. Don’t overcook. Toss with the dill and serve hot.

Lemon-Dill Potato Salad

3 pounds medium baby new potatoes, unpeeled, quartered

1 cup frozen green peas

¾ cup finely chopped red onion

2 T freshly chopped fresh dill

2 T chopped fresh chives

1 cup mayonnaise

2 T fresh lemon juice

Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

Place your baby new potatoes in a large saucepan filled with cold salted water and cook on medium heat until tender for about 20 minutes. While the potatoes are cooking, place a colander over the boiling water and blanch the green peas for about 45 seconds. Drain potatoes, transfer to large bowl, and set aside to cool for a bit. Once potatoes are cooled slightly, add the red onion, dill, chives, mayonnaise and peas. Drizzle with lemon juice, and toss gently to coat.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

“What kind of music do you sing?”

“Aqua-pella.”

“Don’t you mean ‘a cappella’, singing without instrumental accompaniment?”

“Nope: I mean ‘aqua-pella.’

Singing accompanied only by the water coming out of the shower-head.”

Joke 9

SEE YOU SOON!!!