Authors in Bloom Blog Hop!

Line 14: The handsome stranger strolls along.Isn't that a great way to start a blog--or anything else?! It's a line from the Authors in Bloom traveling tale. Visit the authors blogs listed below in the next 10 days and copy down the phrases you find on each blog. Collect them all and you'll be eligible for our grand prize of your choice of a Kindle or Nook and a gift certificate. 
Read further for a second line to the story, and info on the starrwords giveaway, too.
We were asked to give a gardening tip or a recipe for your enjoyment on this hop. I thought perhaps I'd give you both. 

I don't have much of a garden space, but there are a few plants I treasure because they come from my Grandparent's yard. Grampa had the greenest thumbs and every time they moved during their long lives together, the plants moved along too. Above is a picture of lilies that he had helped plant along the state highways. Our family calls them Burdetta lilies after my grandmother. I have iris that came originally from that same source, too. Then there's my peonies. I wait anxiously each spring for them to peek out, remembering the long row of bushes lining the yard at the farm where I grew up.

My gardening tip? No matter the size of your garden--from a single pot of geraniums to a formally laid out yard--enjoy it. Take a sense of calm and beauty from your plants, and give them back a good word, some love and a bit of water. Even a spiky cactus will respond and add to your enjoyment.

For a recipe--that's even harder. I'm a lunch lady by day, so I do a lot of cooking. But what can I share today? Of course you can always follow the link on the sidebar and check out the recipes on my recipe blog mz *lizzie cooks.  How about a quick, no bake cookie so you can get back to your garden?

Most often I've seen this recipe made with peanut butter, but I prefer it without--and I do need to watch peanuts at school due to allergies. So without further chatting--

Chocolate No Bake Cookies

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup (one stick) margarine or butter

1/2 cup milk

3 cups quick cooking oatmeal

5 Tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a heavy sauce pan bring the first three ingredients to a rolling boil. Stir constantly and boil for 3 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in the remaining ingredients. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper. Cool until set. Store in an airtight container.

This photo is of cookies proudly displayed on an assortment of Darlene's handmade potholders.

 Beautiful, aren't they--the potholders, I mean.

Now, for the starrwords giveaway! Leave a comment and follow the blog for the chance to win a handmade, spring bracelet. I'd show you a picture, but it's not done yet. :)

Oh and here's the next line in out Authors in Bloom story...

Line 15: He spritzes the crowd with a mist of attention.

And the rest of the authors, so you can read the rest of the story: