Nerdin Gardens: A Spoonful of WarmthA batch of bright red tomatoes, simmering on the stove,With garlic, green peppers and onions, a true treasure trove,Several fresh herbs, fragrant & oh-so sweet, makes it complete,A delicious bouquet, a perfect treat for you & me. Is it time to eat?!~Wanda Kubat-Nerdin in Nerdin Gardens Happy Tuesday all! 10/28/2025

Nerdin Gardens: Mother Earth's Helpers of Harvest!  In a quaint back yard garden setting, Mike and Wanda passionately tended to the needs of their vibrant, plant-laden plot. The proof was in the sprinkle of soil on the front of aprons, the dirt beneath their nails with a touch of green on all fingertips. One early evening an ethereal light came to be 'tween the rows of maturing plants. Mother Earth's Sister of Harvest suddenly appeared, her hair flowing with vines and flowers, wearing a gown intertwined with blossoms and greenery. Her skin glowed softly, reflecting the warm colors of the sky. She encouraged these helpers to continue sowing the seeds of unity that turns every garden into a sanctuary. As Sister of Harvest's presence faded, her spirit lingered within, reminding Mike and Wa... 10/03/2025

Dirty Hoes Are Welcome In Nerdin Gardens In Nerdin Gardens where plants are aliveDirty hoes dig deep and help them to thrive. Rakes screech, scratch under the bright sun,Never taking a break until the work is all done. Trowels scoop away the weeds that become bold,Turning the soil with a gritty embrace, tender and told. Pruners snip, snap the unruly, sucker vines back to neat,A trusty wheelbarrow rolls on daily, without missing a beat. It's true that dirty hoes are welcome in the backyard garden,Each tool ensures harmony, no need to beg each others pardon. ~ Wanda Kubat-Nerdin Industry tie-in:A daily commitment is required to reap the rewards of successful gardening, otherwise, find something else that sings to the soul. Same with the real estate industry. If you lack the heart and sinc... 09/22/2025

Dutch Baby. Oh Baby! Also known as a German Pancake. This can be made for breakfast, brunch or dinner, we have done all three. The shocked look on Mike's face at its sheer size, the first time seeing it coming out of the oven was hilarious! This is his go-to now, no more flat pancakes or waffles. This is a quick and easy recipe that takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Only 6 ingredients make up this most delicious concoction! Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt 5 Tablespoons of butter in a large, cast iron skillet or cake pan in oven. I prefer the cake pan. My daughter in love, Devyn, gave me this recipe. She makes it at least once a week and her family loves it, especially little Kodah! While the butter is melting, mix everything thoroughly in a blender or mixing bowl with elect... 09/20/2025

Nerdin Gardens: Now & Later  We eat a lot of fresh produce during the growing season and also can and freeze a variety of jams, sauces, soups, salsas for future use, especially the winter months. A smart approach that has paid off! Nerdin Gardens: A Spoonful of Warmth A batch of bright red tomatoes, simmering on the stove,With garlic, green peppers and onions, a true treasure trove,Several fresh herbs, fragrant & oh-so sweet, makes it complete,A delicious bouquet, a perfect treat for you & me. Is it time to eat?!~Wanda Kubat-Nerdin in Nerdin Gardens Industry tie-in: A wise broker once told me to spend some money now and be sure to save some for later use. Boy, was he ever right about that! The real estate industry is cyclical, one year can be extremely brisk for business and the next, s... 09/06/2025

Nerdin Gardens: Lettuce Turnip the Beet Here are some productive ideas for a large garden harvest that puts your hard work, time and money to best use: Always bring produce indoors once picked, rather than leaving it outside or the sun will continue to ripen them. Leave tomatoes at room temperature instead of putting in the refrigerator, otherwise, it makes them grainy and mushy inside.   Crisp Some. Use a bag sealer to take out air. Asparagus, summer squash, yellow squash, green beans, snow peas, lettuce, peppers, green beans, berries and cucumbers should be stored in the crisper drawer.  Can some. Of course, I recommend preserving fruits and vegetables long-term. Strawberry freezer jam, Tomato puree, peach jalapeno jam, cherry pie filling, peach salsa. Sweet chili sauce and zicchini r... 09/04/2025

True Colors Shining Through This morning, I took a multiple choice questionnaire about personality traits. According to the results, I prefer to be surrounded by plants in a calm and serene environment. While on vacation, historic towns with deep culture and stories attract my attention.  If making a difficult decision, logic and careful planning come into play, facts over feelings rule. If ever I was to paint a picture it would be a bright sunrise or sunset. During a long weekend, I prefer listening to music, whether it’s going to a live concert or a festival or staying home at the silo.  My reading tastes are fiction and fantasy over philosophy, travel and world cultures. If someone gives me a compliment, I’d smile and thank them. If I was a soundtrack, I’d be energetic and upbeat. Be... 08/30/2025

It's Black Cat Appreciation Day This day, August 17th, is an opportunity to lavish some attention on those black cats that are often misunderstood but are just as lovable as every other cat. Their sleek, dark coats give them a mysterious look, but like all felines, they are playful, quirky and affectionate. It has been known that black cats are less likely to be adopted from shelters. Just like black dogs, they are often overlooked, even though they respond the same to love and attention as other cats. Bring a black cat into your life, celebrate every day that you're a very lucky human.  You'll not only get help with pest control but also increase the number of kitty cuddles and pure entertainment you get! p.s. Miss you Tux! 🖤 🐾 🖤 08/17/2025

Nerdin Gardens: Inside InsightTrellis’s arch with pure delight, In a nook that's green and bright, Squash and tomatoes climb so high.Dancing vines beneath a lighted sky. Inside Nerdin Gardens, joy holds sway, Where nature’s spirits dance every day.~ Wanda Kubat-Nerdin Interesting comment from an outsider, looking in that "gardening looks like a lot of work." Indeed it is. Abundance and appreciation comes as an array of fresh fruits and vegetables at our fingertips, only steps from the back door of our home. Anything of value is worth working toward and this is a labor of love for us both. Happy Sunday from Nerdin Gardens! 08/10/2025

Nerdin Gardens: Building It Strong You don't install a garden fence with broken boards and crooked nails because it offers little security when a hungry bull comes charging through, wanting some greens. Using quality materials and proper construction ensures the structure is durable enough to withstand whatever comes its way. Same with relationships. Build them to last!  Whether it's with a spouse, partner, family member, friend, or colleague, take the time, energy and commitment to nurture or a lack of integrity can result, along with instability. When misunderstandings occur, they can leave everyone on shaky ground. A weak foundation is vulnerable to collapse when challenges arise, all can be lost and left in ruins. There's no cutting corners when building something that gives endurin... 07/30/2025

Nerdin Gardens: Growing GreenPretty peppers so green and grand,I picked them all with a careful hand.Each one was stuffed with savory flair,A promise of fresh flavor beyond compare.Life’s cycle complete from earth to plate, During the growing season, we celebrate. In Nerdin Gardens, where wonders do teem, A tasty harvest results from a bountiful dream.~ Wanda Kubat-Nerdin Happy Monday all! 07/28/2025

Nerdin Gardens: A Spare I Guess While visiting a local asparagus farm close to our house, I asked for 12 stalks of the fresh, organic produce. I paid and left for home to cook my husband a wonderful dinner. After getting there, the goal was to wash and then steam and serve them with a creamy hollandaise sauce. I took them out of the bag and realized he gave me one too many. It was a spare I guess! Happy day all from Nerdin Gardens! 07/10/2025

A Little Wish Ignored. Until... In a mostly manicured yard in southern Utah, an old dandelion named Puffy with a fluffy head full of white knew his life cycle was close to the end. Earlier in the spring, his bright yellow bloom provided much beneficial food to pollinators. Puffy now needed help in journeying on, to ensure that more dandelions would be replenished as future generations of flowers. He began to plead to every passerby in the vicinity. "Blow me!" he said to the squirrels,who were collecting nuts to fill thefood supply for later use. “Just a little puff?" he asked the busyrobins while they searched for food,hopping past, then flying off. Even the wind, swirling slightly above him, hereand there, failed to respond to the quiet pleasof “Pssst! Over here!" They all refused to t... 07/08/2025

How do you weigh a pie? 🎵 Somewhere over the rainbow, weigh a pie! 🌈 Playing with words is a favorite past-time and every chance to share something to bring a smile or laugh is an opportunity to connect with people online or in person. Quite often, the message is relayed in a lighthearted manner. Making others feel special is the goal. Some days, I accomplish that and even if only one person appreciates the message, it can give me a much needed boost and most relationships thrive on mutual investment and reciprocity. That's my Ted Talk for the day. Thank you for being a part of it on Funday Sunday!  07/06/2025

Our Annual 4th of July Dinner Menu for 2025   It's Independence Day again, folks and you're all invited to partake of our annual 4th of July feast at the Silo! This day, all Americans can feel FREE to celebrate to our heart's content, despite some people adamantly complaining and moaning about the noise.   Ignore them and do what sings to your ever-loving, patriotic heart!   For dinner: We will be serving Freedom burgers in Allegiance with a United side of All-American fries plus Constitutionally, Patriotic-packed beverages. For dessert, enjoy a slice of home-made, Justified apple pie. Musical entertainment at the Legendary Silo to be provided by the Red, White and Blues Band.   At dusk, the National Anthem will Proudly play, followed by an Independently unparalleled, Declarated firewo... 07/04/2025

Nerdin Gardens: To sow, grow and glow. As home gardeners, we stretch ourselves through self-improvement, ever-toward what is called, 'Living our best life'. Much time and energy are spent achieving, so insight in knowing when to quickly change directions if plans fall short, warrants action. Forward, focused momentum is required.  Success takes time when nurturing tender plant material and creating lasting beauty. Trust and patience with the process, while tending a garden means continuously planting new seeds. They will not magically sprout! The rest follows when giving the best of ourselves to important matters.  Creting a magical space that transforms the mind, body and soul requires both skill and imagination. No shortcuts allowed! The results are stunning and draws everyone to expe... 06/24/2025

Ollie the Owl Refused to Leave His Post Early one morning, marauding birds  descended into the orchard of Nerdin Gardens, savagely pecking at the ripening fruit. Mr. Green Jeans, at his wits end, threw his hands up, yelling to scare them off, then realized it was futile, thinking there was a better way to reclaim his trees. • • • 🦉 • • •Approaching the wise matriarch of the local Barn Owl clan, he explained the dilemma.  It was agreed that Ollie, one of his sharpest, reliable owls would help for an extended period. His tenure began during growing season and lasted well until all the fruit was safely harvested. • • • 🦉 • • •Ollie had an impressive wingspan, along with the 360-degree ability to pivot on a whim, day or night! Soon, not even a tweet or peep was heard during appointed rounds... 06/16/2025

Happy Father's Day from Nerdin Gardens! What better place to enjoy a specially-made breakfast, than inside the 4-corners of our garden? On the menu was frittata, crispy hashbrowns, homemade, sweet chili sauce and sourdough toast with Rimosa's (as Mike would say).   The Hollyhocks are achieving fruition as they sway gently in the breeze through the trees surrounding the property. The roses are enjoying the cooler evenings plus offering a bright pop of color among the pastels. The trees provide a shady haven.  The strawberries are ripening, asparagus sprouting up and squash and tomato vines are steadily climbing the trellises that Mr. Green Jeans installed earlier this spring. The pepper plants have flowered with the promise to perform as well.  Orbital grapes and Muscadines are bearing t... 06/15/2025

Happy National Weed Your Garden Day 2025! Remember, a beautiful, successful garden is grownwith consistent care and true intentions.  Same for all relationships. Nurture them, they willgrow. Ignore and neglect, they wither and die. We have been gardening for quite some time and know that if we make the commitment, it's up to us tomeet the day, attend to challenges and show upfor Nerdin Gardens sake. Hi hoe! Hi hoe! It's off to work I go! 06/13/2025

Transporting a Magical Memory Maker Whimsy Wandrin, a woman whose life revolved around celebrations, ✨glitter✨ and grand dreams, had just acquired a vintage two-horse trailer. Most people saw only rust, smelled a faint scent of hay and horse manure, she knew it was her destiny.  • • • 📷  📸  📷 • • •  "It's not just a trailer," Whimsy declared to herbewildered cat, Slinky Sparkles, "It's a mobile photo booth waiting to happen!” • • • 📷  📸  📷 • • • Weeks went by, fabricating new doors, painting the exterior a shimmery, metallic gold, the interior a pristine white coat that allowed all themes to be introduced to the simple palette. Soon ahe was prepared to do weddings, bridal showers, rodeo events, baby showers and more! A sturdy, wooden bench, white curtains, prop boxes overflowing with si... 06/11/2025