Doesn't Brecks know that mid April is not the planting time in Michigan?

Before I get to the gardeing, let me attempt to tantalize your taste buds with these twice-baked potatoes I made for dinner today. They have a layer of caramelized Vidalia onions on the bottom, a bit of sour cream, cheddar cheese, and crushed Caesar salad croutons on the top. YUM! They were good. I really don't have a recipe, it's one of those toss-in-whatever-you-like items. I never make the exact same twice baked potato. I had this bag of croutons that we both hated (too hard and crunchy), so I dumped them into the food processor and turned them into crumbs for the topping. They gave a delicious flavor--much better then flour.

We will come back to the potatoes later, after I show you the little bit of gardening I did today.

Last week I received my Breck's order of cannas, dahlias and flame flower. I ordered them months ago and they said they would send the order at the proper planting time.

The proper plating time in my region for tender plants like these is early June. I stuck the box in the garage for the past week. I am not sure if sitting in the garage for six weeks is a good idea.

Today I decided to plant them in containers and store them in the garage at night. I thought it would be nice to get a head start on the blooms. That means I have a good month of hauling nine pots in and out every day. I hope the blooms will be worth all this extra work!

I am supposed to plant these two Wyoming canna rhizomes 15 - 20 inches apart. I just ignored that and stuck them both in the same container.
Here I have six containers of Rembrandt dahlias. I may end up popping them into the ground in June.
I looked at this tiny little flame flower bulb and wondered what in the world I was thinking! I can't imagine that this one little bulb is going to do much. I've never even seen a flame flower. This was one of those too-easy-to-click Internet impulse buys. The "cup shape blooms of bold red and yellow" must have made my mouse-clicking finger tremble right to the order form. I gave it a pot of it's own and we will see what becomes of it.

I spent the rest of the afternoon cooking. MY sister-in-law had a sudden operation yesterday and is now in the intensive care unit. I wanted to make a few things to take to my brother-in-law. I am sure he will appreciate having a meal or two ready in the next few days. I made a dozen of those twice-baked potatoes so I took some to him and froze a couple more meals.

Do the work only once and enjoy the meal at least four times....that's my motto.

Anyway here is the meal of baked chicken strips, carrots and the twice bakes that I am taking to him. I hope he likes it. I stuck some Sweet and Sour dipping sauce in there, too.


I am also taking some chili. I hope he likes it.