On Friday’s blog, we taught you all about lilac and today, the lesson takes place in the vegetable garden, where the rhubarb and the asparagus are flourishing!
1 Come on, Francesca! Let's see if there's anything to harvest in the vegetable garden!
2 Sharkey, the rhubarb sure is big! It's typically one of the first vegetables to pop up in the garden and, as with so many things, this year's mild winter has certainly made it come early!
3 You're right, Francesca. Look at the bright red stalks! Some people think the color has to do with ripeness but really, it's the size. The color can range from bright red, to light pink, to pale green and will all taste the same.
4 Martha uses rhubarb to make a wonderful upside-down cake! But watch out for the leaves - they are actually very toxic!
5 Look what else is growing like crazy! Asparagus!
6 For cooking, asparagus is harvested when the shoots are young. If let to grow, the bud on top will open to a feathery mass and the stalk will become woody.
7 Sharkey, did you know that the thickness of asparagus has to do with the age of the plant? The older the plant, the more shoots will grow from it, as well!
8 Look, Francesca! There's more asparagus on this side, and there's a different variety!
9 This purple variety of asparagus was developed in Italy. It has a higher sugar content and lower fiber content than green asparagus.
10 Asparagus is a great companion vegetable for tomatoes as asparagus wards off harmful root roundworms that affect tomatoes, and tomatoes repel asparagus beetles. This color also makes a nice companion to my purple bootie, don't you think?
From: Lynn (Basil's Mom) | 5/21/12 at 12:26 am
Hello Ladies,
Thanks for the rhubarb and aspargus lesson. I have seen white aspargus, but not purple---yum!!! And Sharkey, you are so stylin' with your bootie matching the veggies. I am glad you are there to help Franny around. Thought of you this weekend when I saw a card that had a dog with a cone on his head, and the inside caption said---,"it's all fun and games until someone gets themselves in the cone." Thought also of poor ichy Kirby--hope you are coneless today, Doc Kirby. I will check back in to see how your weekends were--I always miss you guys on the weekends. Cora Belle you were so smart to hide some of your birthday biscuits. Abby did you watch the Preakness?
Hugs and smiles,
Lynn
From: Senor Rebel | 5/21/12 at 5:16 am
Good morning ladies!
That asparagus us really interesting stuff. The Grandkids were here Friday night and Eli was saying how he had to put on his big boy pants and eat asparagus. I wonder if he'd eat purple asparagus? Mimi says the white asparagus freaks her out LOL!
Hope everybody had a good weekend! I'll check in later to see what you all have to say.
Your pal,
Rebel
From: Maddox | 5/21/12 at 7:13 am
Good moening girls,
I sure am learning all about different plants and vegetables and gardening. Martha should give us all a pop quiz to see what we learned about the things on her farm. Sharkey, when do you get your boot off? How is GK doing? Is he still limping? When Francesca gets to take her headpiece off she will see a whole new world. hehehehehe
Well gang, I will check back later to see who reported in. Did you see Friday's blog? There were 32 comments. Wow. I only know a handful of those people. They just read what we are up to, they don't comment. So, to all those people I just want to say that we, the Glue Squad, say Good Morning to you and we hope the DW keeps you entertained. We all try our best. We have the perfect combination of characters that make up the Glue Squad and Francesca, Sharkey and GK are always posting very interesting things for us to learn about. With that being said, it is a cool morning so you know where I am headed. Catch up with everyone later this afternoon. Oh yeah, Mammy Jean is coming home from the hospital today. Waa Huu.
Love to all,
Maddox
From: Zoe | 5/21/12 at 8:37 am
Good Morning F & S and my Glue Squad Buddies
Yes it's me Zoe mom was kind enough to let me blog for 5 minutes before she heads out. ( I think she is feeling guilty for leaving me with you know who)
I LOVE asparagus mom gives me pieces when she is cooking. She said it makes humans have stinky pee pee but it doesn't do that to me. I like it raw and cooked I also love string beans
See I eat good food not just cheese curls.
I had a wonderful weekend with mom she was home the entire time, she only left me to grocery shop. We had a baby visit on Saturday who dropped lots of cheerios and Nicole was over yesterday so I had a wide variety of snacks
Sharkey I see you are still wearing your boot is your paw healing? Franny what is up with your eye still have it buttoned?
Have a great week everyone and say a prayer I stay out of trouble so I don't get any time outs - you know that is so hard for me to do
Zoe
From: Kirby Bear | 5/21/12 at 8:42 am
Hello ladies, Kirby here.
What a good weekend I had here in the south. It wasn’t too hot and no rain. As it gets hotter, I stay inside more. That keeps the flees off of me and I don’t have to put the “cone” on my head. It’s been off going on three weeks now. Two little girls came by on Friday and wanted Mommy to teach them some crafts. They said that their older brothers used to come by for crafts once a week when they were younger. Now that school is out, they are looking for something to do. Now that’s a good thing for them. I hope they will come by once a week; I just love little girls. You see, love is all around you; all you have to do is look for it and be willing to share.
Catch you later, Kirby.
From: delia | 5/21/12 at 10:25 am
O yummy Asparagus! You girls have some great veggies in the garden, a bit of envy here, OK I'm jealous!
I love asparagus...every time we have gone to Germany we went during "Spargelzeit" Asparagus Time...they have special menu's in all the restaurants just on that item, and so many Farmer markets in the squares selling them...it's a real festive time.
I just was given Rhubarb and will be fixing it for myself as hubby doesn't like either one of these items...more for me, besides he is in California right now!!
Zoe stinky pee-pee? I never noticed...that's funny! Kirby your mommie teaches crafts? how cool!
Yes I also noticed the 32 comments, that's nice, it's like someone listening in our conversations, but nice to know that more then just us Glue Squaders come here.
Cora Belle I would have thought you'd eaten all your BD gift biscuits by now.
Maddox, Yes...Waa Huu! Mammy Jean is coming home from the hospital today...how nice.
Lynn I did not watch the Preakness or Derby, I feel like I jinx it...think I mentioned this before.
Kitty is mad at me because I brushed her Bloomer haired hind legs, a bit matted there. She pinned her ears back and let out a meeawuuu of disgust with a swat at me, which is an absolute NO-NO, she knew she'd done wrong and started to run off...I told her NO and with kind voice told her she needed the brushing...yeah right! I will try tomorrow when her jets are cooled
Till tomorrow!
delia & Kitty =^+ +^=
From: Jan Erickson | 5/21/12 at 10:54 am
Hi Girl Friends, &G.K.+Glue Squad, WOW! I love seeing you two girls out in the vegetable garden looking for growing items and teaching us all about rhubarb and asparagus this time! You both look beautiful even with the cone and purple bootie!! I'm very proud of you and I'm sure Martha is about all the things you teach us! Can't wait to see GK again and anxious for all three of you to be normal again!!! Hi Lynn, I miss everyone on the weekends, too! Rebel, we had half a good weekend-was rainy all day Sunday! Maddox, so happy that Mammy Jean is coming home today-give her a big hug for me! Zoe, you sure did have a great weekend and my prayers are with you to stay out of trouble! Kirby, so glad you are coneless and you have nice girls visiting to learn crafts from your Mom! I finally got my nails cut on Friday afternoon and we went to a different vet and 2 ladies treated me so gentle that they didn't even have to put a muzzle on me! Hope all of you have a great day and I will check back later to read more of your comments! Love, Dudley Do Right! XOXOXO+
From: ABBY | 5/21/12 at 11:28 am
Hello Francesca, Styling Sharkey, Lynn, Rebel, Zoe, Maddox, and all our glue squad friends,
Today this is Abby's mom writing because she is busy getting c and comfort time with her grand pa.
I really enjoy Sharkey and Franny's informative lessons in the garden. The asparagus did match nicely with Sharkey's purple boot.
The daily wag made me feel a bit better this morning. Unfortunately, my white cat Herman passed away in his sleep early yesterday morning which was unexpected. I went to the craft store in between my work shifts and made a little shadow box with his paw print, tiny tiger toy, and a poem. It makes me feel closer to him and I am comforted knowing Herman is now with Prince Basil. He was my boy since two weeks old when I bottle fed him up to ten years and brought us joy every day.
"Herman, sweet prince, travel now in our hearts and thoughts.
We loved you dearly little white boy cat,right eye gold eye, left eye blue eye.
Until we meet again angel cat." 4/14/02-5/20/12.
Hugs for Lynn, and all our glue squad friends- Tracie, Abby's mom
From: Chloe | 5/21/12 at 11:42 am
Hi girls,
I wasn't allowed to blog for a couple of days. Got myself into some trouble
I chewed a whole roll of paper towels but it wasn't my fault. Aunt Denise left them on the floor. Then I got hold of the remote for my special collar.LOL Mom was chasing me all over the yard while I had it in my mouth. Come to realize I had the collar on while I was chewing it. It didn't end pretty. Got another mole by digging a nice big hole in the garden 
and I caught a little tiny mouse this morning. Mom says while she is popper scooping in the yard she is also scooping for small animals. LOL
It was a beautiful weekend. I spent a lot of time outside playing with Abbie and getting wet. And Zoe.... i got a taste of your favorite beverage.... Pino
It was very yummy. I was a little upset mom didn't take me to Aunt Ann's to visit with Zoe and the gang on Sunday. I sure do hope one of these days I get to go!!
F & S... the garden looks great. Mom has her garden going and everything is growing very fast. I, of course, can't get into the garden. Mom has it all fenced off.
I wonder why????LOL
Well, off the catch something
then nap time.
I hope everyone has a great day.
Chloe xx
PS good luck Zoe with super nanny coming
Better you then me. LOL
From: Sonya | 5/21/12 at 12:15 pm
Rhubarb and Asparagus? Can't say that those are my favorites stinky human pee or not.
As long as you three are happy that's what matters. Ahhh Chloe you take after your cousin Zoe soooo much. They should have known a whole roll of paper towels were too much of a temptation for you. Zoe, best of luck with Super Nanny this week.
Very exciting news: Ayumi, from the Shiba Inu Puppy Cam A-Team looks like she is delivering her 1st litter sometime today. The cam is off until the D-Team is ready to make their appearance but I will keep everyone posted. Prayers for a safe and easy delivery!
From: cora-bell, the cattle dog | 5/21/12 at 1:19 pm
..you frenchies are such busy doggers..Abby so sorry to hear about Herman..but he is with my pal the naughty Kit-Bang chasing mice and having a fun time and of course Ivy, the wonder dog, Sahara and the Warrior Prince are watching over him..gotta go.. Lucinda has a doctor appt. and james is going to baby sit me...later, Cora-Belle
From: delia | 5/21/12 at 1:36 pm
Dear Tracy (Abby's mom)
I'm so sorry to hear the loss of your Beloved White Cat Herman...He must of had a great loving home, to have lived this long...May he Rest in Peace with all the other Loved Pets in Heaven.
delia & Kitty =^; ;^=
From: Lynn (Basil's Mom) | 5/21/12 at 2:42 pm
Dear Tracie & Abby,
My heart breaks for you on your loss of your White Cat Herman. You both need to have lots of "cc" time together to get through this. Herman has his angel wings along with Basil. Still, when I tell people that Basil got his angel wings on April 24th, I tear up. We cry or feel sad because their paws have made prints on our hearts forever. I think the shadow box is such a dear idea. My hugs and love reach out to you both, Lynn
From: gail pierson | 5/21/12 at 3:01 pm
That purple bootie sure gets around!
I'm not fan of asparagus or rhubarb. When you talk 'chocolate', then I'll pipe in!
Really nice to see the two of you outside getting some fresh air. I'm glad the medical challenges aren't getting you down.
gail
From: Nicky & Kris | 5/21/12 at 3:46 pm
To our dear friend Abby and especially to her Mom Tracie, Mom told us about the loss of Herman and we are very sad, but not as sad as Mom is. She is so sorry and so are we. Herman was so special and you took such good care of him. We are also sorry to Jimmy and Abby, who have lost a bother. My he rest in peace.
Love, Michelle and Nicky and Kris
From: Sonya | 5/21/12 at 5:12 pm
Dear Tracie and Abby
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved boy Herman. I know your heart aches for him but you gave him a happy, loving life and he loved you back very much. Warrior Prince Basil, Tasha, Kit-Bang, Ivy, Sahara and all others are taking good care of him so rest assured he is not alone, but among new friends while they all wait for their beloved human companions one day.
Sonya
From: Mike in Chicago | 5/21/12 at 10:43 pm
As of Monday evening 5/21/12 I am still experiencing the error message on "The Daily Wag" blog.
From: Maddox | 5/21/12 at 11:35 pm
Hi everyone,
I finally got the chance to check in again to see what everyone is up to.
Zoe, what a pleasant surprise to see you were back with us if only for a day. Tell that super nanny rhat she better be nice to you or she will have the Glue Squad to contend with. Chloe, Chloe, Chloe. I think tour mom should get a rebate on your boot camp training fees. Hehehehehe Kirby, that is really very nice of your mom to help those kids with the crafts. You have such nice parents.
Abby and your mamma Tracie, I am so sorry you lost Herman. I could tell by your mamma's words that she is very sad and that makes ne sad. Please give your mamba some extra special cc time and that will make you both feel better. And don't forget, Warrior Prince Basil is in charge at the Rainbow Brisge. I know he will get our other family members together that are there with him to welcome Herman into the group
Well, I am going to bed. In a very short time the new post will be on and then we start all over again
Later,
Maddox