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Quince Paste

November 4, 2011 By Barbara 2 Comments

It’s magical here in the middle of Portland, Oregon. I am amazingly fortunate to live in the city while at the same time have a beautiful backyard to escape to. Every year I look forward to the ripening of the two quince trees that grow in my backyard. I, like others who are fortunate to possess this fruit tree, admire its flowers, pray for healthy fruit and feel guilty if we don’t harvest every last aromatic quince. Only a few make it to full ripening without blemish. Those I use for brandied … [read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Christmas & Holiday, D.I.Y. Ideas, Featured, Food & Drink, From The Garden, Holidays, Jams & Preserves, More Ideas, Thanksgiving Tagged With: canning, food, garden, gift, holiday, homemade, labels, Occasions, recipe

MOL Garden Update #3: Harvest

September 19, 2011 By Rachel Leave a Comment

Just thought I'd give you a quick update on the My Own Labels community garden. It's harvest time! So far, we've harvested a total of 156 pounds of produce! We harvested 174 pounds total in 2010 and we hope to beat that this year! Tomatoes, tomatillos, chilis, cucumber, and onion have all been gathered and brought home by our staff. Jeanne is almost ready to start making her famous tomatillo salsa (stay tuned for her recipe in the coming weeks). Helpful Links MOL Garden Update #1 MOL Garden … [read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, D.I.Y. Ideas, Featured, From The Garden Tagged With: DIY, garden

Garlic Bundles

August 31, 2011 By Jeanne Leave a Comment

Bundles and braids of garlic are a pretty addition to a kitchen, either as part of a still-life on a counter, or hanging on a wall. Garlic is very easy to grow, even in the city, if you have a tiny piece of land or just a pot on a windowsill. Garlic evolved as a survivor. Its ancestors thrived where other plants failed. Proof of that is in its leaves - long and thin, good for getting plenty of sunlight on a broad dry plain where nothing else grows. Put them in the company of other plants, however, … [read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, D.I.Y. Ideas, Featured, From The Garden, Occasions Tagged With: DIY, fall, food, garden, homemade, Occasions

Hard Cider

August 22, 2011 By Guest Blogger 2 Comments

Please welcome guest blogger, Robert Randall! Robert lives in beautiful Portland, Oregon. He is a formally trained artist and musician and teaches animation to middle school students in the Portland area. When he's not creating art or music, Robert can usually be found in his garden and kitchen, cooking up something homegrown and delicious. Most people don’t have strong feelings one way or the other about apples, but apples and I have had quite the journey over the years. I grew up with … [read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Featured, Food & Drink, From The Garden, Home Brewing, More Ideas Tagged With: beer labels, beverage, cider, DIY, fall, Home Brewing, homemade, labels, Occasions, summer, wine

Marionberries

July 25, 2011 By Rachel Leave a Comment

We're officially in the midst of summer, but here in Portland the weather has been cool and rainy the past few weeks. Although I'm missing the sunshine, the staff community garden at My Own Labels is flourishing! Especially the marionberries- something I look forward to every year. They taste so delicious right off the vine and there are tons of great recipes out there that use marionberries (take a look at Jeanne's jam recipe). There are so many ways to cook with marionberries aside from preserves. … [read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, D.I.Y. Ideas, Featured, Food & Drink, From The Garden Tagged With: garden, homemade, marionberry, recipe

My Own Labels Garden Update

June 29, 2011 By Rachel Leave a Comment

With July here already, summer is in full swing and the My Own Labels company garden is growing more each day! This is the second MOL garden update here on the blog (read the first one here). Today one of our software programmers, Ritch took me outside with his son, Truman to show me what's growing in his garden plot. This is his second year participating in the My Own Labels garden. "I have far too much shade at home for my two favorite things to grow, tomatoes and chilies!" he tells me. "I … [read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, D.I.Y. Ideas, Featured, From The Garden Tagged With: garden, my own labels, staff, summer

My Own Labels Garden

May 16, 2011 By Rachel Leave a Comment

Every year at the My Own Labels headquarters in Portland, Oregon, we have a collaborative company garden. All MOL employees are invited to participate. The garden area is located behind our office building and is divided up into small garden plots which are then assigned to our MOL gardeners. Each person gets a half hour of gardening time during work hours every week, as we have a strict "no weeds!" policy. This year will mark three years of having the garden and four employees are participating: … [read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, D.I.Y. Ideas, Featured, From The Garden Tagged With: DIY, garden, my own labels, spring, staff

Gardener’s Basket

May 11, 2011 By Jeanne Leave a Comment

Here's a loving touch to nurture affection... an extravagant favor for those who have carried you through those special times. Perhaps your mothers- however many you may have, perhaps your bridesmaids, or your annual girlfriend's retreat. Or, you can put together several bulb-filled baskets at Christmas for the gardeners in your life. Whether larger or small, the Gardener's Basket is a way to share your favorite growing things and the pleasures of gardening with those for whom you care the most. How … [read more...]

Filed Under: Anniversary, Birthday, Blog, D.I.Y. Ideas, Featured, From The Garden, Gifts & Favors, Occasions, Wedding Tagged With: basket, DIY, garden, gift, homemade, labels, Occasions, spring, weddings

Sally’s Salsa

April 25, 2011 By Sally Leave a Comment

Every year I love to have a garden and experiment with growing different things. Last year I grew just a “salsa garden” with garlic, peppers, onions and of course tomatoes!  I ended up canning my own homemade salsa to give away as gifts. It felt so nice to be able to say I grew almost everything in my salsa myself (I did add cilantro, lemon pepper and vinegar from the store). I also made my own label for my canned salsa jars. My salsa garden conveniently was located at our My Own Labels office … [read more...]

Filed Under: Appetizers & Snacks, Blog, Canning Recipes, Condiments & Flavorings, Featured, Food & Drink, From The Garden, More Ideas Tagged With: canning, DIY, garden, homemade, recipe

May Day Basket

April 22, 2011 By Rachel 3 Comments

Every year I look forward to the month of May. May means that spring is in full bloom and the season of farmer's markets and outdoor art walks begin. Living in Portland, Oregon, I love seeing people out and about, enjoying the first days a sunny weather. You can find people out taking a stroll, working in their gardens or even enjoying a happy hour on a patio of their favorite local restaurant. After a long, cold winter, I am ready to celebrate warmer weather! One tradition that has been mostly … [read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, D.I.Y. Ideas, Featured, From The Garden, Handmade Gifts Ideas, Holidays, Kid Craft Ideas, Mother's Day, Occasions, Thank You, Unique Packaging Ideas Tagged With: craft, DIY, gift, handmade, holiday, labels, Occasions, spring
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