Designing in Life

How's Your Garden Growing???

Well, after being gone for three days, my garden has exploded.  Sadly, not just in vegetables but weeds too.  I frantically weeded late in the evening yesterday.  It will take me a few evenings to catch up, but I think I can do it.  Best of all though, everything is growing wonderfully.  After last year's garden disaster because of too much rain, this is a welcome relief.

I picked radishes, beet greens, snow peas, lettuce and spinach. There are blossoms on eggplant, tomatoes, tomatillas, peppers, cantaloupe and zucchini.  The leeks and fennel are coming along nicely too. It is a beautiful garden in spite of the weeds.

So, in honor of my upcoming vegetable onslaught, I thought I'd share this recipe from Vegetarian Times.  Although it calls for grilling or broiling, I have also oven-roasted vegetables, and they're delicious.

Roasted Vegetable Salad

• 3 Tbs. canola oil
• 1 serrano chile (optional), seeded and chopped (2 tsp.)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
• 1 tsp. minced fresh ginger
• 1 medium Vidalia onion, sliced (1 1/2 cups)
• 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced (1 1/2 cups)
• 1 medium eggplant, sliced lengthwise (3/4 lb.)
• 1 medium yellow squash, sliced lengthwise (1/2 lb.)
• 3 medium portobello mushroom caps, gills removed (1/2 lb.)
• 1/4  cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 Tbs. lime juice

Directions:

1. Preheat broiler or grill. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray, if broiling. Combine oil, serrano chile, garlic, and ginger in large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add onion, bell pepper, eggplant, squash, and mushroom caps; toss to coat.
2. Place vegetables on prepared baking sheet or grill, and broil or grill 8 to 12 minutes, or until cooked through, turning once. Transfer to platter or bowl.
3. Sprinkle vegetables with parsley and lime juice, and season with salt and pepper.

Yup, I love this time of year and all the fresh produce that's available – right out my own back door.

Dogs Best Friend

I know many of you have dogs, so why not whip up your pooch some of these doggie treats.  I have made dog biscuits before.  I think the recipe I used had beef boullion powder along with the chicken.  I haven't tried this one, but I'm sure you can improvise if you wish.

This recipe came by way of Instructables, and was submitted by Basilicious.

Step 1.

2 cups whole wheat flour
2/3 cup corn meal
1/2 cup sesame or flax seeds
3 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup chicken broth (avoid sodium heavy powders)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced (some dogs should not have garlic so omit until you check with your vet)

Step 2.

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a second bowl, beat 2 eggs, milk oil & garlic together. Mix wet into dry well. Let sit for 15 min.

Step 3.

Roll dough out (1/4" or 6mm thick) on a lightly floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters. Beat remaining egg and brush on tops of biscuits.

Step 4.

Place cookies on a lightly greased cookie sheet (Silpat or parchment paper ok here too) and bake at 350 F for 25-35 min. or until brown. Remove and allow to cool. Store in an airtight container.

No dog at home?  How about making them for the neighbor dog who is looking for another best friend!

Thoughts For Today

If you have a moment in your busy day today, please send a prayer, good thoughts or energy to my brother-in-law, Jerry, in Leola, PA.  He has cancer and today has been designated as the day to send all well-being thoughts to him.  We are heading down for a visit with him this coming weekend. 

Last night as Nick and I sat on our deck enjoying the last of the Summer Solstice light, a bluebird landed on the clothes line next to us.  Very unusual and we have never had one land that close before.  It reminded me of a Cherokee poem that seems befitting on this day of prayer for Jerry.

Bluebird Song 

In the early morning mist
upon the thin frayed branch
Of the silver maple tree
Sits a beauty of Creation
He is named Bluebird by the Cherokee
He is one of many who carry the feather of healing
That comes from ancient ways

by Camile K. Bishop (Windsong)

The Newest Addition

Nick's daughter, Jessica, had her baby on Tuesday.  Everyone is doing fine.  Jess did have to have a c-section, and little Sean Aaron has jaundice, so both are still in the hospital with hopes of coming home this weekend.

Congratulations mom and dad!  He's a keeper.

An Interesting Quiz

Here is an interesting quiz that lets you know what your color preferences say about you.  And here is a little about what my color preferences say about me.

You are creative, you always have new ideas, and your inspiration comes from the inside.

You are also able to have an in-depth thinking, you think before acting, and you know how to communicate your knowledge.

Finally you are attentive and cautious, you take into account the needs of others before setting up the defined goals.

What about you?

Round up of This and That

Here are some pictures I've been meaning to post:

We had an incredible storm a few weeks ago.  I heard a big crack, and this is what was found the next day.  It was being referred to as a "widow maker, and I was told not to mow under the tree.

Truthfully, I would refer this as "widow maker!"  All went well with the help of our neighbor, the truck and a big chain.  Anyone interested in a wood splitting party?

While in New Jersey last week, we went to a beautiful, enormous garden center.  Beth had fun choosing things for her garden.

There was a nice big pond at the garden center, and Phoebe was having fun watching the geese swim.

Chloe thought all these blue pots were "very pretty."  I did too, although what I really loved were her shoes.  Do they make them in adult sizes?

Out in my own flower garden, I found the campanula that I planted last year was loving a little sprinkle of rain.

Nick has been in Lancaster visiting his brother, so I thought I'd start doing a little clean up and head out to dump what needed to go this morning.

And that's it for now.  More pictures to come soon.

Home Again...Again

I've been in Jersey City again.  Son-in-law, Jim, had a business trip to go on, and with Beth still on crutches, I went down to help with the girls. It was a fun trip.  I have a few pictures, but need to download them – and just haven't had time yet to do that, but will asap.

When I got home last night, I weeded through some of the catalogs that arrived.  Check this out!

Vintage butter knife plant markers from Napa Style.  Looks like everyone is getting in on the vintage silver plant markers, like the ones I posted on June 2.  One thing you can bet on.  A few weeks out in your garden and they will not be shiny like they are in this picture.

And look at these.  My sister gave me something just like this years ago.  I still have them, but now I'm thinking I should get the silver polish out so they look new.

 

These are made in Wallingford, Vermont by Brian Bentley Wind Chimes. I know there must be a multitude of things you can make from old silverware.  I remember having a bracelet made from an old silver spoon.  Hmmm, I wonder what ever happened to it?

Avocado Ice Cream?!

This is a creamy, refreshing dairy-free dessert Rick Bayless has served in his restaurant Frontera Grill for years, so it must be delish!  I haven't tried it, but am certainly thinking about it.  I saw this recipe in an Eating Well news letter, which I subscribe to.  There are some pretty good recipes that you will receive by email if you subscribe. 

 

Avocado Ice Cream

• 1 1/2 cups avocado puree, from about 3 ripe large avocados
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/3 cup tequila  (you can substitute lime or lemonade for a non-alcoholic version)
• Lime zest for garnish

1. After making avocado puree, add water, sugar, lime juice and tequila to the food processor with 1 1/2 cups of the puree; pulse until well combined. Refrigerate the mixture for 1 hour or overnight.
2. Transfer the avocado mixture to the canister of an ice cream maker. Freeze according to manufacturer’s directions. If desired, place the ice cream in the freezer to firm up before serving. Garnish with lime zest, if desired.

This sounds pretty refreshing on a hot day! 

Herb Markers

Hey, check these out.  These are great herb markers, and I think they're pretty unique.  You can buy them on Etsy from Hammermann!