Designing in Life

It's QUIET!

Too quiet.  Granddaughters Chloe and Phoebe left early this morning with their parents and dog.  They've been here for two weeks.  Week 1, with their parents, and this past week solo with Nella and Pop Pop.

It went by so quickly.  This household was a flurry of activity every day.  Painting, drawing, coloring, butterfly catching, swimming, cooking and just a lot of pretending was going on.  And now it's very quiet.  Too quiet.

Here are a few pictures in review:

Chloe picking flowers for the table.

Phoebe on Pop Pop's shoulders.

Shopping at the Farmer's Market.

Boating in the pool.

Catching butterflies.

Playground fun.

Dinner outside.

It was the best 2 weeks we've had in a long-long time, and we can't wait until next summer's long visit.

 

In Honor of All Dads

Wishing every dad and dad-like guy out there a very happy Father's Day.  Here is the card that my grand daughter, Chloe made.

Wish my dad was here to see this.  I know it would put a smile on his face.

Greek Zucchini Salad

I saw this recipe in Vegetarian Times, and thought it sounded like something I should definitely try.  I liked the thought of using raw zucchini that has soaked up the dressing you put on it.  I can assure you that my salad did not turn out as lovely as the photo below, but it was quite delicious just-the-same.

 

Serves 6

• 3 Tbs. lemon juice
• 2 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 tsp.)
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 medium zucchini, peeled into thin ribbons (about 4 cups)
• 1 medium sweet onion, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 Tbs. chopped fresh mint
• 1 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley (I didn't have any, so I used oregano and basil...yum!)

Directions

Whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest and garlic in large serving bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add zucchini and onion, and toss to coat. Cover and marinate overnight, or up to 2 days. Sprinkle with feta, green onions, mint and parsley just before serving.

I made this on the spot, so I took the shaved zucchini and microwaved it for about 45 seconds.  That softened it and allowed the dressing and spices to soak in.

Oh, and if you're counting calories...149 per serving.  A must try!

Iced Coffee (my way)

Now that summer is here (it is, isn't it?), I've started thinking about iced coffee.  I don't usually drink coffee after breakfast, but on a hot day (and when I've had a not-so-great night's sleep), an early afternoon iced coffee break is a great pick-me-up-and-get-me-out-to-the-garden drink.

I'm lucky enough to have a small French press pot, so making one glass is a snap.

The Vermont Coffee Company, in neighboring Middlebury, makes a great rich tasting coffee perfect for being iced. (You can buy it on line!)

Although I drink hot coffee black, I like milk and sugar in my iced coffee.  Since I've eliminated those things from my diet for the most part, I now have it with almond or soy milk and agave syrup.  I suggest using organic agave so that it's not over processed and full of chemicals.

Use 3 heaping tablespoons of fresh ground coffee and fill the press pot with boiling water.  Let the pot sit for at least 5 minutes so that it can brew.  Put "milk" and "sugar" (the amount that you like) and stir.  I used about a half teaspoon of agave and 1/4 c. almond milk.  Add ice and pour pressed coffee on ice.

It's as simple as that!

Things Always get Better

It looks as if the weather has finally taken a turn from this:

And we can now do this:

And to prove they always get better, perhaps you remember this.

 

A Sunday Quiz

Need something to while away a Sunday afternoon??  This is just for you.

A movie quiz that will perk up your lazy weekend brain!  Three clues are given that will help you identify the movie.  Out of 50, I only got 22 right.  But I knew about 5 others.  I couldn't remember the name of the movie, but remembered who was in it.  Obviously, I don't get out much.

How did YOU do!?

What's Going On??

With the weather, that is.  One day it's 90 and the next it's 58.  It has been just plain whacky.  Tornado warnings, hail the size of golf balls and rain, rain, rain. 

This is what my garden looked like last week.

I got out there on one of the days it didn't rain, and worked on putting more soil into rows of hills.  I had to dig everything by hand, because it's just too wet to rototill.

There are some things growing, though.  A little lettuce.

The strawberries have blossoms.

The blueberries have tiny berrries on the branches.

Hmmm, but maybe not for long.  I spotted this lady eyeing them.

I have plants just waiting to go in.  I'm not sure how much longer I can hold them – not because of time, but they're getting too big for their tiny containers.

Let's hope the next post I do is filled with pictures of vegetables planted in my garden.  As far as planting any annuals...nope, haven't even started.  And that's what's going on here!