Squash Blossoms, Yay!!

Kevin and I took a stroll around the garden this evening and I found my first squash blossom!



This made me happy, I am ready for some squash! There is nothing better than grilled veggies in the summertime.

This garden bed (squash, corn, and beans) is out of control with weeds! Kevin and I are able to keep the weeds at bay in the other two beds, but this one is nearly impossible. I am hoping my plants crowd them out! Any organic suggestions?

Hot Sunday (not Sundae although that sounds tasty)

Today, the hubbs and I did lots of yard work. Let me tell you...it was HOT! I mowed the grass, fed my plants, watered the garden, weeded, etc. while the ole man trimmed and used the weed eater. I was so hot outside!! Something happened that I have been waiting patiently for...my hydrangea started blooming!



I love love love hydrangeas...by far my favorite flower. They appear strong and hardy, yet delicate and graceful. Plus, the different colors and varieties are all so beautiful. So, this made my weekend.

Tonight I made beef stroganoff, green beans, and rosemary rolls. Melina made these rolls the other night when she had me over for dinner. The recipe is courtesy of the Pioneer Woman and can be found here.

Oh, they are delicious and a perfect opportunity for me to use some of my rosemary. I told Kev that I would made blueberry cobbler for dessert, so I better get back to the kitchen.

Random Happenings

This week started out not-so-great...I experienced my first (please God let it be the last!) root canal. I am feeling like myself again so that makes me happy. Tooth pain is no fun. I stocked up on soft foods (mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, applesauce...you know, empty carbs). I also discovered that I had a semi-deprived childhood when a sweet co-worker told me about some super-easy kid food that I've never had. Everyone remembers "Ants on a Log" (PB, celery, and raisins), grilled cheese, etc, right? Well, have you ever heard of applesauce and marshmallows? I decided to test it out on my super-sensitive mouth and it was wonderful! It was super easy too, all you have to do is mix a tad of cinnamon and sugar in with applesauce in a baking dish and cover with marshmallows. Cook at 350 until the tops of the marshmallows get golden brown. Yum!!



I also was inspired by my friend Laura to make homemade granola for the first time. After checking out her recipe and looking at several online, I kinda came up with a hybrid recipe. It smells so good and tastes delicious...thought I would share in case anyone is interested:

Ingredients:

1 - 18oz container of Old Fashioned Oats (not instant/quick cooking)
1 - 6oz container of sunflower seeds
1 - 4oz container of sliced almonds
1 - 4oz container of shelled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1/2 cup of light brown sugar
1 tablespoon of cinnamon (more if you like cinnamon as much as I do)
1 teaspoon of salt


3/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce
3 tablespoons of olive or canola oil
3/4 cup of honey

Preheat oven to 300. Mix all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a small saucepan, heat up the wet ingredients and pour into the bowl of dry ingredients. Mix well (should be clumpy) and spread mixture on 2 cookie sheets and bake for around 45 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

Um, someone needs to clean their oven...please tell me I am not the only one.




Since this blog really highlights how dorky I am, I have to show my new exciting craft room item. A ribbon organizer!! I've always wanted this in my office/craft room, and I found this really cheap at Michael's.



This picture also makes me smile because my cute little orchid that my friend Angie got me for my birthday is making a cameo appearance. Also, notice the personalized wine glass on the top shelf? That was part of my birthday present from my mom...I kept telling her that she got me a "pimp cup" for my birthday!! haha! My mom rocks!

This morning, Kevin and I weeded the garden a bit (I hope he'll be cutting the grass later...it's getting shaggy) and I took a picture. I love the progress!

We have a climber!

My beans have started to climb...I am one proud bean mama! I guess the bug that has been munching on them can't get them down.



My tomatoes in the ground are finally starting to bear fruit...for awhile, I thought my only tomato success would be with my topsy turvy. I have a few mini-romas that are starting out. Also, my banana pepper is growing more little peppers. The first-born is really growing!



Take a look at the banana tree I was gifted with last night by our friend, Hobbs. So cute!



Lastly, I have another milestone to mention. My neighbor has mentioned a love for radishes. We will be giving him a snack today...check 'em out!



Edited to add: My Sunday also consisted of making drapery panels. I got this really cute, Pottery Barn-esque fabric at Sir's Fabric a while back for only $3.99/yd. So, for $20 I have new springy drapes for my living room. Pottery Barn thinks WAAAAYY too much of their merchandise, so I'll make my own.

Busy Summer Day

Today was a very busy, but very nice Summer day. This morning, I went to my mom's house to help her with her front flower beds. Her house is currently on the market and we needed to spruce things up a bit (curb appeal is important!). It is amazing how fresh mulch can perk up some flower beds. We planted 4 shrubs, removed some excess flowers, trimmed her boxwoods, and put out fresh mulch. Hopefully this will be exactly what is needed to get an offer.



We also went to see their new house and it is so nice! I think it will be perfect for her and my stepdad, Mark, to enjoy for many more years!

After I finished up with my mom, I had to go home and scrub the dirt off. Kevin and I had dinner plans at Pauli's for my birthday dinner. We ate so much, and it was delicious!!! You name it, we had it...it was truly a meal of a lifetime. This is a blurry picture, but we love each other and I want to post it anyway.



Once we were done with dinner, we decided to head home. On our way, we made a pit-stop at our friend's house (Hobbs...he is great) because Kevin has been wanting to show me his garden. Ummm, I have major garden envy now! His garden is amazing! He has about 50 tomato plants!! This is an aerial view from his deck (this is just part of his garden,he has more tomato plants in the backyard)...I am still in awe!



I should also mention that Hobbs gifted me with a cute little banana tree. It will never bear fruit because of our climate, but it is lovely and I am excited to have a new plant from a dear friend.

We are home now and have decided to have a slumber party with our dog in the basement. We are stuffed!

No longer a twenty-something.

I am officially in my thirties...so far, it's been so much fun! I feel like I have been celebrating for a week! Last Thursday, I went and saw the Oak Ridge Boys in concert with my super-sweet friend Melina (she got the tickets for my birthday/graduation...so thoughtful!). The concert was a blast and we had a lot of fun people watching...plus, those old geezers still have it! Saturday evening I had dinner with my family and I always enjoy those times. Sunday I went to the spa for a facial (I got a gift card from my mom and step-father). On Monday, it was bunco time and we had a May birthday celebration. Last night (Tuesday) I went out with my super fun girlfriends. I had so much fun! We laughed, sipped, sang, and danced! Great times!

This is a group shot of us crazy gals. Thanks to Cheryl, JamiLee, Angie, Katie, Keri, Julie, and Kari for celebrating with me!



You may be wondering what the heck this blog post has to do with gardening? Wonder no more, I am about to bring it home for you. Julie got me the cutest garden stone for my birthday!!! It made my day and I forced her to pose for a picture holding it up (isn't she wonderful, I just love her!).



It says, "Don't Bug Me, I'm in the Garden." I love it!

This weekend I will be celebrating with my husband. We are going on a birthday date...I can't wait. Thirty is grand!

I found my thrill...

I've got baby blueberries! I think these will be another garden snack that will never make it into my kitchen. They are so cute and I cannot wait until they are ripe and ready to eat!



I also have a little banana pepper! It is just darling...I think this is one of the sweet banana peppers (if I remember correctly, I put the hot banana peppers on the bottom row and this is on the top row of the topsy turvy).



I think May and June are going to be super fun because I think weekly changes will be obvious. Look at the difference a week makes with the corn rows...AHHHMAZING!



This blog post also presents another issue in gardening. What/Who the heck is eating my bean leaves? Any tips for taking care of this issue? I need to google.



I finally put my mint to use this weekend with a tasty mojito. Yum Yum! I also made sweet tea with mint (aren't I just so southern?).

I heart broccolini!

Tonight I stopped by Kroger and I found my favorite veggie...Broccolini!! It is perfect and great when sautéed with a little EVOO/butter and some gaaahhhlic. Mmmm, Mmmm. I also used my garden a little tonight too...I put a little bit of fresh rosemary and lemon thyme on my roasted chicken and new potatoes.



I also finished my canning...I think these are so cute! Sure, they look a little "down home" with the fabric, but oh well...I am embracing my country-ness (new word, try it sometime).

We're Jammin'!

My garden is coming along nicely. I thought I would share a few pictures of how it is looking so far.



Also, I have a few baby tomatoes in my topsy turvy. I love it!



This morning I got up on a mission...I made my first jam! Melina picked up a bucket of strawberries from a fruit stand for me and that is what I used. These berries were beautiful!



I followed the instructions at this awesome site to make the jam. The Pioneer Woman rocks...I highly suggest her website.

This is my setup...just the basics for hot water bath canning.



These are all of my finished jam jars. I had some left over and put it on a biscuit...pretty tasty!



Nothin' but love in these jars!