Garden Fuss

After one failed attempt I'm proud to say that my big baby didn't give up and has now successfully made tasty frozen rasberry custard icecream. A little encouragement and jesting has fueld her to concoct a treat to beat the heat straihgt from our garden. I'll have her post a recipe later. Just had to shre this beautiful pics and more praise for my future personal chef.

Got Mint? Got Basil? Got a flare for nummy asian deliciousness? We do in this house so our summer spring rolls hit the spot for a quick meal to beat the heat in the kitchen. First assemble your ingredients (fresh herbs and lettuce) from the garden before the heat of the sun beats you down. You then proceed to wash and rough chop these ingredients. Dice, or shred your choice of meats or you could even use tofu (yum), prepare your rice noodles by dipping into hot water for a couple of minutes then chill in ice water and drain. Do the same to your rice wrapper only it should take about 30 to 40 seconds or until pliable. I make a sauce to spread on the wrapper before assembling with hoisin, peanut butter, soy sauce, chili garlic paste, lemon juice and a touch of honey. I spread this on the wrapper, add noodles, herbs and/or veggies, meat or tofu then I wrap pretty much like a burrito. I make a dipping sauce with finely shredded ginger, water,lemon juice, sugar and hot garlic chili paste. T...

Scarlet and green beens are getting started. Already it's a better crop than last year. I'm hoping to have enough to can this year. If it's not too late I will be starting another successive row to carry us into the fall. There are afew more blank areas in the garden and it's only July. I want to add more herbs and sweet peppers since only the thai chilis are fruiting. The tomatoes are off and running with new fruit popping up daily. I see fried green tomatoes on the menu this week for sure. Any ideas on what I should try for mid season sowing in zone 4? Send me a message or just reply to this post. I really appreciate advice and moral support. Thanksin advance,
Tina

Cranberry white chocolate with ginger lime glaze.

I've been planning on making preserves because that's what I do with fresh summer fruit. However, since the raspberries keep coming I had to find a fresh recipe that didn't involve steaming up our housein 95+ weather. This particular recipe is called The Raspberry Buckle. Here is what I did, and to have just as fabulous results here is what you do. Tina's Raspberry Buckle First gather the following: 1/2 cup butter flavored crisco 1 cup granulated sugar 3 large eggs 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 pint of rasberries  1/2 lemon juiced and zested Pre-heat oven 350 degrees, Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream together the sugar and Crisco, Add eggs one at a time then slowly by the spoonful add in the flour mixture. Once combined add the lemon juice and zest. Spread into a 9 inch pie pan or other decorative pan of your choice. Pile your (washed and dried) raspberries onto the batter and l...

The picking continues and I must say I am pleased with the fruits of our labor. (pun intended) The amount of time and energy we put into the actual bushes was minimal this year. They were pretty much a set it and forget it item. Besides cutting back old canes and digging up new and excess plants this spring; we attempted a last minute trellis or tie up job after a couple bad storms whipped them hither and yon. After that the bees moved in.... Mostly the bumbles, and we received a crop that will be long remembered. Especially by my plumpy arms lol. 
As far as my plan for next years crop.(yes, I really am thinking that far ahead), I am going to try and remember to tie a string around this years canes so I can cut them earlier this winter. That way I only have to worry about moving and mulching in the new ones we want to keep for next year. I will space the plants out more next spring so our path to the ripe fruit is not so cluttered and clingy. And NOTE TO SELF... Rememberto use cocoa m...

 How could I even think about sleep this evening when I just completed picking yet another gallon sized bag of rasberries? I petitioned the kids (my own and the neighbors) for assistance this evening as I have spent the last week picking bag fulls every couple of days. I tried to get the hub to assist but he was essentially a no show. He only sat across from the berries and asked "How long will you be out here?" and after a few minutes disappeared back into the comfort of a 74 degree home. In his defense he always helps me with my ventures, and it has been really hot...., and I was out in the garden at the crack of dawn 6:45 or so. But still, two sets of hands make quick work and I was feeling the heat and humidity too even at that hour. Never the less tonight we managed to fill a large cup for the neighbor kids to nosh, and a bag for me to freeze for my mom later this year. Just think last week I finished the last of the strawberries (I think... ), and now it's the...

We have been a very busy family in the garden this year. Even though we've scaled back the amount of veggies and flowers, there is still a lot that has to be done to maintain a healthy and tidy garden space. As you can see from the pictures we have again incorporated lots of straw for our paths and as mulch around some of our veggies. Also, since we've had so much success with cocoa mulch in the past around our leeks and rasberries we used them in the herb bed which you can see is the middle section that is a small rectangle of plants with the path around it. Yes, visually it adds contrast to the yellow straw but I was looking for weed suppression as well as no additional grass seeds that come with the use of straw no matter how "clean".  As I am the main weeder in the family I had to come up with a way to accomplish my goal of a clutter free space including little to no weeds. At first my gardening partners Eb was skeptical about what I wanted to accomplish. Though a...

Smetimes bigger is not better. I am so gladthat we decided to have a small intimate dinner for four than the spread we put on for almost 30 on Saturday. The holidays can be so hectic and planning ahead a little keeps the chaos and fatigue to a minimum. Tonight we are feasting on deer bratts, devilled eggs, and a garlic parm mash. The side salad is not in the pic because I was too tired to make it. However, we do have fresh strawberries, peaches,and plums for dessert. Oh as a side note the sausage was locally sourced from my moms farm land in the south. It had been in the freezer for a while because I have an issue eating meat at times. Especially cute doe eyed meat..... With hat ad my tummy is rumbling and it's time to chow down.