My Week

 Next weekend is the unofficial end of summer here in the US.  I enjoy Summer and always have.  I wouldn't have survived 20 years in SW Florida if I didn't.  I love all the fresh herbs, veggies and flowers.  I've been watching so many hummingbirds zipping around the feeder and flowers.  I've spent a lot of time sitting outside reading which has been a tradition since I was a kid.  However, since moving back to the Midwest, I always look forward to Fall.  The triple digit heat is still here so it will be awhile before it feels like Fall.

I have been busy putting up veggies and drying herbs and probably will be for the next three weeks or so. The garden has done amazingly well this year.  You know it is late summer when my prep table looks like this.

The doctors I work for always spoil me throughout the year.  One came back from Poland with this amazing box of candy for me.  They are SO good. Apparently this brand is their 'national' chocolate company and a local favorite.  I can see why. Plus they came in a beautiful tin that I can keep and use for something when it is empty.  There are two layers of these beauties. The card said "You need something sweet for all the sh*t you put up with." Gotta love her.

I finished reading Coming to My Senses by Alice Waters this week.  I really enjoyed it.  Going against my no more cookbooks rule I ordered The Making of a Cook by Madeleine Kamman.  It should be here this week.  This will be my long winter read.  It is a monstrous book. I actually picked it up from the library and when I started to read it I knew I wanted it for my collection.

Meals this week were all veggie focused and fairly light.  BIG salad times 2, BLT, Veggie Pizza, Pesto pasta with grilled chicken. Tonight I am making egg rolls and rice. I will miss my BLT's but I'm kind of looking forward to fall and winter dishes and soups.  

I am a list maker.  The beginning of each month I make a list of activities I'd like to do that month. Since Covid these lists have been very short.  Yesterday I made my short list for September which includes: 1. Ice cream at Yellin Helens. It will be closing for the season soon. 2. Trip to Harlows Pumpkin Patch. 3. Apple Orchard. 4. Brunch outside at Firefly. 5. Cedarhurst Craft Festival. 6. Local Fall Festival.  I'm thinking the first 4 are doable even with Covid.  The last two I still need to think about.  They are outdoor activities but both are very crowded.

Things that have been weighing on my mind this week were the situation in Afghanistan, Covid and Louisiana. Also my Father. Yesterday would have been his birthday.  He died 29 years ago from crohns disease at the age of 44. It still breaks my heart and now with my Mothers situation, I need him more than ever.

I'm off to start my Sunday.  I need to do a few things to get ready for the work week.  I hope everyone stays safe and has a wonderful week.

Are you looking forward to Fall?

I finally got all my ducks in a row

                                                             At least right outside the fence.

My Week

The work week was a bit chaotic.  The hospital is operating at max capacity due to staffing. People are waiting hours to be admitted as every department is short staffed especially nursing.  Our covid numbers here are equal to the highs we experienced last November thru January.  Our community is only at 35% vaccinated. Even if you're someone that doesn't believe Covid is 'that bad' think about if you were to have any serious health scare and needed hospitalization.  Enough with that.

We were able to take an hour Wednesday to have a quick lunch together to say good bye to one of the doctors that has been there for the last 7 years. I found a couple of trays at Hobby Lobby that I love.  They are a lightweight metal but have a coating on top and they hold a lot.  I will get a lot of use out of them and they were only 4 bucks a piece. Score!

 It was a very hot and humid week with heat indexes in the triple digits.  Thankfully Friday evening things cooled off and humidity is a lot lower.  Yesterday we spent half the day in the back yard, trimming branches, clearing weeds out of the flower beds and cleaning up the gardens.  I planted more basil, lettuce and arugula.  I'm happy to see the pepper plants are all loaded with peppers and I will be eating salads or salsa all week I have so many different tomatoes.  Herbs and a large variety of peppers and tomatoes are my favorite things to grow. The firecracker tomatoes I tried this year are SO good.  I'm saving some seeds to grow again next year. Now to tackle the front yard. I know we will have more hot days but it does feel like Fall is on the way.

I finished  reading All Gone by Alex Witchel. It is a memoir of her mothers dementia.  It hit close to home.  I also finished when French Women Cook by Madeleine Kamman.  I really enjoyed it and added two of her other books to my reading list.

Our meals this week were much of the same summer dinners.  Lots of salads, a BLT, Chicken nachos, and meatball subs.  Every meal was full of veggies. Today I need to make zucchini bread and a batch of chocolate chip cookies.  Zucchini bread freezes so well and is nice to have in the fall or winter.

How was your week?  Stay safe!

My Week

I don't know whether it is everything going on in the US, well frankly most of the world, effects from the last 19 months of COVID chaos or just a case of the blahs, but my week was a little blue.  Usually I'm a very positive, glass is half full person but this week I was down right irritable. I'm determined not to let this coming week be the same.  Even if I have to fake it to make it so.

We've been in our house for 9 years and I don't know who planted these but I always look forward to them the first week of August.  Every year they appear out of nowhere, almost overnight and they only last about a week.  My family calls them paper lilies, but I've heard them called many things.  They are popular in this area.

Between the garden and the farmers market we have been enjoying all that summer in the Midwest offers.  The farmer I buy from had his corn $4.00 a dozen.  I bought two dozen and blanched and froze the majority for later in the fall.  It is so tender and sweet.  I may get another dozen this week.

Our peppers are huge this year.  And the Jalapenos are HOT!  

This weeks dinners:

Grilled ribs, potato salad, deviled eggs and cheese stuffed jalapenos.

BLT's and chips

Meatball subs. I used the hamburger bun recipe that I've posted before and made 4 buns and 1 footlong sub roll.  The fresh homemade roll made these subs even better.

Egg and cheese on an English muffin.

Lamb burgers

BIG salad

Today I'm going to clean up the garden a bit.  Tuesday and Wednesday are good planting days so I am going to start some more lettuce and basil and see what else I have room for.  The weather last week was so nice.  A couple of mornings were in the 50's so I was able to air out the house.  This week though we are going to be in the high 90's with heat index up to 106.  Compared to many other states, we've actually had a pretty nice summer.  The heat waves never lasted too long without a cool front giving us a break in the heat.  My heart goes out to all those with the high temps and the smoky air from all the fires.  

Well I'm off to start my day.  I'm making pancakes and bacon for breakfast to start my day right.

Stay Safe!!

Things That Make Me Smile

A thank you from one of the doctors.  I don't have much of a sweet tooth but I have to say these are very good. Lindt milk and dark chocolate pralines.  

Spice Blends

Cajun Seasoning:

Paprika

Garlic granules

Oregano leaf

onion granules

Thyme

cayenne pepper

sea salt

black pepper

Chili Powder Blend:

Paprika

cumin

garlic granules

cayenne powder

sea salt

orgeno leaves

Garam Masala Blend:

Cumin

Coriander

Cardamom

Black pepper

Cinnamon powder

clove powder

nutmeg

Italian Seasoning:

Basil

Oregano

Rosemary

Mediterranean Seasoning:

Oregano

Garlic granules

rosemary

fennel seed

thyme

Mexican Seasoning:

Cilantro leaf

onion granules

rosemary

thyme

cumin

chili flakes

Berbere Spice Blend:

1/2 Cup cayenne powder

1/4 Cup chili powder

3 tsp. sea salt

1 tsp. cardamom

1 tsp. coriander

1 tsp. garlic granules

1 tsp. ginger root powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. allspice

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. clove

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

This mixture is amazing on white rice, cooked chickpeas, roasted veggies or any savory dish for an extra pop of spicy flavor.

Chicken Salt:

Granulated onion

Granulated garlic

paprika

turmeric

sea salt

This is amazing on oven fries and roasted veggies.

Our House Blend:

Cumin

Coriander

Garlic granules

Onion granules

Oregano

Turmeric

Smoked paprika

chili flakes

Smoked cayenne

I use this a lot on various meats.  It's delicious on chicken.

Do you have any favorite spices or spice blends?  Do you buy yours or make your own?

Stay safe everyone!

My Week

 Today I was startled from sleep by thunder.  It looks like it is going to be a cloudy rainy day.  I wish the ones that need the rain would get it.  Everything is SO green here.  But some of the veggies are struggling with too much water and not enough sunshine this past week. I had plans on grilling for dinner so I hope it clears out by then.

Last weekend I cut back all of the basil because it was getting too much rain.  I made pesto with my share and gave a large bunch of basil to a friend. I think I have time to grow one more round so will look up the best day to plant this week and get another batch going.

The Thai basil has gone crazy.  I've given quite a bit away and have used it in a few dishes the last couple of weeks but I plan on going out in a bit and cutting a lot to dry.  Last night we had Thai curry chicken and rice.  The Thai basil gave it a really fresh kick.

Breakfast this morning was scrambled eggs loaded with veg, ham and cheese, Japanese sweet potato 'fries' and toast.  Not a great picture but it was delicious.

I'm hoping this week is a bit less stressful.  My mom has good days and very bad days and this week was a doozy.  Work too was more stressful than normal. I have a LONG list of things to take care of when I get there tomorrow. So today I am going to get the sheets changed, pay the bills, do a mani, pedi, reserve a few books at the library  and a few other odds and ends to prepare myself for the week ahead.  

Stay safe and have a wonderful Sunday! And just to keep you on your toes, Christmas is 5 months from today! 

Salsa and some good news

 Like most people, we eat lighter meals in the summer months.  Salsa plays into a number of those meals.  I've been making this same salsa for probably 25 years or more.  Chips and salsa was my go to lunch living in hot and humid SW Florida.

Salsa

2 cups diced tomatoes

1 diced onion-white or red

1 diced jalapeno

4 diced garlic cloves

1/4 cup diced green chiles

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1 cup torn cilantro

Everything in this salsa came from our garden except for the onion and the sea salt.  I used 1 red heirloom tomato and about 10 or more heirloom cherry tomatoes.

I can't make salsa without using some of it for nachos.  This was dinner one night this week.  Beef nachos.

 Now for some awesome news.  I'm a great aunt now!  Meet Wylder who was born 7/14/2021.  10 pounds and 7 ounces.  They live a few hours away so I haven't gotten to see him in person yet but this is one of my favorite pictures of him.  He looks so much like my fathers side of the family.  My brother and I both had this same face and hair when we were born.

Have a great Saturday!!

My Week

 The Big Guy enjoyed his birthday Friday.  He requested chicken tikka masala with rice and naan and a pineapple walnut cake with cream cheese frosting.  

Because of Covid, we lit the candles but he did not blow them out on the cake.  That is a tradition I miss but I guess it is a little gross when you think about it.

We had a lot of rain this week.  Friday alone dropped about 7 inches.  That is way too much rain for our garden, pots and flower beds.  I have to pick all of the basil today and make pesto.  I noticed the bottom leaves have turned black  which means too much water.  At one point Friday evening our yard was more flooded than I've ever seen.  This picture is the right side of our yard.  The left side is where our garden and flower beds are.  It did all soak in or drain off relatively quickly.

A number of small towns in our county were not so fortunate.  One town completely flooded and they are still flooded today.  A 25 year old young woman has been missing since 3:30 am Saturday.  They believe her car was swept off the road. Apparently they can tell where her cell phone is but the water hasn't receded enough for them to find her.  It doesn't sound good and I've been praying for her and her family.

The sun did come out yesterday and I was able to sit outside for awhile and read Blue Plate Special by Kate Christensen. Last week I finished I Loved, I Lost, I made Spaghetti.  It was a good read.  I've been averaging one or two books a week which is above average from last year.  

I know so many need rain right now and I wish I could send it your way.  How is the weather in your area?

I'm off to get my day started.  I have a few things to do to get ready for the work week.

Stay safe and have a great Sunday!

It's FINALLY Friday!

Sunday I crossed off my garden to do list.  I took a lot of herbs to a few of the doctors I work for.  They greatly appreciated it.  In return I got a lot of zucchini and yellow squash.  Not a bad trade.  This weekend I need to go out and pick more of the two basils and make more pesto.  It will be a nice fall/winter treat.

One night this week I made lamb burgers and oven 'fried' zucchini.  It was so good.  I am going to make zucchini bread tomorrow and I think we will have zucchini pillows Sunday for dinner.  I'll post the recipe when I make them.  It involves ricotta so you know it is good.

We had a lot of salads and veg focused dinners but I did sneak in another BLT because it's summer and I have to get my fill while I have fresh tomatoes.

I don't have much of a sweet tooth but I like to have chocolate sauce for the occasional bowl of ice cream or the even less occasional glass of chocolate milk. I have made chocolate sauce a number of times.  It's very easy but what I find is that I don't use it up quickly enough and end up throwing some away.  Well this chocolate sauce is the answer.  

Today is the big guys birthday.  He requested rice, chicken tikka masalla and naan.  With of course a birthday cake. Which I need to go make now.

I hope everyone is staying safe.  It's been raining here off and on all week.  In the last two days alone we've had over 6 inches.  I wish there was a way to push it west where they desperately need it.  

What's happening at your house?

Summer Time

I have been really enjoying this summer so far.  I've been spending quite a few hours outside every chance I get.  Between working in the garden and enjoying my lifelong passion of sitting out in the sun reading, I have been a happy woman. I've already read more books so far this year than I did in all of 2020. I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more cookbooks for awhile since I have such a large collection but I saw this and had to order it. https://food52.com/blog/26378-a-new-cookbook-with-old-recipes-thanks-to-70-grandmas  This looks like a great book.

My garden is doing amazingly well this year which I really needed after last years outcome. The heirloom cherry tomatoes I'm growing for the first time are so delicious. We have been eating salads for weeks we have had so much lettuce.  Between our garden and the farmers market, veggies have been the star of dinners lately. It's time now to start putting some of the herbs away for the winter months.

 Tomorrows list...

1. Cut arugula to make pesto for the freezer
2. Cut Thai basil, pack in ice cube trays with a bit of water, for the freezer.
3. Cut Greek oregano to dry.
4. Cut rosemary to dry.
5. Cut thyme to dry.
6. Cut Genovese Basil and make pesto for the freezer.
7. Cut some of everything to take to work

One of my husbands Tae Kwon Do students brought us a HUGE bag of blueberries from her farm and they are delicious.  I made blueberry muffins, we had them on waffles and I have a lot frozen to use later.

Last Friday we enjoyed our first BLT of the season.  We will only eat them with fresh garden tomatoes so it's been since last September since we've had one.  I think eating seasonally when things are at their best makes you appreciate them so much more. 

We had our first house guests since 2019 over 4th of July weekend.  It was nice seeing them and we had a good time but it was also a little strange for us since we've been so isolated for so long. To celebrate the holiday I smoked ribs, chicken wings and enjoyed deviled eggs, slaw, pinto beans, grill setting off some fireworks and enjoying the ones our neighbors set off.  It was a nice weekend and the weather could not have been more perfect.

I've been spending any rainy days we have inside cleaning out closets, drawers and each and every room.  This weekend I am going to straighten out the pantry and make a list of things I want to stock up on for the next several months.  Covid numbers here in our area are spiking up again.  If you saw how crowded the water park is each day you would not be surprised.  Over half of our population here has not been vaccinated yet people are acting as if the virus is gone.  I want to be prepared for this fall and winter.

Now that I'm caught up on everything I plan on getting back to regular posts.

How is your summer going?

Japanese Sweet Potatoes

I'm not a sweet potato fan unless you're talking about Japanese sweet potatoes.  They are on an entirely different level.  When I found them a couple of years ago at the grocery store that we go to I didn't think I had ever had them before but after eating one I quickly remembered that my grandparents grew these when I was a kid, even though they just called them purple sweet potatoes. I  may look into growing some.

The purple version has a deep magenta skin and white flesh that turns gold as it cooks.  They are drier and creamier than the orange variety which means when you cook them the edges get crispy while the center stays creamy.  I enjoy them baked, cubed and boiled, fried or oven 'fried'.  I did make a sweet potato pie out of them once.  The big guy said it was good but he prefers  orange for a pie.  Not surprised since he is a sugar addict.

Nutritionally they are better for you than the orange variety and any of the regular variety of potatoes, especially because they have much lower levels of glucose, the highest overall levels of phenolics, a high level of antioxidants and a high level of soluble dietary fiber. 

Do you eat Japanese sweet potatoes? Give them a try, I don't think you will be disappointed.