Vegetable Adventures: Broccoli!

After feeling a bit bummed last week... nature did it's thing (sun and water) and my excitement for this garden is totally revived! I was able to plant the beans and a cucumber that already had a few blooms on it. Going to try to train the cuke up the fence. I've read it can be done, so I'm willing to try but my husband had his doubts. I reminded him that this garden continues to be a learning expirament, and if it doesn't work, we'll do it different next year.

The broccoli is starting to bloom (is that the right term? Broccoli blooms?? or is it bud?)

And there's a pea flower! Haha, not sure if that's actually what those are called but I like the sound of it. So that's what I'm going to call it.




Click below for more garden inspiration:

Potato Salad.

Sunday: Cookout with family. We love the summer weather! I was also reminded why I don't make potato salad very often even though I love, love it. Boiling, peeling and dicing potatoes is time consuming.
Monday: Chicken and Pasta
Tuesday: Burbon Chicken, spinach & mushrooms (last on the list at the link)
Wednesday: Loaded baked potatoes
Thursday: Leftovers/ clean out the fridge
Friday & Saturday: Fun dinners planned with friends!

Garden Goodness

I'm dreaming of a full green, luscious, abundant garden.

I know that generally happens in the fall, but given the current state of my semi-pathetic garden, I'm not sure my dreams will come true this year.
See those abundant lettuce plants... or not. I planted two full squares of lettuce and those two little leaves are all I have to show for it so far. There are a few more sprouts; we'll see how they do.
Only 4 of 12 peas came up - so it will be a little thin on that end to0.
The large open area on the left is for the zucchini. I've been hoping to plant the squash and bean for the past two weeks, but it has been so wet here. This weekend, no matter what, I'm getting them the garden, rain or shine!


One of the benefits of Square Foot Gardening often mentioned is no weeds. That is, of course if you use the special soil mix, which I didn't. But I'm pretty sure that even if I did, I would still be pulling little maple trees every year. Tons of whirly-twirlies (or whatever they are called) land in the two garden beds and take root.


Now on to some serious, and interactive matters. Any idea why there are holes in the basil and spinach? In the basil, seems like it starts with the little black marks as seen on marked leaves.
The next step is to check Google and see what I can learn.




Click below for some more garden inspiration:

Menu - week of May 16

Sunday: cook-out with friends. Burgers, brats, pasta salad, whatever they bring and chocolate
Monday: Chicken al Limone (a simple chicken and pasta dish with a broth and white wine sauce.)
Tuesday: beef and noodles, sauteed veggies
Wednesday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, roast asparagus
Thursday: Chicken Nuggets, green beans, fruit
Friday: Oh, Friday... what am I going to do with you. I just can't seem to think that far ahead.

Just a taste...

...of what I'm doing right now.

Making this and looking forward to eating it and all it's deliciousness.

"Hi!"

Alternate title; "How many pictures of Camden do you really want to see on this blog?"

This was taken Tuesday while we were grilling dinner over the fire. He chose to settle a bit away from the fire. And it just looks like he's saying Hi. Though if you've ever met him, you know he's not this calm when actually saying hi.

Husband's Delight

"Yum! This is a delicious pizza!" he exclaims.


And I think, "Yay! I finally figured out the homemade pizza crust thing." Now on to mastering the bread sticks.

This week's dinner menu

And it's back on the blog. A trip to the farmer's market on Saturday put spinach and asparagus on the menu this week. We had some delicious spinach avocado salad with the bacon dressing from this link Sunday for lunch.

Sunday: Homemade pepperoni pizza and salad
Monday: Slow-cooker Pork chops, rice, wilted spinach
Tuesday: Chili burgers, grilled asparagus, chips
Wednesday: Rotini with bacon and asparagus
Thursday: leftovers
Friday: haven't decided yet