Late May Garden

Shaun has been heard to say that with the success of planting our garden much later than usual this year that we may wait to plant every year!  We actually had to put off planting for a few weeks because of the moisture in the ground where our garden is, plus our work schedules, but mostly the moisture.  We planted last Sunday, May 26th, and because of the moisture still in the ground and the ground temperature being much warmer our plants were sprouting up by Thursday with no rain or watering.  By Friday almost everything we planted was showing signs of life above ground.  Amazing.  Our corn is up, green beans, black eyed peas, rattlesnake peas, zucchini, squash, and pumpkins.  I will venture out this morning to see what else is up and begin hoeing the weeds that are trying to sprout.  I also planted my new herbs and zinnias and cleome that I raised from seed.  I will also proudly state that out of about 65 tomato plants and began all but a six pack from seed this year and they look fantastic so far.  I also began our cabbage and eggplant indoors.  My garlic will be ready to pick on the longest day of the year, June 20th, and judging by the size of the stalks we should have a good crop this year and that's good because I am almost out!  Gardening is so satisfying and so much fun but is a lot of work and maintenance but the rewards can't be beat.  I absolutely cannot wait to have a big fat homegrown tomato sliced up with supper.

 Slight update: my dill pictured is gone and the teeth of a rabbit and it hurts my garden heart.  It ate the stalks and left the leaves and luckily I caught them before they wilted so I can dry them.

Local Spotlight: Octane

While shopping in historic Crossplains, TN, my sister and I stumbled upon a completely cool and hip t-shirt shop!  I could have spent a lot longer browsing in this shop I tell you.  I wound up buying a cool shirt and felt like I should  spread the word.  I also picked up a couple of postcards.  One of them sums it up like this....

 

HOMEGROWN & HANDPRINTED

NATURALLY ASPIRATED OCTANE INSPIRED CLOTHING

OCTANE shop is a collection of old school octane inspired 1960s-70s rock-n-roll, surf, pedal to the metal, tire screechin', hell on wheels, muscle car, hot rod, monster and retro art tees. 

ALL HAND PRINTED on super soft, slightly fitted, cotton t-shirts. 

Plus find a unique selection of men, women and kids apparel. 

 

Clothing, Accessories, Hats & Beanies, Jewelry, Gifts & Novelties, $5 Tees

 

 

Octaneshop.com

facebook.com/highoctane

 

I have to say that I LOVE my shirt! 



Growing Fun

Every year, in our garden, I like to grow something fun and different.  Something outside of our regular tomatoes, corn, squash, okra and zucchini and all the other "normal" things that we grow.  Two years ago it was bird house gourds and luffa.  Last year it was Tennessee Twister gourds, luffa again and scarlet runner beans with the addition of flowers to cut and several herbs. 

This year we planted several things that neither of us had any experience with.  So far we have had a small crop out of each new venture.  We have black beans and green peas that have already been harvested.  Sweet potatoes and peanuts that aren't ready to be harvested.  My most exciting are the tomatillos!  So far I have picked five that were ready.  Since they normally grow in hot areas like Mexico I feel our hot summer here in Tennessee has been quite adequate for them to flourish.  I made roasted tomatillo salsa Sunday night that was fantastic (recipe link)  Wonderful taste and very easy to do. 

I am so thankful for my green thumbs and dirt under my fingernails!

Oh my goodness... So good!  We didn't have any tortilla chips so I cut a few flour tortillas and fried them in oil.  Super Yum... UBER!

That's Amore

Last night for supper I made Talapia with lemon sauce, asparagus, italian tomatoes and lemon poppy seed muffins... all in under 30 minutes. Sometimes timing is everything. Of these recipes I want to share the Italian Tomato side dish that I made because tis the season for homegrown tomatoes which are the best and it's simple. So for you tomato lovers... here it is.

Italian Tomatoes (for 2... cause that's all there is at our house :)

2 large tomatoes
4 Tbsp italian breadcrumbs
3 Tbsp olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice tomatoes in half. Squeeze ever-so gently to get some of the seeds out. You can cut a few out. Place tomatoes in a casserole dish flat side up. In a small bowl combine breadcrumbs and olive oil. I also had fresh basil on hand from my herb garden so I cut about a tablespoon of that up and added it. You can also use just breadcrumbs and add whatever spices you like. Spoon the mixture on top of the tomatoes. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes.

I am a tomato lover especially this time of year when they are fresh from our garden. I'll try just about any recipe that includes them!!!