Zucchini Bread Feast

We had a big rain yesterday, so the group was able to relax and eat zucchini bread I made----as well as some mini mozzarella, tomato and basil caprese.


(Thank you, Clint, for taking the picture...one day we will have to get a picture of you!)

Four months later....

Maryanne and I planted the spinach and beets on May 7.


Sixteen weeks later, with more planting, watering, weeding, picking and eating, here is the garden.



I am hoping to make it to 5 1/2 months before the first frost.....up to now it's been a fun adventure!

Basil

The basil bush is still growing! Many branches have been shared with others. The picture I took this morning was inspired by a fellow gardener (thank you Clint). The morning light is amazing.


Lunches this week have been a spinach and basil pasta salad with cheese and pine nuts. Here is a link to the recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Spinach-Basil-Pasta-Salad/Detail.aspxAnd here is a picture of my salad this afternoon.


I plan to try more recipes with basil.

Leaning Tower of Tomatoes

The tomato plants in the community garden have been "weird" this summer. They have had curly leaves ---- and now my huge plant (that has been leaning for over a month) has lots of green tomatoes for the past week. I hope they start turning red soon!

Gardens of My Friends

My plot in the SLCC community garden has slowed down this week. The tomatoes are all hanging green.....the pepper plant has lots of flowers.....the cucumbers are all small....and the zucchini area starting another round. So here are pictures of my friends' gardens.

Art chose just to plant tomatoes. These are zebra tomatoes. They stay green and are sweet.


Sara has art in her garden.


Teri protects her garden from the deer.

August Planting

I finally planted small rows of spinach, radishes and lettuce. We will see what happens! These past two months have been a learning experience for me! I will keep you posted if anything grows!

Community Eating

Besides growing all these veggies, it is fun to eat them! I have shared my cold cucumber and beet soup as well as the zucchini salsa with my community garden group. I have made the salsa for the wine tasting group and for a pot luck.

This past weekend I was able to combine some of my garden with a friend's garden pickings. I have LOTS of basil----and my friend only planted tomatoes. So I called him to see if any of the tomatoes were ready---and the answer was yes!


I cut some basil and picked up a baguette and fresh mozzarella cheese. My friend opened the expensive bottle of olive oil from Chef....and below was the creation of all the pieces from our gardens.


The food was delicious....but it was even better sitting on the front porch and sharing it with a friend.

Beauty----and thoughts

Or should I say beautiful thoughts?? Here is a picture of Mother Nature doing her thing!

As for thoughts----I REALLY need to start thinking of my next round of planting. I am getting suggestions from a friend, but I think I will research and make a plan. I will share soon!

Welcome August!

August has arrived...and so did five more tomatoes and 3 more cucumbers! I think things are starting to really grow!

Maryanne and I picked more beets today.

I made some more yummy cold beet and cucumber soup this evening. I also made a zucchini salsa that the garden group can test tomorrow morning. It is fun trying new recipes with all this fresh produce!