Bloomin' Tuesday

The consistant rain we've had over the last week

has done wonders for the garden.

Here are a few lovelies close and closer.

Native salvia

This avocado tree grown from seed

seems to have found just the right spot for thriving.

Avocado is so versatile.

Along with being good for you to eat,

it's useful as a skin and hair conditioner

when applied topically.

Our bamboo trellis is just about covered in

sweet potato and morning glory vines.

Looks like something's been chompin' at the leaves.

I found this beauty peeking out of the rattleboxes.

This jasmine is not a native as far as I know,

but it's quite content where it's been transplanted.

The star-shaped flowers are a treat for the eyes.

This oak tree has grown what seems a foot in just a few days.

It loves the rain as much as I do. 

It sure would be nice to have a bit o' shade

here on the southeast corner of the yard.

I have to admit, I've been thinking of

taking this one with us when we move.

Keep it bloomin' y'all!

Repurposing in the Garden

One thing I've always leaned toward is independence. 

I enjoy figuring out how to make do with what I have.

I guess it's the homesteader in me.

This used to be a water jug.

Now it works well as a scoop for the soil mix we use in the garden.

It holds a good amount, so adding the mix to pots

or the veggie garden is a breeze.

Another is used as a watering can.

The spout on one side can be used for slow watering

and the open side when you need a good deluge.

This is the twine that came with the pine straw mulch.

Why not reuse it for the square-foot garden

or staking tall plants?

The best tools God ever made.

Enjoy your Labor Day!

Lookee What We Found!

We noticed something hanging on the side

of one of our patio pots the other day.

I thought it was a snail. 

Lil' Guy's eyes work better than mine. 

Maybe we'll get to see the change after all...

~Little miracles all around.~

Enjoy your weekend, y'all!

Some Rain!

It's been raining nearly every day

since we got back from vacation.

You won't hear one complaint from me!

Some of our garden didn't fair so well though.

These were the gi-normous sunflowers

on the side of the house.

I'm sure the heads were just too heavy with seeds

to withstand the driving rain and wind.

The rattleboxes are leaning

as if some big bully pushed them down.

I'm shoring up a few of them up

but hoping most will straighten themselves out.

Marigolds flattened!

Allyssum split right in two, but still green.

I found the most wonderful thing

when surveying the damage.

An oak seedling popping out of the ground.

Silver linings abound.

 

Nature is a powerful thing.

More rain in the forecast! 

Yipppppeeeee!

Smothered Lentils

If you like lentils, you'll love this recipe.

If you like beans in general, you'll love it,

as any bean can be substituted.

If you need an easy meal, you'll love it even more.

What could be simpler than throwing a bunch of ingredients

into a pot and forgetting about it?

I adapted this recipe from a crockpot cookbook.

The original suggested meat, but I make it vegetarian

and it is not lacking a thing, thank you very much.

This is one comforting dish.

We pair it with rice or pasta and it makes enough

to freeze some for another meal.

Doesn't get much easier than that!

Enjoy!

Smothered Lentils

(Fix It and Forget It Cookbook)

2 C dry lentils, rinsed

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 C celery, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 C carrots, chopped

1 C tomatoes, diced

2 t Italian seasoning

1/2 t cumin

1 bay leaf

salt/pepper to taste

3 C water

Combine all ingredients in crockpot.

Cover.  Cook 8 hours on low, 4 hours on high.

Add water as it is absorbed

(up to 1 additional cup).