Showing posts with label garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label garden. Show all posts

Monday, June 27, 2011

Adding Color

My mother is not the type of person who would understand the phrase "less is more".  Her home is the craziest on the block during the winter holidays.  People drive by slowly to look at everything in the yard.  She has the same zest with her landscaping in the Summer.

Mom loves these little figurines.  There are boys fishing, kids cuddling, and animals lounging throughout the yard.  She certainly doesn't need more.  Yet, my mother can't avoid buying them.  I think part of the appeal is that she has turned this yard decoration into a craft project.  We all know how therapeutic it feels to paint something pretty.  Many people like the "stone" appearance.  My mother prefers to add color.  The results compliment the varied hues throughout the garden.  If you've had one of these around for years, consider giving it new life with paint.  You may need to touch up the colors eventually.  Perform a makeover every few years.  Give your girl a new hair color and a brighter dress.  If you see a woman in the lawn section of the store with a cart full of these, she is probably my mother.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Tasty Tuesday: Basil=Pesto

We had a bountiful harvest of basil last year! As you are planting your garden this year, you may consider basil. You may ask how do you make it last through the winter?  Make pesto--- lots and lots of pesto. The recipe isn't scientific.  So, there aren't exact measurements.  I'm married to a chef-- they eyeball it!! Have fun trying it yourself.



mix in a Cuisinart:

- lots of fresh basil
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- pine nuts



It will blend down into a soupy concoction.
Then, add fresh Parmesan cheese into the Cuisinart to thicken it up. Pour it into an ice cube tray and then freeze them. You can pop out a cube anytime you want to add some pesto to a recipe. We did this all winter and it was amazing. I can't wait until we plant some basil again this year!

DELICIOUS!