The sun is finally shining on the state of Washington and on my house and its working overtime! We went from mid to low 50s for highs to 95 :-) For once in my life I am not complaining about the heat. Nuh uh..no way. Not after that dreary, gloomy, gray June. Could be that I'm so super thankful, grown up and mature that I have left my whining ways behind. OR, it could be we bought a little portable air conditioner that has made all the difference in the world. What do you think???? :-)
The plants are happy now too, even if they have to live without air conditioning. The roses especially appreciate it.
Veronica and Feverfew look pretty happy too.
The fuchsia I have planted in the ground has finally decided to open its little blooms.
Little Super Fairy on the wedding arbor is beginning to flower too
The hummingbirds, butterflies AND bees will be glad to see the bee balm blooming
I went for my stroll this morning when it was still cool and a little hazy
The shadows were falling just right
This alstroemeria and astilbe bring their own light to this often shady spot
I am always amazed at the tropical look of this flower
Back in my shadiest corner blues seem to thrive
Hydrangeas of course
And some blue campalnula mixed in with some pink geraniums and more astilbe
Back around by bubbling rock, more blue. I am really loving this shorter blue veronica.
One thing that stands out in my early July garden walk...the daylilies have arrived!
I have them planted mostly along the edge of my borders
You almost forget they're there
Until they decide to open up
And then they scream
For Attention
Not shy at all
More like belles of the summer ball.
After a long stroll surveying the property (sounds like I live on an estate huh? A .06 of an acre estate mind you....and yes that is a point in front of the zero) , I was ready for breakfast. I had an envie for some french toast and a
Banana & Spice French Toast
inspired by this Recipe and tweaked quite a bit.
1 ripe banana
3 eggs
1 cup cream
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp banana extract (optional - not sure it added that much)
2 Tablespoons of brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Sprinkle of Allspice & nutmeg
Half a loaf of day (or 3 old) french bread, sliced. Mine was a little skinny baguette and I used most of it.)
Approx 3 T butter
Whiz banana, eggs, cream, vanilla, extract, cinnamon, allspice & nutmeg in a blender or food processor until banana is evenly combined. It should only take a few long pulses, and the banana will be incorporated. Put mixture in a shallow dish, I use a metal pie plate like my Momma did before me. Place slices in mixture and make sure they get covered with liquid. Flip them over if necessary. I did two batches. It will just depend on your bread how long you soak them. Mine was pretty hard so I left it in there a little longer than you might need to. I even poked the pieces with a fork to make sure they got saturated. Don't let them get too soggy though. Heat some butter in a hot skillet or griddle. As you take the bread out of the of the egg mix kind of give it a little shake to get rid of the excess. Fry on each side until nice and brown. It doesn't take long...a couple of minutes on each side. I sauteed a few pecans after the french toast was done and sprinkled those on top along with maple syrup and a little dollop of whipped cream. Raspberries made a really great accompaniment. The banana flavor is subtle but its there and really nice.
Join me in the fun! I'd love for you to participate in this event with me. Bring your ice cream related posts...anything goes! Tablescapes, recipes, memories, and favorite products will all be welcome. Or anything else you come up with. Check out last year's post HERE to check out what it's all about. See you at the parlor!
I'm joining in on Today's Flowers! Please go check out the other pretties.
20 comments:
what a beautiful garden you have! Monarda (Bee Balm) always makes me laugh, I guess it reminds me of my hair!
Beautiful flowers!! The french toast sounds delicous!
What a wonderful way to start a day! Touching all the senses. Your garden is so inviting.
The French Toast sounds so good, looks fantastic! Glad your weather is good, and a/c makes it all bearable. haven't turned mine off since May :)
Hurray for sunshine! Your garden looks beautiful, Suzy, and what a delicious treat after a garden walk. Beautiful daylilies! Mine started a couple of weeks ago and are still going strong.
Suzy, your flowers are beautiful. I love the alstroemeria, wish I could grow it here, but don't think it would weather the winters...maybe I could do it as an annual...actually I know nothing about them, other than they are gorgeous! You have some really pretty day lilies, sadly mine are done blossoming for the season. The hydrangea is my favorite and yours is beautiful. Thanks for the tour...have a great upcoming week.
Thank you for taking us on a tour of your gardens. So refreshing. Everything is just beautiful.
Debbie@houseatthelake
Suzy, you have a lovely home and garden.
We have been having the same weather here on Canada's west coast that you have been having this year. I was so happy when the temperature went up into the 90's this week. I hope it lasts for a while. Summer was so long coming.
Looks like the worst of the high heat is over. I'm hoping the clouds will clear for the Mariners-Yankees game today. Maybe it's just a marine layer.
What a fantastic post, not only all those gorgeous blooms but a delicious recipe, which has gone straight on my list of things to make.
Thank you for sharing with Today's Flowers. Have a great week.
An English Girl Rambles
You have an interesting and beautiful garden. It's to have a tour around your pretty flowers. Hope you had a great day
I LOVED this post! Your gardens are a work of art and all that rain has made everything lush and full. What is the variety of the shorter blue veronica? I am sick of having mine flop over and having to be tied up in order to enjoy it. The alstroemeria is so pretty is it winter hardy there? This year was the first time I have ever seen it sold here as an annual but it was too expensive for my budget.
The banana french toast looks so good, I know I would love it.
Looking forward to the ice cream social!
Very beautiful and unique flowers.
Wow such a lovely walk and delightful captures!
Happy new week.
Beautiful garden and the french toast looks delicious!! We loved the sun and today my kids are complaining that they are freezing to death! I guess we need to just take advantage of the sun whenever we get it!!
Suzy first time to visit your beautiful blog..Oh please come to visit me and make my garden look like yours..I will come to your blog regularly for my walk..Just beautiful..Please come bye to visit anytime..
The photos really tell that your garden is so nice! I really love your flowering plants. As I look your flowers they tell me that your a great gardener. You have such a perfect plants! I want to try your banana recipe since I have ripe bananas here! Thanks!
While waiting for Mr. Linky, you must find me terribly anxious...I'm painting the bathroom today and it's been a stop and go morning...wish that I had time to sit on the deck for shakes or floats or whatever...anyway, I've so enjoyed looking at your garden. I've learned lots of names...have taken note in my garden book, too...that I did not formerly know the names of. I really like knowing.
Hi Suzy! I had a great walk in your garden through your eyes! Had a taste of the toast too! Thanks for visiting my Heaven and my new, less violent flower story is up!
I’ve never seen beautiful daylilies like this. Your daylilies bloom so well. Your garden is beautiful such as the photos of your flower describe it. The sun that shines on your front house really helped in growing your plants. By the way thanks for the banana recipe. I will try as soon as my banana ripe.
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