2010's Revenge

I'm having a little blogger's remorse for dogging my 2010 garden so unmercifully in my last post. It really is a nice little garden..trying so hard to be summery despite the cool rainy days we are having. As I type this and look out the window it looks more like a misty cool fall day than a 2 days before the official start of summer day. But I also see so many spots of beautiful color. Like these pink hardy geraniums and white campanula


The rain is really making the plants grow and spread quickly like this cute little hardy geranium spilling out of the bed along the side of the house.


Somehow the peonies have not all been destroyed and I do still have a few to enjoy and smell. See the buds behind yet to open?


One sure spot of color is my California Lilac (Ceanothus) that is blooming so well. Its supposed to like drier conditions, so I'm a little surprised. Its mingling with a no name rose and Rouge Cardinal clematis


While I don't yet have any pink or purple daylilies blooming I do have some yellow and orange. Including this one. I am not a huge fan of orange anything (colorwise) but love how it looks with purple or bright pink, so this clematis makes a good neighbor.


On down the fence is another purple clematis that is just starting to bloom in earnest, Etoile Violette which is definitely one of my favorite. It has a smaller flower but makes up for it by covering the vines in a mass of starlike violet purple blooms.


Also starting to bloom is this little favorite hardy geranium. Its the prettiest shade of pink and almost the same color as the pink spirea that is on the verge of opening


And more daylilies, a fragrant variety peeking out of the lilac.


Some store bought color, in the bed under the dogwood...an almost fluorescent New Guinea impatiens


The dogwood itself is still thrilling me!


Well even the fairies have something new blooming, two tiny "hydrangeas" to flank their new doorway.


And in my garden there is always some sunshine to be had even if its make believe :-)


So in addition to all of the actual flowers I DO even have something in my veggie garden to harvest and its probably thanks to the rain and coolness!

I planted escarole this year for the first time and the plants are big enough to harvest some of the leaves, so I picked a few to make something for lunch. Plus a sprig or two of parsley from some plants I put in the ground a couple of months ago.

I actually had never eaten escarole until today either! So had to look around for a recipe idea. I saw a lot of Italian dishes made with escarole and white beans and decided to go this route in the form of a hearty salad.



Sautéed Escarole, Corn, and White Bean Salad

Adapted from this recipe on the Cooking Light website.

1 heads escarole, rinsed well then cut into 1 inch slices (I could have used more since they cook down quick)
2 Tablespoons precooked bacon bits)
1 garlic clove, minced
Corn Kernels from two left over cobs (fresh)
A few sprigs chopped parsley
1 (15-ounce) can navy beans, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon extravirgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
garlic salt, to taste

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add escarole to pan with a tiny bit of water; cook 3 minutes or until wilted, turning frequently. (I actually just covered the pan and it was cooked very quickly). Add bacon, garlic, corn and a small amount of olive oil to pan; cook 2-3 minutes or until corn begins to slightly brown zucchini is tender. Combine escarole/corn mixture, parsley, and beans in a large bowl. Add vinegar and remaining ingredients; toss well to coat. Serve immediately (but I have a feeling this wouldn't be half bad the next day).

Flashback and Foodie Friday~Double Flash

We had a pretty mild winter over all although we had one very cold spot, but its been a marathon runner...still hanging on. We have not reached 75 degrees yet this year. And that is a record for even drizzly rainy Pacific Northwest. This morning the friendly but weary weatherman said its unlikely we will see it anytime in the next two week! So I took a peek back to last year to see what I had going on..I love this kind of competitive flashback. 2009 is definitely whoopin 2010's butt! I already had hydrangeas blooming. This year they aren't even buds cute enough to photograph yet. Score 1 for 2009



These cute little Lollipops are still hiding today. Score 2 for 2009


I noticed today that the pink spirea is on the verge of blooming...just barely trying to open up..what a difference a year makes! Okay maybe close to a tie...


Now I'm scared...I haven't seen hide nor hair of this verbascum this year. I wonder if its gone???? Score 3 for 2009


Score 4 - Happy Daisy Sunshine 2009..not a bud in sight this year.......


And I think its a slam dunk Score 5 for 2009...beautiful pink daylilies!



Poor 2010.....Guess the only thing it has going for it is good food!


Sunny side up! These are my favorite eggs...taught to me by my french cousin Ethel. Let's call them,

Ethel's Eggs

2 large fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped (drop for a second in hot water if the peel gives you trouble)
BUTTER - a must (I am not a butter snob, but margarine just will not do in this case)
Salt, Pepper
Thyme, basil, rosemary

Saute a couple of tablespoons (give or take) of butter and tomatoes seasoned with salt and pepper and the other stuff to taste. Cook until it makes a sauce that starts to thicken slightly. Make room in the sauce to crack the eggs..this is how you will know if the sauce is ready. You will be able to kind of make a space without the juice running in too fast. Cook until eggs are set. Serve with french bread to sop up the juice.

I guess in a way this is a double flashback. I have a lot of happy memories surrounding these eggs. Here's Ethel in her cute little kitchen. I spy a bowl full of good tomatoes destined for the frying pan!


If you've got one please add your Flashback below and link back to me!



I'm linking up to Designs by Gollum's Foodie Friday event. Go check out all of the other great recipes HERE.

Flashback and Foodie Friday ~Kickoff to Summer Revisted

I had a little computer technical difficulties tonight, so doing a quickie Flashback for this Friday. A year ago I was grilling up some good looking stuff and participating in my friend Debbie from Mountain Breath's Kickoff to Summer event. Here's my post from last year where I give recipes for the Teriyaki chicken, Cilantro Pork Tenderloin and Crispy Asian Slaw with Peanut Sauce. The thing I didn't give a recipe for are the grilled potatoes that are so yummy. Probably because its very simple..no real recipe, but here goes:

Grilled Potatoes

Potatoes sliced, not too thin, not too thick
Olive Oil
Kosher salt

Toss potatoes with olive oil and salt. Grill potatoes over medium hot heat, flipping as necessary. Potatoes will take on a more translucent color when done. Test one if necessary..or even if not necessary! That's all :-)

Here's a bloom from that day. Randy has dubbed this Clematis Patiodoorius because its right outside our patio door :-)


If you've got a flashback of any kind please add your link below, then link back to me! It can be an old post, an old recipe, a cherished memory, any flashback of any kind will do!



I'm also joining in over at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Go check out Michael Lee's foodie post and all of the other posts linked up. I know you'll find something you just have to make! Plus I think she's giving away a mixer!
Check it out HERE.

Mosaic Monday ~Finally a Day of Sunshine

It's been so rainy here for weeks! We are saturated and I really need waders to walk around the yard. More to come too but we did have a beautiful Saturday and we made the best of it.



I'm joining in on Mosaic Monday hosted by Little Red House. Please check out the other beautiful mosaics this week!

Flashback Friady ~Dreaming of Disney

Three years ago my husband and I went on a fun vacation to Disney World. We met up with my parents, a couple of my siblings and my niece and nephew. I would love to do a repeat one day! In the meantime I will do a little reminiscing.



We stayed at the Shades of Green which is the military resort on the Disney property. My Dad's retired and my brother is in the Guard so they were eligible to get rooms. Great location and great price! It backs up to a pretty wild area and we saw quite a bit of wild life just outside our room including wild turkeys! This little guy was a daily visitor and it looks like Randy better eat quick...


I love all of the parks, but I think Epcot is my fave. The stuff they do with flowers blows me away...like these super cute floating polka dots!


Its just a *Magical* place. How else could I eat lunch in Germany


Travel back in time to the birth of our country


Get lost in a miniature forest


Witness an unrehearsed bird mating ritual (or so I think)


And see how Mickey pumpkins are grown


All in the same day? Is it London...



Or is it subtropical Florida????



Although I'd been to Disney twice before, I had never visited Animal Kingdom. Another amazing place! The Tree of Life is central to the park and is truly a piece of art with carvings all around


The natural looking setting for the animals makes for excellent picture taking!


I don't know that I'll ever really go on a safari, but this is sure a fun place to pretend


And the animals just seem to perform on cue


The variety of birds at this park are amazing..love this little red guy


And let me not neglect the beautiful flowers


We also spent a day at MGM Disney


Where some cartoon characters escaped the film reel


And we had a quick side trip to San Francisco


And of course we hit the Magic Kingdom..here's a peek at Minnie's House


And I'd be remiss if I didn't show the famous castle


We spent a day at one of the water parks...sorry I will not be posting a pic of me in a bathing suit, but here's one of me at Downtown Disney..a little droopy from the heat and shopping! Thanks goodness I had Winnie to hold me up


Hope you enjoyed my little flashback. If you've got a flashback of any kind please add your link below and then link back to me in your post. It can be a memory, old recipe, picture, post, whatever!