Photo Blog…05.31.2011
Okra Blossom
Monthly Archives: May 2011
A Flower a Day…Day 10
Suncreek Garden Chronicles…Bountiful Harvest
suncreek garden chronicles…installment #11
Although we are officially smack dab in the middle of a drought our garden is producing beautifully! The temperatures are already hitting the high 90′s and regular watering is a necessity. On the days we are not watering we are pulling weeds and clipping dead leaves. Patience and persistence are paying off and we are reaping the benefits of our efforts!
Of course the cucumbers were the first to show up to the garden party followed closely by the squash. While the squash is winding down, the tomatoes and peppers are picking up speed. The okra and watermelons are not far behind. It’s a race to the garden finish line!
Related articles
- Shady Vegetable Gardens (georgetowndivide.wordpress.com)
- suncreek garden chronicles…houston we have L for lift off (a-z challenge) (nolagirlatheart.wordpress.com)
- suncreek garden chronicles…watering (nolagirlatheart.wordpress.com)
Filed under gardening and other green things, Life in Texas, postaweek2011
The Big Tree…
Big Tree of Lamar is one of the most famous live oaks in the world. The giant tree is a charter member of the Live Oak Society of America, and has been the subject of one of Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” cartoons. It is measured to be more than 35 feet in circumference, 44 feet in height and has a crown spread of 89 feet. The Texas Forest Service estimates the tree to be over 1,000 years old. The Big Tree is also known as the Lamar Oak, Bishop’s Oak and the Goose Island Oak. It is recognized as the State Champion Coastal live oak.
I have gathered sun and rain to grow green leaves
Swaying softly in spring, rustling like applause in the fall.
My limbs have shaded generations
My roots have reached for centuries
My children & their children’s children surround me
Here in this peaceful part of my land.
Golden sunlight diamonds have glinted on the ground around me
Cold fingers of ice have touched my heartwood.
Dust-dry days of sandstorms have scoured my skin.
Torrents of rain, driven by gales have rushed at me
And I have swayed, but stayed unbroken.
Silver moonlight has kept me company many a night.
Yet through all the seasons, sorrows, bitterness and beauty
All of the history I have withstood and witnessed
There has been one thing I could not do
I could not grow green dollars or silver or gold.
Will you help me standing here before me?
Then we may both grow old together,
As old friends should
One of flesh one of wood.
by: Mary Hoeskt
Related articles
- The Gallery- Trees: The Big One’s Tree (ghostwritermummy.wordpress.com)
Filed under Life in Texas, Weekend Getaways and Vacation Spots
Take care…not to lose your mind
How is your mental health? Caring for your mental health is as important as caring for your physical health. If you are sick your mental state can be affected by feelings of discouragement, listlessness or unhappiness. On the other hand your mental health can affect how you function physically. If you are worried, tired or depressed your body can begin to show signs of aches, pains and ultimately illness.
Everyone encounters stress and/or anxiety at some point in their daily life. Knowing how to deal with it is the key to maintaining good emotional and physical health.
Taking time off to relax and re-charge your battery is essential to maintaining good health. You should arrange time away from your job, housework, little league commitments or whatever is cluttering up your life. Try unplugging your laptop and turning off your phone for at least a day or two.
Time away doesn’t require an elaborate plan, an airplane flight or even an exotic destination. It just requires a change of scenery. Here are a few suggestions that may help you re-charge, re-focus or relocate the smile that is missing from your reflection in the mirror.
Take a Walk…in a park you have never visited
Visit the Beach…breathe in the fresh sea air
Take a Ride…in the country or on a ferry-boat
Stop and smell the flowers…at the local garden center or nature center
Pack the car with an overnight bag, a cooler of healthy snacks. Point your car in the general direction you want to go and head off for a quick weekend getaway.
Take care of your mental health…The mind is a terrible thing to waste…
Filed under encouragment, postaweek2011
suncreek garden chronicles…here come the tomatos
Suncreek Garden Chronicles…Installment #10
We have been patiently waiting for our favorite garden veggie to color up. The time is here!
This is one ugly tomato!!!
Remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
Beauty is only skin deep, its whats on the inside that counts!
Related articles
- Veg Out in the Garden! (commuteresources101.wordpress.com)
- Friday Night Photos: Planting Tomatoes and More Herbs (2011 Garden Update #2) (kalynskitchen.com)
- suncreek garden chronicles…watering (nolagirlatheart.wordpress.com)
Filed under gardening and other green things, postaweek2011
cooking on my day off…summer squash soup with brown butter
There are many things I have to do on my day off. Some days are spent running errands to the grocery store, the pharmacy or doctor’s appointments. Some days are spent on a little “me” time and personal pampering. However, there are days when I just want to hang around the house watching the food network or work on future blog posts. Then there are those days when I decide to cook… on my day off.
There is such a sense of accomplishment.
The discovery of the recipe.
The gathering of the ingredients.
The slicing and dicing and the measuring,
sauteing,
roasting,
the ingredients are simmering on the stove, the aroma fills the house and I am cooking on my day off and enjoying every minute of it…especially when its time to eat!
Summer Squash Soup with Brown Butter
1 cup thinly sliced leeks
1 cup thinly sliced shallots
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
3# of summer squash (patty pan)
3 Tblsp Canola Oil
4 Garlic Pods Smashed
4 Cups of Vegetable Broth
1 Herb Bouquet(thyme, parsley and bay leaf)
3 Tblsp Butter unsalted
2 Tblsp Honey
Sage
Nutmeg
Slice patty pan and brush with canola oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place small sage leaf on each patty pan and roast in 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or until fork tender.
Meanwhile, dice remaining squash and set aside. In large dutch oven saute leeks, shallots and carrots in remaining oil. Add diced squash and smashed garlic stirring often to prevent garlic from browning. Add vegetable broth and simmer for 15 minutes. Add herb bouquet.
When roasted squash is ready remove the sage leaves and dice the squash and add to pot. Continue simmering for another 30 minutes.
Remove from the heat and discard herb bouquet. Blend ingredients in small batches in a blender. Store in separate container in the fridge until ready to heat and serve.
Reheat the soup mixture slowly and gently. Just when the soup is hot, melt the butter until foaming subsides, add to soup. Sprinkle a bit of nutmeg to pot. When soup is served drizzle with a little olive oil.
Related articles
- The best ingredient of them all. (thelifexpress.wordpress.com)
- Cut Stress by Chopping Food: Cooking for Stress Relief (lifehack.org)
- Did cooking shows create a generation of foodies? (holykaw.alltop.com)
Filed under All Things Foodie, Home Sweet Home, postaweek2011
Weekly Photo Challenge…RED
A RED 1957 Chevy Bel Air
Filed under Blogging Challenges, postaweek2011, Weekly Photo Challenge
A Flower a Day…Day 9
Photo Blog…05.17.2011
Cool Ice Blue Plumbago!
