In Bloom!

Hello All! I know it's been forever since i've updated, but I promise you, i've been busy :-) Hope everyones summer is in full bloom! I know ours is..... I've got a ton for you today, photo's, recipes, and occasional snark :-) so sit back, enjoy and have a wonderful, fantastic, superb, and outstanding day.

Hike to Cathedral lake....

They should update their guide books and let people know how long and hot it is! I don't think i'll ever get rid of the tans lines I recieved hiking that day! And poor Ragnar nearly fainted it was so hot!

But it was a beautiful hike....

Even though 90% of it was up hill!

The illusive lake....

We kept rounding corners hoping to find this little gem, but it never seemed to be there- for a long portion of the hike, we thought the whole catherdral lake thing was a myth. (I actually turned back at one point.)

But after 9 grueling swithbacks, and another 10 minute walk towards electric pass, we finally saw the lake!

and it's was as ice cold and freezing as only a viking could imagine.

GARDEN UPDATE!!!!!!!

The garden as of today. Peonies in bloom, Delphinum about to explode, Lupine, Lavender.... the list goes on. Jim and I actually tried to count how many different plants we have- I think we gave up counting around 60-

The ever expanding vegetable garden....

Some critter keeps eating our strawberries. Jim and I wait patiently for one to ripen....

and when we go back to pick it- it already has a huge bite out of it by another critter! Arrrg!

This picture of the potatoes was taken last week, Today is just looks like one huge plant!

Jim has already hilled them up twice!

The first garlic scape! I made it into a pesto (scroll down for recipe)

The gypsy dianthus, flax, wall flower and snow in summer.

The rock walls and side garden

The first peonie to bloom!

Ah,  but if you could only smell this one peonie......

it's scent is heavenly.

The flowers I order for a new house account... I ended up using every last one!

RECIPES!!!!!

Carrot salsa

(with fresh picked radishes)

1 medium carrot grated
1/4 onion diced
1 Serrano pepper minced
3 strawberries mined
2 radishes minced
2 Tbs chopped cilantro
Handful of Tomatoes diced
Half lime squeezed
1 tsp agave nectar

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl- adjust seasonings to liking.

Apple Oatmeal Muffins (gluten free)

1 Tbs ground flax seed mixed with 3 Tbs warm water
3/4 cup almond milk
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup dried blueberries
1 apple diced
1/3 cup apple sauce
1 cup gluten free flour (bob's)
1 cup quick oats
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp xanthem gum
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon


Pre heat oven to 400. Grease muffin cups. Mix flax seed and water. Add remaining wet ingredients
Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl, and add to wet ingredients. Fill muffin cup 3/4 full. Bake for 15-20 minutes
Makes 12 muffins

Quick Corn Bread Muffins

3/4 cup corn meal
1 1/4 cup gluten free flour mix
1 tsp xanthum gum
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp ground flax seed
2 Tbs warm water
1 cup almond milk
1/3 cup grape seed oil
1 can rinsed and drained corn
1 tsp salt
Couple cranks of mixed seasoning & pepper


Mix all ingredients in bowl. Cook @ 375 for 25 minutes. Makes 12 muffins
(*these would be great with some added heat- serranno pepper etc.)

Polenta Pizza with Garlic Scape Pesto

2 Tbs olive oil (divided)
3/4 cup instant polenta
3 cups water (or vegetable broth)
Couple cranks of Italian seasoning
Salt & pepper
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 red bell pepper sliced thinly
1 zucchini sliced thinly
1 medium tomato sliced


Preheat oven to 400. Oil 10" cast iron skillet. Mix polenta, water and salt in sauce pan- boil, whisking constantly until polenta is thick. Pour polenta into skillet and cook for 20-25 minutes or until edges are just beginning to brown. Take out, and top with pesto, bell pepper, zucchini, and tomatoes. Top with remaining oil, salt and pepper and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until tomatoes begin to roast. Let stand for 10 minutes. Then cut and enjoy!



Garlic Scape Pesto

1 lg garlic scape chopped
1/4 cup raw walnuts
1/4 cup raw almonds
1/2 piece of Serrano pepper
2 cups basil
1/2 lemon squeezed
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt & pepper



Combine all ingredients in food processor- adjust seasonings to taste
 
 
 

Well, that's it for now.... Hope your weekend is great!

Happy Fourth Everyone!!!!

And a Special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dear dear brother.

You are an absolute gift to this world.

Lots of love everyone!