QUICK and EASY TOMATO SOUP!

This is such a quick and easy way to make fresh TOMATO SOUP.  

Don't bother with peeling the tomatoes.  

That is what makes it so easy!

Today's pick!

Time to make some soup.

Hard to believe it is 10/29/13.

These tomato plants sit up against the house in a protective nook.  They receive southern exposure all day and are still going strong.

Supplies:  TOMATOES, tomato paste, vegetable stock, carrots, celery, red onions, pepper, garlic, sugar, olive oil, basil, salt and pepper.

Saute carrots, celery, pepper, onion and garlic in olive oil.

Add vegetable stock, TOMATOES, tomato past, basil, sugar, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for about 45+  minutes.   

Place in a blender and puree. 

Lunch is served!

Seeing Spots

This little one should loose his/her spots by the end of October.  Fawns are born between late April and July. A Doe will have either a single fawn, twins or triplets. (Last year we had a Doe with triplets.  This year we have spotted two sets of twins and this single fawn.)  The baby's are spotted for about 3 to 4 months, and weaned from their mother by the time their spots disappear. However, some fawns may nurse for a month or two longer if the Doe allows it. (I had the pleasure of watching this one nurse yesterday evening.)  Baby deer weigh between 4-8 pounds at birth and grow to 75-85 pounds by November.  The bucks (fawn) face will become darker as he grows, and little nubs will protrude on his head between his eyes and ear area.  This mother and baby are very skittish, so it is difficult to get close enough to see if the fawn is a girl or boy.

Today's Pick...of Peppers....

Q.  "If peter piper picked a peck of pickled peppers how many pickled peppers did peter piper pick?"

A.  "Peter Piper did not pick any pickled peppers. You have to pick the peppers, then pickle them."  Answers.com 

"Trim and Edge While Standing"

Fiskars

Long Handle Grass Shears

 My husband picked these up for me as a gift!

"The innovative design of our grass shears makes trimming your ornamental grasses easier than ever. A long shaft completely eliminates kneeling and bending, so you can get the job done without sore knees or an aching back. The blades swivel for convenience, and a smooth-cutting mechanism makes every snip virtually effortless. The fully hardened, precision-ground steel blades stay sharp and hold the grass up for clean cuts, the ergonomically designed handle offers comfortable use, and the lightweight aluminum shaft provides lasting durability."

Features

• Ideal for edging and trimming decorative grasses around flower beds, trees and sidewalks
• Long shaft eliminates sore knees from kneeling and back ache from bending
• Blades swivel 360 degrees for easy trimming at any angle
• Smooth-cutting mechanism makes each snip easy
• Fully hardened, precision-ground steel blades stay sharp, even through heavy use
• 4-1/2" blades hold grass up for clean cuts and cut all the way to the tip
• Ergonomically designed handle provides a comfortable grip
• Aluminum construction provides superior strength and reduced weight 
• Easy-open lock protects the blades during transport and storage
• Length: 36"
• Lifetime warranty

http://www2.fiskars.com/Gardening-and-Yard-Care/Products/Hedge-and-Grass-Shears/Long-handle-Swivel-Grass-Shears-36#.Ul2w91CsiM4

Walnut Pesto "Pesto Di Noce"

Pesto originates from Northern Italy.  Its name is derived form pesta.  Pesto was made in a marble mortar with a wooden pestle.  (The ingredients were added to the mortar and crushed, or pounded with the pestle.)  The first recipe on pesto can be found in the book  La Cuciniera Genovese written in 1863 by Giovanni Battista Ratto.  

2 cups firmly packed basil

Traditional pesto is made with pine nuts, but walnuts are healthier.  You could also use almonds.
"Pine mouth syndrome" ( I kid you not) starts several days after eating pine nuts and can last for several weeks.  It makes eating and drinking unpleasant because of a metallic, bitter taste in the mouth.

1/2 cup nuts, chopped.

2+ cloves of garlic from the garden, minced.  (We love garlic, so I went heavy....)

1/3 cup good quality olive oil.

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.

To the walnuts add olive oil, basil, garlic, salt to taste.  Once blended add the cheese and 1-2 T butter.

Prepare pasta.

Tasty!

Signs that your Garden Sneakers need to be replaced.....

"I like the way my own feet smell. I love to smell my sneakers when I take them off."

Christina Ricci

If there were something that I was going to endorse, it would probably be something like sneakers.

Justin Timberlake

 

Flash Flood Warning!

Flash flood- A rapid rise of water in low lying area that occurs within 2 hours, but less then 6, after a triggering event (natural or man-made).

We have lived here for about 8 years.  In that time we have been through several very bad storms and at least 2 hurricanes.  We never saw the creek rise as quickly or as far in as it did.  

(Click on the images for a better look)

"The Bend at Little Crum Creek"

Notice where the greenhouse sits.

The bench is actually back off the creek and 3+ feet higher up.

During the flash flood.

You can just see the greenhouse on the left.

We never had the creek reach the bench before.  We had to run down and move it!

The tree trunk that had fallen across the creek last week washed away.

It is amazing to watch this timid creek  become so fierce. 

Breached at several locations.

Baby ducks waiting out the storm.  (They can not fly yet).  I was worried they would get swept away. 

In areas where the creek is only several inches, with embankments of 5+ feet, you can see how the creek rose up and over.

I just planted that Japanese Maple.