WHAT'S UP IN THE GARDEN?

So here I sit trying to figure out what to do with my day.  My left leg is now doing what my right leg did....swelling, pain and difficulty walking.  On Friday, the physical therapist said to ice it and take NSAIDS to get the swelling down.  He said to work out as long as it is pain free.  It was better than Friday but no where near 100%.  I need to sit more than I would like.

Saturday and Monday a did a couple very modified work outs.  The lower body is getting limited work which makes me very sad. 

Because movement is limited, I bring you this blog posting.  Of course it is one that doesn't require much thought.  Yes, a synopsis of the certification weekend is long over due.  Hope to do one soon because there are many kudos to share.

Here is the status of my garden...

My grape vine is rocking!

Some of the tomatoes including some green tomatoes.  There are an amazing number of green tomatoes...I smile every time I look at them.

Some are in pots and some are in the ground.

Broccoli...

Broccoli Rabe...waiting for transfer

 Every year we grow corn.  Believe it or not it usually does well.  What's the problem?  The squirrels know exactly when the corn is ready.  Sometimes they end up with more delicious corn than we do.  Me?  I would prefer not to grow corn, but the boy insists on it.

Lettuce was bountiful...

I started my baby zucchini from seed in small pots.  They have since been transplanted.  They are doing well.  The small plants behind the squash are tomatoes grown from seeds from tomatoes from Maine.  The boy is always experimenting. 

I found this link on growing squash so they don't run wild which does become a problems.  

http://growagoodlife.com/growing-summer-squash-vertically/

Much more is going on but that is the only pictures I took.  The eggplant is flowering.  The herbs are flourishing (and frequently being used.).  The peppers other than the cubanelles don't look particularly happy out there.  Both butternut squash plants look good. 

And the fig tree...not looking so good.  Okay it is looking dead but I am not yet prepared to admit it. 

That is all I've got for now.

Pick a tomato from the garden...add a little bit of salt, some good quality extra virgin olive oil, garlic and let it all marinade for awhile.  Heaven on earth!

STUFF

 Do we all have our garden planted?  Partially planted?  If you do, what is planted? 

So far I have:

20 tomatoes plants in the ground and in pots. (We usually aim for 35 plants)

Sweet potatoes

Potatoes

Corn

Habanero, Jalapeno, Cubanelles and Green Peppers

Broccoli

Red leaf, green leaf and some bitter lettuce

Spinach

Celery

Butternut squash

Italian zucchini

Basil

Parsley

Sage

Mint

Oregano.

I think that is everything so far.  Oh and we have seeds in...kale and broccoli rabe.

And what have I used so far...

Parsley

Sage..fresh sage is a must in this recipe.

All the different kinds of lettuce and the spinach.  I used the parsley trying to re-create my mother's chicken nardizzi.  I was moderately successful.  I planted plenty of parsley to keep trying.  I used the sage for an awesome pork recipe by Elizabeth Minchilli.  More information and pictures about those two recipes will follow.  If you can't wait for the pork and sage and tomato recipe, check it out at the link below.  Fresh sage from your garden people is the key to this recipe...oh and good pork.

http://www.elizabethminchilliinrome.com/2016/05/pork-chops-sage-tomatoes/

She is also a great food tour guide of Rome but that is a story for another day.

What do you do with mint that grows like crazy?  Well, Mint Julips of course.  I don't make Mint Julips but the boy does.  I make chocolate chip mint ice cream.  So delicious. 

You all know I believe gardening, farmer's market and locally sourced food is the healthiest way to live but what about those time when you need something decadent?  My go to is usually ice cream.  However, I keep thinking about the most delicious hot dog in the world.  I had it this past weekend and it was heaven.  I was so focused on the dog I didn't even think about pictures.  

A local equivalent?  Fred's Franks in Wakefield, MA, right on Lake Quinapowett near Route 128.  I spent just about a whole summer eating hot dogs from Fred at lunch..meeting and listening to a friend in distress.    They needed  a friend and someone to listen.  I was more than willing.  The side benefit was the hot dogs. 

http://fredsfranks.com/

Check their hours before you go to make sure they are open. 

Not everyone can get to Wakefield...so what is your favorite hotdog?  No, disgusting is not an answer. 

MY GARDENING 101

The boy and I started the garden a little too early but that is how we roll...he likes to start early and he likes to experiment.  I go along because our yield is usually pretty good.  I am the one who takes care of the fruit trees/bushes...strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and grapes.  The fig tree doesn't look like it survived the winter or I took the burlap off too early.  I am not quite ready to give up and I am not ready to show a picture.  I don't want anyone telling me, it didn't work out. 

Here are some pictures of our progress.  You may see a lot of bare spots and spotty grass...typically we don't grow much grass.  The point is to grow as much food as we can. 

Many of the plants are started from seed, some from the vegetable such as potatoes, and some are purchased.  Some experiments work.  Last year we tried artichokes...didn't work.  This year I've started seeds for small Italian zucchini.  They were found in markets in Rome.  They are small and sweet and many times stuffed.  They are beautiful.  Maybe it will work, maybe it won't.   

Gardening with the boy always makes me smile!  I am
thinking my new hat from Asbury Park is a little small.

First in the ground was the broccoli and then lettuce and spinach in the pot.

I think the sweet potatoes were planted a little too early but the same thing happened last year and it turned out well.  These were purchased.  I have 9 in all. 

The fruit...

Blueberries

Raspberries

 And my grapes which I love more than anything...

More pics of veggies...

Eggplant

Tomatoes

My lime bush...hey, if you are going to drink

Tequila on the rocks with a little lime why

not grow your own.

And then there is the experimental patch...seeds from fruits and veggies.  Who knows how this will turn out.

Every yard needs their lawn ornaments...

Girlie

Miz Lu...one roll in the dirt...

and then another.  Her official name

is Talulalulu. 

Last year this type and color plant attracted several hummingbirds.  It worked last year.  Let's try it again.

The boy and I started gardening together when he was very young...

DIDN'T MEAN TO KEEP YOU WAITING BUT

Yesterday's workout at Iron Body Studios was a scorcher.  Burned my ass but felt great.  I then when to Wilson's Farm in Lexington.  Later I did a little gardening.  Then I crashed.  The ultimate in tired.  Sleep is important for recovery so it was an early to bed Saturday night.

So back to this...

It is the first bud on one of my grape plants.  The other grape plant also has a bud but it is too small to photograph.  I have wanted to grow grapes forever and, last year when I saw my sister's grape vine with grapes, I knew this was the year. 

I am beyond excited.  I wasn't sure this dormant grape plant would come alive.  I ordered them online and when they arrived I didn't read all the instructions.  I stopped at keep in a cool, dry space.  Actually, the roots are suppose to be kept wet...hmmmm.  Fail or so I thought.

My sister had this big, beautiful grape vine.  Mine won't be as big.  I am attempting a smaller trellis.  We shall see. 

And did you know...you can use the young, tender grape leaves to make stuffed grapes leaves.  Nope, neither did I until my friend Kat told me that is what she did with hers.  My future may hold wine and stuffed grape leaves in a couple years.

More planting has been done and I love sharing photos...

Tomatoes (Right now we have 22 tomato plants in the ground.  There are many different varieties many which are Romas for sauce.)
 

in the raised bed.

in a pot

 

Broccoli

Spinach

Eggplant, a variety of peppers, spaghetti squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, potatoes, sweet potatoes and butternut squash has also been planted.  The asparagus from two years ago is flourishing. 

These guys are waiting to be planted...

Even with a small space you can grow a large variety of vegetables.  Its healthy and you know where your food is grown!