My Secret Garden(er)

Besides the vegetables growing, we've had a few unexpected and randomly placed blooms. I've been finding a few little dug up holes in our garden. At first I thought it was the neighborhood cats wanting to fertilize our garden, but now I am not so sure. Our little Gardener has been busy.










I can only guess that it is a squirrel, or a family of squirrels. I've not yet been able to snap a photo of one in action, but whoever put squirrels in the rodent category did not have one for a gardener. Next to Walter, they are a welcome presence in our garden.

When life gives you lemons, make ice cream?

If it were not for Molly Moon Ice Cream Boutique and my husband's adventuresome palate, I would have never tried the Lemon Ice Cream. And it turns out sadly, a lot of other people probably had the same reaction I did at the thought of lemon ice cream. Yuck! Not sweet enough! Au contrare! It is so amazing that after it's disappearance due to it's unpopularity at Molly's, I simply HAD TO buy an ice cream maker and find me a recipe to keep a supply on hand at all times.

Fresh Lemon Ice Cream

3/4 cups granulated sugar

2 lemons, zested

2 cups whole milk

2 cups heavy cream

8 egg yolks

In a saucepan, combine lemon zest, milk, and cream. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and steep for 20 minutes. Strain. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together. Whisk 1 cup of the hot cream into the egg mixture. Mix thoroughly. In a steady stream, slowly return the egg mixture to the remaining hot cream mixture. Simmer over low heat for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and cool completely in the fridge. Strain the mixture. Add mixture to your ice cream maker, and follow manufacturers' direction. Have fun!

For more of Molly's gourmet ice cream, you can go to 1622 1/2 45th Street, Wallingford, Seattle. Yes, I am shamelessly advertising for her. Good things should always be passed on. http://www.mollymoonicecream.com/

Gnome Man's Land

After weeks of anticipation, our seeds finally pushed through. It is a miracle, to say the least, because we didn’t quite prepare the soil for planting. They were literally scattered, like tossing bread crumbs, a little here, a little there. At most, the extent of the work was in building neat rows, but that was about it. Perhaps the little greenies knew we wanted them to grow as badly as we want to win the lottery.




We’re hoping the bounty will produce enough beans and peas to freeze or can for the winter months. Really we just want to see how far we can stretch a dollar. And if we have more than we can possibly eat, bartering for some gas might be an idea. With the way gas keeps going up 10 cents a week, seems like that is what things are coming to.











Of course, we couldn't help adding the finishing touch - a garden gnome (this one's for you sis!)