Back In The Kitchen ~ August 23, 2017

Sometimes I go through a period of time when I'm not in the mood to be in the kitchen much, outside of the necessity to make our meals for the day. But as the fruit trees bend under the weight of all their produce, and hints of Autumn are in the air, I'm getting the itch to do a bit more these days. 

So I got out my Magnolia Journal magazine, and followed the directions for their Apple Butter recipe. 

As is common for me, I never quite follow everything exactly as I should. So, while this recipe is for the slow cooker, I cooked it down in a sauce pan right on my stove. Can you imagine how wonderful the house smelled with apples, cinnamon and cloves stewing in the pot?? Mmmm.... I thought for sure Autumn had arrived! I really enjoyed it's sweet, clove infused taste. 

Next, I moved on to a recipe using peaches. I gathered a bucket of our own peaches from our small tree, and set to work on making a peach jam. I just used the recipe straight from the Sure-Jell box. 

Oh. My. Goodness! The smell as they were bubbling away in the jam syrup brought me right back to the days of when I used to feed my babies jarred peaches! Isn't it amazing how some smells just resonate with you?? ☺The jam turned out perfectly, and tastes absolutely delightful on toast and those delicious Town House crackers! I think it's been years since I've made any type of jam..... But, look at how lovely it is in the jars now!

My last extra little something I spent time on in the kitchen was a tasty, green bean salad made with fresh beans given to me by my neighbor that were grown in his garden. I cut the ends off, steamed them gently, then added some oil, vinegar and seasoning.... Ooooh, they were fresh and tender! A little remained for me to nibble on the next day, and they were even better having set over night.

I'll have to remember that if there's a next time that my neighbor brings me over some beans.......

I hope this post finds you enjoying some things you've finally gotten around to doing again, or maybe just simply enjoying the continuation of some really nice summer weather! It won't be long before our next season is upon us....

Take care, my friends. Wishing you well in your part of the world! 

~ ♥ ~

Garden Dreaming

Since Spring is taking it's own sweet time to really truly arrive (despite what the calendar says), I thought I'd post some beautiful garden pictures that share a bit of inspiration ~

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Won't you join me?

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Maybe we'll pot a few plants....

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Or take a lovely stroll....

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Or sit in the grass beside this beautiful little waterfall....

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Someone has their eye on us....How beautiful she is!

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Just look at all the beauty around us, too ~ 

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and a lovely tunnel of roses.....

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 Ahhh....now hasn't this been quite an enjoyable time to spend a moment in the garden with me?

I hope you'll come again!

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Garden Theme Room

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What a light and airy feeling in the corner of this room!

Outdoor Gardening / Potting Station

outdoor work station

Cute, but would probably need a bit more bench space. The one below is 

simple and basic, with plenty of room to work and move around on the bench.

potting bench

Can you tell that I'd like to get out, get my hands into the soil and start planting? ☺

Garden Pathway

A lovely, peaceful place to wander through and get lost in happy thoughts.

Raised Garden Beds

Something like this is great if you have a small yard, or would rather "contain" your garden plants within your yard. Controlling the soil quality, weeding and  watering becomes much easier in a raised garden bed!

Come Sit A While

Simple Vegetable Garden Plans

All garden templates and additional information  

can be found at the Garden Demo Blog

http://thedemogarden.org/garden-templates/

Garden Window

I would absolutely love one of these. Not only in my kitchen, but in my living room and bedroom, too!

Summer Herb Garden

Basil

 Good herb for salads, although it is also excellent in stew, soups, etc. At its best with fresh tomatoes or in any dish containing cooked tomatoes or tomato sauce.

Parsley

Used as flavoring and garnish. Can be used in salads, cooked vegetables, with all kinds of meat, poultry and fish dishes.

  

English Thyme

 Use sparingly in stuffings, soups, meat and sauces.

Rosemary

 Use sparingly in salads, stews and spaghetti sauce. Very good for seasoning lamb.

Sage

 Good with all meat dishes and in meat, poultry and sausage stuffings Particularly good with pork and cheese but should be used sparingly.

Oregano

Italian herb, a form of wild marjoram. Use sparingly in spaghetti and beef dishes.

Happy Cooking!