nick

he was my husbands favorite cat, they had a special bond. he had a very hard life, he showed up at our house with fiv, which meant he always had to live alone. he got his second disease which took away his mobility, twisting his body, our vet said to put him down many many years ago, but we didn't listen. sadly, it was finally time, I think this one hurt my husband more than any other pet we have had to say goodbye to...

I hope you are running free and easy now,
We will miss you Nick knack...

welcome summer~

blueberry liquor

 

 

 

 

blueberry liquor

 

3 cups of blueberries

2 cups vodka

t ground cloves

t lemon zest

 

mash above items and let sit for 2 months

add

1/2 c simple syrup

 

let rest one month

strain and enjoy!

ginger maple glazed salmon

 

salmon

 

1/2 c maple syrup

1/4 c soy sauce

2 T garlic

1 T ginger

 

combine above on stove and reduce

season salmon with s&p

marinate fish for 30', set some aside to use as glaze

 

bake at 400 for 7-12' depending on thickness

brush on glaze while backing, or drizzle over on plate

 

lemon lavender chicken salad with blueberries

maple rock~

a friend invited me to visit maple rock gardens this weekend, several times a year they open their private gardens to the public, owners of the high hand nursery, i knew i was in for a treat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sadly, these are all the pics i have to share! number one reason was we went to pick lavender, all you can cut for one low price, while bending and snipping i lost my glasses, hard to take pics when i can't see that i am even holding a camera, but to make matters worse, the battery was dead shortly after! it was a gorgeous garden, filled with garden rooms from around of the world. you can tell there were many happy snippers, the fragrance was sublime!

 

 

 

 

turkey brie panini with sweet pepper onion relish

 

 

French bread

turkey

sweet pepper onion relish

basil

strawberry

brie

 

 

 

 

 

sweet pepper onion relish

 

3 cups tomatoes, skinned, seeded and diced (first blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for 30 seconds for easy peeling)

3 cups red bell peppers, seeded and diced

2 cups yellow onion, diced

2 jalapenos, seeded and diced

1 cups white vinegar

3/4 cups cider vinegar

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

 tablespoon salt

1/2 tablespoon cayenne

2 tablespoons pectin    

 

Place all the ingredients, except for the pectin, in a large stock pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 1½ hours, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Add more cayenne to taste if desired. Add the pectin and quickly bring to a boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and ladle the hot mixture into hot, sterilized canning jars.

 

in the rose garden

 

 

 

rose garden is enclosed, tunnels all in place and planted.

 

 

bearded iris smother the front entrance

 

 

annabell is fully planted

 

 

 

garden walk~

for a new garden, we are beginning to reap the benefits of all our hard work! the loquats are nearly breaking the tree, every inch is heavily laden...

 

 

 

 

they say it takes 3 years before you have fruit, i am ahead of schedule with nectarines, apricots, apples, cherries, figs and olives~

 

 

these apricots are huge, close to 4"!

 

 

 

i will have thousands of olives this year!

 

 

and color is popping up everywhere!