Tomatoes be creepin...

Here in KC we've had some serious serious storms.  Crazy lightening, thunder, rain...and I guess it is what the plants needed.  The first tomatoes have begun to grow!  It is actually the Iraqi varietal, Baswara

 First, I had to secure one for the plants - - about 3 feet taller than the cage.  I used a vine again.

 ^I like this one

 These are going to be tomatoes in  a month...

 This is the Anise Hyssop plant.  ..the leaves smell like licorice, but I'm not quite sure what to do with it.  I'm thinking in a sauce would be good....probably a cream sauce.

 Sunflowers, getting GIANT!

This is my potted Cala Lilly - can't wait for it to grow....it's going to be purple and white.

Have a great day!!

The 1st meal using garden flavors, and transplanting.

I have to say, this garden is awesome!  I haven't gotten many fruits yet, but the plants are huge!  And, the herbs are killlllin it!  So much so, that I had to utilize them in a meal the other night.   I picked up some zuchinni, a bell pepper, one jalepeno and an onion.  I joined those up with some mock abalone and brown rice, and it was pretty amazing:

 Greek Oregeno. Jamacian Spicy Rosemary. Lemon Thyme.

 Onions, sauteed -not quite caramelized, and set aside.  (a technique picked up from Mrs. Cosmic @ http://kitchen--alchemist.blogspot.com. Make sure to check out all of her fabulous recipes!) 

This is  Mock Abalone, with sauteed Bell Pepper, Jelepeno and Garlic.  It has a dash of 5-Grain Soy (which is unreal -smells and tastes almost like Guiness or something, and has a beautiful dark, dark red hue).

I'll take a photo of my pepper technique another time, but basically get a steel pan hot hot hot with a good coating of Grape Seed oil.  Then, put in the peppers..Let them cook!  I mean cook!  It's extra fantastic if they burn a  little bit, imparts a superb roasted pepper flavor!  When they are nice and done throw in the Mock Meat and garlic.  *oh, there is a sprinkling of cashews, too!

Brown Rice

Zuchinni, onion -which I added to the Zuch when it was almost done, and the herbs!

Bomb Apatite

NOW, the Garden update.

Tomato plants: 5ft tall! 

That's tall!  ...in fact I'm having to tie them to neighboring cages:

I used a weed vine to secure it.

Peppers:

 The tomato plants have gotten so big that they've been starving my favorite bell pepper plants of all sunlight.  So, I moved them.  Dug it up, and replanted.  I will be very sad if I don't get any Chocolate or Purple Beauties this year!

Sunflowers:

Check out the previous post for another hand shot like this.

And finally, a few dedicated to the most sweet lovey doggie ever: SAPPORO!!  

Adios!

Memorial Day Weekend: Bikerise, New Plants and Dogs & Cats

Memorial Day weekend is the first weekend of Summer.  It is meant as a reminder for those that served our country, and also, a way to initiate the excitement and active lifestyle of the temperate (ie, Humid) season.  Family, Friends, and Fun Outdoors is what it's all about.  This entry is dedicated to those ideas.

Since I love my critters so much....

And BEHOLD! ...The Shadow Panther!  Meow!

Yeah, she's super skinny, but will get bigger...


And here is the Garden update:

The main plot's spinach and beet portion didn't do anything, so I'm planting  flowers instead.  A couple pretty ones, then I'll get marigolds to fend of the pests!

 These 3 are the Anise Hyssop.  I'm not sure what it's going to do, but the leaves smell great.

^^ The new fluers...


Memorial Day started very nicely.   ...and early morning bike ride, affectionately called a Bikerise, was excellent!  It was part excersise, part good company, and part urban adventure!

And, of course, what would Memorial Day be without some WATERMELON!!

Be Well.