Meet the Latest Blooms and Butterflies!

She opened up last weekend. I also see more buds getting ready to flower. Daylily, Little Wart (Hemerocallis) tolerates almost  any type of soil and very adaptable. Isn't she pretty?    

We left our mountain home for a family birthday party in Orange County, we were gone for almost 3 days. I was concerned about my veggies and plants although I watered well before we took off. I have no irrigation or sprinklers, we can't afford them at this time so whenever we travel, I lose a few plants in containers. Sure enough some flowers and herbs got fried in the sun, the weather has been so dry. I'm sad. However, sometimes my garden surprise me when we leave. I notice new flowers like the Daylily that bloomed while we were away.    

I went to the nursery to pick up a couple of herbs, you know I'm crazy about them all and use tons for cooking! Here's my organic Tricolor Sage. Delicious with chicken or pasta sauce!

Ahhh Chocolate Mint, it really smells divine like a light scented peppermint patty! I love, love, love chocolate, anyone can tell you :)

Organic Creeping Thyme

I went to visit my mom too and mentioned how much I needed pots, they're not in our budget. She has a beautiful garden with containers not being used so I inherited plenty of them. Praise God, He always provides. Thanks mom! ♥

Look at all these gorgeous lemons from my mom's giant tree! She has gazillion lemons and gave me a large bag. Lemons are 50 cents each at our local market but now we don't have to buy them.    

Butterflies adore Marigolds, I see them constantly. I finally got closer to capture this one on my veggie raised bed. 

A closer look at the beautiful orange wings.

Another butterfly flew over to my Dahlia and lingered here.


Two butterflies loved this flower! Don't they look like twins?

Love of Herbs!

I step inside my garden and delight in the scent of beautiful herbs. I'm crazy about the aroma of fresh herbs, they're not only therapeutic, used for medicinal purposes, but adds amazing flavors to healthy dishes. I have a tiny garden with raised beds for veggies, all I could do is keep plants in containers due to garden size and gopher issues. Whatever space you have use it gladly :)

For a closer look I'm growing Pesto Basil, Tuscan Rosemary, and Variegated Oregano. I don't know about you but I have a thing after picking fresh herbs, I sniff them in my hands and get ecstatic about cooking... 

I used to have a smaller box for these herbs but my husband lovingly built a larger one out of wood scraps he found in the garage. I noticed all the herbs growing bigger, nice!

A variety of delicious Basil I keep separately because I use them often: Sweet Basil, Large Leaf Italian, and Spicy Basil. Do you have a favorite Basil? 

From left to right: English Mint and Ginger Mint  

Mint are garden invasive according to my research so they're perfect in containers, they also repel insect pests and deers don't care for them. Mint have the kind of sweet fragrance that energizes with a fresh cool after taste. How about combining mint with coffee for a refreshing summer drink?

♥ Kahlua Iced Coffee with Nutmeg and Mint  

If you're a coffee lover like me, keep reading! Here's a quick recipe for you.

Ingredients:

(Serves 1)

• Fresh brewed coffee (we prefer Extra Bold French Roast)
• 1-2 tbsp non dairy creamer or 1/2 and 1/2, adjust amount to your desire
• 1-2 tbsp Kahlua® Liqueur 
• 1 tsp granulated sugar or natural sweetener
• Ice cubes
• 3-4 leaves of fresh Mint, it's mild but you can add 1/4 tsp mint liqueur if necessary    
• About 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Directions: 

1. Pour coffee in about an 8 ounce glass over ice, add cream and stir.

2. Add 1 tsp sugar and 1-2 tbsp Kahlua® Liqueur to iced coffee and blend well, adjust to taste. 

3. Combine about 3 leaves of fresh mint with iced coffee and let flavor seep in, sprinkle with ground nutmeg, then garnish with a mint. Perfect to have with chocolate Biscotti while hanging out with a friend!    

   

Hydrangea Dreams

I love the tiny elegant petals of Forever Hydrangeas. I made a home for these stunning flowers, a delight in my cozy garden. When I see them I imagine the sea feeling the warmth of summer breeze, breathing in ocean air while sipping Pina Colada as I bathe under the sun. Right now we're enjoying the beautiful mountains but my dream is to live at a beach cottage surrounded by tropical fruit trees and exotic flowers.

My thoughtful mother in-law gave me a wonderful container for my new Hydrangeas. I appreciate her gift since we're on a low budget and large container prices are outrageous! Mom, thank you for being awesome and sweet. 

I'm grateful to have the most generous amazing mom and dad in-law, they surprised me last week when I received a hose attachment in the mail. I love all the different settings especially shower and mist. This helpful gadget surely makes watering much easier!

Trailing Phlox is another blooming beauty. I adore the combination of pink with white. 

My husband happened to be near my garden with the camera and took an awesome picture of a pretty butterfly, thanks babe! 

Violet Dusk (Beard Tongue) for attracting Hummingbirds. I'm waiting to capture a photograph of these extremely fast incredible birds. One day I'll get a picture.         

Salad with Sun-Ripened Strawberry Ginger Vinaigrette

Sweet Strawberry basket hanging in my garden

Fresh picked, ready and ripe for salad dressing!

Green salad with strawberries on a perfect warm sunny afternoon

♥ Recipe of the Day: Green Salad with Strawberry Ginger Vinaigrette 

• Prepare a simple salad

Ingredients: 

(Serves 2) Adjust amount according to how much greens you desire. Use organic whenever possible!  

•  Baby spinach about 2 cups
•  Romaine lettuce about 2 cups   
•  1/2 of small sweet yellow onion, sliced 
•  1/3 cup slivered almonds 
•  Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Rinse spinach and romaine lettuce. Toss all ingredients together in a salad bowl. Serve with Strawberry Ginger Vinaigrette, top with slivered almonds. Salad dressing recipe below!

I quickly made up this low fat dressing. I thought white wine vinegar was a bit milder than red but feel free to use what you like. Make sure to mix well before serving.

Ingredients:

• Fresh strawberries about 1 cup when chopped 
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced 
• 1/4 tsp ginger powder, optional for extra flavor 
• Orange juice, 1/2 of small orange freshly squeezed
• 2-3 tbsp white wine vinegar, adjust flavor to taste
• 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 tsp dried parsley
• Dash sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Chop fresh strawberries and ginger yourself or use a food processor, whatever is easiest. 

2. Mash strawberries to get more flavor, combine all ingredients in a salad dressing bottle or medium bowl. Mix thoroughly then enjoy with green salad. Great light, healthy meal anytime of the day!      

I ♥ Butterflies and Birds!

I couldn't take a good photograph of a butterfly that landed on my Violas, it flew away before I was able to get a decent picture. However, this adorable one stayed on my Primrose, looks tucked in the center of the flower, such a pretty butterfly!   

On my raised beds, there were baby butterflies that found Marigolds by my Tomatoes irresistible and one rested here long enough.  

Wildbirds are all over chirping away while I work in my garden, they feast on our bird feeder suspended from the tree. The reason my husband tied the feeder way high up there is to keep squirrels from munching the goodies.

Although we have a separate feeder for the spoiled squirrels, these fuzzy monsters still try to steal from the birds...Oh they constantly have their eyes on the bird feeder but afraid to jump, instead they eat seeds that has fallen on the ground. Squirrels are quite entertaining... 

A cute sign I recently bought at a local gift shop, hanging on a shepherd's hook in my garden. Birds are always welcome here, I love caring for God's wonderful creatures. In the woods we feed everything, our left over meals never go to waste!

Here are some Violas, hope you enjoy them as much as I do :)

What to do with Fresh Rosemary: Side Dish Recipe

♥ Pan-fried Rosemary Potatoes 

Not too long ago my husband and I prepared BBQ herbed chicken, grilled zucchini, corn with peas, my own recipe spinach pasta salad and Rosemary infused potatoes. We had the best dinner, hubby loved the potatoes which only took about 15 minutes to make! I'm all about efficient cooking...I don't have much patience. It's great picking Rosemary fresh from my garden, oh what a wonderful scent :)  

Rosemary from the garden  

Ingredients:

(Serves 2) Use organic whenever possible! 

• 2 Medium red potatoes, peeled and sliced 
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1-2 tbsp fresh Rosemary 
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter 
• 1/4 tsp dried parsley 
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• Fresh ground black pepper and sea salt to taste 

Directions: 

1. Sauté fresh minced garlic in a skillet pan with olive oil until light brown over low heat. Slice Red Potatoes and toss in the pan with butter. 
2. Add dried parsley, onion powder, dash of salt, fresh ground Black Pepper, and fresh Rosemary on the pan and cook potatoes until tender over medium heat. This easy side dish can be served with anything you wish. Bon Appetit!     

Loving My Dahlias

I passed by our local nursery yesterday for Purple Sage and more Rosemary but ended up bringing home pink Dahlias. I had my eye on this for awhile since I'm there often SO I finally gave in...I saw a bee hugged the center of the flower, read the tag, and discovered it attracts butterflies too...A must for my rustic garden!

Mystic Dreamer Dahlia in my garden showing off its beauty in the afternoon sun. Have a fabulous weekend to all :)