Garden Harvest - Herbs

I had a bumper crop of basil, oregano, thyme and parsley. Decided to make some pesto. Besides the herbs there is garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, sun dried tomatoes (they give it that lovely reddish hue), salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Oh . . . I almost forgot the parmesan cheese. Yum. My first try making pesto on my own, I've only assisted John in this endeavor in the past. I'm calling it "rustic pesto" because it is a trifle coarse, my ancient food processor is not as proficient as John's! LOL  I'm very pleased with the flavor. I'm thinking it would be tasty tossed with some spaghetti squash (Julie!), or spread under the skin of a roasting chicken, I've got lots of ideas.  But my favorite is broiled on bread, topped with cheese, along with a nice salad. Nice to have a tasty treat like that in the freezer.

I could see from the kitchen window that Midge was stalking something, but I wasn't sure what. When I finished in the kitchen I came out to see what she had captured. She was quite proud of herself, having caught herself a pom pom!

 

And lots of catnip, hung out to dry. 

Once You Start on a Life of Crime . . .

Please meet Finnegan, the petty thief. His first offense . . . a misdemeanor I am sure . . . a dog toy from the neighbor's yard (the first of many). He has lots of toys, but he has no interest in them. I bought him some dog toys, but no luck. Maybe if I throw them over the fence?







And more recently, yes, that is a bird's nest and a barbie doll. He brought the nest home the day after a windy storm, so I'm sure it was empty, there was probably no pillaging (gosh I'm an optimist!).  It must be a bit of work, for a cat to get these items over a 6 foot chain link fence topped with a totally ineffective net cat fence!

Even without the evidence, he just looks guilty, doesn't he?

June 21, 2011

Hi Folks!

Holding steady, which means I am still up those 2 pounds from last week, darn it! I was not particularly focused this week, I must admit. Too many temptations . . . like the meal John cooked for Father's day! LOL  Just kidding. My lack of focus is all my fault. I need to get back on track.

Leaving Sunday for a getaway with my old friends at a cabin down on Lake Shelbyville. That will be challenging as well. Yes, there will be beer. LOL  So I won't be around Tuesday a.m. for my weekly weigh-in and blog post, be warned.

Back in two weeks, hopefully back on track!

Kay

June 14, 2011

Well the scale is up 2 pounds today. I'm not bummed, I think it was just a little too much birthday weekend. Maybe I should have worked Monday instead of taking a long weekend! LOL Oh well. I was really active, between doing some yard work, trimming along the fence, my ass got a good workout. It's still complaining. My arms got a good workout trimming some high bushes. My stomach got a good workout with the birthday pizza (yum) and ice cream sundae(s). And a birthday lunch with my friend yesterday. Sigh. Also got a good workout moonlighting for my caterer friend a couple of times recently. Lots of bustling about and some pretty heavy lifting. Unfortunately the workout is probably canceled out by eating her delicious food. Buffets are not good for me people! The good news is the pay from moonlighting is going into my Return to Fat Camp Fund. Woo hoo!

Still no diet soda, not even with birthday pizza. Kind of surprised myself there.

I have resumed my walks along the towpath. I feel that when I see wildlife on my walks, it is kind of a reward for my labors. I was somewhat shocked to see a coyote bolting from the lumberyard on the outskirts of town, but very pleased when a cardinal kind of trailed along with me for a good section of the tow path Sunday. I love it when that happens.

Keep up the fight people! Back next week.

Kay :)

June Garden

Here is my garden. John got me started on raised beds a couple of years ago. I’ve got radishes, beans, onions, lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, garlic, carrots, squash, basil, parsley, broccoli, strawberries,  taters, and sweet taters. There is also a bumper crop of wee maple trees coming up in there too, you probably can’t see them very well yet (dang those helicopters!), as well as a bountiful amount of grass (the legal kind!), clover and morning glories. The area between the two beds is planted with a butterfly/hummingbird/wildflower mix, and there is asparagus in there too---that tall business there is some asparagus going to seed. There is a bed along the fence that has a zucchini plant and some perennial flowers, thyme, oregano, catnip, asparagus fern, some lilies and other stuff, and some red poppies that are just getting started.  I have some daisies starting on the other side of the raised beds, right by the hollyhocks. One side of the double bed is veggies, the other is all flower seeds, including zinnias, marigolds, a few carrots because the tops are so pretty, with a sunflower coming in each corner. I’ve heard stories of some people planting their flowers in rows. Interesting. There is also a bumper crop of cat in there. That is Midgie’s favorite spot, it’s a wonder any of my flower seeds are coming at all! LOL

I call that grass off to the side in the middle picture my ornamental grass (haha), but it's just a patch of long grass for Midge and Finnegan to hide and play in. They love it and are in there all the time.

June 7, 2011

Down two more pounds. Woo hoo!

Have a rotten cold/sinus thing going on now. Not too peppy.

Still haven't gotten into an exercise routine, but am generally more active, especially in the yard and garden in the a.m. Looking forward to garden veggies. Already had radishes and onions, and I picked up some lettuce from an organic farm near here. Going to have a lovely salad tonight. Hopefully it will still sound lovely tonight! LOL

Running late now. Keep up the fight people!

Kay