I added photos of the rustic log planter. There are also a few various photos as well.

Just click on the photos tab at the top of the page.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

We had a visitor at our house tonight. I watched with delight as my wife went through our yard showing our visitor around. She was naming off plants and explaining growth habits. There were some pots where I had just tipped in some raspberries and all that was explained by her as well. It was fun to watch her as she went through the yard.

Not bad for someone who didn’t know much of anything about plants when I first met her. I guess she had a good teacher. I’ll take the credit as being her teacher, and her teacher was very proud.

I don’t remember where this recipe came from, but I’ve used it for a few years now.

CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BREAD:

1 cup oil
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups grated zucchini
3 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon salt

I think the original called for nuts and raisins, but I like it without them.

Mix oil, eggs, sugar and zucchini. Add dry ingredients. Bake 2 loaves for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

I hope you enjoy it.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I’m sitting here wondering where the time goes. It seems like yesterday I was planting this years garden. Now I’m bringing in larger quantities of harvest daily. It just doesn’t seem like that much time has passed.

I think a lot of it has to do with the rainfall we’ve received. I am just now beginning to spot water some things in the garden. I don’t recall watering with a hose this season- so nothing can be ripe yet, right?

I’m actually looking forward to the chance of rain again. I can’t believe how fortunate I have been with watering this year. I’ll hope more rains come and my water hoses can stay right on their hangers.

This has been a great season and some of my plants have never looked better. All without much watering and no chemicals whatsoever. It’s a great feeling.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Here is another recipe I found in the Monroe Evening News.

3 pints ripe blackberries

3/4cup sugar, divided

2 cups, plus 1 tablespoon, all-purpose flour, divided

Zest from 1 lemon

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons bourbon or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, divided

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup buttermilk

Preheat the oven to 375F. Combine berries, 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon flour; toss gently. Add zest and lemon juice, bourbon, cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 3 tablespoons butter; toss gently. Spoon fruit mixture into a greased 2-quart casserole dish. Combine remaininng flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Cut in remaining butter with a pstry blender or two knives until texture resembles coarse meal. Stir in buttermilk until mixture begins to hold together. Drop dough by large spoonfuls over top of berries. Place dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake 45 to 50 minutes, until topping is golden brown and bubbly.

Serves 6

Per serving: 340 calories, 13 grams fat, 8 grams protein, 47 grams carbohydrates, 8 grams fiber, 620 milligrams sodium

Recipe by Damon Lee Fowler

I hope you enjoy.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I added some photos of the small pond I recently installed. It shows the work in progress through completion. I hope you enjoy them.

Just click on the photos tab at the top of the page.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Here’s another recipe I found in the Monroe Evening News. I thought I would share it with you.

12 Roma tomatoes or round red tomatoes
3 garlic cloves, sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Coarsely ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 325F. Cut Roma tomatoes in half or larger tomatoes in quarters. Place cut side up on a foil-lined baking sheet. Scatter sliced garlic on top and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake two hours or until soft and shriveled. Serves 6

Per serving: 45 calories, 3 grams fat, 1 gram protein, 5 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 200 milligrams sodium

The accompanying article suggested adding to pizzas or salads, serving in pasta or on top of bruschetta. They could also be enjoyed right out of the oven, sprinkled with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

I hope you enjoy it.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Here’s a recipe I found in The Monroe Evening News. I thought I would share it.

6 ounces high-quality white chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2/3 cup white-chocolate chips
1 cup fresh raspberries

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter 8 inch square baking pan.Melt white chocolate. Set aside. In a small bowl,combine flour and salt. Set aside. Using a mixer, beat sugar and butter in large bowl. Mix in eggs, vanilla and almond extract. Mix in white chocolate. Stir in flower mixture until just blended. Gently fold in white-chocolate chips and raspberries. Spread batter in pan. Bake 40 minutes. Cool in pan.- Linda, e-mail

I hope you enjoy it.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

The lawn and garden clearance is beginning at some of the chain stores. It’s not even August yet but the stores are starting to clear the shelves. Now is a great time to purchase any needed items at those clearance prices.

I’m seeing everything from small engine maintenance items to hand tools and pond supplies. There is a lot of nice weather left so now is a good time to save some money if you can find what you need.

There seemed to be a good selection left at the stores I visited. I bought some engine maintenance items the other day. I’ll probably make another trip to see what else I can find.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I was very happy yesterday when I saw a Monarch butterfly. It was in the butterfly garden area of my yard. As I was watching it, my attention was drawn to another area of the landscape. Just a few feet from the butterfly garden is a small area that is still waiting for a few plants. It is partial shade and I was planning to put in some hosta there. Then it hit me, It would be an ideal place for a bog garden.

In my Butterfly garden post (http://www.blogsmonroe.com/backyard/2008/07/11/butterfly-gardens/) I had mentioned the need for a wet muddy area for butterflies. This project will solve two problems. It will create a permanent and decorative place for the butterflies and fill in a spot in the landscape. I will still have room for a few hosta and other shade lovers.

A bog is just a wet, muddy spot. It’s simply a container filled with a muddy mixture and then planted with plants that thrive in that type of wet soil. This will also provide the water source for butterflies.

I’ll begin to put a list of materials together as well as a list of possible plants. This will be a very simple project to install and costs should be minimal. I’ll post a materials list soon as well as a recap of my bog garden installation soon.

I’ll see you in the backyard!