Waning Days of Summer

It’s no secret, the days of summer are quickly shortening.  From the 8:30 sunset of just a few weeks ago to the 7:08 sunset last night.   Days are shorter, nights are cooler and good old Fall is creeping in.  I love Fall.  It’s that “other” season that follows it that I don’t like so much. 

In past years this would be the time I would ponder putting the garden to bed.  Not this year.   The tomatoes are still doing well yet other things have been yanked out.  Making room for a few experiments.

I planted these a couple of weeks ago…

Will they be ready before the frost?  I dunno.  But I would never know if I didn’t try!  We shall see.

Today I added these…..

30 days to maturity.  Maybe.

42 days.  Maybe.

I’ve had a new helper in the garden this year.  One of my daughters has moved back in (until further notice) and brought with her, her  four legged friend.  Ms. Elsa (aka:  Salsa, Sausalito, Monkey, Bubby, and so and so on.). 

It has become a daily ritual for her to check on the veggies with me.  Oddball that she is, she has taken to eating a few things that I harvest.

She loves freshly cherry tomatoes and peas.   Today I offered a sweet banana pepper.

Yup.  She liked that too.

It is with mixed feelings that I say goodbye to summer (not yet, but soon!).  I do welcome the cooler temperatures for sure.  Enjoy the waning days!

Spinach Salad & Strawberries...Yum

A few days ago I was looking for something to do with the abundance of spinach that I had just picked before I resort to blanching and freezing.

I opted for and posted a recipe for Orange Almond Salad. Thing is, I didn't have any mandarin oranges so I made do with what I did have.......juicy strawberries. Let me say this, as long as strawberries are available, no mandarins for this salad - they are for the off season. It was superb! I has been a meal accompaniment for 3 days and each one is as good as the last. I am posting a picture that doesn't look as attractive as it did before I decided to chop up and dive in but I wasn't thinking. Heck, I was hungry.

1st Harvest (Spinach) and Wonky weather

FIRST HARVEST!
Without further ado....my first harvest of the year..spinach! I guess I will be making Orange Almond Salad tomorrow - deee-lish! Just in case you're interested...

ORANGE ALMOND SALAD

• Bacon

Cook until crisp and then crumble.

• Almonds
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp butter

In microwave safe bowl combine almonds, butter and sugar. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes until sugar dissolves and almonds begin to brown. Stir from time to time to prevent from sticking together. NOTE: You can also buy prepared honey roasted almonds at the super market and skip this step. They work just as well.

• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 cup salad oil
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp parsley
  
• tabasco sauce, to taste

Combine and chill until ready to serve.

• Spinach leaves
• Green or red onions, thinly sliced
• 1 - 10 oz tin mandarin oranges (Breaking news.....Try strawberries!)
  

Top salad with almonds, bacon, oranges and onions and serve with salad dressing.

WONKY WEATHER
Today I potted up some of the seedlings but was still hesitant to put anything in the raised beds. The weather is still so wonky that I am not sure what to do. Thursday and Friday were around 90'ish and today was 60 or so. In the middle of the afternoon? Hello? What gives? At least the pots can be covered easily.

The real bummer is when I looks at blogs and forums of gardeners not so far away. Some seem almost ready for harvest!