First Freeze First Snow

Fortunately, I got most of my container garden in last night.

Black Widow

...in the window.

Organic Bug Zapper

A toad in my Thai peppers.

Spicy Dal with London Rocket

Wild London Rocket is popping up all over locally, and the spicy, radish-y flavor of tender young leaves is perfect in salads and soups.

Part I

• 1 cup, rinsed brown lentils
• 3 cups, water
• 1 Tablespoon, peanut oil
• 1 Teaspoon, salt
• 1 Teaspoon, ground cumin
• 1 Teaspoon, ground turmeric
• 1 Teaspoon, dried cilantro leaf
• 1 Teaspoon, crushed dried red pepper
• 1/2 Teaspoon, ground cinnamon
• 1/2 Teaspoon, fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 Teaspoon, fresh ground coriander

Bring all ingredients above to a boil in a 3-quart sauce pan. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
————————

Part II

• 2 Teaspoons, peanut oil
• 1 cup, finely chopped fresh baby London Rocket leaves
• 1 can, Hot Rotel, drained (reserve liquid for ‘quilaMarys!)
• 1 Tablespoon, Muir Glen Tomato Paste

In a 2-quart sauce pan, sauté London Rocket in oil. Stir in drained Rotel and Tomato Paste. Continue to cook on low, until the greens are wilted. Fold hot mixture into cooked lentils.

Serve hot or chilled.

Watermelon Salad

I planted Black Diamond heirloom seeds from Ferry-Morse this spring. The tiny crop in my raised-bed garden didn't fare well -- most of the vines and fruit withered with powdery mildew. I only harvested two melons. They were heavy with dense rinds that were difficult to cut, but the fruit was flavorful with a nice texture.

Drench fresh watermelon with the following, in order:

• Balsamic Vinegar
• Sesame Oil
• Himalayan Pink Salt

SlackerOh's

b0y.aRe.dEEs sLaCkErOhS!
{sueMe ;>) }

Makes 2 servings.

• 1 Tablespoon Grapeseed Oil
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 3 Small-Medium Yellow Squashes
• 1 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper
• 2 Teaspoons Coriander
• 2 Teaspoons Black Pepper
• 0.5 Can Muir Glen Pizza Sauce*
• 0.25 Cup Sweet Basil
• 2 Tablespoons Redwood Hill Farm Plain Goat Yogurt**

1. Spiralize squash, one at a time onto cutting board or plate.
2. Chop spiralized squash into 1"-2" segments.†
3. Dump segments onto oil in a 5-quart cooking pot.
4. Sprinkle on salt, crushed red pepper, freshly ground coriander and black pepper to each layer.
5. Heat covered pot on high 5-10 minutes, or until squash is tender and soupy.
6. Add pizza sauce.
7. Simmer for ~10 minutes.
8. Remove from heat, and stir in fresh chopped sweet basil.
9. Serve hot or cold, with a dollop of plain yogurt.

* Muir Glen Pizza Sauce

** Redwood Hill Farm Plain Goat Yogurt

† One small-medium yellow squash, spiralized and chopped:

Below: The squash in my raised-bed garden, looking toward The Hobbit House. (Squash recipes are much appreciated, btw!)

The Racy Corgi

• 0.5 oz Kalamata Olive Brine
• 2 oz Tequila
• 6 oz Grapefruit Juice
• 7.5 oz Pepper-Spiced Tea

Cheers to risqué dwarf dogs!

Four Tomato Varieties

• Yellow Pear
• Black Prince
• Black Cherry
• Patio: The Container Tomato

Today's harvest.

A Cat In The Garden

The short story.

3 Tomato Varieties

Gardening in Las Cruces is a challenge, compared to gardening in Champaign. This is a day's tomato harvest from my container garden.

Hail Storm in May

Installation of Septic Tank Risers

Dog Lounge

Jinx: Lifeform Triumphant

This Calla lily survived 7/4-17/2014 in a locked tool canopy. I haven't seen my sheltie Sophie since.