But It Is Just So Pretty

For the last few years we (by we I mean The BF has done all the work) have slowly been expanding our vegetable garden. Unfortunately, I think we have reached the limit of space we have available. We have a very small back yard and while I am for taking out all the grass and turning the entire space into a garden my dogs would be less then pleased.

With three large dogs we need a place for them. It would not be fair, plus I don't want to have to put them on a leash in the front yard on a cold winter day. I am lazy and would rather open the back door and let them roam.

But I would still like more gardening space. What is a girl to do? I do have one little space left but I am reluctant to turn it into a vegetable garden. I keep thinking it would be a nice place for peppers but I just can not do it.

They are starting to die but still looking good.

Its my flower garden in the front yard. You may be thinking its already a garden you should just plant some carrots there. You are probably right but the flowers make so so happy.

Seriously they do.

When I drive up to my house and see how beautiful they look I actually smile. No matter what kind of day I have had I am instantly happy. I will drive by house slowly just so I can look at them. They are bright and colorful. And even though some naughty neighbor kid keeps picking the blooms and throwing them on my lawn they still look lush and full. 

Is this wrong? 

I don't care if it is wrong, they make my house look very nice and welcoming. I have the best looking house in our horseshoe neighborhood...at least I think we have the nicest house. 

I am being prideful and I cant decide it that is good or bad. 

So I guess I need to ask myself will I go for something useful or stay with pretty.

Its What's For Dinner

I made my first meal that included items form my bountiful basket!!! I am so impressed. I really enjoyed it so did The BF and the 13yr old "pseudo" step-son. The the 6yr old "pseudo" step-daughter and the 13yr old "pseudo" step-son friend* did not like it.

All morning I pondered what will I make. I knew I would not be cooking the fennel but I had all this other good stuff and a fridge and freezer full of stuff.

Then out of the blue it came to me. I am not sure if I saw a recipe somewhere but I had a vision of what I wanted to cook.

I rarely share recipes and I really don't have one but here is what I did.

1. Cut 2 small zucchinis, 1 med yellow onion, I red pepper and half a head of cabbage. (Bold items from my Basket)
2. Crush 2 cloves of garlic.
3. Place in large skillet with a little olive oil.
4. Add 2 cups frozen corn and 1 cup frozen shredded carrots (from my garden).
5. Sprinkle a few red pepper flakes, teaspoon of sugar and fresh ground salt and pepper.
6. Cook on medium heat until corn and carrots defrost.
7. Cook on med high heat.
8. You know its done when the vegetables start to turn brown.

 Add a little lemon pepper chicken baked in the oven and dinner is served.

I would like to thank all the women in my life that have taught me to cook, shared recipes or inspired me.

I would also like to thank the millions of cooking shows I have watched on the Public TV channel and Food Network.


*Although he was very polite about it and complimented the parts he did like and pretending to be full insteaded of complaining.

But What Do I Do with the Fennel?

Today I got my first ever Bountiful Baskets. a basket that is 50% fruit and 50% vegetables. You should check it, its pretty cool.

This week the basket was:

• Cabbage
• Red Peppers
• Tomatoes
• Zucchini
• Broccoli
• Fennel
• Apples
• Bananas
• Black Berries
• Pears
• Kiwi
• Watermelon

I am very excited. My sister, mom and several friends have all participated in the Bountiful Basket experience. I have wanted to do it for ever but I am not much of a morning person especially on Saturday but I finally bite the bullet and ordered one. Imagine my surprise when I didn't have to pick it up until 10:15AM. I can do that easy peasy.

But now I am looking at this assortment of food thinking what in the hell am I going to cook. The fruit is easy to deal with but all the vegetables!!!!

Okay so I am only worried about one vegetable.....The Fennel. I already have ideas and plans for everything else. But what the hell am I going to do with a Fennel. I don't think I a have ever eaten a Fennel. I am guessing you eat the big bulb part but the stalks and "leaves" (or whatever they are called) look good I bet you can do something with them also.

Do you have any ideas???

If so PLEASE leave a comment with a recipe or a link to a recipe or just suggestion on what I should do. I would hate for the poor thing to be wasted.