Time Off

Its going to be quiet here on my little blog.  I am going to rest. I am going to revel in the sights, sounds, and smells of all that is around me.  Mountain air, the spray of the sea, the cry of gulls and seals. The crash of waves and whisper of the wind thru the eucalyptus trees.  No alert tones of electronic communication, no clicks of a keyboard or swipe sounds of a touch screen.  An occasional update to share my time with those I cannot take with me, but other than that, my eyes will be up and focused on nature, not screens!

I came home from my trip to Chicago to a very full garden!  Seems we have a bumper crop on zucchini and basil, so I got busy and came up with a way to use it. We love soups, and the creamier the better. However, we are working on eating healthy, so creativity was in order.  Give this a try and let me know how you like it!

Zucchini Basil Soup

• 2 pounds zucchini, trimmed and into 1 inch cubes
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 cups water or Low Sodium Chicken or Veg. Stock
• 1/2 cup packed basil leaves ( I use nearly a full cup)

Heat oil in large skillet or dutch oven. Add garlic and onion and cook till soft. Add Zucchini and cook till fork tender. Add Basil leaves and cook till fully wilted.

Puree in blender in batches ( use immersion blender if you have one) adding just enough liquid to blend well. Return to pan and add remaining liquid, to desired consistency and heat.

ADDITIONS: Prepare Wild Rice or a Rice blend according to package directions ( I always cook it in broth—Chicken for this recipe) Add as much or as little as you like, top with shredded white cheddar.

This soup would be a great way to use up chicken or Turkey, too!

WYSIWYG--- What you see is what you get!
A rose by any other name . . .
If it looks like a duck . ..

The references go on and on.  We fully expect for there to be some predictability in our world.  However, we humans have a hard time leaving well enough alone. I have learned the cost of such meddling the hard way.

You may have noticed a dramatic rise in the number of people that are living a gluten free life.  What is up with that.  Even ancient Egypt valued wheat!  It has been a mainstay for centuries.  Why now, are people turning away from this hearty grain?  Wheat is no longer wheat!  It looks like wheat, it grows like wheat.  It grinds and cooks like wheat.  However, the very DNA that makes it wheat has been altered to the point that it is only wheat by way of appearances. We wanted higher yeilds. better chemical tolerance, etc. so we meddled in the process and now we have a full on mess!

Christ followers have often been referred to as wheat-- a harvest.  How often do we stray from what we were originally created to be?  Do we stay true to the DNA after which we were created?  When we are closely examined, when a look beyond the surface takes place, can we remain true?, or do we fail to pass the test of authenticity?  Do we simply carry the outer image without the truth within that gives live and strength and energy? Have we meddled in the things so far from our creator that now we are like a toxin, causing life around us to degrade?

As I learn more about living my life gluten free, I find it is best accomplished by choosing simple, true, food.  Whole and healthy- not packaged.  Not always convenient- but worth the commitment.

I will be posting some of my favorite GF tips and recipes in the days to come!

Image credit – CSIRO

Its early. . .  Jeff has to leave the house by shortly after 6 am to play keyboard for worship today. I often go with him, but today, I am going to get a jump on meal prep, watering, etc., before I head to church to join him.

Yesterday was overcast and much cooler, and even though the humidity was very high, it was comfortable to be outside.  I took my time watering, harvesting and deadheading.  My habit as I work with my plants is to be prayerful, listening, learning, and expressing praise and gratitude to God. He is always faithful to meet me there!

All through scripture, water is important.  Christ/Holy Spirit is referred to as the Living Water, Moses obeyed God and the waters were parted, Christ calmed the Sea, the man at the pool of Bethesda knew that if he could get to the water, he would be healed, Christ turned the water to wine. . .  so many references to water!

For plants, water is the most foundational need they have. I often hear it said that 'anyone can water plants'.  It's true! Anyone that will take the time to learn how to 'read' what the plant needs, familiarize themselves with what makes that plant thrive, and consistently provide that to the plant can water!  You have surely heard of talking to your plants, but what about listening? More accurately, observing?

We have all seen the signs of a plant without enough water. Yellow and brown leaves, withered blooms and fruit, total collapse, and eventual death.  A wilted plant gives a very obvious signal that it needs water.  However, there are signs that are visible long before the plant wilts. If attended to at this earlier stage, the plant will reward you with even more vibrant beauty!  Most plants have leaves with a sheen or gloss to them.  Not all leaves are shiny, but like healthy skin, they have a healthy glow when all is well.  Pay attention to the leaves of a healthy plant.  When a plant needs water, you will notice they begin to look "dull" and "flat"-- not yet wilted, but not healthy.  Watering at this point will keep blooms and leaves from dropping!

BEST water tips for trees.
1) Take a clean 5 gallon bucket. Drill 2 or 3 very small holes in the bottom-- anywhere is fine.
2) Fill the bucket with clean water, and set it near the trunk of the tree.
3) Go about your business for a few hours.
4) Retrieve the empty bucket
5) For newly planted trees up to 2" calliper ( the diameter of the trunk) repeat twice weekly if no rain measuring 1" or greater.
6) For larger trees, place the bucket slightly farther away from the trunk, and fill twice per watering, relocating the bucket each time.

For my spirit, time in relationship with God is my water.  His written word, prayer and meditation, taking time to listen for His voice, time to praise Him and worship from my heart. . . . those things are the water to my spirit!  Without enough, I become dull, lifeless. I cannot bear fruit. My edgeds are no longer soft, but brittle and I wither away from what God has called me to.  Are you staying spiritualy hydrated?

The water is sprinkling on the butterfly bush in Donna's Garden.  I am in to cool off for a moment and thought I would share something that always seems to draw comments and interest when people see my garden. Here is one of my favorite little tricks!

Cutworms make me crazy! Pesticides rarely help, but there are some simple, non chemical controls that really help.  Here is what I do.

Whenever I plant seeds in my garden, I cut the bottom out of an empty 4" plastic pot and set it in the ground. Leave about 2 inches or so sticking above the soil line and plant the seed as you normally would inside the pot. This forms a collar that the cutworms cannot cross, saving your tender seedlings. This works with small plants as well. Most of my transplants are quite large because I have the advantage of greenhouse space to start them. However, corn, okra, cucumbers, etc. go in as seed and they all get a little collar to keep them safe! It also helps me to know exactly where to be looking for the new shoots to come up. The collars can remain if the mature stalk will not be bigger than 4" diameter, or removed when the plant is a size that the cutworms won't bother.

Be careful of sunflowers! They are the favorite food of cutworms. If you like to spend time in the garden every evening, plant a few extra as "Banker Plants" . . . plants meant to draw and trap the target pest.  Keep a close eye and remove the cutworms EVERY DAY-- if you are not faithful to regularly remove them, they will increase very quickly.  I don't use this method for fear I will not get out and get the gathered, but its still a great way to deal with a nasty pest while growing something fun for the birds!

You know, we are like that tender seedling-- just when we think we are getting going really well, something can come along and cut us back so hard, that survival hardly seems possible.  God sends his Spirit to wrap us up-- keep us safe.  If we are centered in Him, like a seedling in a collar, the dangers and harm around us cannot penetrate and destroy us.  I love spending time in the garden.  It never fails that when I am quiet and out with my plants. God shows me more of Himself, His love for me, and teaches me more about my weakness and His strength.

Since I  am constantly being asked for my recipes, tips, ideas, and such, I decided to create a blog to share them.  I hope you enjoy them and use them.  It is odd to me to try to write down things like this because I just sort of throw things together, but I realize that is not the norm, so I will do my best to explain accurately!