Geo and Mom came home from the market today with arugula (in honor of Barak Obama, says Geo), eggplant, and huge bunches of basil.
The eggplant went into the fridge for eggplant lasagna during the week, but the basil went for a quick rinse and immediately into the blender with walnuts, olive oil and a dash of salt for fresh pesto. The yield was two full batches. We sampled the pesto with Italian bread and we will enjoy it later for dinner served generously over pasta, yes, with arugula salad on the side.
We experimented with “eggplant lasagna” a few weeks ago by substituting a layer or two of pasta with sliced eggplant. It came out really well, and tasty enough to try again.
The Farmers’ Market is providing us with quite a feast this week. Next year, I hope to have more veggies from our very own garden. I’ll need to visit M.W. often for continuing horticultural inspiration.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
My Angel of a Neighbor
My neighbor is an enthusiastic gardener. Walking Lucy past her home, I met her outside in the yard. “You know, I really want to improve the landscaping in our yard,” said I. She offered to help me out. “I can give you some ideas,” she replied.
Within the week she came over, not only with her ideas, but with her gloves and three sets of pruners. “Let’s just clean some of this up and see what we’ve got,” she said as she proceeded to tackle a jungle of overgrown shrubbery. So I also picked up the pruners and started pruning away.
Four hours and 5 barrels of clippings later, what a difference! The monster of a miniature lilac bush was gone (that’s miniature lilacs, NOT miniature bush, I had learned too late to my great dismay). She and I could actually see definition between the shrubs and some semblance of real gorgeousness.
Now I can visualize how the edging lines should flow, where new plants can go in, and even where to place a new bird feeder. Yup, we’ll add 2 new lilac bushes (planted where they have LOTS of room to grow), and some Asiatic lilies for color.
My neighbor not only rolled up her sleeves (or rather, rolled them down - those barberry branches are sharp!), she provided me with a lot of good information about pruning and landscaping. Best of all, she not only inspired me about gardening, she really inspired me about what it means to be a good neighbor. M.W., let me know when you need an extra pair of hands for weeding, or pruning, or hoeing, and I’ll be there. Thank you, neighbor!
Within the week she came over, not only with her ideas, but with her gloves and three sets of pruners. “Let’s just clean some of this up and see what we’ve got,” she said as she proceeded to tackle a jungle of overgrown shrubbery. So I also picked up the pruners and started pruning away.
Four hours and 5 barrels of clippings later, what a difference! The monster of a miniature lilac bush was gone (that’s miniature lilacs, NOT miniature bush, I had learned too late to my great dismay). She and I could actually see definition between the shrubs and some semblance of real gorgeousness.
Now I can visualize how the edging lines should flow, where new plants can go in, and even where to place a new bird feeder. Yup, we’ll add 2 new lilac bushes (planted where they have LOTS of room to grow), and some Asiatic lilies for color.
My neighbor not only rolled up her sleeves (or rather, rolled them down - those barberry branches are sharp!), she provided me with a lot of good information about pruning and landscaping. Best of all, she not only inspired me about gardening, she really inspired me about what it means to be a good neighbor. M.W., let me know when you need an extra pair of hands for weeding, or pruning, or hoeing, and I’ll be there. Thank you, neighbor!
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