What's For Lunch?

This is the time of year when things really start getting interesting in the garden. The bean tee-pee is in its glory now and also makes a great hiding place. I think this is the nicest looking one we've ever grown.  There's something magical about them.  A dwelling for fairies and gnomes perhaps?

And of course, there's the scrumptious green beans that magically appear, seemingly overnight.  Basketful's every other day for weeks now.  Fortunately, unlike the big Z, we never seem to tire of eating green beans.  I like to steam them just until they turn bright green or quickly saute them with fresh garlic and olive oil.  By now, you must know that TONS of zucchini has been cooked every-which-way in my kitchen, including something new I just tried; grilled on the panini maker. I was, maybe a little too cheerfully, calling these "zucchini sticks" trying to drum up a little excitement at mealtime.  Cooking them this way only seemed to intensify the flavor though.  Good, if you really really love squash, but the girls weren't too thrilled with it.  They like this stuff better as an ingredient and not on its own.   Can't say I blame them.  I really don't remember liking it much either when I was their age.  Especially since it's been on the table, almost every night, in one form or another for months now.  (I do provide choices and they eat a lot of other veggies so I don't worry about it at all.)  The cucumbers and tomatoes have been very good this year.  They got a late start, but are making up for it now.  I've had to freeze quite a few tomatoes and we still have oodles.  They will do well for sauces and soups later in the season.  I don't think we've had to buy many vegetables at all this summer except for maybe potatoes and onions.  I might plant a few of those next year though.  It's so satisfying to go out the back door and pick what you need.  Often times I only intend to gather a little basil or rosemary to season a dish, and come back with an armload of other stuff along with it.  Like yesterday, I went out to pick beans, and had to go back to the house for a bigger basket.  And my camera, because I wanted to remember this feeling I have when I'm standing in my garden.  And how it inspires me. 

The colors and textures are at their peak and really quite amazing right now. 

I tried to capture that garden feeling in a patchwork crazy quilt.  It's the one I started long ago, inspired from gardens past, with it's random placement of fabric patterns and subtle shades of greens, golds, purples and browns.  I'm almost to the "finish line" with it now and that is making me very happy!  I'll share it all soon.

Comments

[Toni]

I love all the silvery-greens in the garden. That toast and vege dish looks soooo good! Super yum.

[Natalie]

Wow... just a lovely, soothing, beautiful post. I feel good. Thanks for sharing your garden, the harvest and the quilted garden too.

[Junie Moon]

What a wonderful garden and the lovely bounty you're harvesting. The quilt is such a grand celebration of your garden. You probably already saw it already but in case you didn't, Mrs. Staggs posted some lovely canning projects on her A Happy Miscellany blog.

[lucykatecrafts]

the quilt is looking gorgeous, looking forward to seeing the whole thing when its finished : )

[Jane Weston]

Your bean teepee is such a great idea! I grew my beans in a pot and it just kept blowing over...I might just have to try the teepee next year.
Love the crazy patch..very sweet.

[Natalea]

Beautiful photos! I'm hungry now!
Fall is such a great time, isn't it?
xo natalea

[happy zombie]

The sammy plate looks sooooo yummy! Nice crusty bread, tomatoes, cheese. Is there anything better? I think not!

If you ever make it over to Astoria, we have the best little restaurant here called the Urban Cafe (T Paul's Urban Cafe to be exact). Something we order every time we go (about twice a month) is their Tapas Duo - grilled crusty bread (with olive oil) with a layer of fresh tomatoes and basil, with two little dishes for topping... one with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and roasted pine nuts, and the other one is feta, sun-dried tomatoes and a few other secret ingredients I'm not privy to. Very hard to share... I want it all for myself. You must try it if you ever go!!!

Your photos and harvest are magical.

[Michelle]

*Can* you freeze cucumbers? I never thought to do that... I guess I always assumed they'd just go all soft and mushy in the centers when they were thawed. Hmmm. I'll have to look into that!

[Pam]

So inspireing. Love the photos and the projects.

[Rosemary]

have yall had fried zuchini yet? Dip in ranch dip and my family can't get enough.

[Kathleen]

Yum! What a delicious post~

[charlotte]

gorgeous garden photos and the cutest lil birdie embroidery on patchwork! so, so sweet and perfect for the season! xoC

[Lisa {milkshake}]

What beautiful colors in your garden. Lovely quilt, too! Can't wait to see the whole thing.

[Dawn]

Beautiful post...love all the harvest colors...and the little quilt peek!
Just saw the new banner. Sweet!

[candy]

very inspiring indeed! i just love everything i see over here!

[Vicki]

Have you read the book about a green bean tree? It's a short children's book (2nd grade). I love that you make one every year. You have inspired me for next year!

[michelle]

We also have been having beans at least every third night. LOVE THEM! Your garden is beautiful, mine weedy but still kickin!

[Mae]

Lots of colour! The quilt looks great too ...

[brit]

I'm packing the car right now and I'm driving the boys and I down there to live with you.

You can't stop me.

You have been warned.

[Mrs.Staggs]

What a wonderful looking lunch! My sister makes wonderful meals like that from her garden too. She's a vegetarian, and is always looking for good recipes. She sometimes marinates her zuchinni before grilling it. I always enjoy it served that way.
Your beautiful garden is rewarding you with an abundant harvest. All that hard work was worth it!
The colors in both the "Bright Lights" chard and your quilt are perfectly lovely!

[Diane]

You've outdone yourself with garden photos! My favorite is the chard--gorgeous color and texture.

[Nancy]

Sigh. Your posts always make me so happy and contented. Thank you so much!

[Cheryl]

What wonderful photos - the colors
are just amazing. A very peaceful
post :-)!

[joy]

I love your garden
i live in the city and wish i could taste your green beans.

[sharon]

Love the crazy quilt your working on. Very cute. And all the veggies look wonderful.