Fall Garden - 12 Weeks

There have been quite a few things happen to my garden this week and I can't wait to tell you about it all! 

I think it's only logical to start with the news about the tomato plant since technically that was the first plant in my food producing garden. 

It started out so small and grew to be...gigantic! I got fruit from it - lots of fruit from it - from June until October. There were still a few tomatoes on it last week, but they weren't good quality so they went to the birds.  

Now what's the news about this plant you wonder?

Well - it was finally time to chop it down - almost completely! I will try to keep it alive over winter and into next Spring to see if it will blossom again. If it does, that would be awesome, if not, then I really haven't lost that much. 

Here's what it looks like after going to town with the pruners.

The next exciting news this week has to do with the Strawberry plant.  Strawberry plant? Yes, I know - you haven't heard about it in ages, but that's because I thought it was history. HA! Little did I know that it was growing like crazy and STILL producing fruit.  I looked in and to my shock saw some smaller berries that weren't ripe and one nice bright red one!

 The thriving plant it came from. 

And finally, it is time for the third and final news of the week.  I kept this for last because sadly I don't have any photographs of it. It's still exciting though so that's why it's getting a mention.  On Saturday - I harvested my scallions for the first time.  I've had them for awhile, but it was just now time to pull the biggest of the bunch.  I ended up pulling four out of the soil, but had already taken pictures for the blog by the time of the harvest. 

The other plants are still doing great too, but haven't changed enough to warrant being included in the exciting new category. :) 

The carrot greens are getting so big and so are a few of the beet greens.  I can't wait to see what happens with both of them in the future.  

Beets

Carrots

I love having spinach growing on my balcony. It's so easy to come out, cut off a bunch and use it right then and there. I've done it multiple times and the little plants keep on growin'! 

The snap peas are still growing strong, but I haven't seen any new flowers recently. I'll keep you updated  I promise! 

And the herbs are still doing quite well. The Flat Leaf Parsley and Thyme are kind of small at the moment, but that's because I used a lot of them cooking recently. I have faith they'll be back soon!

Flat Leaf Parsley

Thyme

Mint

Upright Rosemary

Chives

Basil

Last but NOT least, the Jalapeno Plant.  I can't believe there are still peppers growing on that sucker. There are five big ones that will be ready to pick soon and a few other small ones. It's almost December too. WOW! That's all I can say. 

  

A Very Happy Thanksgiving!

I didn't go home to Arizona for Thanksgiving, but I did spend it with an amazing group of people that I love like family.

Since I didn't go home, I made sure to send some love in the form of a homemade Thanksgiving card.

I made one for my parents...

One for my brother, his wife and my adorable nephew...

And one for my grandma!

Thanksgiving is such a food based holiday, so of course I made a few things. :)

I made the meal starter - my spicy corn chowder - and man was it a hit!  

I had made a double batch the night before turkey day because I wanted to make sure I had more than enough.  Good thing I did because EVERY drop was gone.  

Corn taken off 12 ears

And the finished soup!

I had multiple people ask me for the recipe while eating it and again before leaving.  It's not my recipe - I can't take any credit, but it can be found here. Enjoy! 

And of course I made a dessert to bring to Thanksgiving dinner as well.  

I hadn't made them before, but as soon as I heard about them I knew I wanted to make them. They sounded so absolutly amazing and I couldn't wait to share them with everyone.  

What am I talking about? I'm talking about OREO TRUFFLES. I didn't make them exactly like pictured, but I did make them very similar. I had to add my own twist. :)

Before being covered in white chocolate.

After being covered with white chocolate 

and drizzled with semi sweet chocolate!!!

Oreo Truffles?!?!?  YES! Oreos on their own are great, but these are little balls are pure heaven. Super rich, but super tasty.  

Since it's the holidays, I wrapped a bunch up to take to dinner and a few other smaller containers filled for neighbors.  

I hope you all had an amazing day filled family and friends. Here's a few photos of my Thanksgiving! 

The Thanksgiving Table

Roses and Sunflowers

Great friends who are like my family! 

Taking a picture of Rachel taking a picture of me! :) 

The turkey! 

It was so moist - I haven't had turkey this good in a log time!

And finally...the fire we sat around after stuffing ourselves.  

Carmel Kiss Brownie Bites

Last week, on the whim, I decided to make brownies to take into work. It was a short week due to the holiday, but I thought - hey, why not! 

Instead of traditional brownies, I put the batter into miniature muffin cups AND put a caramel kiss upside down in each cup.

They ended up being better than I'd imagined and people seemed to love them.  I personally got to enjoy them right out of the oven when everything was still hot and gooey, but they were amazing even a few days later. 

I love the holidays and love the baking and cooking that goest along with the holidays even more! Get ready coworkers, friends and family! :) 

The FIRST Snap Pea Harvest!

I've been slacking on posting this...sorry! :(

I have to admit that I tried the FIRST snap pea from my garden a few weeks ago.  

OH MAN IT WAS AMAZING!!! So crisp, so sweat, so juicy, so fresh! I want an endless supply - maybe next year I'll make a snap pea barrier around my balcony.  Lots of tastiness AND more privacy...

I wanted the harvest to be a big deal - because the snap peas were that amazing, but due to me being busy (and a little lazy) I waited too long to post for it to live up to the hype.

Nonetheless, they were the best snap pea I've ever eaten and NO, I'm not just saying that because they're the fruits of my labor. :) 

Fall Garden - 11 Weeks

I didn't think I was going to be able to post the update this week because it was forecast to rain all weekend, but it ended up only raining on Saturday.  We got quite a bit of rain so I didn't have to water either day! I love when nature waters my garden for me.

The snap peas are doing SO well. I don't see many new flowers, but the weather has been very odd recently so we'll just have to see what happens.  I have tasted them - YUMMMMM! Also, I apologize that the harvest post about them hasn't been posted as promised - life and work are getting in the way, but it WILL be posted over the upcoming holiday break. 

The transplanted spinach is doing well with the others in the container.

And the beets and carrots continue to grow bigger and stronger each day.  

The tomatoes that were on the plant are almost tie-dye looking so I'm afraid to eat them. I'm almost positive it's the end for that huge plant. It grew SO big and gave me so much since May. Six months of happiness - with a few snags along the way with caterpillars.

The jalapeno plant on the other hand continues to grow and produce new little peppers.  I can't wait until some are big enough to use again!  

All the herbs are doing great and are getting bigger and bigger.  The transplanted thyme seems to be taking to the container, but not really growing any bigger yet.  

Basil

Flat Leaf Parsley

Thyme

Mint

Rosemary

And there is a new addition.  After I got rid of the garlic chives a few weeks ago, I wanted to get another plant.  It was always in the back of my mind.  I got one late last weekend and transplanted it into the newly empty yellow planter.  I have yet to use them - they are a different variety - but I'm excited for the newest addition.