A Garden Visitor!

I've been finding mushrooms growing in my snap pea pot almost every day since I planted them a couple weeks ago. It's odd because I used the same soil in my other planters, but the mushrooms are only growing with the snap peas. I mentioned before that I dig them up every time, but they just keep appearing! 

No, the mushrooms aren't the visitor, but they lead to me finding the visitor.  

Earlier this week I came home from work and was tending to my garden like usual. I pushed a chair over to stand on and grabbed a little plastic shovel I was going to use to dig the mushrooms up if there happened to be any. Instantly I felt something on my hand so I flung my hand, along with the shovel, and all of a sudden I saw a praying mantis clinging for dear life to the chair I was standing on. Poor little sucker. I didn't mean to fling it, but it caught me off guard.  I was a little scared at first, but then I realized what it was and couldn't help but snap a few pictures to share!

I didn't welcome the caterpillars - they were unwanted visitors, but I'll take a praying mantis any day!

Just hangin' on!

Climbing up.

Oh hello there!

It just kept movin' on up the chair.

I ended up putting it on another plant hanging off my balcony. I haven't seen it since.

Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

Before my parents left to come to California for vacation, my dad made two loaves of some absolutely amazing cinnamon raisin bread. It was delicious and made me want to go out and buy my own bread maker.  I didn't, but I wanted to and I still may! 

After enjoying a few slices of the homemade bread toasted and smeared with butter, I decided to take it one step further. One of the mornings my parents were staying with me, I made the already tasty bread into mouth watering cinnamon raisin french toast! 

Enjoy it with butter or syrup or peanut butter or jam orrrrrr a little of all those yummy things! I'll always think of my parents no matter how I decided to eat this tasty treat! 

Fall Garden - 1 Week

It's been a little over a week since I planted my Fall garden - with the help of my wonderful parents! (Thanks again Mom and Dad!) I am so excited to see the growth from the new plants, as well as the new growth on older plants.  I was a little scared this time since I am starting so many things from seeds. Last time I had the help of the nursery because everything was already a developed plant.

The beets and carrots are doing amazing. I've already thinned them both and have a feeling I'll be thinning the carrots again soon.

Itty Bitty Beet Sprouts

Lots of Carrots Sprouts!

The snap peas have sprouted! I'm so excited and cannot wait to grab one off the vine and munch on it right away. Yummm!  The only problem with them though is the fact that I keep having to dig up and get rid of mushrooms. The little suckers appear out of nowhere - I don't get it. Tonight I dug up a huge mushroom root system. I hope it did the trick - but I also hope I didn't damage the little pea plants in the process. Hmmm....

The Tiny Little Pea Sprouts

So cute!

The spinach is doing very well - so well that I can probably eat some in the next few days. The weather last week really helped and I was so glad I didn't lose the lil spinach plants to extreme heat.  I just hope the cool Fall weather is here to stay!

Singular Spinach

Unfortunately I was snapping pictures of the garden while the cable company service rep was fixing my internet and phone, and I forgot to get shots of most of my herbs. OOPS...sorry folks! I did manage to get a few, and don't worry because they'll all be back next week! :)

GIANT Sweet Basil

Mint that is taking over!!!

And you can't forget about the tomato, jalapeno and strawberry plants.  They're ALL flowering again and I'm anticipating another crop from each one. I cannot believe it. Show's how much I know! I'm learning things as I go and loving every minute of it! 

It's still a monster

I pruned it recently - that's why it looks so bare.

And the new buds. 

Look at the lil white, unripe lil strawberry!!!

Last but not least, the garlic. I'm convinced it's almost time for me to harvest it, but I'm so scared to do it too early and it not be ready... Soon enough! What do you think??? :)

Seasons Are Changing & So Is My Garden!

A few weeks ago I told you to look for a post about my new Fall Garden soon...and I'm very pleased to tell you that THIS is the post! :)  I am so so soooo excited for the new garden and can't wait for all the new goodies.

Along with the new Fall crops, I still have the following growing, which were started in Spring:

MONSTER Tomato Plant

Strawberry Plant

A new red strawberry!!!

Jalapeno Plant

Sadly, I think the jalapeno plant is almost done... :(

Scallions

Garlic

Getting close to harvest time.

Sweet Basil

Transplanted to it's own pot because it's so huge!

Garlic Chives

Flat Leaf Parsley

Upright Rosemary 

And of course Mint! 

I thought the tomato and strawberry plants were done for the season, but to my surprise they both stated to flower again! I'm enjoying seeing the tiny little tomatoes and berries come up for a second time this year.

Enough about the old favorites and on to bragging about my new additions...

While my parents were visiting, we made a trip to Sperling Nursery to get some plants and seeds for the Fall Garden.  I'd waited a couple weeks to plant the garden so my parents could be involved.  My mom said it made her want to go home and plant a garden of her own! :)

Trying Cilantro again!

Spinach 

These will be Beets

I spotted the first beet sprout from all the seeds I planted.

I was in complete shock because it sprouted in 4 days!!!

A bucket of Carrots that will hopefully sprout soon too.

Hanging Basket with Snap Peas waiting to grow.

And the last new addition isn't a food bearing plant, but it's so cool I had to share it.  I love succulents. They were the first things I began growing because they're near impossible to mess up.  :)

When I saw the succulent above, called String of Pearls, I just had to have it.  I don't know if I love the name thought.  I know, it does look like many strings of pearls, but the individual little round suckers look almost exactly like peas! String of Peas maybe??? Anyway - who cares what it's called because it's such a cool plant! 

Homemade Sunflower Seed Pesto

My basil plant is growing like crazy and I keep trying to think of new things to make with it.  I've used it in Caprese more than once and in Lemon Basil Grilled Chicken a couple times.

Earlier this week I decided I'd give homemade Pesto a shot.  I hadn't had it in quite a long time and I had TONS of basil, so I thought why not?   

Instead of using the normal pine nuts, cashews or walnuts, I substituted sunflower seeds in my version.  It was a nice little twist and I'd do it again.  I used it on turkey and provolone sandwiches I made for lunch one day with my parents during their visit.  

The ingredients in the food processor ready for mixing.

All mixed up and ready to be eaten.

BASIL SUNFLOWER SEED PESTO

4 cups fresh basil leaves chopped

3 cloves garlic (crushed)

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds

1. Pour all ingredients in a blender or food processor. 

2. Blend until mixture becomes a paste. 

3. Put mixture in bowl and work in sunflower seeds. 

4. Cover tightly and refrigerate for future use. Can be stored for up to one week. 

LEMON BASIL GRILLED CHICKEN

1/4 cup cooking oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tbsp. white wine vinegar

1 tsp. grated lemon peel

1/4 cup fresh basil, minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1. Combine oil and next 7 ingredients in a shallow baking dish. 

2. Add chicken, turning once to coat on both sides. 

3. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes, up to overnight. Turn once while in the refrigerator.

4. Prepare Grill/Grill Pan and cook chicken, turning once, 3 to 5 minutes per side until chicken is cooked completely. 

Buttery Goodness Oh My!

I made dinner for my parents one night when they were staying with me recently.  I didn't take pictures of everything I made, but I couldn't help but share the amusingness of these Buttered Rosemary Rolls.  

After letting them rise for about 5 hours.

Adding the first of many coats of melted butter.

A little chopped fresh rosemary and some tasty sea salt to finish it off!

Golden, buttery, tasty deliciousness! 

They are simply amazing.  I could eat them all day, every day and never get sick of them. I'd probably end up 400 pounds, so I'll stick to indulging only every so often.

Celebrating Dad!

For my dad's 60th Birthday, my parents drove to their timeshare in Oceanside. I met them for the weekend and we celebrated along with many family members.  It was so great to see everyone and have fun for my dad's big day.  

Dad at his birthday lunch.

My mom and I made Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting on Friday night for the get together the next afternoon.  My grandma did the great job adding the chopped pecans after I frosted each one. The cake alone was tasty, but even better with the oh so amazing frosting! 

*Thanks to my fantastic mother for taking many of the carrot cake making photos!

Creaming the eggs, oil and sugar.

Mixing the batter.

Adding the freshly grated carrots.

Before baking the birthday cupcakes.

After cooling, frosting and pecan adding.

Dad blowing out the candles.

I made sure to taste test almost every step of the way - trust me they were heavenly.  That is every step except the steps with raw eggs because of the recent egg recall.  Plus, raw cake batter is nothing compared to raw cookie dough. Droooooool. 

In addition to the tasty treat I made my dad, of course I made him a personalized birthday card. It's come to the point that home made cards are expected from me. :)

I had a wonderful time celebrating my dad's birthday with him and can't wait to do it again another year very soon! xoxo