The Great Shallot Harvest of 2010

Over the last few weeks I'd been contemplating when I'd harvest my shallots.  It looked like it was almost time - it had looked like that for awhile actually.  After much thought and consideration, I pulled my shallots out of the ground last Sunday (August 1st). 

Once I got them out of the soil, I realized I could have left them a little longer. Oh well. Lesson learned and I'll know for next time.  It's not a complete waste though because they're still useable.  A little small, but I can't wait to try 'em out!

Day of Harvest

One Week Later

Shallots will absolutely be something I plant again. And probably even more of it next time!

Chocolate Popcorn Balls

After making the yummy Kettle Corn for the Cinema in the Cemetery last weekend, I was caving something like that - but just a little different.  

I did some quick searching online and decided on popcorn balls.  

Melting the butter while bringing the sugar and light corn syrup to the correct temperature. 

The popped popcorn.

Almost there!

Mixing it up.

WAIT!!! How about some chocolate chips too?

It wasn't until I was mixing everything up that I made a last minute decision to throw in some chocolate chips.  Boy am I glad they were in there.  The popcorn and caramel were both still hot so the chocolate became a melty, gooey mess. But a good mess it was! 

Man oh man. They ARE as good as they look!

A Garden Update: 10 Weeks

Over the last few weeks it has become apparant that my lovely garden is nearing the end of this cycle.  Yes, some things are still thriving and growing like crazy (Sweet Basil, Tomato Plant and Jalapeno Plant) while others are getting harvested for good (Lettuce and Shallots - I'll post about this soon!)

Sweet Basil

My Basil, like my Tomato Plant and Mint is becoming a monster!

I LOVEEEEE the way it just smells, let alone tastes. :)

Flat Leaf Parsley

Upright Rosemary

Garlic Chives

Garlic

I can't wait until this is ready for harvest!

Scallions

Lettuce

NOTE: It is not supposed to look like this.

My lettuce, like my cilantro, started bolting.

I got SO many harvests out of it, so I'm not too mad!

Jalapeno Plant

I've lost count how many jalapenos I've picked...

and they keep coming!!!

Tomato Plant

My plant has grown so much and become so heavy.  Early in the week I noticed that the weight had taken its toll on a branch and caused it to snap. It wasn't snapped off completely, but it wasn't getting the nutrients it needed.  The branch couldn't be saved, but I did attempt to save the tomato clusters that were on it. I'm happy to report that so far, two of the green tomato have continued to ripen and are on the way to being red! 

The day I found it.

Just a few days later!

Mint

Keep your eye out for information on my new Fall garden in the next few weeks!  I can't wait and have already started the planning process.  

Homemade Catnip Toys!

I've had catnip growing on my balcony for months. The caterpillars got to it too, but I didn't spray it because I can't really wash it. When I first used Bt to get rid of the little suckers I decided I'd only use it on things I could wash before consuming.  

After battling with the caterpillars for a few weeks I decided to cut the tall shoots and dry them. I chopped the whole plant down to the soil. There was almost nothing there when I was done. (It's huge again but that's another story!)

I took the tall shoots that I'd cut and hung them in three separate bunches in my guest bathroom.  They hung there for over a month before I decided they were dry enough to be crumbled.  I took the leaves off the stems one afternoon and put them into a baggie. Most of them crumbled easily, but others were still a little too wet.  I left them in the baggie for a few weeks.

This evening I decided it was time to use the catnip that I'd grown, dried and crumbled to make something for my two furry friends!

First, I took stitching out of two places on a Victoria's Secret Pink stuffed dog I got for free and stuffed a little bit of catnip inside.  Minutes earlier I had taken the catnip and wrapped it in a two different coffee filters so it wouldn't go everywhere.

After giving the toy to my cats it was obvious that I couldn't give them just one, so it was time to make something else.  Here's a video just minutes after giving it to them for proof! 

I grabbed an old t-shirt and went to town!  After sewing it up with the catnip in a coffee filter and a tiny bit of stuffing inside, there was still something missing.  It was so - plain. I ended up adding a little fish that I stitched without even drawing it on first. I'm not much of a sewer, so I'm quite proud of myself! 

Blueberry Pancakes With Alison!

One of my best friends, Alison came over on Thursday night to hang out, watch reality TV and eat some yummy food! 

After chatting for almost an hour we were more than ready to devour some blueberry pancakes.  Yes, I very well could have made the batter from scratch, but I had super easy mix on hand that you just add water to.  I mixed up a quick batch while the griddle was heating up.  

The Mix.

I make plain mix and add the blueberries after pouring it onto the griddle.  

I was on pouring and flipping patrol while Alison took care of portioning out just the right amount of blueberries on each pancake! 

The pancakes were delicious and I want more right now.  MMMM Blueberry pancakes!!!

Sunday Night Dinner

I love having a nice Sunday Night Dinner. I have enjoyed this ever since I was a little kid. Sunday night dinners always had something special about them. 

Tonight I stuck to something pretty easy since I'd had a busy weekend and I'd already made quite a lot of food! Spicy Breaded Baked Chicken Breasts, Roasted Red Potatoes with Garlic, Chives and Rosemary, and Green Beans with Bacon. All I have to say is YUM!

Potatoes prior to roasting.

Chicken prior to baking.

Bacon Green Beans simmering.

I would love to tell you more about the delicious meal, but I have to run - I want to have a bit or two or three of the leftovers...

:)

Birthday Movie at the Cemetery!

Happy 26th Birthday to one of my best friends, Alison!!!

This is the card I made to give to her this year.

She seemed to enjoy it - it was placed on her entertainment center almost immediately! :)

To celebrate her birthday, a small group of us went to Cinespia, the movie screenings at a Hollywood cemetery! Movies...in a cemetery...really? Yes, yes indeed!

I took this from where I was sitting on the grass. 

The grave was less than 2 feet away from me!!!

We arrived a little before 6PM and instantly got comfortable in line - we knew it'd be a long wait because the gates to the cemetery don't open until 7:30PM. Why the heck did we get there sooooo early then? To guarantee that we got in and that we got a decent spot! I heard there were about 2,500 in attendance!

Waiting in line with Alison

Mike waiting in line with Alison

Alison's friend, Roger keeping an eye out for the rest of our group.

There were soooo many people in line.

At one point we thought we spotted Can't Hardly Wait star, Ethan Embry waiting too.

I had to snap a photo, but after taking it...I started to debate if it was really him.

We were all torn.

What do you think?

Props arriving on trucks.

After waiting for over an hour and a half it was time to trek through the cemetery. Oh yes, we carried our blankets, towels and goodies through the cemetery to see the movie.  We saw the movie Airplane from 1980 and had a delicious picnic that everyone contribute to. Here are the goodies that I made to share with the group:

Watermelon Lemonade:

Sugar
+

Watermelon Chunks

+

Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

Isn't the measureing cup cute? 

Robin gave them to me a few years ago and I love them!

=

Oh my so tasty!
I bet it will make delicious popsicles too.

Caprese:
(See Here for Photo - Scroll to Bottom)

Spicy and Sweet Kettle Corn:

Alison about to enjoy some!

Mike, Alison's fiance enjoying it as well!

Scotcharoos:

My sister-in-law, Becky helped me make these while they were here visiting. I got the idea to make them because she had made them before and I thought Alison would love them. Turns out, Alison's mom makes them and she was so excited to try mine!

In addition to my tasty treats, we had AMAZING sandwiches made from crusty bread, turkey, provolone, pesto, spring mix and olive oil, as well as cucumber tomato salad, fruit salad, kettle chips, Sprinkles cupcakes and wine! Maybe there was more, but holy wow that was a lot of delicious food!

Wine!

Black and White Sprinkles Cupcake

It was so much fun and I cannot wait to go back. Not only was it a fun experience, but we all had a great time celebrating such a special gal! :)

The props set up by the screen.

Matalie :) - Alison's future brother-in-law and his girlfriend, Natalie.

Natalie and her friend, Sammy.

Roger and his girlfriend, Colleen.

Mike,The Birthday Girl and Myself!