Saturday, September 25, 2021

All of a sudden, there they are.

They have been hiding under the big leaves.


Two different recipes 



Peel and thinly slice cucumbers,
add salt to taste.
Place upturned plate on top of cucumbers and add heavy weight on top  and let stand for an hour.
Pour off liquid.



Add a dollop of sour cream and a small amount of sugar to taste.  
place in refrigerator until serving time.



Serve chilled 
 
These crystal bowls are more than 75 years old.  They belonged to my mother who always served this particular salad in these bowls. 

They are the only treasure I have from my home by the Baltic Sea.

  

This cucumber dish was Mr G 's favorite. 

Peel and slice cucumbers, pour light vinegar and water brine to cover.  Add salt and hot pepper flakes to taste.

Happy weekend to you and yours, 
Gina 


Wednesday, September 22, 2021

I didn't think that it existed

A tomato that actually tastes like a tomato. 



It's not very pretty, 

but oh, what a fabulous flavor.





It is an Heirloom Black Brandywine Tomato.

A friend gave me seedlings.   I didn't expect much 

and I was so wrong.  


I'm saving seeds.

Do you grow a special tomato?

Gina


Saturday, September 18, 2021

So satisfying when they become more spectacular every year!

 All they need is lots of water and filtered sunshine



Tuberous Begonias


They will sleep in the greenhouse




They usually show new growth in March-April




Blooms appear where leaves point




Planned on picking my plums yesterday.  

Raccoons did the job for me AND they ate all of my grapes.  

I would love to join their midnight raids,

but I'm a coward, Raccoons are mean. 

Happy days to you, 

Gina 



Thursday, September 2, 2021


 My very special Squash Bread Recipe



This is a Lakota Squash, any winter squash will do. 


Squash Bread Recipe

2 cups of cooked squash
3 eggs beaten
2 cups sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
3 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup light olive oil 
3/4 cup chopped nuts
1 cup of almond meal (optional)
1/2 cup golden raisins
Mix all ingredients
juice and grated zest from one lemon and one orange
Mix together

Add 3 cups of flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda. 
Mix by hand with wooden spoon until all ingredients are 
well incorporated. 

Grease 2 loaf pans 
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes and reduce heat to 300 and bake another 15 to 20 minutes. Test with toothpick.  




This is the bread to bake.  It is foolproof. 





This might be the year when you try fried squash blossoms.

Squash bread freezes well. 

Recipe also makes great tasting muffins. 


Bake something and have fun.

Gina