Bread baked while I gardened

Good morning Folks,

It is hot and humid and raining. I got a loaf of oatmeal bread going in the bread machine a few minutes after 7 this morning and then headed out to mow and do some other work in the shed garden area. Three hours later I was done outside, and came in to the delicious aroma of baking bread. Aaaahhhh.

DH mowed the back area and also did some trimming and I was grateful for his help. I love mowing, etc. and have always done it. The last couple of years I’ve been learning to ask DH for his help, especially with heavy things or things that are just too much for me to handle.

We got all done just in time as it is now raining and I believe we are to have rain every day for the next couple of weeks.

Here is the loaf of bread and the picture below is of some refrigerator fig perserves I made yesterday afternoon. Fresh Mission figs were on sale yesterday so we bought 2 containers worth. I’ve not bought them like this before, so had to look up recipes and found out that they have a very short shelf life so made the preserves and tonight we’re going to have Chicken breast with Balsamic Fresh Fig Sauce.

The fig preserves were easy. A little key lime juice, sugar, and Chinese 5 spice powder and let them cook til tender. Yummy.

This is Hamelia paten or Firebush blooming over the arbor. It is at least 10’ tall. I got a cutting of this and rooted it at least 15 years ago. I see them everywhere cut into short hedges, have never seen one growing like mine is.

Here it is from inside the secret garden. Part of the shrubbery on the left that is lower is also some of this same plant. It has grown up and over the arbor/grotto area. Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds love this.

I’m inside the ‘ca-trium’ (this is where our outdoor feline girl Tork sleeps at night), looking out at the secret garden. Last night it was pleasant out so I went out and laid on the swing we have back there and gently swung and relaxed. I’ve work to be done in the secret garden, but all in good time. The white flowering shrub you see is one of the Dwarf Orchid trees in a terra cotta pot.

Crossvine flowers.

Plumbago

Looking out the driveway’s small gate at the morning traffic.

Here is my shed’s garden as seen from the driveway. You can see a bit into the secret garden through the lattice gate.

Here is a rooted cutting of my Maman Cochet climbing rose. It is sitting just outside the scullery window so I could see the blooms. I love this rose and it’s scent is wonderful

Guess that’s it for now. I will close with the following verse that I randomly opened up to this morning.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand.

Psalms 139:17-18