Tuesday, August 30, 2011

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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Crossvine flowers.

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Plumbago

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

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

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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

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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

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9 comments:

Rebecca said...

I so enjoy glimpses into the "rooms" of your yard/garden. They are absolutely charming.

Any chance you'd share your oatmeal bread recipe? (I make one with 1 1/3 c. oatmeal, 2 2/3 c. bread flour, 1/3 cup buttermilk powder....is yours anything like that????

Becca's Dirt said...

I love looking at your sweet place there. The arbor is beautiful and so full. I would also love to have your recipe for bread. I have yeast I bought last fall and haven't used it yet and want to make some bread.

Mrs. Mac said...

I'm always in awe of your tropical flowers and shrubs. So green and probably heavenly scented.

It took me a while to let dh take charge of the lawn ;) .. but oh not having to use the mower is nice. I do the trimming which is easier and not done as often.

Nothing beats the aroma of fresh baked bread .. and a bread machine is probably one of the best inventions :)

Have a great week or two and enjoy the rain.

Hugs,

Susan said...

Wow, that is a fabulous looking loaf of bread. There's nothing like warm bread with lots of butter on it.

It feels great to get the garden cleaned up - - doesn't it?

Morning's Minion said...

What a pleasant garden tour. You've made a smallish space so personal and welcoming.
Will send the oatmeal bread recipe to our daughter--she is just now experimenting [and delighted] with the bread machine I bought for her husband's b-day five years ago!

Karen said...

Coming in from a morning of working and smelling freshly baked bread must have been so heavenly! I simply must look into a breadmaker. My mother has made bread all of her life and it brings back such wonderful memories every time that aroma wafts in on the air.

I love your secret garden and the lovely places to sit and forget the rest of the world. Your plants are always so well cared for and lush, if I ever get to Florida, I would love to come for a visit!

L. D. said...

You have created such beautiful garden areas. My wife likes to use her bread machine and it is great to have hot bread and jam.

gld said...

The bread looks delicious. I may try that using traditional method without the machine.

Happy to hear you actually laid down and enjoyed that beautiful space you all have created.

We did that one morning; sat in the breezy shade (still cool at that point) and had our coffee break.

sweetbay said...

What lovely glimpses into your garden. The Firebush, plumbago and roses are beautiful. I really like the color pink color of your Crossvine.

I love the idea of a secret garden.