Good morning everyone. I want to say a big thank you to the folks at Blotanical, for all the picks for our anniversary thread. I was totally surprised and pleased to say the least. I was really surprised to hear from Stuart too as he's on his sabbatical right now, or at least I think he still is.
I've not visited Blotanical as much as I did in the past, and I need to do so again, to be inspired by all the gardeners around the world. I can't keep up with everyone though, not enough hours in the day.
Now that our weather 'should' be cooling down, I look forward to being out in the gardens more. It's been a rough summer, I don't do well in heat and humidity these days.
Anyway, thank you again for the picks and the comments.
Thank you all for your lovely comments on our anniversary yesterday. I enjoyed the meal preparation, and we both enjoyed the results last night.
Someone asked if we were going to eat outside, or by candlelight, and I have to say no we didn't do either. Right now it's too hot and miserable to eat outside. Our romantic setting was, eating in our two chairs in the living room that are separated by a glass topped coffee table, where our glasses sit, along with condiments or whatever we might nibble on. I did set a pale pink table cloth on the kitchen table with a sheer brown lacy overlay and DH told me it looked pretty. (He gave me the sheer piece years ago and I only bring it out for special occasions because it is so fragile). I took pictures of our dinner on the table. :-)
Every thing was delicious, starting with the margaritas, made with Monte Alban Mescal, key lime juice and triple sec. For tidbits we had Kashi 7 grain crackers spread with cream cheese that I had added black pepper, and powdered onion and garlic to, topped with anchovies. We haven't had either the drink or tidbits in awhile so it was a real treat!!
The lamb was delicious and I will be making it again. The recipe for that dish and the Key lime pie will follow. For the carrots, I picked fresh tarragon from my garden. It is one of my favorite herbs, great with chicken, fish, and vegetables.
Pecan-crusted lamb chops with pecans, parsley, rosemary, garlic, bread crumbs, and Dijon or brown mustard. Ingredients:
* 4 to 6 lamb chops, about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds * 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans (pecans from Becca) * 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves * 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves or 1 teaspoon dried (rosemary picked fresh from our gardens) * 2 medium cloves garlic, chopped * 1/4 cup bread crumbs, fine, dry, plain or seasoned * 1/2 teaspoon salt * 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper * 2 to 3 tablespoons Bold 'n Spicy Brown Mustard or a Dijon mustard
Preparation: Trim excess fat from the lamb chops. In a food processor or chopper, combine pecans, parsley, rosemary, garlic, bread crumbs, salt, and pepper. Process until very finely chopped. Transfer to a plate.
Meanwhile, add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a baking pan or roasting pan which will hold the chops in one layer. Set oven to 350° and place pan in oven to preheat.
Rub each chop with mustard then place on pecan mixture, turning to coat all sides. Place in preheated pan in oven and roast for about 20 minutes for medium to medium-rare, turning once about halfway through. Serves 2 to 3.
This simple recipe makes a 9-inch pie and requires no baking.
Ingredients:
9-inch graham cracker pie crust 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 1/3 cup, plus 2 Tablespoons of Key Lime juice 8-ounce package of softened cream cheese
Preparation:
Combine milk, juice, and cream cheese in a mixer for 5 to 6 minutes. Pour mixture into graham cracker piecrust. Refrigerate until firm.
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Nothing would be more tiresome
than eating and drinking
if God had not made them a pleasure
as well as a necessity.
Voltaire
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This morning I went out to clean up some prunings and weeding debris from the other day, plus mowed, and DH trimmed the front hedgerow with electric clippers, while on a ladder. I held the ladder. Now it looks all nice out there and the speed limit sign shows up. It was starting to disappear and I didn't want the county to come along and do a hack job on the hedge by the sign as they have done in the past.
When we were out there we were sweating buckets, it was 87, but with the humidity it felt like 97. We had a longish nap after lunch, both dragged out from our efforts. I know I say this almost on a daily basis, but we are so ready for cooler weather. We have had some nice rain over the past few days and that's been great.
I love to cook and bake, especially on special occasions. Plan for tonight's dinner menu is below: ~ Margaritas Rolled anchovies with capers served on crackers spread with cream cheese.
Gardening with the 3 H's can be a challenge ~ heat, humidity, and hurricane season. Flowers bring me joy and I spend as much time as possible in my tropical/cottage gardens .
When not outside I can be found inside crafting in yarn, thread, beads, ribbon, buttons and laces. I also love to cook and bake.
Thank you for taking the time to visit.
FlowerLady in zone 10 s.e. FL
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All photographs are taken by me and copyrighted. Please do not copy or reproduce without prior permission. Thank you.
It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.
It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.
(author unknown)
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The Continuing Journey
A new blog about this next phase in my life. It will be a learning experience. One of dependence on God to fill the void left in my life by the loss of my DH. It will be my thoughts and times of grief. A place to let it out. Maybe it will be of some help to others.
FlowerLady Lorraine
For Widows
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I found the book 'Undistracted Widow ~ Living for God After Losing Your Husband' by Carol Cornish, online when I was searching for bits and pieces to help me as a new widow. This book is wonderful and just what I needed. It is full of encouragement and scripture.
I highly recommend it for anyone who is a widow, and for those who would like to know how to help widows as they go and grow in this next part of their journey.
It would also be a great help to any woman who is single, as it is all about trusting in Jesus for all things.
Sincerely ~ FlowerLady Lorraine
Sabbath Moments
TERRY HERSHEY is an inspirational speaker, humorist, author, and designer of sanctuary gardens who has been featured on The Hallmark Channel, CNN, PBS, and NPR. Terry holds a mirror up to our fast-forward, disconnected lives, and offers us the “power of pause”—the wisdom of slowing down and the permission to take an intentional Sabbath moment to regain emotional and spiritual balance… to find the sacred in every single day.
