The Beautiful Month of May!

Every week during the month of May there are always new "happenings" going on in our gardens.  A quick walk around our yard or a glance out of our windows bring beautiful sights!

Today, the large cluster of lavendar Chives can be seen from a distance.  A closer look at the Irises brought a great surprise!  The long slender buds are beginning to form.  Soon there will be many more.  The big pink Peonies are beautiful and there are more buds!

In another area the small green Zinnia sprouts have popped up. They were planted from seeds that were harvested from last year's abundant colorful crop.  It's a tradition to save the seeds, plant them the following year and enjoy the gorgeous colors!  Spring is a beautiful time of year!

Enjoy!
Happy Gardening!

Spring in New England!!

Just walking around our home outdoors beautiful colors change when we go around the corner.  The pink Peonies are just bursting with fragrance.  The flowers are heavy, so the stems are staked- ready for any rain that may fall. 

Turning around 180°, the Purple Irises come in view.  The first buds opened this morning!  There are so many more that will add color to our yard this week.

The lavender Chives are going a bit wild!!  The delicate flowers always add color to our back perennial garden.

Glancing to the right- the Variegated Iris!  It has flowered again this year!!

On our deck 3 potted Citronella (Mosquito) Plants are very helpful- all summer.  The Vinca adds a bit of color to the pot. 

Spring is a great and beautiful time of year!! 

Enjoy!

     

Bowties n Cheese

Bowties n Cheese

Someone just might think that I haven't been cooking/ baking lately!  Well, not so.  Lots of good stuff going on here!  Our temps are warmer, so a daily walk is on the agenda.  Daily walks also include chatting it up with neighbors that we haven't seen all winter.  That sounds like a long time. Maybe it's not that long, but extended conversations have not taken place, either.  Spring is here!

This past year I've been working on my family's Genealogy.  It's both fascinating & answering questions that I've always been curious about.  I've learned that it also comes in very handy to be able to read/ write cursive writing.  Some penmanship on records is very legible.  Other times- not so much.  You know how I like History, so I'm determined to learn more!  It's a good time to share one of my family's comfort foods from my childhood.  Now, when I prep it, I use Bowtie (Farfelle) Noodles.   

Any time of year Bowties n Cheese are always enjoyed at dinner.  If a starch such as potatoes or corn are not found in my kitchen/ freezer to prep as part of dinner, this is a very tasty side dish!  The Farfelle Noodles are cooked according to directions on the package.  After draining them, return to the pot.  Add 1 Tablespoon Butter/ Margarine & 8 oz. Cottage Cheese.  Stir.  Warm over a Low Heat for about 2 minutes.  The Cottage Cheese melts a bit & blends with the cooked noodles.    

Bowties n Cheese

Ingredients:
Farfelle (Bowtie) Noodles
1 Tablespoon Butter/ Margarine
8 oz. Cottage Cheese- I use Low Fat with Chives.
Dash of Pepper

Method:

1. Cook desired amount of Farfelle Noodles according to package directions.
2. Drain & return hot noodles to pot.
3. Add 1 Tablespoon Butter/ Margarine & stir.
4. Then, add 8 ounces of Cottage Cheese to pot, stirring.
5. Sprinkle on a Dash of Pepper, stir.
6. Cover.
7. Before serving, heat over a Low Heat for about 1- 2 Minutes, stirring constantly.
8. Stir, serve & enjoy!

This is such a tasty side dish!  Any extra portions can be covered & placed in the fridge.  Add a little more Cottage Cheese & reheat before serving again.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

~Cucumber Salad~

The hard bound red Treasured Polish Recipes For Americans cookbook is located in my large collection of cookbooks.  It's a cherished gift that I received in 1973.  In this red cookbook are many delicious recipes that my fam has enjoyed.  My notes on the Babka include "excellent".  It requires two risings and five egg yolks, so I haven't baked it in a few years.  

 Last week we had purchased two cucumbers at a local roadside stand and they had found a home in the veggie bin in our fridge.  Now in this cookbook is a recipe for Cucumber Salad.  My sons were not fond of this type of salad, so I haven't prepared it in a number of years.  Time marches on...  Guess what delicious salad was prepared one night this past week?  My DH & I enjoyed it!  Thinly sliced fresh cucumber pieces were covered with sour cream (fat free) that contained bits of fresh chives, a little salt and a bit of sugar.  I used less salt & sugar.  Yes, there are specific directions, but it is a tasty crunchy salad!

Cucumber Salad adapted from Treasured Polish Recipes For Americans

Ingredients:
(2) Cucumbers
1/2 Cup Sour Cream (Fat Free)
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Sugar
Ground Black Pepper (a sprinkle)
1 Tablespoon Chives, chopped

Method:

1. Wash & dry cucumbers.
2. Peel cucumbers.
3. Cut into very thin slices.
4. Place very thin cucumber slices in a bowl and cover with boiling water.
5. Let stand 10 minutes.
6. Drain.
7. Plunge cucumber slices into cold water and drain.
8. Place drained cucumbers in fridge for 30 minutes.
9. In a small bowl combine Sour Cream, Salt, Sugar, Ground Pepper & chopped Chives.
10. Before serving combine dressing with cucumber slices.  

This week we will enjoy it again.  Three or four Cherry or Grape Tomatoes will be added on top.  Fresh local tomatoes are also abundant and taste delicious!

Enjoy!
Yummy!