tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75823051409850964542024-03-18T05:47:54.745-04:00Bumble Lush GardenBumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.comBlogger259125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-38684214382862515792014-05-13T09:33:00.000-04:002014-05-13T09:33:07.160-04:00My New Twin Garden HelpersI've been working on a little side project for the last 9 months...Garden time has been dramatically reduced this year for two very important reasons: my new babies!<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKbIg66-PTIpRp4I8WmtOD3W-Z-vtgDmU5SrgW8QqTgjGMvp24Ztl6t-csMEI7iX1TvsU30G_2GpF8j3_ClsSULbkRFaOwoT3ohJ4DArrcuLwrXzMqJDO_kvvjr-CYPPIaHir8HM_ZIW8/s1600/baby+feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKbIg66-PTIpRp4I8WmtOD3W-Z-vtgDmU5SrgW8QqTgjGMvp24Ztl6t-csMEI7iX1TvsU30G_2GpF8j3_ClsSULbkRFaOwoT3ohJ4DArrcuLwrXzMqJDO_kvvjr-CYPPIaHir8HM_ZIW8/s1600/baby+feet.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In April I delivered identical twin boys, Nick and Tyler. They are loud and messy and completely adorable. I haven't done much in the garden this year--no seed planting, no weeding, no trimming back the ivy. I haven't even bought vegetable transplants. However, I did find time last weekend to plant two new rhododendron shrubs. One of these days I might find time to photograph them instead of the boys. In the far-off future I'm looking forward to sharing my gardening hobby with the boys and growing vegetables with them. Until then I'll enjoy looking at everyone else's gardens.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Happy 2014 Gardening!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-24200778455815815422013-10-06T10:50:00.000-04:002013-10-06T10:50:07.145-04:00Summer Vegetable Garden RecapHello blog! It's been a while.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/10117008375/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="early october garden by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="early october garden" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/10117008375_89338ff519.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had a busy summer around here, with short trips, visitors, weddings to attend, and work. The new job is still going well, although I'm currently working without pay because of the government shutdown. I wish I had insight as to when this will end, but we don't know anything. We just hope that we'll get back pay since we've been deemed "essential employees" and are required to work now. Just another reason to appreciate my low-maintenance vegetable garden and the ability to have some fresh veggies without having to buy them at the store! The plan worked like a charm and has been manageable with our limited time at home.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/10117102424/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="early october garden by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="early october garden" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/10117102424_94486e6829.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/10117055716/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="tomatillos by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="tomatillos" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5470/10117055716_ce605a721e.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My container garden this year consisted of tomatoes, peppers, and four tomatillo plants. We had a relatively mild summer in the DC area--plenty of rain and not too many scorching hot days. It seemed like ideal conditions for the veggies. Bugs didn't seem to be as big of a problem this year as in previous years. We didn't grow cucumbers or any summer squash, so cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and squash vine borers weren't an issue. We had aphids and spider mites, but were able to control them somewhat by spraying the underside of the leaves with the hose on the high-pressure setting. We still have spider mites on some tomato plants, but it hasn't been enough to affect the yield too much.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/9895552683/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="first 2013 tomatoes by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="first 2013 tomatoes" height="375" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/9895552683_aa8b89c32f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/9895418365/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="harvest 9-8 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="harvest 9-8" height="375" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3674/9895418365_7b77066f06.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I haven't been great at keeping track of how many pounds of tomatoes we have harvested, but I haven't bought tomatoes in about 6 weeks. This past week has brought back summer-like temperatures in October, and I think the plants are enjoying the surprise weather. The tomatillos have just starting ripening in the past week or so. You can tell they're ripe when the husk starts drying out and clings to the fruit. I'm looking forward to all the green salsa I'll be making once I harvest enough of them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/10104234373/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="yellow peppers 10-4 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="yellow peppers 10-4" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/10104234373_35b2ba4e19.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We just pulled these beautiful yellow bell peppers yesterday.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/10117008715/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="jalapenos by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="jalapenos" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2872/10117008715_b168e6c585.jpg" width="500" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/9895552473/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="jalapenos by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="jalapenos" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2860/9895552473_53124ea839.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We've harvested more jalapenos, serranos, and habaneros than we can eat, so we've given some away. All of the hot peppers have had a lot of heat, more than in other years. I wonder if the milder temperatures and plenty of rain helped?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/9895458504/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="pepper harvest july 2013 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="pepper harvest july 2013" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/9895458504_dc71d1868d.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our bell pepper harvest has been amazing. We're growing red, yellow, and orange bell peppers (all are green before they turn ripe) and use them in everything from soups to sauces to soffritos. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/9895418985/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="big pepper by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="big pepper" height="375" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/9895418985_32a2800fa9.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/10117121993/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="big red bell pepper 10-6-13 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="big red bell pepper 10-6-13" height="375" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3764/10117121993_521f4ee808.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And the sizes have been great, too. Several of them have been big enough to fit and my hand and perfect for stuffing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/10104212006/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="bowl of peppers by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="bowl of peppers" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/10104212006_5df7df73a9.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We harvested this bowl of bell peppers mid-September and it yielded four pounds! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>I hope you and your garden had a wonderful summer. How's your fall garden looking?</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-5176644219762549642013-07-28T15:29:00.000-04:002013-07-28T15:29:00.145-04:00The Low Maintenance Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/9220764573/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="deck garden 7-4 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="deck garden 7-4" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/9220764573_3876f3a4ca.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
I wasn't able to start many seeds this year for my edible garden, so we bought a few transplants instead. This year's low maintenance garden consists of only 15 plants, about half the number I usually have.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/9220764413/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="tomatoes by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="tomatoes" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2870/9220764413_2a3f46fccb.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/9377162447/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="super fantastic 7-27 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="super fantastic 7-27" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/9377162447_2aa33af12c.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
Instead of planting squash, cucumber, beans, and other vegetables, I decided to keep it simple and focus on just two items for my kitchen garden this summer: tomatoes and peppers.<br />
We bought both sweet and hot peppers, including a jalapeno plant because we have to have some hot peppers in the garden. So far the plants and pests have been manageable. There are even a few blushing Super Fantastic tomatoes right now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/9220764263/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="tomatillos 7-4 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="tomatillos 7-4" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3797/9220764263_235ca58b52.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
I did start a few seeds, including two habaneros and two tomatillo plants, which are also doing really well. Between the tomatoes, tomatillos, jalapenos, and habaneros, I expect to have a nice salsa garden this year. If only I could grow cilantro...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/9220764031/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="potato patch 7-4-13 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="potato patch 7-4-13" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5465/9220764031_17d96390c0.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
And here's a nice surprise--two potato plants from <a href="http://bumblelush.blogspot.com/2012/07/starting-over.html" target="_blank">my failed crop last year</a> made an appearance. Last year potato beetles decimated the potatoes I had started from seed. I was going to turn this into an onion patch, and these two potato plants surprised me by sprouting this spring. I've left them alone just to see what happens. Wouldn't it be nice to get some potatoes this year?<br />
<br />
How is your summer edible garden doing?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-58616696402886736122013-06-15T08:45:00.000-04:002013-06-15T08:45:49.019-04:00June Blooms<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/9044355103/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="hydrangea 6 11 13 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="hydrangea 6 11 13" height="375" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/9044355103_4fb0cb8974.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
While I wait for my vegetable garden to get going, I'm enjoying a few floral blooms...<br />
<br />
This is the best my Endless Summer hydrangeas have ever looked. The plant is healthy and I love how the petal colors go from pink to purple to blue. And I think I finally figured out the secret to getting them to look this good--I left them alone! We've gotten so much rain that I haven't bothered to water or obsess about them, and I think they are thriving now that I'm not loving them too much.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8926807310/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="snapdragons by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="snapdragons" height="467" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/8926807310_f9ce7b3c6c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
My snapdragons have snapped back too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8926807552/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="yellow snap dragons by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="yellow snap dragons" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/8926807552_4d04807e25.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
And here's a nice surprise: the yellow snapdragons reappeared this year! I didn't see them last year and thought that plant had just died. It's so nice to see this bit of yellow in my flower garden that seems to consist of a lot of pink right now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8751460522/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="rhododendron by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="rhododendron" height="300" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/8751460522_6094b04db4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The blooms are gone now, but in mid/late May the rhododendron was blooming. This variety is called Besse Howell and she's mighty cute. Besse was accompanied by a few pale pink Gerbera daisy blooms.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8750336201/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="japonica by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="japonica" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/8750336201_cc694018de.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
Lastly there's the Red Mill Andromeda (<i>Pieris japonica 'Red Mill'</i>). The white blooms are gone now, but what I really like about this beautiful shrub is that its new leaf growth is red. It's a nice addition to my garden.<br />
<br />
I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/" target="_blank">May Dreams Garden's</a> Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. Check out the blog to see what other gardeners have blooming in their gardens this month.<br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-36131827820809228232013-06-02T04:00:00.000-04:002013-06-02T14:06:22.073-04:00June Berries<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8926807838/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="strawberries by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="strawberries" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/8926807838_db688185c8.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First harvest of 2013!</div>
<br />
The last few weeks have been so busy, but in a mostly good way. My new job is going well. I like what I'm doing and I like the people I work with. It's amazing how much better my attitude is in the morning now that I'm going to a job I like. I'm not a work-aholic or someone who can't separate her work life from her personal life, but when you spend 40+ hours a week on something you don't like, it can be difficult to leave those negative feelings of frustration at the office. I have found that my mental state has been more tranquil and positive now that I like both what I do and who I see at the office.<br />
<br />
On to the garden--I was finally able to spend some time in the garden on Sunday. We've had a cool spring, which was a nice change from last year when we went straight from winter to summer. The days are long and hot now, but I think the gradual change in temperature helped my strawberry patch. Finally, after a few years, the plans are producing berries of a decent size and not just tiny one-biters. I'm glad I was able to pick these sweet little strawberries before the garden critters got to them.<br />
<br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-33824579208240145182013-05-08T16:00:00.000-04:002013-05-08T16:00:06.028-04:00Spring, the Season of Change!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8719343779/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="mosaic of Spring by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="mosaic of Spring" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/8719343779_ec83ddd186.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lots of change in the air….</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got a new job! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I start next week. I’ll be going
from a slow-paced/academic/think-tank environment to a faster-paced organization where
I’ll be more involved with public policy, and hopefully get back to doing more international work, which is something I have missed. I’m very excited for the change in pace and
the chance to do something new. My schedule is going to change quite a bit,
though. Right now I can set my own hours and usually work from ~7:30 – 4. At
the new place the hours are set at 9-6, which will leave me plenty of time for
going to the gym in the morning. The downside is that I’ll have no excuse not
to go to the gym in the morning. :( </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Posting may be sporadic as I adjust to the new schedule. This is part of the reason I've been wanting a "low maintenance" garden this year. Work on that is still underway. Wherever you are, I hope you're enjoying the changes of Spring!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-23701877177513096392013-04-22T06:00:00.000-04:002013-04-22T06:00:15.980-04:00Earth Day 2013<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8668322875/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="tulips 4-21-13 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="tulips 4-21-13" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8399/8668322875_d097f3db53.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Last week was a difficult week. As someone on Twitter pointed out, you know it's been a crazy week when the story about an Elvis-impersonator sending a ricin-laced letter to the President is not the top news story in the U.S. Here's to hoping that this week is more peaceful than last week, not just in this country but all over the planet.<br />
<br />
For Earth Day, I like something that <a href="http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/04/20/sustainably-delicious-clean-green-eats-for-earth-day/" target="_blank">CNN's Eatocracy blog</a> posted last year: Try to grow something that you can eat, or join a CSA, or support your local farmers' market. Do one thing to keep your resources in your community. I think it's a nice way to focus on our environment, and to remember that old slogan-- "Think globally, act locally."<br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-62438415452662397852013-04-19T06:00:00.000-04:002013-04-19T06:00:08.283-04:00Seed Sowing: Onions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8461296397/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Seed starting onions by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Seed starting onions" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8515/8461296397_0859bf5efa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The only seed sowing I've begun so far is my onion seeds. I started these back in February:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8462394612/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Seed starting onions by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Seed starting onions" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8462394612_3becc3e015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Bronze D'Amposta red onions (ordered from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds)</li>
<li>Sweet Spanish (Ferry Morse, purchased at local garden center)</li>
<li>Red Burgundy (Ferry Morse, purchased at local garden center)</li>
<li>Hybrid Granex Yellow (Ferry Morse, purchased at local garden center)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8584837375/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Onion seedlings by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Onion seedlings" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8513/8584837375_776c202bc0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I planted 5 of each seed. I got a good germination rate from the Baker Creek seeds-- 3 out of 5 germinated. I'm <b>most excited</b> to try these onions. They're described as "sweet...A great variety for fresh eating, as it is not too hot tasting." I think that means I won't repel my husband when I move in for a kiss.<br />
<br />
<u>Germination rates</u>:<br />
1 Sweet Spanish onion germinated, 3 out 5 Red Burgundy onions germinated, and only 1 of that wacky hybrid one germinated, but it promptly shriveled and died. Hybrids!<br />
<br />
I think red onions are so pretty and I hope that my red onions seedlings pull through.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8628577986/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="onion patch afterwards by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="onion patch afterwards" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8628577986_58eb69c4fe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I mentioned weeding out my onion patch in my<a href="http://bumblelush.blogspot.com/2013/04/great-gardening-weekend.html" target="_blank"> last post</a>. I planted this onion patch in Fall 2011, and last summer harvested about 2 pounds of onions. I left the others in the ground (show in picture above) and they survived the winter. It smelled really good when I was weeding last weekend!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/7819028338/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="onion harvest 8-18 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="onion harvest 8-18" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/7819028338_b3ac8c3c9d.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
{{Here's what <a href="http://bumblelush.blogspot.com/2012/08/whats-happening-in-garden.html" target="_blank">I harvested last summer </a>from the onion patch.}}<br />
<br />
Sadly, I cannot remember what variety they are!! That really bugs me because I'd love to grow more of them. They are mild and slightly sweet, and the flavor is very concentrated. A little bit goes a long way when I'm cooking and they're OK when eaten raw.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8625230887/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="garlic 4-6-13 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="garlic 4-6-13" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8536/8625230887_ece20ba222.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I also have a small garlic patch, which happened by accident. I call this variety Farmers' Market garlic because I bought a head of garlic at the farmers' market last fall, put in it in the ceramic garlic house when I got home, and forgot all about it. A couple of weeks later I went to use it, and the cloves had sprouted little stems. So I broke them apart and planted them in my raised bed out back. <br />
<br />
<b><i>Are you growing onions or garlic?</i></b><br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-38441064575362897872013-04-12T09:17:00.003-04:002013-04-12T11:42:28.781-04:00National Grilled Cheese Day!<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/247416573248170372/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/77/a6/92/77a69234912a8e7e8950c891c38e246b.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://thecookmobile.com/all-grown-up-grilled-cheese-sandwich-with-basil-leaves-and-stramato/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">thecookmobile.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/bumblelush/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Angela</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
Today is National Grilled Cheese Day. I don't know who decides these fake holidays, but my favorite sandwich is a grilled cheese, so I'm going with it.<br />
<br />
It is pouring down rain this morning and a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup, of course, sounds very appealing. If you're into grilled cheese, here are some links you might like:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/11/san-francisco-grilled-cheese_n_3065231.html#slide=2328089" target="_blank">The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches in San Francisco</a> - includes one made with Brussels sprouts. I might actually eat Brussels sprouts if piled into a cheese sandwich.</li>
<li><a href="http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/01/09/best-wines-for-grilled-cheese/" target="_blank">Best wines for grilled cheese</a></li>
<li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/search/default.aspx?qt=k&wt=grilled%20cheese&rt=r&origin=Home%20Page" target="_blank">Allrecipe's </a>different recipes for making grilled cheese sandwiches</li>
<li>Yahoo's<a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/photos/12-essential-grilled-sandwiches-eat-slideshow/" target="_blank"> 12 Grilled Cheeses to Eat Before You Die</a> (so dramatic!)</li>
</ul>
As a kid I only wanted plain American cheese melted onto white bread, but as an adult I've been getting into interesting combinations, like these:<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/107030928616956272/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/550x/89/b2/53/89b2535eb344ef7bc45f14ad5d489ff4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://www.foodiecrush.com/2013/04/spinach-and-artichoke-grilled-cheese-and-grilled-cheese-academy-contest/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">foodiecrush.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/heartsong111/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kelly Ann</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<b>Spinach-artichoke grilled cheese</b><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/468655904943056124/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/66/28/b3/6628b358ecdc73529ddc4ee037b36c1a.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://bsinthekitchen.com/?p=2057" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">bsinthekitchen.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/colorlessluv/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">s</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<b>Jalapeno popper grilled cheese</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/468655904943056020/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/550x/e6/6f/38/e66f38a36e5169bf40cc216ae0b52ff7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://www.recipe.com/farmers-market-grilled-cheese/?sssdmh=dm17.607972&esrc=nwdr071912&email=4313187424" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">recipe.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/colorlessluv/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">s</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<b>Farmers' market grilled cheese </b>(<a href="http://www.recipe.com/farmers-market-grilled-cheese/?sssdmh=dm17.607972&esrc=nwdr071912&email=4313187424" target="_blank">recipe </a>calls for zucchini, spinach, tomato, and mayonnaise!! I would pass on the mayo, but otherwise it looks really good!)<br />
<br />
You can click on the picture and/or source link under each picture to go to the recipe. <br />
<br />
I think I'm going to have one like in the first picture--with melted mozzarella, tomato, and basil. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Do you like grilled cheese sandwiches? How do you make them? </b>Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-86338256193669562182013-04-07T18:38:00.000-04:002013-04-10T10:07:38.771-04:00Great Gardening WeekendWe had a beautiful sunny weekend in DC. I'm sure everyone who was in town for the Cherry Blossom Festival appreciated it too. Just to remind myself of how time passes, exactly one month ago, on March 6, it snowed!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8535853405/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="The Snowstorm that Wasn't by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="The Snowstorm that Wasn't" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8535853405_84ab78b86a.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
On this sunny weekend I had the windows open in my house each day. It felt so good to have fresh air circulating through the house. The rest of my April weekends will be busy with out of town travel, a crawfish boil, birthday parties, and a going-away party, so I took advantage of the nice weather to get some yard work done on my free weekend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8627911812/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="seed starting 4:6 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="seed starting 4:6" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8627911812_01ea5b1e8c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
First, I started some sunflower seeds. (I am so woefully behind on seed starting in general. I only have some onion seedlings sprouting from seeds I started a couple of months ago). I'm determined not to let the squirrels dig up my sunflower seedlings this year. We'll see who wins that war. I'm growing <a href="http://bumblelush.blogspot.com/search/label/teddy%20bear%20sunflower" target="_blank">Teddy Bear sunflower</a>s, <a href="http://bumblelush.blogspot.com/2010/07/sunflowers-progress.html" target="_blank">Mammoth sunflowers</a>, and <a href="http://bumblelush.blogspot.com/2010/07/chianti-sunflowers-in-bloom.html" target="_blank">Chianti sunflowers</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8626803057/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="tulips 4:7 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="tulips 4:7" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8626803057_6d4d94c97e.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
These are my Queen of the Night tulips. They're growing more every day and I can't wait to see those lovely dark purple blooms. I planted some peach colored alyssum seeds in the spaces between the tulips. I think the color combo of peach and dark purple will look nice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8625270055/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="onion patch before by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="onion patch before" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8253/8625270055_48d400b452.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My big garden task was weed work. Look at how these weeds have almost taken over my onion patch. Now imagine all of that on a 10x10 space. That's about the size of my backyard and it's all full of weeds. It's going to take a while to weed everything.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8627485503/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="onion patch afterwards by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="onion patch afterwards" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8245/8627485503_96d7b00a9b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But for now I managed to liberate my onion patch. This was a lesson learned for me. I will mulch better and/or plant some cover crops next fall to prevent this from happening again.</div>
<br />
I also squeezed some shopping in this weekend. I treated myself to<a href="http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=94275&vid=1&pid=326955032" target="_blank"> these</a> cute pink shorts. I don't think I've ever owned pink shorts in my life. I must have spring fever. I can't wait for the weather to warm up enough to wear them.<br />
<br />
<i>Did you get any garden work done this weekend?</i>Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-70495545172191074282013-04-01T09:54:00.000-04:002013-04-01T09:54:02.113-04:00How to Oven-Dry Tomatoes<b>A couple of people asked about how I oven-dried my tomatoes last summer. I'm re-posting my method below. Thanks for asking!</b><br />
<a href="http://bumblelush.blogspot.com/2012/09/ssfc-food-preservation.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(originally posted September 2012)</span></a><br />
<br />
*************************************************<br />
I have never canned anything before, and I don't think I grow enough food to go through the trouble of canning. I like the idea of preserving fresh food for the winter, and we do freeze a lot of food. I have local squash, spinach, and broccoli in the freezer that I haven't got around to using yet. <b>Peppers</b> freeze very easily--we clean them, core and remove the seeds, and then slice or chop them up, put them in a container, and leave them in the freezer. When I'm ready to use my peppers, I often just run them under water to soften them up and then they're ready to chop and add to your dish. <br />
I had several ripe tomatoes on hand and decided to try oven roasting them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/7997910698/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="tomatoes for roasting by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="tomatoes for roasting" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7997910698_23885a04e5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
These are so many recipes online with varying times and oven temperatures, and after sorting through all of them, I decided to follow <a href="http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2012/05/oven-roasted-tomatoes-tomato-recipe/" target="_blank">this one</a> by David Lebovitz. The length of time is hard to gauge because it depends on the size and moisture level of tomatoes. I've read that Roma tomatoes are best because they have a lower water content than others. Unfortunately my pile of tomatoes was of different varieties and sizes, so I loosely followed his recipe, but mainly decided to wing it.<br />
<br />
I had one beefsteak tomato, a few Romas, a handful of cherries, and some Pink Brandywine heirlooms from my garden. I waited until we had a cloudy, somewhat cool day so that running the oven for 3 hours wouldn't stifle us to death in the summer heat. Here's what I did:<br />
<br />
<u>Oven-Dried Tomatoes</u><br />
- Preheat oven to 325°F<br />
- Cut the tomatoes in half horizontally, remove the stems, and remove the seeds. I patted dry some of the juicier tomatoes with a paper towel to remove some excess moisture. <br />
- In an 8x8 pyrex baking dish, add about 3 tbsp olive oil, one clove of garlic, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tbsp dried basil (from my garden!), and salt and pepper.*<br />
- Toss tomatoes around in dish so that all sides are coated.<br />
- Place tomatoes cut side down in the dish.<br />
- Bake for 2 1/2 hours or until tomato skin is wrinkly. (Some of my smaller tomatoes were ready after 2 hours).<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Feel free to add your own combination of herbs and seasonings here. I think next time I'm going to use rosemary and thyme, or maybe do one dish with oregano only.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/7997911000/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="oven roasted tomatoes final by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="oven roasted tomatoes final" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8180/7997911000_c19cd0c710.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Here's the finished product. They don't look very pretty, but let me tell you, they smelled <b>fantastic</b>! The whole house smelled like olive oil, oregano, and basil, like a pizzeria! I almost hyperventilated from inhaling all that yumminess. I let them cool a little and then put them in a freezer bag. I think they'll be great in soups and sauces later this Fall.<br />
<br /><br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-72724899466014131262013-03-30T07:33:00.000-04:002013-03-30T07:33:01.176-04:00SSFC: Super Spinach Salad!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.google.com/reader/bundle/user/12177180778059513158/bundle/Summer%20SOLE%20Challenge" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O5mG5jFfsAmE8VlXOadna1TeqYCwItp1crwdLVCAdBcP32nhWq3xrhQaZqmfzR5qw3-8HmF4lFiMM0I84AgxBBbnIx4LsSQZ2CEcIJ7RnmGGKMCtnzLcdb92eMdqfxSv8qMRldLKYh0M/s200/ssfc_badge_300px.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
For my last SOLE Food Challenge I made a super spinach salad. All winter long I'd seen various spinach salad recipes on the internet touting the health benefits of spinach and eggs and other ingredients that go into this "super salad." I kept mine really simple with local ingredients, forgoing a bacon vinaigrette (as so many of the recipes have) because I didn't have any local bacon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8485494689/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Super Spinach Salad ingredients by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Super Spinach Salad ingredients" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/8485494689_3fb8d95233.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
My ingredients of Spinach, Potatoes, and Onions were all bought at the Dupont Circle farmers' market. The eggs came from a family farm in Maryland and are being sold at my local Whole Foods. I steamed the spinach (which had been frozen and stored in my freezer), hard-boiled an egg, and sauteed the potatoes and onions with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. The result was a light, healthy, and delicious meal, perfect for me when I was feeding only myself one afternoon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8486585496/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Super Spinach Salad by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Super Spinach Salad" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8085/8486585496_3f465891b5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Now that spring is here, more farmers' markets are re-opening for the season and I can't wait to start enjoying seasonal foods like asparagus, broccoli, and more spinach, and eventually strawberries, green beans, tomatoes, summer squash, blueberries, and watermelon!! I've literally been dreaming of watermelon. Can't wait for summer! I'm also looking forward to working on my own garden, and I hope to find time to get some seeds started soon.<br />
<br />
I had fun participating in the winter version of this challenge to eat local and seasonal foods. It'll be so much easier to eat that way now that spring and summer are on their way! To see what other participants are eating, click on the SSFC badge above.<br />
Happy Easter!! <br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-74861607443433671242013-03-24T01:55:00.000-04:002013-03-24T01:55:00.838-04:00SSFC: The Loaf Post<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8395938178/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Local ingredients: meatloaf and bubble and squeak by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Local ingredients: meatloaf and bubble and squeak" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8075/8395938178_a1c692fff3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This local food challenge post got lost in draft format back in January. I want to share my two favorite kinds of loafs (loaves??): meat and lemon. Meat loaf is the ultimate comfort food to me, and on a cold winter night, if I can't have a big bowl of soup, then I want meatloaf and mashed potatoes. We eat red meat maybe once a week, and I'm happy to have found Smith Family Farms in VA as my source of local beef. We've tried different cuts and have been pleased with the flavor of all of them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8395937888/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Local ingredients: Bubble and Squeak cooking by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Local ingredients: Bubble and Squeak cooking" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/8395937888_eaefc604da.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Instead of mashed potatoes, I had this meat loaf dish with bubble and squeak (<a href="http://www.bumblelush.blogspot.com/2013/01/ssfc-bubble-and-squeak.html" target="_blank">my version of it</a>) made with potatoes (farmers' market), Swiss chard (farmers' market), bell peppers and onions (my garden, frozen). Click <a href="http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/sidedishes/bubble-and-squeak-with-seasonal-ingredients/" target="_blank">here</a> for my recipe with seasonal ingredients.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8327934050/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Lemon blueberry loaf glazed by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Lemon blueberry loaf glazed" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8362/8327934050_b01a54e981.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
My other favorite loaf is lemon loaf. I am addicted to Starbucks lemon bread but I have to restrict myself on how many times a week I get it because it's very sweet (and expensive) but oh so good! When Meyer lemons were in season back in January I made a lemon loaf. It wasn't quite as sweet as the Starbucks kind, but it was pretty damn good! Especially with a hot cup of coffee.<br />
<br />
I have one more week left of the SSFC now that winter is over. To see what others are eating this week, click on the badge.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.google.com/reader/bundle/user/12177180778059513158/bundle/Summer%20SOLE%20Challenge" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O5mG5jFfsAmE8VlXOadna1TeqYCwItp1crwdLVCAdBcP32nhWq3xrhQaZqmfzR5qw3-8HmF4lFiMM0I84AgxBBbnIx4LsSQZ2CEcIJ7RnmGGKMCtnzLcdb92eMdqfxSv8qMRldLKYh0M/s200/ssfc_badge_300px.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-82940814042973278312013-03-21T08:50:00.000-04:002013-04-09T10:58:02.599-04:00Spring Has Arrived!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8155117485/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="tulip planting by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="tulip planting" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7248/8155117485_1e492c5c59.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Spring is here! Although you wouldn't know it from the near-freezing
temperatures and snow flurries I saw this morning. There are several
signs of spring around my garden, though. I've seen a lot more bird and
squirrel activity, and my tulips have sprouted! I planted these Queen of
the Night tulips back in November, and on March 10 saw the first signs
of them sprouting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8548681908/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="tulips 3-10-13 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="tulips 3-10-13" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8548681908_b629a2685f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8576477655/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="tulips 3/19/13 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="tulips 3/19/13" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8576477655_600ea89f72.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I took this last picture two days ago, and you can see the tulip leaves starting to unfurl. I can't wait to see these pretty dark purple flowers in my garden. I planted Queen of the Nights a few years ago with some red tulips, but this year I may add a different type of flower to fill in the gaps, maybe in yellow or cream. I haven't had much time lately to write about my garden plans, I've been busy with work and am probably going to start a new job soon which may mean longer work days for me. I'm aiming for a low-maintenance garden this year, and I also want more flowers in my garden. I think more flowers may attract more pollinators, which could then help the veggie plants. <br />
<br />
Has Spring arrived yet where you are? <br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-36794634400031720782013-03-17T13:56:00.000-04:002013-03-17T13:56:00.059-04:00SSFC: Spinach Carrot Risotto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8536957432/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Risotto with spinach and carrots by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Risotto with spinach and carrots" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8518/8536957432_f788c952c7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I whipped up this risotto using colors from the Irish flag. The spinach, carrots, and onions came from the farmers' market at Dupont Circle. It's a bit of a trek for me to get there on Sundays, and I can't wait for the market near work to open for the season, which should happen this Thursday. It'll be so convenient to shop after work. (Both are part of the <a href="http://www.freshfarmmarkets.org/about_us.php" target="_blank">Fresh Farm Markets </a>network in the DC metro area). The first day of Spring is this week too. Lots to look forward to!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.google.com/reader/bundle/user/12177180778059513158/bundle/Summer%20SOLE%20Challenge" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O5mG5jFfsAmE8VlXOadna1TeqYCwItp1crwdLVCAdBcP32nhWq3xrhQaZqmfzR5qw3-8HmF4lFiMM0I84AgxBBbnIx4LsSQZ2CEcIJ7RnmGGKMCtnzLcdb92eMdqfxSv8qMRldLKYh0M/s200/ssfc_badge_300px.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Click on the icon to see what other SSFC participants are eating this week.<br />
<br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-84508617821760498082013-03-12T07:53:00.000-04:002013-03-12T07:53:36.689-04:00SSFC: Cleaning Out the Freezer<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8464332603/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Chickpeas with crushed tomatoes and spinach by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Chickpeas with crushed tomatoes and spinach" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/8464332603_873859723c.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
As we're getting closer to spring, the SSFC challenge is close to wrapping up too. I've been working on cleaning out the freezer of food we have stored over the winter. We've been working our way through broccoli, spinach, peppers, and meat. We recently grilled up some salmon and I was trying to think of a good side dish that wasn't fish or rice. I settled on a side of chickpeas with crushed tomatoes and spinach.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/7997911000/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="oven roasted tomatoes final by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="oven roasted tomatoes final" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8180/7997911000_c19cd0c710.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I wanted to use the tomatoes that I dried in the oven last fall. I've been trying to incorporate them into different meals. I think that might be another reason why it feels like spring is almost on its way--I'm eating warm weather food.<br />
This side dish did include some locally sourced ingredients:<br />
<ul>
<li>tomatoes and bell pepper (my garden/frozen)</li>
<li>onions and spinach (farmers' market) </li>
</ul>
<br />
I got a new phone recently and was playing with the camera on my new phone, which is almost better than my little point-and-shoot camera. These are the peppers, onions, and oven-dried tomatoes sauteing:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8465428792/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="sauteeing the tomatoes, peppers, onions by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="sauteeing the tomatoes, peppers, onions" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8227/8465428792_bca66763e3.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is the setting that only picks up red and yellow colors:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8465425848/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="focus on the tomato by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="focus on the tomato" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8529/8465425848_ba8c2b108c.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
To see what other SSFC participants are having this week, click on the icon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.google.com/reader/bundle/user/12177180778059513158/bundle/Summer%20SOLE%20Challenge" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O5mG5jFfsAmE8VlXOadna1TeqYCwItp1crwdLVCAdBcP32nhWq3xrhQaZqmfzR5qw3-8HmF4lFiMM0I84AgxBBbnIx4LsSQZ2CEcIJ7RnmGGKMCtnzLcdb92eMdqfxSv8qMRldLKYh0M/s200/ssfc_badge_300px.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-45037429850686230842013-03-07T11:45:00.003-05:002013-03-07T18:36:30.356-05:00The Snow Storm That Wasn't<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8535853405/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="The Snowstorm that Wasn't by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="The Snowstorm that Wasn't" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8535853405_84ab78b86a.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
A late winter snow storm was supposed to hit the DC area yesterday. The news people predicted 5-8 inches of snow--possibly even a foot! Salt trucks and snow plows were idling on the side street, waiting to spring into action. And then...nothing really happened. I live just outside DC and we barely got a few inches of snow, it was a rainy slushy mix. This is the peak of the rain/snow fall at around 10:30 a.m. By evening most of it had melted away. But a friend of mine who lives about an hour's drive away in Virginia said they got 7-8 inches of snow, the good snowman-building kind. Funny how a few miles made such a difference.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8537196213/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="snow day 2 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="snow day 2" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8537196213_f0d250ccbf.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Did you get much snow from the storm? I hope you're warm and didn't lose power!<br />
<br />
Also, did you notice that they were calling this Winter Storm Saturn? When did they start naming the storms?<br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-82235352108507859322013-03-03T10:43:00.000-05:002013-03-03T10:43:17.845-05:00SSFC: Breakfast<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/7184821648/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="pick your own strawberries by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="pick your own strawberries" height="300" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7230/7184821648_8dfc067892.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/7766106180/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="maine blueberries by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="maine blueberries" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7766106180_26c7393294.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
{<i>Fresh berries from last spring/summer</i>}</div>
<br />
How is it March already? 2013 has been busy with work commitments and personal commitments, and I haven't yet started planning my garden. The temperatures are still cold in the DC area, but there have been some really pleasant warmish days, and days are getting longer. Spring is coming. I need to get in gear!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8420775280/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Breakfast by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Breakfast" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8466/8420775280_442f013227.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We've been cleaning out the freezer and that has made it easy to incorporate local and/or seasonal food into our meals. For this purpose breakfast is the EASIEST. It's very easy to find locally sourced eggs, and we've been using the strawberries and blueberries that we got in season last spring to make pancakes and smoothies. We recently made blueberry pancakes with blueberries we got last August from a trip to Maine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8420776364/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Breakfast by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Breakfast" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8226/8420776364_9d13cabc36.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
And while this is not a local ingredient, I had to show off my frothy latte. Love our new espresso machine!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8486656622/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8486656622_413bf61b7e.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Smoothies are another easy way to use up the berries. I've been eating a lot of oranges this winter, and I haven't had fresh berries since last summer. It has been a treat to eat strawberries and blueberries. It's really getting me in the mood for spring. I make mine with one or two bananas, a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt for a little thickness, and about a cup each of strawberries and blueberries that have been stored in my freezer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8485494495/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8485494495_8f5fe5e554.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8486585678/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8486585678_9d22b1cf12.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Click <a href="http://www.google.com/reader/bundle/user/12177180778059513158/bundle/Summer%20SOLE%20Challenge" target="_blank">here</a> to see what seasonal and locally-sourced meals other SSFC participants are eating this week.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-30547069981010788462013-02-18T17:44:00.000-05:002013-02-18T17:44:00.968-05:00A Valentine's Vegan Apple Cake<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8483399838/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="vegan apple pecan cake by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="vegan apple pecan cake" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8507/8483399838_b32c3c17fc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Our SSFC theme last week was to make a sweet treat for Valentine's Day. One of my goals since last new year's has been to improve my baking skills, and I've been experimenting with vegan recipes. I am not vegan but I frequently use non-dairy butters and almond milk to give my body a break from dairy. It seems to help with my allergies. I'm also intrigued at the thought of making tasty desserts without butter or cream. We have a relative who is allergic to eggs and dairy, and he's usually left out when everyone else is enjoying dessert, so I want to make desserts that he can enjoy too. Actually, he has recently been tested again, and his egg allergy is gone, but he still has the dairy allergy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.google.com/reader/bundle/user/12177180778059513158/bundle/Summer%20SOLE%20Challenge" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O5mG5jFfsAmE8VlXOadna1TeqYCwItp1crwdLVCAdBcP32nhWq3xrhQaZqmfzR5qw3-8HmF4lFiMM0I84AgxBBbnIx4LsSQZ2CEcIJ7RnmGGKMCtnzLcdb92eMdqfxSv8qMRldLKYh0M/s200/ssfc_badge_300px.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
I got this recipe for an iced vegan apple pecan cake from <a href="http://thekindlife.com/" target="_blank">The Kind Diet</a>, Alicia Silverstone's book about vegan eating. The recipe actually calls for walnuts, but I bought pecans by mistake. Here are the ingredients:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8482308823/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="apple cake ingredients by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="apple cake ingredients" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8392/8482308823_7eccea96fe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Flour, sugar, canola oil, salt, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, vanilla, pecans, and apples. The<b> apples</b> were my only<b> locally sourced</b> ingredient. They came from West Virginia and I bought them at the farmers' market.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8483400574/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="diced apples for the cake by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="diced apples for the cake" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8483400574_9936b5e20d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The cake turned out great! It's like a very soft apple-cinnamon french toast. The oil kept everything moist and I didn't miss the butter at all. These apples are very sweet, so I used 1/4 cup less sugar than the recipe called for, but next time I'll probably use 1/2 cup less because the cake turned out really, really sweet. And can I tell you how divine the house smelled?? There is nothing like the smell of apples and cinnamon baking.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8483511000/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8483511000_77d51c5329.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I've been eating squares just as they are, but I was thinking about cutting off a huge block and putting in a bowl with almond milk. I think that would be really good for breakfast.<br />
<br />
Although I made this cake for my sweetheart, this is probably something I would make next time we head out to my father-in-law's.<br />
Click on the SSFC badge to see what other challenge participants are making this week. I thought my blog friend <a href="http://emilysincerely.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/ssfc-sweet-potato-soup-with-kale-and-popcorn/" target="_blank">Emily's</a> idea to make sweet potato and kale soup was a clever way to do the assignment. I hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day!<br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-86744434376904087012013-02-11T08:46:00.000-05:002013-02-11T08:57:31.569-05:00SSFC: Baked Turkey with Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8420776766/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Baked Turkey with Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Baked Turkey with Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8085/8420776766_cdcc1dc2fa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Hello friends! I don't mean to keep taking breaks from the inter-webs, but stuff just keeps happening to get in the way of my play time. Nothing serious, just the usual, busy life stuff. I can't believe we're almost at mid-February! I realized this morning that I'm about 6 weeks overdue for a haircut. I have a shaggy mess on my head and have been wearing my hair in a pony-tail since Christmas. :( <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O5mG5jFfsAmE8VlXOadna1TeqYCwItp1crwdLVCAdBcP32nhWq3xrhQaZqmfzR5qw3-8HmF4lFiMM0I84AgxBBbnIx4LsSQZ2CEcIJ7RnmGGKMCtnzLcdb92eMdqfxSv8qMRldLKYh0M/s1600/ssfc_badge_300px.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O5mG5jFfsAmE8VlXOadna1TeqYCwItp1crwdLVCAdBcP32nhWq3xrhQaZqmfzR5qw3-8HmF4lFiMM0I84AgxBBbnIx4LsSQZ2CEcIJ7RnmGGKMCtnzLcdb92eMdqfxSv8qMRldLKYh0M/s200/ssfc_badge_300px.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8420775654/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Fried potatoes by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Fried potatoes" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8377/8420775654_6ec3f76b84.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I haven't done much in the way of garden prep yet, but I <i>have</i> been keeping up with the challenge to incorporate more local food into my everyday meals. I've also been busy cleaning out my freezer of all the produce I stored last fall. I think we're doing really well on this! Recently for dinner we had baked turkey breasts with oven-dried tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella melted on top, along with delicious, salty fried potatoes and summer squash.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8419724081/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Baked Turkey with Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Baked Turkey with Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella" height="380" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8097/8419724081_44f21c70a0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Turkey breasts</b> - <a href="http://ecofriendly.com/" target="_blank">Ecofriendly Foods </a><br />
<b>Potatoes</b> - farmers' market, storage <br />
<b>Summer squash</b> - my garden, frozen (slightly freezer-burned, unfortunately)<br />
<b>Oven-dried tomatoes</b> - my garden (<a href="http://www.bumblelush.blogspot.com/2012/09/ssfc-food-preservation.html" target="_blank">oven-dried last September</a>)<br />
<b>Basil</b> - my garden, frozen into cubes with olive oil last summer<br />
<b>Mozzarella</b> - Blue Ridge Dairy<br />
<br />
It was nice to have turkey <i>not</i> at Thanksgiving. It was also nice to eat tomatoes in the middle of winter, and they retained the yummy herb flavor from when I dried them in the oven. The house smelled so good when it was baking! Same for the basil--I'd never frozen basil into cubes before, and I was happily surprised that it retained the fresh basil flavor. The only disappointment was the summer squash, which were a little mealy. I guess they had been in the freezer too long? Overall, though, a very good meal!<br />
<br />
Did all of you on the East Coast do all right with that storm that blew
through over the weekend? Here in DC we got lucky, just some rain and
wind.<br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-19633413046324476912013-01-29T08:27:00.000-05:002013-01-29T08:27:41.525-05:00Winter Bloomers<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8419678645/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Snapdragon 2 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Snapdragon 2" height="350" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8184/8419678645_6b0cceb628.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I should have titled this post Winter <b><i>Blooms</i></b>, but that wouldn't have been as fun! <br />
<br />
I took this picture of my snapdragon plant on Sunday. While all the other flowers in my yard died off months ago, this little plant has toughed it out through snow, freezing rain, sub-freezing temperatures, and the crazy warm spells we've had this winter.<br />
<br />
I first planted the snapdragons in spring 2011, and the plant died back
that fall of 2011. I expected the plant to die back again this past
fall, but it's still here. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8420776984/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Snapdragon 1 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Snapdragon 1" height="264" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8095/8420776984_2d76495a85.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There is still snow on the ground from last Friday, but tomorrow it's supposed to be in the high-60s! I don't know how this flower has toughed out the wacky temperatures when none of the others have, but it's nice to see this little red flower every day. I hope it lasts through the rest of the winter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And since I mentioned bloomers, I feel like I should include some of those too. If they came in flannel I would probably buy them and wear them throughout the month of February: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/2392606023116379/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/550/97/4c/82/974c82460ae2ea8281041a711b0fb283.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bloomers++&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=bloomers+&sc=8-9&sp=-1&sk=#x0y1542" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">bing.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/reneepink/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Renee</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Any winter bloomers in your garden?</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-60649478160459913252013-01-20T16:00:00.000-05:002013-01-20T16:00:00.502-05:00SSFC: Bubble and Squeak<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8396381486/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Local potatoes by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Local potatoes" height="239" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8085/8396381486_374cd48f98.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I love potatoes. Always have since I was a little kid. I eat them in some form or another about 6 days a week, baked being my most favorite way, and fried coming in a close second. If I go out for dinner and have to choose two sides with my entree, I've been known to pick two different kinds of potatoes. In fact, a few years ago I was in Alabama and had one of my most favorite meals ever (also the most memorable BBQ I've ever had): a BBQ chicken sandwich with tater tots, potato salad, and tea so sweet that my teeth actually cried. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.google.com/reader/bundle/user/12177180778059513158/bundle/Summer%20SOLE%20Challenge" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O5mG5jFfsAmE8VlXOadna1TeqYCwItp1crwdLVCAdBcP32nhWq3xrhQaZqmfzR5qw3-8HmF4lFiMM0I84AgxBBbnIx4LsSQZ2CEcIJ7RnmGGKMCtnzLcdb92eMdqfxSv8qMRldLKYh0M/s1600/ssfc_badge_300px.png" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As much as I love potatoes, it can become challenging to think of different ways to eat them. Lately my favorite way is to make bubble and squeak, which I made for this week's SSFC Eat Local challenge. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8395339865/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Bubble and Squeak ingredients by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Bubble and Squeak ingredients" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8510/8395339865_85afeb7e64.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bubble and squeak is an English dish made with vegetables leftover from the previous night's dinner. Potatoes are one of the main ingredients, along with cabbage, Brussels sprouts, carrots, peas, or any other leftover veggies. According to Wikipedia, this dish became popular during World War II as an easy way of using leftovers when most food was subject to rationing. The name "bubble and squeak" comes from the sound the vegetables make while they are cooking.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As you can see, I deviated from the traditional list of ingredients for the purposes of the Eat Local challenge. I don't like cabbage, but I thought this might be a good way to use up some Swiss chard I had picked up at the farmers' market. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><u>Local Ingredients</u></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 tbsp butter - Pennsylvania</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 medium potatoes - farmers' market</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 cup Swiss chard - farmers' market</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 small onion - my garden</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 clove garlic - my garden</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><u>Here's how I made it:</u></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Boil the potatoes until you can spear them with a fork, then drain them in a colander. While they are draining, put the butter and olive oil into a frying pan on medium heat. Dice the onion and garlic clove and add to the pan. Begin to add the drained potatoes to the pan, stirring and pressing down on them with a spatula so they mash a little. Continue to stir and mash ingredients until the potatoes are fried. Then add the chard. Stir for about a minute until the chard is wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8088363343/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Bubble and Squeak by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Bubble and Squeak" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8046/8088363343_7aaf8e1eea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Although I made this as a side dish for dinner, we've also had it with breakfast. Bubble and squeak is actually part of a full English breakfast, and it's a nice alternative to the hashbrowns I typically eat with my eggs. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">You can see what other Challenge participants are eating this week by clicking on the SSFC photo above. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Have you ever eaten traditional Bubble and Squeak? How would you make it?</i></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-17031316274822538672013-01-19T13:41:00.003-05:002013-01-19T13:42:25.138-05:00A Love Note to Seed Catalogs<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/7791762672/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8282/7791762672_2ec7a87763.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Remember those ground cherries I harvested last summer? I don't either, I only I harvested almost a full pint, not really enough to do anything with...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8395936928/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Ground Cherry Crisp recipe by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Ground Cherry Crisp recipe" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8222/8395936928_fdd176e633.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
But now I have something to shoot for this year. My <a href="http://rareseeds.com/" target="_blank">Baker Creek</a> seed catalog arrived in the mail a couple of weeks ago. I found this recipe in it for ground cherry crisp. I was debating whether to grow ground cherries again this year and when I saw this recipe, I got inspired to try again. I hope to grow enough to make dessert.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8394853721/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2013 Baker Creek catalog by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="2013 Baker Creek catalog" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8394853721_26ddc8868e.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Baker Creek is my favorite seed catalog. The pictures of food and flowers are <b>so good.</b> They're worthy of framing, I think. They certainly inspire me to try growing different things, which is probably why the company invests so much effort into making such a gorgeous catalog.<br />
<br />
Look at that purple cauliflower! I'd love to see something like that at my farmers' market.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8394853389/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2013 Baker Creek catalog by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="2013 Baker Creek catalog" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8510/8394853389_ef7366fc35.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Look at all these carrots! Makes me want to try growing them again.<br />
<br />
last year I grew a cucumber variety called Beit Alpha, which I ordered from Baker Creek. It did well. This year I have their Bronze D'Amposta red onions that I want to try. I need to get them started soon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8395936038/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2013 Baker Creek catalog by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="2013 Baker Creek catalog" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8080/8395936038_3073afc907.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I can't wait to grow sunflowers again!<br />
<br />
This time of year is probably very difficult for gardeners. As all the seed catalogs arrive we have to decide what our garden will look like for the coming seasons. The tough part for me is not getting carried away. I hope one day to have a real back yard with more space where I won't have to restrict my seed purchases so much.<br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-61272549704442578642013-01-10T07:58:00.000-05:002013-01-10T07:58:00.084-05:00Pine Syrup<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/247416573250775780/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/247416573250775780_VrEjfmyc_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/how-to-make-pine-syrup/index.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">foodnetwork.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/bumblelush/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Angela</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
Here's something random I found on FoodNetwork.com :<b> <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/how-to-make-pine-syrup/index.html" target="_blank">How to Make Your Own Pine Syrup</a>.</b> I've never heard of pine syrup, but they said to try it in cocktails so now I'm intrigued.<br />
<br />
We've already taken down our Christmas tree and recycled it. But maybe I'll snip some branches off the trees outside and try it...<br />
<br />
<b>Have you ever heard of pine syrup? Have you ever made it? I'm curious!</b><br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582305140985096454.post-68411148686037228012013-01-08T09:29:00.000-05:002013-01-08T09:32:25.572-05:00Just an OmeletWe're seven days into 2013 but it wasn't until today that I felt like it was really the <b>New Year</b>, and not just because I'm in withdrawal from not hearing "Winter Wonderland" or "Sleigh Ride" 200 times a day. Last week at work a lot of people were still on vacation, but yesterday many meetings started popping up on the schedule. The Metro is crowded once again, and --here's how I really know the new year has started -- the number of people in my gym classes has doubled.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.google.com/reader/bundle/user/12177180778059513158/bundle/Summer%20SOLE%20Challenge" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O5mG5jFfsAmE8VlXOadna1TeqYCwItp1crwdLVCAdBcP32nhWq3xrhQaZqmfzR5qw3-8HmF4lFiMM0I84AgxBBbnIx4LsSQZ2CEcIJ7RnmGGKMCtnzLcdb92eMdqfxSv8qMRldLKYh0M/s1600/ssfc_badge_300px.png" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
January is the time to get back to my routine, and I'm playing catch-up
in a few areas, such as with my local food challenges. I recently missed
our themed Brunch Week, and while I had ideas about whipping up some
fantastic apple pancakes, on Sunday we decided on just a plain old omelet. I tried to make it fancy with spinach and mozzarella. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8354105411/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Omelet - all local ingredients 1/6 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Omelet - all local ingredients 1/6" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/8354105411_6632203d6a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8355166298/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Locally sourced ingredients for omelet by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Locally sourced ingredients for omelet" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8365/8355166298_2052859172.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It may be hard to see where everything came from in the pic so I listed it here.<br />
<ul>
<li>Eggs - Bivalve, MD (but purchased at WF in the local food section)</li>
<li>Mozzarella - from the Blue Ridge Dairy in VA</li>
<li>Butter - this butter came from PA, but I;m actually switching to a non-dairy/non-soy butter</li>
<li>Spinach - farmers' market (frozen)</li>
<li>Onion - harvested from my garden earlier this year</li>
<li>Bell pepper - from my garden. We have overwintered some pepper plants indoors and they're still producing!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblelush/8354104979/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Omelet - all local ingredients 1/6 by Bumble Lush, on Flickr"><img alt="Omelet - all local ingredients 1/6" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8354104979_b0acff2002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Here's the best part--all that gooey cheese inside. You can click on the SSFC badge above to see what other Challenge participants are eating this week.<br />
<br />Bumble Lush Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729677514605178020noreply@blogger.com8