Peony Garden | From Last Week's Tour

Here is another photo from last week's tour sponsored by the Garden Club of Somerset Hills. I tend to think peonies are poorly engineered plants with flowers too big and heavy to be supported by their spindly stems, at least that has been my experience. These beautiful specimens don't seem to have that problem. Maybe mine aren't mature enough since I just transplanted them less than a month ago. I'll let you know if I change my mind next year. I did find a great site dedicated to Peonies. Posting it here will help me bookmark it for myself.

We are having San Francisco weather here today. Reminds me of this famous quote: "The coldest winter I ever spent was one summer in San Francisco." Mark Twain




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Meatless Monday | Summer Soup

Meatless Monday | Summer Soup
GAZPACHO ~ serves 8
Ingredients:
1 large lemon
1 1/2 c. cannelini beans
5 small tomatoes (or equivalent)
1 medium cucumber
1 medium white onion
1 medium green bell pepper
1 ear fresh corn
salt and pepper
tomato juice
fresh mint leaves

Directions:
Dice your tomatoes, cucumber, onion, bell pepper and corn. Put in a large bowl, reserving 1-1/2 cups. Puree the reserved vegetables and add to bowl. Add the beans and juice from the lemon. Season with salt and pepper and tear up just a few mint leaves. The idea with the mint at this point is to just add the subtlest hint of mint. The leaves don't hold up so well, though, so I get the bulk of my minty flavor when I garnish the soup right before serving it. Add tomato juice as needed to get a good amount of liquid. Make sure the soup is well mixed before placing in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours. During this time, the flavors will come out a bit more. Taste before serving and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with a few mint leaves in each bowl and enjoy.

I had gazpacho at two ladies lunches recently, The Mansion in May and The House and Garden Tour I went on last week. I think I like the addition of white beans in the recipe above. It's a perfect soup for summer when it's too hot to cook. Enjoy. Meatless Monday, learn more.




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No Thanks, I Prefer Indoor Plumbing

I thank my lucky stars that I never had an out house. I'm an indoor plumbing girl all the way.




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Busy Owl Mother

We are having the most glorious weather today. I feel energized enough to move mountains. I moved quite a few yesterday and am feeling so good about my productive streak. I'm having a broker open house tomorrow and must stop by the listing today to make sure everything is ship shape. This Busy Owl Mother with the cutest little owlets is much busier than I'd care to be. I love owls because they hunt and eat rodents...my least favorite part of the animal kingdom.




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Flower Photography This Week

I photographed the blue hydrangea and the oak-leaf hydrangea this morning when Webster and I went out to feed our dog friends. The red poppy is mine. It came up as a volunteer along with a plant I purchased last year. The flower only lasted for one day and it was so beautiful. I'm very glad I took a picture of this beauty that always reminds me of a crepe-paper flower. Click to enlarge. These are "right out of the camera" with no Photoshop adjustments at all.

Nikon D40 SLR

Nikon 18-200 zoom lens with VR
(Macro at any focal length)

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Dog Smelling Red Poppies

So cute. This little doggie looks very blissful, doesn't he? I would be too if I had some red poppies blowing in the wind in my garden. Enjoy your Sunday.




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Summertime Weekends

Summertime. Weekend. Relax. Sunday. Yes!




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Owl Secrets

Whispering sweet nothings. Even owls have secrets, don't they? This pair is exceptionally beautiful.




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Pink Bicycle Tires

I hope you run over some pink petals while you pedal your bike this weekend. Doesn't the air smell delicious this time of year? My property smells like a perfume factory with the wild honeysuckle and multi-flora roses blooming all over.




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Chanel Perfume Illustration

Here is a humorous illustration to go with my previous post about Coco Chanel.




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