Back in the Garden Again!! And a recipe!!

After a long week working at Capital Ex every day, plus 2 days in the previous week (another blog post, I hope), I'm happy to be able to putter in my garden and coddle my flowers again!! Mind you, the ample supply of mosquitos due to the copious and at times Biblical proportions of rainfall, make it more challenging that it was 2 weeks ago. But all one can do is either dress in long pants and long sleeved shirts--which given the high humidity readings every day, is nothing short of  torture--or spray on "Buzz Away" a Citronella Oil containing  insect repellant from Planet Organic. It doesn't say what else is in the spray!!! Well it has to be better than Off and stuff like that! So let's head outdoors, slapping as we go!!

Sweet pepper growing nicely!

My gigantic dill bush/tree!!

Close-up of a florette of dill

Despite seeing a lot of the tiny apples drop on the ground earlier this year, and despite the fact that the tree of my favorite variety is dying, there are some lovely apples up there!!  Apple trees have a life expectancy--bet you didn't know that--of about 40 years.  Several branches are going, but we have been nursing some seedlings to take over, so we won't be appleless.

The raspberries have been outstanding!! I broke a personal record of baskets picked in one session--previously 4 and a little bit.  The new record is 6 baskets!! The combination of heat and rain has really inspired them!!

Beautiful giant dragonfly ( 3 inches long), taking a break from consuming mosquitos!! I have a regular squadron of them flying around the yard and I always encourage them to catch more!!

First bean picking yesterday!!

First tomatoes from the garden--Tiny Tim's--sooooo good!!

And put them together in a Greek Green Bean Salad!

Abelofasoula Salata (Green Bean Salad)

1 1/2 pounds of fresh green beans, washed, trimmed, and cut in 1 inch pieces or left whole if they are still slender
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
salt to taste


Steam the beans until almost tender
Whisk oil, vinegar, and salt together and pour over the beans.

I've added a couple of things from another recipe. I chop up one medium tomato or several small ones and mix them with the beans.  And I add about 1/2 tsp. of oregano to the oil and vinegar dressing.  I also use a lot less oil and vinegar and find a couple of tablespoons of each is more than enough.  But you might like more. Then I sprinkle some feta cheese on top--sheep feta is best, but goat is fine.  I used to get sheep feta from Planet Organic, but they haven't had any for some time. Then I found some at The Great Canadian Stupor Store, of all places!!

I'm not a big fan of beans--of any kind, despite the fact that I plant too many green beans every year!! But I really like this use of green beans! Enjoy!!