Guest blog post!

My yellow polka dot gardening boots. ♥

Kimberly at Hartke Is Online asked about anyone who might like to have a guest spot on her blog Hartke Is Online last month at the Sowing Millions Tweet chat. And of course I waved my web hands saying "Oh me me!".

I am very honored she used my post, her blog is fantastic and you should go check out my post there (AND the rest of her blog!!!!) when you have a min! ♥

http://hartkeisonline.com/backyard-gardening/gardens-expand-as-space-allows/

Zucchini Brownies!!

Ahhhh so yummy!! OK I know it is not the healthiest recipe ever and I still really want to get us grain free, BUT we are not there yet so might as well enjoy right?


Recipe:

1-1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. coconut oil
2 t. vanilla extract
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. baking cocoa
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
2 c. zucchini, shredded
1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Mix sugar, oil and vanilla; set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Blend in sugar mixture, zucchini and nuts.

WARNING
The mix will be so dry you will think there is no way it will make brownies like I did! So I did some researching and figured out it was fine. But I didn't get it into the oven till an hour after I mixed it and I could see how much it was getting moist.

WARNING 2
The batter is so yummy you may have a hard time not eating it right then and there and actually cooking it! ;P

Pour into a lightly oiled 13"x9" baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Cut into squares. Makes about 1-1/2 dozen.

If any of you have a healthier version I would love to try it! Maybe replace the sugar with honey and a different kind of flour like almond or coconut? I'd love to make a successful version like that too!

Thoughtful Thursday a little late?

Well it is still Thursday somewhere! :)

So I have been in my kitchen quite a bit today and there is something that is kinda sorta bothering me.... The compost pile on the counter. There really isn't much of an issue with it. In fact this year has been better then last year with fruit flies and there is definitely more food laying around (picture below).

But um yeah. Look at it. You don't see that in any nice kitchen. I am not really sure what else I would do with it. People have suggested in the past putting it in the fridge but I DO NOT have any extra room in my fridge. Ever. So not happening. In order to put it under the counter I would need a bucket, which I don't have yet but may be what I will do once I get one. Although having to clean out a big bucket all the time doesn't thrill me either. Those pretty counter compost crocks don't hold very much and are usually pretty expensive... Decisions, decisions...

What do you do with your compost before you take it outside?

Growing

Life is all about growing. Growing up, growing old, growing is a wonderful thing. And growing a garden is awesome too! I know last year I was talking about getting a garden going but it took a little longer then expected. This year I am happy to announce I DID get my garden started.

This is my first year having a good size garden outdoors and it has been so fun and exciting. It is certainly a learning process though, there have been amazing surprises and failures. And I hope to have an even better and BIGGER garden next year.

Looking at pictures from when I started and where my garden is now makes me so happy. It has come so far and even for the plants that didn't make it or the things I didn't do right I am so happy to have had the chance to do it.

My goal is to grow enough to feed my family and then some. To really get into canning and fermenting and help support us from the dirt in our yard.

 The beginning of our food! :D

Very beginning raised beds!

 Bed 1

Acorn squash, pickling cucumbers, zucchini, lavender, thyme, broccoli, cabbage and marigolds.

Bed 1

Growing.

Bed 1

Growing more.

Bed 1 

Latest pic but a week or two old.

Bed 2 

Started out with rosemary, radishes and carrots.

 Bed 2 

Made room for some lettuce.

 

Bed 2

Harvesting our radishes which honestly didn't do that well... but we had fun anyway! :)

Bed 2

Put in some sage, basil and watermelon.

Bed 2

Growing! Tomatoes added and some little critter killed almost all of the basil.. :(

Bed 3

Started out with a lonely but amazing lemon balm plant I found growing wild on the side of our road!

Bed 3

Lots of potted tomatoes and peppers. I don't think any of our peppers are going to make it. 

But look at that lemon balm!

Bed 2 & 3

Lots of tomatoes now! And a strange plant/weed I was hoping is mugwort but I am not sure yet.

Special herb garden

Special herb garden present day..

So we weren't able to work anymore on the herb garden yet. And unless we find some free decent quality fill dirt it is going to have to be finished next year. Can you see it? It is to the right of the logs and COMPLETELY over grown..

Some garden yummies :)

And more :)

Lots of lemon balm this year, yay!

I am hopeful next year I will do even better! I plan on adding a few more beds and finishing the herbal garden as well. I am happy about that for another reason too. Yards except for kids to play in are a waste of space and resources. So we will be able to cut down more on mowing. Good for the earth and my husbands back!

♥