by Roxanne -

August Evening Picnic

Photo R. Meshar

This evening we gathered with some friends for a last minute picnic. It was a serendipitous, spontaneous idea. We decided to meet at Lebanon Park. The weather was warm, but not too warm. We didn’t cook, but enjoyed salads – including a tomato and sweet onion salad with ripe, Minnesota tomatoes from this week’s Farmers’ Market. Buttered corn on the cob was the first of the season as well.

Photo R. Meshar
Photo R. Meshar

We chatted, laughed, shared and enjoyed each other’s company. J noticed a snowy, white egret in the distance as we wandered up the hill to head home at sunset.

These pictures will give you a sense of the park. There is a swimming beach nearby, hiking trails and snow-shoeing trails in winter. A nature center has fun activities for kids and adults. Consider Lebanon Park, next time you are out and about.

Photo R. Meshar

You may also like Prairie Walk, Picnic in a Jar and Great Lakes Revisited.

 

by Roxanne -

Patio Zen Garden Update

So how’s your garden coming along? With all the sun and rain, DH’s is coming along nicely. He’s already had a few large tomatoes with more coming. Peppers are prolific too. Carrots and onions are doing well. The hostas are blooming. My other pots, herbs and flowers have filled in. The lavendar smells especially nice.

We do enjoy this outside room – for the few months we have it!

Photo R. Meshar
Photo R. Meshar
Photo R. Meshar
Photo R. Meshar
Photo R. Meshar

You may also like Patio Zen Garden, Colorful Container Garden and Art in Bloom.

by Roxanne -

Market Flowers – Fabulous

Another week with beautiful, abundant and bright Farmers’ Market flowers!

There were also big bunches of lemon basil – really fragrant and only $1 for an armfull. I use it in tea, cooking, pesto and salads. I love the farmers’ market (sigh).

Photo R. Meshar
by Roxanne -

Refrigerator Pickled Beets

Photo EatDrinkBetter.com

Beets are plentiful at the Farmers’ Markets this week. Would you like to be able to enjoy them for awhile? Consider this Refrigerator Pickled Beets recipe – no canning required! It’s easy.

 

 

 

 

1. Cook 2 lbs. beets (about 2 bunches, yellow or red) in boiling water until just tender. Rinse in cold water. Peel and slice. Place beets in a glass jar with lid or glass container with a cover.

Photo R. Meshar
Photo R. Meshar

2. In another bowl or 2+cup measuring cup, combine 1 c. sugar, 1/4 c. vinegar, 1/2 c. lemon juice and 1/4 c. water. Stir until sugar is dissolved.

Photo R. Meshar

3. Pour liquid over beets. Cover and refrigerate several days before serving. Makes 1 quart jar or three smaller canning jars shown here.

Photo R. Meshar

Like pickles – pickled beets will keep in the refrigerator for awhile, because of the acidity of the vinegar & lemon juice in the liquid. If you want add clove, dill or other spices as you like. I use the recipe as shown above.

You may also like Basil to Pesto, Strawberry Soup and Gnocchi, Fresh Basil & Tomato Sauce.

by Roxanne -

Prairie Walk

Here’s what I encountered this week on the prairie –

Photo R. Meshar
Photo R. Meshar
Photo R. Meshar
Photo R. Meshar
Photo R. Meshar

Lots of color! The prairie absorbs heat – meaning the air actually feels noticeably cooler as we walk through it. Natural air conditioning.

Global warming means that weather becomes more extreme (record heat, as in July in 50 states) with more severe storms and droughts. Prairies help to resist global warming by moderating the temperature, taking CO2 out of the atmosphere and moving surface water/moisture down deep into the ground.

If you like, consider planting a prairie of your own. A small group of neighbors can easily create a larger one using open space in your neighborhood.

There are many kinds of prairies to choose from; rainwater, woodland, wetlands, savanna, shoreline and more.

Click Prairie Restoration for information, check out their plant catalog or visit a Prairie Store near you!

You may also like Prairie Walk (July) and White Prairie.