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Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty if only we have eyes to see them.
John Ruskin




May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
 Romans 15:13
ENJOY Your Day!
The Gourmet Farm Girl

Sunday Morning Garden… Read More »

Welcome back to the garden…
Things are coming together with the new garden. There are now two Wisteria’s on the arbor. One is an early bloomer and the other will bloom later in the spring and through out the summer.
 (I hope)



Shade plants…

Mulch has been put down for walkways with stepping stones to follow.





Plants that love the sunshine…



Still more to do, so stop back soon…
Enjoy your sunshine today!
The Gourmet Farm Girl






The Garden con’t… Read More »
 The New Garden is coming together…a Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire will be the center piece. 






The corners have perennials such as Larkspur and Bleeding Hearts…



Black-Eyed Susan’s and Lavender….with an annual of Golden Dewdrop which attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.





Hydrangea, Lillies and Balloon Flowers
And Buddy…who decided to take ownership of the Henry’s Garnet.
Next is the pathways…I hope you stop back.
Enjoy your day!
The Gourmet Farm Girl

The New Garden…con’t. Read More »

The garden is producing Zucchini…here is a simple delicious recipe for zucchini bread. This bread is full of moisture and good for you rolled oats. The fresh blueberries add additional flavor and texture. Other fresh fruit works well too; strawberries, chopped apples, blackberries or bananas.

Zucchini Nut Bread with Oats and Blueberries
By The Gourmet Farm Girl

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 large eggs
1/4 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup fresh blueberries
1/4 cup applesauce
2 cups shredded zucchini (unpeeled)
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Spray with cooking oil a glass loaf pan; set aside

In a medium size mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, rolled oats and cinnamon; set aside  
In a large mixing bowl beat the eggs with an electric mixer on medium speed till foamy (about 2 minutes)
Add the sugar, applesauce, butter and vanilla. Slowly add the flour mixture and mix on low speed till just blended. With a large wooden spoon gently stir in the zucchini, blueberries and nuts.

Sprinkle top of loaf with 1 teaspoon sugar mixed with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes or till a wooden pick comes out clean; cool in pan on a rack for 10-12 minutes; remove from pan; cool or serve warm

Makes one loaf

Note: bread will break when served warm   

ENJOY!

Zucchini Time… Read More »

 
The Holiday weekend has come and gone for another year. Mine was spent relaxing with family, friends, and our canine companions.

 

 

 

 

Enjoy your day…
The Gourmet Farm Girl

The Holiday Weekend Read More »





 With the nice weather finally arriving on a weekend; we were able to get the frame work completed for my new garden.
We added two new beds for strawberries and rhubarb.



This area will have a pathway through the arbor with Wisteria growing over it and through the center of the garden with mostly perennials along the paths and in the corners by the pickets. 
The kiss of the sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer
 God’s Heart in a garden.
Than anywhere else on earth.
Dorthy F. Gurney
ENJOY your day!
The Gourmet Farm Girl

The New Garden… Read More »



 This dish was a regular item at the dinner table during the spring and early summer on the farm. We always had an abundance of lettuce from the garden. I have not changed this recipe much at all…my mom had it perfected. It is also a great way to use leftover boiled potatoes or bacon from breakfast.








Wilted Lettuce
By The Gourmet Farm Girl

14-16 ounces of fresh garden lettuce
2-3 strips smoked or peppered bacon cut into bit size pieces)
2-3 green onions chopped (red and green both work well)
1 oz sugar (2 Tablespoons)
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1 medium boiled potato with skin on cut into pieces

Wash and trim lettuce; place in a large bowl and top with green onions and chopped potatoes, set aside.
 Mix sugar and vinegar together in small bowl, set aside.
 In a medium size skillet over low to medium heat cook bacon pieces till crisp; pour bacon and grease over lettuce; return pan to medium to medium high heat and deglaze pan with the sugar vinegar mix till all the bacon pieces come loose and mix with liquid; pour over lettuce and toss gently till the lettuce is coated and starts to wilt. (lettuce will continue to wilt) serve immediately 
Serves 4-6
Enjoy!

Garden Lettuce… Read More »



The ideals which have always shone before me and filled me with the joy of living are goodness, beauty, and truth.
Albert Einstein
I have four things to learn in life:
To think clearly without hurry or confusion;
To love everybody sincerely
To act in everything with the highest motives;
to trust in God unhesitatingly.
Helen Keller
Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow; it only saps today of its strength.
A.J. Cronin
May your day be filled with good things…
ENJOY!
The Gourmet Farm Girl 

A Few Thoughts for Today… Read More »
Breakfast in a Shell
By The Gourmet Farm Girl
1 package Azteca (bakeable) salad shells
10 eggs
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2  cups shredded  mild cheddar cheese (plus additional for topping)
1 pound package frozen hash browns
2-3 tablespoons butter
6 slices smoked bacon
Bake shells according to package directions; set aside
Cut bacon into bite size pieces; cook over medium heat till crisp; drain on a paper towel
While bacon is frying; cook hash browns according to package directions; keep warm
In a large mixing bowl beat eggs with a whisk or large fork; stir in cheese salt and pepper. Pour eggs and cheese mixture into a large non-stick skillet sprayed with vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon melted butter
Note: eggs cook best in two separate batches  
Cook eggs slowly over medium to low heat till done; remover from heat
Layer the potatoes then eggs, extra cheese and bacon pieces into the baked shell; serve immediately 
Makes four servings
Alterations: add chopped green onions or chives, sour cream or sausage gravy instead of bacon  


Unique Breakfast Idea… Read More »
When I was growing up on the farm I remember my mother having a strawberry patch. I was very young and what I remember the most about picking berries was her telling me to watch out for snakes! Not the fact that the berries were super sweet and delicious…just the fact that there could be a snake in the patch. I never did see one, and even if I had it would of only been a little garter snake.
I miss not having such luxuries as a strawberry patch, so this year I decided to start one. I purchased some plants and placed them in pots on the porch until I’m ready to transplant them to a bed. This morning I brought one inside and I picked my first crop of berries for my bowl of cereal. Truly one of life’s greatest pleasures….    
ENJOY your day!
The Gourmet Farm Girl

Homegrown Berries… Read More »