A Blue Monday snapshot of the shelf in my bathroom. I probably should have dusted before taking the shot

Enjoy more of Blue Monday - Visit Smiling Sally

Not sure what to do with the bounty of vegetables that summer brings? Borrow an idea from The Art of Creole Cookery and smother ‘em  !            

SMOTHERED SQUASH

2 pounds summer squash
1 small onion
2 tablespoons bacon fat
salt and pepper to taste

Peel, cut out seeds of squash, and cut in small pieces. Mince onion and put fat, onion, and squash on very low fire (do not add water). Cook slowly until soft, then add salt and pepper to taste. SERVES 6

SMOTHERED GREEN BEANS (Louisiana Style)

1 pound fresh green beans
4 slices bacon or 1/4 pound ham or pickled pork
3 large onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3/4 cup water (approximately)

Wash, string, and cut beans into small pieces (remove ends). Fry meat until light brown (if bacon, until almost done). Pour off grease, leaving 2 tablespoons. Remove meat, add onions and garlic, fry until soft. Add the meat, beans, and about 1/2 cup of the water. Cover and cook slowly, adding water from time to time when needed. Cook about 1 hour. Drain beans; remove meat; serve beans. SERVES 3 generously

This week we had fresh green beans from the farmer’s market cooked this way. I added two chopped fresh tomatoes to the mix. Okay… so cooking green beans for an hour with bacon isn’t the healthiest way to go – I won’t argue. But it surely is Good Eating!

Enjoy more of Vintage Recipe Thursday - Visit Joy at Joy of Desserts. Be sure to sign up for her cookbook giveaway while you’re there. I already have a copy of the “I Hate To Cook Book” or I might have kept the news of the giveaway to myself to increase my chances of winning….

Nothing new is blooming this week but we have made some additions – they should bloom soon (faith of a gardener)

I’m a little worried about the bleeding heart. It’s been very hot and dry since we planted it and it does get afternoon sun. It doesn’t look very happy.
I’ll give it a little more time to adjust and perk up, then if it still looks droopy I’ll ask one of my gardening neighbors to give it a home near a tree. Maybe my parents would like it. I remember a very large bleeding heart bush at my great grandmother’s house.

And something is eating the yarrow! Not enough to kill it, just nibbling at the feathery ends of the leaves. My guess is the same varmint that ate the sunflowers. Squirrels!

The rest of the new additions are thriving and showing great promise.
I still need some lavender -
I’m watching the sales…

Enjoy more of Bloomin’ Tuesday – visit MsGreen “thumb” Jean

I finished a collage for July -
lots of Red!

Enjoy more of Ruby Tuesday – visit maryt at Work of the Poet

Blue Hydrangeas – my next purchase for my garden!

Enjoy more of Blue Monday - Visit Smiling Sally.

And be sure to wish Sally and her husband a Happy 52nd Anniversary while you’re there!