first eggplant

first successful eggplant harvest! this year i abandoned the backyard garden - despite the raised bed, it was doomed by many factors, including a paucity of sun and a presence of a grazing dog. DH cleared some scruffy looking verbenas away from a patch of the south side of our house, outside dixie's territory, and i'm hopeful for some zucchini, tomatoes (upside down), peppers, cucumbers, scarlet runner beans, and squash.

DH made these recipes from the eggplant:
- the "eggplant caviar" was a refreshing alternative to baba ghanoush, which i never seem to have the right ingredients for.
- the hot & sour curried eggplant that won a recent episode of top chef was quite bright (probably from all those limes/lemons) and an outstanding side dish. couldn't quite eat a whole plate of it though and find it a satisfying meal on its own - maybe it was the heat or maybe it was the citrus.

another friend moves too far away

"Good friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget."
- G. Randolf

and so the descent begins

in one of our seattle houses, we shared a duplex with a crazy landlady, and one of her more minor peculiarities was that she had a penchant for odd garden ornaments. (we found the 3 foot creatures looking right into our window a bit creepy.) today i found my first garden kitsch and i must admit i'm beginning to see the appeal.

(this plant, by the way, is citronella "the natural mosquito repellent." not sure of the efficacy of one plant against the hordes, but hey anything is worth a try.)

a visit from a great friend

in friendship, let there be laughter



and the sharing of pleasures



for in the dew of little things,



the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

- kahlil gibran

happy fourth of july!