From the Garden: A Recipe Series

Happy Summer,  dear readers.  I can't believe that we've nearly arrived at the 4th of July already!  Dan and I kicked off the summer with a bottle of wine and a quiet night on the evening of the summer solstice. We spent the better part of the spring and the first few days of the summer tending to our little garden.  

I haven't been very good with the regular garden updates on here that I had hoped to do, but things seemed to be moving so slow out there and then all of a sudden- bam! - we have a full blown bounty of plants on our hands! It's incredible, really.  The other day Dan and I shared a high five after we discovered a beast of a zucchini lurking underneath the plant's lush leaves.  The zucchini must measure 2 feet long, I kid you not!  I haven't cut it yet because we are still working our way through a little zucchini and yellow squash harvest from a few days ago.  Which brings me to the point of this post- this week marks the beginning of a regular series I will be running here on the blog from now until the end of the gardening season.  

My From the Garden: A Recipe Series is just that- a seasonal recipe series featuring fruit and vegetables that have, in one way or another, come "farm to table"-  with "farm" being the little raised garden bed that sits just outside our kitchen door, of course.  

Dan and I had container gardened for the last few years when we lived in the city, but we had never reaped so many bountiful rewards as this season promises us (knock on wood, of course!).  It's really quite fascinating- our four tomato plants are heavy with green tomatoes, the zucchini and yellow squash plants have made several attempts to take over the garden full force.  We've cut back some of the large, umbrella like leaves and have given the sunlight back to our yellow, green and red peppers.  Cucumber vines creep their way around the garden, via the fence, despite the cucumber trellis we were training them on.  And the basil- oh, the basil! I have been making weekly batches of pesto- jarring it up and using as we see fit through out the week before another batch must be made.  Honestly, growing this garden may have been one of the best decisions we've made all year!

So, when ever you see the above badge know the featured recipe and the meal we shared with it, is extra special.  What you can expect: fresh pasta sauce (using our plum tomatoes), seasonal salads incorporating a melange of heirloom, cherry and early girl tomatoes, lots of zucchini and squash dishes, peach pie, perhaps? And many, many more.  

Through out the series I will post photo updates of the garden as well as information on how we constructed the raised bed and what varieties we are growing.  If you would like to suggest a favorite recipe of yours, please feel free to do so!  

In the meantime, here is a glance at what the month of June brought us:

From top left, clockwise: Our first red tomato; Figs; Zucchini Blossoms, freshly picked for dinner; Green Bell Peppers; A handful of raspberries- the birds got the rest; and finally- Our first yellow squash with a trio of figs.

Walks with Heidi

Spotted this handsome Red Admiral butterfly yesterday afternoon, while on a walk with Heidi.  He was lazying the day away on a neighbor's butterfly bush.

Kayaking on the Brandywine

Dan celebrated his thirty-third birthday a few weeks back.  In honor of his special day the two of us took a day off of work, woke up early, and drove to the Brandywine River for a day of kayaking.

The Brandywine River Valley, located just outside of Philadelphia, is really a sight to behold.  I had been introduced to this region without even knowing it when I fell in love with the work of American realist painter Andrew Wyeth, particularly his scenes of the Kuerner Farm and his Helga series, while studying Art History as an undergraduate.  Wyeth,  a realist painter, was inspired by the rolling hills and farms of the Brandywine Valley and the surrounding countryside.  When I travelled to the region for the first time in 2006, while visiting the Brandywine River Museum (which features a collection of three generations of Wyeths), I felt as if I had just stepped into one of his paintings.  Now, we travel to the region at least once a year for our annual Memorial Day picnic at the Chaddsford Winery or pass on through while traveling to meet friends.  And every time, I still can't keep Wyeth's haunting images out of my head.

Our little kayaking adventure was another chance for me to experience Wyeth's landscapes, but this time via a 13 mile trip down the Brandywine River.  It was a wonderful day, and hopefully the beginning of a yearly tradition.

During our 3 hour kayak trip, we did not see one other soul on the river (aside from the normal aquatic life!)

Northbrook Canoe Company was amazing.  We started our trip at the main office and were greeted by a very nice man from Northbrook at the end of our trip, who drove us back to get our car.

Dan made friends with a few little ducks.

Everything was so, so lush.

Absolutely no one in sight.  Heaven, frankly.  

A happy birthday boy.

Everdeen Earrings in the Shop!

The Everdeen Earrings were received with such great response in my giveaway that I have decided to release them early into my Etsy shop.  The rest of the collection is schedule to be released mid-July so keep your eyes out for them!

Everdeen Earrings

Now in my shop!

The Everdeen Earrings are adorned with hammered copper tear drop shapes that give the earrings a very organic look.  Faceted Labradorite coin-shaped beads are suspended at center and wire wrapped to a vintage, raw brass chain.  The earrings are finished with hand-forged brass ear wires.

The Everdeen Earrings are part of my upcoming limited supply Summer/Fall Collection.  Please stay tuned for more!!

The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair

This is a photo heavy post, so I'll keep my commentary brief!  Since moving out of the city last October there have been certain things that Dan and I have grown to really, really miss- particularly this time of year, when the nights are warm and it's so easy to while away the hours seated outside a cafe or riding our bikes through the city.  But its nights like last evening when I am reminded just how fortunate we are to have found ourselves in our new town- Wayne, Pennsylvania.  

Sure, it isn't quite as exciting as our old neighborhood, but it has its own small town charm and offers us little treasures like the Devon Horse Show that just really put a smile on my face from ear to ear.

We decided to visit the Devon Horse Show last evening, at the spur of the moment, when a few friends asked us to join them.  I'm so happy that we did.  The Devon Horse Show, founded in 1896, is considered to be the oldest and largest outdoor horse show in the United States.  Dan and I, having never been to a horse show, were like children in a candy store.  There was such a charm to the place and it was a prime people watching event.  To be honest, having come just from work, I felt a bit undressed but I'll be prepared to wear my finest sundress next year, and perhaps a nice big ol'hat, too- because, why not, right?

I'll also come armed with a picnic basket full of treats and a bottle of wine and make a nice romantic date out of it.    

A Wonderful Weekend

I wanted to wish you all a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend (for those in the US).  Whether you are celebrating the holiday or not, I hope that wherever you find yourselves, that you are surrounded by friends, loved ones and that you have an amazing and relaxing weekend.

Dan and I will be spending today bbqing with friends.  And I'm currently steeping some rosemary from our garden in a simple syrup to make these tasty Rosemary Gin Fizz cocktails later on.  Tomorrow a few of us will gather at Chaddsford Winery for their annual Blues Festival.  I really can't wait for this- it's one of the greatest days of the year in my opinion. :)  Last year, I snapped the above image while lounging on the winery's grounds.  I love this photograph.

I also wanted to announce the winner of my Sew, Mama, Sew giveaway and thank you all for participating.  I was so excited to read all of your recommendations and I am looking forward to checking into each and everyone of them.  From all of your suggestions, my summer reading list seems very promising!  Also, I wanted to send a genuine welcome to all of my new followers.  I'm so happy to have you here.  Welcome.

So, with that said, the winner of my Everdeen Earring Giveaway is:

Appie, number 72, who recommended the Left Behind Series.  Congratulations Appie!  I will be contacting you shortly. 

Everdeen Earrings Giveaway

That's right folks! You heard it here- Monday marked Sew, Mama, Sew's Giveaway Day!  Giveaway Day is awesome, to put it frankly, and it is a chance for you to win many, many amazing handcrafted items from some very talented crafters. Bloggers and shop owners are giving away fabric, handmade bags, items for the home, jewelry, and accessories - the list goes on and on!

I happy to announce that I am participating for a second time.  My giveaway back in December was such a success and I was so happy to make new blog friends through it all.  This time around I am giving away a pair of earrings from my Summer collection, which will be released near the end of June.

Like the Atenas Earrings, this pair is adorned with hammered copper tear drop shapes that give the earrings a very organic look. Faceted Labradorite coin-shapped beads are suspended at center and wire wrapped to a  vintage, raw brass chain.  The earrings are finished with hand-forged brass ear wires.

Now, on to the giveaway, shall we.  One winner will be chosen at random, but in order for you to enter you MUST answer a particular question of mine in the comment section.  I'm looking for new summer reading and I'd love to hear what you all have to recommend for me!  I just finished up the Hunger Games (book one) and once that series is over with, I'll be itching for a new read.  And as a side note, the Everdeen Earrings may or may not have been named as such because of my most recent read. *wink*

So, in the comments, please tell me:

WHAT BOOK(S) DO YOU THINK I SHOULD ADD TO MY SUMMER READING LIST?

It's as simple as that.  I'm also offering up a second chance to win if you are a follower of my blog (as a thank you).  You in no way have to follow my blog to participate, but if you do- please let me know in a SECOND comment! 

One winner will be chosen at random on Saturday morning (9:00 AM), May 26th!  If you do not have an email attached to your profile, please be sure to leave it in the comments so that I can contact you.  Also, if you are running a giveaway- let me know! I'd love to swing on by. :)

And one more thing: I will ship INTERNATIONALLY!

Best of luck everyone!!