Farmer Panache - An abundant harvest

Happy Friday! TGIF! I can't believe another week is almost over! Oh, the plans I had for blogging this week! Well, sometimes things just don't work out like you plan, right? I've spent most of the week helping Mom and Dad get settled, choose a new bank, a new pharmacy, find boxes with important papers or items, and so on. Thank God we're almost done!

While I was away Mr. Panache was busy playing in the dirt. I came home to a wonderful little plot we call a "garden" which was teeming with baby vegetables. Our first crop of cucumbers were harvested this week. I was amazed at how many we took in from our "first fruits". Of course, we are rather proud of our little garden. It's the first time we've ever planted one. Like a proud mama, I thought I would share some pictures of our little ones. :-)

I love, Love, LOVE cucumbers! We eat them fresh - sliced with a little salt and cracked black pepper. We eat them as Quick Pickles - a recipe that my Mom gave us. I eat them as Cucumber Sandwiches with cream cheese and garlic, onion and dill. Of course, we eat them in salads - every salad!
Our neighbors didn't raise a garden this year but they are receiving benefits from living next door. We have so many cucumbers that we can't use them all. It's kind of neat to be able to share. I can remember when I was a little girl going to my Grandpa Lucas' house during the summer - we would ALWAYS go home with arm-loads of fresh veggies and fruits and plenty of canned goods to last for months.

I really like the whole thought of organic fruits and vegetables. No pesticides or funky chemicals have been used and they have been cared for and nurtured daily by Mr. Panache himself. We also planted greenbeans, tomatoes, corn, watermelon and banana peppers. We picked our first "mess" of greenbeans yesterday and while our tomatoes have not yet ripened, we've had some good old down-home Fried Green Tomatoes. Although, I had a little difficulty not thinking about the movie and the infamous BBQ dinner served - yuck! I hope to share more pictures with you as our garden comes in along with some new Country-style recipes that would even make Paula Deen proud!

If you have any special cucumber recipes, I would love to hear about them. Truly, we have an abundant harvest and I'm game to try something new with them.

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Thanks to everyone who dropped by to welcome me back. I've missed you all and plan to make my round of visits later today and tomorrow. I have so much to catch up on! :-)

Oh, and thanks for the "tips" for helping my parents make this big transition!

Until I see you again,

Happy Homemaking!

~Alisa

Outdoor Wednesday - A stroll through the Tulips

Welcome to Outdoor Wednesday! Spring is just around the corner and I'm anxious for it's arrival. Yesterday while I was running errands I noticed some Redbuds already starting to bloom. I have had a few Daffodils pop open in brilliant yellow this past week so I know my tulips are right behind them! Speaking of tulips, I thought I would share some beautiful Tulip Gardens from Holland with you. The best tulips come from Holland and every year millions, yes I said millions, of bulbs burst forth with vivid color every spring. This is a picture of a corner in Keukenhof Park in Holland. Each year the gardeners plant their bulbs in order to produce waves and waves of bright, splashy color. Other flowers are also added around the tulips to create color stories and movement within the garden.
These bulbs were planted in straight lines, alternating red and white species. When spring arrives, these almost resemble stripes on the flag. I keep saying that I am going to plant my tulips in this manner. What a showy garden!

These Red and Yellow bulbs have been planted in a semi-random configuration. For the most part you can see the lines but they are more wavy and loose. I am not sure of the exact type of tulip pictured here, but they are breathtaking and so sunny.
These Pink tulips are lovely. All pointing towards the camera as if they are posing with their little faces open. Last week during my post I had asked for you to cast your vote for the color scheme of my flower beds and I am happy to report that "Pink and Red" won out. That will be a big change from last year's lavender and lilac. Once all threat of frost is past we will start getting plants in the ground. Hopefully I will be able to share some pictures with you in about a month. Hope you have enjoyed the stroll through the garden, to see more outdoor inspiration, be sure to visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for a complete list of OW participants. Tomorrow is Tablescape Thursday and we will be taking a "Walk along the Beach", then Friday we will feature The Cook's Corner and add down home flavor Mexican Style, Saturday we will wrap up the week with a very special "Junk to Gems" feature. Until then,
Happy Gardening!
~Alisa