Gulf Shores 2011

First Pointe Shoes

July Garden

We started our summer plants a little later than normal since our spring veggies were so productive. Here's a picture of our garden this morning. We installed a pvc pipe irrigation system in the late spring. The pipes go down every row with 1/16 inch holes drilled every 12 inches. They are separated by shut off valves at the top of each row.

You can see the red knob under the zinnia plant. We usually run water on 2 sections at a time. This has been a huge time and water saver. It was very easy to install and cost around $100 for supplies.

Zinnia and tomato plants

lettuce leaf basil

Japanese eggplant

Started green beans, several squash, okra on June 6

Green Beans from the trays above.

trombone squash from trays above

green beans from trays

more squash--yellow, zucchini, butternut

First Favorite Summer Salad Recipes

I don't like cooking in the summer. The house gets hot in the evening when I've got the oven on. There's only so much our A/C can do when it is 100+ degrees outside and our gas stove is pumping heat in the kitchen! Here are some of my favorite quick and easy cold salad favorites.

Chick Pea Salad (some people call it mock tuna but I like to call it what it is not what it's not)

2 cans chickpeas chopped in food processor
1/2-1 onion chopped
1-2 celery chopped
1-2 carrots chopped
1 cup mayo** or add amount you like according to your taste
Salt and Pepper (fresh cracked black is best)

Chop beans in food processor then add them to the rest of the ingredients.
**I like Veganaise brand vegan mayo. It is by far the best tasting eggless mayo.

Use this salad on sandwiches with fresh tomato and lettuce. Also can be served in a wrap with lettuce, sprouts, etc. Also can be served on crackers.

I'll post another later. Go here for pictures and variations.