Genovese Basil

Posted on July 8th, 2008 by Monique, under Cooking, Food, Gardening, Nature, Photography, Plants, Vegetarian.

This year I am growing several types of basil. This includes Genovese basil. It smells wonderful, and its big leaves are quite lovely. I have a bunch of small plants that are doing very well and look so pretty, I had to take some pictures.

One day, these lush green plants will be making my spaghetti sauce extra tasty.

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Corn Harvest Time

Posted on July 8th, 2008 by Monique, under Food, Gardening, Photography.

So we grew some corn this year, it was our first time and we learned. I think I planted them way too close together, I did not want to damage the young sprouts so I did not thin them out, and this resulted in little small ears of corn. They were delicious, even so.

This was a white corn from burpee seeds, SugarPearl Hybrid Sweet Corn. It grew so fast, and we can’t wait to grow more again next year. But spaced out properly so we get big fat ears. The corn also makes a wonderful habitat for the baby anole lizards.

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The Mystery Plant

Posted on June 23rd, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Gardening, Photography, Plants.

So there was a spot on the chain link fence where the blackberry vines grow that was bare from the dog shoving his head in the leaves to peek at the dogs next door. Yes my dog Max is like a nosy old man. An entire yard to play in, and he wants to know what the dogs next door are doing instead. What are the dogs next door doing? Laying in the sun, sleeping, enjoying themselves and oblivious to my peeping tom dog. SO… there was a bare spot on the fence, so I placed a large potted tomato plant that was dying in front of it. Months later, it appeared. It was the mystery plant.

I needed the pot, the tomato was long dead and winter was coming to an end. However, I noticed this interesting little plant springing up, and I did not want to kill it thinking it might be something cool. So I planted some provence lavender in the pot, and left this thing.

Months later, it is completely out of control. Does anyone know what this thing is? Its pretty crazy!

The wind will not knock it over, nothing seems to phase this funky looking thing. It hasn’t flowered or anything, and it does not seem to be a harmful plant.

I would be ever so gracious to anyone who knows what this plant is called. We are in South Louisiana, so its native to here.

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Growing Cherry Tomatoes

Posted on May 20th, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Food, Gardening, Nature, New Orleans, Outdoors, Photography, Vegetarian, Weblog.

We have about 10×30 feet in the backyard of fended off garden area, and are growing lots of tomatoes. Here is a picture of the cherry tomatoes. This plant has tripled in size and already making tomatoes within a month of planting it in the ground. It had a little bit of yellowing leaves at the base of the plant, but looks like it is taking off and should make us lots of salad tomatoes. Yum.

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Baby Green Carolina Anole Lizard Pics

Posted on May 9th, 2008 by Monique, under Animals, Daily Life, Friends, Gardening, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Weblog.

So I was in my backyard, and this cute little lizard was just hanging out in a little aloe vera plant. I got some really cool pics of this tiny little lizard who was nice enough to pose for me a few times.

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Featured Kitchen Gadget Oxo Garlic Peeler

Posted on May 6th, 2008 by Monique, under Cooking, Daily Life, Food, Gadgets, Housewares, Kitchen, Photography, Shopping, Vegetarian, Weblog.

We are vegetarians here, so when cooking I need to use non meat bases to make tasty meals. So I use a lot of garlic, and really don’t like having smelly garlic fingers all the time, so I got one of these garlic peelers.

I never knew how these things worked, not a clue, until I had one in my hand. Its very simple. The tube is very gripping and rubbery, and you basically stick a clove of garlic inside and then roll the tube between your hand and the counter. The oil in the garlic loosens the skin, and voila off it comes. Very easily, no stinky garlic fingertips. It washes easily, and I will never be without one of these things again!

I made a special page with a big image of my Oxo Garlic Peeler, and added it to my brand new Kitchen Gadgets page, where I will be adding more of my favorite kitchen things as I can.

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