Herb Seasoned Eggplant!

I was trying to figure out if these eggplant were ready to pick - and google told me the answer - YES!  So, then the question was what to do with them.  Apparently I'm a culinary genius (or just quite good at frying stuff which always makes it taste better.  Here's the recipe so you can make up your mind for yourself :)

***Disclaimer...  Patrick, who does not eat vegetables devoured this.  Granted, eggplant is technically a berry...but since he doesn't actually eat those either I'd say you better watch out because this is obviously really good ;)

Step 1 - pick eggplant (we're growing Ichiban variety) and any other herb you want to season with.  I used Basil (finely chopped), marjoram (dried), salt, pepper, Italian Seasoned bread crumbs and 5 LARGE cloves of garlic (minced).  No measurements taken so you'll have to play it by ear.

Step 2 - slice eggplant, salt and roll into paper towls for 20 minutes.

Step 3 - While eggplant is wrapped up in the towel mix all the herbed ingredients together in a bowl.

Step 4 - Pour 1/2c EVOO into a frying pan or skillet.  While it's heating up toss the eggplant in the herbs until fully coated.

Step 5 - Lay eggplant in 1 layer in pan and cook until lightly browned on 1 side. Turn to cook the other side.

Step 6 - shred cheese over hot eggplant and Serve!  I have a huge chunk of Jarlsberg that I grated and it was delish.  The adults enjoyed this with a Viognier (which is what we had open and it was yum together).  If you have kids at home they may attempt to lick the fried up bits off the plate afterward.  ;)

Sweater for me!

Yes, I realize I should NEVER appear w/out make up but I was pleased w/ my sweater and had about 3 minutes to take this picture in between running around outside w/ the kids and working in the garden.  So, confession, not only am I appearing sans make-up...I'm also dirty!  Anyway, hope you can overlook all of this and just focus on my pretty sweater.

I used Vanna's Glamour Yarn in diamond (sparkly white)!

and actually created this pattern for myself.  Will post details if I have a chance but essentially I used a chevron pattern and worked from the top down.  Once I get the details up at Ravelry I'll post the directions!

Can you tell I'm pleased w/ myself?  I am!

The waiting game...

Soooooo close, but patience is still required!

Happy FOURTH Birthday, My Miss Natalie!

Dear Natalie,

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)

i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)

i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

ee cummings

Big News From The Garden!

This weekend things just did not go right w/ the kids.  They were not the best versions of themselves and suffice to say I was definitely glad to be gainfully employed this morning....so, lets not dwell on that.  There is big news from the garden!

This homemade composter (tumber if you manhandle it onto its side and bang around and roll it) made some lovely dirt....

See how pretty and dark that nice dirt is....I think the plants are smiling!  Can you see the smiles?  They look happy, I swear it...definitely not my imagination!  I had enough to spread around all of the plants and have refilled the bin to make more.  I could not be more pleased.

Hello Dahlia!  Welcome to the flower bed :)

Messing around w/ a shot of my gorgeous white rose bush...see all those nice buds just waiting to burst out?

And finally...  The Jasmine is having a love affair with the Snap Peas.

AHA(!) re Southern BBQ! and Partypalooza pictures!

It was a crazy busy weekend with Partypalooza at our house but I think a good time was had by all.  I told The Hubs that I wanted to entertain more often and he looked at me like I was insane but I think we're good at it and he'll come around ;)

The menu for the party centered around a South Carolina BBQ recipe that a friend made for me last year.  I've been trying to figure out BBQ since we moved to Richmond 3 years ago and (AHA!) I've finally got it.  And since I don't know too many folks who don't LOVE southern BBQ I'm posting instructions...  I'm not a recipe hoarder and you can all thank me later...after you eat this...and lick your lips and smack your chops and impress your friends :)

 

 

And here are some of my favorites from the party!