Goodies from the greenhouse

The hubby worked his butt off this spring to build us the cutest little greenhouse on the block, complete with glass french doors and little glass windows. I was also the recipient of some cedar raised beds for mother's day this year, just in time for planting the beets and carrots. I am now a greenhouse/hot house LOVER.
Check out this pic from spring.....so orderly and cute!!!

And this pic from yesterday.....it's like a jungle in there.

We have a small deer and bear issue in our neck of the woods which can make veggie gardening a bit frustrating, I don't mind sharing the fruits of our labour with the wild life, I just don't appreciate the mass destruction that follows after they have had a snack.
So the greenhouse has not only sped up the growing process but kept our precious tomatoes safe from harm.

Last night I whipped up a quick side dish with some of our delish tomatoes.

I call it tomato pie, it's not really a pie but I remember my mom making something similar when I was a kid.
This is my take on her dish using lots of yummy seasonal stuff from our garden.

In a baking dish; roughly chop fresh tomatoes, onion, basil, garlic and toss in olive oil, parmigiano reggiano, salt and pepper.
Check out this bad boy from our garden, I just sliced him into little garlic discs...soooo good.

Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Then in a bowl cube some day old or crusty bread (I used plain old ancient grain sliced bread), toss with some olive oil and spread onto veggies. Grate some more cheese on top and bake in 350c oven until bread is toasty crunchy and tomatoes are mushy!! (like my vast knowledge of cooking terminology???)

I forgot to take a post oven pic but in reality it looks a lot like the pic above just steamier and crunchy browned!! K, I need to stop talking!!

Happy harvesting y'all!!

Chocolate Zucchini Loaf

Usually at this time of year offers are coming in from all directions in the form of free zucchini. Overzealous gardeners like myself who think that just one plant is not going to be enough....so we plant three and then end up with enough veg to feed a small nation of vegetarians.
I am not one to turn away free food so I have gotten into the habit of freezing and preserving food in abundance for later use, almost to the point of excess (just take a look at my pantry!!)
One of my favourite uses for zucchini is grating it and freezing for later use. I never feel like baking in the summer however with the kids back in school this week it is definitely time to dust off the apron and the mixing bowls.
I managed to bake this morning in between painting window frames and mowing the grass, froze a large Chocolate zucchini loaf, however I soon realised that I would need a little something to take to the PAC meet and greet with our new principal. Ain't that just perfect!!!
Meeting went great, sold some jam to a fabulous customer and got requests for the loaf recipe, what a great start to the school year...so here it is ladies

Chocolate Zucchini loaf.

3 eggs

1/3 cup oil

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups of unsweetened apple sauce
2 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

2 cups grated zucchini

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350c

Grease and flour two loaf pans or one 15 x 10 Pyrex baking dish.(I prefer the Pyrex and the cake cooks quicker and more evenly)

Cream the eggs, sugar, apple sauce, oil and vanilla in a mixing bowl.

Add zucchini.

Sift the dry ingredients and add.

Fold in the chocolate chips.

Bake for 50 minutes in loaf pans or until a tooth pick comes out clean.
Baking time varies depending on the size of your baking dish. So check after 20 minutes with a tooth pick.

This loafs freezes very well and I actually prefer the moisture of the cake after it has been defrosted.
The applesauce helps to cut down on the fat and oil content...so don't feel too guilty when you have your second or third piece with your morning cuppa.

Enjoy*

Hello September

Just wanted to take a minute to share an image my friend Dana snapped on her visit to Canada. She really captured a precious moment with my girls, in my favourite place..our garden.

Summer is whizzing by at an alarming rate and today was the girls first day back at school, I feel like I didn't take enough pictures or cherish enough moments these last few months.

Zoe is all little lady like, heading into grade 6 *eek* and my baby Marley is now in grade 1 with her new teacher Mrs Pol, it seems like just yesterday that same lady was teaching my Zoe to ride her little heart out for the big bike rodeo at the May Day celebrations.

I'm so excited for them both, it's going to be a great year full of new adventures and challenges. I can't wait to hold their hands when they are scared, wipe away their anxiety with some cookies and milk and tuck them into bed at the end of the night after every little milestone.

I wandered across this piccie today and a big smile spread across my face, so thank you Dana for taking the time to freeze frame this moment for me.

I'm feeling like a bad little blogger lately..please excuse my tardiness. I'll try to be better next week......or maybe the week after that.

Dear Zoe

This will forever be in my mind a moment where my heart swells with pride and pure adoration of my child.

A moment where a mother realises that her little baby is growing up and fluffing her feathers, resembling what will soon be a young adult preparing to take the leap from the nest.

A moment where I realised that creating moments to allow my child to leap head first into life will give her the confidence and strength to soar!!!!

A moment that will be remembered forever.

Dana Banana Week

 

Yesterday we welcomed "Auntie" Dana to Canada and the Okanagan, after 10 years of me asking her to come visit she has finally made it to my side of the world. It's always so exciting for me to do the drive to Kelowna and pick up new visitors, I do miss Australia very, very much but I'm also proud to live in the Okanagan and show it's great qualities and beauty to everyone.

My kids were just as excited as me, making signs and banners for banana's arrival.

We're planning to do some fun stuff this week, zip lining in Oyama, paragliding in Lavington, lying on the beach at Mara Lake (if it ever stops raining) and water slides in Vernon.

The time always goes by so fast and before you know it banana's trip will be just a memory. Squeezing lots of fun stuff in is always a priority but sitting up last night just chatting and having some Dana time all to myself was lovely, catching up and reminiscing about the good old days.

I just love it when my ozzies come visit, there's not a whole lot of culture shock, it's just the little things that make me giggle and remind me of my impressions the first time here.

We snuck out last night to the neighbours house and grabbed a few cherries for munching, right now the fruit is spectacular, so I guess I should be grateful for the rain!!!

Zoe is making crepes with fresh raspberries, drizzled with real maple syrup for our aussie, now all we need is for the aussie to get out of bed and go pick those raspberries!!!!!!

Someone was thinking.

You know when you see an idea that's so simple, so necessary and just plain using you're noggin that you wonder....now why didn't I think of that? Check this out...freezie sleeves!!
I have the jumbo box of freezies chilling in my freezer just waiting for the warm weather to kick in. The problem is with kids and freezies 1. Brain freeze and 2. cold fingers.

The brilliant creator and domestic goddess of Delia creates shared this fabulous craft she did with her kids on her blog. Here are her boys enjoying the fruits of their labour.
My 10 year old was given a sewing machine by her gramma for Xmas last year and this is a perfect intro craft for her.
I was at a ladies gathering last night and the birthday girl received a sewing machine also, Kerry I'm thinking this could be a good place to start. I know you're savvy with a hot glue gun so you're already part way there!!!!
I had a great night out last night with friends, good food and lots of laughs. Will share my new simple appy recipe later today over at Coolabah tree.

This one's for you Stacy

So, it's a busy week here at the Simpson Ponderosa.
My wonderful friend Dana Banana from Australia is coming to visit on Sunday so my house needs to be gutted and put back together all sparkly and clean, I really need to go to the dump, the raspberries are almost ripe which means jammin is in my near future.
But priorities my friends, I have a ladies night to attend tonight and an appy that needs to be made in order for me to put my feet up, wine glass in hand and get some time with my lady friends.

I happened across a website, I made that,  the other day and I'm yet to take the time to look the whole thing over, but on page one......my heart skipped a beat when I saw this..................

Stacy........do you see this????? PORK BUNS!!!!

I have already rushed out and purchased a pork shoulder, but did not take into consideration the marinating, chilling, mixing, roasting, rising, re roasting, glazing time factor.

So sorry ladies...NO PORK BUNS FOR YOU!

Mmmmmm, my mouth is watering just looking at them. OK, back to work, I will let you know how they tasted when I get around to making them, or if you're lucky you might get an invite to come eat them with me.