Monthly Archives: June 2013

After tropical storm Andrea…

Tropical storm Andrea pass through the area Friday. She left more than 5 inches of rain and downed trees and flooded lowland areas. The power flickered but did not go out in my neighborhood.

As I arrived home from work about 6:30 pm I pulled slowly up the drive expecting to see many limbs in the yard. There was only one dead pine limb about 5 feet in length in yard. I was relieved.

As I arrived near the end of the drive, next to the house, I see the rose of sharon Altheas were not as lucky. They were all leaning over.

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They usually stretch toward the sky with long and thin limbs which heavy winds or rains often bend to the ground. They will often pull themselves back up over several weeks. If not, they will get a hard trim back to up right wood.

The patch of Black-eyed Susans were hit hard, too!

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Along the street, many plants were leaning but survived.

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And the yucca near the mailbox garden now has a leaning flower spike!

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The hydrangeas along the parking area made it through the wind and rain mostly unscathed.

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There are many plant with new blooms, too!

Passionflower

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And an unusual bicolor spiderwort.

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Once the sun come out and warms the ground, everything should begin a quick period of growth stimulated by the rain as we were in a very dry period before the storm.

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Tomato-Vodka Sauce

Fresh, homemade pasta sauce is the best! Its very easy to make and takes little time. Barilla now makes a line of pasta which contains 20% of the daily serving of vegetables. I usually use whole wheat pasta but these veggie pastas are just as good for you!

Tomato-vodka Sauce with veggie penne.

1 ½  tablespoons olive oil

½ cup chopped shallots or sweet onions

½ cup vodka

1 cup canned evaporate skim milk

One 150 ounce can tomato sauce

1/8 teaspoons cayenne pepper (optional)

Heat the oil in a heavy, large pan over medium heat. I used my trusty Dutch oven. Add the shallots or onion and cook, stirring, for four minutes.

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Add the vodka: carefully ignite the sauce with a long match – be careful! The flame will go out in about a minute when the alcohol has burned off. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes. Shake the pan occasionally to mix.

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Add the milk, and simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce is reduced and has thickened – about 10 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and cayenne and simmer until thickened again – about 5 minutes.

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Serve immediately over hot pasta, or store, covered, in a refrigerator for up to 3 days. Makes 2 cups or four ½ cup servings.

Adapted from Vegetarian Times Low-Fat & Fast: 150 Easy Meatless Recipes.

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Surprises from seed.

Everyone knows I like a bargain. When the garden centers begin to make the seasonal markdowns I will visit often and head straight for the discount shelves.

I especially love the bulk wildflower seeds. I am usually pleasantly surprised years down the road as some of the perennial plants mature and begin to bloom.

Along the street I have had oxeye daisies and a few wild day lilies. Last year I sprinkled a pack of rudbeckia and as they have bloomed I have been pleasantly surprised. A few even bloomed during our mild winter.

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I seeded a large path from the front walk through through to the lawn. They should be amazing as this patch is about 5 feet wide and 20 feet long.

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I also seeded lance leaved coreopsis , too. They are just coming into their prime blooming season!

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The oxeye daises are finishing up their season so once the seed heads dry I will hit them with a rake to shake out the seeds and cut back the dead bloom stalks.

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And the cycle of the seasons continue…

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