Hands in the Dirt: Calm Before the Storm

Yes, come on Irene.  Get here and leave already.  We are all prepared for the hurricane a comin' and now we are just waiting.  Took advantage of the calm and got the dogs out on a pre-storm hike and walk through the garden.

Hope you are dry and safe where you are. 

I think I will go whip up a batch of hurricane cookies (walnut chocolate chip) since those will make a power outage much happier.  And cheers to lots sewing time! 

Homemade Spicy Tomato Soup

I thought of Rebecca over at The Dusty Cellar today when I was writing about my latest kitchen creation.

Remember those tomato plants that I started from seeds (you can see them starting here)? ... well are still flourishing!  I am still getting tomato's (late for us in NY)! 

This is giving me a wonderful excuse to share with neighbors and best of all try new recipes! 

I recently made one of my favorites... Spicy Tomato Soup -- yes the spicy is my twist on the recipe I found here.

I started by chopping plum and big boy tomato's from the garden.

Measured them up to get the 4 cups that are needed.

Here is my own addition: 1 average size Cheyenne pepper.  I chopped this seeds and all and added it to the tomato base.

I did leave the cloves and onion out since I didn't have them on hand; however I substituted some onion powder to help with the flavor.

As the mixture started to heat up it really started to smell so warm and comforting!

I used two bouillon cubes and water in place of chicken broth.

Once the base cooks through it is ready to be put through the Foley mill.  (I have used that Foley mill so much since I have gotten it!)

Round and round and round it goes!

Ta Da!  A homemade bowl of tomato soup that has a slight kick. 

That night we also whipped up a few homemade chicken pizza's.  Fresh mozzarella and basil, left over lemon pepper chicken, and swiss cheese.  

Those were some good pies!!

Comfort food always puts me in a better mood!!

I hope you will also play along with Midweek Blues!  Link your post of any interpretation of blues: Colors, moods, music, poetry...be as creative as you like!  Oh, and don't forget to visit the others!

Planted the Veggies

Good morning!  Remember those teeny tiny seeds I started a while ago?

Well, they are finally planted into the big boy/girl garden!

The roll call includes:

Serrano Chilis

Cayenne Peppers

Peas (I think these are the shelling kind)

Note to self... I still need to get something for these guys to climb on.

Simpson and Black Seeded Lettuce

These aren't looking the proudest, but I'm thinking what the heck.  Plant them and see what happens.

Basil

So tiny.  At the same time I am still excited it's made it this far. 

Cilantro

Oregano

Poor, poor oregano!  He's the tiniest of the bunch.

I must have forgotten to take pictures of the tomatoes. 

Here is what my set up currently looks like.  I think as things grow I will need to spread them out, but I'm not sure what is going to make it yet.

I am already dreaming about how I will adjust things next year (like a different, bigger space).  But I need to remember that taking baby steps is ok.