bok choy bolt

We planted some heirloom baby bok choy this fall - - - the seed packet said baby and they meant it!!!

So we didn't harvest it quick enough or plant enough of it to have a meal, so we let it bolt.  Aaron and I always enjoy seeing flowers in the fall and winter.  Here are the beautiful cluster of yellow flowers from the bolted baby bok choy.

I think that Aarons enjoyment of seeing flowers this time of year stems from the years he lived in Alaska.  When there are 24 hours of sunlight the pansies get HUGE!!!!

And I just love seeing the colors and shapes!

SIDE NOTE:
After greens (collards, lettuce, spinach, basil) bolt the leaves are way to bitter to munch on - I think its best to just leave the plant in place and admire.

Kosher Nation

Aaron and I heard Sue Fishkoff talk last night at the UNC Hillel.  (Thanks for the tip Emily)  She was brilliant, funny, and witty.  She engaged the audience of 50 people for over an hour.  Here is a link to her book - check it out.  And there is also Amazon.

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780805242652

In this link it says, "She explains why 86 percent of the 11.2 million Americans who regularly buy kosher food are not observant Jews—they are Muslims, Seventh-day Adventists, vegetarians, people with food allergies, and consumers who pay top dollar for food they believe “answers to a higher authority.”

I can't wait to read it.

Balloon Peppers

That is what they are!  Spicy and delicious - - - -

Peppers - but what kind

We are on the last leg of our peppers for the season.  This was a pepper plant our friend gave us, we can't remember the name.  Any ideas?
We have been eating these peppers since summer - and they are amazing.
Super spicy with the seeds, but just a wonderful faint spice without the seeds. 

One of our favorite plants

I saw this plant for the first time when I was in high school.  We were vacationing in Spring Lake, NJ.  On the day that I met this plant, we were shopping in a super cute beachy store. The owner had it growing inside in a pot.  It was so happy.  This delicate plant comes in all colors, shapes and sizes.  When it blooms, the flowers look just as delicate as the plant is: Oxalis, purple Oxalis.  Whenever I see it at a plant show I usually buy up all the plants, but I very rarely see it.  But now that I am telling you, I will make sure to leave a few behind.

The best bread recipe ever

Here is the simplest and best bread recipe that I have ever come across:

3 cups luke warm water
1.5 tablespoons active yeast
1.5 tablespoons kosher salt
6.5 cups of unsifted flour

Preheat oven to 375.  Mix it all together, let it rise for about 2 hours, take all of it (or half of it) and throw it into a greased loaf pan.   Bake for about 35-45 minutes.

If you want to make it more fancy, cut some fresh rosemary from your garden and sprinkle some garlic powder in it.  Now you have some rosemary garlic bread.  Or you can make sugar and cinnamon bread.  GET CREATIVE!!!

All of the dough makes a regular loaf of bread (like you get in the supermarket).  For a smaller loaf, use half of the dough.

Here is the book that I got it from in case you can't get enough:
http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/

You may never buy another loaf of bread again.
Have fun baking!

Rain and October

We have had a week of wonderful rain and cool weather.

I am so thankful.

Remember that you have till  about October 15 to get your onions into the ground.

Happy Gardening.