Garden Fresh Salsa

The time has come. The weeds are no longer so bothersome. The work of gardening becomes fun. Filling old metal bowls full of bright colored vegetables is the highlight of the season!

Plus, when cowboy whistles at me while I work (bent over –ahem…) -- no wonder Boaz couldn’t help but notice Ruth while she gleaned in the field (Ruth 2). If you’ve never read the story of Ruth…even if you are not a “Bible reader” --- read Ruth! It’s endearing, enduring, and epitomizes love and faith. A real love story for real women.



We went on a quick early summer vacation just me and my handsome cowboy, and when we came back the garden was well tended, I mean eaten, by the friendly critters. This means I’m thankful for a harvest even if it’s LATE! (Teachers stop being people again after August 5th) One of my favorite garden go-to’s is homemade salsa. Most people have a favorite salsa recipe, but you must TRY this little secret…

Before I get on to that secret though, I need to give a little step-by-step in case our oldest daughter ever decides to put her cute Texas bottom to work in the kitchen rather than devouring my Iowa salsa when she visits.

Step 1: Bring a pot of hot water to a boil.


Step 2: Put your tomatoes in and let them boil for several minutes. When you see the skin on one start to crack pull them out right away!


Step 3: Please be careful baby girl – it’s HOT! Use tongs.


Step 4: Put the tomatoes in ice cold water, so you can touch them. Do not text or waste time…this needs to go fast.


Step 5: Cut the middle core out of the center. (Most people think I’m about to warn you about knifes, but you are much better at this than I am)


Step 6: Peel the skin back off of the tomatoes and throw them away or compost them.


Step 7: If you want chunky salsa you would perhaps chop in a bowl like this.


Step 8: Since you would throw all chunks out – I recommend using a food processor to chop your tomatoes.


Step 9: Next you can chop peppers: bell, banana, and even jalapeno if you are feeling tough. A good mix of peppers adds flavor.


Step 10: – The secret ingredient! Zucchini! That’s right the “leave them on your neighbor’s porch” vegetable has yet another purpose!

I chop mine up fine using the food processor and mix it with my peppers. It will absorb the flavor!

Add the tomatoes, peppers and zucchini to a pot. Season with a dash of taco seasoning, chili powder, garlic, and salt and pepper.

(I add a little teaspoon of sugar too --- shhhh!! Don’t tell…)

Enjoy your salsa sweet girl!!


Linking to:

Piles of Pallets

For decades, piles of pallets have set behind warehouses completely unnoticed. Until some creative folks put them in high demand with designers and DIY’s everywhere!

One of the first pallet ideas I fell in love with was a backsplash

While I was in Atlanta, many showrooms were using pallet displays

I’ve even seen bloggers create entire pallet walls

While we did order a reclaimed wood bed that I’m eager to see, and I would L-O-ve to have a mini bar in our basement family room made of pallet someday, I haven’t taken the plunge with pallets. I do have a (less glamorous) usefully inspiring pallet project to share though.

I have wanted a REAL compost pile for almost 10 years!! This is something only gardeners or farm folks will understand, but these industrial pallets make a great 2 bin compost right off of the pen where I get the most “stuff.” We have a piece that we put in front of it to keep other animals out, but it works great and went up quite easily and for $5!

I told you it wasn’t all that inspiring, but doing chores is more fun with a good looking place to put “it”…

Tour of Homes Summer 2013

I’m looking for inspiration in my new blank slate of a home, so I’m excited to peek inside the homes featured on the tour.

Want to join me??

Click here for the schedule and links

I guarantee we will be inspired, enjoy some relaxation, and meet new friends along the way.

Be sure to let them know that I sent you…

Celebrating 100th post

While it could be argued that I should give up my blog for lack of consistency and momentum...three years later I find myself writing my 100th post!

I've been wanting to start a few different series for well...a couple of years. In an effort to jump start my blogging soul I am going to attempt a couple of those. Now...I've always been a fan of saying "Don't make promises you can't keep," so this is not so much a promise as a plea with myself to make time for something I really do L-O-ve!!

I L-O-ve the reflection, the simplicity, and the community of blogging. I L-O-ve sharing sneak peeks. I L-O-ve the kind words of comments from those you know and those you don't. I L-O-ve capturing images. I L-O-ve writing in a way that creates a new image. I L-O-ve the feel of a completed post too, so I'll stop talking about all the things I L-O-ve about blogging and get back to actually blogging.

To celebrate, I think there’s nothing more fitting than introducing “Where I Come From.” Here I will post pictures of what captures life here in the simple and all too often forgotten Heart of America and things that have been a part of making me “me” – for better or worse!

 

 

How about you – where do you come from?