Tuesday, August 27, 2013

End of Summer Fun



This has been the busiest of summers, lots of fun with the grand kids and with school starting next week so we're trying to get in the last of the beach days!



Is there anything more fun than jumping the big waves?



Everyone tries the skim boards.



It is hot and muggy here, the shoreline shows the humidity.



We're so blessed to live so close to the beach.



I did go to a wonderful lecture/tasting last week entitled "Pesto and Pasta". My favorite herbalist Marsha was the speaker.



She made 3 different recipes for pesto. (she used food processors). My favorite was the traditional recipe:
2 cups of fresh basil
1 cup fresh parsley
2 Tbs. fresh sweet marjoram (optional)
1/4 cup pine nuts (you could use other nuts, walnuts, almonds etc.)
2-3 cloves garlic
1/2-3/4 cup Parmesan or Romano cheese
3/4 olive oil

put all ingredients except for oil and cheese in food processor. Blend until smooth. Slowly add olive oil while blending on low speed. Stir in cheese just before serving. Serve immediately on hot cooked pasta.
I've only eaten store bought pesto but it does not compare to fresh made. To taste this is like you've died and gone to heaven.



Marsha also made pesto using kale, spinach, pumpkin seeds, garlic, olive oil and Parmesan cheese that was also very good. (using the same measurements and procedure of the traditional).





The only problem is having enough basil!! I think I might have enough for one batch.
One more recipe Marsha made that I have a lot of is made with:
chives, parsley, garlic, walnuts, olive oil and Parmesan cheese.



In my dye studio I've been adding new shelves made from old sewing machine drawers. I've had one for years and didn't know where to use it, then my son bought me three more from a estate sale, I found the perfect place for them. My husband put up two here.



And above my antique stove two more.



I think I may need a couple more, these will fill up fast with dried natural dyes.



I love my studio!



My rose bush is full of  hips this year, the biggest I've seen in a long time. I'm not quite sure what to do with them, I know their high in vitamin C and they make tea from them. I'll have to study on it, What do think Peggy any ideas?

4 comments:

Deb Hardman said...

I love the use of the drawers! I always. Thought they were cute with your napkins in them too!

Can you Eco print with rosé hips thinly sliced?

Deb Hardman said...

Oh, & the beach looks so nice. I do miss the beach. I wish I could live there! But then I'd miss the mountains.... Why can't we have it all?

Peggy said...

Make honey! It's the best. Maybe wait until cooler temps for the hips to sweeten up a little. They are gorgeous, that's for sure. I love your sewing drawer shelves. And that stove! Do you use it? My husband just found me an antique stove for very little money and I'm thinking of leaving it outside as either a dye station or a plant stand. It can be hooked up to gas. I just have to decide now. xoxo

Kathy -MIQuilter said...

Hi Peggy, Yes, my stove is a working gas stove, it use to be in our basement and I did a lot of canning when the kids we're small. When my husband remodeled our garage into a dye studio for me we brought it up, hooked it up to gas and have it for me to use there. I love it!
I already picked the hips maybe too soon to do anything with.

  • Deb Hardman
  • Allie Aller
  • Jenny Bowker Cairo
  •