Friday Food Frolic! Garden Pesto!

The basil is plentiful in our garden at this time of year,
so I thought I’d share our favorite pesto recipe.

Basil Pesto
2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
½ cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup pine nuts or walnuts (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and pepper to taste

1. Rinse leaves and add to food processor.
2. Add olive oil. More or less depending on how thick you like your pesto.
3. Add garlic and cheese.
4. Add pine nuts/walnuts.
5. Add salt & pepper to taste.
Sometimes I omit the nuts & cheese and it tastes perfectly fine that way, too!
Tip – spend the $$ on quality pine nuts (don’t buy any from China) or you could end up with pine mouth!

How to preserve all that extra basil? Try:
**Drying**
Rinse the leaves and spread them single layer on a screen
OR
Tie the stems together and hang upside down in a dry, airy place.
Once the leaves are completely dry, crush them up into spice jars.
(Be sure they are completely dry or they will get moldy - yuck!)

**Freezing**
Half make the pesto recipe,
by blending just the basil and oil.
Freeze into ice cube trays
then transfer to an airtight freezer container.
Each ice cube holds about 2 tablespoons.
You can freeze the entire pesto recipe, too, if you want.

My Garden Green

We've spent the last two years, tearing up turf and creating our own little secret garden.  The best part about it is that it needs little watering.  We've planted mostly perennials & native plants that go with the flow and hardly ever need a drink from us. Hopefully we will be installing our homemade water barrel this weekend. Talk about your water conservation!

And to top it off - the birdbath & chair are rescued from the trashman. 

More to come on the homemade water barrel!

Our New "Neighbors!"

Our yard is a constant work in progress. We are trying to create less grass and more garden beds with perennials and ground cover that doesn't need constant mowing and watering.  We took out a bunch of old bushes this spring and are excited to replant the beds around the house with wildlife sustainable plants and flowers.  We are trying to attract butterflies and birds and maybe a toad or two!  Last year we had it certified as a "Backyard Wildlife Habitat" through the National Wildlife Federation.  We have lots of wildlife that visit - birds, bunnies, hawks, chipmunks, butterflies and deer. But none have chosen our small suburban yard as home - expect for bugs!

(a work in progress! the deer eat everything!)

Last night we discovered our first inhabitant! My oldest was so excited and said, "our yard must be perfect with enough food and water and shelter for her to pick our tree!" Normally this Rhododendron tree is feeding station to a handfull of purple finches.  Lately I've noticed that they haven't been hanging around and was curious as to why.  So dad spotted a nest, but let the little ladies hunt for it instead of showing them where it was hiding.

And yes! A Robin family has taken up residence! We will update pictures as things progess.  The little ladies are anxiously awaiting the hatching of these beautiful eggs!

You too, can certify your backyard by following these

5 steps from the National Wildlife Federation.

1. Provide food for wildlife.

2. Supply water for wildlife.

3. Create cover for wildlife.

4. Give wildlife a place to raise their young.

5. Let your garden be green.

And Voila! go get certified!