quote:

Originally posted by Giabow:
Mmmm .... I love lavender, 'Phelia. Never cooked with it, though (I love the look and the scent.) Let me know if you find any good recipes (I'm thinking of growing it myself this year.)

I have a recipe for lavender vinegar that I plan on trying out. (If it's decent, I might give some to friends as hostess gifts). I also want to try and make my own lavender lemonade, and maybe see what lavender vanilla cupcakes would taste like.

I've never tried lavender vinegar or lavender lemonade, but lavender-iced cupcakes are amazing.

lavendar and peppermint tea is wonderful.. relieves stress better than jack..

I had lavender-iced cupcakes in Seattle and while they weren't bad, they were...odd, and very rich. I could only take a couple of bites. I would try lavender lemonade, though.

Well, since I know there a lot of Obama supporters here, I will post this link.

Its a campaign to get Obama to plant a garden at the White House.

I bought a half share at a Community Supported Agriculture Farm!

It will require me to work 10 hours at the farm, so I'm looking forward to all the gardening things I'll learn!

*silly excited*

I debated about attempting potted vegetables this year, but frankly I dont think I'd eat everything fast enough for it not to be a waste. At least herbs I can dry.

That looks awesome Nel. I am looking into a share in a local CSA farm here too- they have a meet-and-greet fair at one of the co-ops in March.

'Feelia, you can dry tomatoes too.

For those of you wondering what to do with Lavender, try it with Lamb instead of Rosemary. Either poke it into the lamb, put a bunch in a braising liquid or make a Lavender jelly instead of mint.

So my husband built a 5' x 5' raised bed for my square-foot garden. This weekend I've sectioned it off and started my early spring veggies.

Sugar peas, leeks, cabbage (only 1), lettuce, swiss chard, and broccoli raab.

plant kohlrabi! it is tasty!

Swiss chard! Mmmm. I've got a great rice/swiss chard recipe if you're interested.

quote:

Originally posted by Ophelia's Vengeance:
I debated about attempting potted vegetables this year, but frankly I dont think I'd eat everything fast enough for it not to be a waste. At least herbs I can dry.

I'm still thinking about the same thing. My co-worker's husband just planted their gardens last weekend, and that's getting me thinking about doing my own.

*seethes with jealousy* I can only start my tomato and pepper seedling indoors for now. which I will be doing, soon. I generally start around St Patrick's Day.

quote:

Originally posted by other aitapata:
Swiss chard! Mmmm. I've got a great rice/swiss chard recipe if you're interested.

I am! I planted a kind called "bright lights". It has yellow, orange, pink, red, and green stems.

I'm still looking for a tiller.. getting the garden started is proving more difficult than it was back in my younger days..

I hate getting older..

quote:

Originally posted by other ladykatza:
I am!

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cups long grain rice
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 cloves, finely chopped
4.5 cups vegetable broth
4 ounces swiss chard (or sorrel, dandelion, spinach, or escarole), finely chopped
salt; freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a large deep-sided skillet with a lid, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the rice, onion, and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the broth, greens, salt and pepper; bring to a brisk simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed but the mixture is slightly creamy, about 20 minutes.

Toss with 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds just before serving.

*variation: For a main course to serve six, add 1 cup raisins along with the broth & greens.

It turns out fabulously creamy and GREEN. The raisins & pine nuts are the perfect touch.

recipe looks familiar.. looks yummy too..

nommy recipe! I shall add it to my recipe book.

My Richters order has been placed. I'll be getting:

two Aloe Vera plants
Genovese Basil
Sweet Lavendar
Mojito Mint
Berggarten Sage
Lavender Thyme
Vervain

My Turkish Oregano has been doing well. I was able to successfully get a cutting to root, so Mummy Dearest shall soon have her own plant. I'm hoping to get a second cutting to root as well *fingers crossed*