Join me for a cup of tea in my garden?

Remember the plans for my garden? 

Well it has come to life and I love it!!  The bees and butterflies seem to love it too!!  My wonderful husband along with our friend Mark built my beautiful garden.  Some of the fence posts came from a tear-down and the wood for garden boxes themselves came from a friend with left-over wood (Thank you Tracy!!).  We purchased fabulous rich soil full of good compost and nutrients and the mulch was all free (a fabulous price) from our county recycling center.  Along with the new plantings and a gorgeous Freestone peach tree from our dear friends Helen and Eddie, we are welcoming spring with gusto!

Sweet Cucumbers, Sugar Snap Peas

Cauliflower(just 2), and 3 varieties of Pole Beans

Spring Lettuce and Kale

(Yes, I know, too many but it's survival of the fittest around here)

Heirloom Black Krim, Celebrity, Roma, Best Boy Tomatoes

Blueberries & Blackberries

Beautiful Peach Tree to the left, a birdbath for the bees and butterflies, along with Marigolds for attracting "good" bugs and seedlings popping up Seedballs of Sunflowers!!  Seedballs are made by people with disabilities and a fun way to start a variety of flowers!

Jalapenos, Cayennes, Serranos and Sweet Banana Peppers

Can't wait my son Shane's serious salsa making!!

My peeps keeping busy free-ranging for laying delicious eggs!

Here are my garden tools, and a laminated card of local birds!

Waiting for the annual arrival of our favorite Painted Bunting!!

I keep trying but my manicure is a total loss :/

Come join me for a cup of tea in the center of my garden!

Elsewhere in the yard, the first bloom of the wisteria.

It smells amaaaazing. Bees and butterflies couldn't be happier!

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Fresh Vegetable Soup & New Year's Resolutions

Back on task!!  I must say this ten times a day.  Yesterday I joined Weight Watchers, yes my cooking is getting the best of me or should I say is giving me the worst of me.  I have a few to lose, not many but enough to make my clothes perfectly comfortable and to make me feel better about myself.   I decided WW could help me cook a bit more friendly to the old waist line.  Sweets have never been my downfall, I'm not even wild about chocolate, it's those damn cream sauces.  I love them to distraction and there has to be a way to lighten them up so I can still enjoy them.  No cream sauces in my Veggie Soup, well of course not, but I love a full flavored soup.  So here goes...

Fresh Vegetable Soup

Fresh Vegetable Soup adapted from where else?  Weight Watchers

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
1 medium sweet red pepper, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
2 small zucchini, diced
2 C. Swiss chard, chopped
2 C. cauliflower, small florets
2 C. broccoli, small florets
2 T. fresh thyme, chopped
2 T fresh parsley, chopped
3 green onions, chopped
salt & pepper, to taste
1 tsp. Tony's seasoning
juice of one small lemon
6 C low sodium chicken broth
splash of white wineSpray a soup pot with olive oil spray.  Bring heat to medium and  add all ingredients in order listed.  Stirring as you add new ingredients. Bring to boil over high heat; reduce heat to low and simmer about 30 minutes.

NOTES: 
I know, I know the white wine was probably a violation but a splash to a soup that makes 12 servings isn't going to kill anyone.

If you like thick soups, consider pureeing this recipe in the pot with an immersion blender.

Add or leave out vegetables to suit your taste.

Save in individual servings in the freezer for a quick midday snack or dinner appetizer.

Weight Watchers says this (with my modifications, that includes the white wine addition) is still only 1 point per serving!!              Makes 12 servings.

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