The Garden of August

I fully believe the rains of July and August are the reward of suffering through the crazy month of June. It is a bitter sweet reward, we have received lots of rain, and the rain brings bugs. There is a little pest that will probably be the end of the tomatoes. They are still cranking out fruits, but it is only time until they are overtaken. I thought it was just my luck, but come to find out bugs have taken most tomatoes on the hill. The poor plants look so sad, wilting in displeasure, I can't even take a photo of them in this state.

A recent rainbow over B mountain follows a rain.

I can't hate on the rains too much, because the other plants are really happy. The lettuce bed didn't do so swell this year in the heat and many things either went to seed really early, or they didn't pop up at all. A whole section of New Zealand spinach and one rogue green onion came up and is tasting pretty yummy. It topped a homemade pizza a couple of weeks ago, mmm.

Its better to show up late than never at all.

And speaking of plants doing their own thing; bundling sage. I couldn't get a plant to sprout last year, and was a little upset. I really wanted to grow my own. Well this year, all over the place, I have found plants. And in the oddest of places too. One coming out of the bricks of the planter, one by the compost, one under the huge prickly pear, and many more just random. I dried some and bundled it to give it a try. Not quite ready to burn, but soon.

"I do what I want!"

Having a dog that likes to hide their findings, and having little places available to dig, the box that is now carrots was once full of cabbage. I saved one sickly looking plant months ago, and saved I did! This healthy looking plant will soon be roasted on my plate, and I can't wait! And of course the jalapeno and serrano peppers are killing it and producing more than I can eat. I am still looking for people to share with. The blackberry I bought at the Douglas Farmer's Market is climbing so high. I can't wait to pluck a berry off the vine.

A head to be.

So fresh and yummy tasting.

Climbing to the sky.

While I had thoughts of grandeur early on, and easily disappointed at the beginning, I look at the garden now and am grateful for the bounty I have received. The variety is still there, just not as varietal as I was dreaming of.  But its not too bad for gardening in the desert on a hill.

Summer Sangria

Summer time, and the livin's easy...

My absolute favorite drink during the summer is the sweet and spicy homemade sangria.  No matter what is on hand, it turns out great. Since a couple of people have been asking for my recipe (I must talk about it alot?) I thought I would share. This little drink really only needs a few staples and you can make it which ever way fits the needs of your taste buds. This evening I went with a cheap Shiraz, let the games begin.

This recipe is really just the beginning of combinations.

Partial sangridients.

Ingredients:
1 bottle of red wine-  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz
1 lemon cut into wedges
1 orange cut into wedges
1 lime cut into wedges
2 Tbsp of sugar
1 shot of brandy (a nice pour)
1 bottle of ginger brew
1/4 cup of orange juice

Spices:
1/8 tsp of clove
1/8 tsp of nutmeg
1/8 tsp of cardamon
1/4 tsp of fresh grated ginger
1 tsp of cinnamon

Pour wine and orange juice in the pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon, lime, and orange into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and add sugar and the shot of brandy (one Mississippi...). Sprinkle in the  spices and give it a stir. If you are not in a hurry, let the mixture sit overnight. If you are like me and want to drink it once its chilled, add the ginger brew, stir, and refrigerate. The flavors will become stronger as they sit.

Serve over ice. If making a double batch you might mix wines, possibly a Cab and Shiraz.

Sangria cooling over ice.

Variations: Sometimes you are caught without all the ingredients on hand, I know I have multiple times. By using what you have you can create many variations, possibly lemonade or pear juice in place of orange juice. A little twist of fresh black pepper and mint?