May 23, 2021- a rainy week.

It was a strange week. It was rainy and cloudy almost the entire time. You noticed those limited moments when there was sun. 

It was good weather for the garden I suppose. None of the rain was hard enough to knock over flowers. Lupine in particular can have their upward direction changed.

It also got humid in there sometime. The airconditioner came on as did the frogs in the pond. It seems like a long time since the peepers were so loud. And late into the evening too. I am typing this after 10 on Saturday evening and there they are.

Frogs and the occasional owl- it makes you want to have your windows open.

Maybe the frogs are celebrating the arrival of our professionnally made duck guard. Thank you Dan Bohlke.

It is hinged, so will fold up when the lily pads cover most of the pond. At that point the ducks will not have much to swim in. It can then be stored easily in the back garage. 

Here is the upstairs video of the entire back yard.

The hosta are really taking over. I will work on my top ten list for next week.

Right now some really nice colors make the garden highlight reel.

Good old Beauty of Livermore. We first saw you up the street maybe 30 years ago. It took us the longest time to find your name.

The lupines have enjoyed a good May.

The Siberian Iris are starting to put on a show.

This is one of those garden gems that was a gift a long time ago. You see the plant and remember the person. Thank you Kathy.

Some plants last. Pansies are in that category, once the deer stopped eating them.

I do not know if I have any other flower with this velvety a blue.

Next up in the garden are the regular peonies.

Julia's recipe

Avocado Cucumber soup

A variation on cold cucumber soup. It is a pleasant milestone when the farmer's market reopens and there are fresh (as opposed to shipped in from somewhere far away) cucumbers and it is warm enough to want to have a cold soup. We got there last week. This recipe is slightly adapted from the epicurious website. It is pleasantly green due to the addition of the avocado and creamy and a little bit tangy.   

The ingredients:

1 medium to large ripe avocado;

2 fresh local cucumbers totaling about 16" in length;

1 green onion;

1 tablespoon lime juice;

1 teaspoon salt (kosher or not);

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes;

1-2 cups plain yogurt; 

1-2 cups ice cubes.

This recipe does require a blender. With a blender it is a fast and easy recipe. If not, maybe a food processor would work although I don't know how food processors handle ice. Get a blender. 

I started by prepping the green onion and cucumbers. I washed them and cut the ends off and cut them into chunks. I did not peel the cucumbers. If your cucumbers have journeyed far and are waxed, peel them. 

I scooped out the avocado and blended it. Then I added some of the cucumber  chunks and some of the yogurt. Then the rest of the cucumber chunks and the salt, red pepper flakes, and green onion. Then the rest of the yogurt, lime juice and some of the ice. My blender has an ice setting. I had never used it before. It makes a lot of noise but also made quick work of the ice. Add more ice if the soup seems thick. 

Here it is in the tureen, lookin nicely green. Thick but not too thick. 

And here it is in the soup plate. If one were so inclined, one could garnish with herbs (like parsley or basil or mint) or with chives. 

We served the soup with bacon. lettuce and tomato sandwiches - using local tomatoes, another harbinger of spring. And a green salad, with local beautiful maroon and green lettuce. 

It has been a long year and an even longer 12 month stretch. It is good once again to have good local things to eat. 

Odds and ends

With some assistance from a strong person the biggest orchid cactus made it outside. I am relying on the fact that there will not be much sun the next week. There still is not that much shade from the Walnut and the Sycamore trees. Shade is not an issue if the sun does not shine.

I am tired.

I am waiting for strained muscles to return to normal.

I am not there yet.

It is hard not to over extend myself.

Be safe

Philip