Delicious Summer Salad

Often times, when out in the garden, I formulate recipes in my head as I pick vegetables. Yesterday was no exception. This time of year, squash and peppers are abundant, and I often scramble to figure out fresh & delicious recipes for my family. I don't want them to feel they are constantly eating the same thing over and over again. I mean, I can eat smothered squash everyday, but teenagers seem to need variety in their lives; and let's  be real, variety IS the spice of life! My challenge, come up with an enjoyable side dish using squash & peppers. Well, I succeeded! It was SO good, my family asked for it again today. I see it becoming a regular at our dinner table, and an easy fresh dish for those summer barbeques. I hope you enjoy this as much as we do!

2 Ears of corn
1 Yellow squash chopped small
1 Chili pepper (or jalapeño) seeds removed and minced
1 Red bell pepper chopped small
Salt to taste (I didn't measure, just sprinkled some on)
1/2 tsp cumin
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Removed corn from cobs, add remaining ingredients, mix together & enjoy! It taste delicious freshly made, but it's even better when it sits in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.

Ten Things I've Learned About Gardening

I absolutely LOVE that I can provide my family with fresh veggies year round, but boy do I have a TON to learn, and boy have I learned a ton already. It's not lime this is the first year we've had a garden, but it is the first year I've been completely in charge. It also happens to be the best garden we've ever had. What??? I'm NOT bragging. It's just an observation! So with that said, here is what I've learned so far:

1. First, gardening is not for the faint at heart. If you're going to do it, you have to constantly be on top of it.

2. Weeds will pop up over night. By "pop up", I mean they will create a jungle in your garden of gargantuan proportions--especially after a good rain. It will leave you baffled at how quickly they appear, and give you hours of work just about daily! Next year, my garden will be lined with newspaper or alpaca fiber second to help with that. Not sure which one yet!

3. Pickling cucumber & spaghetti squash plants  go CRAZY! Next year, the cucumbers are getting a trellis and the spaghetti squash are getting their own area!

4. Peas take forever to grow. Definitely plant them in April, and again in May & June.

5. You only need a couple basil plants. They grow super tall & bushy!

6. Kale from your garden is so sweet, tender, and delicious. The stuff in the grocery store is disgusting compared to home grown.

7. Wider rows!!! If you want to walk between your plants, you MUST have wider rows. Not even kidding. I was very proud of our spacious rows--then our plants grew. Oops! My husband did warn me they weren't wide enough AFTER I planted the garden, of course! ( It probably wouldn't have changed a thing if he had told me before I planted it, I thought he was crazy. Lol " They're FINE honey! Just let me do my thing!" ) My hills are fantastic though. At least I did good on that. :)

8. You'll become obsessed. You will work in your garden, talk about your garden, research your garden, dream about your current & next years garden, plan your fall garden, garden, garden, garden. People will probably get annoyed with you--unless they also have a garden, then they'll join you in your endless prattle about gardens. :P

9. There will be no vacationing if you have a large garden. No one wants to do that much work for you, even if you pay them. This is only appealing to garden enthusiast, and they usually have their own large garden to worry about. :)

10. In conclusion, gardening is not for the faint at heart. If you're going to do it, you have to constantly be on top of it.