Chicken Fajitas

Notes

Marinating chicken and peppers and onions in a highly flavored marinade and then grilling gives it all the flavor without fat. A spiced creamy yogurt sauce and avocado sauce wrapped in a corn tortilla with fresh cilantro keeps the fajitas healthy and fresh tasting.

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed cilantro leaves, plus extra for serving
• 1/4 cup lime juice, about 2 limes
• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 scallions, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 jalapeno, seeded if desired
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Kosher salt
• 1 1/2-pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 red onion, sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
• 2 orange and/or yellow bell peppers, quartered, seeds removed
• 1 ripe avocado, halved, seeded and peeled
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 cup fat-free Greek Yogurt
• 12 corn tortillas

1. Put the cilantro, lime juice, broth, scallions, garlic, jalapeno, honey, and salt in a blender, puree until smooth. Reserve 2 tablespoons; do not wash out the blender.

Put chicken breasts in a medium bowl and the peppers and onions in another. Divide the remaining cilantro puree evenly between the chicken and the peppers and onions. Toss well to coat the chicken and vegetables and let stand, at room temperature, for 30 minutes.

2. Add the avocado, 1/2 cup water, and the reserved 2 tablespoons cilantro sauce to the blender. Puree until smooth and season with salt. Set aside.

3. Heat the oil in a small skillet set over medium heat until hot. Add the cumin and coriander and continue to cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour the spices over the yogurt and set aside for the flavors to blend. Stir before serving.

4. Preheat a grill for medium-high/direct heat cooking. Oil the grill grates. Grill the chicken and vegetables, turning, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, about 5 to 8 minutes for the vegetables and 12 to 15 minutes for the chicken. Let chicken rest 5 minutes. Place the tortillas on the grill until just warmed through, about 30 seconds.

5. To assemble the fajitas: slice the onions and peppers into thin strips and then slice the chicken. Place some peppers, onions, chicken and cilantro in a tortilla topped with the spiced yogurt and the avocado sauce.

Copyright 2010 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

Nutritional analysis per serving: (2 fajitas)

Calories 347; Total Fat 8g (Sat Fat 1g, Mono Fat 3g, Poly Fat 1g) ; Protein 31g; Carb 37g; Fiber 5g; Cholesterol 66mg; Sodium 157mg

SOURCE


Chicken Fajitas

A beautiful special publication

A couple of days ago, my friend Angela showed this copy of Organic Farm & Garden, she found at the bookstore, and asked how I liked it. Without reservation, I told her I absolutely loved it. She then said, "Good, because I bought it for you." I was thrilled of course, because this is not only a lovely, beautifully-designed publication, but is filled with great information about gardening organically.

One of the most interesting tidbits of information I have read so far is that before World War II, everyone farmed organically. It was later that chemical fertilizers and soil supplements were invented. It made me think that scientific advancements are wonderful, but you do have proceed carefully. Just because it is new doesn't mean it is environmentally good, but I am digressing.

There is so much good information in this publication, plus 7 mouthwatering recipes I need to check out. I liked the soil information and the recommendations for fertilizers. I am still reading about composting and I hope the information on pests is good. I really need help there.

I quickly decided I would love a subscription to this publication because it was so informative but unfortunately, it is only a special publication from Hobby Farm Magazine. They also have a number of other publications that are interesting but they don't focus on organic gardening or farming. I am going to try the Urban Farming Magazine and I am interested in Hobby Farm but I hope Organic Farm & Garden catches on because I would love to have a subscription to a magazine like this one. 

Who Makes Me So Happy!

Last night my boyfriend asked me when I knew I was happy. I asked him if he meant in the past or with him. He said in the past and I told him when I had my kids.

I thought when I got married I was happy. Then when I had my kids I knew I was happy. During my marriage I realized that I was not happy but I stayed in my marriage for my kids. I will do anything for my kids.

Then my boyfriend asked me when I knew I was happy with him. I told him when I met him for the first time last May I was happy. There is something about him that always makes me smile. When we first met I knew he was the one I wanted to be with. With my boyfriend I know that I am safe, he cares about me, he is very kind, he knows how to make me laugh, he knows how to make me smile, he is the sweetest man, he is very handsome and he loves me as much as I love him. The reason I feel so safe with him is because I get a safe secure feeling inside me when I am with him.

I feel like the luckiest woman in the world. You can ask my family they have never seen me this happy in a very long time. My cousin told me before she even met him that she could tell over the phone how happy I am with him.

So who makes me happy that would be my boyfriend and I would not change a thing about this relationship with him. I love him just the way he is and he makes me very very happy. I love him with all of my heart and soul!♥

Broiled Bean Sandwich

Ingredients:
2 cups baked beans
2 tablespoons tomato sauce
6 slices bread
Mayonnaise

How to make Broiled Bean Sandwich:

• Combine beans and tomato sauce. Toast the bread on one side, spread untoasted side with mayonnaise or margarine. Top with the bean mixture. Spread beans close to the crust to completely cover the slices.
• Place the open-faced sandwiches on the broiler about three inches from the burner. Broil for from 3 to 4 minutes or until piping hot.
  
  SOURCE

Beans

Crunchy Bran French Toast

Ingredients

8 slices whole-grain bread

4 tablespoons light cream cheese

4 teaspoons low-sugar orange marmalade

2 large eggs plus 2 egg whites

Zest and juice of 1 orange

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups bran flakes cereal

1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar (optional)

Directions

Spread 4 bread slices with 1 tablespoon cream cheese each; spread the other 4 slices with 1 teaspoon marmalade each. Combine to make 4 sandwiches.

Whisk the whole eggs, egg whites, orange zest and juice, and vanilla in a shallow bowl. Place the bran flakes in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin or your hands. Pour the crumbs onto a plate. Dip both sides of each sandwich in the egg mixture, then in the crumbs, gently pressing the crumbs onto the bread.

Heat 1 tablespoon each oil and butter in a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add the sandwiches in batches and cook until the outsides are golden and the insides are melted, 3 to 4 minutes per side. (Add more oil and butter, if needed.)

Slice the French toast sandwiches into triangles. Let cool before serving to little ones, as the cream cheese can get quite hot. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, if desired, and the kids won't even ask for syrup!

Photograph by Ngoc Minh Ngo

SOURCE

French Toast

Last week's photos of our garden

Last week's garden photos shows that our garden is doing pretty well, but the weather was pretty dry when I took these photos. The warm weather caused all the seeds to sprout and things are growing quite well, but I believe the rain will make our cooler weather crops shoot up overnight.

It is hard to see, but our onions are up front, then some lettuce, red onions, cabbage and Brussels sprouts on the end. To the left, garlic and greens.

A view from the other side.

A head of lettuce, beginning to form.

This is a row of mixed lettuce. The rain will really help the lettuce.

A close-up of mixed greens.

A row of English peas. We now have fences up for the runners. They are really growing and they grow well in the cooler weather that this week brought.

A closer view of the peas.

We were told that it was too early for potatoes, but these seem to be doing really well.

I am very excited about our spinach. It doesn't look like much here but we haven't had much luck with spinach the past couple of years and this is a welcome sight to me.

I am thankful that we didn't get the hail that some areas of our county received. We did fertilize this week and we're working on seeds, buying plants and ideas for our summer garden.

Photos of this week's progress will be taken this week so we should really be able to see the difference a week -- and a good rain make.

My Revue of Led Zeppelin!

I read this book and the information you will find out in this book will blow your mind away. While I was reading it I couldn't believe it myself. There was days I just couldn't put the book down. This book was written by Led Zeppelin's road manager Richard Cole.

The band members are - Robert Plant lead vocals, Jimmy Page guitar, John "Bonzo" Bonham drums and John Paul Jones bass and keyboards. The music the band plays is Rock. The band is from England.

The way the band had gotten started was Jimmy use to play for the Yardbirds. The Yardbirds broke up in 1968 and Jimmy was able to keep the name of that band. Then Jimmy started to look for other people to join the band and his friend John Paul said he would join. But then Jimmy started to look for a singer and he went to talk to Terry Reid. Terry gave him a list of singers and Jimmy went to concerts to hear these people sing. The last one he went to was were Robert was singing. When he heard Robert singing it blew him away and he set up a meeting with Robert. He talked to Robert about joining his band and Robert said if he would bring John Bonham in the band. Jimmy said he had to hear him play so Robert set it up for Jimmy to hear John play. John blew Jimmy away with the way he plays the drums. So Robert and John joined the band.

When they first went to the studio Jimmy couldn't believe it. It was like they have been playing together forever. The first name of the band was the New Yardbirds to finish the tour for the Yardbirds in Scandinavia. In late 1968 while recording there first album they came up with the name Led Zeppelin. After they finished recording there album they had there first tour as Led Zeppelin in the states for Christmas.

The band did have good times on there tours it was there bizarre way to relax while on the road. In Seattle at the Edgewater Inn they would fish off the balcony, the have also tried to get a VW Bug to float in the creek, then they went fishing for sharks and stored them in a closet at the hotel, throwing t.v's and furniture out windows. They also had girls coming up to the rooms after concerts having a party drinking and doing drugs. The band members did have girlfriends on the road while there families where back home. 

Before the band would leave to go home they did some shopping. They like to shop for antiques and then send them back home. Antiques like cars, pictures, jewelry etc.

A friend of there's had gotten the band some tickets to go and see Elvis Presley in concert. They really enjoyed going to see him and after the concert they went to the hotel Elvis was staying in and hung out with him. The only one that night that really got along with Elvis was John. Then the second time they met Elvis the only two that went was Richard and John Paul. It was funny because they exchanged watches John Paul gave Elvis his Mickey Mouse watch and Elvis gave him a Baum & Mercier watch. Richard gave Elvis the watch he was wearing and Elvis gave him one with 12 diamonds in it. They just kept exchanging what ever they had on them and Elvis would give them something else in return.

Then in August of 1975 in Rhodes Greece Robert Plants family was in a real bad car accident. His wife was driving and she hit a tree. In the accident Robert shattered his right ankle, elbow and many of the bones in his right leg. The kids had bumps and bruises but his wife was the  worst she was losing blood and needed surgery right away. Robert and Jimmy had taken there families there on vacation but Jimmy left early and his family stay with Robert and his family. Jimmy's wife was driving the car behind Robert's family. The doctor didn't know if Robert would ever walk again with as bad as his leg was. The cast went from his hip to his toes.

In 1977 when the band would leave the concerts like in miami and houston the fans started to get in a rampage. They would start fighting and throwing things around.  Some fans got arrested and a lot of damage was done to the stadiums. The blame for all of this was drugs. Also in 1977 the band started to stay in different hotels. They really didn't get along anymore they would fight off stage but on stage the music sounded like the first day they got together.

There was one real sad tragedy in July of 1977. Robert Plants son passed away he was having respiratory infection and with in 24 hours he had gotten worse. On the way to the hospital his son passed away. Robert was not home he was on tour in the states. That night Richard had made arrangements for Robert to get home. The only way he would leave is if John Bonham and Dennis Sheehan his personal assistance to travel with him. The only members of the band that showed up at the funeral were John and Richard. Jimmy, John Paul and Peter stayed in the states. The band had to cancel the last seven concerts that year. In September of 1977 John was drinking and while driving himself home he drove his car into a ditch. The only thing wrong with him was a couple of broken ribs.

The band members never pushed Robert to get back on stage. They let him take his time to get it together and in December of 1978 they finally got together. In 1979 they recorded a song called All My Love and that was written for Roberts son.

In 1980 Richard Cole has a choice to get off the drugs or he didn't have a job. But what happened is that Richard was arrested but happened to be the wrong person they were looking for. But Richard ended up spending six months in prison.

The worst thing to happen to the band did happen. The day John " Bonzo" Bonham passed away. This was on September 25th, 1980. He died of an over dose of alcohol he basically drank himself to death. He was one of the best drummers out there. At his funeral there was over 300 fellow musicians that had attended his funeral. John is very much missed to this day.

The rest of the band talked it over that there was no way that John could ever be replace in the band. So they all decided that was the end of Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin had a great twelve years together with the practical jokes to each other, laughs and a lot of stories.

If you like Led Zeppelin this is a book you have to read. I am sorry I kept going on about them but I just wanted you to get most of the high lights about the book. It is a real good book of what the band went through. I really enjoyed reading it. Like I said earlier this book just blew my mind.  

Homemade Pizza, a healthier version

 

Pizza is a favorite treat around our house. We probably could eat it every day without getting tired of it but we do have a problem with pizza. Some of us are lactose intolerant and while the cheese on the pizza makes it fabulous, the cheese also can cause discomfort, later.

My daughter made this homemade pizza this past weekend, with the crust made in the bread machine -- a great, easy way to have pizza at home with the healthier toppings we love (and the toppings that "love" us). It has less fat and more healthy ingredients. Best of all, it really tastes good. We are working on a crust without gluten but we aren't there, yet. The photo above shows the veggie pizza we made.

We also found some pepperonis without nitrates so the meat pizza we made is healthier and very tasty.

Here's the recipe. One suggestion. Make up some crusts, bake them slightly and then freeze the crust. You can then thaw the crust, add the toppings and bake. This makes a very quick and easy meal that is healthier than take-out pizza.

Here's the recipe.

Bread-machine pizza
(Makes 2 twelve-inch pizzas)

Crust
1-1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cups white spelt flour
2 cups whole spelt flour
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon active dry yeast.

Use a bread machine for this recipe. Add ingredients for crust as directed by your particular bread machine. Mine recommends adding all dry ingredients first, then the yeast and wet ingredients last. Set the bread machine on the pizza setting, if you have one, and the dough setting if you don't.

When the dough cycle is completed, remove and stretch dough onto oiled pans or pizza stones. Divide the dough into two equal pieces. We usually have a rectangular-shaped pizza because our pans are rectangular.

Heat oven to 425 degrees.

Toppings:
1 cup pasta or marinara sauce
4 ounces soy cheese shreds, mozzarella flavored
Toppings of your choice:
Chopped tomatoes
Sun dried tomatoes
Chopped green onions
Basil leaves
Spinach leaves
Mushrooms, canned or fresh

Some ingredients like mushrooms and peppers might be better if microwaved for three to five minutes or until slightly soft.

Spread sauce and toppings on pizza. Cover with a layer of shredded soy cheese and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until pizza is lightly browned around the edges and the pizza is fully cooked in the center. Raw vegetables, especially tomatoes might be a little watery and may need a few extra minutes of cooking time.

Serve immediately.

Two of my favorite toppings, fresh spinach and basil leaves. My daughter sometimes piles spinach on top. It is really yummy, but the leaves cook down considerably.

Visiting Family!

My boyfriend is very family oriented. To him his family comes before anything else and he loves his family very much. He considers my kids and I his family. That means so much to me because of how my marriage was. He is so caring and loving to all of us.

Yesterday I got a text message from his sister. Her and her husband where on there way back from a business meeting down south. They where stopping in town to have there camper checked out. So they wanted to see us and I told her that we would meet them.

I had to wake him up to let him know she was on her way to town. I had to call her back because she texted me. They were two hours away from here when I called her and that was enough time for everyone to shower and get ready. 

So we went out for lunch with them and we talked. It was so nice to see them since we haven't seen them since Christmas. We all had a real good time and they finally got to meet my daughter for the first time. We were making jokes and laughing and just having a good time visiting with them. I couldn't have asked for a better day this weekend. It really put a smile on my boyfriends face.

This was the first time they got to see the new car too. They both liked the car. I found out a lot more about car repairs  from her husband. That some places here in town are charging us way to much to get our car fixed. I had no idea about that. I am so happy that they let us know about that.

I just can't wait to see them again. The next time we get to see his family might be for Easter. It will be so good to see them all. We Love all of you very much!♥

Edamame Veggie Burger

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup millet
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1 medium carrot
• 1 large red radish
• 2 tablespoons finely grated, peeled, fresh ginger
• 1/2 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 tablespoons mirin 
• 1/8 teaspoon Asian chili paste, such as Sri Racha sauce
• 1 pound frozen blanched, peeled edamame (soybeans), thawed
• 1 1/2 cups panko (Japanese-style bread crumbs)
• 2 large egg whites, beaten
• Vegetable oil, for brushing

Directions

Heat the millet in a small dry saucepan, with a tight-fitting lid, over medium-high heat, cook, shaking occasionally, until the millet begins to "pop". Continue toasting the millet until the popping subsides, about 2 minutes, until it smells like freshly popped popcorn. Set aside to cool slightly.

Add the water and the 1/4 teaspoon of the salt to the saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Wrap the pan's lid tightly with a small kitchen towel and cover the saucepan. (Make sure the towel's edges are folded up well away from the heat.) Lower the heat to low and simmer covered, for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat (don't uncover) and set aside for 10 minutes. Fluff the millet with a fork and transfer to a large bowl.

Using a box grater, grate the carrot and radish into the bowl of millet. Add the ginger, garlic, lime juice, mirin, and chili paste and stir to combine.

Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of water to a boil and salt it generously. Add the edamame, cover, and return to a boil; cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and immediately add to the bowl of millet mixture (to lightly warm the vegetables). Stir to combine and set aside to cool.

When cool, season the edamame mixture with the remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Transfer to a food processor and puree into a paste. Return the edamame to the bowl and stir in the panko and egg whites until incorporated.

Using your hands, form the edamame mixture into 8 patties about 3 inches in diameter. Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until set.

Place a rack about 4 inches from the broiler element and preheat. Place the patties on a foil-lined baking sheet or broiler pan. Brush both sides of the patties lightly with oil and sprinkle with salt. Broil until the tops are lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Remove from the oven and flip the patties with a spatula. Broil until lightly browned and hot, about 3 minutes more. Serve on grilled naan bread with sprouts, pickled ginger, and wasabi. (The burgers can also be grilled or Sauteed.)

Serving suggestions: Alfalfa sprouts, pickled ginger, wasabi paste, and grilled naan-style bread

SOURCE

Healthy Hamburger

Amerian Idol!

I was watching American Idol last night and It gave me the idea to write every week about what has happened. Also to see what everyone's thoughts are with who is being eliminated.

I had taken my daughter to the auditions in Milwaukee back in July. It made for one long day watching everyone audition and how they all practiced there. What is really neat is I met Chris Medina there. He was sitting right behind my daughter and I. I also talk to him in the hallway and I heard him practice out in the hallway. Here are all the audition places they had this year- Nashville Tennessee, Milwaukee Wisconsin, San Francisco California, Austin Texas, East Rutherford New Jersey and New Orleans Louisiana. The ages for the auditions range from 15-28 years old. They just changed the age this year from 16-24 years old for the first three seasons. Then in season four they changed it to 16-28 years old.   

The last three seasons they have been changing the judges. The judges for this season are Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. I think these judges are doing a great job this year. It is so nice not hearing Simon being so negative about every singer. It always seemed like Simon had something bad to say about every singer. Ryan Seacrest has been hosting the show since the first season.

Here is the top 13 that made it out of thousands that tried out. Paul McDonald, Jacob Lusk, Pia Toscano, Naima Adedapo, Lauren Maina, Haley Reinhart, Tia Megia, James Dulbin, Casey Abrams, Stephano Langane, Scotty McCreery, Aston Jones and Karen Rodrieguez.

The Eliminations have been first week was Aston Jones, the second week was Karen Rodrieguez and this week was Casey Abrams. But for this week the judges used the save for Casey. I was really surprised that Casey was even in the bottom three. He sings really good and the instruments that he came play blows me away. I am so happy that they used the save this week. The judges were shocked that Casey was in the bottom three also.

When they start the top 13 there is a theme every week. The first week the singers had to pick a Beatles song. The second week the singers had to pick a song from the year they were born. This week the singers had to pick a song from Motown.  They also have special guests appear every week. This week was Stevie Wonder, Sugarland, Hulk Hogan and Jennifer Hudson.

The Top 11 for the summer tour is going to be Paul McDonald, Jacob Lusk, Pia Toscano, Naima Adedapo, Lauren Maina, Haley Reinhart, Tia Megia, James Dulbin, Casey Abrams, Stephano Langone and Scotty McCreery.

These are my top three picks for this season James Dulbin, Scotty McCreery and Casey Abrams. Please let me know who your top three picks are for this season. Here is one thing that has been bugging me for awhile and I just want to see what other people think. To me Chris Medina sings a lot better than a couple of the people that the judges did pick. Yes I know people will say that I am saying this because I met him in Milwaukee. No I am not he does have a great voice and can really sing. When I heard him in Milwaukee he blew me away with the way he can sing. Then when I seen him on t.v. I told my boyfriend that I met him. Please leave your thoughts about the show!♥

My Revue on Jim Croce!

The way I decided to write about Jim Croce is I was going through some songs on youtube today. I was listening to some of his songs and I thought it would be cool to write about him today.

His real name is James Joseph " Jim " Croce. He was born January 10th, 1943 and he passed away September 20th, 1973. I remember when he passed away. That was a real sad day for me because I love his music.

Jim and his wife Ingrid sang as a duo from 1960 to 1970 with capital records. They really didn't do well with that. They ended up moving back home and Jim went back to work for a construction company. He never did like to do that so then he went in to truck driving. He really had it hard trying to get his singing career going. Jim and Ingrid did record two albums that were released.

In 1970 he ran into a friend of his Joe Salviuolo that plays music too. Jim use to play guitar for him when he had shows back in college. Joe introduced Jim to Maury Muehleisen. Maury is a pianist, guitarist, singer and songwriter. Jim was going to back up Maury but it turned out that Maury was going to back up Jim. In 1972 Jim's career was taking off. He signed a three record deal with ABC Records. With them he recorded three album's. He started going on tours with his band.

Then on September 20th, 1973 after him and the band had left a show and was on the plane to the next show the plane crash. Everyone on the plane died. His last album was just about to come out. In December They did release that album. Jim has a son Adrian was born in 1971. Adrian is a singer, songwriter and musician and he also has some cd's out.

If you really want some good music Jim Croce album's are some to have in your collection. He has a soft and soothing voice and the music with his songs is really good. I wish I had my music collection then I could listen to this music more. In 1972 when his song operator came out is when I really got into his music. Then he came out with bad bad leroy brown and I just love that song.

I hope everyone likes this revue. I am going to leave you with a video of a song that I do like. This song was written for his son Adrian.

Buying herbs

 Have you looked at the prices of herbs these days? They are out of sight. A couple of years ago, I could buy a pot of herbs to plant in my garden for around $2 and the going price at Lowes and Home Depot is now around $4, if you include tax. I guess herbs have become a very popular item but that price is so high.

When my daughter went by a Farmer's Market in another state last weekend, she called to say they have some really great-looking herbs for sale. The price was around $3 per pot and they were lovely plants so we decided to buy. The beautiful mint above was one of her purchases.

I needed some mint. Everyone says that you have to be careful because mint will take over. I have not found that to be true in my herb beds. The mint just doesn't growing like crazy for me, so she found me some great spearmint and lemon mint. Guaranteed, I hope, to spread like wildfire. I may not like having that problem next year, but for now, I would love some fresh mint for my iced tea. I just love mint in my iced tea. It is so refreshing.

We still need dill for our garden. We planted some cilantro and I have planted some cilantro seeds as well. I am not always certain my seeds will do as well as I would wish. We'll see.

 She also brought back some basil and Italian parsley. Basil is something you have to plant fresh each year and I have read it is hard to grow from seed. It is my favorite Italian spice. I also like the Italian parsley.

Parsley can also be a bit hard to grow from year to year. I do have a little in my herb beds, I have noticed, but this will be very nice because I never have enough parsley. It is so good added to almost anything and high in Vitamin C, I am told.

Perhaps the nicest surprise was the lemon thyme she bought. It has varigated leaves. Isn't it beautiful? She bought some regular thyme, too. I do already have a nice stand of it, but this varigated variety is my favorite. It smells wonderful.

I have heard that people plant creeping thyme, a low-growing variety, between stepping stones because when people step on it, the fragrance that is released is lovely. I can see this is probably true because just touching this herb is nice because of the fragrance.

Isn't is beautiful? I just love it. I hope I have plenty to share. I would love to pot cuttings to give away next year. I hope it is a success.

My grandson says, "What about me?" He is helping to take care of the plants. What a sweet helper.