Backyard Cherries

Every year in May, just around the time of Seth's birthday and Mother's Day, we would hope to be able to pick the cherries before the birds ate them. The crop seems to vary from year to year, from a handful to a few pounds.  

                                 The backyard cherry tree

                                 The cherry crop - 16 years ago!

                           

                                             This year's crop!

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Using one pound of the fresh cherries, I made a cherry- almond clafouti, which was really delicious.

New Kitchen Fun

I have absolutely no excuse, now, for not being able to make pastry dough, pie crust or pizza dough or anything that involves a real mixer.  After attempting to make a variety of baked goods as well as doughs, meringues and whipped cream with a whisk, fork, egg beater or portable mixer,  David gave me this beautiful Kitchen Aid for my birthday!  Now, I have no reason not to be successful with all of my attempts!  I got right to work on making a flatbread dough, which came out perfectly!

 

With the dough hook, all of the ingredients formed together into a ball so easily.  The hook continued to knead the dough into the perfect texture.

  

The dough was very easy to flatten with the rolling pin. 

The first attempt was a rosemary and onion schiacciata, a flatbread with onions, olives,rosemary, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella and olive oil.  

The second flatbread was a tomato, onion, pesto and goat cheese combination.

I think that I am going to enjoy my new Kitchen Aid very much!

May Garden Update

The spring garden is growing with the transplanting of our heirloom tomato and pepper seedlings.  Watching the plants develop from sprouting seeds to small seedlings has been amazing.  The plants are doing remarkably well in a warm spot along the side of the house, where the stucco helps to keep the ground and plants warm.  The new radish and carrot seedlings are all emerging as little plants to accompany the tomatoes.

The heirloom tomato varieties that were planted include Black Cherry, Brandywine, Aunt Lucy's Paste, Mary Robinson's Bicolor, Pruden's Purple, Bicolor Mortgage Lifter, Old Ivory Egg, Flamme, and Speckled Roman.

                           Our mini-bell, multicolored pepper plants.

While planting our new plants, we were also able to harvest another handful of carrots and the first of the radishes!

We also planted some green beans and cranberry beans in the back of the herb garden.  The bamboo frame was constructed and is now ready for the climbing vines!