Blooming in Our Garden

We walked around our garden today and wanted to share some of the wonderful flowers we saw with all of you.

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”   Audrey Hepburn

The Memory Train

Choo, choo…  Today we travel to Florence home of the famous Medici family.

Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your SOUL on FIRE

Enchanted Fairy Doors

Just outside of downtown Orlando is a wonderful botanical garden called Harry P Leu Gardens.  Right now they are having an exhibition that is fun for the whole family.

That fun is searching for Fairy Doors throughout the garden.  It is a great way to spend a couple of hours.

So… if you are in the area and have an hour or two enjoy a wonderful stroll through the garden while searching for the Enchanted Fairy Doors.

Star Fruit in the Edible Garden

One of the most productive trees in our backyard is our Star Fruit or Carambola.  This tree produces fruit twice a year.  In order to make harvesting easier we keep the tree trimmed to about 5 feet.

It might not seem it but our tree has a lot of fruit on it right now.

The fruit can be served sliced fresh or even juiced.

It can also be used as an ingredient in a salad or as a garnish for an entrée.

In addition, you can also slice it add a few slices in to an ice cube tray.  Add water and freeze to make pretty ice cubes for drinks.  The best part is that a Star Fruit is only 28 calories.

The Memory Train

Choo, choo…  Today the Memory train takes us to Côte d’Azur.

The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.

W.B. Yeats

Custard Apple Harvesting

If you have never tried a Custard Apple you need to put it on your list!  It is sweet and flavorful just like custard.  This time of year, we savor them from our garden.

They do not last too long after being ripe.  That is one of the reasons that they are expensive when you see them at the store.

We eat them fresh but you could also make drinks, ice cream, or other sweet treats with them.

The Memory Train

Choo, choo…  Today’s trip takes us to Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands.

“the earth has music for those who listen”   Shakespeare

Hatch Green Chile Season

This is the time of the year that Green Chiles from Hatch, New Mexico are available.  These are a special Chile that has a smoky-sweet flavor with heat.  We love these Chiles as they turn ordinary dishes into something special.  We picked up these Chile peppers at our local supermarket and what made them even better is that we got them roasted.  Roasting enhances the Chile’s flavor.

So… since we had Roasted Hatch Green Chiles we had to make Green Chile for dinner.

Green Chile – All measurements in our Chile are done to taste.  So depending on the size of the piece of meat you use, the amount of heat you like, or your own tastes you will adjust this recipe accordingly.

• Chuck Roast – cut in chunks
• Chopped Onion
• Chopped Tomatoes
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Bay Leaves
• Chicken Broth
• Hatch Green Chiles – Remember these peppers are HOT

Mix all the ingredients in a pot.  Bring to boil and simmer until done.

Our Chile we simmered for two hours.

Caladiums in the Garden

A few weeks back we decided to visit Lake Placid, FL for the Caladium Festival held there every year.  While we were there we bought some to put in our yard.  We planted them around an oak tree in the front yard to bring more color.  Well… those caladiums we bought are filling out nicely around the tree.

To give you more of a feeling of what the Caladium Festival was like please enjoy this video we made.  It will tell you a little more about the festival and the town of Lake Placid.

If you enjoyed this video please visit our YouTube channel WHGILLE – YouTube

The Memory Train

Choo, choo…  Our destination today is Spain.

Fill your life with adventures, not things.  Have stories to tell not stuff to show.