Zucchini Abundance

Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN

I checked the garden Friday and these were little. It rained during the night and the zucchini went nuts. These grew literally over night, and there are more on the way.

Simple Joys

Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN

Winnie and I pass this little plaque on our neighborhood walks.

Caribou lights

Caribou lights
Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN

I have been spending a lot of time at the new Caribou Coffee in Ankeny. These lights hang above the large table where I sometimes work.

Refrigerator Cucumber Salad.

Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN

I'm tried this recipe I found on Pinterest for Refrigerator Cucumber Salad. It is really delicious! I will definitely make it again.  The original recipe came from the blog, Recipes We Love.    I made it with Splenda instead of sugar, and it worked great.  The Red Pepper Flakes really gives it a kick.

Refrigerator Cucumber Salad

4 cucumbers, sliced thin

1 large sliced red onion

1 large sliced green bell pepper

1 Tablespoon salt

2 cups white vinegar

1 1/2 cups Splenda

1 teaspoon celery flakes or celery seed

1-teaspoon red pepper flakes

Combine cucumbers, onions, peppers and salt; set a side.

Mix vinegar, Splenda, celery flakes and pepper flakes  in a pan and bring to a boil. Once mixture comes to a boil remove from heat and add 2 handfuls of ice until melted.

Place vegetables in  two 1 quart, large mouth canning jars.

Pour vinegar mixture over cucumber mixture and store in refrigerator.

The salad will  keep up to 2 months

Yield: 2 quart jars.   

Room for More

Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN

I am loving my new refrigerator. This one has so much more space than the old side by side.  Now the question is, can I keep it cleaner than the old one.

World Traveler

Michael is spending the next five months on a Study Abroad in Argentina.  Non-ticketed passengers are not allowed beyond the escalators, so I had to watch him leave from here.  He is off for the adventure of a life time.

Waiting for the Plane

Michael and I took this photo while we were at the airport waiting for his plane to Argentina

Moving Day

After two and a half years in University Village Apartments at Iowa State, Michael is moving.  He is going to Buenos Aries, Argentina for a study abroad.  He and his roommate worked hard to pack and clean the apartment.

Jeans Tote Bag

My latest sewing project; tote bag made from an old pair of jeans, lined with fabric cut from an old dress.
Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN

One of the best things about summer is having time to make things. This is my latest sewing project, a bag made from an old pair of jeans. I also cut apart a dress to line it and make the sash. I found a few "how to" videos that gave me some pointers.

Last night I used it to carry my knitting, and it worked really well.

Volunteer Hollyhocks

About twelve years ago I planted some Hollyhocks at the back of my yard.  There aren't any left back there, but they sure have turned up everywhere else.  These volunteers are in the flowerbed by my garage.  I figure since they fought that hard to survive, I will leave them where they are.

Golden Day Lilies

This summer I have spent almost everyday working in my yard.  The rain and cool temperatures early in the summer have really helped my perennials.

Patriotic Peanuts

My newest set of pillowcases.  I'm just a big kid at heart.  I guess that's why I like spending my days with kids.

Papa Kern's

Out to breakfast at Papa Kern's with Mom and Jacci.
Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN

We tried a new place for breakfast this morning, Papa Kern's at East 29th and Hubbel. It was pretty good.

Yellow Lilies

Day Lilies in my front yard.
Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN

I love this time of year when all the perennials are blooming. All the rain and cool temperatures have resulted in beautiful Day Lilies this year.

My Little Garden

I'm hoping this little fence will keep the critters out
Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN

Last year and the year before I planted a container garden along side my driveway. With the high temperatures we had, it wasn't very productive. This year I decided to try something else. This is my first vegetable garden in five or six years. We have a high bunny population around here, so I rigged up this chicken wire fence yesterday. Here's hoping I get something out of these tomato, squash and watermelon plants.