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