Little Jewels in the Garden

Miss Amethyst. Isn't she cute?

Miss Amethyst in her cute hair style

Hello, Miss Ruby. You are so hot!

Hello, Miss Ruby. You are so hot!

Spunky Brother Emerald

Spunky Brother Emerald

These little ones will give you such an endorphin rush that keeps you coming back for more.

These little ones will give you such an endorphin rush that keeps you coming back for more.

Looking at these little jewels in my garden makes me happy. I keep mental notes of what makes me happy, so that I can do more of that. What makes you happy today?

Hello Cucumbers

Cucumber plants in my garden are going wild.

Cucumbers going vertical

Cucumbers going vertical

The ones in my garden are English cucumbers. They have little seeds and can grow up to two feet long.

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English cucumbers - ready to be harvested

I just harvested seven huge ones today!! I can hardly keep up with them.

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After harvesting, keep cucumbers cool or it will be soggy. Either keep it refrigerated or keep it away from direct sunlight.

Cucumbers have tons of health benefits (reduce heartburn or sooth acid stomach, reduce heat and inflammation on skin, helps control cases of eczema, rich in minerals, etc).

Let’s see what we can do with cucumbers.

1. Eyes, eyes, baby.

Placing a cucumber slice over the eyes not only soothes them, but also reduces swelling.

Placing a cucumber slice over the eyes not only soothes them, but also reduces swelling.

ultraman.... hahahaha

2. Thirst quencher

a glass of coolness

a glass of coolness

Juice the cucumbers, add some lime, mint, ice, sugar. Try it!

3. Salad that goes with everything
IMG_7389These cucumbers are so juicy and crunchy that can be eaten without adding anything. If you want to try something new, add some white vinegar (I use Spectrum white vinegar) and some sugar to the sliced cucumbers. This is a great side dish that goes well with any western/eastern dishes. I love it!

4. …

hmm... err...

hmm... err...

Err… use cucumbers to massage your shoulders? Well, you would have to check with Karan on this one. I have no idea what he was trying to do.

If you have more ideas on using cucumbers, let me know. Happy summer!

First Farmer’s Market, 2010

A trip to farmer’s market makes me happy.

May 1st, we have our first farmer’s market in 2010. 🙂

Fairfield Farmer's Market

Fairfield Farmer's Market

What a lovely morning.

Rolling Prairie Acres Farm

Rolling Prairie Acres Farm

Every year, I buy my tomato plants and herbs (Italian parsley, basil, hot pepper, thyme) from Rolling Prairie Acres Farm. Their organic heirloom tomatoes are off the hook! For those who have tried heirloom tomatoes, you know that the store bought tomatoes are… how should I put it, “not tomatoes”!!!!

Flowers from Amish Family

Flowers from Amish Family

Fairfield is a small town, so its farmer’s market is relatively small. But everyone knows everyone. I love saying hello to my favorite vendors and for sure I’ll see some friends at the farmer’s market.

Christina- Caritas: Seeds

Christina- Caritas: Seeds

How about some snacks? This french lady has served up delicious crepes at farmer’s market for years.

Deciding what to order is not easy... yummy yummy everything

Deciding what to order is not easy... yummy yummy everything

Helping the world through water conservation- RainBarrelsIowa.com

Helping the world through water conservation- RainBarrelsIowa.com

City approved earth machine composter - Ideal Energy

City approved earth machine composter - Ideal Energy

Maypole dance - plole braiding

Maypole dance - plole braiding

Here’s a photo of me and my scores from farmer’s market. And of course, my eyes had to be closed in this only shot…

Me and my scores from farmer's market

Me and my scores from farmer's market