Growing Nature's Candy in the Backyard

In the last four years, my family has had a garden. However I have to say that this year we have finally perfected a system that suits our area and all of our tastebuds. (Except my brother of course. Hopefully next year he'll start enjoying something from the garden.) On the left column we have one cherry tomato plant, three spinach (the spinach were doing wonderful until the beginning of June. They do not do well under constant sunlight), one bell pepper plant, and three squash plants. On the right column we have about five zucchini plants, maybe one more squash plant, and one cayenne pepper plant. Just recently, about three or four weeks ago, we added a middle column. In that column we have green bean plants and a sweet potato plant. So far the green bean plants are standing five inches tall but are not producing anything yet. I really hope the sweet potato plant comes out great, because here in the south sweet potato yams are a delicacy. :)      

If you live in the states of Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi; I know these plants will grow exceedingly well in your backyards! Ask your local nursery or garden centers what kind of plants grow best in your area.

Hope you all have a blessed week!
Brookie

Crazy Life and Good Food

Hey y'all! Sorry it's been a while since I last posted but I did warn you all about that a while back. Anyways, I just graduated from high school and am now an official adult! Woo Hoo! I also went to my cousin's graduation, celebrated a birthday, and currently watching over a little three year old boy take all my books off the bookshelf. Lovely. His name is Logan and he is an adorable mess. He looks like he'll grow up to be a surfer with his long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He is completely fascinated by airplanes, cars, boats, tractors; anything with an engine. He believes everything he sees is his, including my iPad and keys, and is a giant mess bomb just waiting to happen. And his favorite colors are purple and blue, just like me. But you all aren't here to hear about my humble life, so here is a recipe on delicious zucchini bread!

Zucchini Bread 

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream (I used light french vanilla fruit dip instead and it came out very good!)
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (we did not use any since we have none)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, beat together the sugar and oil. Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla. Blend this mixture into the flour mixture, alternately with the sour cream; stir just to combine. Fold in the zucchini and nuts; mixing just enough to evenly combine. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 80 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. And then voila, a masterpiece! :)

PS: I feel it important to tell that you do not drain the zucchini juice! This juice is what helps keep the bread moist so unless you like dry bread, DON'T DO IT!

God Bless and have a great day!

Brookie

Recipe from allrecipes.com