Manila Mangoes 2015

August 3, 2015

Nothing like counting your Mangoes before...before they become full size! This year the Mango tree was full of flowers and many fruits set this season.

April 2015

Mushroom Smothered Pork Chop

August 4, 2015

A week ago, just as we were pulled into our driveway, a salesman from Meat Delivery company waylaid us. Daughter was hesitant but I was ready to have another source for steaks. Plus, the fridge had been bare since our mini vacation 2 weeks ago.... and I was too busy/ lazy to go shopping. Long story short, I bought some goodies from him. I got a selection of beef tenderloin, jumbo prawns, Ahi Tuna, Kobe Burgers and Boned in Pork Chop. The latter was the inspiration for tonight's dinner. 

I have been trying to recreate this  Pork Chop with a mushroom sauce that Helen Headke, my sister-in-law's mother used to serve us. Even my sister-in-law has lost the recipe. It has been so long since I had the dish, I don't remember exactly how it taste, only remembering how good it tasted. She used to serve it alongside with her Pasta Primavera. BH who also loves Helen's pork chop asked if this was her recipe. This is first version to the  Pork Chop and the mushroom BH has said he likes!! This is a tribute to Helen Haedke.

Sauteed Swiss Chard

August 4, 2015

So excited!! I had harvested the very beautiful Bright Light Swiss Chard. Tonight, I got to cook them very simply with olive oil, garlic, salt and a squeeze of lemon. Delicious. I served them with the Mushroom Smothered Pork Chops.

Spaghetti Carbonara with Crab and Meyer Lemon

It was an ordinary Thursday evening until  I get an email. The email was titled "L found a pin for you." L being my daughter. I had a sneaky feeling I knew what it was. The night before daughter L had come across a recipe she wanted me to try to make. It makes use of the numerous Meyer Lemon that are strewn across my kitchen counters. L LOVES Spaghetti Carbonara; to have it combined with Crab and Meyer Lemon was near perfection to her. She also loves Crab. She calls before leaving the office to ask what I needed to make the dish. LOL. The confidence of one well love. Ha, ha. 

I am happy to report that the dish was a huge success! Everyone gobbled it up and practically licked the pan clean. A few grumbles that someone had taken too much, leaving others without any seconds. It was declared a keeper!!

Say what?? - Vanilla Orchid Flowers

Recently, my husband came home with a gift for me. It was a cutting of a vanilla orchid vine that was growing in our New York office. That plant was vining itself rampantly across the ceiling of an office. Dear husband asked for the vine to be trimmed and brought me back some cuttings. 

Foraging for seedlings

These days I look at my Chula Vista garden with a difference eye. I am always looking at what plants I can take with me to my Temecula garden. It pains me that I cannot take my beloved Fuyu Persimmon tree with me. I have tried unsuccessfully in the past to marcot the Fuyu Persimmon. Looks like I will have to double up my efforts and perhaps improve my technique. Time is running out as the move to Temecula is getting closer.

My curry leaf plant on the other hand, has finally matured enough to start sprouting out seedlings. These seedlings are coming out from the roots.

Potting up

At this time of year, I have a little ritual each morning before work and again when I get home from work. A cup of coffee in hand, the dogs trailing at my feet, I step out to the little side garden to check on the seeds I have sowed and the seedlings that have sprouted earlier.

The tomato seedlings are growing bigger while other have finally sprouted. Looks like five year old tomato seeds are still viable. These came from Seed Savers Exchange.