IAVOM-Going Native
Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) has begun to bloom, a sign I interpret as the point where we begin to slide from mid-summer towards autumn. The seasonal cycles continue unabated, ‘time and tide wait for no man’ or woman, for that matter. Bittersweet as it is, I must accept it. Thankfully, there are yet many weeks of glorious summer weather ahead of us to enjoy.
As the title suggests, I’ve made my arrangement this week mostly of native plants. Soft-pink Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum) has been blooming for a week or two, another great late-season pollinator plant, along with Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus), all greedily visited by bees and butterflies. American Goldfinches have already started plucking seeds from the latter two, their cheerful twittering filling the air.
The only non-native are Hosta blossoms added to provide a bit of contrasting purple color.
Sweet peas
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I Need Your Help
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Tuesday Photo Challenge – Round Up 172
Welcome to the 172nd round up of the Tuesday Photo Challenge!
Things are looking up! Your posts for this week’s theme were spectacular and showed a tremendous amount of creativity. There certainly were a couple that blew me away, both in terms of content and artistry, and I’ll be curious to hear which among all these great posts had a similar effect on you. I feel privileged to read all of your contributions to the theme of Overhead, and they were extremely enjoyable!!
Thank you for all the effort that you put into these posts, and I hope that you enjoy reading each other’s posts!
Here’s a bit more of an overhead view…

This art installation was in one of the main shopping streets in Brno, Czechia; it was fun to try and capture the colorful aspects of the installation on such a…
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JAPANESE FOLK MUSIC – Kojo no Tsuki – Moon Over The Ruined Castle
Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter L
What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Simple Sensations: Linguine Chicken Salami! Sometimes it’s just not possible for me to get to a restaurant for one of my favorite dishes. That’s when I prepare the dish at home. A good friend of mine shared tips on putting together a great Italian marinara sauce. It’s all about taste buds and choosing the quality of herbs. If you don’t have the extra time, simply choose a store-bought alternative until you can perfect the right combination for you.
LINGUINE CHICKEN SALAMI
Ingredients:
6-8 chicken fillets
2 tablespoons lemon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 Vidalia onion, sliced
28-ounce can peeled tomatoes in basil sauce
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
1/2 teaspoon basil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 pound Italian salami*
6-ounces of…
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Original Marinara Sauce
What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? The Food Whisperer: Original Marinara Sauce! Marinara isn’t just a fancy name for spaghetti sauce, it actually lacks one key ingredient that sets it apart. You guessed it: MEAT. Basically, marinara is a tomato-based sauce infused with herbs and spices. It can be prepared very easily in less than half an hour. Personally, I find it perfect for a meatless meal. I like chunks of tomatoes, the hint of garlic, and a slight kick of red pepper spice. Look again at the snapshot. Perhaps it’s time to make marinara at your house.
ORIGINAL MARINARA SAUCE
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
28-ounce can Italian Roma tomatoes, diced with sauce
2 tablespoons fresh oregano
1/4 cup basil, chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon marjoram
1 tablespoon agave nectar
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions:
In a large skillet over medium-low heat, warm…
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Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter R
What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Foodstuff Redefined: Roma Tomato Marinara! Now here is a sauce that is as versatile as your food cravings. I like to make up a jar to keep on hand in the refrigerator. You never know when you’ll want it. Roma tomatoes have a texture that leaves your mouth yearning for yet another spoonful. Slather it on flatbread and add cheese for a late-night snack. Or use it as a base in a skillet lasagna. The balance of thick tomatoes, rich olive oil, and hint of basil make it my favorite for dunking buttery breadsticks. For kid-pleasing families as well as empty nesters, say “Yes” to homemade marinara.
ROMA TOMATO MARINARA
Ingredients:
1 sweet onion, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
28-ounce can Italian tomatoes, whole and peeled in basil sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder*
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon marjoram
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon Herbs…
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Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter T
What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? The Chow Down: Tuscan Tomato Bisque! Picture this. Autumn has set in, the air emits a crisp chill, and a warm fire is enough to make you snuggle inside for the night. For the robust concentrated flavor of tomatoes, slow-roasting them brings it all home. Earthy Italian herbs and spices add a little mystery to every bite. Cozy up to a bowl with your favorite afghan and reap the harvest.
TUSCAN TOMATO BISQUE
Ingredients:
6-8 Roma tomatoes, halved lengthwise
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 sweet onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon marjoram
1/4 teaspoon basil
1 cup water
Fresh basil leaves
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425°. Line baking sheet with foil. Arrange tomatoes, cut side up. Sprinkle with kosher salt. Roast tomatoes until they are soft, approximately 30 minutes. In a large saucepan…
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