New garden furniture

It was a birthday gift. The cats and birds love it. It's where we snack on fresh peanuts of course!

Country Standoff for the Whey

When I make goat cheese, the whey gets put in a green bowl outside.Then the cats & the geese jockey for the bowl. The geese won today. Sorry Bootsy!

Hot Summer Sunsets

One of the things about the hot summer days
it that the sunsets are still magnificent!!

Making my own butter-9

That's all it takes. Now it's time for toast.
You can drink the remaining buttermilk,
or use it for baking or make cheese out of it.
It's delicious, fresh and good for you.

Making my own butter-8

Time to take the butter and press out the remaining buttermilk by working it with a spatula or wooden spoon.

Making my own butter-7

Finally the butter starts to clump to itself as the buttermilk separates out.

Making my own butter-6

Then it will start to break down into butter and buttermilk.

Making my own butter-5

The the cream will start to pull away from the sides a bit.

Making my own butter-4

Then watch and wait.
First it will become whipped cream of course.

Making my own butter-3

Put on th lid and turn it on.
I have only low and high.
Both work just fine, I've made it with Low only, high, only and a combination of both. It really doesn't seem to matter with my machine.

Making my own butter-2

Add the heavy cream. If you know a diary farmer- great! If not- there are plenty of brands to choose from in your local grocery store. Try them all and see which one you like.

Making my own butter-1

I've been making my own butter and cheeses.
The butter tastes fresh and delicious, has no salt or additives and lasts about a week.
Here are some images of the butter making process from fresh heavy whipping cream to finished product. First get a great food processor- I use a pint of cream per batch- because mine is rather small.

Chickens & Geese are laying

The Full Yellow Moon through the Trees

Thirsty Mr. Nibbles

Mr. Nibbles is out in the early evening looking for water on this hot day. We left him some by the garden.

Farewell Morning Forest

The developers have plans for you.
You have provided shade and comfort to so many living things. I will never forget your inspirational image in the morning light.

Sunset & Moonrise on Lake Pontchartrain

Spideys

Fell out of the wind chimes after the rain...

Clematis, Gladiolus & Canna blooms

Tomatoes, Bush bean blooms and Cayenne peppers

Strawberries, Blackberries, & Blueberries

Rubus fruticosus

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Rosoideae
Genus: Rubus

It's time to pick blackberries- which means- long sleeves- long pants, boots, and of course watch out for poison ivy and snakes- but oh YUM are they good!

Prunus caroliniana

Although I have wild cherry laurel trees everywhere- I can't seem to beat the birds and wildlife to them!
But this year I actually got three before they did!! Whoohoo!!

Prunus caroliniana
Carolina cherry laurel, cherry laurel
Family: Rosaceae (rose Family)

Handsome Harry

For the first time since we have lived here, Handsome Harry (Rhexia virginica) has appeared in our yard, maybe its since we haven't mowed the lawn yet!!

Gardenias Bloom now!

the gardenias are beginning to bloom now..tey smell sweet and strong, and I love gardenia blossom fritters sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon!

Communion roses

These roses bloomed in my garden for my nieces first communion...

Spring has sprung & Summer has come!

Lots going on since my last post... Hummingbirds have arrived, although sparsely..
TONS of lightning bugs ( fireflies) this past week- JUST MAGICAL!! the camera cannot capture it.. Neither can the digital video.. but it is amazing..
Dewberries have ripened and have been eaten by the birds, geese, opossums and racoons!!
I picked a half a cup and served them with shortbread and Mr. Mauthe's original creole cream cheese! YUMMERS!! I love Louisiana.
The blackberries should ripen after this weekend's projected rains.
We coverd a few of the newly planted blueberries with netting.
The strawberries are slow but still producing a bit- they are so, soooo sweet!
Pictures soon.

Pear Blossoms

If they can survive the freeze, the blight, and the fenceline and electric trimmers, then we should have some nice pears this year...

Celeste's Irises

My sister gave me these irises to plant in my garden over 10 years ago. When we moved- I divided them and planted some in our garden here, next to the guest bedroom window. They are blooming beautifully this year!

Wisteria- again!

I could photograph it all day. It smells so sweet.

Nasturiums

This year I planted them again. I love them in a salad.

Fresh Growth

The herb garden is so happy after the rain; oregano, marjoram and thyme!

Thistle Time