What to do with too many jalapenos?

So if I had to recommend a jalapeno plant, it would be this "Mucho Nacho" plant I've got this year, its a huge producer, but in order to help keep it producing, I have a plethora of jalapenos I've picked :)

So one of my new favorite things to do with them is make popcorn. Ever had jalapeno popcorn? Yum!!

2 1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil (gives it a buttery/nutty flavor throughout)
1 jalapeno sliced
3/4 cup popcorn

1. Heat up the olive oil in a large bottomed pan (I used my stock pot on Med-High heat)
2. Put the sliced jalapeno's in once its hot
3. Cook the jalapenos until they're close to crispy
4. Add the popcorn and start shaking
5. Keep shaking every few seconds to keep the kernels from sticking to the bottom and burning
6. Keep on the heat and shaking until there is about 1 sec between popping
7. Remove from heat and pour into a heat proof bowl
8. Toss with melted butter (optional) and salt
9 Voila! Yummy japaloeno popcorn with your freshly grown jalapenos :)

Impulse Seed/Plant buys

So what is a gardener stuck in a hotel on business during the most perfect spring/summer week yet to do?? Impulse seed and plant shop online of course :)

I went a little crazy on eBay this week buying as unique seeds and plants as I could find. Luckily I stuck mostly to seeds, they're much cheaper :)

So the results of my shopping spree

- Dragons Blood Sedum (seeds)
- Queen Red/Lime Zinnia (seeds)
- Za'atar (seeds)
- Wasabi (seeds)
- Pear Mint (plant)

Okay I admit the Wasabi might be a bit of a stretch, but I am always up for a challenge and love growing unique things :)

So is it just me, or does anyone else do impulse seed/plant shopping?? :)

Glad to be heading back to my garden tomorrow, luckily I have a great neighbor keeping it watered while I'm gone :)

1st Harvest of the Season

I know it isn't much, but I harvested my first Jalapeno of the season!! :)  This Jalapeno plant I picked up this year from the Master Gardeners of Richmond is AMAZING! I think its called (or at least its what they called it) Mucho Nacho Jalapeno. They said it was a large producer, and they weren't kidding!! There has got to be at least 15 Jalapeno's growing on it right now!

1st Jalapeno of the season!

Needless to say I'm looking forward to many a great salsa's as more mature....

What have you harvested so far?? What are you anticipating the most??

Community Gardens!!!!

I'm back!! Sorry for the hiatus! But I'm very excited to be back, and to be sharing my new community garden with you.

The neighborhood I live in recently voted to turn what is supposed to be a hotel site into some community gardens. Needless to say I jumped on the chance to get a plot! So I paid my $25 and they gave me my very own rented 5' x 10' piece of land

New garden plot! :)

Its a little late in the season to do seed planting, so I bought a few tomato, pepper, cucumber and watermelon plants today just to get it started.  I'm looking forward to it getting started...

Any thoughts on something fun and new to plant? I'd love to do some dwarf popcorn but i'm just not sure if there is enough room....

Its a little sparse right now....

I'm really excited to grow this summer crop.... but I really can't wait to use it in the fall to plant garlic :)

How are your spring/summer gardens going?

Update on the Birds

Well, I got my computer back, thank goodness!!!! :) I will start posting the ideas I've had while the computer was sick...

But i wanted to get you the bird updates.. they have left the nest. The last one flew away on Friday. I can't lie, I was sad to see them go... I am very happy all 5 grew up and were able to fly away, but sad they're gone. Here are the last few photos of them

They were so cute when they opened their eyes.

It seemed a bit cramped in the nest...I mean I love my sisters, but I am not sure I'd want to be THAT close to them :)

They are a few days old here 

I got dive bombed by daddy bird trying to get a few of these pictures, he was very protective ;) 

Sadly, the last photo of the birdies, they flew off the next day

Computer in ICU

Just wanted to check in and let you know I haven't abandoned ship. My trusty sidekick computer is currently in the Apple ICU having a new graphics card installed. I should be back late this week and have lots to share about the birds & most exciting of all the brand new community garden plots going in across the street from me!!

I hope you have a wonderful week in the garden in the meantime!

Birdies Have Hatched!

Baby birdies hatched today!! what a cute little bunch!