Gluten-free Lasagna

Hello,

It was time to harvest my little heirloom tomatoes...

So... I took out my trusty tomato knife and made gluten-free lasagna.

I never really follow a recipe- it changes depending on the season and what I am in the mood for.

The tomatoes were sauted with garlic, onions in EVOO, then fresh chopped basil and oregano were added.

I cooked and rinsed about 1/3 lb. of hot bulk pork sausage, then added fennel seeds.

This was stirred into the tomatoes.

To 16 ounces of low-fat ricotta I added one egg, and about 5 ounces of fresh cooked and chopped spinach.

I boiled my gluten-free lasagna noodles.

Lastly, I layered the sauce, noodles, and cheese.  Besides the ricotta, the cheeses I used were mozzerella "pearls" and parmesan.

The lasagna was covered and baked for 40 minutes at 350 degrees F.

The cover was removed then baked for 10 more minutes to brown the cheese.  This is a lighter version of lasagna as the tomato sauce is not a heavy marinara.

Serve with gluten-free toasted garlic bread, a salad,
 and pour a glass of cab sav.

Donna

A Victorian Terrarium

Hello,

                                                                                

I bought a new plant from Trader Joe's for my Victorian Terrarium. 

It is called Nematanthus, or commonly the "goldfish plant." If you look closely at the little flowers they do resemble goldfish. 

It is very sweet.

~Donna~

Pickled Green Tomatoes

Hello,

The veggies in my garden are coming fast and furious. 

So it was time to take out my trusty tomato knife, and make some refrigerator pickled green tomatoes... YUMMY!
 I love this knife because it slices through very ripened tomatoes like butter.  I use it all of the time and I like the fact that it has its name on it.
 Quarter the green tomatoes, place in a large jar with garlic and jalapeno slices.  Cover with organic white vinegar and dissolve enough sea salt to pickle.  Refrigerate them for a few days and then use.  They can be refrigerated for up to 6 weeks.  They are really good in Bloody Marys and I'll share my own recipe sometime soon!

~Donna~

Window and Flower Box

Hello,

I thought I would post a picture of one of my beautiful windows and flower boxes. This is the reward for living in a very old house... lots of character.

~Donna~

Trinkets...

Hello,

I have a thing about salt shakers and cellars.  Here is a peek at my small collection of both sterling silver and lead crystal.

I also enjoy cooking with different salts from around the world. I became interested in this after reading the book,

Salt: A World History, by Mark Kurlansky. 

 It was a fascinating read and I highly recommend it.

~Donna~

Come Touring With Me...

Hello,

This is the trail that I bike almost everyday.  It is in the Horicon Marsh, which is the largest cattail marsh in the United States, and a federal wildlife refuge.  Today I brought along my camera.

First, we pass by fields and fields of wild flowers...mostly black-eyed Susans and purple rudbeckia.

Then, we are in the marsh following along side the Main Dike Road.

After peddling about 3 miles or so, we are in the heart of the marsh and you never know what birds you will see-

Today I saw a pelican, a sandhill crane, and a blue heron!

Trifecta!

Lastly, it is time to return to the beginning of the trail...

I always see lots of monarchs- they love Joe Pye Weed!

The marsh is an amazing place to tour on my bike.

              I am so very fortunate to have this in my backyard...

don't you agree?

~Donna~

Toile Tuesday

Here are my next pair of galoshes! (That is what my grandmother always called boots)  A girl cannot have enough toile!

~Donna~

Busy as a Bee...

It's been over a moon since my last post...

{...and I have to say the loss of my dog put me into a bit of a funk.} 

But then I had house guests, and it helped me jump back into house projects (major house projects), biking, gardening, photography, and just general summertime relaxation!

Here's a glimpse of one house project- actually our Carriage House project.  It needed a new foundation and new walls and siding.  Sometime long ago it was re-sided with "gunite" a sprayed on type of concrete.  It is not attractive. The previous owners deferred the maintenance so we are preserving the old Gal and giving her a new facelift with steel siding.  This is where we found the old newspaper used as insulation. 

She is already looking pretty!  I'll post a picture when she gets completed.  There's always a project to complete when a house is 163 years old!

~Donna~

The Last of the Peonies...

Hello,

I took some shots of the last of the peonies the other day...

The beautiful and fragrant peonies in my garden are fading. Peonies are by far one of my very favorite flowers. I tried hanging them to dry one year. They didn't really make the best dried flower, but the textures and sepia tones were pretty for a little bit anyway. 

(The newspaper was found in the wall of the Carriage House when my husband was tearing down a wall. It is The Evening Wisconsin, dated May 11, 1910. I guess it was used as insulation.)

I would like to start a new garden with a collection of antique peonies...different colors, fragrances, and blooming schedule.

~Donna~

A Very Sad Day....

Yesterday I had to take my best friend of 14 years to the vet to be put to sleep.  It was the hardest decision, but he let me know it was time.  For a special treat he got a Big Mac, fries, and a shake.  He also got to ride in the car with his head out the window.  Doggy joy! I was with him till the end.  Thanks for your loyality all these yearsTuggy- you will be missed.

~Donna~

Toile de Jouy

I have a thing about Toile de Jouy patterns.  I love them all.  Everyone tells a little story and I could spend hours looking at the pictures.  The pattern in this header is actually wallpaper from my front entry hall.  Here's another example of toile...  is it not precious?

~Donna~