summer is for gardens and salad

this is the second post in the summer is for salads series.  if you'd like another great recipe check out this post.

our pumpkin plant.  so far we have one little lovely coming in!

 Our garden has done really well this year.  Better than years past.  I think the deep mulching really has paid off.

I planted pumpkins earlier this year than I usually do.  Which means I'll have pumpkins way before halloween.  But I'm ok with that, as long as I have pumpkins!  I've never had a successful pumpkin patch because I've tried to time it with halloween (planting seeds on the 4th of July).  This year I planted them in May and we already have one little punkin coming in!  I'm thrilled!

glorious basil!  remember to pick those sweet flowering heads off for better yield.

 And the basil!  The faithful companion to the tomato.  I love, love basil and cannot get enough of it.  Which is a good thing.  Because we have tons of it!  The taste of summer to me is basil and tomatoes.  We have harvested 4 pounds of grape tomatoes alone this year!  That has been such a yummy treat!  And one of my favorite sights this summer has been Buddy running into the house with his shirt pulled up into a pouch, overflowing with tomatoes.  He exclaims "mama, I have a surprise for you!" every single time.  That boy...

baby japanese eggplant

 Wee japanese eggplant.  We have only harvested four eggplants so far.  For some reason my plants can only produce one at a time.

 Onto the salad.  This salad is the taste of summer.  Oh!   I think I'll call it that so it will sound fancy.  Introducing THE TASTE OF SUMMER SALAD!!!

You will need:

3 cucumbers
3 tablespoons of plain yogurt ( I really like Greek yogurt in this)
handful of grape tomatoes
dill
salt
pepper
and some fresh parsley ( if you want it to be pretty )

Mix it all up and call it done!  Best after it is chilled in the refrigerator for an hour or so.  Or even the next day.  Go nuts.

I am really enjoying having salads already made and ready to go in the fridge.  They are so easy pack up for a picnic, or have at home after a long bike ride or time spent in the garden.