Life Happens

"Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans".

Had so many plans for this lovely summer day. I started my morning in the garden and stopped to check the nest for the baby birds. The nest was empty, but there they were peeking back at me sitting on a branch - oh - next they will be learning to fly! Grabbed my bag and I was off to the antique mall. Put the key in the ignition & nothing. When my husband came home from work, he & my neighbor jumped the car & we were off to the auto parts store -(not exactly the shopping trip I had in mind). All was going smoothly till we had to stop for a red light & the engine died. Luckily we were on a slight hill & we coasted into the parking lot into a parking spot right in front of the store. If you ever doubt there is a God or a Guardian Angel, I didn't today. What are the odds? We had to cross traffic without power steering or brakes & landed a primo parking spot. I laughed like crazy. It was just too impossible.

Back to work tomorrow but maybe I will have better luck on Thursday. Aren't these two hand painted china plates lovely? I found these out treasure-hunting Monday.

Zuccinni Tart from the Garden

There is a little grey Catbird who follows me whenever I am out in the garden. When I am pulling weeds, sometimes I find a tasty morsel for him & toss it on the walk where he can see it. This year he has brought his mate & they have "Gone Housekeeping" - (as my grandmother used to say) in our Bridal Wreath. They are proud parents of two fuzzy-headed babies. Our cat Tasha spent the morning on the brick path beneath the cherry tree while papa bird kept a watchful eye on her. When I went inside to grab a cup of tea, I surprised a little grey furball-(PeeWee) having a siesta on my dining room table.

I picked my first zucchini today. I know most folks have them by the bushel-full, but this is a real accomplishment for us as our property has very few hours of direct sunlight I found this fabulous recipe in one of my British Homes magazines. It is just divine!

ZUCCHINI TART WITH TOMATO & PESTO

1 PIE CRUST
2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL
1/2 SWEET ONION-THINLY SLICED
1 CLOVE GARLIC-PEELED & CHOPPED
1 LEEK-CUT INTO MATCHSTICKS-*OPTIONAL
1 MEDIUM ZUCCHINI-SLICED INTO ½” THICK STICKS
1 MEDIUM TOMATO- SLICED
SALT & PEPPER
3 TABLESPOONS PESTO-HOMEMADE OR STORE-BOUGHT
2-3 TABLESPOONS FRESH BASIL LEAVES
3 EGGS
6 OUNCES LIGHT CREAM-1/2 & ½ OR MILK-(I USED SKIM MILK FOR THIS & IT TURNED OUT FINE)
2 OUNCES PARMESAN CHEESE SHREDDED OR GRATED
3 TABLESPOONS TOASTED PINE NUTS

PREHEAT OVEN TO 375. ROLL OUT PASTRY CRUST PLACE IN TART TIN WITH REMOVABLE BASE.
CHILL 30 MINUTES AND BAKE BLIND FOR 10-15 MINUTES TILL PASTRY IS LIGHTLY COLORED BUT NOT FULLY COOKED.

MEANWHILE PREPARE FILLING. HEAT OIL IN LARGE FRYING PAN & COOK ONION GENTLY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. ADD GARLIC, ZUCCHINI, GARLIC, & LEAKS & COOK UNTIL ZUCCHINI IS JUST TENDER. REMOVE FROM PAN & LIGHTLY COOK TOMATO SLICES ABOUT 3 MINUTES PER SIDE. SEASON WITH SALT & PEPPER.

ALLOW PIE CRUST TO COOL SLIGHTLY & SPREAD PESTO EVENLY OVER THE BOTTOM. ARRANGE ZUCCHINI OVER PESTO & TOP WITH TOMATO SLICES. SCATTER BASIL ON TOP.

BEAT TOGETHER EGGS & CREAM OR MILK. SEASON WITH SALT & PEPPER AND POUR OVER VEGETABLES. SCATTER PARMESAN NEXT AND THEN THE PINE NUTS. LOWER OVEN TEMPERATURE TO 350 AND BAKE FOR 30-40 MINUTES OR TILL THE FILLING IS GOLDEN BROWN, RISEN & JUST SET.
SERVES 6-8.