Thursday, August 13, 2015

I love corn~and relish~










                                                                        the above are directional blooms:)













It's that August feeling..no other month feels like August..ok December too..and maybe May..but August is like the end to me.
I always said if I go away..end of August would be fine..my gardens have had the proverbial biscuit..
things look tired..forlorn..
as I was weeding one of them this afternoon..I heard those August crickets..August ones..they sound dry even thought it's been raining on and off for days it seems..
Some whites are blooming..Phlox "David" and all the hydrangeas varieties we grow..
some pinks..  but mostly GOLDS and yellows..
Noah is en route to Toronto w/ his mom for a getaway..we went to his swim meet last night.. he's so cute in his bathing cap and knee length Speedo..
he LOVES swimming and I can't believe how much he has progressed..
I LOVE seeing the kids swim..OMG to have their courage and tenacity..some are no bigger than my thumb..and take a breath every paddle w/ their goggles..I swear they melt my heart.
I clap loudest when Noah..Emily or an underdog finishes.

One lady has 7 children.I kid you not every one could be a Ralph Lauren ad.
I think she is 30.
She said she would have more..oh they're cute! The cousins too.

The 3 other Littles are in Sandbanks:) Great place for families and beach and fun..
I love getting pics:)

OK..so..

The few vegetables I have are still ripening..the garlic has been harvested and I enlarged that bed to plant twice as much this October..
I..adore corn..strong word but I do.
Not  mid -July corn,  only end of July and ..August corn.

Tastes so buttery even without the butter.
It's my fave thing about August apart from M's and L's birthdays...

I like it in salads too..Marie block your eyes:)  and I will be posting a great new quinoa salad we had today soon..so block twice:)
..this is like the beet salad I make except with chard and corn..and petals;),tomatoes from our garden and garlic from our garden..spring green onions..
..this salad is even good the next day.I had saved the beet vinaigrette and used that..easy peasy...but you can use any vinaigrette you like.
I only use half cup uncooked quinoa..one cup broth..it's plenty for a salad w/ leftovers for Jacques and I..


Another thing I like to do in August is make relish..
You may remember this one....la relish de Josée..I have made it and made it;)

In case anyone is going marketing ..  like I should be doing right now...and want a delish and pretty project..her relish (Tricia's this time)..is worth the effort..and mindfulness~

I made Tricia' s at Saving Room for Dessert..







You can find the recipe on her beautiful,appetizing blog.
I made a few changes,and not because I wanted to..it's because I was caught..w/ out yellow onions so used a large French shallot and a red onion..and I only had black mustard seeds..!  Well a smidge of normal and loads of black.

Make this when you have time to finely chop everything by hand..this is not something my processors would do well.

She was an inspiration to be mindful..and patient;)
Thank you Tricia...it is just the kind of relish we love...Sat. night we had burgers on the grill ,baked home fries and her relish was just right.
We are so lucky to learn so much..left right and centre through blogging.
I received my Martha Stewart..I was done in a heartbeat ready to pass it along..
magazines don't come close anymore I find to what we learn here...in our webworld.
Thanks for all the inspiration..s all the time.
Bon Weekend~

59 comments:

  1. The corns look beautiful Monique!
    ANd the flowers really amazing!!
    all is summer there when I will be in summer you will be in autumn/winter but I love this season too.
    Summer is really hot here!
    xo

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  2. Yours relish jars look soooo cute!

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  3. August through your eyes is delish...and yellow...and golden...and happy...And, it's so good to see your paintings more and more! Je les adore, especially this one of the corn!

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    1. I am so grateful to be able to have paints and paper..

      this summer was not the best gardening summer..so my paintboxes brought such joy.
      Thank you for inspiring me Rita.

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  4. Loved seeing the crops and flowers - yellows. That is what we miss the most about summer I think. I need to get busy, but it has been a bad year for gardening. Nevertheless, soon I will be concentrating on some new things.

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  5. I LOVE the first shot of the cornfield and rustic fence. So picturesque! Coincidentally, I visited our closest farmers' market today and bought a dozen ears of corn. We had some for dinner and it was fresh as can be. The rest I scraped the kernels off the cobs and put in the freezer. The sign at the stand said "Picked This Morning". Perfect! Love the painting of the corn ♥ This IS our corn season - the best. While I was at the farmers' market I bought some garlic. The man said he grows seven different varieties but he couldn't tell me the names as they were all mixed together :( I bought a few bulbs to taste to see which I like the best. Some are white and some are tinted red. They smell heavenly. I've never made relish. I did see Tricia's and it looked wonderful!

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    1. That's right up Main road here..not where I buy it..but I pass this field every time I coast along the water..parked my tiny car just beside the fence off the road..it was a zoo..in winter..it's a little ghost town..in summer all the tourists are here and the ferry is in full swing..the market..a wedding..glad I have a mini car...
      I just know we will be harvesting garlic together.
      Wait till you try your dressing with your garlic.
      Your salad was a hit here..M made your dressing too!

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    2. So glad you liked the dressing! I will try it with the farmers' market garlic next week and compare. I was assured by the farmer that it would taste so much better than store bought garlic ;)

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  6. I was just thinking about this very topic. Amazing. xoxo

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    Replies
    1. You must have great charming corn stands Gail..hope you post them!
      And paint one!x

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  7. Your salad screams summer. August corn is the best. Are those your black eyed susans in the photos above? I like the ones with the yellow centers. Maybe I should try that one. And some how the color doesn't look too strong in your photos. We will be away the end of August with the whole family and in laws and you sister. We will all probably be exhausted after a week of Katherine going non stop. But at least we will have Frankie to help us run after her down to the ocean's edge. I have never done relish. It looks like jewels in a jar.

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    1. You made me smile liking that one best..it's 6 ft tall at least.
      from Derek and Marlene..I have 2 clumps..they used to be in a sun garden...now it's a shade garden..the Himalayan Balsam still self seeds from Derek..
      I have reminders of the Hills in many spots❤️
      Oh an ocean getaway..what a ball with all of you!

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    2. Memories of Derek and Marlene in your garden are precious. If they are that tall are they Helianthus? Tall could do. I plan on making some cookies to bring with us so everyone has something to nibble on when they get back from the beach. I will probably make those almond cookies that are so addictive because they make a bunch. If the weather and time cooperates, maybe a batch of your sand dollar cookies too. They would be appropriate, yes?

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    3. The sand dollar cookies would be very cute:) If you lived next door I could lend you my sea cookie cutters..but w/ the sand dollars..no need:)I will Google Helianthus:)

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  8. The summer is almost over, but my favorite season is coming, I am so happy about it. Sorry for not visiting you, we were so busy with travel and kids. Miss you very much. Hugs!!!
    Yelena

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    Replies
    1. I thought so..I have missed your works of art..
      Summer is for kids!

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  9. WOW, you really have a big garden and the corn is so tall. I know that it is so good. Love corn on the cob, creamed corn, etc.
    So glad the little ones love swimming - that is so goo for them.
    Your photo;'s are great.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Mary

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    Replies
    1. Hi mary...that corn is not growing in my garden:) It's up on main Road about 5 minutes away:) Would be nice to have our own!

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  10. Your lovely photos still look like summer to me, the brilliant vivid yellow of those flowers. So important for youngsters to learn to swim, glad he loves it.
    The relish sounds good , I'll pop over and steel the recipe. Loved your painted corn , such a lovely style you have.

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    1. I've taken more time with my paints..taken them out more.. set up more..there really isn't a lot to take out..but instead of reading the last few summer weeks..I painted.I enjoy it so much!
      The relish is lovely!

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  11. Monique, I just want to jump right into your pictures of the yellow flowers and hug them. I love summer, perhaps it's because it's when I was born, but I don't think that's it. It's the food and the flowers and the lazy feelings summer brings with it, kids learning to swim, playing until dark and of course pretty salads like yours with the quinoa and corn. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
    Sam

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    1. Summer was swimming to me too and staying out till dark..sometimes getting in our PJS and being allowed to sit on the porch with my friend Joanne.
      Summer really is more for kids I find..those memories..Caroline sends me pic of the boys on vacation..all asleep sprwawled out on the same bed..♥
      How lucky they are to sleep like that!

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  12. Tu as bien raison : Internet est une mine d'inspiration pour les gens comme nous !
    Bisous
    Hélène
    PS : Je vais aller voir la recette de ce condiment illico ! :o)

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  13. Oh yes....I agree....August's corn on the cob is the best! I remember bantam corn, so tender and delicious...don't see it here at all, do you see it up north?
    The relish looks marvelous, Monique, but I'm passing on the quinoa salad...just can't get a taste for it,

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    1. I have not seen it called Bantam here..I have seen all yellow/gold..seems everyone I know loves peaches and cream the most..yet when I was young..I never saw it..only yellow!
      Many people pass on quinoa..my daughter got me hooked about 4 years ago..

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  14. Anxiously awaiting your quinoa salad recipe. Love the chunks of corn kernels in the salad. So colorful. Your watercolor corn is so pretty. The end of summer is bittersweet indeed and you are right about the way crickets sound in late summer. Enjoy your weekend Monique.

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    1. I can give you the salad I made yesterday now:)

      It is filled with mango..raisins..coconut..nuts..so good!

      I used 1/2 cup uncooked reg quinoa and 1 cup broth..adjusted the rest of the ings to suit that amount of cooked quinoa..

      http://triplantstrong.blogspot.ca/2012/05/california-quinoa-salad-whole-foods.html?m=1


      Even Jacques liked it..he loves mango..I will be posting about it but why make you wait? Summer is short!

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  15. Bonjour ma chère Nana,

    Je suis très contente de trouver un moment aujourd'hui pour entrouvrir la porte de ton univers... je ne serai pas très régulière jusqu'en septembre et je te prie de m'en excuser...

    Tes photos sont toujours aussi fantastiques et tes plats donnent envie d'être dégustés...
    Je cuisine beaucoup avec le quinoa étant allergique comme tu le sais au gluten. Je trouve cela délicieux.

    Gros bisous ♡

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    Replies
    1. Bonjour! Je dois aller voir ce que tu fais... j'arrive..

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  16. Oh my, that first corn picture just about took my breath away, so beautiful. I love everything Tricia makes so I know the relish is wonderful!

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    1. I find the quality..content and styles of your bogs have a definite affinity with each other:) i think in real lfe..next door to each other..you would be BFFS:)

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  17. I'm just thinking about making a quinoa salad using some corn!! We love it but not quite like my mother. She could eat six ears, slathered in butter with salt and pepper, at one time. She was 5'1" and weighed less than 100 pounds. I did not inherit her metabolism!! Beautiful photos.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    Replies
    1. My mother-in-law too!!

      Froze it whole also.
      I do love it;)

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  18. Your Corn photos are wonderful!!
    I took some a few weeks ago...not nearly as pretty as yours!
    Good job by your grandson son...such an athletic sport, swimming...hope he continues!!
    Bon weekend Monique!!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. I hope he continues too..a lifeguard would be such a great summer job!
      I bet your pics were good..they always are!

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  19. Monique, the corn fields take me quickly back to childhood summers. I grew up in a rural community with corn fields and cotton fields all around. We could go to my aunt and uncle's farm every afternoon to swim. My Aunt Ev would have a basket of freshly picked corn on the cob waiting for us to take home for dinner that evening. Oh, yum! My senses are reliving the sensation as I type.
    Love the journal sketch. You inspire me!

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  20. Great corn there, Monique! I loved growing up on the farm and walking over to the field, picking corn and eating good and fresh. My mother loved it so we must've eaten it every day during the season. Wish it were summer all year round! :-) Good post!

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    1. Me too:)
      I remember giggling with my friend whenshe would eat over and our teeth were full of corn..we used to say..it's not a first date meal:)

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  21. Le maïs marque la fin de l'été, un doux fin d'été, ensoleillé à souhait.
    Il me tarde d'aller en cueillir, en cachette !
    Bon weekend

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  22. Oh, no - I commented this morning and it isn't there! Loving those beautiful cornfields, and the late summer yellows - I heard crickets last night , a sure sign that summer is coming to an end. Glorious relish, which reminds me of a favorite salsa, yummy on everything, especially in winter. Happy middle of August!

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    1. It's slowly happening.. one leaf at a time..then I will say I LOVE Fall..then... I love winter..till February:)

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  23. Cornfields are lovely to look at. I always say, we should visit those wonderful mazes. Fresh corn out of the garden tastes so fresh and good. It is great to add to salads too. Yours looks great, as well as the water colors. My husband eats his corn with a fork, so he doesn't get the kernals in his teeth. Have a lovely weekend.

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    1. I do what your husband does..never used to..but.. things change..I cut strips off w/ a sharp knife and eat w/ a fork:) Better than not eating it at all.:)

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  24. We also get beautifully fresh and sweet corn just now. Relish I've never made but would like to try.
    Oh, it's good to be back! I've not been on holiday, just a horrid flu. In August!
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. My friend has been sick too! weeks now..w/ bronchitis..etc..:( Get well Amalia!

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  25. Haha Monique, I have blocked my eyes from the Quinoa! I am sure I could do the same salad with Bulgar. Yum! One thing I really miss over here is GOOD corn! Peaches and Cream. Oh, to have a feed of August corn. Such a delight. Corn on the cob with lots of butter and salt. Heaven on earth. I do so love your corn painting. It's just lovely! You are such a talented artist Monique! You truly are. I love reading about your alphabet boys also. You cheer my heart always. xoxo

    PS - Love the blue corn dishes. How positively beautiful!

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    1. Mylène brought those 2 for us..they are practical and plastic..
      There is a store that people love here HomeSense..like Home Goods in the US..Winners also..a lot of kitchen kitsch ..is bought at those stores..Big stores are suffereing w/ stores like those and Costco..

      I have another avert your eyes Marie recipe coming up:)You are right bulghur would work..:)

      No corn there? France also?
      I think it is grown to feed animals?

      Have a bon dimanche Marie.

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    2. Oh yes, plenty of cow corn. =^@@^=
      O
      Not good
      to eat.

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  26. Love all your photos, Monique. I just bought a big bag of corn at the farmers' market yesterday. I could make a dinner from just that corn. August is my favorite month for produce. There is so much to choose from. Your salad looks so flavorful and healthy too!

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  27. I MISS CORN ON THE COB !!
    To heck with Paris ;((

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