Blogoversary

Aunt Debbi's Garden is one year old today. On this date last year I made my very first post. I was taking myself really seriously. Nobody commented. Lucky for y'all the Monkey's took over. This blog may be silly, but it usually isn't boring.

A look at my site meter shows that more than 13,000 people have been here to visit. Now, I know that is not a lot in the big blogging picture, but hey, I'm blown away.

I have enjoyed this hobby very much. I have made some great internet friends and actually met one face to face. I love to read comments y'all leave and go out and read y'alls blogs.

I have gotten some great ideas from other garden bloggers. I hope I have given a little bit of good information along with all the silliness.

I chronicled the really silly invasion of pumpkins in my tiny garden.

We were involved in several sock situations, one became an international incident

I feel like this is a great record of our lives from my point of view and saturated in plants.

The Monkeys are not impressed.

Election News

Wasn't that the most exciting election ever? I am amazed at how this election changed my perspective. Wasn't it awesome to see so many people participate in the vote regardless of their choice.

I, however, have other election news. Monday morning, Aunt Debbi was elected president of the KCMG Association. Of course, they do not call me Aunt Debbi. Now understand, this is not really a big deal. Nobody else wanted the job. Still, I think it will be fun to lead it for a year. I hope I don't mess it up.

Were You Raised in a Barn?

It is cool, windy day here in north Texas. Leaves are falling and getting blown all over the place. The temperature feels wonderful. This has been the driest October I can remember. There is a slight chance of rain later, but not much of a chance.

I went outside to water the garden. This has to be done every day because of the sunny, dry weather. I have been leaving the door open because it has been so nice outside.

Well look what the wind brought inside for me this morning. No Monkeys were involved in this particular mess. It was all me. My grandmother, Rhodella, is rolling over in her grave right now. I can just hear her, "Were you raised in a barn?"

To Do List

1. Plant onions.
2. Weed.
3. Plant lettuce.
4. Weed.
5. Pick Peppers.
6. Weed.
7. Rake leaves.
8. Weed.
9. Parent Monkeys.
10. Take advantage of that 19th amendment and Vote.

Another Answer to a Monkey Question

No you are not filing the dog's nails with my diamond nail file. Go to bed.

Seriously.

The Sweetest Thing

A friend and coworker of Manly Man asked my advise tonight. He wants to purchase a gift for a woman he admires who has recently been promoted. She is now a master trainer at the gym he works out in.

I suggested he go to one of those engraving places and get her a little plaque or statue with something heart felt engraved on it. No overtly romantic gestures and no expectations. Just be a nice guy.

He said Manly Man had suggested a hand gun, bfff. Now, let me tell you a little about Manly Man. He gives flowers ,diamonds, sapphires, chainsaws, tillers, greenhouses, and shotguns. He will move a greenhouse where ever I want it. He makes excellent monkeys. He is the best gift giver ever. He is one of the best cooks I know. That's right, I said it. He can cook as good as I can. You should see the necklace I received for mothers' day this year. Gorgeous. My man has it all figured out. I won't even talk about the really good stuff.

I am one lucky woman.

Legacy

You know you might be in Texas if you have cheese burgers with fried okra and fried green tomatoes instead of french fries. That was dinner for us tonight. We are still getting okra, squash, and tomatoes from the garden and will until it freezes.

Fried green tomatoes and fried okra

Green tomatoes sliced thin and/or okra cut to 1/2 inch pieces
1 egg white + 2 tablespoons water
1 cup corn meal and 4 tablespoons season salt or Cajun spice

Dip tomatoes and/or okra in egg wash. Dredge okra and/or tomato slices in corn meal/season salt. Fry until golden brown.

I was taught to cook southern fried foods as soon as I was tall enough to see over the stove top. The dishes include chicken fried steak, chicken fried chicken, okra, tomatoes, and fish. I was also taught to make pickles from cucumbers, okra, green tomatoes, and watermelon rind. Later I decided that almost anything can be a pickle so we have pickled carrots and green beans. Later I learned to make homemade bread. All of this cooking and baking was taught at the elbow of one of my grandparents. Margaret taught the frying and pickling, Bill taught the bread baking, and Rhodella taught me never to be afraid of trying new things (thus the weird pickles). They have been gone for a number of years, but every time I cook these old favorites, I feel close to them again.