Home Grown Lettuce in Salads

I've been making salads each day with the fresh lettuce from the garden. It's really delicious. The tender, baby greens  taste completely different than the large heads of Romaine that I normally buy at Sprouts. I probably will need to purchase some more plants, because I'm starting to pick too many of the outer leaves. They need a rest period, so that they can fill out again.  Each year this usually happens. I need about five six packs of the starter plants to provide enough for daily salads. It's worth it. For me, lettuce is one of the easiest vegetables to grow. It's so much more pleasant to be outside gardening now, because the temperature is perfect. It's ideal weather for bike riding, walking, and hiking, too.

I made an apple crisp over the weekend, and am still enjoying the leftovers. It's a wonderful dessert to pair with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea. I love the spices,  and their flavors and aromas. The cinnamon, allspice, and apples are such a treat with the buttery topping. This recipe reminds me of my childhood. My neighbor, Mrs. Hutchinson, taught me how to make it.

I have been taking care of the potager garden. I've got flowers, fruit trees, cauliflower, broccoli, citrus trees, strawberries, and chokeberries in this small front plot. It's fun to see and feel the difference in the area. I mulched it with straw, and the plants are all doing well. I have to make sure to keeps the dogs on the porch, now, and not let them frolic through the young plants. Lula came to visit today, and spent most of the time on my lap. She is just bursting with enthusiasm and affection. I adore her. She loves our bike rides together. The running  seems to calm her down and fill her with happiness.

Now that the weather is cooler, this little peppermint plant is much more comfortable and healthy. I plan to use it to make some fresh tea with honey. I love the taste of it. I am making an effort to grow and use more herbs. They have such wonderful benefits. They adapt very easily to our soil and climate here in California, too. How is your garden doing?