I’ve been kind of bummed about my garden – and reminded why hardly any of our neighbors even try to garden! It is so hard because while it might be getting right around freezing at night, it is so sunny and warm during the day! (We are at 9000 feet elevation, so the sun really does get warm here!) The plants that make it through the night sometimes don’t make it through the sunny days.
This was an asiatic lily that we planted just a few weeks ago. We are guessing the hot sun was too much for it.
Even my kale seems to be suffering. Most of it seems to be ok, but a couple plants were rather brown and wilted.
I do have to remember that most people around here don’t even TRY gardening! And I have had successes, and I will not give up!
My spinach is doing good!
And I have done something probably only a few people have done … successfully grown tomatoes indoors! I am proud of my indoor garden!
We have been eating homegrown tomatoes (grown from seed!) for the last 1 1/2 months!
I have started growing the next “season” of tomato plants. I figure they should be growing strong by the end of the summer!
But, I am trading a fruitful garden for these views … definitely worth it.
That speaks peace and contentfulness to my soul. I love it here. When I lived in Illinois, I never would have said I LOVE Illinois. But, I do love Colorado. Everyday. I am so thankful to live here, and I think that is why the fire has hit me so deeply!
So, I decided I needed a little treat! Inspired by Erin, I got these popsicle molds. They are BPA free, easy to clean, and the perfect size! I think I will be having fun with these this summer!
A few weeks back, I had gotten a smaller popsicle mold, and made some popsicles with a mix of cantaloupe juice, and strawberry juice. I just juiced a cantaloupe in my juicer, and then some strawberries. These popsicles are so good!
You could really taste the cantaloupe – so good and refreshing!
However, I decided I wanted something a little …stronger. I had just seen Lazy Budget Chef post about some vodka popsicles, and decided to give it a try! You know how sometimes you might see a recipe somewhere online and have this idea in your head, but you don’t remember specific amounts of ingredients, so you just wing it? Yep, that is what I did. I remembered 1 cup of juice, but not the vodka amount. So, I combined 1 cup juice and 1 cup vodka. Looking at her recipe, she suggested 2 tsp of vodka! DOH! So these puppies are preeeeety strong!
I also had some espresso vodka (which is amazing!), so I combined 1 cup almond milk with 1/4 cup of the espresso vodka, and made some creamy ones too!
I can’t even imagine how much fun these molds are going to be this summer, and how many combinations I can come up with! I’m already thinking a pina colada version. On the popsicle box, it suggested freezing applesauce and making applesauce popsicles, so I am going to try that too!
I waited until they were halfway frozen and then stuck the popsicle sticks in. Yum!
I also want to acknowledge 2 people who have given me a Liebster blog award! I received the award a few months ago, and keep forgetting to post about it! Sorry ladies!
Both Nona from Small things by Nona and MJ from MJ’s Kitchen nominated me for this wonderful award! From what I can tell, “Liebster” is German for sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, favorite and welcome. Nice!
Thank you so much to both of you! I am so honored!
In return, I would like to nominate the following bloggers – they always make me smile and feel happy when I leave their blog space! Check out these bloggers, and Nona and MJ’s blogs – you will be glad you did!
Brittany – Delights and Delectables
Jillian – Bites of Balance (my last Foodie Pen Pal!)
If you aren’t into blog awards, don’t worry, but if you would like just nominate 5 blogs of your own favorites, and keep the blog love moving on!
What are some of your favorite blogs? Let me know – I love checking out new-to-me blogs!
Umm, 1:1 juice to vodka ratio? That sounds perfect. I need to invest in popsicle molds–it’s so hot around here that having a stash of frozen treats on hand is a must. And now I’m dreaming of homemade pina colada popsicles…too bad I’m at work and it’s 9:30 in the morning ;D
Allie recently posted..New York Part Two: The Food
And I got distracted by alcohol and hit reply too soon! Because I also wanted to say THANK YOU for the nomination! I’m so flattered!
And to not give up on gardening, because heck, if you can grow tomatoes indoors, I feel like you can grow most anything
Allie recently posted..New York Part Two: The Food
hahaha
oh – I have made these – they are delicious!
m.
maria recently posted..giving up? no, great gain!
Thanks Maria! I love the popsicle molds because you can put pretty much anything in them!
Thanks Jane that’s so sweet. My son and I are having fun making our own popsicles this summer. You mentioned trying to find products at the grocery store without HFCS recently. Well popsicles are the worst. Every brand at my regular store has corn syrup. I love that I can control exactly what goes into them. Now all I can think about is a pina colada popsicle!
Aimee recently posted..Friend Makin’ Mondays: Bedroom Habits
So true! I actually haven’t even looked at the popsicles in the store because I know they are nothing but bad!
I’ve got to give me some of those molds! What fun! These recipes would be a perfect first use.
Thank you for the kind words Jane! You’re too sweet! I can certainly see why you love where you live! The Colorado Rockies are gorgeous! I’ve been backpacking in them many times (in my younger years). It’s horrible when fires destroy such beauty. We have a huge one burning in the Gila in New Mexico. Very sad! Hope they get these fires under control very soon! Have a great weekend Darlin!
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Thanks MJ! I know there is that bad fire in New Mexico too .. My hubby goes back to work tomorrow and they already have plans for him to spend the next 2 days up there … ugggh! Have a good weekend!
I am thinking you need to blog about your watermelon margaritas~ perhaps they can be turned into a popsicle version, as well. After all with a 1:1 ratio what adult “kid” wouldn’t go YUM! over them