It’s officially bean season. The Blue Lakes are coming in first, with the pole beans right behind them.
The Blue Lakes are really producing . I snipped off the ends and got them ready to cook.
I cooked these up very simply and they were oh-so good! I had some fresh mushrooms in the fridge, so added those in. First, I sauteed some garlic in a drizzle of olive oil, with the heat on Med-High. Threw in the beans along with salt and pepper and the mushrooms. Tossed in a bit of red pepper flakes and let them cook down until they were tender, but but not too soft. They were great! Cooked up in about 30 minutes, so I will be doing this again.
Since we have plenty of fresh basil, I’ll be using that too.
And the tomatoes are starting to ripen up nicely…..
I took a cue from my friend, Pat, from Back Porch Musings and made this Caprese salad. Oh man, is it great! Took me right back to Italy, the whole smell and taste thing. If you love all of these ingredients, you have to make this salad. It’s so easy too. If you haven’t been to visit Pat, she takes beautiful pics, so go over and take a look. I hope to improve my photography when I get my new camera like she has. Gorgeous! She linked to Epicurious, where she got the recipe for this Insalata Caprese, so I’ll send you over there too and you can get it for yourself.
We’re getting spoiled with the blackberries, they keep on rollin’ in too. 
I’ve baked up a couple of blackberry crisps and I’m enjoying them in my morning cereal. YUM!
You can see how HUGE they are from this! 
The hydrangeas in our yard are still pretty, but these are fading. This is a little lacecap that I planted last year and it has the prettiest colors.
The Endless Summer hydrangea is bustin’ with blooms. 
I love this plant!
We have native Oak Leaf hydrangeas growing in our yard and this is how they look as the white blooms are fading, tinged with pink. And, here’s one more visual for you….
Heeeeeere, little birdies, I’m waitin’ for ya. Come on out and play. The neighbors cat down the street.
We did ask her to get down from the bird feeder. 🙂
I’ve been working hard on the deck space and can’t wait to show you everything! It’s looking really good, just a couple more things to get done and it will be finished. Just in time for some summer outdoor chilling!
Rhoda, My mouth is watering over those blackberries! They are beautiful! I am pea-green!!!!! Lisa
Those green beans look so good, Rhoda! When I saw the first picture I right away thought how they would be so good done in olive oil and garlic, but I love the addition of mushrooms {although my hubby won’t eat mushrooms}. He would eat that mozzarella cheese though! I love fresh tomatoes myself. I was going to try one of those upside down tomato thingies, but never did pick one up.
So you have a green thumb on top of all of your other talents. I can’t wait for more blooms and for some veggies to pick~we are much further behind you when it comes to that.
I saw Pat’s recipe. What a wonderful salad. Sometimes we serve the tomato, cheese and basil on a round of toasted garlic bread as an appetizer. Yum!
xoxo
Janie
Rhoda, those green beans looks so good. Can’t wait until we can find some here, at the farmers markets. Haven’t grown them in years.
I am going to make a Caprese salad, this evening. The basil is amazing!
Thanks so much for the mention. I am shopping for a new lens, in between getting ready for our garage sale, Friday.
I’m jealous that you are already getting veggies! Up here in the north Georgia mountains the only thing ripening are the squash. Maybe another week or two before we get tomatoes and beans. Mmmmm caprese is my fave, your photos made me want fresh tomatoes SOOOO bad. I can’t wait!
http://www.laundryandvodka.com
There is nothing better than a summer tomato!!
We planted Blue Lake green beans in our first ever (as a family) garden. We don’t have beans yet, but it’s been a little cool and rainy here. We do have tendrils that are climbing our bamboo stakes, and we’re getting flowers. I can’t wait to start picking! We also have basil and tomatoes. No ripe tomatoes yet. I’m getting impatient! 🙂 I would love to try your green bean recipe. That looks delicious!
Rhoda, those green beans are calling my name and oh how I love fresh tomatoes. I think we may be able to do a garden next year. We think we have a spot now behind our pond. Still need to make sure it gets enough hours of sunlight. That caprese salad looks yummy. I did see it on Pat’s and need to try it. I love basil. Your hydrangeas are lovely. My one bush has two blooms on it. I don’t know why it won’t bloom good . Last year I had no blooms. I guess two is better than none.
YUM, I love all of the above.
Our blackberries are growing and I can not wait to pick them.
Here birdie birdie! Too funny!
And you reminded me that I forgot mozzarella at the store. Darn it! You’re looks delish.
Rhoda, you made my day by posting the cat in the feeder pic.
Love all the photos. Thanks for the green bean recipe, I needed to know how to cook mine.
Thanks again,
Pam
haha what a crazy cat!
Your fruits and veggies look amazing! Wish we had room for a garden. I tried container gardening for the first time this year and it’s going really well so far! We have dill, basil, and rosemary. The basil is definitely my favorite herb; we use it all the time!
Hi Rhoda!
Wow! What a fun post! I loved your pics of all the goodies! The beans, tomatoes, basil, hydrangeas, and the kitty! You have quite a green thumb. Thanks so much for sharing!
Sharlotte
Oh my Lord… you are making me hungry for fresh produce! Those berries are unbelievable. Tell your husband he has a green thumb!
Nancy from OHIO
Rhoda, Everything looks so good! Our tomatoes aren’t ripe enough to eat but when they are I am making that salad ! Why is it anything home grown always taste so much better?
xo, Sherry
I love your blog and enjoy reading every post, but I have to say the last couple have been just down right mean, to us in the north! My mouth is watering so bad looking at those beans, tomatoes and blackberries! LOL We have a couple of month to wait for those pleasures! Seriously, thanks for sharing, I can’t wait for my garden to get growing!!!
Those berries look to die for! I’d be eating them all day long!
I just cooked a big pot of fresh green beans myself. Nothing like fresh veggies from the garden… and had a fresh tomato to go with it. Your blackberries are making me drool.