Kitchen Gardens, Honoring Pope Francis and Gifts for Mom
Happy Sunday! Let’s join Annie and Mary Ann for some Sunday fun. Let’s chat about Kitchen Gardens, Honoring Pope Francis and Gifts for Mom.
Kitchen Gardens, Honoring Pope Francis and Gifts for Mom
How to Create a Potager
We are attempting to grow a few more perennials and vegetables in our raised beds this year. If you are planning to do the same, you might find this article from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden helpful.
Keeping a Precocious Dog Out of Garden Beds
When we dug up our raised beds to replant them this spring, Scouty decided they made the perfect personal playground. We struggled to find a way to keep him out that was both effective and aesthetically pleasing.
I thought we might have to leave the beds bare this year. Scouty stayed out of them last year, but once we removed the old tomato trellis—built from 100-year-old fence boards from Chualar Canyon—it became open season. We ended up finding these willow borders on Wayfair (not inexpensive, but worth it), and so far, with a little help from bitter apple spray, he’s been leaving them alone. Fingers crossed!
Roses-First Flush
If you follow me on Instagram, you have seen this bouquet of roses from the first flush (always the best).
Gifts for Mom from Quince
’m a big fan of Quince—the quality of their products combined with their reasonable prices makes almost everything they offer a great value. I’ve rounded up a list of my favorite picks for Mom, and you can find all of my Quince favorites here.
Makeup Pouches, Diamond Necklace, Card Case
Woven Leather Crossbody, Bergamot Basil Candle, Woven Leather Shoulder/Crossbody
Quilted Travel Bag, Leather Wallet, Birks Dupes
Mark Sikes Tribute to Pope Francis
I didn’t have a chance to watch any of the coverage of Pope Francis’s funeral, but Mark Sikes shared one of the most moving tributes I’ve read on Instagram, and shared this touching photo.
Healthy Smoked Chicken Salad
You don’t have to smoke the chicken for this healthy salad, but if you or your husband enjoys smoking meats, even better! Growing up in the Midwest, I first tasted a version of hot chicken salad at my bridal luncheon, lovingly prepared by Steve’s aunts. It was absolutely delicious—but also packed with calories. This recipe is my lighter take on that classic, and the best part is, it’s just as good served hot or cold.
Smoked Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups smoked cooked chicken cubed or shredded . rotisserie chicken
- 3 cups chopped celery
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds divided
- ¼ c chopped green onions
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- ¾ c light mayo
- ¾ c nonfat greek yogurt
- 1 8- ounce cans sliced water chestnuts drained
- 8 oz edamame
- 1 ½ c shredded swiss cheese
Instructions
- Chop or shred cooked chicken, chop vegetables, combine with mayonaise yogurt mixture and dry ingredients. Serve on a bed of greens or bread.
If you love spending time in the garden, you might also enjoy exploring some of my other gardening posts, which you can find here.
It has been misty and cool here. Tomorrow Colin and Lauren are coming down for a picnic at McPrice Meyers winery. I have a feeling it may be a little chilly and we might be picnicing by the fire here!!
As always, thank you so much for being here and reading Kitchen Gardens, Honoring Pope Francis and Gifts for Mom. What do you have planned for today? Now let’s pop over and visit Mary Ann and Annie for their Sunday favorites. I will be back on Tuesday with some matching set fun, and on Thursday I will share my Spring updates to my home!
Cindy, I use a lot of willow structures in my beds. They are great to hold things up and protect. And they are so pretty in the gardens.
They are not enough, however to deter the deer, so those areas are covered in deer fencing or wire cages. Your garden is beautiful, especially the roses.
Hi Gray
Send me some pictures of your willow structures!!
Hi Cindy,
This is one of the coolest spring seasons I can remember in Southern California. I have found the weather to be ideal for working in the garden. I have nearly finished a thorough clean-up of the front gardens here in my “cottage”. Your roses always seem to bloom beautifully year-round, but I agree, the first spring bloom is always the best.
Thank you for the link to Mark Sikes tribute to Pope Francis.
Karen B.
Hi Karen
I would love to see pics of your garden!!
Beautiful colors of your roses, the chicken salad sounds delicious. Mark Sikes tribute to the Pope was lovely, thanks for sharing that. Smiled (just a little) at Scout. These pups keep us on our toes!
Hi Barb
That Scouty is a bit of a cad!! We love him but are still living in a home with everything at adult height…he counter surfs for trouble.
Cindy! So much good stuff that you’ve shared today! Mark Sikes tribute post is so beautiful…love your garden roses and napkins!
Hi Annie!
Mark Sikes tribute was beautiful wasn’t it?
Cindy! I can’t get over your gorgeous roses. Keeping our pets – and wildlife – from altering are garden plans is an ongoing challenge. Love your solution and the best part is it looks great. So sad about the Pope and I appreciate the link to Mark’s tribute. Enjoy today’s picnic, hopefully the weather cooperates. Cheers! xo
Hi Juliet
Yes gardening with the Scoutster is a challenge!!
Cindy, your roses are stunning! It’s been an abundant rose season here in Phoenix and every day I am cutting bouquets to put around the house. Thank you for sharing Mike Sikes tribute to Pope Francis as I hope to watch some of the footage today. Our Finn loves digging in the garden, but I have a white picket fence around its perimeter so I can easily keep him out. Good luck with that. I have never smoked a chicken so now I am inspired. Rotissiere roasting one today over the grill for dinner. Happy Sunday! Love your posts.
Hi Mary
I enjoy your beautiful painting of my roses everyday. That was such a kind gesture!
Hello Cindy,
Wow your roses are spectacular !! I wish l could grow roses ( l used to do only David Austin roses) but the drought conditions and water restrictions made it so difficult l stopped. But you have inspired me to try again!! Such an amazing man was Pope Francis l already miss him tremendously. Happy Sunday!
Hi Francesca
I have all of my roses in one zone on drip. The rest of the landscape requires less water. We did have to give them extra water during the hottest season, but grouping them is key!
Love that charming willow border! I saw that too about the nun losing her friend–a down-to-earth pope.
Hi Mary Ann
Wasn’t that lovely the friendship of the nun and the pope…touching…
The photo of the nun at the Pope’s funeral was Sister Genevieve. She was not only a decades-long dear friend of Francis’, but also the person who brought to him the sick, the poor, the people on the outer fringes of society, so that as Pope, he could minister to them. Francis and Genevieve were linked by friendship as well as service.
Hi Linda
I read about their friendship. I didn’t realize she was the one that brought the people to him for ministering…thank you for sharing that…
Just sharing something that has helped me with dogs digging in my garden over the years…
I cut chicken wire to fit the ground area around or between the plants where my dog(s) wants to dig. I then lay it down flat and secure it with landscape pins. Finally, I cover it over with mulch. When my dog starts digging and gets through the mulch, his nails hit the chicken wire. He usually decides it’s not such fun any more and looks for other entertainment.
Hi Mary
That is a great suggestion! All of our in ground plants have gopher baskets which discourages digging. Scout didn’t bother the raised beds until they were empty and fair game…the fence seems to be working…fingers crossed!!