Patisson Strie Melange Squash

these have such a long shelf life as an ornamental!
but the real star of the show is how they taste - picked young - they are summer squash with a density great for frying or grilling - better than zucchini for tempera or antipasto!  Last year was the first year I grew these - seeds from Baker Creek - here is link
http://www.rareseeds.com/patisson-strie-melange-squash/

BRAIN FOOD: MAY SARTON, a favored writer of mine

May Sarton She knew a Phoenix from Belfast Community Media on Vimeo.

OKRA: HIBISCUS

Okra is completely edible from the flower, the leaves, and the pods.  Highly nutritious and loaded with benefits!!  Our first harvest last year has really inspired me to grow more of this plant, in the Hibiscus family, and get others in the Northeast to appreciate it, as well.  Known in the South for it's addition in gumbos, I really think the veggie has so much potential in stirfrys, curries, roasted and stuffed, etc.  The flower is stunning and would be an enriching addition to salads and decorative culinary arts and perhaps tea.

"Lectin is a type of protein found in okra, beans, peanuts, and grains."
high in Vit K to help with absorption of calcium.

Brain Food: Rebecca

a friend suggested this book to read...I told her it was good, I had read it from my library.  She said "You do not have this book in your library." I said, "Yes, I did."

My library is well stocked thanks to numerous book sales I've attended over the years.  Anyway, her suggestion had me reading it again...great writing from a woman of the year 1940.  Very impressive!  And you can watch the movie online or listen to the audiobook.  You gotta love the internet...and a well-stock library!

Exercise Bid

in a bid to exercise more ... we put up this Basketball net...to the left is a backboard to hit tennis balls ... this comes in handy during the cold winter months...rather than traveling to a gym ...this is much more convenient. Last year, i went to an indoor tennis facility which is great except for the commute... hit or miss with winter storms!  Both of these sports give a good amount of cardio.

Holiday Cookies

Love this cookie - with soft tender dough - it carries the flavor of toppings well.  Made these with a small dollop of jam/jelly.  I used to taste these during the holidays made by other bakers who commonly covered them with a lemon zest icing.  I can see these any shape and size, decorated like ginger bread cookies for Christmas.  It is just an overall great soft cookie treat.

Sour Cream Cookies

.......bake at 375 until desired light golden brown/dough should be refrigerated before baking/roll out using powdered sugar or flour/cut into desired shapes/make an indention for jam or jelly/ ice or cover with powdered sugar

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening (I use butter/ 1 stick)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

recipe from 

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com