Avocado

While some of our veggies haven't fared well with the heat, we do have one that just keeps on growing: our avocado tree. A neighbor passed this challenge on to us when it was only a foot tall. We accepted, though unsure being that Louisiana is not prime avocado climate and the only one we knew of died two winters ago from frost. Travis has transferred it from pot to pot as it outgrows each, and it is safely tucked away in the shed whenever frost might be eminent. (Though it has almost outgrown that option!) Our hopes for homegrown avocados get a little closer everyday.

Yellow

Yellow seems to be the color of our garden right now. (Aside from the yellowing tomato plants caused by the overbearing heat). Turns out one of our bell pepper plants wasn't the standard green/red combo. And the other veggie? A lemon cucumber. I spent a good while thinking there was something wrong with it until I finally put 'yellow cucumber' into Google. Not sure how that one got in our yard, but I'll take it. It made a colorful salad mixed with green cucumbers and tomatoes.

For 765 / 2

Generally I'm not a fan of wallpaper unless it's extremely simple. Too much print and it's a flashback to the tacky florals and fruits that adorned most homes in the seventies.
But I can make an exception for this one.
A wall (just one) covered in a flamingo print? Yes please. And it doesn't even have to be pink. The words 'classy' and 'flamingo' might actually go together this time.

Design Sponge / Cole & Son

Pesto

We have loads of basil.  Nearly any passer-by gets an offer of basil and every now and then you see some sneak up to grab a pinch, as if worried we weren't serious. Please. Take some!
I lopped off enough to make a batch of frozen pesto (though you couldn't tell), in hopes of preserving some for the winter. Melt a couple cubes and throw it in some pasta or add it to a pizza - easiest meal every.

Pesto (adapted from Sprouted Kitchen)
4 Cups Basil Leaves
1/3 Cup Olive Oil
½ Cup Lemon Juice
1/3 Cup Toasted Pine nuts (I had none, so I threw in a some pecans for texture)
1/3 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
2 Large Cloves Garlic
1 tbsp. Black Pepper

Friday Flowers

The Zinnias are growing like wildflowers in the front yard, but it's so much better when they're in the house.

Happy Friday!