Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, How Does your Garden Grow?

My dad has grown a garden almost all of my life. As a kid, we helped out in the garden (again, free prison labor), but it was nice to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Probably the only reason my older sister and I love vegetables, is because of the garden.  For those of you who don't know a chard from a collard, or maybe are panicking because you thought collard was the thing dogs wear around their necks, here is quick preview of my backyard garden.

 

And if you are wondering why I am not taking pictures of the garlic, onions, beets, carrots, or turnips (we are growing them too!), umm, that is because they grow, um, below the ground, so um, it's hard to, um, take photos of them.





Spring garden mid season

Collard Greens

Russian Kale



Swiss Chard



Romaine Lettuce



Red Leaf Lettuce

 

Oregano

And for a quick example of what one can do with a fresh garden, see below.

 

Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

 

 

I used fresh lettuce from the garden, romaine, bib, red leaf, and tender beet green leaves

4 beets, washed, trimmed, cooked and peeled

1 package (2 oz) of goat cheese

candied walnuts (I made my own, but that was too complicated. It's called a grocery store people)

 

Dressing:

1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate

1/2 cup virgin olive oil

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

 

I did not raise the goat or make the cheese, although some people do. If you want to know where goat cheese comes from, open your browser on your computer, type in www.google.com/images and then in the search box type in GOAT.





Classic 50's Chippy's Diner

Mom and I tried out the new diner in Escondido. Chippy's Diner took over the Metaphor Café, which is awesome because it was seedy to begin with. Grosser once it was abandoned. Chippy's is on the corner of E. 2nd Ave and Juniper.  They just opened up this past February. You can check out the article in the Union Tribune.

I liked their look. Full of black and white checks, some vintage décor, old Coke stuff. It was quiet when we went there as it was lunch time. However, they are still brand new and have not even completed renovating. Part of the eating area was curtained off because they haven't completed that part yet. One day they probably will have juke boxes and more wall art, but they aren't quite there yet. I just like to support local establishments, especially one's that are trying to get up and running. I know how that is, after working for 2 locally and independently owned establishments.

Besides all that, the food was pretty good. Mom got a Reuben and I bought a cheeseburger. The cheeseburger was very good. I feel that if the meat is not marinated or flavored in some way, it is BORING!  This was not. The owner was a chef for several restaurants before this, so he knows his stuff. Oh, and besides, they serve Coca Cola, not Pepsi!  So booyah Pepsi lovers.

But the fries were what I loved the most. Their signature fries are served with scatterings of balsamic vinegar and minced garlic and sprinkled with parsley and parmesan cheese. Very delightful.

And don't forget the pickle!

They leave you with little candies with the check too. Saltwater taffy and bubble gum. So cute.