Today's Catch - Dixieland Twilight Farmer's Market

  Blueberries in the the refrigerator, we will almost have a complete
rainbow of vegetables and fruits. That we are asked to eat so we have
a varied diet. Today's catch brings some thing I haven't had in a long
time, Carambola or Star Fruit.

Second week now that I have walked up to our middle of the week Twilight Farmer's Market.
No food deserts here in the immediate area although there are many in the community.

The walk comes out to be the same distance as it is around the Lake, 2.8 approximate miles.

Experimental Kitchen - Tuna Cucumber Salad

Certainly not one to shy away from a lot of ingredients and this not being an exception.

  Why is it green? You might ask. Well, green is the theme. Avocado, green
peas for extra protein. Diced cucumber is the a real standout flavor. Green
olives surprise, when ever you capture one.

  I knew I should of added that extra Prune/Plum for juicy sweet. Not to mention
toasted sesame seeds. Just remembered that Walnuts would have done well too,
but can you add too many ingredients, nope!

  For those wanting to pare this up with a carb, I highly recommend these:

Beanitos are snack chips made from beans – high in healthy
fiber & protein – and they contain NO gluten, corn, trans fat,
MSG, or GMOs. That's my plug and got these two for five
dollars this week. Great with hummus too.

Trading Up and Trading Down

  The last couple of days I was wondering how I was going to pot up my newly
required Japanese Eggplant 'Ikebana'. I knew where it was going to go and in a
pot , just not which pot knowing that I wasn't going to purchase same.

 I've been here before and just like last time it comes to me in passing. This
time it was passing potted  Black Ti Plant that was recently salvaged from
the garden knowing that it's roots were still viable. About a month ago a new
sprout had emerged. Thinking that this pot was way too big for this little sprout
and that this nice chunk of real estate was not maximizing it's full potential. 

Introducing the Japanese Eggplant 'Ikebana' which now is smiling at it's new
digs. A win win on both accounts, Black Ti Plant has a new lease on life.
Japanese Eggplant 'Ikebana' has plenty fertile soil at it's feet.

  One of the last remaining spots
that has plenty of sunshine.
  I felt I had to pluck off the flower
developing at it's second leaf that
is showing in the photo but is no
longer now. So it can pour more
of it's energy in establishing it
self in it's new environment.

The ever growing and reliable
Vinca minor, pink flower off to the
top left. This one also, not shown
comes in my favorite non-color,
white.

  Small plant, big sacrifice this Black Ti plant, I hope it won't regret. The black
color won't reveal it self until it gets more sun exposure.

A Death in the Family - A Neighbor's Family

  Death is to many, well a death. Be it an end or maybe even a new beginning. It is
an end of a life as we knew it and yet it takes on a life of it's own. Whether it is
in our mind or heart for some more here than there a time for reflection, sorrow,
what could have been and wasn't it great. To those and them, a remorse that may
not end, at least not in sight nor mind, but it too will grow to something not yet
seen or felt.
  After all death is only one among many facets that we call life, be it prismatic,
be it filled with light.

Giant Katydid - Stilpnochlora couloniana

 This male is looking quite spry considering that he traveled atop of my car last night from
a practice of yoga. Last night while processing these photos I would have projected on to
it a yoga sort of energy, but now looking at it, next day. Not so much.  Although what we
attempted, or rather with well intentions on a particular pose in last nights class does reflect
in the above's stance.  Namaste~

Ninja Gardening, Not Quite Gorilla Gardening

 Went to check up on some plantings I made at a former place most frequented...hehehe.
I'm not telling! I was not surprised, then surprised again and then pleasantly surprised.
I will have to go back to see what I had missed, the proverbial icing on the cake.

  Regardless what you plant and where you plant it , it still needs a minimum of care.
At the least just to insure viability, but sometimes even that can't be had. So you plan
for it with some predetermined and selected plants. Some tried and true gardening
common sense to help increase viability because there will always be the unpredicabilty
that provides us with frustration and joy.

  To all you gardeners out there, real and imagine. It can only happen one dig at a time.
You gotta break some soil to make it happen.

Dixieland Twilight Farmer's Market

  The excitement and anticipation of knowing and finding this market did not match
what was discovered. However grateful to find a source of my favorite vegetable of
the day was appreciated.

Elongate Twig Ants - Pseudomyrmex gracilis

 Boy can they bite! If they don't crawl up on you they will fall on you
out of tree or from where ever up above. I wouldn't say that they are
aggressive, but if provoked they will let you know.
  As I was preparing these pics to send off to a really good web site
What's That Bug. It was then, that I stumbled on a picture online that
it's name was revealed. Know thy enemy. Que dark dramatic music here.
  The twig like thorax is a dead give away.  I'm really proud how the first
pic turned out considering what I had to work with. Bless you Photoshop
Elements too.

  This little guy was exploring the kitchen counter and my water bottle.

  If you knew how long I wanted to know their name and to identify them. They
take first blog entry over my finding an Eggplant plant this afternoon.

  No bugs were harmed, by the way, in the taking of these pictures. Live let live.

Polypore Fungi - Natures Decomposers of Wood

Eumycota aphyllophorales - Hairy Bracket

                          Could not have identified this without going to the local library, from 

                          which it's cousin was noted and then went from there on the internet.

Spotted this beauty while rambling with my neighbor. He has a stump in the middle of
his backyard with theses opportunistic growths along side it's trunk.

  Don't be fooled by it's color. This fungi is very much alive and thriving. Hopefully it
will be able to survive long enough before this stump rots and goes the way of all natural
things.

 

Certainly not to be out done by the more common shelf fungi above, we have this this unearthly

specimen. Same stump, lacking the pigment and growing on the north side too. I don't know about

you, this one looks it might be a good one to eat. Like our ancient cousins would have said and

may have paid with their lives too.

News Flash - TECO Energy to be Sold

 Found this first in TBT.

TECO to dump coal business

TECO Energy is exiting the coal business, an industry rapidly losing its environmental appeal as a domestic provider of fuel for power plants.

The Tampa power company and parent of Tampa Electric and two gas companies, said it has closed the sale of its coal-mining subsidiary, TECO Coal LLC, to Cambrian Coal Corp., a Booth Energy company. How much did it sell for? Possibly nothing. Bloomberg News coverage states Booth Energy will pay nothing up front for TECO's coal assets but could pay $60 million later - if coal hits a certain price, which Bloomberg suggests is unlikely given coal's plummeting value. TECO Energy also said that while most TECO Coal liabilities were transferred in the transaction, TECO Energy will retain personnel liabilities including pension and severance agreements. TECO Energy itself is being acquired for $10.4 billion in equity and debt by Canadian power company Emera.

 Then the following:

NEW YORK — Canadian energy and services company Emera said Friday it will buy Teco Energy, an electric and gas utility that does business in Florida and New Mexico, for about $6.48 billion.
Emera Inc. said it will pay $27.55 per share of Teco Energy, a premium of about 31 percent over Friday’s closing stock price. The companies valued the deal at $10.4 billion including debt. Shares of Teco Energy Inc. climbed 24 percent to $26.13 in aftermarket trading.
Emera, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has investments through the Northeastern U.S. and Canada as well as the Caribbean. It had almost $3 billion in revenue in 2014.
Emera CEO Chris Huskilson said Teco, which is based in Tampa, Fla., is an “ideal match” for his company.
The companies expect to complete the sale by mid-2016. They said Emera will continue Teco’s efforts to sell its coal business and plans to complete that sale by the time its acquisition of Teco closes.

Looks like TECO is dumping more than just coal. 

I wouldn't be surprise if our hometown utility will be the next to be bought out.

Experimental Kitchen - Fresh Fava Beans

  The only freshness of these Fava beans is the fact that I broke them
out of their shells. Not saying how long they been in my refrigerator
all sealed in the ubiquitous packaging of plastic and Styrofoam.
  I read where the shells can be eaten too, but I was concern with the
end effect if you get my drift, knowing that I had a yoga class tonight.
One of few hazards of concern when attending a yoga class.
  Recycled the packaging and tossed the shells in my yard waste. While
enjoying the smells coming from my trusty and possibly slowing dying
electric skillet.

Fava bean shells brought back from the yard waste for a reshoot.

To late for a reshoot on this unfocused shot and before the heat to bring them to the edible stage.

  While they were cooking I kept getting a grape smell, go figure. A taste at half time revealed
a sweet corn and pea flavor, no surprised there.

Beautiful!

 

 

  At this point and perhaps by another means one would proceed to remove the outer
covering. Hey, lets remove all source of fiber and to some more needed nutrition. Needless
to say that wasn't going to happen on my watch. A nice roasted potato flavor comes to mind
and was thinking what a great Hummus this would make. Drizzling some olive oil and tossed
with some Compari cherry tomatoes and a dash of vinegar.

  Will have to keep these on watch. I hope I don't have to wait a whole year and not sit my
refrigerator as long as they did.

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market

This is my second visit in as many weeks since the market's brief summer hiatus, August closing.

I hit up my two most frequented stops on my hunt for my most recent obsession, Japaneses Eggplant.

Aqua Organics is my latest quest for the Japaneses Eggplant and some Brussel Sprouts.

Eggplant prepared in my trusty stainless steel skillet with drizzled olive oil pasta sauce.

Same skillet same process and add some Smart Balance and you have a tasty meal.

 I have a request for some Eggplant plants from this vendor, Bilbrey Farm. Logo is not
original, but hey, I did recognize the gentleman to whom I requested my starter plants.

 As stated in their bio they are local,  six acres located in Auburndale, Florida.

Last but not least as they say, there is Eco Farms out of Plant City, Florida.

 A source of many new offerings over the years and up through July, my source
for the Japanese Eggplant. Most recent, the flowering Blue Pea plant.

One of several edible flowers.
This has that typical pea taste,
no surprises there.










 Finally, I was able to finish PBS's Walt Disney Bio on American Experience. I had
to wait a week to finish the other half of the presentation. Was never a fan of Disney
but much respect is due.

String of Stars Trail a Crescent Moon

   Looking southwest before the lights go out. The crescent moon can be see at top right.

  It wasn't till after processing this picture did I wish I had headed to the north of the Lake to
capture another panorama looking south.  The only reason to keep this picture
was because it was the only record of my crescent moon.

  While peddling around the Lake last evening and not knowing exactly what I was
witnessing. I did see a crescent moon and a string of stars. I used to do
some minor constellations gazing during my mid-night shift stints while in the
Air Force. So I knew I was onto something worth mentioning.

  Which sets the stage for the lunar occurrence in our evening sky. Only to find out
while researching what I had seen, that the planet Saturn was thrown in the mix
to.

  So I swiped this off the net and added my
own crescent moon to the best of my recollection. Looking due west.
Saturn not shown and had it been last year
Mars would have been close to it's red
celestial partner, Antares. An event
that occurs every two years.

  This is where Saturn would have been in approximation only, to our crescent moon
and constellations.

Always in the Shadows Three

  This Crape Myrtle, the third of three plantings, same year. This
and the one in side yard were planted in the ground two months ahead
of the one in the backyard. This one benefited the most by it's location.

  To the west, not shown he ever recurring theme, Bald Cypress, planted
in threes. One of which, Pond Bald Cypress was grown by seed that was
acquired from the west side of the Lake. The needles and tree shape
distinguish it from the more familiar Bald Cypress.

These three cypress trees replaced a sixty foot oak tree, one of many, hard
to pin down, with laurel oak origins. That was blown over, which I eye
witnessed in our 2008 medley of hurricanes. Three of the four which made
their presence known. So needless to say that these four newly planted trees
couldn't grow fast enough not only to fill said void but block the hot western
sun.

 This Crape Myrtle will reach it's height potential in spite of
the Bald Cypress tree's presence to it's West (not shown). Plenty of
afternoon and late afternoon sunshine. Having a close proximity to a
water source with hose and this one was my favorite of the three, knowing
that near to best conditions were on it's side. I will have to temper the hybrid
live oak to it's east which is fast encroaching now that it's sixty foot
brethren no longer exists. Is the one of the few remaining original plantings
that I had not planted myself.
 



 

Weeping Bottlebrush Tree

 Cakustenin viminalis - Weeping Bottlebrush Tree

  First bloom in how many years? First night time
flash photography ever. This potted Bottlebrush
tree has to put up with a potted culture and with
limited hand waterings and this is what I get.
One bloom. Not surprised what with a limited
sun exposure and restricted root growth. Sort of
a Macro Bonsai I think would apply to planting.

Always in the Shadows Too

  This Crape Myrtle, the second of three plantings. same year. Although this
and the one in front were planted in the ground two months ahead than
the one in the backyard.
  This one has reached it's height potential, unlike the first, but with a
struggle once again for competition for available sunlight. As you can
see in the picture there is the house to it's south. The ever present, towering
Bald Cypress to it's north (not shown). Fortunately it has reached above
the roof, stealing sunlight from the Bald Cypress trees, while also getting
a few more hours of sunlight from above than the one in the back yard.
  Having a close proximity to a water source with hose and the persistant
determination on my part to water it on a regular basis made
a big difference in it's formative years.
  Which brings me to a memory as a child. Watching my father watering a city planted
tree close to the curb, on this narrow strip, during the summer months up north.
Resulting in the largest Maple tree on our block. Only to be blown over thirty
some years later in a freak summer storm. During those years, cities all over the
country were suffering devastating diseases to our urban forests due to mass planting
of same types of trees and not the diversity tree plantings that our cities have learned
from past practices. That city planted Maple trees came at the heals of the massive
Dutch Elm disease that toppled a many of giants. Eventually the Maples were
succumbing to urban stresses and reoccurring infestations of Aphids, which
brought fall colors earlier and earlier to these trees, straining an already stressed
mass planted species.
  I've learned from that childhood experience by planting a diverse urban forest
is you will on my small plot of land. My dry plantings of Bald Cypress was up till
a ten to fifteen years ago was rarely seen. The state of Florida has now begun to
plant Bald Cypress in it diverse plantings along highways and roadways. As for my
Crape Myrtle trees, being cuttings from the same parent plant may succumb to lack
of diversity, but only time will tell. Judicious pruning or sculpting
is what I like to refer pruning to can help stymie a premature demise.
  Due to lack of space and wanting a diverse landscape will always keep my interests
where they do me the world of good and make life more enjoyable.

Exterior House Painting Time Again

  Took advantage of Lowes paint rebate and purchased a five gallon
drum of Satin finished exterior paint. To put a finished coat of paint
on the stucco exterior. One four separate painting tasks to complete
before exterior painting is complete.
  I put in two and half hours this afternoon to reintroduce the body to
the familiar rigors of house painting. Now it is all about muscle memory.

Beatiful Baby Rat Snake

This is the second snake that I had
encountered in as many weeks.
Except this one stuck around for a photo
op, where as the other, Black snake
crossed in front of me and dashed
away. Easily a two footer too.
No interest in having it's picture
taken for documention on a blog
such as this.

Always in the Shadows

  I was thinning out the canopy of this white flowered Crape Myrtle
this afternoon. This tree's beginnings, from cuttings placed in the
shadow of the giant Bald Cypress tree and nearly forgotten too.
  I had several cuttings, majority of them started in a pot while
the remaining few were placed in the ground at the base of
said tree, as an experiment.
  I was very pleased with the success of the potted and
forgot about the grounded until I stumbled upon them
months later. I moved the grounded cuttings not far from where
they took root and yet still in the shadows of the Bald Cypress.
This is the smallest of all four due to it's timing and location.
  I also liked how the cuttings limbs intertwined and kept them
as they were used to being. I decided to replicate this intertwining
on the other two planted cuttings, making all three exceptionally
unique. While the parent Crape Myrtle retains it's classic multi-
trunk-ed beauty.
  The reason for thinning so the plants beneath won't be over
shadowed. What with a wet season and all, things have a way
of getting away.
  This specimen has towering Bald Cypress to the east and it's
parent Crape Myrtle to the north, which leaves just the afternoon
sun light to nourish it's growth needs. Making this one the smallest
of the three siblings. 

Whisk Fern (Florida Native ) Update

Psilotum nudum - Whisk Fern

  Certainly not the best of pics to depict
a sudden burst of growth. First of a kind
since being field harvested seven months
 ago from Aldi's two year old landscaping.

  This specimen was found at the base of a
nursery grown Dwarf Magnolia tree that no
doubt became inoculated in the field with this
ferns spores, knowing that it takes
many years for the Magnolia to come
into it's own. Only to have
survived the process from field to landscape,
then only to harvested again by me.

  Old growth shows new tip growth
along with new shoots from the center.
No signs of spores though but hey,
perhaps next year.

Experimental Kitchen - 'Mud' Still in Progress

 There's a reason why they call it Mud!

 Always evolving along with the Season's bounty. This started off with
Banana's and Avocadoas it's base. Then Black Mission Figs was a favorite.
Then the ever present Blueberries.

  What with the scarcity and inconsistent availability of ripe Avocado's
brings me to today's Blueberry base, base being the bulk of this concoction.
I have also used Mango Peaches and Raspberries in a pinch and only in a pinch.
Some nondescript bulk I've alsoused canned Green Peas. Something new added
today was some Pepita's and certainly not the first time I've added some Concord
Grape juice for moisture. Although sugar will give us that moisture but with out
all that sweetness.

   I've concluded that there are a few items that I could not go without. Those would be
the following: Chia seeds, Cacao Nibs, Shredded Coconut, Crunchy Peanut Butter,
Fresh Blueberries and instant Coffee. Not to mention the ever present sweetener,
currently using Coconut Sugar.

Last Night's Read and See

 
Friday evening bike ride with a twist. There was a credit union sponsored foot race
around the lake. Therefor I had to use the bike lane in the road, which is not my
favorite means to traverse the lake. Not only was it monotonous and rarely puctuaded
with having to dodge and pass pedestrians but the ever present motor vehicles.
When there is a potential conflict with those mechanical behemoths,there is never a
win win. 

Wrapped up this latest read from the library.

       
I also wanted to document my finger
that got jammed in my car door three weeks
ago. First time as an adult that I had
happened upon the events of nipping
the door on this first digit.                  

  Watched a crazy, yet engaging movie that caught my interest. One of four false starts, actually.
Like a book if a movie doesn't grab me initially it's a rare occasion to continue. When there are
so many other movies available.

I will have to check out the director's
other movies to see if this was just not
a fluke or mood influence.


I'm not one for watching movies that I have
seen already knowing that there are so many
movies out there to be seen. New movies, but
so many that I have not seen.

Cacoa Tree Update

  Since it has been moved out of doors this has been it's third flush of new
leaf growth. I'm thinking that I should give it another feeding of Fish
Emulsion.

  Farmers Market is back from a month hiatus. I was with intent on finding
my latest favorite, Japanese Eggplant. With a compliment of naturally brined
Black Olives in oil. Also  (not shown) Marinara sauce to transport these wary
taste buds.

 Was not disappointed and came away
with a new plant too.

                                                         Blue Pea Vine - Clitoria ternatea

           Said to be edible too and can be used as natural food coloring. 

Is Chipoltle/Publix Siphoning Off All the Ripe Avocados?

  My constant vigilance for ripe Avocados has been in vane. Only to
visit said establishment yesterday and only to be blinded by a plethora
of ripe halved Avocados being prepped for their guac. Where in the
you know what did they get those? Hehehe.
  A good Foodie friend tipped me off to Publix, that has some ripe
Avocados, for a (ransom) price.

Something Is Out There

                                                          and she looks a bit concerned.
Totally ignoring the guy with the camera.

Chilean style Hotdog 'Completo'

Sauerkraut,
Mayo w/Sarachi
Beef Franks no Nitrites!
Home grown Compari Tomatoes
Avocado and some fresh squeezed Key Lime juice

This is mt second one. Yum!

                        Added some organic canned corn,avocado oil to the remaining tomatoes,
                                                                       to snack on later.

                                           Along with Blueberries and Strawberry Kefir.

So you see after all there was labor involved for this Labor Day's festivities.



First thing after waking up I cracked open a new library book.

Yesterday's Catch

  Spotlighted by the early afternoon
sun shows either a greeting or a farewell.










Agapanthus africanus - Lily of the Nile

                          As gaudy and as ubiquitous this bromiliad is, it still has it's charm.

                                                         Third day bloom in light rain.

                                                                     Forth day bloom.

Found the thermostat was welded to the skillet, only after much force and determination
did I resolve to separate it. I hope this is not the beginning of the end for this cherished
kitchen appliance.

Last night's movie sy-fy binge.
First and last were time travel.

This one involved a Comet's passing.