Wednesday, July 18, 2018

A Hodgepodge and a Recipe 😋

Is it hot enough for you in your neck of the woods?
It wouldn't be that bad if we would only get some rain every now and then.
I have been watering my little garden morning and evening...
...it's about the only thing in my yard that is green.
Our small patches of grass and usual carpet of lush green moss is brown and crackly.
But I am thankful that my potted veggies are producing.
Here is one of the golden zucchinis......isn't it pretty?


 And I'm about ready to chop another lovely purple eggplant off the vine.



I took the first one to TN a couple of weeks ago and fixed it there.



Here's how I prepared it:

*cut eggplant into approx. 3/8" slices leaving peeling on (you can remove it if you prefer)
*salt both sides of slices and lay in colander for about 15 min. to let them sweat out the moisture
*pat dry with paper towels after the time is up
*combine panko bread crumbs, grated Parmesan and garlic powder and place in pie plate
*beat 2 eggs and place in shallow dish
*heat large skillet with a generous amount of oil of your choice (I used olive oil)
*dip slices in egg wash to coat and immediately dip in crumb mixture, pressing it in to both sides
(It's best to prepare enough so you can place them in the skillet to cook at the same time.)
*add prepared slices to skillet and fry until golden brown, turning half way
*add salt & pepper to taste, remove from pan and rest on paper towel-lined tray

It was delicious and I could have eaten the whole bunch of them!
Super good dipped in ranch dressing too!
~
So let's get on over to Joyce's Hodgepodge...

 ...where she asks the questions on her blog and we link up answer them on ours.

1. I feel most energized when I.....first get up in the morning. Remember that mini-trampoline? Every morning at 4:45 or so you will find me bouncing my little pea-pickin' heart out for about 15-20 minutes. It gets my blood a pumpin' and afterwards I am ready for some breakfast and my coffee. It's important to jump first, before you eat or drink...too much sloshing if you don't...and that's not a good thing.

But even before I started this regime, I have always been an early riser and if there is a big project on my agenda, I need to get started on it as early as I possibly can. Don't let me forget these words in mid-September when I take a week off to do nothing but BIG PROJECTS.

2. Where were you ten years ago?

Here, doing what I'm doing now. Jim was probably unemployed...the company he was employed by for 36 years moved to Mexico and he was unemployed for 18 months. It was also the year that a little girl was finally added to our family...our precious grand-daughter, Olivia was born that December of 2008. What a joy she has been! We were also still enjoying our cabin in VA as often as we could and the plans for moving to Tennessee didn't exist.

3. July 17th is World Emoji Day. Do you use emojis? Uhh...let me think...
Which one's your favorite?Your most used?

4. What song would you put on a wedding DO NOT PLAY list?

Basically, anything by George Jones or Tammy Wynette..."He Stopped Loving Her Today", "She Thinks I Still Care", "D-I-V-O-R-C-E", "I Don't Wanna Play House"...just to name a few.
 
5. What deserves less of your attention? More of your attention?
 
Well, let's see...there's social media, surfing the web, photo editing, Pinterest and did I mention social media? I'm probably making it sound as if that's all I do, which is really not the case...I'm just trying to be honest here. I could most definitely cut back on my time online, period. Lord knows how much time I waste some days. I am the procrastinator of all procrastinators unless I have a deadline, which I do...so I better get busy on this house of mine...again. But ultimately, I need to give less of my attention to me and more to others. Ouch.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.
 
I have always been a fan of "Little House on the Prairie" and I record the reruns, always having some of the episodes on my "to watch" list. But believe me when I tell you, "Little House on the Prairie" this is not...I knew that going in.
 

I am only less than a third through the book (which is over 600 pages) and if you can get through the long two-part introduction, which is the history (a quite graphic description I might add) of what was going on in land at the time, you just may have trouble putting it down. I am truly amazed by this woman.

We'll be on the road again in a couple of days, this time to Ohio. Spending time with my brothers and sisters is always at the top of my list and there is never a dull moment.

23 comments:

  1. You are a woman of many talents! The produce coming out of your container gardens is wonderful! Funny music that you definitely wouldn’t want to play at a wedding. 🙃

    You have a very restrained use of emojis...I love them! 🌿 I could write pictographs all day...here’s wishing you 🌧 and a🍅 😉

    Happy trails visiting your peeps...

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  2. The book sounds interesting so will check it out. I am with you on early mornings, procrastination, deadlines and road trips : ) Safe travels and enjoy your time with family!

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  3. Your veggies look so good! We have had lots of rain and drowned my squash and cukes. I did manage to get a few squash. The rain has not helped with the high temps. Just makes it so humid. I wish I could hear you speak at your brother's event. My 10 year granddaughter has come to love Little House on the Prairie movies. She can't pick them up at her house but we can at mine and the first thing she will ask is "Nana, can we watch it?. I hope to get to read a little at the beach. Enjoy your trip to Ohio. Stay safe sweet friend. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  4. We finally got a little rain last night. It's been weeks!!! since we've had any. The corn crops around here are soooo sad. And sunflowers.. so short. The one thing man can't control is when it will rain. Sorry, I went on a rain rant LOL
    Those fried eggplant... oh my! Looks so good. I love early mornings as well but I love late nights too... the struggle is real. Enjoy your trip.. take lots of pics!

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  5. Hello Debby...
    I so enjoyed my visit with you this afternoon! It has been much too long...
    I am so impressed by the eggplant you have been harvesting from your garden! I have always wanted to grow eggplant... And the zucchini is so pretty! I can imagine they must be really cheery to have in the garden!
    Have a blessed Wednesday further...much love to you!

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  6. What a beautiful golden zucchini! And I love eggplant. That you are growing these in containers is really impressive.

    Have a wonderful trip to Ohio!

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  7. Have a safe trip and good times with the siblings. You're dedicated to be up that early jumping on a trampoline! Your eggplant looks delicious. I've only made that once ever. But not because I didn't like it, just never happen to think of it. Lol. I'm with you on needing a deadline to motivate me.

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  8. I haven't cooked an eggplant in years...maybe I'll get one at the farmer's mkt tomorrow! Looks wonderful. Enjoy your trip! Hugs!

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  9. I just used eggplant to make a low carb lasagna. It was good! But I love the way your recipe and we had that often when we lived in Africa because eggplant was a plenty in our garden. I found all kinds of things to do with it. As far as zucchini, we have had only two from our huge plants. I remember you saying about the male and the female but now I'm wondering how you know that when you plant. Anyway, we got our two! Last year much the same.

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  10. Your golden zucchini is so pretty, and thank you for the eggplant recipe, Debby! I can just picture you jumping on your mini trampoline...good for you! Thank you for the recommendation on the book that you're reading. Do you know Laura from decortoadore.com She's a descendant of Laura Ingalls Wilder, but maybe you know that already.
    Happy traveling to Ohio!

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  11. Delicious looking eggplant! Loved your answer to less and more and I could definitely have said the same thing. Always a joy to stop by.

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  12. We had eggplant one night this week and it was delicious. We wonder why we don't fix it more. We used a recipe with slices layered with marinara sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. It is a definite repeat. Is this the book that has caused so much controversy lately because of its protrail of Native Americans? Another example of senseless intolerance. I am going to miss your Hodgepodge posts but hope to see you on other days.

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  13. Thanks for the recipe, my sweetie is a vegetarian and I'm always looking for new things to make for him. I enjoyed your answers to today's hodgepodge. I'm sad that Hodgepodge is going on break, just when I'm joining again... Let me know if you participate in any other blog surveys like this one.
    Cheers!
    Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

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  14. We are both fans of eggplant and love it fresh out of the garden, though we don't have a garden this year.
    Weather just perfect here. Sunny with rain every one in a while, and in the 70's.

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  15. I bet your family get togethers are awesome!! Enjoy your time with them.
    I'm not a fan of egg plant, but yours certainly looks delicious! My oldest daughter loves it your way too.
    Sounds like your potted garden did very well, good for you.
    I'm so surprised that our grass is as lush as it is this year with the little rain we have had. In fact, it's the best it's looked in years.

    Nice to stop in for a visit ~

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  16. First off, your blog dress is so pretty. I love it.
    I always enjoy reading the answers to Hodge Podge...I couldn't keep from smiling when I saw your list of songs NOT to play at a wedding. :)

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  17. I was hoping to get that book in audio format, but it's not available that way yet...drat! Hope you have safe travels to Ohio and a wonderful time with your family.

    Hugs,
    Carol

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  18. I'm a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder, too! I also have this book, but haven't read it yet. I've read a lot of other books about her, plus some of her early writings for her weekly newspaper column. She was quite a woman! Looking forward to reading this book.

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  19. What lovely produce you've grown! Looks like a great way to enjoy eggplant too.

    Have a wonderful week,
    Andrea

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  20. That eggplant recipe sounds so good. Isn't it lovely to pick produce from your own garden? Our lawns are getting rather crispy these days, too. You're probably in Ohio, or maybe back already, but I'm catching up, slowly, since our return home. I'm not much of an emoji person either.

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  21. Two of my favourite vegetables zucchini and eggplant …
    A lovely post.
    Safe travels.

    All the best Jan

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  22. You know there's only 1 veggie I don't like...guess which one? But your eggplant is beautiful and looks delicious. I feel like my life is on social media...Yesterday I actually talked to a friend in the phone! I'm a procrastinator myself and work my best under pressure. Love reading your answers to Hodge Podge

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Thank you for stopping by today! Your sweet comments are such an encouragement to me.

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