The Farm at South Mountain

Hey everyone!  Hope y'all are having a great weekend!  I wanted to share a "new-to-me" place here in the Phoenix area.  It's called The Farm and is one of the most charming places I've ever seen.  The story and some of the pics are directly from their website -- sadly I only had my iPhone that day, so my photos do not do this wonderful place the justice it so deserves.

The Man discovered this charming place quite by accident

and knew I would love going there.  So, a couple of weeks

ago, we decided to go have breakfast -- it was still cool 

enough to enjoy being outside, so we took it all in!

                                                         

This is what you see as you enter the grounds -- 

                 lots and lots of pecan trees.

One of three restaurants sits to the right of this pecan grove.  

This one is called The Farm Kitchen, and you can order

sandwiches & get them packed up in a picnic basket to take

out into the grove where there are lots and lots of picnic tables.

The Story of The Farm at South Mountain

In keeping with the early philosophy, the ten acres just south of Southern and 32nd Street was planted with 100 pecan trees, and for over 40 years was nurtured by a retired cattleman by the name of Skeeter Coverdale. Ultimately Skeeter determined it was too much work to care for the trees and harvest the 5,000 pounds of nuts each year. He wanted to move to Punkin Center where he could buy a trailer, "drink beer, swat flies, and tell lies" - and that's what he did! 

Today, the owner, A. Wayne Smith, has preserved the wondrous sense of rural tranquility and vision of sustainability with independently owned businesses that contribute to the cultural, educational, restorative and economic environments that thrive on the historic land. According to Gourmet Magazine, dining beneath the pecan trees at The Farm "... is a spiritual experience for those who journey to this 12-acre organic oasis." 

This is Morning Glory Cafe where we had breakfast.  About halfway through our meal, almost every table was in use!

This was the view from our table -- part of the organic vegetable garden and 

Maya's Farm, a small, sustainable operation which produces high-quality specialty   vegetables, herbs, flowers and eggs for local markets, restaurants and schools.  They were loading up the most beautiful bundles of sunflowers to take to various markets the day we were there.

This was a succulent garden with some of the most unusual plants 

I've ever seen.

The Artists' Studio is a fun little place to buy something very unique and special.  Memorial Day weekend was their last day of the season, 

but they re-open in September.

                                               

 This is another restaurant, Quiessence, a 4-star charmer that usually requires reservations.  We couldn't get any closer, because it was being all set up for a special dinner.  Over to the far left is a pizza

or bread oven.  You can have your own private table in front of it.

 I was truly on "sensory overload," and just couldn't get enough of the wonderful serenity of this place.

All of the restaurants will be closing this month (too hot to eat outside), but will re-open in September.  I'm looking forward to visiting again.

I'm partying here:
The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Oh, The Places I've Been

Jody & Stan at Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays

Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading

Just Some Randomness!

Hey everyone!  I hope y'all are having a great week and a wonderful start to your summer.  We've jumped right into hot weather around here, but "it's a dry heat, ya know!"  I took off for a little "retail therapy" this morning.  I haven't done that in quite awhile, and I NEEDED it!  I decided Hob Lob would probably give me a pretty good "fix," and they seldom let me down.  

Y'all know I love to scrapbook and one of my favorite scrapbooking "geniuses" is Becky Higgins of Project Life fame.  She has wonderful products which have been available via Amazon, but now are in some retail markets -- yes, you guessed it.....Hobby Lobby!  So that was my main reason for going to HL, and they did not disappoint.

I bought the Honey Edition Core Kit.

The colors are really fun!  I can't wait to get started!

If you like to scrapbook but aren't familiar with Becky and Project Life, you should go to her blog HERE.  If scrapbooking isn't your thing, just ignore my gushing!  

What was really so funny, and I don't know why I was so shocked, but I was.  On my way back to the scrapbooking area of Hob Lob, I decided to take a spin through the first couple of aisles where they generally have the current seasonal displays.  Well, there was one aisle of Patriotic items for the 4th, but then I turned down the next aisle and "What to my wandering eyes should appear?"...............

Fall and Thanksgiving have arrived!

Who knew it was just around the corner?

Hmmm.....don't we have Summer to enjoy?  Well, some of you get to enjoy it;  here in AZ, we just tolerate it and try to survive.  So maybe these Fall displays aren't so far off the mark.  What do you think -- YES?  NO?  MAYBE?  You certainly have plenty of time to budget and buy just an item here and there.  At least they didn't have any Halloween spookiness or bags of candy yet!

To conclude my Wednesday afternoon randomness, I just had to share some cuteness!

Abby likes to sit on the back of my TV chair -- that's why there is a cover!  The Man took this one with his cell phone, so not such a great pic.

I took this one and the next with my iPad over my shoulder.  She has kind of a "ho-hum" attitude about having her picture taken!

She's not "Grumpy Cat" just "Sleepy Cat!"

With that I will bid you a great afternoon.  I'm thinking a tall iced coffee latte is in order and some scrapbooking with my new stuff!  Hope you are enjoying your afternoon.  Thanks for stopping by and remember you are always welcome!

Zucchini! Zucchini! Zucchini!

     

Hey everyone!  I cannot believe we are already into June!  Are any of you scratching your head and asking the question, "Where has this year gone?"  As I know, many of you are just starting to get some warm weather with thoughts of outdoor activities, beautiful flowers to pick, and luscious gardens that will soon be overflowing with delicious bounty.  Well, we were into the thick of all that  last month and some of our veggies are starting to show signs of withering under the AZ sun -- mainly the yellow squash, but the zucchini is still going strong.  The tomatoes are producing like crazy, too,  and will for another month or so.  Last year we only planted one zucchini and one yellow which really wasn't enough; so this year we planted two of each.  Wow, what a differnce between one and two, and I've found myself searching every where for squash recipes, especially for zucchini!  So I thought I would share a few things I've made with.....

Nature's bounty!

First I got a little creative on my own, and came up with a Squash-Chicken Soup with 

Shirataki Noodles.

I chopped enough zucchini & yellow squash to fill my crockpot, mixed Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base with enough water to make about 4 cups & added to the crockpot.  

(If you've never tried this product, you simple must.  It is so much better than regular bouillon. It's available at Costco and Walmart.)

Then I grabbed a handful of fresh herbs from my herb pot & simply laid them on top of the veggies, seasoned with Kosher salt and pepper, and let that baby do it's thing most of the day.

When the veggies were all nice and tender, I removed the herbs (their flavor had already permeated the soup) and then used my emulsifier to make it creamy.  I rinsed and drained a package of Shirataki Noodles (I use these because they are almost carb-free) & 2 cans of chicken (you could certainly use your own freshly cooked chicken), added more salt and pepper to taste and a splash of heavy cream -- you know, for the creaminess aspect!  I sprinkled on a bit of freshly grated parmesan, & we had a wonderfully delicious soup.  It made a ton, so I froze half.

Another delicious way to cook squash is grilling.

I simply brushed on olive oil, sprinkled with salt & pepper, and grilled these for about 15 minutes.

And who doesn't love a sweet bread, especially when it's loaded with veggies and you can't even tell!

Gathered my supplies for Zucchini-Pineapple Bread, recipe found HERE.

I used the same recipe and added raisins to make a double batch of muffins.

I can't even begin to tell you how good my house smelled while all of this was baking.  Truly

had my mouth watering!

Well, I don't know about you, but I pretty much cannot resist a "warm from the oven" muffin.  Please tell me you have this weakness, too.  I made myself a nice glass of iced coffee latte to go along

with my delicious muffin(s).  I called it lunch!

As for these little beauties -- we eat them like candy, tossing back a few throughout the day.

They are a "party" for your tastebuds!

I'm hoping some of you will be sharing your recipes for "garden abundance!"  Thanks so much for stopping by, and please know you are always welcome!  I'll serve you sweet tea and send you home with some nature's bounty......lol!

  

I love to party with these fine bloggers:

The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays
Karen at Sew Many Ways for Sew Darn Crafty
Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Dawn at Creative Cain Cabin for Budget Decorating Party
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Mondays
Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday

Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow

Mary Beth at Cupcakes and Crinoline for Project Inspired

Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

Karin at The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday

Angela at Hickory Trail for Efforts and Assets

Kelly at Live Laugh Rowe for Live Laugh Linky Party

Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday

Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday

The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Oh, The Places I've Been

Jody & Stan at Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays 

Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading