I have already posted a painted lady this season, but these shots show the markings so well, I am doing it again. This little lady was on the marjoram when I went out to gather today’s tomato crop.

This a layered shot of a pot of portulaca. I used the cartoon filter in the GIMP program to enhanced the flowers and grass.

click on photo for a larger view

An almost ground level shot into the herb garden. These are garlic chive blossoms, with balloon flowers in the background.

click on photo to enlarge

Here is a quick and easy recipe for stuffed squash. It is great for summer because it doesn’t take much time in the oven, and could be done completely in a microwave that browns.

cook 1/2 cup rice or brown rice
clean squash and hollow out centers, cook in the microwave until nearly done, (4 to 5 minutes in our microwave)

crumble two or three hot Italian sausages in a skillet,
add, a small onion, diced ( I usually do the onion in the microwave and add after the sausage is cooked)
add the rice to the skillet, and then mix in whatever seasonings you like, we like basil, and lots of crushed black pepper.
stir in 1/2 to a cup of whatever shredded cheese you like

stuff the squash with the mixture and add seasoned breadcrumbs to the top.

bake 20 minutes in a 350º oven

I use this for both zucchini and yellow squash, but this filling could be used for winter squash, too.