So, how does your garden grow . . .

 

The peace after the storm . . .

No sign of economic distress around this neighborhood, last night, as they literally burned their money away in over four hours of fireworks. Judging from some of the more elaborate ones, I'm willing to be a lot of illegal ones were set off. Since we were lulled off to sleep around ten to the continuous blasting of noisemakers and the scent of gunpowder in the air, it was nice to get up early and see how the garden was growing with only the distraction of birds chirping and the dog snuffling around in the bushes.

So far, my husband's garden seems to be flourishing. We actually got our first, four cherry tomatoes 'harvested' for dinner last night. His peppers are growing both in pots and in the garden. Our peach tree isn't as heavy with fruit but there are some nice peaches we hope to get before the birds discover them. Both the orange and lemon tree have large, still-green fruit hanging from the branches. Sigh . . . My pomegranite tree is without fruit but as it is only a year old, I suppose I'm being a bit over anxious.

After 105 degrees during the weekend, we are promised 'lows' in the 95's today. Hey, I'm beginning to feel the difference . . . but hot is hot but the garden likes it and I'll be thankful in the winter when I have a freezer full of tomatoes and such.

Altar girls - my personal reaction.

I have been challenged as to why my daughters don’t serve Mass. My son is a welcome sight on the altar but it didn’t seem right to them that my girls merely stayed in the pew as uninvolved bystanders.

This started me thinking back on the stories concerning Our Blessed Mother. In spite of her major role in the redemption, there is really very little information about her. The main theme that comes through, however, is her devotion to being a mother, a respected mother, by both her Son and her husband, Joseph. You don’t hear her words yet her actions speak quite loudly.

When the Angel Gabriel announced that she could be the Mother of God, she accepted the blessing with love and obedience. What better way to bring about the redemption of the world than by way of a mother’s love?

When Jesus was lost, she didn’t think about herself but of her child. She was a mother first and she didn’t look for recognition beyond that place in life.

At the marriage feast, she had her Son’s total obedience and respect. Christ willingly obeyed His mother’s request to change water into wine.

In all this, Mary was a quiet force, keeping the home and her family in tact regardless of upheaval and poverty. She looked to the ultimate exaltation of her Son keeping a quiet, prayerful, life-long vigil.

When I see young girls serving in the sanctuary, I am very sad. I see them minimizing their femininity, their chance to be Mary-life. My daughters are not serving at Mass because I have too much respect for them and their potential as women. Mary is the perfect example of modesty, love and motherhood.

Trying to be like the ‘boys’ would only dilute my daughters’ efforts to emulate Mary. And the devote prayers of the mothers and future mothers in the pews are listened to by Jesus Christ . . . as He often listened to His own Mother.

(Yes, I know altar girls are allowed and I have never been rude or dismissive of them. This is just my personal reaction to the situation. Altar girls were initially allowed to fill in the gaps when there weren't enough boys available to serve. Too many parishes have put the girls ahead of the boys which has many boys not even bothering. My son has often had to serve with females and has done so in a respectful manner.)

Cheese and Broccoli Soup

Two of my favorite things to eat are broccoli and cheddar cheese. Just imagine how happy I am when I can have them combined.

Cheese and Broccoli Soup

1/2 cup chopped onion
4 garlic cloves, smashed and chopped
1 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
4 cups fresh broccoli, broken down into florets
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Dash Dried tarragon
Salt & Pepper to tastes
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/3 cup shredded, sharp cheddar cheese (mild is fine if you like a more delicate flavor)

Put a tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil into a large cooking pan. Sautes the garlic and onion until tender but not browned. Add the flour and blend. Cook for a minute or two but don't let it brown. Keeping the temperature on medium, gradually stir in the broth. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, and cook for a couple of minutes or until it starts to thicken.

Now, add the fresh broccoli, herbs, salt, and pepper. Return to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and continue cooking until broccoli is just tender. The more you cook it after that point, the less pretty, bright color the vegetable will have. Add milk and cook under a simmer for five minute.

If you have an immersion blender, you can use that to blend your soup and make it smooth. Otherwise, as it is with most of us, a blender is find. Do the soup in small batches until it is all blended. Gently reheat and add approximately three-fourths of the cheese to the pot and stir until melted. Serve with a sprinkling of the rest of the cheese over each serving.

Garlic bread goes very well with this soup. Add a salad and you have a meal.

If you soup doesn't thicken up as much as you like, my 'secret' trick is to add a tablespoon or two of instant mashed potatoes to the simmering soup, stirring well to avoid lumps. This usually brings it to a more 'cream of soup' texture. I never make mashed potatoes from the package but keep it on hand for this reason or to make potato bread or yeast pastry. Recipes for that to follow in the near future!