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Ten August Favorites

Ginger Lily ( Hedychium coccineum 'Tara') With the exception of a few hot spells, August has been tolerable. However, beginning tomorrow, we are in for a 5-day heat wave. Disgusting! August is the month for plants that really love the heat. I have to begin with the Ginger Lily 'Tara' which is blooming for the first time. I posted a few weeks ago about how excited I was to see the bloom stalk. They have slowly opened with a few flowers every day. It has been well worth the wait.  Other favorites - Continuing the orange theme is Lantana 'Miss Huff' which is growing in a pot (that is the heather 'Firefly' in the foreground). This lantana can survive in the ground if situated in a protected area and it isn't too wet. Previously, one grew in the back garden along the south foundation and got huge (about 3' x 5'). I finally took it out after a particularly tough winter and it was slow to bounce back.  Allium ' Millenium' is a small charme...

Cucumber Sandwich Spread



We are beginning to get a lot of cucumbers. Our neighbors are sharing and I have a little plant in the employee garden at work that is just starting to produce. One of our favorite snacks this time of year is a cucumber sandwich. "Sandwich" isn't really the proper work since we like the spread on crackers (my favorite are Triscuits).

Although I had heard of cucumber sandwiches my entire life, it wasn't until I was an adult that I actually tried one.

The following recipe makes quite a bit but it can be refrigerated.

Cucumber Sandwich Spread

Cucumbers (sliced)
16 oz. cream cheese (2 8 oz. packages) (softened)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 TBS. Hidden Valley Ranch Dip mix (you can use the entire 1 oz. packet but we find that it is too strong and salty)
1 tsp. dill
1/8 tsp. Worcesthershire sauce

Blend the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, dip mix, dill and Worcestershire sauce together until smooth.

Slick cucumbers thinly.

Spread on bread or crackers. Enjoy!


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Phillip, I am so making this. Thank you!~~Dee

    ReplyDelete
  2. The kind of a healthy snack I can eat all day, every day...

    ReplyDelete

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