Cukes and Onions On any given week during these hot summer days, you will find cucumbers and onions chilling in my refrigerator. I believe the original recipe was from my Grandma Nita, but it could have just as easily come from Granny Margaret, my maternal grandmother, who was also a great cook. Cucumber and Onions Three just plucked from the garden cukes One or two Vidalia or other sweet onions One cup of seasoned rice vinegar (I use Nakano.) ¾ cup of water 1 t. pepper ½ t. salt (if desired) Wash and dry cucumbers.Slice cucumbers into ¼ inch slices.Slice onions into ¼ inch slices.Sprinkle salt and pepper on top.Add vinegar and water.Stir.Cover and place in refrigerator. Also, if you need more vinegar and water to cover, just add them. It will be fine. Not much of a recipe really, but one my family holds dear. Other versions on the Internet...

People with Dirty Hands: The Passion for Gardening, by Robin Chotzinoff is one of my favorite garden memoirs. Last night, for the third time, I read the rose rustling story with a huge smile on my face. I believe it influenced me to dive into old garden roses when I read it ten years ago. Since I've previously discussed the book, I will instead, in accordance with Carol's suggestions for this month, tell you about my first garden mentor. I searched all day for the photograph of my Grandma Nita with her six-foot-tall tomato plants, but I couldn't find it anywhere. Instead, I offer these. The Red Dirt Rose (my Mom) found them for me today. As we pulled the faded images from an old envelope, and I saw the dear face of my grandmother for the first time in many years, I cried. Edith Juanita, my paternal grandmother, was...

Carol from May Dreams Gardens and I decided to write dual posts. I thought it would be fun to get to know Carol better, so come in out of the heat, put down your grub hoe, grab a green tea, and sit with us for a spell. Why green tea? It's Carol's favorite drink: venti, straight up, shaken not stirred. She drinks it everyday unless her Starbucks is closed, or they run out like they did last week. Can you imagine a Starbucks running out of green tea? If you're wondering why the cup on the right is half full, I got thirsty before Carol arrived. Who is the mysterious Carol? Although she's been described as the rock star of blogging, I think of her more as our cruise director. With Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Garden Bloggers' Book Club, she has transformed our little cyber family by uniting all...