Celebrating 2 Years on Hint of Thyme

Picture taken at Solea Mexican Restaurant - June 2012

Greeting readers! 

This month we are celebrating 2 years on Hint of Thyme.  I have learned so much about blogging and new cooking techniques in a short amount of time.  When I started Hint of Thyme in 2010, I really only planned to share it with friends and family.  It still amazes me that I have readers as far away as Australia and Hong Kong. 

It has been an awesome journey that I will gladly continue.  I had much to learn after moving away from my home town in Milwaukee and getting acquainted with my new home kitchen.  Jon has thoroughly enjoyed his position as the "unofficial taste tester" for Hint of Thyme.  It has been a joy for us to bring you restaurant and brewery reviews.

Let's look back at the first ever blog post.  This post is from my former life as a wheat eater.  Tomato and Basil Pizza Pasta was once my most favorite meal to make on a Friday night.  I recommend this dish to any young ladies that might be trying to impress a date or if you are looking for something more flavorful than "Hamburger Helper".  This dish can also be made with Gluten-Free pasta and sauce.

Here are a few popular posts and favorites on Hint of Thyme.

• Art in a Glass - Bloody Mary's:  A whimsical post about an American favorite.

• A Man Needs Meat and Potatoes:  I certainly did not expect this post to gain this level of popularity.  It has become a "pot-luck" favorite and often requested at gatherings.  It's amazing what you can create without a plan or recipe book.
  
  
• Gardening and Cooking - It's a Learning Process:  This post about a bad gardening experience received the most views EVER in only 1 week.  If you're looking for a good laugh at my total girly behavior and amateur gardening experience... this post is for you!

I hope that you will continue to visit and cook with me.  In the next coming months, I am hoping to dedicate more time to posting new Gluten-Free recipes and reviews.

Cheers to finding little moments of happiness through food, faith and friendship!

Thank you for making my first 2 years memorable.  Stay tuned for more recipes to follow.


Copyright 2012 Hint of Thyme.  All Rights Reserved.

Gardening and Cooking - It's a Learning Process

This morning, I ventured out to water my garden.  I was delighted to see new blossoms that had appeared overnight.  Amazing.  It was the perfect opportunity to harvest at least 10 blossoms for a trial run.

As I was picking, I was careful not to disturb the blossoms in which bees were pollinating.  I checked each blossom as I cut and harvested.  Upon bringing them inside, I took pictures and bagged.  While bagging the blossoms, a giant honey bee started flying around inside the bag.  Where the heck did it come from??

Lesson learned:  Wash and bag the blossoms outside.

There were 2 more little black and yellow squash bugs that crawled out while in the bag.  I graciously set one free... the other was not so lucky.

Jon and I were talking about future plans for our raised garden and things we would change to improve the process.  Since it's our first year gardening, there is much to learn!  If you missed the garden post, read it here - Glimpses into the Garden.

Next year, we will purchase some wooden barrels to place next to the garden.  In the barrels we plant the ever-growing squash and at least 2 tomato plants.  I have definitely over extended myself with 4 tomato plants this year.

In fact, if you have any good tomato canning tips or recipes... please feel free to send them to me.  Who knows, it could end up on Hint of Thyme.  Email contact:  hintofthyme@gmail.com

Thanks so much for reading!  I look forward to sharing more about my squash blossom experience.

Take care readers.


Copyright 2012 Hint of Thyme.  All rights reserved.

Glimpses into the Garden

During the month of March and April, we had a very unexpected early spring in the state of Wisconsin.  It's typical to get snow until the end of April or even into May.  But, not this year.

This year, Jon and I decided to build a raised garden.  As mentioned in several posts, I have a back condition that causes me to be in chronic pain.  My husband was sweet to think of building me a raised garden; which means... NO bending!  I am able to garden with the rest of them and love it.

Putting this raised garden together posed a few challenges, but it was definitely worth the effort.  We picked out the vegetable plants and seeds; green beans, green pepper, red pepper, jalapeno, Thai basil, squash, 5 tomato plants, lettuce, and peas.  It's pretty ambitious for 2 people that haven't gardened before.

Raised garden after planting in May

The plants have done very well; especially with unusual heat waves in our part of the country.  I am already creating fun and easy recipes for the vegetables that are harvested.

Over the last 2 weeks, our squash plants have flourished in this hot weather climate.  It has gone from slightly hanging over the edge to weaving it's vines into the grass below.  I probably could have researched what to expect when planting squash, but it has been fun to watch.  Check it out...

Squash plant - 6 weeks after planting

Jon and I are out in the garden every day to water it and check the progress of our plants.  It has been so much fun and can be surprisingly relaxing.

Since we have an abundance of squash buds beginning to grow, I've been looking for tips on how to cook Squash blossoms (otherwise we will end up with 74 squash to eat).  If you're looking for unique recipes to try... keep an eye on Hint of Thyme.  I will be posting the experience of eating and a recipe for Squash Blossoms.  And yes, it involves stuffing them with some sort of cheese.  Mmm!

Have a very Happy 4th of July.

Copyright 2012 Hint of Thyme.  All Rights Reserved.