On my Tray of Bliss today is the opportunity to be spontaneous.
Well...whatever else is decided.. I think today it's going to be gardening day.
The little patch of garden in todays photo is actually part of Monet's Garden in Giverny. We visited there a few years ago and it was the realisation of a life long dream for me.
My very first purchase with my wages from my very first job at the tender age of 16, was a large, oversized print of Claude Monet's Waterlilies, which still hangs in pride of place in my bedroom, 35 years later.
It was 27 more years before I'd see the real thing....and worth every moment of waiting and budgeting and sacrificing to get there.
My garden is nothing like the Monet's garden at Giverny. For a start, I live in a sub-tropical region where many of the Monet style blooms just won't bloom. And secondly, being a frugal kind of lady of honest Scots-German descent, I grow vegetables in my garden.
I'm currently harvesting Mignonette Lettuce, Nasturtium leaves, Finger Eggplant, Radishes, and Parsley. In the next little while, I'll be enjoying strawberries, capsicum, tomatoes, lemons, beetroot, and asparagus.
Oh, I've had my failures...we won't even discuss aphids, mold, possums, grasshoppers, snails and errant neighbourhood children, except to say I've dealt with them all.
But the reward of walking onto my back verandah, and clipping just a few leaves of this and a touch of that to toss with my home made honey mustard dressing makes it all worthwhile.
Oh, have I mentioned my recipe for Honey Mustard Dressing? The heady scent of the honey mixed with the full bodied flavour of the balsamic vinegar and mustard is a perfect accompaniment to any combination of salad ingredients.
Would you like to try it?
Honey Mustard Dressing:
In a small jug or jar, combine 1/4 cup each olive oil and balsamic vinegar. To this add 1-2 teaspoons wholegrain mustard, and a tablespoon of honey. Warm in the microwave for just 10 seconds to liquefy the honey and mix well. Use immediately. Stores in the refrigerator, but needs to be brought to room temperature prior to use as the oil will solidify in the fridge.
Enjoy~
What's on your Tray of Bliss today?
