fire cracker bloom

photo by kristen bach

Creole Tomatoes

photo by kristen bach

onions

photo by rebecca wood

red passion flower

photo by kristen bach

the brightest blooms

photo by kristen bach

thistle

photo by kristen bach

pines + rain

photo by kristen bach

insects

photo by Kristen Bach

deer tracks

photo by kristen bach

petunias

photo by rebecca wood

tree + sky

photo by rebecca wood

another magnolia

photo by rebecca wood

oak leaf hydrangea

photo by rebecca wood

little purple blooms

photo by kristen bach

garlic scape pesto

before moving south, i spent a few years as an organic farmer.  our farm grew a ton of garlic.  each spring we would harvest the garlic scapes which will eventually turn into flowers.  you do this so the garlic plant will focus it's energy on the garlic bulb rather than the flower. the scapes are quite lovely on their own and so tasty prepared.  i think i have made just about everything with garlic scapes but this pesto is one of my favorites. the scapes add a little kick that regular old garlic doesn't always deliver. 

ingredients 

6-8 garlic scapes

3 handfuls of basil leaves

olive oil

4 oz pine nuts

1/4 cup parmesan

directions

-using the top 10 inches or so of the scape, dice them into 1 inch pieces 

-put all ingredients into a food processor

-turn on and add more olive oil as needed

-salt to taste

i tossed the pesto in with some roasted potatoes....a made a perfect spring side dish!

photos and recipe by kristen bach

bamboo forest

photo by kristen bach

jasper county leaves

photograph by rinne allen

spring trees

photograph by rinne allen

jasper county in springtime

photograph by rinne allen