Garden Tour

When a long-time friend asked if our mom, Cindy, would have her yard on the Garden Tour her first response was, “No!" Then she said, "Oh, why not!" At the first signs of spring she got to work and the results of her hard work were amazing.  

Cindy Moosman-Jett, The Host

Goldie McGrath, Tour Guide

Hidden Marigolds

Goldie acted as the official tour guide greeting every visitor and showing them the way. She even made the news! Check out the story.

Catnip

One of Many Birdcages 

Play Spot

Goldie and Her Strawberries

Poppy McGrath

Outdoor Dining Space

Cindy calls her yard a work in progress and it probably will always be.  “I love the tulips, daffodils and the bright yellow forsythia of early spring and when those have past their bloom along come the iris, the snowball tree, poppies and then the roses. Late summer brings the full tomato plants, all you can pick basil, massive sunflowers and my little granddaughters eating handfuls of blackberries and raspberries straight from the bush.”

Basil and Tomatoes Among the Flowers

Back Patio

Cindy’s garden has been the setting for yard parties, baby showers, hot dog roasts and late night gatherings lasting all the way to the first frost. Most Saturdays you will find us meeting over morning coffee and something Skylar has baked. There is always a lot of laughter to be found here.

Whirligigs Made by Grandpa Elmer 

Quilts, Antiques to New Ones Made by Friends

Teeter Totter 

Flowering Cactus 

Cindy's garden is unique and ever changing.  Thank you to everyone who came to tour it and those who enjoyed these photos!

What's Fresh

There is nothing better than serving dishes that are made with food right from your own garden or at least locally grown. While, from here on out, it will become harder to find fresh local fruits and vegetables there is still a short window to enjoy local products. At our houses we try to support local farmers as much as we can by purchasing directly from the farms, visiting our farmer's market, or shopping at retailers that sell locally produced items.

For this meal, we wanted to use as many items as we could from our garden or local farms. Pesto made with basil that you pick right out of the garden or tomatoes ripe off the vine… now nothing is better than that.  Most of the food and drinks were prepared using local ingredients or vegetables from the garden.  Eating local just tastes better.  There is no doubt about it. When preparing your next dish be creative and try to find your inner locavore!

Black Pepper-Basil Farmer's Cheese Bruschetta made with local cheese,  basil and cherry tomatoes straight from the garden. It is perfect for an appetizer.

After you try homemade pesto, nothing out of a jar will ever compare.

Idaho peaches are delicious plain, but they also make a fabulous cocktail. This was one part vodka, one part simple syrup (depending on how sweet your peaches are), and peaches. We just sliced the peaches and muddled them with the simple syrup. Next, add ice and frozen peach slice and don't forget Idaho vodka. You could even add a splash of sparkling water to give it a little fizz. Simple and refreshing.