Holy Zucchinis!

I am a novice gardener and this year I decided I should plant two mounds of zucchinis. Well, they essentially have taken over my garden -- and I'm not even that fond of them! I don't mind occasionally eating them stir fried and I have found a Zucchini bread recipe and a zucchini soup recipe (not as bad as it sounds) that my whole family seems to like. However, I definitely need some new creative uses for zucchini...if you have any ideas please send them my way.

The weather this summer has been ideal for gardening and everything is growing in abundance. I have two rows of green beans and while I was out harvesting my first pick this week, I filled three ice cream buckets full. I tried to capture in a photo just how many beans this is -- but I'm not sure I did. For a little perspective -- they are in my largest mixing bowl -- you know -- the one you use to make monster cookies! This is after giving some away and eating a meal. If you like green beans and live in my area -- let me know -- I'm sure I can part with a few more. I really should learn the art of canning food. What do you think?

I do find great joy in going out to my garden and picking veggies and raspberries -- every time I pull back a leaf and find 7 full beans hanging there or a handful of juicy berries, it's like discovering gold. I get so excited. (I obviously need to get out more :)). However, my romance with zucchini's has ended -- there is no longer any joy when I pull back a zucchini leaf and find yet another zucchini the size of a pumpkin.

Now I'll admit I got a little caught up in taking photos of my vegetables just now. I am beginning to consider a career in Vegetable Still-Life photography. I am going to title this one:

"Peppers and Zucchini's"

And this one is "Green Beans in a Yellow Bowl."

If you would like to hang my artwork in your local coffee shop -- let me know! But it's going to cost you (Ha-Ha).

Well, just in case you also have a plethora of zucchini -- here's my soup recipe! Enjoy!

Sautee: 1/2 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 T. Olive Oil

Add: 4 Cups chicken broth, 3 cups cooked chicken, 3 small sliced zucchini's, 14 1/2 oz diced tomatoes w/liquid, 1 can corn, 8 oz tomatoe sauce, 1/2 c. salsa, 2 t. cumin, 3/4 t. pepper