hmm.

I am sad. The caterpillars are gone. They ate all of the parsley and, I'm assuming, are snuggled in their cocoon. I am hoping they weren't eaten...

Weekend plans? I may bake a cake. I feel fall setting in and I couldn't be happier. I think it's supposed to be a bit warmer, so I may do a farewell summer cake. I am thinking Ginger-ale. Or something to do with iced tea. To kick off the fall, I will be going to pick up some yarn for a new knit project. As if I need one of those!!!!!! Ukrainian festival? I also plan to take some pictures of the freshly turning yellow leaves.

fresh breathed garden friends.

A few days ago, I noticed my parsley was sort of… going away… one leaf at a time.  On further investigation, I noticed that there was a little caterpillar, and the next day 2 of them.  This was super exciting because the preying mantis that was on my raspberry bush had just vanished.  I decided to Google “black green yellow caterpillar” and found that to my excited amazement, it is the Black Swallowtail Butterfly.  OMG I HAVE BUTTERFLIES COMING! 

I am so amazed by their appearance.  I live in a brick and concrete neighborhood, with not much around but a large park down the street.  The amazing thing though, the Swallowtail lays their eggs on members of the Queen Annes Lace family;  carrots, fennel, parsley, dill, celery etc.  It’s fascinating that this gorgeous butterfly found its way around allies and brick row homes to find my tiny pot of struggling parsley.  I cant wait for their chrysalides!!  I should get a net dome to put over them so that birds don’t eat them…

Little green balls of caterpillar parsley poo!  gross…

Yum

I have made, quite possibly, the most delicious vegetarian chili ever… EVER! 

Recipe is as follows…

3 tbsp olive oil

1 medium onion – diced

2 lengths of celery – diced

1 pkg Boca Ground Crumbles

2 tbsp Cholula hot sauce (or your favorite)

1 28oz can crushed tomatoes (with juice)

1 large can dark red kidney beans (half drained)

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp red curry powder

1 tbsp Jamaican curry powder

salt to taste

Coat a large soup pot with olive oil and saute the onions and celery until translucent.   Keep the heat at a slightly high medium.  Add the Boca crumbles and continue to sizzle until the crumbles are cooked to your liking.  Add the hot sauce and crushed tomatoes and stew for about 5 minutes.  Dump in the kidney beans and stew for another 5 minutes.  Mix in the tomato paste and curry powders.  Stew, stirring occasionally for 10-15 minutes over medium heat.  Salt to taste.

I had served these with a buttered whole grain corn muffin.  It would have been more delicious with a creamed honey butter. 

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!