These four views make me wonder about volcanic activity!

No doubt why these mountains are called the Smokies.

To the northeast

Sunset in the smoke

Organic Catnip

Catnip can be used in several ways, but when you have a cat it’s a joy. Some cats like it picked fresh from the plant, some even eat it from the plant, and most like it dried. To dry it just put the leaves on a single sheet of paper on low in the mircrowave for a few minutes. It’s best to check it every three minutes so it doesn’t burn.

My cat, Mia, always comes into the kitchen to beg for warm catnip. Since it grows fresh all year long, she prefers it that way, but only if I pick it for her.

Fresh leaves are waiting for her in the snow in the winter. In the summer it’s on the rock. Once it grows in your garden you will always have catnip unless you make a determined effort to get rid of it.

This jar of dried catnip is waiting to be delivered to a cat named Luciano.

Luciano is waiting no longer.

He enjoys a catnip treat every morning.

Merlyn also enjoys a Christmas treat of fresh catnip.

Ever changing, always beautiful and uplifting are the views from my deck. Here is one taken last July. Each season has it’s own special quality.

Autumn is usually beautiful any way you look. This is below the deck,

and looking out at the mountains.

The winter snow was slightly melted by the Christmas lights.

This is another view from a different direction. It shows a beautiful but damaging spring snow on the redbud trees.

Another spring view shows the forsythia and Bradford pear with the mountains in the background.

This year squash was prolific. I kept fresh-pulled dill around the plants to keep bugs away, and it worked. Most of my seeds are from Park Seed Company.

This squah is One Ball Hybrid.

It is very tasty and fun to use in different ways.The newest recipe many have enjoyed at my house is Connie’s Zucchini ‘Crab’ Cakes. They may not really taste like crab, but they are delicious. One of the reviews suggests baking the zucchini cakes. When first trying them, I baked some and fried some. The baked ones seemed crispier on the outside and perfect on the inside. When I make them just for me, I freeze some of the leftovers. That way when my son and his vegetarian friend come for a meal, there will always be something to serve. If you put the patties on a bun with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce they are quite tasty.

Connies Zucchini Crab Cakes Recipe

Another favorite with my family, and a must for Thanksgiving, is squash casserole. Everyone seems to have a favorite, so here is mine:

2 pounds squash (yellow, zucchini, or mixed)

1 or more carrots, grated1 onion, chopped

¼ cup butter

¼ cup olive oil

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1 pint herb dressing

additional dry dressing

Steam sliced squash until tender. Sauté onion and carrots in butter and olive oil until onion is tender. Add herb dressing, then other ingredients, folding in squash last. Place in a greased casserole dish, and cover the top with dry dressing.

(May be refrigerated at this point and cooked by the next day. It will need a little longer cooking time.)

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

If you like Mexican cooking, and have lots of squash to use, here is another recipe enjoyed by guests.

An alternate way to fix this that is easier, and less messy is:

-Layer four corn tortillas (or one big multi-grain flour tortilla), on the bottom of a greased casserole dish.

-Spread half the filling over this with more cheese sprinkled over filling. Moisten with green enchilada sauce.-

Repeat with the rest of the filling.-

Then top with four more tortillas , sprinkled cheese, and the rest of the sauce. (a 28 ounce can)

-If fresh tomatoes are available, chop some to put on top.

-Bake at 350 degrees for at least 30 minutes, cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling.

-Have a bowl of sour cream for those who want to add it to the top.