![\"flowers\"](\"https:\/\/marigoldonline.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/flowers.jpg\")
<\/a>Weeding can be relaxing because it\u2019s so mindless but there are times when it\u2019s just another chore to be done (or ignored.) People whose gardens are impressive enough to be included on large-scale, organized tours probably don\u2019t weed themselves because their grounds are too extensive.<\/p>\nOn such a tour, the first garden we visited was very traditional with masses of beautiful perennials, vegetables, Ah but the second garden! This one had masses of ironwork including the frame of a grape arbor and eight \u201cwater features\u201d with spouting children, turtles, frogs and more.<\/p>\n Look Ma–No Hose!<\/p><\/div>\n There is a\u00a0 putting green and a lawn bowls area next to an \u201cAlice\u201d garden with huge chess pieces and statues of Alice and the White Rabbit. One area is a checkerboard alternating plants. A dry river bed crafted of stones leads to a pagoda; elsewhere, there are cacti, olive, banana and Later, we returned home where we ate this simple appetizer to stave off hunger pangs before a late dinner.<\/p>\n Tomato and Ricotta Toasts<\/strong><\/p>\n Crusty bread<\/p>\n 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved<\/p>\n Olive oil<\/p>\n Red pepper flakes, thyme, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar<\/p>\n Ricotta cheese (fresh would be nice but I used a supermarket brand)<\/p>\n Preheat oven to 325. Put tomatoes in a pan and drizzle with olive oil (about 2 Tbls.) Sprinkle with the red pepper, thyme, vinegar and brown sugar\u2014roughly 1 Tsp of each<\/p>\n Bake tomatoes for about 25 minutes, turn and bake another 20 minutes or so\u2014the idea is to have them melt down and start to caramelize. (Do this way ahead of time. Either take out of fridge to bring to room temperature or nuke briefly when ready to serve.)<\/p>\n Cut the bread into smallish slices and toast. When done, slather with the ricotta and top with the tomatoes, about 3 halves per slices. (You will have tomatoes left over; save and repeat the process another time.)\u00a0 You could, I suppose, garnish the plate with weeds but parsley also works as does nothing.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Weeding can be relaxing because it\u2019s so mindless but there are times when it\u2019s just another chore to be done (or ignored.) People whose gardens are impressive enough to be included on large-scale, organized tours probably don\u2019t weed themselves because … Continue reading <\/a>and a terrific chicken coop housing six busy hens and a little door where the eggs are collected.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>lemon trees\u2014just what you think of in Vermont! The \u201cprogram\u201d (no kidding) lists not only the staff but also the many suppliers of metal, irrigation tools, tractors and other equipment. The whole experience is truly one of a kind.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n