Out in the Rain with Good Music, Trumpet Vine, Batter-Dipped Zucchini

1. We darted through rain showers on our errands in Roanoke this morning. Three things made this trip fun: Daughter #4 was with me, she chose the music for the drive*, and we bought wonderful blueberries and raspberries from Fresh Market. *Daughter #2 saw this group perform in Denver last week and we love their music!



2. By late afternoon the rain stopped and I went out the check the garden. The back steps were strewn with flowers from the trumpet vine. Stepping out, I felt like a queen walking on a flower strewn court.
These vines are very invasive, but you get a lot of "bang for your buck" out of them. I paid a mere $14 for a little slip of vine eight years ago and now it looks like this. About four years ago, Daughter #2 gave it "accidental", very aggressive haircut and it still flourished. Birds love to nest in it and they provide a regular airshow with hummingbirds.

Trumpet Vine flowers holding raindrops.

The vine at the back door. (which I am to paint this summer)

A shady arbor.

 3. It's the season for small, tender zucchini. Tonight we had them sliced then dipped in batter and fried in olive oil. No written recipe, just a family favorite from my mother and grandmother.

For batter- Beat 2 eggs with 2-3 tablespoons water; add enough flour to make a thick batter. Season the batter with salt, pepper and basil. Dip zucchini slices into batter and fry in olive oil until golden and tender. Season with more salt to taste. This makes enough for 2-3 very small zucchini...or maybe one large one come July.