RIP my dear sweet cucumbers...

Yes it is a somber title for today's post. I had to say a final "goodbye" to my beloved cucumbers.


We did not have great luck this year with those wonderful summer treats. We contracted Bacteria Wilt. I know I didn't know what it was either, but thanks to the ever handy google on this here computer I found out probably more than I ever wanted to know. "Bacterial wilt of cucurbits occurs throughout the United States. It affects curcurbits including cucumbers, muskmelons, squash, pumpkins, white gourds, wild gourds, wild cucurbits, and watermelon. The causal bacterium, Erwinia tracheiphila, is spread primarily by the striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittata, and the spotted cucumber beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi." That was the technical definition I found so I am just going to share a few basics in lay mans terms.

It is brought on by a little lovely creature in the beetle family. They are black and yellow stripped so beware my friends, beware! Your leaves first start to droop and then discolor. You will see an ooze appear on the vine. This ooze blocks the water from traveling within the plant.


The cucumbers start growing in odd shapes and very mushy. They are poor tasting too! It is a very sad sight indeed. Within 2 weeks it can wipe out your whole crop. I liken it to the story of the plague of the locusts.

The only way to cure it once it has started is to remove the plants all together. Now trust me that we tried to defy odds by just trimming back, it worked for maybe a few more cucumbers but then it was good night my sweet friends. Mr. Miller did the dirty deed the other night, he yanked them and away they went.

There is hope and I do have a plan for next year. It is a natural approach of course, I found that you can spray with Neem oil. It is OMRI listed and compliant in organic gardening. We will definitely be looking into this for next year.

I will now ask for a moment of silence for my lovely green friends...OK thats enough on to next years garden plan and to my favorite time of year, Autumn. I hope you all have a fabulous Labor Day weekend and enjoy the last weekend of summer.

Sausage and Noodle Casserole

I am all about quick and easy meals. This is one of our favorite fall back on meals. I love it because it is cost effective, OK so cheap to make, and it is a no fail favorite! When we lived in Newton, KS a gal that I worked with gave me the base recipe for this and I have just changed it a little for our lifestyle and tastes.

Sausage and Noodle Casserole

1 package kielbasa, cut into pieces

1 can Cream of Mushroom soup

1 16oz container sour cream or plain yogurt

1 package noodles of your choice(we used GF spaghetti this week)

1 2c package of cheddar cheese

1 Cup shredded zucchini

1 Cup shredded carrots

I also sometimes add a little onion, green bean or peas. You get the idea it is one of those dishes that you can add any veggie too!

Place sausage in a single layer in bottom of baking dish.

Mix soup, sour cream, veggies, and cooked noodles. Spread half of noodle/cream mix over sausage. Layer the cheese next, I know whats a casserole with out the cheese. Then put remaining mix on top. Cover with foil and cook for 50 at 350 then uncover and cook 10 min longer.


Voila, dinner is served!

I have also been know to use 2 Cups of cooked rice. This recipe is great for the meals I refer to as "whats in the pantry" night.

A fine dining experience!

Last night we had a very fine dining experience. It wasn't necessarily the menu, that was good, but it was the ambiance. We dined on the patio! No it isn't all the way done but it is close enough. I still don't have a table so we just grabbed a card table and away we went.

Henry had his chair and joined in the experience.

I used one of the bunko table cloths and cut some sunflowers from the garden.

We dined on cantaloupe, chopped salad, GF zucchini bread and sausage and noodle casserole. Yes I will be posting the recipe. It is a tried and true must have in your red binder.

We used Mr. Miller's grandmothers dishes. I just love these blue onion plates. They bring back some fond memories of dinner with Grandma Pat.

What a lovely evening. Mr. Miller said we could make it a regular routine. I think we will as long as the weather allows. Well, we do have a fire pit now on the patio so I think this could be fun this fall. We had great conversation and the boys ate well. I strongly suggest to each and every one of you get out and enjoy the wonders of God's beautiful creation, you won't be sorry.