Nobody's Mad

Start with a standard-size can (10 3/4 oz.) of undiluted, ordinary tomato soup, such as Campbell’s.  Instead of diluting the soup with water, add one small (14.5 oz.) can of “petite diced” tomatoes and just enough water to allow for easy mixing.  Keep stirring the mixture as you heat it, to prevent it from sticking to the pan (corn syrup in most brands of tomato soup unfortunately makes it prone to scorching).  Top each bowl with a sprig of rosemary or basil, and you’ll have a soup that looks and tastes freshly-made.  (Three to four servings.)

Our day began with a visit from the tile-man, who made a repair in the shower downstairs.  After that, Mike kept up with his professional work, while I washed clothes and worked downstairs.  I set the mint bundles to dry in the downstairs porch.  In the afternoon, Mike gardened, while I cleaned a storage cupboard downstairs.  Favorites were on the menu for dinner– bangers and mash, baked beans, and for me, the ever-present Swiss chard. –MJH.

We’re putting in a small patch in hopes of raising a few veggies before we head north.

South veggie patch chemical soil test results:

Soil tests pH7.5 indicated by soil meter, confirming that the soil meter reads one pH too high.