Dancing in the vegetable garden

I don't know who ordered the afternoon thunder and clouds, but thank you. They enabled me to get another four hours worth of weeding done in the garden. I don't like to use chemicals in the garden so every rotten little weed that dares to sprout in my garden is hand pulled. This time of year I love to get up at first light. I put on my ear phones and turn on the Ipod with some Toby Keith or Lonestar. There's nothing better to pull weeds by. Good thing the neighbors are all still asleep or they'd see me dancing out in the garden.

I have lots of rhubarb but I don't want to can, because it's too hot. Have any suggestions? Or, would you like some? I also have beautiful radishes, large and very sweet. The corn in knee high, the tomatoes are overflowing the walls of water. It might be time to take the walls off. I have picked a few sweet bell peppers, and I have lots of cilantro. There are two beautiful little cottontails that have been feasting on my beans. I feel like Mr. McGregor because I'd like to shoot them. Last year I didn't get any beans because of the bunnies. This year is looking good. Maybe I'll bring the Chihuahua out to the garden with me. She's a good hunter. It's funny because the bunnies are larger than she is.

I haven't cooked dinner in a week. My husbands work hours have changed, and he leaves for before dinner time. So this morning when he woke up I promised to make chili cheese dogs. It's not the kind of food I ever make, unless we're camping with the kids. For some reason it sounded good to me. First problem, we didn't have any chili. So, I homemade some in the crock pot. Here is how I did it:

1 pound of hamburger cooked and drained

2 -15 1/2 ounce cans of kidney beans

1 - 14 1/2 ounce jar of chopped tomatoes

2 - 8 ounce jars of tomato sauce

2 tablespoons chopped garlic (from the garden)

2 small onions chopped

1 small bell pepper chopped

1 tablespoon chopped Basil

4 tablespoons chili powder

Oh my goodness, it was the best chili I ever made. We didn't grill the hot dogs; we just ate the chili with a little grated cheese on top.

n Lisa Welch is a Johnson Lane resident and can be reached at 267-9350.