BLACK BEAN BURGERS AND SOME FRONT PORCH LIVING!

Our summers are pretty short and sweet here in the Great Northwoods of America, so we try to spend as much time as we can outside. Black flies, be damned! We usually eat dinners (unless it's raining) on our back porch, where the barbeque grill lives, and we like to sip our wine, iced tea or coffee on our covered front porch. So sweet to chat with passing neighbors and just watch the world go by. This year, we really worked hard on sprucing everything up, front and back....I know I showed you a few "before" photos a while back...now let me show you the fruits of our labors; kinda went for a green, black and white vibe this year, instead of my usual Patriotic red, white and blue thing......

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Care to join us in a little front porch rocking session?

 I white-washed these little houses.....

  The big Boston ferns do so well here, with our warm and humid summers....

I just love Potato vines, but unfortunately, so do the deer!.....

Our old wheelbarrow.....with yet another fern. Check out the funny little pets to the right, just waiting to be let out for the 19,456,082nd time that day. Just so you know, that pretty much IS my full-time job, letting cats and dogs in and out, in and out.......`

Don't forget to wipe your feet before you come in now! And yes, those are MY toes, the world's ugliest toes, doncha know...................

Doesn't Margaret the cat look DEAD? All of our cats just love to roll around on the gravel on warm summer days.....

We don't have a doorbell, but we do have this cute and gardeney door knocker.....

I planted this Boston Ivy when we first built the house....NOTHING will kill it! In the fall, it turns the most glorious shade of crimson red.....

Made this wreath by my little ol' self...pretty cute, no?

Before I get to the food, I have a little reminder for you:

Willow House Kickoff Partaaayyyyy:

My house--call (315)369-5210 for directions

Thursday, June 16th, from 7-9

Wine! Food! Fun!

Hope to see you there, and bring a friend!

So, Big Daddy fired up the grill the other night, and I put together a fast and easy dinner for my family (and one friend)--girlfriend Patty J's Black Bean Burgers. We make these ALL the time--you really don't miss the beef / ground turkey, and they are very filling and delicious--just ask this girl....

Just so you know, Patty's version of this recipe is Vegan, but we are not, so there are eggs in this. But of course, you can always use an egg substitute, if you want. First thing to do--rinse your black beans well........

Then mash them up with a fork.....

Add onion, bell pepper, cayenne, eggs, bread crumbs and cilantro. Blend well....

For into 4-6 patties.....

 Usually, I fry these in olive oil in my kitchen, but because it was such a nice night, we decided to grill them, which worked out beautifully. Just be sure to use a little bit of Pam on your grill......

Fry or grill until crispy on each side.....

Serve on whole wheat rolls  with any condiment you desire...Patty suggests salsa, alfalfa sprouts and / or guacamole. If avocados aren't available or in season, I always use this brand of guacamole, with great success.....definetely worth the expense.....

Enjoy! Here's the recipe...

PATTY J'S BLACK BEAN BURGERS
Serves 4-6

1 large can black beans
1 / 4 cup diced yellow onion
1 / 4 cup diced red bell pepper
1 / 2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1-2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 tblsp. fresh cilantro
2 tblsp. olive oil

Rinse black beans. In a large bowl, mash beans--add onion, pepper, cayenne, eggs or egg substitute, bread crumbs and cilantro. Blend well. Form into 4-6 patties. Heat olive oil in pan. Fry burgers until crispy on each side. Serve on whole wheat rolls with desired condiments.

TODAY I'M SO THANKFUL FOR.....

*My pharmacist, neighbor and friend Deb, who rushed my anti-nausea drugs through the other morning, when I was pretty much hating life. Thanks, Deb!

*The guys who help me at the club I'm gardening for this summer--they take pity on this almost 50-ish old lady and do a lot of my heavy work for me, like watering over 48 hanging Boston ferns twice a week! See, getting old DOES have its advantages!

*George's nursery in Kirkland, NY--the best selection of plants I've ever seen, and a super-knowledgeable staff that is always there to help.