Spray-Painted Cans as Plant Containers Two Years Later

Because sometimes people like to see how well something held up or lasted, I thought I'd share with you my institutional-sized cans (#10) that I spray-painted two years ago to use for potting basil plants.

These cans have lived outside for two full years. In fall, just before the rain season begins, I pull them under the eaves of the house, so they're not exposed to excessive rain, snow and freezing for the winter months. Then in late spring, after the worst of the rains are finished, I pull them back out from the shelter, amend the soil, then pot them with new basil plants or seeds.

They've surprised me how well they have held up. The paint has not chipped or cracked so far. And the bottoms haven't rusted out yet. I suspect they will fall apart at some point. But maybe I'll get another couple of years out of these cans.

In any case, I think I've made good use of the cans and had a place on the deck to grow my basil each summer.

For those waiting for my better sweet and spicy pumpkin seed recipe, it will be a couple more days. We've had a heat wave here and I've not wanted to use the oven. Once I've had a chance to make another batch, I'll write up a recipe. Thanks for hanging in there. I'm sure you all can relate to not wanting to heat the kitchen when it's already too hot.

When the Cat's Away, the Mice Will Play: Dinner Date for Two at Home

One night recently, both daughters were out and didn't want dinner saved for them. This is fairly rare for them both to be gone at dinner *and* not want something saved. Usually at least one daughter will want us to save a plate for them to eat later or have at lunch the next day. Not so this time.

My husband and I were completely free to do whatever we pleased for dinner. We talked about going out for dinner. We did that last fall when both daughters were out. But then I thought of the abundance of wonderful foods that we have in the freezer, fridge, pantry, and garden. So I set out to put together a first class meal using what we have.

Here's the menu:

fillet steak -- a good, but small beef fillet, the size that's just right for one or two
sautéed mushrooms -- rehydrated dried mushrooms given to me at Christmas from son and daughter-in-law
grilled zucchini -- from the garden
tossed salad -- garden greens, homemade croutons, homemade mustard vinaigrette
baked potatoes -- from a bag in the pantry

and let's not forget dessert!

strawberry sorbet topped with homemade dark chocolate magic shell -- sorbet, s & dil brought at birthdays; magic shell, melted chocolate chips, unsweetened chocolate and coconut oil

My husband asked what I thought we'd pay at a restaurant for this type of dinner. My guess -- if we split a steak dinner at a casual steakhouse, but each got a small scoop of ice cream for dessert, I think we'd spend around $30 plus tax and tip. I'm certain our own cost for a steak dinner at home was under $10, likely closer to $7.

Every last bite was delicious!

What's one of your best homemade meals in recent memory?