Linda's Magic Workshop - Linda Britt Design

Our Farmer’s Market opened Saturday and on a whim I bought a bag of squash blossoms.   I’ve lived in the Southwest for 28 years and have never cooked (or eaten) squash blossoms!   Time to correct that!   Tonight I fixed beef burritos and a salad and realized that I better cook my blossoms.   Of course I went to the internet and googled ‘squash blossom’ and up came pictures of squash blossom necklaces – beautiful ones.   Then I forced myself to find some edible squash blossom recipes.   Most were more involved that I wanted.   Squash blossoms are blossoms from zucchini plants that are colorful and delicate.   I found this recipe in a blog, tried it and wow! These are good!   Sometime I’d like to try batter fried blossoms but not til I lose more weight!   The helpful blog:   http://kitchen-parade-veggieventure.blogspot.com/2006/09/simple-baby-pattypan-squash-with.html   with lots of interesting information.   I emailed Alanna Kellogg St Louis, Missouri for permission for highlight

The rocks captured my imagination on our recent trip to Joshua Tree National Park and I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the pictures.   The scale of rocks -boulders to gravel, the repetition of the rock shapes – rounds after rounds or jags upon jags and the shapes that are made by wind, sand and water fascinate me.   Some of these natural images will influence my future jewelry designs.   Some will bring me peace and joy as I look at them.  

Typical landscape at 2500ft Joshua Tree National Monument We just returned from a trip to San Diego by way of Joshua Tree National Park.   Usually we stay in the lower campgrounds but it was hot and we drove to the campgrounds in the higher elevations.   Not many people were touring the park and a few of the campgrounds were closed.   Thirty miles separate the first and last camping sites; we were very happy when we found the higher campground open!   The rocks between the two areas are strikingly different as the pictures show.   Typical rock formations at higher altitude (approx 4000 ft) On our way out of the park we stopped at Cottonwood Springs.   It is a beautiful area with native Fan-Palms that keep the area cool where birds and bees gather.   There is a sandy wash, interesting desert plants and lots of rock! Fan-Tailed Palms at Cottonwood Spring Thank goodness we noticed another couple driving up as we were leaving because our truck would not start!   This is