Springing forward for gardening

Springtime, sunny days, spring showers. And gardening. I love spring and all the shrubs and flowers that come to life after a winter’s rest.

Last year after “Sandy” visited, my backyard needed some serious renovations.

It all started when I heard a large booming sound, which turned out to be a huge towering tree, no longer towering, but now sticking out of my pool cover, which it pierced. I figured it wouldn’t pay to put a claim in for the insurance since I had a $5,000 deductible. Then I was given a quote to replace my custom pool cover and decided to put in a claim.

What I thought was a damaged pool cover ended up being a whole lot more than I could have imagined.

Now, mind you, although I am insured to the gills for flood, my house was dry as a bone. What I incurred was the wrath of the wind. And, what I learned is that insurance companies are much kinder to wind damaged homes than they are to flooded homes.

I actually felt guilty as, within a week of my claim, they were sending out an agent to survey the damage while people in my neighborhood were not even allowed back into their homes.

The agent asked if he could come out on a Sunday, which was fine with me, although I had to hide my husband Jerry inside. You see, he would play down the damage and we’d get half as much as we were entitled to. I could just hear him telling the agent that the cover wasn’t that new and that we could live without it. He would explain that it wasn’t fair that we were getting reimbursed and moving so quickly to repair while those less fortunate were having such issues. You know who the good one in this marriage is — so Jerry was sequestered inside.

Sunday came and there I was outside with the agent. He surveyed the two trees that fell and allotted money to remove and cart them away. He then noticed one of the lounge chairs cracked when the tree fell and added the cost to replace all eight lounges as they would all have to match and the set was discontinued.

Hmmm, this was pretty easy, I thought, as I eyed the kitchen window and prayed that Jerry would stay put. The agent then looked at the cracked coping around the pool where the tree fell and the bluestone patio as well. A replace and restore fee were added to the list. He said there could be cracks in the gunite pool that would have to be repaired and we could wait until spring, when the pool could be drained to check.

I told the agent I needed to run inside to take care of an emergency. As fast as I could, I ran into the kitchen and banished Jerry to the bedroom. When I returned, the agent asked if everything was ok, I responded with a smile, “I don’t foresee any further problems.” He then said he noticed five shingles missing on my house and allotted money to replace them and then said I would have to re-stain the entire back of the house to match the new cedar shingles, and paint the flashing. At that point I was looking for the hidden cameras or a microphone. I figured I was on candid camera or I was going to be arrested for agreeing to all these repairs.

As he was leaving, he noticed the grape arbor in the corner had been pulled down and damaged the fence, so I was able to replace the fence as well.

When spring came along, my pool, patio and fence were redone. It looked so beautiful we decided it was time to re-landscape.

I love my gardener John, or shall I call him a landscape artist. He drives cars that I can only dream about and goes on more vacations than I can count. I always tease him every time he comes up with a new plan for me. I ask if I should write my check out to a Las Vegas hotel. And when he comes up with a new plan after he gets back from vacation I ask him how much money he lost.

Every time I see him I start the conversation with, “No, we are not planting anything else.”

If G-d forbid Jerry is around when the landscaper is, I’m in trouble. Jerry can be talked into anything. Now mind you, the landscaper and Jerry have nothing in common. Jerry doesn’t drink, gamble, play cards, or go to bars or clubs. Yet, whenever John and Jerry see each other, it’s like long lost friends. I warned John, that no matter what Jerry says, I’m the one who’s going to decide what we do. John always responds. “Nah, we’re not gong to talk business, I just love Jerry and want to talk to him.”

Later that day Jerry will say, “You know, I think we should widen the driveway a little and redo it. The black top is cracking a bit.”

“Really?” I respond. “Do you even know what blacktop is? I told you to stay away from John. Every time you talk to him it costs us money.” Then I realize I’m just as bad at times. I love how the lawn and backyard looks in the spring and summer months. Maybe next year I’ll start a vegetable garden.

Garden Vegetable Quiche

Ingredients

1 (9 inch) unbaked deep dish pie crust (homemade or bought)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup sliced onion

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced

1/2 cup chopped zucchini

1 large tomato, sliced

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons dried basil

3 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese, divided

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion, green bell pepper, mushrooms, and zucchini in hot oil until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove vegetables from skillet and set aside. Sprinkle tomato slices with flour and basil; cook in the skillet for 1 minute per side. Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Spread 1 cup mozzarella/ cheddar cheese in the bottom of the pie crust. Layer vegetable mixture over the cheese and top with the tomatoes. Pour egg mixture into pie shell. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese atop the quiche. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let stand 4-6 minutes before serving.

judy.soiree@gmail.com