Basic Barbecue Sauce ( from Steven Raichlen)

I actually made homemade barbecue sauce for the Grilled Baby Back Ribs that I made over the weekend! I've not tried that before, which is too bad because it is sooo easy and sooo delicious! The only extra advice I can give is to be sure to make it in a deep pot as the sauce is thick and as it simmers it pops out of the pan! This recipe is from Steven Raichlen's book, "How To Grill", and it is tangy, spicy, sweet and delicious! I loved it! However, a couple of family members requested that next time I leave out the Tabasco sauce, so you may want to taste the sauce before you add the Tabasco!
BASIC BARBECUE SAUCE
2 cups ketchup
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 T. molasses
2 T. prepared mustard
1 T. Tabasco sauce-optional  (I don't use the Tabasco anymore when I make this sauce)
1 T. of your favorite barbecue rub (I used this Basic Barbecue Rub)
2 tsp. liquid smoke
1/2 tsp. black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a non reactive sauce pan and bring slowly to a simmer. Reduce heat to slow-simmer for about 20minutes until thick and rich.Transfer to a clean jar and store in the fridge. It's good for several months according to the book. Enjoy!

I'm going to share a few pics from my flower bed a couple of weeks ago when these flowers first burst forth. I am in no way a professional gardener, I just like to grow things and hopefully they will cooperate! The whole flower bed was not that great looking, rather patchy actually, but separately these beauties look great!
This is the second year for these pretty, pink lilies! They should multiply every year and be quite
plentiful in a couple more years. They certainly had lots of blooms. I just wish they would last all summer, but they are perennials, so they only bloom for a time. I also had a pretty pink Astilbe

blooming by the house. It's soft pink fronds are next to some Columbine which had just a few blooms left. I think I must have planted last years Easter Lily too deep, as here it is blooming next to the Shasta Daisies! Very strange indeed, but they were pretty together!

Next week I hope to show you some more and maybe some veggies too. My tomatoes, green beans and peppers are at least still alive! I did pick my first cherry tomatoes this week and they taste so good! How about you, do you plant flowers or vegetables?