Climbing a Mountain

Kellen said to me the other day at lunch "I'd like to go on an adventure! I want to climb a mountain!" Well, its not quite a mountain, but the statement prompted us to go for hike up the hill to the flag. We had so much fun! I like Kellen's adventures!

Garden Update

Well, I didn't update the garden progress like I intended. I actually started ignoring the garden itself - other than quickly grabbing some potatoes, carrots, or cucumbers. So, when the frost warning was issued and I was prompted to have a late night garden hunt with a flashlight, I was pleasantly surprised to rediscover some of my garden.

I had a lot more squash than I thought. I have a rubbermaid tub in the garage and threw a few on my counter. The flying saucer looking ones are pattypan (I think). A new one to me, not an exciting tasting one, so I might have to get creative. I had forgotten about the hot peppers also - fun to see some of them so big. I had almost given up on the kohlrabi, they just weren't doing much at all. But, I did find about 8 good sized ones!This is how I wish my brussel sprouts had looked when I cut down the stalk...

...but mine were signifcantly smaller.However, we still got a big bowl full. And, I have to say they were the best tasting ones I have ever eaten!! I have lots of herbs waiting to be dried. I dried out my lemon balm leaves in the oven overnight, so I am still enjoying tea. I blanched enough swiss chard for at least 8 batches of soup...

so, all in all it was a success, but I still will do some things differently next year!

Lanelle's Green Sweater

I finished knitting my first sweater. Moved beyond hats and leg warmers. I am exceptionally proud and find I have been annoying myself by having to tell everyone I see. And now I have told you!

Recipe: Zucchini Cream Soup

2 c chopped onion
1 T butter or oil

3 c chicken broth
4 c chopped or grated zucchini
1/8 tsp nutmeg
3/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce (sometimes...)
salt and pepper

1/2 cup skim evaporated milk

Saute onion. Add other ingreds except milk. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Blenderize! Stir in milk. Enjoy and love.

Seems like lots of onion, but it doesn't overwhelm. I have used frozen chopped zucchini all winter long for this soup. Simple but perfect. Let me know if you like, Julia!

cozy days.

I'd rather tell myself we are having cozy days instead of rainy days. I asked yesterday at work, "what would go well with hot chocolate and marshmallows for supper?" Well, we had creamy zuchinni soup. But, at the super table I enjoyed when Kellen said, "I think we should have hot chocolate tonight!"

Anyhow, earlier this morning it was looking like another cozy day. But now I see the sun shining and Kellen is asking if we can go to the beach - maybe! We'll have a good one whatever we do - the weekend has begun in our house!

Perfect Weekend.

I woke up this morning with a wonderful feeling about the fullness of life. We had a great weekend. Got a few things done and had a few good adventures. This was the highlight - a hike, brunch, and egg gathering at Kerry Farm with some wonderful people. We enjoyed taking time to smell the flowers, pick some berries, and marvel over a caterpillar. Sue is so knowledge about flowers and plants, it was so fun to pay a little more attention to what's around us.

Kellen and Lanelle were such good hikers, I was really impressed with how well they did and how much they enjoyed it. Kellen wanted to show me how high he could jump - fun action shot, eh?

Taking a closer look!

Taking a snack break at the top of the hill. They were starting to get tired...

Refreshing to cross the creek at the end...

It was hard to get pictures in the dark barn. Lanelle learned to be gentle with the eggs after throwing the first one in the basket.

The kids got to help wash the eggs and candle them to check for cracks. Sadly, I don't have any pictures of the beautiful brunch. Sitting on the patio shaded by the gorgeous old stone house around the beautifully set tables was so fun!

Pretty fun to poach super fresh eggs for breakfast this morning! The kids thought it was pretty cool that they had gathered them and washed them.

Recipe: Lamb on a Stick (or pork or beef)

This is for Crystal (and whoever else is interested).

Next time I make these, I'll take a picture to add here. I picked this recipe to make with lamb that I was promised, but then was given pork instead. It was still delicious, as it also was with beef.

1/4 c chopped fresh mint
1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne powder
1 egg
750 g ground meat
6 skewers

1. Combine above ingredients
2. Divide into approx 6 mounds. Form into a sausage shape along the skewer
3. Grill skewers approximately 8 min.
4. Serve on pitas with tzatziki sauce, chopped onion, tomato, and cucumber.

YUMMY!