tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63817358018181302462024-03-04T23:20:02.796-08:00a.growing.girlthis is the garden: colours come and go (e.e. cummings)carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.comBlogger450125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-42858735095927709262011-09-01T10:05:00.000-07:002011-09-01T10:05:27.647-07:00making do makes awesomei love cooking. and i love trying new things. but i hate making umpteen trips to the store—and try as i might, i never seem to be able to get it all in one fail swoop. <br />
<br />
so what happens? this leads to:<br />
a lot of riffing on recipes. <br />
and a lot of trips to the store.<br />
a lot of ingredient-specific schemes.<br />
<br />
sunday night, was an extremely rare occasion where i cooked an entire amazing meal without having to leave my house for a single ingredient. three cheers!<br />
<br />
what did i concoct? <br />
<ul><li>using two frightingly large zuchinni's that i let get away from me, and some whithering green onions, i whipped these <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/08/zucchini-fritters/">zuchinni fritters</a> out. </li>
<li><a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/08/tomato-salad-with-crushed-croutons/">tomato salad</a>: finally hot enough, we are awash in tomatoes and a smattering of basil. basil, tomatoes, stale bread? check!</li>
<li>two weeks ago at the market i bought green beans. last week, potatoes. scrounge up the last of my garden arugula and plain yogurt, and <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/arugula-potato-and-green-bean-salad/">the green bean potato salad</a> was in business.</li>
<li>thank goodness for some awesome cut-and-come-again kale, and having my own chickens: <a href="http://mixedgreensblog.com/2011/08/07/seasons-eatings/basic-recipes-on-the-local-table/go-raw-eat-slaw/">this kale slaw</a> was awesome. [i forewent the anchovies, for the sake of convenience and my vegetarian friends.]</li>
<li>and then, meatloaf. this is <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/03/earlyshow/living/recipes/main4771636_page2.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody">the best recipe i've ever used meatloaf</a>.</li>
</ul>carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-44745008015172890132011-06-29T10:33:00.000-07:002011-06-29T10:33:56.271-07:00Summer Days<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiis83WQ98SON7AiLeMvgfJ0leaG3ShXKyOybXH8V1J_F6TMy7IqcPa1s2lgnliayTg9bq1JhYUp41YBiZKzCWBb9pkZAt7rXY5zi_TuE-couT9d_CPmQTyRvc0K0uw7TgWgOXw3iB1ndU/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiis83WQ98SON7AiLeMvgfJ0leaG3ShXKyOybXH8V1J_F6TMy7IqcPa1s2lgnliayTg9bq1JhYUp41YBiZKzCWBb9pkZAt7rXY5zi_TuE-couT9d_CPmQTyRvc0K0uw7TgWgOXw3iB1ndU/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chamomile suntea, try it and love it<br />
(.23 c. chamomile blossoms + 4 c. water + sunshine)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylSv0xzXHoPBU7ymjAhus4F934dHUeu5-DW1SMSY7qO2DX-hiWK0lvFadGqWEz5a9zHmEdUBXmyMkipztFQ6kVtQIYi5uUK7_D8SIjHOcuqXKXNIGoM9IrieZ2antmZM9Sv4kGvmwLlw/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylSv0xzXHoPBU7ymjAhus4F934dHUeu5-DW1SMSY7qO2DX-hiWK0lvFadGqWEz5a9zHmEdUBXmyMkipztFQ6kVtQIYi5uUK7_D8SIjHOcuqXKXNIGoM9IrieZ2antmZM9Sv4kGvmwLlw/s400/photo+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunny afternoons outdoors on a beat up porch<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-40049281146804499402011-06-16T09:11:00.000-07:002011-06-16T09:11:00.226-07:00arugula pestothings warmed up and i slowed down.<br />
i.e.—the front yard isn't where it needs to be ("needs" as in, ready for me to plant peppers there).<br />
<br />
so, in a panic of where i would be planting all my pepper seedlings, i decided to harvest my swath of first-crop arugula. and what do you do with that much arugula? make pesto.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzIQjynYBkzI9H-ZZ3_S0WFopgWFZIlUuYPUYmBmaMfnjSBzNiaZ9spc4kv125mhlI6WwqTOusCfYwKKGYAUFBhqAj8II41RARHV77Pe9jC2m7eKxDvq48P4oXFYxmNhv_e7rJgvLCRw/s1600/P1040872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzIQjynYBkzI9H-ZZ3_S0WFopgWFZIlUuYPUYmBmaMfnjSBzNiaZ9spc4kv125mhlI6WwqTOusCfYwKKGYAUFBhqAj8II41RARHV77Pe9jC2m7eKxDvq48P4oXFYxmNhv_e7rJgvLCRw/s400/P1040872.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltRDrC87IxaDkFDEha-beJCtkF1vTljLZ5oDVdO6f3HV_9alzy1CAum97HyWNdDpxFWFl3Er3wpMonc-zeSS3B4G88-tvhS6WLeUYYIrfTHBcmCqXWSkFWlR7mIKwqbla5fDL4X4CJ7U/s1600/P1040873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltRDrC87IxaDkFDEha-beJCtkF1vTljLZ5oDVdO6f3HV_9alzy1CAum97HyWNdDpxFWFl3Er3wpMonc-zeSS3B4G88-tvhS6WLeUYYIrfTHBcmCqXWSkFWlR7mIKwqbla5fDL4X4CJ7U/s400/P1040873.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i washed it all in my handy roasting pan, arugula has the tendency to be gritty-dirty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and then i threw it in my food processor with some cloves of garlic, olive oil and some toasted pumpkin seeds. i love it. it's shockingly green and nice and spicy. i've been using it to dress up grain salads but have some plans for pasta with arugula pesto and maybe a spinach-arugula pesto lasagna.</div>carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-76490809723207273142011-06-13T22:14:00.000-07:002011-06-13T22:14:45.018-07:00rhubarb every wayi spent the evening working my way through ten pounds of rhubarb.<br />
<br />
i had put it out there that i was looking for some and was fortunate enough to find someone with an enormous plant and absolutely no fondness for rhubarb at all. i probably picked up 20 lbs of it. <b>for free.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINLlfSj7oJN64AUaN2YO3mB3XsN3aosVuuqCd8Z1dFltS-n51NG7o7M62zk45lvGj2253az_XYhU-nDZrlNgCPpfpPpPAR3JZmIdj0Obh47R46xXupVxNq283yXdK-LqNIZlj8x84ZIE/s1600/IMG_1299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINLlfSj7oJN64AUaN2YO3mB3XsN3aosVuuqCd8Z1dFltS-n51NG7o7M62zk45lvGj2253az_XYhU-nDZrlNgCPpfpPpPAR3JZmIdj0Obh47R46xXupVxNq283yXdK-LqNIZlj8x84ZIE/s400/IMG_1299.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
tonight i worked my way through savory picked rhubarb and <a href="http://jessthomson.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/caramelized-rhubarb-jam/">carmelized rhubarb jam</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeJSf1v74kGHnAj9JbSKlt4hJ_z2FWX16x6TJQ_876Xb1RAMy7YdXGV9knxDGAYafWb_wfo89GkWvt3HkSiWUu8Xi4OxmI7UT1mOCJBVtML2pIWXkp4B_15wmB1hybcIaofrHsy91qDI/s1600/IMG_1310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeJSf1v74kGHnAj9JbSKlt4hJ_z2FWX16x6TJQ_876Xb1RAMy7YdXGV9knxDGAYafWb_wfo89GkWvt3HkSiWUu8Xi4OxmI7UT1mOCJBVtML2pIWXkp4B_15wmB1hybcIaofrHsy91qDI/s400/IMG_1310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
i also prepped four pounds to make a rhubarb jam recipe from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Chair-Jam-Cookbook/dp/0740791435/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308027352&sr=8-1">Blue Chair Jam Cookbook</a> and started a jar of rhubarb infused vodka.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yoB_q5bCwnskoFSwzkaRWKXeTVHKRd0vnw3z5ioKheHfY6z8GRGBT4UiHB-RuZqpVKFx6x_Qwgw1KmmOA0IAZxcZmlr1_a5sKh-yXVPpSVc7bvsNDCR69nzifUkWUR4qDLV1b1-k84g/s1600/IMG_1312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yoB_q5bCwnskoFSwzkaRWKXeTVHKRd0vnw3z5ioKheHfY6z8GRGBT4UiHB-RuZqpVKFx6x_Qwgw1KmmOA0IAZxcZmlr1_a5sKh-yXVPpSVc7bvsNDCR69nzifUkWUR4qDLV1b1-k84g/s400/IMG_1312.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ten pounds to go. any suggestions? i was contemplating a fruit butter or perhaps some sweet-pickled rhubarb. or both. and then some. rhubarb jelly? rubeena? so many possibilities!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">this week is for rhubarb alone (and then i'll do a batch of strawberry rhubarb undoubtedly.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i'll play catch up soon and get some recipes posted. until then, this putterress is exhausted.</div>carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-27732791808370447552011-06-12T08:07:00.000-07:002011-06-12T08:07:00.540-07:00happy bunnies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlmXLAU1XrshiWuQ9CiEMJXhGD4st7cnF8HaZyqFc3R8MADB6EAr4hvwaV_-O_j_FyOPGou234gX5xT90D2OG-jQdfKKe0W-ddSZhsYMljVzOOXBPiCsS7TXIelfybRkUMc6fnwOzMPw/s1600/IMG_1209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlmXLAU1XrshiWuQ9CiEMJXhGD4st7cnF8HaZyqFc3R8MADB6EAr4hvwaV_-O_j_FyOPGou234gX5xT90D2OG-jQdfKKe0W-ddSZhsYMljVzOOXBPiCsS7TXIelfybRkUMc6fnwOzMPw/s400/IMG_1209.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhwBL0ZwWXoMjKIF5FOvqImUWBocnIw45fOUzoxov_3U8XCxzS6icL9kI4wpQCKuV_O5XyYc0WM2eyJlyUAaI6iJ6Ts3ZL2tOC8b0JPukdoxyZwcFNnWXSVpyV5CCVRlBLyzqsEzDug0/s1600/IMG_1211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhwBL0ZwWXoMjKIF5FOvqImUWBocnIw45fOUzoxov_3U8XCxzS6icL9kI4wpQCKuV_O5XyYc0WM2eyJlyUAaI6iJ6Ts3ZL2tOC8b0JPukdoxyZwcFNnWXSVpyV5CCVRlBLyzqsEzDug0/s400/IMG_1211.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the bunnies seem to like their new digs. tucked under the maple tree in back, they seem to have the right mix of sunshine, shade and privacy. i've been throwing weeds and bolted salad greens in for them to snack on. happy bunnies, happy neighbors, happy garden.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-12099163989844599332011-06-11T09:06:00.000-07:002011-06-11T09:07:34.516-07:00pickled asparagusi love pickling. compared to making jam, it's a breeze. i can do it with only a few hours on hand and since you pack each jar separately, i can make as much or as little as i have supplies for.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOL6w1Kj9MgBGrVk5XWr72l9oHvJaZfaqhyDdzZU0WgZi-iAVwvjMkl_Fk1Wo9-6Sh8vJP2RnF8gNdLLcgMZ2hJzfUX96VV494KF5LJ1ZO1gxD89s6aaqnwW0SutgY_uFdQr_dVHjKMhs/s1600/IMG_1182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOL6w1Kj9MgBGrVk5XWr72l9oHvJaZfaqhyDdzZU0WgZi-iAVwvjMkl_Fk1Wo9-6Sh8vJP2RnF8gNdLLcgMZ2hJzfUX96VV494KF5LJ1ZO1gxD89s6aaqnwW0SutgY_uFdQr_dVHjKMhs/s400/IMG_1182.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(i didn't chop the asparagus for pickling)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>spring's first foray into canning was pickling asparagus: cheap, in season and impressive looking.<br />
<br />
i've found that the large roasting pan that i have is perfect for washing large amounts of things. i used it for my first arugula harvest and its come in handy for the asparagus as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzIQjynYBkzI9H-ZZ3_S0WFopgWFZIlUuYPUYmBmaMfnjSBzNiaZ9spc4kv125mhlI6WwqTOusCfYwKKGYAUFBhqAj8II41RARHV77Pe9jC2m7eKxDvq48P4oXFYxmNhv_e7rJgvLCRw/s1600/P1040872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzIQjynYBkzI9H-ZZ3_S0WFopgWFZIlUuYPUYmBmaMfnjSBzNiaZ9spc4kv125mhlI6WwqTOusCfYwKKGYAUFBhqAj8II41RARHV77Pe9jC2m7eKxDvq48P4oXFYxmNhv_e7rJgvLCRw/s400/P1040872.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>over two weekends i did two batches of asparagus. i'll do one smaller batch this weekend.<br />
for all of them, i used a simple brine: water, white vinegar and salt in a 1/1/1 ratio.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbvPG7FgOG5H6Y5fGKMekPJaAryBsoaN5EfXsOGqYs8AG8RzH5L4O2GfNcSZJLw5QmguwZJQGP79m9U7j1TzHoDaa5kXRrV89VZLmgTaQRjK8lqvm-nXCaSS2WRVFweOWc6EGt8wpjEo/s1600/P1040877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbvPG7FgOG5H6Y5fGKMekPJaAryBsoaN5EfXsOGqYs8AG8RzH5L4O2GfNcSZJLw5QmguwZJQGP79m9U7j1TzHoDaa5kXRrV89VZLmgTaQRjK8lqvm-nXCaSS2WRVFweOWc6EGt8wpjEo/s400/P1040877.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finished product!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><ul><li>3 cups of water</li>
<li>3 cups of vinegar</li>
<li>3 tablespoons of canning salt</li>
</ul><br />
for the first batch, i used in each jar:<br />
<ul><li>1 teaspoon coriander</li>
<li>1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds</li>
<li>1 clove of garlic </li>
<li>1 dried chili pepper</li>
</ul><div>for the second batch:</div><div><ul><li>1/2 teaspoon pink peppercorns</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon dill seeds</li>
<li>1 clove of garlic</li>
<li>1 dried chili pepper</li>
</ul></div><div>all in all it was pretty simple.</div><div><ol><li>blanch and ice-water bath asparagus, that has been trimmed to fit the jars. (I used the tall 12 oz. ones.)</li>
<li>bring bring to a simmer.</li>
<li>pack jars with herbs and then asparagus, tightly.</li>
<li>pour hot brine to 1/2" mark.</li>
<li>cap and place in hot water bath.</li>
<li>process for 10 minutes at a boil.</li>
<li>remove and place on counter to cool.</li>
</ol><div></div></div>carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-59450534157322470992011-05-29T09:25:00.000-07:002011-05-29T09:25:55.851-07:00chicken dramalast week—after a long, long day—at three in the morning, rupert began growling and shaking in my bed. in my daze i patted him and told him to go back to sleep. moments later, the puppy starts barking.<br />
<br />
then i became vaguely aware of the horrified chicken screams outside.<br />
<br />
<b>and out i go</b>! rupert and i to save the day!<br />
except for one small chicken.<br />
<br />
so we lost a chicken.<br />
i am thinking to a raccoon. whatever it was was tree-able. the other chickens were scattered and hiding in their yard. i spent an hour rounding them up, finding a light, and generally battening down the hatches.<br />
<br />
rupert was impressively helpful. he never harms the chickens, he helps round them up and was very <b>very</b> concerned about the backyard intruder. a good dog is a real treat some days.carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-32401283213608589582011-05-21T06:54:00.000-07:002011-05-21T06:54:42.674-07:00its been a good spring.i am a little late in planting but the slow cold start to things makes me less guilty. if i have the energy, i'll get the tomatoes and melons, corn, beans and squash in tomorrow.<br />
<br />
the fava beans are blooming, i don't think i have the space to keep them until they fruit out sadly. but it definitely makes me want to plant them this winter. my raspberries are looking awesome.<br />
<br />
this is the first year the chickens and bunnies have been successfully contained. which has to mean good things. i'm getting ready to lock the girls up so that i can try to grow them some 'pasture'.carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-38340507226864356742011-05-10T22:15:00.000-07:002011-05-10T22:15:55.831-07:00i seem to be nothing but platitudeswhile the progress on my front yard hasn't been what i had hoped for, in my avoidance of that dastardly task i have accomplished a great many other things.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>needing to test my tiller skills, i tilled the side garden by the patio. while it was all fresh and new, i decided to plant an herb garden. sage, rosemary, thyme, dill, and some chives dug up from another part of the yard. sprinkled some red california poppies—if it all comes up it will be ah-mazing.</li>
<li>today i tilled in the middle front vegetable bed and planted the entire thing: sunflowers, (tendersweet, purple haze) carrots, chinese cabbage, (cylindrica, golden) beets, italian lettuce and fennel. i hope the weather rewards me.</li>
</ul><div>other wonderful news in the gardensphere</div><ul><li>the tomatoes and peppers have been successfully hardened off and i think i will plant them this weekend. the favas have done nearly nothing and i expect that they won't—so i think i will just till them in.</li>
<li>the arugula, radishes and mizuna are making some headway. (it only got warm just this weekend.)</li>
<li>the front window box is looking nice, ants killed my chinese cabbage and broccoli but the salad greens, purple cabbage and (california?) poppy seeds are all coming up lovely.</li>
<li>the melons, zukes, cukes and squash are all started. zinnias too!</li>
</ul>will i successfully grow peas this year? (pretty iffy).<br />
<br />
<b>very very very <i>excited<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> for this season. this is going to be a good one.</span></i></b>carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-90004339247806152322011-04-19T15:27:00.000-07:002011-04-19T15:27:50.726-07:00they're aliveyesteday i spent some time puttering with the plants. i'm not sure if it was smart or just neurotic—but i moved the seedlings around by size, which allowed me to put the lid back on one of the trays to help nurture the little guys some more. <br />
<br />
it also provided an opportunity to take stock of what was doing well and what wasn't. to my pleasure, the tomatoes are all looking good. if i keep on top of it, this could be my first year to grow tomatoes from seed. (last year i massacred all of my little friends through neglect.)<br />
<br />
the peppers were also looking good, and the rosa bianca eggplant. a handful of things died and did not come back, so in the restructuring i did a quick replant in hopes of more peppers and more herbs. for good measure, i planted another tray heavily with thyme, cabbage and lettuce.<br />
<br />
so i have three trays going and in a few weeks i'll start my cucumbers, melons and zuchinni. this april has been unseasonably cold and with the rate that squash and melons grow, i think it would be tempting fate to try and plant them now. <i>soon, soon</i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcMV3RjJ3s7gEYtt_rKbxYBl1EsBXqf8_mQXBS6aVfQD8BFsCmCS8t2it7QZfU0U6ZlwUA0OE_uWByfH9QU0YkMPJ81Od3uWwR3hdgJDsBIJ0q9JcDhqLFv82wENSRcGJSk6NGLnjlBE/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcMV3RjJ3s7gEYtt_rKbxYBl1EsBXqf8_mQXBS6aVfQD8BFsCmCS8t2it7QZfU0U6ZlwUA0OE_uWByfH9QU0YkMPJ81Od3uWwR3hdgJDsBIJ0q9JcDhqLFv82wENSRcGJSk6NGLnjlBE/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-89459190843467541082011-04-18T19:49:00.000-07:002011-04-18T19:49:35.064-07:00spring flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGL4v2wDbvMFCphNkCEWIDn8aNU1UJjmNvyHyp_sUZz84yOa2qqfaEjzsY8TuLtncOE1QIx4X8yIHwnsHyg0S1nDTbbjOEP9RLi7v-TJXzHJ0cjf4IgojCkUgJXEampum-rYeoECtHNfI/s1600/IMG_1013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGL4v2wDbvMFCphNkCEWIDn8aNU1UJjmNvyHyp_sUZz84yOa2qqfaEjzsY8TuLtncOE1QIx4X8yIHwnsHyg0S1nDTbbjOEP9RLi7v-TJXzHJ0cjf4IgojCkUgJXEampum-rYeoECtHNfI/s400/IMG_1013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">bought spring flowers for the house today. tulips and daffodils. simple, colorful. so cheery.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYQTS4ON-emiYd1UpU2KXNoQ1ywWTiDrxKNs6Zud5aNONRwyGFFXD4Kf9lRRgkGUUPDlvd_wTGa9phzHN5bC0NU-GM5amdsbVIrq_nDy28ZggQ0YcmSXZxYeO1ME6BFn9Kaw39x8vEPY/s1600/IMG_1017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYQTS4ON-emiYd1UpU2KXNoQ1ywWTiDrxKNs6Zud5aNONRwyGFFXD4Kf9lRRgkGUUPDlvd_wTGa9phzHN5bC0NU-GM5amdsbVIrq_nDy28ZggQ0YcmSXZxYeO1ME6BFn9Kaw39x8vEPY/s400/IMG_1017.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-81107225382136546092011-04-15T09:13:00.000-07:002011-04-18T19:50:45.714-07:00spring has sprung, in my basement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjS-ZkkmQxuPxqs_4jqjG7BdCk1_in9ggAv4ArErpYQS6_NdGfVSWmM7oa1KgTY61AjwUywkNVPs8Xc5rXQKCGCQWRmRyGayqVr0VQRPxqeRdrAsLhqfHH_3Hu4_xoVN_MHA8Ql3UjMpY/s1600/IMG_0963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjS-ZkkmQxuPxqs_4jqjG7BdCk1_in9ggAv4ArErpYQS6_NdGfVSWmM7oa1KgTY61AjwUywkNVPs8Xc5rXQKCGCQWRmRyGayqVr0VQRPxqeRdrAsLhqfHH_3Hu4_xoVN_MHA8Ql3UjMpY/s400/IMG_0963.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
despite my best attempts to neglect them, the seedlings are surviving.<br />
<br />
after killing all my peppers, its now part of my morning routine to go downstairs and water everything. this weekend i will likely plant another round of things and move some things around—its difficult to maintain trays half tall and green, half newly planted.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKO19FAWujxAfUKTsirJp5iTwmEEtduUE6-QYTSEusPbEgiAf0Wv_mV0MUwNBNDNSqBKWn4o5xqOMcgy3uzJoMtk9o0NVDadIYCLePlr97422sstEFZfjNyTeR7iV0L6EsX1khbaevSU/s1600/IMG_0964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKO19FAWujxAfUKTsirJp5iTwmEEtduUE6-QYTSEusPbEgiAf0Wv_mV0MUwNBNDNSqBKWn4o5xqOMcgy3uzJoMtk9o0NVDadIYCLePlr97422sstEFZfjNyTeR7iV0L6EsX1khbaevSU/s400/IMG_0964.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
those especially impressive sprouts at the bottom are four o'clocks and down the way are several starts of bunny tails grass. here's hoping for an especially productive project weekend coming up.carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-14117050425361026672011-04-14T10:13:00.000-07:002011-04-14T10:13:17.130-07:00chickies, becoming little women<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgoyX4gZ_UxaLI0PI0MCd_kD0055icGzgJZX6FOP_rLiLGyBde9h1GB9zBEEvDVzxUQQZ4yze69brCrlBWnSXun0iJPsXekMOz1x1by8Qm72QZ0OO7GWt66Nl5BE05UFfBIBIfhoJ_3Q/s1600/Photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgoyX4gZ_UxaLI0PI0MCd_kD0055icGzgJZX6FOP_rLiLGyBde9h1GB9zBEEvDVzxUQQZ4yze69brCrlBWnSXun0iJPsXekMOz1x1by8Qm72QZ0OO7GWt66Nl5BE05UFfBIBIfhoJ_3Q/s400/Photo1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
they have cute little chicken-like tails and are developing nice coloring.<br />
i initially named them mitzi, bunny, muffin and lala. but maybe i should take a louise may alcott route?carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-57330254646891194342011-03-28T07:44:00.000-07:002011-03-28T07:44:05.289-07:00spring chicksbought four chicks this year: two golden sex links, one black sex link and a new hampshire red. these days i just went for female, available and steady layers. i'll be rehoming some of the older hens soon.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lSbLgh37e9gNmTdMWPW2JgQEZuCY-_ctaD8OMEbEiOqS1Bi4oiaB4YqUDUcCGJtS62WRF-GrbIgFirsHzlAjDiVQg29AqRl4tCiNsgBSzocYR9mptXVmb7RAZTwGVtQ8SrWtpD5SSGM/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lSbLgh37e9gNmTdMWPW2JgQEZuCY-_ctaD8OMEbEiOqS1Bi4oiaB4YqUDUcCGJtS62WRF-GrbIgFirsHzlAjDiVQg29AqRl4tCiNsgBSzocYR9mptXVmb7RAZTwGVtQ8SrWtpD5SSGM/s400/IMG_0672.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
they are now living in the rabbit hutch, you can see them leaping and poking about from the kitchen window. it's nice to have chicks that aren't in the house, stinking up the place.carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-49166322842784930932011-03-27T09:18:00.000-07:002011-03-27T09:18:06.283-07:00this is the yeari've had a red-letter weekend of productivity sprung from aimlessness. who knew?<br />
<br />
friday i put together another tray of seedling cups and filled them with flowers and herbs. i won't start another tray until it is time to kick off the squash, melons and cucumbers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp7oTnI1d-O6Yw9hebspkirEnt4aQFuSZoiG0f1NjuRJ5B-8lpdrkktRJAehoaG_MzhKIpN5LePrnfUxNRBQhyiASPE2tygOewsLoVSVEfN0HAfwCcx76t5X97aREMbtEZai_zikTPLU/s1600/IMG_0843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp7oTnI1d-O6Yw9hebspkirEnt4aQFuSZoiG0f1NjuRJ5B-8lpdrkktRJAehoaG_MzhKIpN5LePrnfUxNRBQhyiASPE2tygOewsLoVSVEfN0HAfwCcx76t5X97aREMbtEZai_zikTPLU/s400/IMG_0843.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
i'm hardening off (if not abandoning) the cabbage—i'd like to plant it in the front yard and my plans for that just aren't quite yet together. but it is still alive and it's the melissa cabbage, which i have had a crush on for some time. so i would like to follow through on it and my few onion sprouts. <i>think positively</i>.<br />
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saturday i threw down a row of arugula and another of mizuna, with a handful of red candle radishes in between. no sooner had i raked it over then we were gifted some luscious rain from the sky. my timing has been spectacular this season so far and i have to admit i've been feeling very fortunate.<br />
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i think this could be a red-letter year, if i just don't get carried away.carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-66383399178880307212011-03-23T18:17:00.000-07:002011-03-23T18:17:39.486-07:00a new spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDT5fnSCkR2YCV8XpbF55Eb1xLqFc1MmVXnF2lc34PtBfkllzbd-t5odoQLa92hdQnWOeho29lVRNwKEtblkNtvRr8EbhyphenhyphenHWTj9-1nAGRkUN7kNNOCkYVxP5B1AT-PpjYMRmS0rHbfL8/s1600/P1040770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDT5fnSCkR2YCV8XpbF55Eb1xLqFc1MmVXnF2lc34PtBfkllzbd-t5odoQLa92hdQnWOeho29lVRNwKEtblkNtvRr8EbhyphenhyphenHWTj9-1nAGRkUN7kNNOCkYVxP5B1AT-PpjYMRmS0rHbfL8/s400/P1040770.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4uU6HqSVY8zt2SjrpkMXhSgAkp4ogbYyvtzJ0rsXHU1E-wIcLNaVJ579jPiZI_g9qJj9r10c0FP7BNKXPe1ho-d2-J5yaIeEJVso3StTdu-G5evRTDI_TYomKdBNxRfbinLu4dimK3A/s1600/P1040771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4uU6HqSVY8zt2SjrpkMXhSgAkp4ogbYyvtzJ0rsXHU1E-wIcLNaVJ579jPiZI_g9qJj9r10c0FP7BNKXPe1ho-d2-J5yaIeEJVso3StTdu-G5evRTDI_TYomKdBNxRfbinLu4dimK3A/s400/P1040771.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvJhuMw-o9zlFGbtD2pYYeHcRiXS0vVktGL7E3keBho0aECAJP9jL56znrSDSJ6q4MJ4n0UAjNr0cRZyOl-hz3J2zV8dk-CAG-6-jIZlm3B-8FN_YjZ7AlvmkSDXc98D6hYCTbu0Lz_8/s1600/P1040776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvJhuMw-o9zlFGbtD2pYYeHcRiXS0vVktGL7E3keBho0aECAJP9jL56znrSDSJ6q4MJ4n0UAjNr0cRZyOl-hz3J2zV8dk-CAG-6-jIZlm3B-8FN_YjZ7AlvmkSDXc98D6hYCTbu0Lz_8/s400/P1040776.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">today i planted my tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and some herbs. mingus helped.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">trying to plant and tend more thoughtfully, carefully—successfully. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">using a potmaker given to me by a friend. i was intimidated by it, but its easy. i think i'll sit down tonight and build another tray out so that i can start more herbs and some flowers. contemplating peas.</div>carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-74281128622105587722011-02-24T10:01:00.001-08:002011-02-24T10:01:35.764-08:00queen putteressi wish i could explain the pull kitchen projects have for me.<br />
(i wish i could follow through on ingesting all that i make!)<br />
<br />
since the beginning of the year i have already made: preserved lemons, limoncello, grenadine, apple vodka, vanilla extract, blood orange vodka, bacon vodka, lentil sprouts, yogurt and kombucha.<br />
<br />
in this last week i've had the urge to make ginger lime pickles, blood orange marmalade, <i>more</i> preserved lemons, mustard and homemade deodorant.<br />
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i'm such a nut.<br />
oh, that reminds me. i also want to make "larabars"...with nuts.<br />
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i wonder which three projects i'll tackle this weekend.carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-72437237719506886362011-02-16T09:12:00.000-08:002011-02-16T09:12:12.156-08:00small updates from a small suburban farmstead<ul><li><b>saturday:</b> started my first batch of seeds: onions and brassicas, and a little spinach for good measure.<b> </b></li>
<li><b>sunday:</b> the chicken passed away, i was content in knowing i did what i could and she was warm and calm. i am contemplating new chickens this summer, but a little tired of the additional work.</li>
</ul>carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-90627053178089881442011-02-11T09:11:00.000-08:002011-02-11T09:11:36.237-08:00sick chickenwell, she lived through the night...<br />
not sure what that means.<br />
<br />
one of the buffs appears to have egg yolk peritonitis. (how do i know? <i>first hand.</i>)<br />
i noticed it after coming home from vacation. so i soaked her in a warm bath, cleaned her, oiled her up and snuggled her into a towel under a heat lamp.<br />
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i have been giving her a watery cornmeal mash with lots of garlic in it.<br />
<br />
last night i thought i might wake to a dead chicken.<br />
but this morning she was looking a little better. so we shall see.<br />
<br />
don't really know what kind of outcome to expect. at least she is warm and calm.carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-13626088710942703682011-01-18T21:40:00.000-08:002011-01-18T21:40:20.779-08:00Dark Days #5: Blueberry breadlast night i whipped up some blueberry bread mini-loaves.<br />
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i used bob's red mill flour, homemade yogurt and butter, and blueberries that i picked this summer with friends. beyond the soda, salt and sugar, it was all local.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFECPcUvaf2sC5akH0mrhNxl0arwfVr5JHKbBq1O0lemJvuxa99ZOyIb1QXDB6-eNgNK5h04CMY_rmm3EJ71Wdy9uhZAO_q5kMTpchXdg82idYAjghrT0nT8i1HNQL38li_Bgri5sp_8/s1600/IMG_0359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFECPcUvaf2sC5akH0mrhNxl0arwfVr5JHKbBq1O0lemJvuxa99ZOyIb1QXDB6-eNgNK5h04CMY_rmm3EJ71Wdy9uhZAO_q5kMTpchXdg82idYAjghrT0nT8i1HNQL38li_Bgri5sp_8/s400/IMG_0359.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
in these dreary winter months, a friend at work and i decided to swap lunch/breakfast duties. one of us makes up some lunch food and the other breakfast, enough for us to enjoy it a couple or three times that week. i am liking the idea so far.<br />
<br />
this week tigress in a pickle mentioned dark days and how a lot of pantry eating comes of it. and that might just be one of the things i love about it, the reminder to eat all the delicious things i have been stockpiling like a little squirrel. you look the challenge in the eye and then your mind starts to poke around your shelves until you suddenly have something amazing to eat—that didn't require a trip to the store.carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-41308402617461246632011-01-12T09:18:00.000-08:002011-01-12T09:18:02.744-08:00Dark Days #4: Baked eggs and polentai love simple, delicious, dishes.<br />
<br />
monday night i made up some polenta in the oven. 1 c. polenta (Bob's Red Mill, sourced from Pendleton), 1 qt. water and a dash of salt in a casserole pan and baked it for an hour at 350. after an hour, i stirred in a tablespoon of <i>homemade</i> butter and cooked a little longer. (i pulled the idea from <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/health/nutrition/08recipehealth.html">this nytimes article</a>.)<br />
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voila! polenta.<br />
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tonight i dressed it up a little for the full meal effect.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaQn70qGRg3NG_dFxwlxsKM09CN3WgBMusVosOhAAtiS_Op_tMmYotqAPbJ1S-DsGEZNGVESmaT3OO4A5lvHOrEm2IYfrUybb0xxnCWg1pjv_xr6_gPFedlcofK6gp7SYirNRtYa6AYs/s1600/P1040201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaQn70qGRg3NG_dFxwlxsKM09CN3WgBMusVosOhAAtiS_Op_tMmYotqAPbJ1S-DsGEZNGVESmaT3OO4A5lvHOrEm2IYfrUybb0xxnCWg1pjv_xr6_gPFedlcofK6gp7SYirNRtYa6AYs/s400/P1040201.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
a scoop of polenta, a dollop of (homemade) tomato jam and carmelized onion jam each—and topped with a backyard fresh egg. 20 minutes in a 400 degree oven and <b>></b>boom<b><</b> dinner.<br />
<br />
the tomato jam added that extra note that kept this from feeling dull and the onion jam added a nice richness. bacon would be a good addition, as would cheese. but i didn't have local options on hand and i have to say this was quite tasty as it was.carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-56595585949723773082011-01-04T15:39:00.000-08:002011-01-05T14:19:10.087-08:00forward and backi am a few days into january and i haven't done a lick of what i said i will do. but i am not letting that drag me down, its been a crazy couple of weeks: people moving in and out, and just some good old time off for play.<br />
<br />
now we are settling in with new housemates, new chaos, new spaces.<br />
(the seed catalogs are arriving but i am just not ready yet to attack <b>the garden</b>.)<br />
<br />
there is a lot of <b>work</b> to be done.<br />
but that aside i have some upcoming <b>goals</b>.<br />
<ul><li>vanilla extract</li>
<li>infused vodka</li>
<li>bacon bourbon</li>
<li>preserved lemons</li>
<li>kimchee (started it last night!)</li>
<li>spiced beer jelly</li>
<li>infused vinegar</li>
</ul><ul><li>learn to knit</li>
<li><a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/10/diy-project-renskes-minimalist-tote-bag.html">these handbags</a></li>
<li>recipe box adapted from <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/12/diy-project-vintage-postcard-calendar-journal.html">this idea</a></li>
<li>more napkins</li>
</ul>i am excited about these and i know they are within my abilities.<br />
<br />
in november i slowly started building a momentum that is carrying me into the new year. first week of january i am happy to be able to look back and see my list full of crossed off items: my first napkin project completed, yogurt successfully made, a homemade christmas, a full larder and a lot of yoga behind me.<br />
<br />
here's to the first season of 2011.carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-16289635733501789592011-01-04T13:02:00.000-08:002011-01-04T13:02:04.951-08:00Dark Days #3: Unexpectedly localaround eleven today i thought <i>i would like to eat something amazing today.</i><br />
it is a thought i often have when i am bored or restless at work, and hungry.<br />
<i> </i><br />
no less than ninety minutes later, here i am lunching on four-cheese ravioli made by our local italian delicatessan doused in a pea-shoot pesto my roommate created using organic microgreens a good friend grew. to round it out i made up a little sunflower and pea shoot salad and am taking the last sips of a bottle of Cougar Crest Anniversary Cuvee.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NGTTC5m86ELQihyphenhyphengLAjeJD2EAstwXAkFHVEMGdePVbdBb7o-lEyRfwsOX7xWzckrT389pbq2dgoNVgSrnLfjPvyIxGLpqSAWDeJVA3huKQL11r9_MmGHhtDhzusbVswtI1bgcgCkBE4/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NGTTC5m86ELQihyphenhyphengLAjeJD2EAstwXAkFHVEMGdePVbdBb7o-lEyRfwsOX7xWzckrT389pbq2dgoNVgSrnLfjPvyIxGLpqSAWDeJVA3huKQL11r9_MmGHhtDhzusbVswtI1bgcgCkBE4/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>it is indeed pretty amazing. <br />
bonus? this may be the most green i've eaten in weeks. a happy girl indeed.carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-82956160531883653522010-12-22T23:30:00.000-08:002010-12-22T23:32:11.292-08:00present packagingthis is the second year i've done a homemade christmas.<br />
this year i decided to use magazine clippings as jar toppers.<br />
(and in some instances fabric scraps from my napkin endeavor.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHW2Ywf87Qjcjf5LKp7ZfhcZTJi-nYxyymZJ_iTAarlFD5dJ48SaRSaPmlwijnUK0YSWQS8SZ23wthj4JtTXGNWqw_c66N4Y5SYDHzUTvzpaERbGq4x92hvmrGLVwyyq-W2Cb5_iOfJc/s1600/IMG_0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHW2Ywf87Qjcjf5LKp7ZfhcZTJi-nYxyymZJ_iTAarlFD5dJ48SaRSaPmlwijnUK0YSWQS8SZ23wthj4JtTXGNWqw_c66N4Y5SYDHzUTvzpaERbGq4x92hvmrGLVwyyq-W2Cb5_iOfJc/s400/IMG_0090.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all my favorite scraps right here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>i found it great fun. to play with the textures, colors and scenery cut down to a small scale. it added a bit of playfulness and in most instances the paper toppers would come off with the screw top. it was inexpensive and entertained me. truly, i do this for pleasure...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1x5ZW5jLBSVdLQbKdcI7aqxm3XgANdchlFXlHxiTGsGygqKFWbDQJI3j-mS_b47vq4Rl_7KigdlYFQPu_43iflFjFW4lsDRPcxSscLBx4ysqBVcyXJL5fpaV5P_WWZMWcQZp4DCvmypE/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1x5ZW5jLBSVdLQbKdcI7aqxm3XgANdchlFXlHxiTGsGygqKFWbDQJI3j-mS_b47vq4Rl_7KigdlYFQPu_43iflFjFW4lsDRPcxSscLBx4ysqBVcyXJL5fpaV5P_WWZMWcQZp4DCvmypE/s400/IMG_0086.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">magazine clippings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>using green cardstock and an every day printer, i made up simple labels.<br />
i cut them out and tied them with rainbow twine i bought at the craft store.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRAlmoJ690tdHmLfcmCn2u_nP-SX2OV66VbeiWfcJtiJLlDR5pVsZhQXdXrTat8DnkhDZsHvcaQZClcvakWBGiJyjccrZdBGehEZD7FhM5zXiXyN-pEk-9spL-FaBATH8X0KIL7YEtlM/s1600/IMG_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRAlmoJ690tdHmLfcmCn2u_nP-SX2OV66VbeiWfcJtiJLlDR5pVsZhQXdXrTat8DnkhDZsHvcaQZClcvakWBGiJyjccrZdBGehEZD7FhM5zXiXyN-pEk-9spL-FaBATH8X0KIL7YEtlM/s400/IMG_0088.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
this year on each label i tried to include ideas for the treat. a cheese it might taste good with, a style of meal—roasted meats, stir-fry. the concept came up while doing my white elephant gift and i think its a good one. i truly hope that people use what i gave them and it will make me sad to hear they did not.<br />
<br />
like a mother hen i would almost rather they give them back.<br />
but let's not digress into negativity.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>i enjoyed how colorful my workstation became as i made progress.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEA_PJMtR1rWgPiET7adTWI8Q1TrjWDcqlbmHwS8Ihk7kYr9n1vLFTPjzkzyOkfAEkZ2-_rVE9L0wET35u8uvr3ngj-qtL0Z_fKEvCwLfkounjINzON8c8gtNF_6UDaUQpjx4fvo6mTgg/s1600/IMG_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEA_PJMtR1rWgPiET7adTWI8Q1TrjWDcqlbmHwS8Ihk7kYr9n1vLFTPjzkzyOkfAEkZ2-_rVE9L0wET35u8uvr3ngj-qtL0Z_fKEvCwLfkounjINzON8c8gtNF_6UDaUQpjx4fvo6mTgg/s400/IMG_0091.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
and with most of it behind me, i can snuggle in and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381735801818130246.post-57282821594133436032010-12-21T15:30:00.000-08:002010-12-21T15:30:30.039-08:00Dark Days #2: Refreshing solstic breakfastthis morning i was up at 5 am and out the door to a Winter Solstice celebration put on by a friend—108 Sun Salutations to clear out the cobwebs of negativity and move into the new year revitalized.<br />
<br />
it was oh so heavenly.<br />
<br />
i came home feeling so lovely and calm and bright.<br />
and i thought, today is an 'only good stuff' day.<br />
<br />
so today i nourished my body with homemade yogurt and granola with frozen raspberries.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogJXqwSLttuyBGZQLm8X42jAufqe2fafGIVXuhTmCvwjBzk4fObrGPw9AjtSKQ5zwCUkV8LaQEj3KHEmLP4VWHIwXYE8byh6lSg1groeUUiwRu5HcNC1PvKq54EOC5WmDJeNemlsAcG8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogJXqwSLttuyBGZQLm8X42jAufqe2fafGIVXuhTmCvwjBzk4fObrGPw9AjtSKQ5zwCUkV8LaQEj3KHEmLP4VWHIwXYE8byh6lSg1groeUUiwRu5HcNC1PvKq54EOC5WmDJeNemlsAcG8/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
the yogurt i made yesterday—in fact i pulled it from its incubation right before i left for yoga. the milk is from <a href="http://pureeiredairy.com/">a dairy in touchet</a>, which is only 15 minutes away and i used a starter my parents gave me. after all my intimidation, making yogurt was incredibly easy and i am so happy to have had a successful first go of it.<br />
<br />
the raspberries came from my grandmother's backyard and we're frozen for future deliciousness. <br />
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the granola i made up specifically for dark days: bob's red mill oats (closest to local), homemade fruit butter and honey, and a smattering of spices (nutmeg, cinnamon). i used this recipe as an approximation (i left out the fruit and nuts, although i have a source for local walnuts for next time):<br />
<br />
<b>Fruit Butter Granola</b><br />
<ul><li>5 cups rolled oats </li>
<li>1 teaspoon cinnamon </li>
<li>1/4 teaspoon nutmeg </li>
<li>¾ tsp. salt </li>
<li>¾ cup brown sugar </li>
<li>¾ cup fruit butter (blueberry, pear)</li>
<li>¼ cup maple syrup (honey)</li>
<li>1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li>
<li>3/4 cup dried fruit (cranberries, raisins) </li>
<li>1/2 cup sliced almonds</li>
</ul>Preheat the oven to 325° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.<br />
In a large bowl, combine oats, spices, and salt. Mix well.<br />
<br />
In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, fruit butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. Pour wet ingredients into oat mixture and stir until the oats are evenly coated. They will be moist. Evenly spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.<br />
<br />
Bake for 20 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and stir. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the granola is golden and crisp. Remove from the oven, stir in dried cranberries and almonds. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.<br />
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<b>Happy Winter Solstice to Everyone!</b> The days will only get longer now!carly maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12181569040946140834noreply@blogger.com1