A local connection

As you know, I'm all about local. But this is different.

Dear friends of ours, Wibby's family, are currently in China to be united with their baby daughter. As I talked with J before they left, I kept feeling all the same feelings that I had when we went to get CiBaby. The neatest part...they are going to the same Province that CiBaby was born, as that is where there little one is from as well (CiBaby from Jingzhou, babyM from Wuxue...opposite sides of Wuhan along the Yangtze River). As I type this post, since they are 12 hours ahead of us, they are either on their way or getting ready to depart for Wuhan, in the Hubei Province. The kicker of the whole thing is that they will have our absolutely fantastic guide, Grant, with them every step of the way. He lead us through the process flawlessly, showed us the sights and talked to us about the Chinese culture. It was a fantastic experience and I only hope the R Family will have the same.

And again to think...a garage sale was the catalyst for a wonderful relationship, and now...a local connection.

Localicious

Thanks to a wonderful little Park & Rec art class for CiBaby this summer, I have 8 whole hours (spread out over 4 days, of course) a.l.o.n.e. Ahhhh heaven. So what did I do on my first day of solitude? I headed on a necessary errand...to restock my spice and seasoning shelves, which of course took me to Penzey's. I could seriously spend a good chunk of time there, but my spice cabinet and pocketbook said "stick to your list!"

With one necessary errand done and about 25 minutes to kill I swung into the Golden Fig store. Seriously, if you love food like I do, love to talk about it with other foodies and have not been there...GO! Okay, so you don't really need to be a foodie, but I'll bet that you'll start to become a very discerning consumer once you've visited this lovely little shop! Local local local...that's what it's all about. I could spend a king's ransom in that shop, but today I settled with 2 fantastic new (to me) items...Golden Fig's The Bees Knees - fresh squeezed lemon juice, water, local honey, local mint and lavender (we used sparkling water as our "mixer") and Extra Dough's Smokey Chipotle pecans (oh.my.god...HEAVEN!!!).

Another item you can find at GF, and our local farmers market, is Sunrise butternut squash fettuccini. While yes, it's light in flavor, you just need to make your toppings light as well. For this reason, and the reason that I have a bunch of produce from our garden and CSA begging to be used, I made up the following...

Summertime Pasta
8 oz Sunrise butternut squash fettuccini
2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh sage
2 cobs corn, kernels cut off
1 medium zucchini
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered depending on size of said tomato
1/4 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
sea salt
bacon grease* and/or extra-virgin olive oil

Cook fettuccini as directed, al dente. Once cooked, drain, rinse, and toss with a little extra-virgin olive oil then set aside.

Meanwhile put 1-2 tsp bacon grease or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat and add sage. Saute 2-3 minutes. It will turn crunch. Remove sage from skillet and put into a small, heat resistant bowl. Add corn kernels to the skillet and turn up the heat to medium. Saute 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. While the corn is cooking, make long ribbons out of the zucchini using a veggie peeler. Toss into the pan with the corn. Add a sprinkle of sea salt and a little olive oil if needed. Cook another 2-3 minutes. Add pasta, toss with veggies and let cook a couple of minutes, basically to just heat the pasta a bit. Turn off the heat, toss in the tomatoes, sage and parmesan cheese; toss to combine. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes...then serve with more parm, if desired.

Seriously, I don't think eating can get any sweeter than local! Totally localicious!

*Yes, I save bacon grease...have I mentioned this before? It's great for flavoring and a little goes a long way.

The smell of a garden

We've had a lot of hot, steamy days with bouts of rain lately, which has made the vegetables plants grow like crazy. So today, while taking a survey of the gardens, I realized it was necessary to tie up the towering tomato plants...again. After I was done, I went inside to wash my hands and the smell came over me...tomato plants.

Funny, isn't it? A particular smell that invokes memories. Memories of summer, the garden, my childhood.

The other day, when it was particularly warm, I had just been working with the tomato plants and decided to join CiBaby in the swimming pool. I jumped in and sat down beside her. She climbed onto my lap and said, "Mama, you smell like tomato plants."

Now my list will include my daughter in the garden with me and her keen sense of observation.

Wickedly good!

Today, T-Daddy and I had a much-needed date, which took us to see Wicked. I can sum up the production in one word...FANTASTIC! The music and singing was awesome, the costumes were great and the story itself is one that really resonates with me...which is basically, don't judge a book by it's cover (sorry, bad pun, but appropriate) or mass review.

Have you ever met someone that other people have warned you about, for reasons you have no idea, but withhold judgement until you meet them? Then once you meet said person you can't put your finger on it, but know that there's something deeper than just what a lot of people see? The facade, will you. Of course, sometimes it isn't really a facade, just a really good paint job...and they truly are certifiable...you know those.

Anyway, if you have the opportunity to see the production, do, but I also highly recommend reading the book (Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked Years)), it's a great read.

Totally Brilliant!

You know when you hear or see something that it TOTALLY brilliant and you think, "Duh! Why didn't I think of that?!" Well, I thought I would start posting some of those things here!

I was recently flipping through our latest edition of Family Fun magazine and came to the "My Great Idea" section. Wait. Back up a sec.

Several years ago, T-Daddy and I witnessed a little girl get separated from her family at the State Fair. The look of panic on the little girl's face just about broke my heart, and then the look of relief on both the mother's and daughter's faces when they found each other just about sent me over the edge. Since then I have had this fear that CiBaby will get separated from us in a large crowd and we wouldn't be able to find her quickly. Besides keeping her right next to me at all times I've just kept trying to think of ways to "mark" her so we can be rejoined quickly...address label with my cell phone number on it ("Hello, My name is Find-my-Mama-fast-or-else-I'll-be-a-basket-case-and-be-stuck-to-her-like-glue-for-at-least-2-weeks"), a leash, ball and chain so she can't run far....you know, the usual. Oh, and have I mentioned that she completely panics when she can't see/find us for one millisecond? Yeah, it's bad.

Okay, back to the brilliant idea. So flipping through Family Fun I came to THE BEST idea ever! A phone number bracelet!!! The supplies needed are elastic cording, number beads and any other bead you'd like...I'm going to use some cute Disney Princess beads we have sitting around the house.

*I am currently in the process of gathering the supplies and will post a picture when this project is completed.

What's in the Box - part 2

Our 2nd week came with a little extra fun...our box was missed. But! The great people at our CSA drove one out to us the next day. AWESOME!!!!

Box #2 contained:
a loaf of cinnamon raisin whole wheat bread (which we actually got the day before with the other deliveries)
1 head red leaf lettuce
1 head green leaf lettuce
1 bunch of carrots
3 cucumbers
1 pint blueberries
1 quart snow peas

What did we make?

On the day of the main delivery, since I didn't have a box of new veggies, but had a few left from last week, and a wonderful, fresh loaf of bread we threw together a salad and toast with honey. We used up our head of red lettuce, I quickly cooked up some chicken breasts, toasted almonds and strawberries (I forgot the green onions!) and topped it with the poppy seed dressing from Trader Joe's. It was delicious! We've even gotten CiBaby to start eating entree salads too. Yippy!

Once our box arrived he next day it was a stir-fry of zucchini, snow peas, carrots and chicken breast over rice. I don't have a recipe for you as it was one of my "a little of this and a little of that" dishes that I don't bother to keep track of.

And I will tell you now, we eat A LOT of our veggies naked, and virgin (raw), so I won't bore you with all of the deets.

What's in the Box?

This year I had starting thinking once again about participating in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), but of course started looking a little too late. On T-Daddy and my anniversary we attended a local Living Green Expo where I met a farmer who intrigued me...his philosophies, his ideas and his product (he does mainly heirloom varieties, which I LOVE!). The only draw back, he wasn't delivering to our area...yet. He was seeing if the interest was great enough for our area to start a new route, so I put my name on his list for a share and to be a drop-site.

Well, both came into being...thus this will be my attempt to document our adventure.

Box #1 contained:

1 quart sugar peas

1 quart strawberries

2 bunches radishes

1 head red lettuce

2.5 lbs new red potatoes

2 zucchini

What did we make?

Dairy-Free Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream (adapted from The Ultimate Ice Cream Book: Over 500 Ice Creams, Sorbets, Granitas, Drinks, And More, p. 124...I swear it's the best ice cream book around!)

3 heaping cups strawberries (fresh if you have them, frozen without syrup, defrosted if you don't)
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups (1 pint) SO Delicious French Vanilla Coconut Milk Creamer
1 tsp vanilla extract

Puree the strawberries with the salt in a food processor or blender. Should yield about 2 cups of puree. Set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the sugar into the eggs until thickened and pale yellow. Set aside.

Bring the coconut creamer to a simmer in a heavy, medium saucepan. Slowly beat the hot creamer into the eggs and sugar. Pour the entire mixture back into the pan and place over low heat. Stir constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon until the custard thickens slightly. Be careful not to let the mixture boil or the eggs will scramble. Remove from the heat and pour the hot custard through a strainer into a large, clean bowl. Allow the custard to cool slightly (I put the bowl inside a large bowl filled with ice as I was impatient), then stir in the strawberry puree and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate until cold or overnight.

Stir the chilled custard then freeze in your ice cream machine according to the manufacturer's instructions. When finished, the ice ream will be soft but ready to eat. For firmer ice cream, transfer into a freezer-safe container and freeze at least 2 hours.


Potato Salad (we had a party to go to so I made a large bowl)
2.5 lbs new red potatoes, scrubbed
5 green onions, white and greens, sliced
2-4 radishes, halved and sliced thinly
2 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1 cup mayo
1 mounded Tbsp Annie's Horseradish Mustard
1 Tbsp dried dill weed (you can use fresh - about 1/4 cup, but to get the flavor your salad will be really green!)
Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

Boil potatoes about 20 minutes, or until tender (but not falling apart). Drain and set aside to cool. Once cool enough to handle, cube the potatoes into about 1/2 inch cubes.

In a separate bowl, mix mayo, mustard, dill, salt and pepper. Add to potatoes and mix thoroughly. This should be enough dressing, but if not add a bit more mayo and doctor up the spices if necessary (I do it to taste). Add green onions, radishes and eggs; mix well and refrigerate. Best if made a couple hours ahead of serving as to marry the flavors.


And with just the beginning of zucchini season starting, I've been stocking-up on interesting zucchini recipes. This salad/side was a good one...simple and delish! Odd location for this recipe, but whatever, I don't judge!

Zucchini with Black Sesame Seed (from Cakes and Loaves: 110 Recipes You Can Make at Home, p.18...cute book with lots of great savory and sweet bread recipes )

4-5 small, firm zucchini

2 tsp black sesame seeds

olive oil

(I added a splash of sesame oil for a little extra somethin')

juice of 1 lemon (aka 2 Tbsp)

pinch of sugar

salt, pepper

Julienne the zucchini using a mandolin slicer (I used the fine julienne blade). Dry fry/toast the sesame seeds in a small frying pan. Combine the zucchini and sesame seed in a bowl. Add the oil(s) and lemon juice and mix well. Add the sugar, season with salt and pepper.

The Art of the Self-Portrait

Tonight I was finally able to go through the pictures from CiBaby's birthday and came upon some she took. Some were of the dog, the pool, me, T-Daddy, the dog (did I already mention the dog, as there were A LOT of them!) and CiBaby herself.

 

While she may need a little practice, I thought they were pretty darn cute!

"Like"

 

 

For those of you on Facebook, you are most likely very familiar with the graphic similar to the one above...the "Like" option. You are also probably familiar with the sidebar that suggests either people to friend (you know, those people you either only know because you've seen them in the street, they're a friend of one of your acquaintances or you haven't seen, nor care to see/talk to them since preschool...of course there's to occasional real one...but whose counting?) or what use to be becoming a "fan" of someone/something/somewhere.

 

Today's was the best though. Today's "Recommended Page" was...

 

Many people who like Walt Disney World like Starbucks.

 

No kidding. I can tell you exactly who those people are too. Those are parents who bring their children to Walt Disney World, go and see everything they can until they almost drop or they cannot stand their kids' whining and crying anymore, go to bed and do it all over again the next day.* Who wouldn't need/love a strong cup of coffee???! I know I did/do/will.

 

*I hold no judgement, we do the same thing! LOL

Good fortune

Tonight, after a quick dinner, CiBaby snatched up one of those unclaimed fortune cookies from a previous take-out night and excitedly awaited to hear what it said. Her fortune read:

"Today is an ideal time to water your personal garden."

Her take on the message? "Mama, that means we are suppose to teach people how to garden."

That's my girl!

Happy Birthday, CiBaby!

You are 4 years-old today. Amazing...truly amazing.

Yesterday we were talking about being a baby in someones belly and you said that you wish you had been in mine, but the truth is life would not be the same. I couldn't begin to imagine all of the differences, as there could be so very many.

The one thing that I do know is that Daddy and I are two of the most lucky people in the entire universe to have found such a wonderful girl to be our daughter. You bring us so much joy our hearts overflow daily. You are bright, inquisitive, funny, loving, imaginative, kind, beautiful, quirky and you just keep being you...because we cannot think of anything better.

We love you so very, very much honey. Happy Birthday!

Love, Mama and Daddy.

A Fish Tale

A couple of months ago, we gained a family member..."Ariel" the (male) Beta. Ariel was a get-well/you-did-great gift from Auntie and Great-Gram after  CiBaby's Dental Extravaganza. At first, CiBaby was really into Ariel, always wanting to watch him swim around...but he was soon forgotten. So as Mom, I took over the daily duty of feeding the fish.

Comfortable in his new home, Ariel would swim excitedly (T-Daddy can attest to this) around when we came anywhere near his bowl (which is actually a vase, but whatever) which is in the kitchen, so it's a lot. Anyway, last weekend we went away for a small trip, G-Mama and Bopa took care of Ariel and Jaz. I was a little nervous as no one was around to supervise the curious cat, nor was there a lid for the fish's abode. To our relief, all was well...until...

We arrived home Monday evening, Tuesday went well, until all of a sudden...CiBaby takes a HUGE interest in feeding the fish, by herself.

CiBaby: "Mama! I fed the fish!"
Me: "Aaah okay. How much did you feed it?"
No response.

I go over to the bowl and there are numerous pellets floating on the surface of the water. More than the fish needs, but not an insane amount. Making a mental note to clean the fish's bowl the next morning I go off to work for a late shift. During this time T-Daddy texts me, which I don't receive until after midnight...

T-Daddy: "The fish is dead! Probably over fed it."

What?! Now I know this is just a little fish and who knows how long they all live, but I felt terrible! Then I started to think about what did T-Daddy do with the fish? Did he explain to CiBaby about how animals die? Did he say anything at all? Did he flush the fish down the toilet? Did he leave it for me to do? What if the fish wasn't dead and he flushed it by accident???! This was all running through my head as I drove home from work.

When I got home I immediately walked over to where the bowl was to see a fish...swimming around! While it's belly did look slightly distended and his color was off, he was alive. At that point, I changed the water in the bowl (first step of detoxing the fish!), then went to bed. In the morning I finally responded to the text message that was sent to me the night before (which I didn't respond to because T-Daddy was asleep at that point), telling him how I was all worried about the fish and his text must have been some kind of joke.

Are you still with me? This is where it gets pretty good.

He immediately responds to me that the fish was actually floating last night and wouldn't even respond to taps on the glass and that he guessed it was a good thing that he didn't flush it like he was going to!

Good golly, Miss Molly! So the fish gorged itself to the point where it couldn't swim so it almost got flushed. Talk about one fin in the grave!

Moral of the story...if you think your fish is dead wait 4.5 hours to flush it.