Just wishin' and hopin', and thinkin' and prayin', and plannin' and dreamin'...

Line dried and smellin' sweet!

Ah yes....I remember it well.

The peak of summer perennial garden

It's all coming back to me...

Constance Spry rose

Has it really been 8 years since we planted her?

Love a spot of yellow in the gardens

It's not summer till the gang is in the pool!

Hard to imagine right now, as this same pool is filled with snow and ice

THIS is what I'm hungry for

If you've been eating anything that even faintly resembles a tomato recently, than you must share my vision for what is to come.
Red (or orange, or green or golden yellow) ripe tomatoes, fresh off the vine, warm in your hands, sliced on a plate with just a sprinkling of salt and pepper...
Does it get any better than that?

I can almost feel it.
Almost smell it.
Can nearly taste it.
It's just around the proverbial corner.

Can you tell?
I am sick.
Spring Fever has hit our farmette.
And there is no known cure...
except time.

So till it's time has come...

I am wishin' and hopin'...
and thinkin' and prayin'...
and plannin' and dreamin'...

xoxo,
Cindy

The Top 12 "Cleaner" Dozen...

Spring 2009 Garden
Sweet Peas climbing

The good news is that there are plenty of veggies and fruits that are on the "safer" side of being pesticide laden. This does NOT mean that they are pesticide FREE....
cause they are NOT.
Unless, of course, you are buying organic or growing your own.
But...they are definitely safer than the "Dirty Dozen" from the last post.

So here goes...

1. asparagus (yay!!!)
2. avocado (yay again!!!)
3. banana
4. broccoli
5. cauliflower
6. corn(keep in mind that most of all corn grown is genetically modified)
7. kiwi
8. mangoes
9. onions
10. papaya
11. pineapple
12. sweet peas

It would be too lengthy of a post to get into what the side effects of genetically modified seed are. Do some research yourself...Google is full of articles, and...again....

PLEASE GO RENT "FOOD, INC."
It will change the way you shop.
It will change the way you look at food.
It will change you.

Now, for some updates from the farmette...

I am getting around much better!
My knee is still quite sore, and I will be in physical therapy for a few more weeks, but I am slowly improving.
Thanks to all who have asked, and I am so thankful for those of you who have prayed for me.

We had a bit of a quick blizzard blow in this morning, so armed with that forecast last evening, I soaked 2# of black beans last night and am cooking them off with some onion and garlic this afternoon.
An amazing Zuppa Bastarda (Bastard Soup), recommended by our local CSA owner is on the menu, and it couldn't be simpler.

Black beans, cooked with garlic and onion till soft with a bit of crumbled, dried sage.
Toast some stale, crusty bread (I happen to have 1/2 a loaf of homemade sourdough) and rub with raw garlic.
Place bread in the bottom of your soup bowl.
Add 1 TBL of basil pesto.
Pour the soup over the bread.
Drizzle with some fine extra virgin olive oil.
Eat.

xoxo,
Cindy

THE DIRTY DOZEN...

2009 lettuce/peas/carrots/chard garden bed

As careful as I am with what I purchase at the grocers, there are choices I make that are NOT good for us.
THAT has got to change.

And I am not talking about...

THESE!
(THIS is what I find in the cupboard right after Farmboy goes to the grocers for me!)
YIKES!
I have GOT to get back to doin' all of the shopping!

What I AM talking about are those so called "healthy" choices that are not as healthy as they may appear.

The top 12 fruits/vegetables with the HIGHEST levels of pesticides(EVEN after washing) are, in order of severity:

1. peaches (one of my favorites)
2. apples
3. bell peppers
4. celery
5. nectarines
6. strawberries (I thought they would be 1st)
7. cherries
8. pears
9. imported grapes
10. spinach (remember the scary recall a couple years ago???)
11. lettuce
12. potatoes

This list totally changes the way I will be looking at produce from now on.
A lot of these items can be found at fairly reasonable prices in the organics section of my grocers.
And, obviously, some can't.

So...what can I do?

1st off...I belong to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) where, beginning in early June right thru October, I will be picking up whatever was reaped that week.
It starts out real slow, with beautiful bags of baby greens and perhaps some spring onions.
Then, as the weeks progress, I need my granny cart to haul it all to my van!

My next option, is, of course to grow what I can in my own, pesticide free gardens!
Last year, for the 1st time, I planted potatoes, albeit, a bit late in the season...
But we were eating potatoes from our gardens right thru the new year!

Unfortunately, out of the dirty dozen list, the only other things I grow myself are the bell peppers and lettuce.

So...my next alternative will be to shop locally, at our Farmers Market, when said fruits and veggies are in season. There are many farmers who bring their produce to market, and tho most are NOT organic, there are some that are and that is where I make a bee-line towards.

And, I found that there are several that are not "certified" organic, but practice organic farming nonetheless. For smaller farms, getting certified is not an option as it is quite a pricey road to travel.

The last option, which will likely be the road most often taken when it comes to things like the grapes and nectarines....go without.
I KNOW!
How crazy does THAT sound?

How about you?
Have you made changes in the way you shop?
Are you looking for healthier options at the grocers?

Coming tomorrow...
The top 12 with the LEAST amount of pesticides!

xoxo,
Cindy

I won!

I won! I won!

My local blogging friend Wendy, (also a fellow CSA member) passed out awards today and I got one!
I am surprised, as I don't think of my blog as anything special.
I mean, I LOVE blogging and sharing recipes, chicken stories, my faith...
I just never really think about it being anything out of the ordinary.

So now, as a recipient of this lovely award, I am to pass on 7 interesting things about myself that you might not know about.
THAT'S the hard part, cause I let you all know pret' near just about everything!

1. In the past 10 years I have: ran 2 5k's, took piano lessons, taught myself to sew, knit, crochet, make soap, taught a cooking class, helped build our farmette, taken in several stray kids,....

2. The only movies I watch are comedy/romance....(except for a couple documentaries, like Food, INC.)

3. I pretty much don't drive in the winter...hate the snowy and icy roads. (which is why I chose winter to have knee replacement surgery)

4. I love my local library and my librarians. The library has been one of my all time favorite places to go to. Even when in elementary school! And I always have 2 or more books going at the same time. Right now I am re-reading "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" (SO good!), "This Organic Life", and the latest copy of Mother Earth News.

5. I start LOTS of projects, but am really bad at finishing them. There's unfinished aprons in my sewing room, unfinished knitting in my knitting bag, and hundreds of un-filed recipes in my recipe bin.

6. Farmboy and I met 41 years ago, when I was just 16, got married just after I turned 18, and will be celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary this fall. Yes, that makes me 56. YIKES!

7. I just celebrated my born-again birthday on Feb. 15. I got saved (born again) way back in 1978, with Farmboy following just a very few short months later. Amazing grace.

And now you know perhaps a bit more about me than you did before!

And tho I am supposed to pass this on, I simply can't.
Cause there would be 100 of you I would give this to.

xoxo,
Cindy

Lamb Korma...YUMMO!

Lamb Korma on Naan

I've said it in the past, I am a recipe thief.
I hang out at food blogs, looking for something special to make my own, and have come up with some fabulous finds.
THIS is another winner.
I spotted it yesterday over at Noble Pig (who got it from Food Network), and knew I had all the necessary ingredients at hand.
(Noble Pig left out one little step, so I looked up the recipe at Food Network)
I swapped out the ground chicken for ground lamb (which was an option) that we had bought at our last outing at the Farmer's Market in the fall, and I was raring to go.
The original recipe calls for pita bread, but I knew my homemade Naan would be even better.
I was right.
The Naan takes very little time to put together and is the perfect vehicle for the Korma.
I also added 1 diced halapeno to the paste, and next time will add 2.
We like it spicy, but not over the top wicked.
We did NOT use the chopped cashews, and personally don't think the dish needs them.
But you be the judge for yourself.
I, and the rest of the gang, thought this was outstanding, and it is definitely a dish I will make again and again.

This is Indian food without being too Indian, if you know what I mean.
Spicy, but not too intense.
Something even the kids would like!

I love it when I find a real gem!

xoxo,
Cindy

My one and only Valentine

Farmboy and Cyn
Circa 1999?

For better or for worse
For richer or poorer
In sickness and in health
In sadness and in joy
Forsaking all others

He will always be my valentine

I love you Farmboy

Always,
Cindy

Gettin' back my groove & feelin' my oats!

Rosemary/Pear Scones

Last week on Food Network I saw Giada make these savory/sweet scones and I knew I had to try them. Hers were made with strawberry jam, but I improvised with pear preserves, cause pear preserves are what I had!
Giada's were also cut with a heart shaped cookie cutter, making them a perfect Valentine's Day sweet!
Not too sweet, definitely not too savory, these are so just right!
Subtle rosemary flavor marries perfectly with the lemon glaze drizzled over the top.
Perfect with a fresh cup of morning coffee.
If they last that long.

Homemade Croutons ready to bake

I think I'm getting back my groove.
I'm back on my feet (no more walker OR cane!) and back in the kitchen, which is the BEST feeling ever!
Tonight we are having a huge salad with leftover pieces of chicken parmesan and homemade tomato soup with home baked croutons.

THIS feels so good!

xoxo,
Cindy

SNOW BIRDS & A MOVIE

Sunday afternoon stroll thru the Boxwoods

Tho it has been cold here in West Michigan, we have had very little in the way of fresh snowfall for quite a while.
That is all about to change this week, but for now we have let the chickens out and about to forage where they may.
The snow does not seem to bother them if it is packed down enough so that they don't sink in.
And here and there are a few patches of green so they are content.
They manage to find their way back to the henhouse before dark, and Pete heads out to tuck them in for the night.

Big Red doing what he does best....crowing at the top of his lungs!

Food, INC.
Academy award nominee for best documentary

If you care at all about where your food comes from or how it is processed or how much big government has interfered, then you MUST rent this movie.
Some of what was in this documentary was no surprise to us as we try to keep abreast of the food industry, especially when the government is involved.
And it does not matter which political side you take, left or right, BOTH sides have dirty hands.
As much as we THOUGHT we knew, much of what this movie has to say was shocking to us.
Sickened us.
And made us re-think some things.

We had already made changes in the way we eat the past few years.
Fewer pre-packaged goods, less refined flours and sugar, pretty much no "fast food", organic when we can.
But there is more we can do.
As it is so aptly put in the movie...
"We vote with every bite we take..."
And we are changing the way we have been voting.
How about you?

xoxo,
Cindy

EASY-PEASY HOMEMADE YOGURT

Homemade yogurt with blueberry sauce

After being spoiled with my friend and neighbor Michelle's homemade yogurt after coming home from the hospital, I knew I needed to make this on my own.
Michelle's simply cannot be topped, as she is using raw milk from grass fed cows, and there is NO comparison. Hers was so, so good!

So...with her disclaimer, she sent me the link for her recipe and, except for the raw milk, I started my own batch yesterday.
SO easy!
And the whole thing, from start to finish, is done in your handy dandy crock pot!

Thickened yogurt in my crock pot

I have linked to the original recipe, above, but here is my simplified version...

8 cups whole milk
1/2 cup store bought natural, live/active culture PLAIN yogurt (I used Stoneyfield's Organic)
crock pot
large, thick bath towel

Turn crock pot on low.
Add your 8 cups milk.
Cover and cook for 2 1/2 hours (on low)

Unplug crock pot, but leave it alone, cover on, and let sit for 3 hours.

After 3 hours, scoop out 2 cups of the milk and put in bowl.
Add your 1/2 cup store bought yogurt and whisk till combined.
Dump back in the crock pot with the other milk and stir gently.
Put the lid back on, and wrap the heavy towel all the way around the crock pot for insulation.
Let it sit for 8 hours minimum, but up to ???
I left mine sit all night, which gave it a total of about 16 hours with it's towel turban.

When done, the yogurt will have thickened to the consistency of a low fat yogurt.
Not so thick that your spoon stands upright all by itself, but not so thin that it's soupy either.
Just right!

Also...the longer it sits covered with the towel, the tangier it will taste.
Tho, after sitting for the 16 hours, mine is just right.

I made a simple blueberry sauce using some frozen berries from our "you-pick" this summer and was enjoying my very own homemade yogurt for lunch today.

Rumor (the recipe) says it will last in the fridge for 7-10 days, but mine will be gone before the weekend is up.
And make sure to set aside 1/2 cup for your next batch.

We like this plain, or topped with some homemade granola. Or Farmboy likes to peel and dice an orange and stir it in.

And you can't beat the cost!
My quart of Stoneyfield's Organic was, I believe, over $3.
(not altogether sure as Farmboy has been doing the shopping for nearly a month now)
My homemade yogurt....Less than $2.50 for TWO quarts!

No fancy schmancy equipment needed either.
(who needs yet another appliance to try to find room for?)
And who doesn't own a crock pot these days???
And, if by chance you don't, high tail it to your nearest thrift store...they usually have 2 or 3 on the shelves!

Thanks Michelle!
This is a keeper!

xoxo,
Cindy