Can you say "KEEN-WAH"?

Greek Quinoa Salad

With only 3 chicken thighs leftover from the night before I knew I would have to have a substantial side dish to complete the meal.
Earlier in the day I had come across THIS recipe over at one of my favorite cooking blogs...
"For the Love of Cooking".
I have tried many of Pam's recipes and have not had one fail me yet!
I had all of the ingredients, including the itty bitty bit of parsley called for, cause I had just spotted some in the garden the day before!

For those who do not know what quinoa is:

A highly nutritious gluten free seed, originally from South America. It's mild, slightly nutty flavor makes it a terrific substitute for rice or couscous.
An exceptional source of protein, it contains all 8 amino acids, making it an excellent option for those looking to reduce their meat consumption.

For me, it was the perfect side to those thighs!
It will surely be one I make again over the summer when cold salads really shine.
Real food. Real good.

And now I am going to rest my weary bones after working in the gardens for a few hours today.
(And I was happy to do it!)

Now...

Can somebody please tell me to stop hoiking up stuff that would be/should be flowers?
You know in the spring, nearly EVERYTHING looks like a weed...
And before I know it, I've hoiked up yet another one.
It's like when you are running the vacuum,
and you SEE the dang bobby pin, but you suck it up regardless.

Grrrrr

xoxo,
Cindy

Field Inspections

Grand Old Flag

I am more than ready to fly my flag.
Sadly, the wind takes it down on a regular basis.
I pick her up out of the holly bush directly below it,
and hang her right back up.

In between the rains there was bits of time to peruse the gardens.
WHAT.A.MESS.

Vintage chalkboard on the front porch

My garden gloves are resting on the edge of the chalkboard...
waiting to be slipped on and put to work.

Vintage cement earless bunny

I'm keepin' him around till there's nothin' left but the base!
I'm a sentimental sap, I know....

Lilac buds!!!

Lilacs are my favorite flower EVER.
Won't be long before there are purple flowers all over this bush.
I have a few lilac shrubs, but this old fashioned one is the most fragrant of all.

Oregano

If one is not very careful, oregano will take over the herb garden.
It gets HUGE!

Re-seeded parsley!

In our neck of the woods, parsley is an annual.
This year I have one that has come back to me from the grave!

Dandelion

I'm so starved for color, I am even happy to see this little guy!

Sage

I love sage.
Even in the deepest cold of January, I can go out to the herb garden, brush away the snow, and pick some sage.
Sage and Thyme.
Both winter over beautifully.

Garden gnome

Oh, oh. He is lookin' pret' near as bad as the earless bunny:(
I suppose I could fix his eye up a bit with some paint,
but then he would lose some of his charm.
Right?

Crusty clay pot

I usually plant thyme in this pot, but maybe this year I am ready for a change?
perhaps some chives...
maybe garlic chives?

After my garden walk, this I know.
There is much to be done out there.
Now...if only the rain would stop long enough to dry everything out...
then I could slip those gloves on and git to work!

Meanwhile, since I have to be indoors anyway, I have been working on the CSA schedule for demos and classes.
Experimenting with some sourdough baking.
Counting my many blessings.
And seeking the Lord while He may still be found...

In His grace,
Cindy

Weekend Blessings...

Sam & Amber

Sam, our only son, with his girlfriend Amber.
It was so nice to have her here for Easter dinner with us!
Isn't she a cutie patootie?

Sisters Avery and Gina

It was a beautiful sunny day so we spent most of the afternoon on the deck.
We don't get together much anymore...
everyone busy with jobs, homes, etc
so it is extra special when most of us can make it home for a holiday!

We miss our daughter Giselle, husband Jon, and our dolly of a granddaughter, Trena...
far away in Montana:(

And our other daughter Krystal and our grandson Austin...miss them, too:(

Gina...our 2nd oldest...
Where have the years gone?

Dessert!
Buttermilk Cake with Blackberries and Moscato

Find the recipe HERE over at Parisienne Farmgirl Ang's blog.

She made this cake a few years ago when we were visiting and it is SO good!
We take it over the top by adding some freshly whipped cream.

Farmboy, soaking up a bit of the sun....

He loves it when the kids are here,
(tho he is not smiling in the pic!)
He loves to hear the groans as he comes up with one pun after another.
Groan....

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods....
As for us, we are still waitin' on spring...

In His grace,
Cindy

Curried Lentil Soup...

Curried Lentil Soup

I found this recipe over at Nourished Kitchen blog, and knew right away it would be a perfect spring soup. Not heavy like the soups of winter...chili, beef stew, etc., but soup that would put a bounce in your step, a twinkle in your eyes!

I followed the directions almost exactly, except I had no fenugreek seeds.
As a matter of fact I don't think I have ever had fenugreek seeds in my pantry!
Never mind the fenugreek seeds....I don't even think I know anyone who has them that I could have borrowed from....
And....
Don't be afraid of the curry in this soup. It is not overpowering like some curries...just a nice, mildly spicy soup...perfect for the kind of weather we SHOULD be having!
We all loved it!

Speaking of the weather...
I think we skipped summer altogether and went right back into winter....
10 days ago it was 85 and I was sunning on the back deck.
One week later it was in the 20's and snowing like January!

Spring...come back to us.
We hardly knew ya....

In His grace,
Cindy

Spinach and Mushroom Quesadillas

Spinach and Mushroom Quesadillas

I had a huge post all ready to publish, and...
POOF...
it vanished.
No way to get it back.
Maybe it was meant to be....
As were these quesadillas I made this week.

Follow the link under the photo to Pioneer Woman's blog.
You'll be glad you did.
And you can thank me later.

My version is pret' near the same as hers, but I made my own sourdough whole wheat tortillas.
VERY easy to do, and no weird ingredients...

In His grace,
Cindy

Busted!

Bird watchin' Ollie by Golly

Oh, oh. Looks like someone is watchin' ME!

Maybe if I hide behind the post?

Uh...no.

How about using the picket fence as camo?

Nope...

Grrrr.....Forget about it.

It feels like spring here in West Michigan!
Temps today in the mid 60's with a high tomorrow of 80!
Storms brewing for both days, but that's OK.
April showers will surely bring May flowers!

In His grace,
Cindy

5 Ingredient Homemade Cheez-Its...

Homemade Cheez-Its

I found a recipe for these recently and have been itching to try them.
People.....read your labels!
Do you even know what is in a box of these things?

Enriched flour, (Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate [Vitamin B1]Riboflavin [Vitamin B2]Folic Acid)Vegetable Oil (Canola, Cottonseed, Palm, Sunflower and/or Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil with TBHQ For Freshness)Skim Milk, Cheese [Skim Milk, Whey Protein, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto Extract for Color]Two Percent or less of Milk, Salt, Paprika, Yeast, Paprika Oleoresin for Color, Cheese Cultures, Soy Lecithin)

MY list of ingredients:
whole wheat flour, butter, cheese, salt, cayenne pepper

I'm tellin' you...crackers are easy-peasy!
Anyone could make these!

Homemade Cheez-Its

1 cup whole wheat flour (I used whole wheat pastry flour)
4 TBL cold butter, cut in small pieces
8 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I used sharp white cheddar...they still come out a lovely color)
1 teas. salt
1/4 to 1/2 teas cayenne pepper (I used 1/2 for a nice spicy bite)
5-6 TBL icy water

Preheat oven to 375F.
Combine all ingredients in a a food processor, pulsing till crumbly. Slowly add the water, 1 TBL at a time, pulsing after each addition. When dough comes together, STOP.
Remove dough from processor and form into a disk. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
I rolled my dough between my 2 silpat mats. You could use parchment paper, but I have not had very good luck with baking crackers on parchment.
Roll out evenly to fit a 13X18 baking sheet. Score with a pizza cutter or sharp knife (carefully if you are using a silpat!) into small squares.
At this point you may sprinkle with kosher salt. I did not, as I thought the cheese was salty enough.
Bake for 25 min. or until crackers are evenly brown. I check mine every few minutes, removing the outer ones as they brown quickly.

Now, the bad news.
These are SO dang good, you will not want to stop eating them.

Ollie by Golly

Who does he think he is hiding from????


Anything new coming out of your kitchen lately?

In His grace,
Cindy

Repair and Report...

Birdhouse

Walked around the yard today, checking out the damage from the harsh winter.
Birdhouse in dire need of a hammer was the first casualty.

"Welcome" needs a little TLC
Nothing a little bitty twig can't fix

Curlies on top of gate

The curlies don't need any repairs, but the view beyond will definitely need weeding!

Bolt to the henhouse needs some reinforcing...

Picket on the picket gate needs a nail or two...
No paint tho...I like it like this!

Mailbox COULD use a coat of paint, but since I only use it to hold some extra garden gloves and a tool or two, I think we'll leave well enough alone.

Weeds that need to be pulled...eventually.
For now they add "character" to the sparce open garden spaces

For now things pretty much have to stay as they are.
Warmer days are coming...
I can feel it in my bones!

xoxo,
Cindy

Anybody started on the spring garden cleaning yet?