Sum-sum-summertime...

Near organic strawberries

They can be "near organic" if they come from a low-spray/no-spray farm as these did!

Eat one, freeze one!

I actually made a batch of strawberry/rhubarb jam, then froze the remainder as chunky strawberry puree for smoothies or shortcake .

Grandson Austin

SO good to see him last week!

Sisters Avery and Gina

These two were SO goofy I had to weed through the dozen pics to get one where they weren't making faces or devil horns!

Fermented pickled asparagus

A new ferment I tried this week....
so far it tastes delish!

Random dill re-seeded from last year

Don't you just love it when you get something for nothing?
That's how I feel with all my perennials, but especially when an annual comes up unexpectedly!

Lincoln peas

These will be ready for the pickin' in the next few weeks...mmm!

Lots of yellows, pinks, and purples in the gardens right now...
so bright and cheery!

Sage

Sage is so faithful...
Comes back year after year bigger and better.

Psalm 23

Am I truly following where He leads me?

I pray it is so....

In Christ alone,
Cindy

Chive Blossom Vinegar & Garlic Knots

Chive blossoms

Our first CSA pick-up 2 weeks ago included a large bunch of chives.
I had just come across a recipe for chive blossom vinegar and was anxious to give it a try...
perfect timing!

Cut chive blossoms off and wash/spin dry in salad spinner.

One pint jar stuffed to the top took all the blossoms I had.
Fill jar with a mild vinegar...
I used a white wine vinegar, but if all you have is the plain, ol' white, then just use that!
Let set in a cool, dark place for a couple of weeks, then strain out the blossoms for a nice, mild oniony flavored vinegar!

Garlic Knots

Another great recipe from Pam, at "For the Love of Cooking"!

I improvised a bit from her recipe, as I do not use a bread machine.
Instead I throw everything in my Kitchen Aid standing mixer and "knead" for about 8 minutes.
The other change I made was I added the minced garlic directly to the dough as it was mixing, for an even greater garlic flavor.
Oh, and of course I upped the garlic....
cause I'm that kind of girl.

These were SO good!
Yeasty, garlicky, basily, and light as a feather.

They are on the menu for tonight with some simple. stuffed shells and of course, a HUGE salad!
Hmmm....perhaps the vinaigrette will be made with the chive blossom vinegar!

How has spring been treating YOU?

In His grace,
Cindy

Bread dipping herbs...YUM!

Dipping oil with romano
Served in my chippy plate which I am too sentimental to toss as it came from my dear friend, Joy.

My awesome friend Anna sent me a link to this recipe, which I then tweaked a bit to fit my current stash of fresh and dried herbs.
I put this together in just minutes and then sliced some fresh bread for a quick hors d'oeuvre before supper.

SO delicious!

Ingredients:

2 TBL minced basil (growing profusely in the garden now!)
1TBL chopped parsley (barely up in the garden, but I took some anyways)
1 TBL minced garlic
1 teas. dried thyme (next thyme I will use the fresh from the garden)
1 teas. dried oregano
1 teas. black pepper
1/2 teas. kosher salt (leave this out if you will be adding grated cheese)
1/2 teas. chopped rosemary (also fresh from the garden!)
1/4 teas. red pepper flakes
1 teas. olive oil
1/2 teas. lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a small food processor. I do not own a small one,so I used my stick blender which is not very efficient:(
Chop till all ingredients are roughly the same.
NOW stir in olive oil and lemon juice.
Taste....add more lemon juice if needed...I did.

To serve: Combine about 1 1/2 teas. herb blend to 3-4 T good olive oil on a small plate.
Add a quick grating of cheese...romano or parmesan is traditional.

Dip bread into mixture.

Swoon with taste bud delight!
Refrigerate remaining blend...I am thinking it should last a week or two. I think a very thin layer of olive oil over the top would preserve it for even longer.

Anna made up a large batch of this and added small jars of it to her "Thank You" baskets for her children's teachers this spring.

Wouldn't you love for someone to give this to you????

In His grace,
Cindy

This post is part of Real Food Wednesday

Homemade Creme Fraiche

The Players

Homemade creme fraiche is easy peasy to make in your own kitchen!

1 cup heavy cream, preferably raw, but definitely NOT ultra pasteurized.
I refuse to skim the top off the raw milk I get, so I use the Country Fresh brand pictured here.

2 TBL of buttermilk...I used a non homogenized buttermilk, but any buttermilk should work.

Using VERY clean utensils, mix the heavy cream with the buttermilk, whisking till blended.

Fermenting creme fraiche

Pour the mixture in a pint jar and cover with a clean cloth and secure with a rubber band.

Let set in a warm spot for 24 hours.

After 24 hours your creme fraiche will be the consistency of a thin pudding.
Stick it in the fridge.
No worries....

Thick, creamy creme fraiche!

After a few hours in the fridge, LOOK what you have!

French Green Lentil Vegetable Soup

Creme fraiche is similar to sour cream only, uh...BETTER!
Here I put just a tablespoon in some soup I threw together this morning for a quick lunch.

It would also be sublime on a bowl of fresh strawberries, or any kind of berries!
Or how about a dollop over a decadent flourless chocolate cake?

This should keep about 2 weeks in the fridge, if you don't keep going back for just another tiny taste.
Just sayin'...

In His grace,
Cindy

Margherita Frittata and shame...

Margherita Frittata

I saw this recipe at "For the Love of Cooking" and knew I had to try it.
Pam has never steered me wrong, and I have tried MANY of her recipes.
Find the recipe HERE...
SO good!
And easy-peasy!

Garden Shame

Nope.
These are not luscious grasses planted on purpose.
These are weeds.
And they are everywhere throughout the perennial gardens.
Some not so bad, as I have tried to get out there on a regular basis.
We bit off way more than we could chew.
When we built these beds, I was a much stronger woman.
I was running 3 miles a day, 5 days a week.
I was parking at the farthest end of any parking lot I happened to be in, just to get in some extra walking.

I was strong then.

Today?
Not so much.

Knee replacement surgery last year really took it's toll on me.
I should be getting the other one done, but no more insurance, so no surgery.
Arthritis is knocking at the back door of my hands, so after an hour in the gardens I am pretty much done for the day.

I am thinking that when the weather cools down later in the week I might tear out the few perennials I can spot, and just plow the whole thing under.

On second thought maybe I'll just try to pass the weeds off as luscious grasses.

From a distance you can hardly tell the difference!

In His grace,
Cindy

Outer Pressures...

Window box garden

"When I cannot bear outer pressures anymore,
I begin to put order in my belongings...
As if unable to organize and control my life,
I seek to exert this on the world of objects."
Anais Nin

Lettuce & Arugula

Sometimes...not always...but definitely sometimes...
when my life seems UN controllable by me...
I seek solace in the mundane.

Ginger Snappish Iced Tea

I keep myself busy so my mind cannot fix itself on the trials and tribulations going on in the world, and ultimately, in my own life.

Sourdough English Muffins Rising

I immerse myself in housework, gardening, and cooking.

Stove Top Skillet English Muffins

And when I finally stop to take a breath I remember this....

"In everything give THANKS;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Be anxious for NOTHING, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with THANKSGIVING,
let your requests be made known to God,
and the peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6

And again I am reminded of this...

Eucharisteo

Grace
Thanksgiving
Joy

When life is hard...
the giving of thanks

When hurts run so deep they are physically painful...
the giving of thanks

When all I can do is put one foot in front of the other...
the giving of thanks

When my tears have run dry...
the giving of thanks

Eucharisteo

So today...tho I will keep busy with chores and routines...

I will remember to give thanks...


Giving thanks in everything,
Cindy