Joelle and I have been raising, homeschooling and hanging with our children for the last 20 years. It hardly seems possible that our eldest, Micah, is nearly 20 years old. Surely it couldn’t have been but a few years ago that I was teaching him to ride a bike. Alas, it is true, our children […]
The local season is beginning to explode…finally! Guess what that means? It’s berry time! Local flats of fresh blueberries and raspberries are available to order now! Local Blueberries, Flat: $48.00 Local Raspberries, Flat: $35.00 Local Cherries are here and fabulous! Red Bing: $4.00/1-lb. Rainier: $6.50/lb. Local Apricots: $1.00/each. *If we don’t have the berries the week […]
There is little that is more satisfying than when you come across a taste from your childhood. A bite of apricot pie transports me to the kitchen of my childhood home. In that memory, I stand tugging at my mom’s apron strings waiting for her to give me a job, as I so desperately wanted […]
GARLIC SCAPES: STORE: Garlic scapes store well, though freshly cut scapes taste the best. You can keep them in the refrigerator for a month or more, in a paper bag to avoid turning them into a slimy science project. They freeze well, too–blanched or not–but they tend to lose some of the garlicky heat during […]
Last weekend was one of those weekends where there was way too much to do to get it all done. Joelle was busy going to a baby shower on Saturday and hosting a baby shower on Monday, which meant she would be preoccupied with those responsibilities and could use some concentrated time. So, on Saturday, […]
GINGER: STORE: Fresh ginger will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator or several months in the freezer. Since freezing makes it easier to peel, slice and crush, you might as well freeze it as soon as you get it. USE: Ginger can be used in Indian curries, and in Chinese, Japanese, and European spice […]
Recently, I gave a talk on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Sometimes GMOs are referred to as Genetically Engineered (GE) foods or more boldly labeled as Frankenfoods. GMOs have been on the market since 1996. Remember the famous Starlink corn that found its way into corn chips and caused a huge uproar? Why is the whole […]
Let your imagination blossom with a special coloring page for everyone to enjoy!
BANANAS: Store: Keep bananas at room temperature, as they will continue to ripen over time. If you’re not able to finish all the bananas in the bunch, don’t worry! Even ripe or overripe bananas are good for some recipes. Use: Bananas are beloved by people of all ages. They’re perfect for a delicious afternoon snack, […]
The other day, I set out to make pancakes and scrambled eggs for the family. Most of the clan was home, maybe 9 out of 11! So I went to allrecipes.com and found the perfect recipe (you know, the one with 4000 reviews and a 4+ rating), read a few comments to see if there […]
I love those voracious consumers of insects. Often when I am working with a tractor or my horses there will be squadron of swallows following me around the field. I notice them more when I am clipping (mowing) pasture. These beautiful birds are fun to watch. It almost reminds me of a Star Wars movie. […]
Color your world with the hues of spring!
BLUEBERRIES STORE: Refrigerate unwashed blueberries in their container, they’ll last up to a week longer than most berries. Dry, unwashed berries can be frozen for up to a year in an airtight container. USE: To reduce the amount of color streaking, gently fold blueberries (unthawed, if frozen) into your cake or muffin batter at the […]
I found it in a stack along with other picnic baskets but I immediately knew this was the one. It’s quite rare when you go antiquing with something specific in mind and you walk out with that very thing, and for a good price, I might add. That’s when you know that purchase is meant […]
GRAPE TOMATOES STORE: Never refrigerate tomatoes – it kills the flavor. Keep them at room temperature, lightly wrapped if you prefer. If you want to speed the ripening process, put them in a pierced paper bag with an apple, which emits ethylene gas, a ripening agent. PREP: Grape tomatoes are best used split in half […]
Last week we were able to get a few crops in the ground and are hopeful to get a few more this week. It hasn’t been easy timing our efforts with the weather. Our first planting of beets had to be replanted. I planted them before the last deluge a week ago and that amount […]
STRAWBERRIES STORE: Leave strawberries unwashed and loosely wrap the container in a plastic bag or paper towel and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. PREP: Wash the berries and trim the caps just before using. USE: Strawberries are perfect in pies, just right in jams, and a sweet-tart touch in salads. But […]
