Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Weekend Medley
This is a forgotten video from a couple of weeks ago. Our little footballer.
Squash blossom recap:
Next time: more pesto, less cheese, more prosciutto.
Our new rain barrel!!! Thanks Casey for putting it together. As fate would have it a heavy thunderstorm blew in about half an hour after he finished installing it. It worked, in fact it overflowed. We now have 55 gallons of rain water to water our gardens and baby trees.
Gavin before bedtime.
Squash blossom recap:
Next time: more pesto, less cheese, more prosciutto.
Our new rain barrel!!! Thanks Casey for putting it together. As fate would have it a heavy thunderstorm blew in about half an hour after he finished installing it. It worked, in fact it overflowed. We now have 55 gallons of rain water to water our gardens and baby trees.
Gavin before bedtime.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
F is for Food and Family
Last night Casey and I finally watched Julie & Julia. Of course, now I'm on the hunt for a cheap used copy of Mastering The Art Of French Cooking.
One of my favorite and earliest memories of a well-prepared meal was actually from a visit to my Aunt and Uncle's house in New Mexico, many years ago. I couldn't have been older than 10. I recall my aunt and uncle smiling, talking and working together in the kitchen, my uncle wearing an apron, everyone else scattered around and carrying on until dinnertime was announced.
It was the taste of fresh green beans, steamed to perfection that left such an impression. They were brightly colored, still crisp, long, slender and fragrant - much different than the canned green beans I was used to. Those simply prepared beans left such an impression that I don't actually remember what else we ate! There we all sat, my cousins, my siblings, my parents, and my aunt and uncle. They were sipping white wine and had classical music playing in the background. It was a lovely dinner.
I realize to others my vivid memory of something as simple as steamed green beans may sound silly or unsophisticated, but I never forgot those green beans. Something clicked that day. "This is how meals should be prepared and enjoyed," I thought to myself. That experience planted a seed and a life-long appreciation for well-prepared meals. To this day I still prefer my green beans fresh and steamed as opposed to boiled. Though I'll never turn down a serving of slow simmered green beans with bacon and onion. A girl has to have her comfort food. I dedicate this week's blogging to my food festish and to the Julia Child who lives in every foodie.
One of my favorite and earliest memories of a well-prepared meal was actually from a visit to my Aunt and Uncle's house in New Mexico, many years ago. I couldn't have been older than 10. I recall my aunt and uncle smiling, talking and working together in the kitchen, my uncle wearing an apron, everyone else scattered around and carrying on until dinnertime was announced.
It was the taste of fresh green beans, steamed to perfection that left such an impression. They were brightly colored, still crisp, long, slender and fragrant - much different than the canned green beans I was used to. Those simply prepared beans left such an impression that I don't actually remember what else we ate! There we all sat, my cousins, my siblings, my parents, and my aunt and uncle. They were sipping white wine and had classical music playing in the background. It was a lovely dinner.
I realize to others my vivid memory of something as simple as steamed green beans may sound silly or unsophisticated, but I never forgot those green beans. Something clicked that day. "This is how meals should be prepared and enjoyed," I thought to myself. That experience planted a seed and a life-long appreciation for well-prepared meals. To this day I still prefer my green beans fresh and steamed as opposed to boiled. Though I'll never turn down a serving of slow simmered green beans with bacon and onion. A girl has to have her comfort food. I dedicate this week's blogging to my food festish and to the Julia Child who lives in every foodie.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Late Bloomer
Squash Blossoms: my next kitchen endeavor. Why have I never heard of these before this year?? Seriously. I guess that's not entirely accurate. I have heard the term before, in a culinary context. I assumed it was just another name for a fancy stuffed squash, boy was I in for an education when I looked up a few recipe ideas. It's the actual squash blossom, duh. Not even when I was traveling in Oaxaca did I run across them, and squash blossom soup is practically a staple. Oaxaca was lovely. Since I can't afford to travel like I used to, I could at least bring the world into my kitchen. Unfortunately I did not grow squash this year, so I'll be hitting up my squash growing friends and the farmers' markets for my tasty edible flowers...er blossoms. Check out this squash blossom pizza
or tamale recipe. YUM!
I've also ran across a few deep-fried, sprinkled with confectioners sugar squash blossom recipes. The only thing I have succesfully fried are okra. Squash blossoms seem far too delicate for my heavy-handed technique, but my curiosity is most definitely peaked.
PS...Smitten Kitchen key lime cheesecake was a success, although a bit too tart for my taste. Next time? Less lime juice.
or tamale recipe. YUM!
I've also ran across a few deep-fried, sprinkled with confectioners sugar squash blossom recipes. The only thing I have succesfully fried are okra. Squash blossoms seem far too delicate for my heavy-handed technique, but my curiosity is most definitely peaked.
PS...Smitten Kitchen key lime cheesecake was a success, although a bit too tart for my taste. Next time? Less lime juice.
Small gestures
This is what I saw as I ascended the first of the big hills on my lunchtime run, today. It was just what I needed to bring a smile to my face, kick it up a notch, and remember that I run for fun. Thank you to the kind stranger for leaving a little bit of encouragement behind.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Saturday Family Fun Day
Yesterday we took Little Mann downtown for the Farmers' Market and East TN History festival. The summer heat took a day off too, as the temps dipped down into the 80s and there was always a breeze to be found in the shade. We couldn't have asked for better weather. Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Rod joined us for fun and family time. We admired the crafts and colorful cut flowers, tasted tomatoes and drooled over fresh produce, ate yummy pastries from a local bakery, appreciated the live music and living history displays, and most of all really enjoyed watching Gavin have a great time. We feel blessed to have this happy boy in our lives. Lookin' forward to our next Family Fun Day outing, especially because it will probably happen during Grandma Kathy and Papa Don's next visit, in just a few weeks. They are coming all the way from Texas. Two grandmas and grandpas at the same time? Gavin is in for some serious spoiling.
Friday, August 6, 2010
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