The Test of Spring

I've counted back on my calendar several times in order to get my seeds started at the proper times, cleaned all the funky old seed trays the best they can be, mixed my starter stuff and read the labels, heat mats on and ready to go.....it's a waiting game on starting pepper seeds but if all works well then we will have some great starts. Seems as tho they take weeks to pop up but this year the garden gods (goddesses) were with me. It's nice to have unusual heirloom varieties that few in the area have. We really wanted to grow more New Mex types this year for roasting and freezing so getting a good head start on those were important. Not to mention the heirloom tomatoes that are highly desired at market. I'm hoping to narrow down the selection, but there's so many interesting varieties it's hard to do. At the transplanting stage there's usually some left over that just won't fit in anywhere so give me a call the end of May!!!
Peas are in as well as arugula, radishes, spinach, lettuces and parsley. Can't get too much ahead even tho I'm anxious to do more.
Today I'm prepping for my final exam for the Master Gardener program. Hard for an "old" mind to exercise memorization. Singing it has helped when no one is around!-I'm just hoping to not fail. Wonder if anyone has had to take it again! That would be a bummer as I'd rather be planting or painting. Well, I'm back to the books----M I C, K E Y, M O U S E (that's my song)

All the local talent

Greetings everyone! When I first started this blog, I commented on how there is so much talent in our community that is unappreciated or taken for granted. I'd like to focus on recognizing each and every person I find in the area that has their own unique talent . One at a time of course and it's going to take a long time to make it through the realm of creativity we have! Please do recognize too, that http://www.honeywellcenter.org/ is a great source of what's happening in the arts all around us. They are dedicated in spreading the word and letting us all know how and when to educate and entertain us in many ways. But, last night (& other times) I took a class on bracelet making with Candice Cooper. Ok, so she's local for US, but she's internationally known to others in the beading and crafting world. To take it lightly that she does classes here sooooooo inexpensively is an understatement. What would one pay to attend a really great artist workshop anywhere else? Anyway, I really love my bracelet project and hope that her business thrives-doing classes in our town is a crumb off the cupcake for her, but I really appreciate it. Her current blog is http://candiecooper.typepad.com/ so check it out for upcoming events.

A New Day

Indeed it is a new day and a beautiful, frosty one at that. Living in the Midwest is like the tundra to me. After 22 years away and in mild winters I think winters are just plain nuts. Guess that's why I go into hibernation mode. Today, however, the sky was so pastel as the sun was rising and the trees glistening with frost and it was calling me outdoors at 8am.
It seems apropos to call it a new day since today is a new day for our country. Regardless of your choice of presidents, America is facing so many challenges that never is it in the hands of one man (or woman) to make it all happen for us. Take your stand-make a difference in your daily life whether you touch someone spiritually, emotionally or not, let this day be a beginning of change for us all-friends to connect with, neighbors to help, family to call on-what is everyone waiting for!!

December's soup

Ok, normally I'd be typing fast as I could if I had a new dessert but the weather made me write this instead. About 18 degrees and gloomy justified trying a recipe that I've been looking at for a while. I'm on an email list for 101 cookbooks that is creative, healthy, and wonderful looking food that has thought put into it. http://www.101cookbooks.com/ if you want to check it out. In November, I printed the recipe for Baby Lima Soup with Chipotle Broth. Ok, it may sound a little boring, but this mornings creation was anything BUT boring. I followed the recipe with the exception of using some stock (veg) instead of all water but to each his own. All the ingredients are accessible locally which is great to not have to dash out of town for an obscure item. Ok, I'm getting back to wrapping gifts and contemplating a cup of tea..

TWD Pumpkin muffins

As some of you know I rarely get on the computer until after harvest. Having several organic heirloom gardens and all that goes with it consumes my time. Weekends are trotting off to market, picking, and putting up food in many different forms. We do have some white neck pumpkins left for me to bake and bag up for future pies, but I've already cut up a 13 pound one and started on making goodies. Dorie Greenspans "Baking from my home to yours" cookbook is one of the few I've HAD to have in the past years. Her recipe for pumpkin muffins is todays assignment so here's to getting an A+ in class Dorie! Moist and cakey, these are going to hit the spot~ I'll be baking more pumpkin this week and giving the rest away. Thanks!

Chicago Foodie trip

A couple times a year, the cook store KitchenArt in West Lafayette, IN does some unique tours of ethnic regions in Chicago. It was our third trip but it changes nearly every time in the 12 years they've been guiding folks thru the backroads and along Lake Shore Drive. We live for the "feel" of the city since we live a rural life and the change does a soul good. We loaded up on fresh fish at the Isaacson L and Stein Fish co. during our first stop. Top notch whole fish packed on ice for you to bag up, get cleaned if you choose, while sloshing around in the cool , puddled crowded room. I sometimes wish we lived closer just for that. The fresh fish in Wabash is usually frozen and who knows how long it's been that.

Another run was to the ethnic area of the Italian section which is really dying out. Conte di Savola European Specialties is a great Italian deli featuring domestic pastas, cheeses and hand made Buffalo mozzarella that is wonderful. The homemade salamis & cannoli aren't bad either.

The Greek area on S.Halsted St. is barely thriving as "Greek" but has many other stores surrounding it. We visited Artopolis Bakery & Cafe' which had a beautiful pastry and bread section, wines and gifts. The artisan bread we purchased was very tasty. The BEST shop was a couple doors down. The Pan Hellenic Pastry Shop has the best handmade Greek pastries in the Midwest and I couldn't resist the powdered sugar almond cookies, some nutty chocolate macaroons, and an assorted box of tradition pastries. The service was friendly, informative and very attentive.

We were really trying to save ourselves for the Indian/Pakistani area on W.Devon as that was our lunch stop and I had already reviewed the area for a lunch idea. It is restaurant row intermixed with sari shops and food stores. Heaven!!!! We ate lunch at Sabri Nehari where we shared our dishes with each other. The menu can be found on a site called Menu Pages which helps making food choices easier ahead of time. Four of us thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience from the friendly attentive waiters to the freshness and presentation of the food. Loved it, loved it, loved it. The naan was over the top with lots of garlic and onion - Yummm..Worth the trip-Yes!!Thanks Kitchen Art!

Wild Veggies!!!!!!!!!

Who say's Indiana is dull!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought that while my 25 year old nephew was visiting I'd pull up a couple of carrots since I didn't think he'd ever seen them growing before. So I pull up the one on the left and we nearly cracked up. Commenting on what a joke that one was I pulled up the one one next to it. What a scream!!! Maybe he'll grow carrots, maybe not, but this has to take the cake!

All the rest of the garden has taken off well and the heirloom tomatoes that everyone has been waiting for are ready.

Hurray-so are the asian pears, green beans, zephyr squash, eggplants, peppers, peaches, and everything else. Typing this is my only break from food until everything is frozen, canned, sold, or given away. The last couple of weeks has flown by with the celebration of dad's 80th birthday, my sisters (and nephew) visiting, Forest going to college and the beginning of harvest/market. Lots of cookouts and visiting in between-typing this is my only food break! Need to get back at it!!!bye for now. teri