tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6278935548477994732024-03-13T22:54:31.169-07:00Growing GreenUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-32655607137936644512010-08-04T08:05:00.000-07:002010-08-04T08:15:11.096-07:00I'm movin' on...My blog has moved and I hope you'll come with me! <div><br /></div><div>Growing Green is now <a href="http://seattleseedling.com/">Seattle Seedling</a> (www.seattleseedling.com)!</div><div><br /></div><div>Same ideas, same mission, same blog, just a different name, a name that's much easier to share and remember than the old one. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's to new beginnings!</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers!</div><div><br /></div><div>-Stacy</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-17741227559448042832010-08-01T16:56:00.000-07:002010-08-01T17:33:25.146-07:00An Incredible Feast!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFYPx0Lax8I/AAAAAAAABAQ/TXIYI-RHEKo/s1600/IMG_4074.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFYPx0Lax8I/AAAAAAAABAQ/TXIYI-RHEKo/s400/IMG_4074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500601343374182338" /></a>I just bought my tickets to attend the 6th annual fundraiser farmers' market dinner titled, <i>An Incredible Feast – Where the Farmers are the Stars</i>, and I am SO excited!! Last year, I didn't see the poster for this event until the day before and I was so bummed. By then, it was too late to get it together to go. I just told Jake this week that I've got to look up the event information ahead of time so I don't miss it this year and to my delight, on Saturday, there was a chalkboard at the U. District Farmers' Market advertising this year's dinner. <div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFYQmCgn0gI/AAAAAAAABAY/h1xnn9z4wu0/s1600/IMG_4080.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFYQmCgn0gI/AAAAAAAABAY/h1xnn9z4wu0/s400/IMG_4080.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500602240574411266" /></a>I talked to some of the girls at the market and they gave me to the scoop. Basically, all these amazing local chefs convene to create lots of gourmet dishes with local produce, showcasing our local and seasonal bounty. The flier says it best, "guests can sample over 30 gourmet dishes, enjoy excellent local (Salmon Safe certified!) wines and beers, and meet the chefs and farmers behind the food." And this year, because it's a 21 and over event, you'll be able to walk around and enjoy the food and festivities with your wine or beer in hand rather than being confined to a wine/beer garden area. I also heard through the grapevine that one of the fun country-fair-style games might be skee-ball! It doesn't get better than that! Oh! And bring your own plate and fork to the event and you can be entered into a drawing. I love that!</div><div><br /></div><div>The tickets are now available at <a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/114716">brownpapertickets.com</a>, which you can access while also getting more information about the event by visiting <a href="http://http://www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org/the-incredible-feast-where-the-farmers-are-the-stars">seattlefarmersmarkets.org</a>. I can't speak from experience, but I think this is going to be a delightful event and I can hardly wait!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-36510117043142564832010-07-31T15:26:00.000-07:002010-07-31T18:41:00.880-07:00Simple Pleasures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFSj3uBJ3vI/AAAAAAAABAI/EFX6BOyCDRI/s1600/IMG_4068.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFSj3uBJ3vI/AAAAAAAABAI/EFX6BOyCDRI/s400/IMG_4068.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500201222567223026" /></a>Sometimes, the littlest things make me so happy. Like this reclaimed wood caddy I got at <a href="http://www.redridgefarms.com/">Red Ridge Farms</a> in the Willamette Valley. I filled it with a bunch of differently sized tin cans my dad's been saving for me. I lined them with plastic, punched drainage holes in the bottoms, filled them up with potting soil, and used them to pot up the little broccoli, kale, chard, and bok choy seedlings I started a few weeks ago. I filled the smallest ones with chives. Now, every time I go through the front door, I see them and smile. <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFSjR0qNi_I/AAAAAAAABAA/2bCR_6KwqBA/s1600/IMG_4067.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFSjR0qNi_I/AAAAAAAABAA/2bCR_6KwqBA/s400/IMG_4067.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500200571515014130" /></a>Now, I've got to talk basil. Maybe I missed the boat and everyone already knows this, but I just learned that putting freshly harvested basil in a jar full of water is the best way to store it until you're ready to use it. I used some basil the other day that had been in the mason jar for a week and it was still vibrant and just like new. This has been a simple, but amazing discovery! I've always had a hard time harvesting and eating all the basil I grow before it starts to flower, but now, I know I can harvest it and keep it fresh for a bit until I'm ready to use it. Plus, it makes a beautiful bouquet! Right now, I have a jar of fresh picked basil next to a larger jar of huge dahlia blooms from the garden and it's the best centerpiece I've created in awhile. And it smells great too!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-75887015262610664462010-07-30T07:24:00.001-07:002010-07-30T07:37:33.285-07:00Seed Saving Class, this Saturday!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFLjf8SJV8I/AAAAAAAAA_4/fkmrhx0glnY/s1600/51SWMfYNijL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFLjf8SJV8I/AAAAAAAAA_4/fkmrhx0glnY/s400/51SWMfYNijL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499708232870483906" /></a>It's not too late to sign up for the <a href="http://seattletilth.org/learn/classes-and-workshops/saving-seeds-perpetuating-a-tradition">Saving Seeds</a> class at Seattle Tilth, which will be held tomorrow, Saturday, from 10am to 12am. I stumbled upon the class listing in a Seattle Tilth e-newsletter this week (not sure why I didn't see it earlier) and faxed my registration just yesterday. Unfortunately, because of low enrollment, it might not actually happen. And that would be such a bummer! It is being taught by the author of the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Edible-Heirlooms-Heritage-Vegetables-ebook/dp/B003JPW0EM">Edible Heirlooms</a>, which you might remember hearing about in this <a href="http://stacysgrowinggreen.blogspot.com/2010/03/beans-beans-musical-fruit.html">post</a>. I saved my own tomato seeds last year for the first time and I've got to tell you, it's the coolest thing to have tomato plants flourishing from them this summer. I think the class will be super interesting and informative! You should join me! <div><br /></div><div>Here is Seattle Tilth's class description:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Lucida, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "></p><blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">You can grow vegetables from your own seeds. Save your favorite variety, make your plants truly local, perpetuate and pass on heirloom varieties and save a bit of money in the process. The class will cover pollination types, how to choose your seed plants, how to hand-pollinate, how to save seeds using dry and wet methods, and how to harvest and store seeds.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Bill is the author of the recent book “Edible Heirlooms: Heritage Vegetables for the Maritime Garden,” which tells the lore and cultivation of more than 100 heirloom varieties of favorite home-garden veggies.</p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "></p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-40128447580415048822010-07-29T18:19:00.001-07:002010-07-29T19:40:38.261-07:00I heart summer!Oh, summer! How I love thee! Let me count the ways!<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIzPX0ZafI/AAAAAAAAA_o/4UNaPy6YKCo/s1600/IMG_4058.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIzPX0ZafI/AAAAAAAAA_o/4UNaPy6YKCo/s400/IMG_4058.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499514434157636082" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>I love peach and blueberry pie!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><br /></i></span></div></i><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIqvgJE92I/AAAAAAAAA_g/eUKCCxDtLMc/s1600/IMG_4040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIqvgJE92I/AAAAAAAAA_g/eUKCCxDtLMc/s400/IMG_4040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499505090543023970" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I love how happy the chickens get when they graze on the sun-kissed lawn</i>.</div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIqKK0OenI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/cgyeAzIlRj4/s1600/IMG_4039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIqKK0OenI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/cgyeAzIlRj4/s400/IMG_4039.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499504449163262578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I love leaving the car at home and riding my shiny new bike for business (trips to the market) and pleasure (jaunts down the boardwalk at Alki)</i>.</div></div><div> <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIo5rDMi2I/AAAAAAAAA-w/OsdsaCKONdg/s1600/IMG_4047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIo5rDMi2I/AAAAAAAAA-w/OsdsaCKONdg/s400/IMG_4047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499503066246581090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I love the amazingly beautiful blooms that adorn my new <a href="http://stacysgrowinggreen.blogspot.com/2010/03/path-of-least-resistance.html">pathway</a> and love the bees that visit them!</i></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIpoJoJTHI/AAAAAAAAA_I/HnZF-xmC-60/s1600/IMG_4053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIpoJoJTHI/AAAAAAAAA_I/HnZF-xmC-60/s400/IMG_4053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499503864728603762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIpeuHhkxI/AAAAAAAAA_A/rBmzvtb91aE/s1600/IMG_4052.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIpeuHhkxI/AAAAAAAAA_A/rBmzvtb91aE/s400/IMG_4052.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499503702725202706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIpTZQGQpI/AAAAAAAAA-4/MbpHzub4k8U/s1600/IMG_4050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIpTZQGQpI/AAAAAAAAA-4/MbpHzub4k8U/s400/IMG_4050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499503508145455762" /></a></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIzb0XyW-I/AAAAAAAAA_w/DNOArH99pvY/s1600/IMG_4063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TFIzb0XyW-I/AAAAAAAAA_w/DNOArH99pvY/s400/IMG_4063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499514647980694498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And I love enjoying fresh basil and the first zucchini from the garden!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Zucchini Basil Pizza</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Adapted from <i>Local Flavors</i>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>This recipe is almost too simple to post, but I want to share because I just devoured way more of that pizza than I should have. I used the pizza dough recipe from <a href="http://www.deborahmadison.com/">Deborah Madison</a>'s cookbook, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Local-Flavors-Cooking-Americas-Farmers/dp/0767903498">Local Flavors</a>. It always turns out amazing!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">homemade pizza dough</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 medium zucchini, cut into thin slices (about 1/4 inch thick)</div><div style="text-align: left;">8 or 9 large basil leaves, slivered</div><div style="text-align: left;">Chevre </div><div style="text-align: left;">olive oil</div><div style="text-align: left;">red wine vinegar</div><div style="text-align: left;">salt and pepper</div><br /></div></div></div><div>Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Roll the dough into a circle and place on a pizza pan.</div><div><br /></div><div>Place the zucchini slices and slivered basil leaves in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and a couple splashes of vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss zucchini until well coated. </div><div><br /></div><div>Brush the dough with olive oil and spread the zucchini slices on the dough, covering completely if there's enough. Dot the pizza evenly with crumbled, fresh chevre.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bake for 15 minutes. When the crust is golden, remove from the oven and brush the outer crust with olive oil. Cut into wedges and enjoy! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-90877948417122880262010-07-25T12:22:00.000-07:002010-07-25T14:51:15.262-07:00Willamette Valley Wineries: A Green Getaway<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEyjsSoalsI/AAAAAAAAA9g/K-PIJa2oP9A/s1600/IMG_1697.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEyjsSoalsI/AAAAAAAAA9g/K-PIJa2oP9A/s400/IMG_1697.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497949226423457474" /></a>Jake and I were originally supposed to go backpacking this weekend, but Jake injured himself while running this week, so we had to change our plans. A quick, last minute search on the Internet and <a href="http://www.sunset.com/">Sunset.com</a> led us to the Willamette Valley in Oregon, about a half hour outside of Portland, for the perfect low-impact activity – wine tasting!<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEykdhWcWiI/AAAAAAAAA9o/AEEpdKrLxy4/s1600/IMG_1683.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEykdhWcWiI/AAAAAAAAA9o/AEEpdKrLxy4/s400/IMG_1683.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497950072188197410" /></a>I've never visited any of the local wineries in our area, but it's something we've been talking about doing for awhile. Especially after traveling to Mendoza, <a href="http://stacysgrowinggreen.blogspot.com/2010/01/adventures-in-argentina.html">Argentina</a> for Malbec tasting. Granted, we didn't trek all the way to the southern hemisphere just to taste wine, but once we did, we had so much fun, we talked about checking out the wineries available in our own backyard (or hemisphere). Washington and Oregon have many to choose from. And what a fantastic discovery it was! </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEylXe0JTPI/AAAAAAAAA9w/7t56RqiyUd0/s1600/IMG_1664.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEylXe0JTPI/AAAAAAAAA9w/7t56RqiyUd0/s400/IMG_1664.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497951067939884274" /></a>I had no idea how lovely our local wine country is! It is absolutely beautiful! We left Seattle early Friday morning, which put us in Dundee Hills, one of the large winery areas in the <a href="http://www.willamettewines.com/">Willamette Valley</a>, just after noon. Before we started our tour, we stopped in at the Newberg visitors' center for a winery map. They gave us several vouchers for free tastings at two different wineries and were also able to give us some good recommendations, which was nice since there are so many wineries to choose from. On our first day, we visited the following wineries: <a href="http://www.thefourgraces.com/">Four Graces</a>, <a href="http://www.winderlea.com/">Winderlea</a>, <a href="http://www.langewinery.com/">Lange</a>, and <a href="http://www.erath.com/">Erath</a>. This area is known for its Pinot Noir, which is one of Jake's favorites. We're normally partial to red, but were suprised to discover several whites that we really liked, especially the Chardonney from Lange. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEymwpJ4thI/AAAAAAAAA94/VB9pyJ5mFsE/s1600/IMG_1670.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEymwpJ4thI/AAAAAAAAA94/VB9pyJ5mFsE/s400/IMG_1670.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497952599723783698" /></a>After a hard day of wine tasting (wink), we had both worked up an appetite and I was delighted to find the most perfect restaurant for dinner, right in our hotel. First, I've got to say that the <a href="http://www.innatredhills.com/">Inn at Red Hills</a>, the boutique hotel in Dundee where we stayed, was lovely! I loved everything about it – the organic/farmhouse chic decor was right up my alley and the owner, Kendall, was super welcoming and cheerful. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEynwIwzMGI/AAAAAAAAA-I/ci8DeFIEjaI/s1600/IMG_1701.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEynwIwzMGI/AAAAAAAAA-I/ci8DeFIEjaI/s400/IMG_1701.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497953690540257378" /></a>Even the gifts they sold in the lobby were adorable! I loved everything – the ceramic farm kitchenware, the reusable bags, the "Who's your farmer?" bumper stickers, the hand carved, wooden pig bookends, and the turquoise bird salt and pepper shakers that I just couldn't resist.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEynTP8zZUI/AAAAAAAAA-A/9UmhSZ2QvuU/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEynTP8zZUI/AAAAAAAAA-A/9UmhSZ2QvuU/s400/IMG_1674.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497953194253444418" /></a>And the restaurant! The lovely, little restaurant in the hotel called <a href="http://www.innatredhills.com/farm_to_fork.html">Farm to Fork</a> focuses on creating delicious meals with locally sourced and super fresh ingredients. Our dinner and breakfast, which we ate at the restaurant, were amazing! Saying that Jake loved their delicious and uniquely crisp breakfast potatoes would be an understatement.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEyqHC_26tI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/ADnFHxy4xbI/s1600/IMG_1672.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEyqHC_26tI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/ADnFHxy4xbI/s400/IMG_1672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497956283153050322" /></a>And it was all I could do to focus on the meal and stop making comments like, "Oh, Jake! Look at that picture of chard! Oh, I love those tables! Aahh, look at those wood pigs! Oh, I should put my lavender cuttings in vases like these!" There was no doubt that we had found the most perfect spot! </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEyqsThAu5I/AAAAAAAAA-Y/VkUpdHb3lNQ/s1600/IMG_1679.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEyqsThAu5I/AAAAAAAAA-Y/VkUpdHb3lNQ/s400/IMG_1679.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497956923242232722" /></a>Our second day in the Willamette Valley was lovely as well. We started by taking a drive to Carlton, another little winery town in the valley. We didn't end up doing any tastings there since we weren't quite ready to start drinking wine before noon, but we decided we'd have to come back when we were. It was definitely worth the drive though – I was able to hit up some cute antique shops there, including a sale in a big red barn!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEyrvAYUTSI/AAAAAAAAA-g/WGI4Sa_ZleI/s1600/IMG_1689.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEyrvAYUTSI/AAAAAAAAA-g/WGI4Sa_ZleI/s400/IMG_1689.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497958069156728098" /></a>We actually ended up back in Dundee, where we stopped off at <a href="http://www.redridgefarms.com/">Red Ridge Farm</a> for olive oil tasting and lavender smelling! The farm was amazing! Their beautifully fragrant lavender plot was teeming with bees! The buzzing sounds and lovely smells could have kept me entertained for hours.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEyuNJeoMyI/AAAAAAAAA-o/Ket1T6HwZF4/s1600/IMG_1666.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEyuNJeoMyI/AAAAAAAAA-o/Ket1T6HwZF4/s400/IMG_1666.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497960786018448162" /></a>I eventually lured myself away for our visit to <a href="http://www.domainedrouhin.com/en/index.php">Domaine Drouhin</a>, <a href="http://www.bellavida.com/">Bella Vida</a>, <a href="http://www.crumbledrockwines.com/">Crumbled Rock</a>, <a href="http://www.toriimorwinery.com/">Torii Mor</a>, and <a href="http://www.pennerash.com/">Penner-Ash</a>. The pinots were delicious, the views were incredible – the whole trip was so worth the short drive from Seattle. We finished off our getaway with another delicious, localtarian delight – dinner at the <a href="http://www.thefarmcafe.com/">Farm Cafe</a> in Portland. I'm eating the other half of my <a href="http://www.thefarmcafe.com/2010/06/how-to-make-the-farmhouse-veggie-burger/">Farmhouse Veggie Burger</a> on ciabatta bread as I type this – it's unlike any burger I have ever had. Did I mention they posted the recipe for said burger on their website? Yes, I will most definitely be making it as soon as I see eggplant at the market this summer. </div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't mean to write a novel today, I just had no idea this amazing place existed. And just a quick car ride away! The whole experience was so lovely. I can't wait to explore even more of our local treasures!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-43493334034510302292010-07-18T20:31:00.000-07:002010-07-29T19:51:25.518-07:00Pie in a Jar<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEPZjYqug1I/AAAAAAAAA7w/6yZGTGz3za0/s1600/IMG_1571.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEPZjYqug1I/AAAAAAAAA7w/6yZGTGz3za0/s400/IMG_1571.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495475172262445906" /></a>It's blueberry season, people. I've been waiting quite patiently for this time to come back around and it's finally here! The weather has finally warmed up enough to ripen those beautiful berries and the U-pick farms around Washington are open for business! I could not be more thrilled, which is why I went to <a href="http://www.bryantblueberries.com/">Bryant Blueberry Farm</a> in Arlington on Thursday and picked my first 28 pounds of blueberries. <div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEPZ6fTnWuI/AAAAAAAAA74/0gmJ9xRKP50/s1600/IMG_1565.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEPZ6fTnWuI/AAAAAAAAA74/0gmJ9xRKP50/s400/IMG_1565.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495475569181547234" /></a>Ok now, I know what you're thinking. 28 pounds of blueberries?! Quoting my <a href="http://imablogtoo.blogspot.com/">bff</a>, "What does one do with 28 pounds of blueberries?" That's a perfectly valid and logical question. So to start, I have to explain the oatmeal debacle. Last year's blueberries ruined us for plain oatmeal. Jake and I were going along just fine, eating plain old oatmeal everyday before work until I started putting blueberries in it. Later in the year, I'd make it with frozen blueberries that I'd preserved from my picking and it was equally delicious. And then, when we finally depleted our blueberry reserves and had to start eating plain oatmeal again, it was a total letdown. It's like this episode on Seinfeld when Elaine and Jerry are on the same flight, but Elaine is in the mundane, crowded coach seat and Jerry is in the decadent first class seat. He tells her he's been in first class and knows what it's like now and can't possibly go back! Having blueberries in your oatmeal is like flying first class; I can't go back to coach now! So, Jake, being the smarty mathematician that he is, dutifully calculated how many pounds of blueberries I'd have to pick in order for us to eat a 1/4 cup of blueberries in our oatmeal every weekday of the year until blueberry season comes again. According to his calculations, I'm going to have to pick around 51 pounds! I know, you probably think I am crazy to be actually contemplating picking 51 pounds of blueberries for oatmeal. Having blueberries in your oatmeal everyday is not a necessity – I realize this. However, if it means I get the day started off right with some antioxidants and a smile, plus have an amazing time picking each and every one of them (at only $2 a pound for organic, local berries), I think it might be worth it.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEPagsH8NNI/AAAAAAAAA8A/yPBfD0fdn8Q/s1600/IMG_1566.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TEPagsH8NNI/AAAAAAAAA8A/yPBfD0fdn8Q/s400/IMG_1566.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495476225457272018" /></a>So, because I couldn't possibly store <i>all</i> of those berries without enjoying some of them while they're especially ripe and spectacular, I put some of them to immediate use this weekend. I made blueberry butter. And by making said blueberry butter, I officially became a canner! That's right – I made a canning recipe that I processed using the boiling water method and can proudly say that I'll be storing those goods on the shelf, thank you very much! And the result (because yes, I already opened one jar – can you blame me??) – toast never had it so good! Believe me, if you think apple butter is good, try this recipe ASAP. It is phenomenal!!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Blueberry Butter</b></div><div>Adapted from Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter, <a href="http://www.foodinjars.com/2010/06/25/june-can-jam-slow-cooker-blueberry-butter/">foodinjars.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><i>According to </i><a href="http://small-measure.blogspot.com/"><i>Ashley</i></a><i> in </i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_29?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=canning+and+preserving+with+ashley&x=0&y=0&sprefix=canning+and+preserving+with+A&ih=17_4_4_1_0_1_0_0_0_1.18_200&fsc=25"><i>Canning and Preserving with Ashley English</i></a><i>, the book I've been reading before bed (yep, I'm just puttin' it all out there now), a fruit butter is "a fruit and sugar mixture where cooked fruit is pureed and then combined with sugar and heated until smooth and velvety."</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I'm finding that a frying pan </i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Splatter-Screen-13-Inch-Diameter/dp/B00167W8MY/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1279514311&sr=1-7"><i>splatter screen</i></a><i> is a valuable canning tool. This recipe makes a mess. Oh! And note to self - don't wear white while simmering this dark blue butter!</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I highly recommend that you check out the original recipe for this butter, which uses a slow cooker. I will most definitely try it out some time. Naturally, I had ten million projects going on at once when I made this, so I just made it on the stove. But, it turned out delicious all the same – like pie in a jar without the crust!</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Makes approximately 3 pints</div><div><br /></div><div>8 cups of pureed blueberries (about 12 cups of fresh blueberries)*</div><div>2 cups sugar</div><div>2 teaspoons cinnamon</div><div>1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg</div><div><br /></div><div>Put the blueberry puree, sugar and spices in a stockpot and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about an hour, until the mixture has cooked down and is dark and smooth. Make sure to stir often so the mixture does not stick or burn. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ladle the blueberry butter into your sterilized mason jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.</div><div><br /></div><div>*Blueberries puree beautifully in a blender, no added liquid necessary. </div><div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-89455222218965243202010-07-15T18:43:00.001-07:002010-07-16T08:01:07.888-07:00Tin Can Lanterns<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD-5j9WfHjI/AAAAAAAAA7A/RTY9dp5SOQo/s1600/IMG_1512.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD-5j9WfHjI/AAAAAAAAA7A/RTY9dp5SOQo/s400/IMG_1512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494314097830731314" border="0" /></a>I've got art on the brain for some reason. This may be obvious, considering my last post and the newly added page to this blog, <i><a href="http://stacysgrowinggreen.blogspot.com/p/art.html">The Art</a></i>. It's just such a big part of my garden and my life, it's gotta be part of this blog. So, my latest endeavor to beautify my space has been to create more garden lanterns. <div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD-7_aDIupI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/UtU3c4hFH_Q/s1600/IMG_1514.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD-7_aDIupI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/UtU3c4hFH_Q/s400/IMG_1514.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494316768413923986" border="0" /></a>I started creating mason jar lanterns last year after reading this <a href="http://www.digginfood.com/?s=lanterns">post</a> of Willi's. I put lids on the jars in the fall to keep the rain out of them and they held up just great through the winter. Of course, I don't light them during the cold and rainy winter months, but they make me happy just seeing them hanging in the trees. They keep me thinking about the sun that is soon to come.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD_BsGlFLFI/AAAAAAAAA7o/A9FfXMoNb9g/s1600/IMG_1698.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD_BsGlFLFI/AAAAAAAAA7o/A9FfXMoNb9g/s400/IMG_1698.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494323033839840338" border="0" /></a>This year, I've moved on to tin cans a la Martha Stewart. And I <i>love</i> them! They are just so precious and easy to make. Plus, they're green – transforming recyclable tin cans into functional art!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD-8U1Hi7gI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/RS2Jn_ssGEc/s1600/IMG_1515.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD-8U1Hi7gI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/RS2Jn_ssGEc/s400/IMG_1515.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494317136457428482" border="0" /></a>Just rinse out the can, fill it up with water (leaving about 3/4 of an inch of space from the top), and stick it in the freezer until frozen solid. The frozen water helps the cans keep their shape. Then, using a variety of nails to create different sized holes, pound a design into your can with a hammer. Don't forget to add two holes near the top on both sides of the can for the hanging wire. I forgot to do that on the first one and when I tried to pound them in later, I completely dented the can. Now it's resigned to be a table lantern. </div><div><br /></div><div>I used some thick, but pliable wire to create simple hangers and used my needle nose pliers to bend a spiral shape into the ends of the wires, a feature that also keeps the hanger attached to the can!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD-8tRg-6QI/AAAAAAAAA7g/s01nQTSb-QY/s1600/IMG_1516.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD-8tRg-6QI/AAAAAAAAA7g/s01nQTSb-QY/s400/IMG_1516.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494317556397172994" border="0" /></a>I have the tin can and mason jar lanterns hanging all over the maple and apple tree out front and when they're all lit, it's the most welcoming and cozy sight I've ever seen in the city. Makes me feel like I should have a porch swing!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-49386873019882058472010-07-14T19:11:00.000-07:002010-07-14T20:49:54.070-07:00My Mosaic Mural<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD5_VL1EwPI/AAAAAAAAA4w/djN4gjVpkB4/s1600/IMG_0693.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD5_VL1EwPI/AAAAAAAAA4w/djN4gjVpkB4/s400/IMG_0693.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493968597367963890" /></a>Those of you that have been in my garden know that art abounds around here. I think one of the things I love the most about having a big yard is having space to decorate outdoors. I love me some color and even more, I love mosaics! (Remember <a href="http://stacysgrowinggreen.blogspot.com/2008/12/patience-is-virtue.html">these</a> and <a href="http://stacysgrowinggreen.blogspot.com/2010/05/honey-bee-mosaic.html">this</a>? Oh! And who could forget <a href="http://stacysgrowinggreen.blogspot.com/2009/01/education-is-key.html">him</a>?) I was blown away by <a href="http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/gaudi/park-guell.html">Gaudi's mosaics</a> when I studied abroad in Spain during my college years, so when I came back to the states, I immediately found a mosaic stepping stone class. That class created a monster and I have since been mosaicing an abundance of surfaces around my home, inside and out. Well, this month marks the three year anniversary of my biggest project yet, a 12 foot by 5 foot tumbled stained glass mosaic mural, which adorns the back wall of my detached garage and is the backdrop for my patio. It took me exactly 31 days to complete, the whole month of July 2007. I worked for six to eight hours a day putting up every piece by hand, and three years later, I'm still loving every one! <div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD5yIfH4-LI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/7hLPuyI0P70/s1600/IMG_0641.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD5yIfH4-LI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/7hLPuyI0P70/s400/IMG_0641.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493954085557696690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The blank canvas, before</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD5yqR3NNDI/AAAAAAAAA3g/hlpHHZMvL0w/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD5yqR3NNDI/AAAAAAAAA3g/hlpHHZMvL0w/s400/IMG_0643.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493954666113610802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Tile backerboard and a quick sketch</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD5zvfYZOGI/AAAAAAAAA3o/yGKhW3KMMxY/s1600/IMG_0649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD5zvfYZOGI/AAAAAAAAA3o/yGKhW3KMMxY/s400/IMG_0649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493955855153444962" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mountains and a tree line, an idea which didn't come about until a quick trip to <a href="http://www.bedrockindustries.com/">Bedrock</a> for more glass. I was driving over the hill towards Ballard, saw the beautiful Olympics in the distance, and thought, Yes! That's what I need! A tree line</i>!</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD51gMbWvgI/AAAAAAAAA3w/-jm-QxPvUFo/s1600/IMG_0657.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD51gMbWvgI/AAAAAAAAA3w/-jm-QxPvUFo/s400/IMG_0657.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493957791390809602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Treeline complete. The interminable application of grass blades begins</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD52tceXQ-I/AAAAAAAAA34/CKbs8T_FIbw/s1600/IMG_0667.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD52tceXQ-I/AAAAAAAAA34/CKbs8T_FIbw/s400/IMG_0667.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493959118548321250" /></a><span style="font-style:italic;"><div style="text-align: center;">Filling in the tree and...more grass.</div></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD53kdOs9XI/AAAAAAAAA4A/RVJuT3UYAPg/s1600/IMG_0692.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD53kdOs9XI/AAAAAAAAA4A/RVJuT3UYAPg/s400/IMG_0692.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493960063643874674" /></a><span style="font-style:italic;"><div style="text-align: center;">Another tree!</div></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD54eBWkooI/AAAAAAAAA4I/PQ3CMnbm2rs/s1600/IMG_0695.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD54eBWkooI/AAAAAAAAA4I/PQ3CMnbm2rs/s400/IMG_0695.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493961052593103490" /></a><i><br /></i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD562fXNfJI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/VkRoQV17oeo/s1600/IMG_0703.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD562fXNfJI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/VkRoQV17oeo/s400/IMG_0703.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493963671988960402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Blue skies with pieces of mirror to reflect the natural sunlight</i></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD576rwx1MI/AAAAAAAAA4g/76YYgjiZ53A/s1600/IMG_0706.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD576rwx1MI/AAAAAAAAA4g/76YYgjiZ53A/s400/IMG_0706.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493964843548529858" /></a></div><span style="font-style:italic;"><div style="text-align: center;">Yep, more grass</div></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD59HAI97vI/AAAAAAAAA4o/Rc9_QPN4NRc/s1600/IMG_0708.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD59HAI97vI/AAAAAAAAA4o/Rc9_QPN4NRc/s400/IMG_0708.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493966154688753394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Sunshine and </i><a href="http://riasbluebird.com/"><i>Ria's bluebird</i></a><i>, a little tribute to my bff, </i><a href="http://imablogtoo.blogspot.com/"><i>Radhi</i></a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD6A1kLtwRI/AAAAAAAAA44/EnxBDoW3DX4/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD6A1kLtwRI/AAAAAAAAA44/EnxBDoW3DX4/s400/IMG_0714.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493970253172818194" /></a><span style="font-style:italic;"><div style="text-align: center;">Complete!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD6BoJzxyrI/AAAAAAAAA5A/-cxbXPWcuH4/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD6BoJzxyrI/AAAAAAAAA5A/-cxbXPWcuH4/s400/IMG_0712.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493971122266426034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Thousands of blades of glass, </i><i>which I cut by hand out of four different shades of green </i><i>stained glass</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD6C0PBimqI/AAAAAAAAA5I/vU0aCw6oVHU/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD6C0PBimqI/AAAAAAAAA5I/vU0aCw6oVHU/s400/IMG_0119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493972429336386210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD6DeOMeLgI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/Zrh5HlgaJ0Y/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TD6DeOMeLgI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/Zrh5HlgaJ0Y/s400/IMG_0716.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493973150668303874" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-14774220931758369432010-07-12T21:51:00.000-07:002010-07-12T22:47:56.617-07:00What's a barbecue without the mustard?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDvyUtyVgZI/AAAAAAAAA24/ixWPsvOzPY8/s1600/IMG_1651.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDvyUtyVgZI/AAAAAAAAA24/ixWPsvOzPY8/s400/IMG_1651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493250608210477458" border="0" /></a>It has been so sunny and beautiful lately. I love summer in Seattle! And to make things even better, I've got time off to do all my projects. So, I've finally made a couple of recipes from the super cool book, <a href="http://www.jamitpickleitcureit.com/">Jam it, Pickle it, Can it</a>. I made mustard!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDvysHsyKwI/AAAAAAAAA3A/tiqDYZlhaCo/s1600/IMG_1476.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDvysHsyKwI/AAAAAAAAA3A/tiqDYZlhaCo/s400/IMG_1476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493251010303503106" border="0" /></a>To make this classic barbecue condiment, I mixed together organic yellow mustard powder, sugar, vinegar, and salt. I let it sit in a cool, dark place for two weeks and just in time for my dad's birthday barbecue, the mustard was ready!<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDv3CM0wWpI/AAAAAAAAA3I/N7aN_cmIA4A/s1600/IMG_1521.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDv3CM0wWpI/AAAAAAAAA3I/N7aN_cmIA4A/s400/IMG_1521.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493255787682749074" border="0" /></a>It's delicious – tastes like dijon honey mustard. The consistency is a little odd. It's thick like peanut butter, so you have to spread it with a knife. I spread it on the crust before baking the delicious <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/02/cauliflower-and-caramelized-onion-tart/">Romanesco cauliflower tart with carmelized onions</a> I made for dinner tonight. I was raving after every bite!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDv7YfNK2EI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/i7GwgAMsOE0/s1600/IMG_1532.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDv7YfNK2EI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/i7GwgAMsOE0/s400/IMG_1532.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493260568620619842" border="0" /></a>Tonight, I made the recipe for ketchup. It has to sit over night, but judging by the taste I had while it was simmering, it's going to be delicious too. I had no idea mustard and ketchup could taste so good!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-62090144883179411802010-07-11T08:39:00.000-07:002010-07-29T19:48:52.444-07:00Our Second Spring!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDnrifJQ5oI/AAAAAAAAA2o/tL4BOFT0U2Q/s1600/greens.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDnrifJQ5oI/AAAAAAAAA2o/tL4BOFT0U2Q/s400/greens.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492680198263465602" /></a>I learned in a <a href="https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=mail&passive=true&rm=false&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fmail.google.com%2Fmail%2F%3Fui%3Dhtml%26zy%3Dl&bsv=1eic6yu9oa4y3&scc=1&ltmpl=default&ltmplcache=2">Seattle Tilth</a> class last year that July is our second spring. That means that now is the time to start planting your fall and winter garden. I use the <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/6-9780931380181-0">Seattle Tilth Maritime Northwest Garden Guide</a> for direction and make sure I buy seeds for overwintering plants or plants that are meant to be planted for the fall. A lot of times the varieties will be slow-bolting, which means the seedlings hold out for our cool, fall weather longer than varieties we'd plant in the spring that would quickly go to seed in our hot summer weather. <div><br /></div><div>The key is to keep that seed bed moist – you don't want the soil to dry out before your seeds germinate. One way you can do that is by draping some <a href="http://www.planetnatural.com/site/floating-row-cover.html">floating row cover</a> over the seed bed. It is a special type of agricultural fabric that is designed to let light and rain water in, while keeping a lot of pests out. You want to drape it loosely on the seed bed with some slack, so when the seedlings start growing, the fabric will move and "grow" with them. Just remember to keep it watered under there!</div><div><br /></div><div>This month, you can plant:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDno4cXkzrI/AAAAAAAAA2A/KkqtWyfjrEI/s1600/IMG_0777.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDno4cXkzrI/AAAAAAAAA2A/KkqtWyfjrEI/s400/IMG_0777.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492677276940422834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Overwintering Carrots</i></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDnpgNiO2hI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/ggthuU4EWXI/s1600/bokchoy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDnpgNiO2hI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/ggthuU4EWXI/s400/bokchoy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492677960153356818" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>Oriental Greens, like Pac Choi</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></div></i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDnp_zXynmI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/QzmJ5gWrGUg/s1600/IMG_0589.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDnp_zXynmI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/QzmJ5gWrGUg/s400/IMG_0589.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492678502886055522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Cabbage</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDnqbGl1SVI/AAAAAAAAA2g/eTsVLOqM_8o/s1600/swisschard.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDnqbGl1SVI/AAAAAAAAA2g/eTsVLOqM_8o/s400/swisschard.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492678971901692242" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>Swiss Chard and Kale</i></span></div></i><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDnsJKUlSBI/AAAAAAAAA2w/y3BylmzUrBk/s1600/IMG_1655.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDnsJKUlSBI/AAAAAAAAA2w/y3BylmzUrBk/s400/IMG_1655.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492680862688692242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Snap and Snow Peas</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">In late July and August, plant:</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDnpTOc_LVI/AAAAAAAAA2I/sbGFZJUs84s/s1600/IMG_0463.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDnpTOc_LVI/AAAAAAAAA2I/sbGFZJUs84s/s400/IMG_0463.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492677737061494098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Spinach and Lettuce</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">For a complete listing of all the delicious vegetables you can grow during the fall and winter, check out the Maritime Northwest Garden Guide. On my Pacific northwest urban farm, it's indispensable. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-11941609199670899442010-07-08T14:22:00.000-07:002010-07-08T15:17:17.190-07:00Homemade Hiking Sustenance<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDZLA7b5cqI/AAAAAAAAA1g/UOivUjbAuTU/s1600/35414_1482878184423_1007880354_1360402_1269964_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDZLA7b5cqI/AAAAAAAAA1g/UOivUjbAuTU/s400/35414_1482878184423_1007880354_1360402_1269964_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491659274951684770" /></a>I went for an amazing hike on Tuesday with a couple of my girlfriends to <a href="http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes-of-the-week/noble-knob">Noble Nob</a> near Mt.Rainier National Park. I was really excited about it because I have never done any hikes in that area, nor have I spent much time that close to Mt.Rainier.<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDZLr_JR4CI/AAAAAAAAA1o/9L-jGgWCPbw/s1600/34444_1482884744587_1007880354_1360414_5155956_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDZLr_JR4CI/AAAAAAAAA1o/9L-jGgWCPbw/s400/34444_1482884744587_1007880354_1360414_5155956_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491660014681710626" /></a>We were lucky to have beautiful, sunny weather. The temperature was perfect – not too hot, not too cool. The hike is seven miles round trip and there's only about a 500 ft elevation gain, so it's not too rigorous a hike. We had to traverse a few snowy patches, some that completely covered the trail, but it was fun and melting snow run-off that flowed down little waterfalls made for some interesting scenery along the way. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDZMs0YNCzI/AAAAAAAAA14/qvCRRrHzoGs/s1600/35414_1482878264425_1007880354_1360404_3738746_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDZMs0YNCzI/AAAAAAAAA14/qvCRRrHzoGs/s400/35414_1482878264425_1007880354_1360404_3738746_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491661128483015474" /></a>Because I am the ultimate planner and wanted to bring localtarian snacks to eat along the way, I made homemade energy bars. They are chock-full of whole grains and will keep in an airtight container for up to two weeks (or could be frozen), so they can be fodder for other outdoor adventures as well.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDZMLbFUHHI/AAAAAAAAA1w/_WzdRFzys6c/s1600/IMG_1692.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDZMLbFUHHI/AAAAAAAAA1w/_WzdRFzys6c/s400/IMG_1692.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491660554757217394" /></a></div><div><b></b></div><blockquote><div><b>Peanut butter cranberry energy bars</b></div><div>Adapted from <i>Sunset</i>, October 2008</div><div><br /></div><div>Cooking oil spray or neutral-tasting oil, like Canola oil</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Dry ingredients</i>:</div><div>1 cup regular rolled oats</div><div>1/3 cup oat bran</div><div>3 tbsp. flax seeds</div><div>1 cup whole-wheat flour</div><div>1/2 tsp. <i>each</i> baking powder and salt</div><div>1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds</div><div>1/2 cup dried cranberries</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Wet ingredients</i>:</div><div>3/4 cup natural peanut butter (I get mine freshly ground in the bulk section of the <a href="http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/">PCC</a>)</div><div>1/4 cup milk (I used almond milk)</div><div>1 large egg</div><div>1/2 cup honey</div><div>1 tbsp. lemon juice</div><div><br /></div><div>Line a 9 x 13 in. pan with plastic wrap, leaving some to overhang on the 9 in. sides, and coat with cooking-oil spray or brush with canola oil. In a large bowl, stir together the dry ingredients until well blended. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the wet ingredients until well blended.</div><div><br /></div><div>Add the flour mixture (dry ingredients) to the peanut butter mixture and beat until completely blended. Scrape the dough into the prepared pan and, with wet fingers or a rubber spatula, pat to fill the pan completely and evenly. The dough is sticky so you may need to wash your hands a few times. Chill the dough, in the pan, until firm, about 30 minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Invert the pan onto a work surface, lift off the pan, and remove the plastic. Using a bench scraper or knife, cut straight down lengthwise through the middle, then crosswise to make 16 bars, each 1 1/2 in. wide. Place the bars about 1 in. apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bake the bars until lightly browned and somewhat firm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. </div></blockquote><div></div>Special thanks to <a href="http://www.hollisrendleman.com/">Hollis</a> for taking these beautiful pictures and <a href="http://www.fringe-fitness.com/">Stacey</a> for posing in one of them with me!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-85667837017626948252010-07-07T21:20:00.000-07:002010-07-29T19:41:15.747-07:00Basil Lemonade<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDVWnyo5KaI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/2_MqQnWCehM/s1600/IMG_1683.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDVWnyo5KaI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/2_MqQnWCehM/s400/IMG_1683.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491390562256365986" /></a>Well, summer officially arrived in Seattle this week. The highs were in the 80s today and the weathermen were saying it's supposed to be around 90 tomorrow. A few of my girls came over today and to keep them cool and refreshed, I made a pitcher of basil lemonade. It was super delicious. So, if you're sweltering too in your neck of the woods, I highly recommend that you try it. <div><br /></div><blockquote><div><b>Basil Lemonade</b></div><div>Adapted from<i> The Herb Companion, </i>July 2010</div><div><br /></div><div>1 cup fresh squeezed organic lemon juice, about 5 lemons</div><div>1/2 cup sugar</div><div>6-8 large genovese basil leaves (more or less - this is not an exact science)</div><div>Sparkling water (I used local brand <i>Talking Rain Sparkling Water</i>, Lemon Zest flavor)</div><div>Ice</div><div><br /></div><div>Combine the lemon juice and sugar in a mason jar with a lid or cocktail shaker; shake vigorously until combined. </div><div><br /></div><div>Put the basil leaves, ice and lemon juice mixture into a pitcher. Fill up the pitcher with about a liter of sparkling water (I used about half of a 2 liter bottle). Give the lemonade a good stir and serve it in cold glasses with a basil leaf or two. </div><div><br /></div><div>Makes one pitcher (about 6 -7 pint glasses). </div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy and stay cool!</div><div><i><br /></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-46617223851498021852010-07-05T17:48:00.001-07:002010-07-29T19:48:05.698-07:00My first tomatoes...in June!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDJ-ZcYHJYI/AAAAAAAAA0o/3CT9ZT2OU50/s1600/IMG_1676.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDJ-ZcYHJYI/AAAAAAAAA0o/3CT9ZT2OU50/s400/IMG_1676.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490589871297209730" /></a>I harvested my first ripe, Stupice heirloom tomato for our Fathers' Day BBQ. My first tomato... in June, thanks to my lovely plastic-covered hoop house structure! I tempted fate when I put those seedlings in the ground so early, but I guess they got enough heat in their little house. As for the peppers and tomatillos...I'm not so sure. I'll have to keep you posted on those.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDJ-ED97HWI/AAAAAAAAA0g/OdnyeAdFyAQ/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDJ-ED97HWI/AAAAAAAAA0g/OdnyeAdFyAQ/s400/IMG_0997.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490589503967665506" /></a>Those beautiful tomatoes came from the seeds I saved last summer, my first attempt at saving seeds. I guess it worked!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDJ-qQLaF1I/AAAAAAAAA0w/pmy_bUnNDrc/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDJ-qQLaF1I/AAAAAAAAA0w/pmy_bUnNDrc/s400/IMG_1395.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490590160080475986" /></a>Jake and I were diggin' this series of photos. Basically, it's the super simple, but ridiculously delicious way I put this first tomato to use. <div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDJ_SooLTuI/AAAAAAAAA04/l-D27HihnM0/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDJ_SooLTuI/AAAAAAAAA04/l-D27HihnM0/s400/IMG_1396.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490590853838360290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Home-made French walnut bread with fresh Chevre </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I can't get enough goat cheese lately. After giving up dairy last year for my allergies and hearing that goat cheese is more easily digested, I've been giving it a try. Actually, I think "giving it a try" is a major understatement at this point.</div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDJ_jUPOVCI/AAAAAAAAA1A/iIz9Zi5mJAo/s1600/IMG_1399.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDJ_jUPOVCI/AAAAAAAAA1A/iIz9Zi5mJAo/s400/IMG_1399.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490591140422767650" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDJ_ydExFAI/AAAAAAAAA1I/8DSQ5YSF4xM/s1600/IMG_1409.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDJ_ydExFAI/AAAAAAAAA1I/8DSQ5YSF4xM/s400/IMG_1409.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490591400492864514" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>Fresh basil leaves topped by delicious Stupice tomato slices and a healthy drizzle of olive oil</i> </span></div></i><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDKAHE817aI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/ItpDf_TbMo0/s1600/IMG_1417.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TDKAHE817aI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/ItpDf_TbMo0/s400/IMG_1417.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490591754794429858" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>Devoured with pleasure </i></span></div></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-87098855249004799622010-06-29T18:27:00.000-07:002010-07-29T19:52:42.335-07:00Peas with a little cello<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCqjEk1gvsI/AAAAAAAAA0I/15KydYK_1S0/s1600/IMG_1658.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCqjEk1gvsI/AAAAAAAAA0I/15KydYK_1S0/s400/IMG_1658.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488378394907295426" /></a>I harvested my first peas of the season yesterday. I find harvesting peas to be so intriguing. I get into a groove, picking peas like crazy, and then, when I stop for a minute because it seems like I've picked all the peas in an area, I find more.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCqjiMtTAmI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/J9dFAAbg2nw/s1600/IMG_1655.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCqjiMtTAmI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/J9dFAAbg2nw/s400/IMG_1655.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488378903826465378" /></a>If you stare into the pea vines long enough, you'll find more right in front of your nose. I know it sounds strange, but when you think about it, most of the things we harvest (think zucchini and strawberries) are a different color than the plant that surrounds it, so they're easy to spot. But peas, and beans for that matter, and their surrounding leaves and vines are the same color, so they are easily camouflaged amongst the legume foliage.<div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCqkuqTbzrI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/3ZFU24dV9wA/s1600/ITT_cover_square.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCqkuqTbzrI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/3ZFU24dV9wA/s400/ITT_cover_square.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488380217441111730" /></a>I toted my little red ipod around with me all day yesterday as I gardened and harvested those delicious peas and just couldn't get enough of my new tunes. I usually garden to the sounds of the birds and the city, but I recently discovered a musical gem that has made my gardening doubly entertaining. While listening to one of my favorite podcasts, <a href="http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/?gclid=COPtl9bWxqICFQtKgwodLV7j5Q">Radio Lab</a>, I heard Jad, one of the co-hosts of the show, interviewing <a href="http://zoekeating.com/">Zoe Keating</a>. Zoe is a cellist that fuses together different melodies, created with her cello, to compose songs that sound as if they were being played by an orchestra. After replaying that podcast episode several times so I could hear the sample songs she played, I finally bought her new album. It's not even on iTunes yet, but you can download the mp3 version of the album directly from her web site. I don't know how many times I've listened to track two, <i>Escape Artist</i>. Cheesy, I know, but I find it breath-taking. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-4422795735944220662010-06-28T19:24:00.000-07:002010-07-29T19:57:10.047-07:00Got chicken wire?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TClbngj97LI/AAAAAAAAAzw/x7wDjS9aFZI/s1600/IMG_1435.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TClbngj97LI/AAAAAAAAAzw/x7wDjS9aFZI/s400/IMG_1435.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488018355241479346" /></a>Well, my summer vacation is in full swing and I am in project mode – big time. Jake came home on Thursday evening to find me in the middle of painting the bathroom. It was time to make it a little more farmhouse chic like the rest of the house. And nothing quite says farm like a little chicken wire, at least on my little urban "farm". So, I put some extra chicken wire to use this weekend by making a funky and practical girly bathroom accessory, an earring holder. <div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCleGTXnrHI/AAAAAAAAA0A/_aDcKSZz6-E/s1600/IMG_1439.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCleGTXnrHI/AAAAAAAAA0A/_aDcKSZz6-E/s400/IMG_1439.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488021083299228786" /></a>I just painted an inexpensive, wood picture frame from Ikea. Once the paint was dry, I cut out some chicken wire with my fantastic tin snips and used a heavy-duty stapler to attach the wire to the back of the frame. If you don't count the time it takes for the paint to dry, this craft takes about ten minutes to complete. It almost takes more time deciding which pair of earrings to wear.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCldsGYZhpI/AAAAAAAAAz4/nc6Jbv0Q2Vk/s1600/IMG_1438.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCldsGYZhpI/AAAAAAAAAz4/nc6Jbv0Q2Vk/s400/IMG_1438.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488020633136236178" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-74982289373173843762010-06-27T17:41:00.000-07:002010-07-29T19:41:41.462-07:00The Ladies: Three and half months old<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCfw7_eb1oI/AAAAAAAAAzo/xNvrUtWQevE/s1600/IMG_1460.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCfw7_eb1oI/AAAAAAAAAzo/xNvrUtWQevE/s400/IMG_1460.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487619584416274050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lucy</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCfwqYtUoiI/AAAAAAAAAzg/c6nNUpAwOMY/s1600/IMG_1465.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCfwqYtUoiI/AAAAAAAAAzg/c6nNUpAwOMY/s400/IMG_1465.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487619281951957538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Ethel</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCfwaBbT-7I/AAAAAAAAAzY/vBn-MfCB0YM/s1600/IMG_1467.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCfwaBbT-7I/AAAAAAAAAzY/vBn-MfCB0YM/s400/IMG_1467.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487619000824495026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Penny (a.k.a. Henny Penny)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCfwJOO0ZLI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/fOP8aWkdTFA/s1600/IMG_1454.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCfwJOO0ZLI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/fOP8aWkdTFA/s400/IMG_1454.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487618712203977906" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-58029583443062526502010-06-23T10:52:00.000-07:002010-06-23T14:00:06.300-07:00Now that's a perennial!When I was 17, I got a purple pansy tattooed on my leg. My dad went with me when I had it done and it was something I was happy with for years. But, this winter, I started getting the itch to revive my tired, 13 year old tattoo with something new.<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCJOQynU6xI/AAAAAAAAAzA/yNy3rPtzaFM/s1600/IMG_1023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCJOQynU6xI/AAAAAAAAAzA/yNy3rPtzaFM/s400/IMG_1023.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486033346462280466" /></a></div><div><br /></div>So, I made an appointment with an amazing artist, <a href="http://www.slavetotheneedle.com/tattoos/andrea-bio.asp">Andrea</a>, at <a href="http://www.slavetotheneedle.com/">Slave to the Needle</a> in Ballard, waited four months to finally get an appointment with her, and endured a little over two and a half hours of pain to have this beautiful new tattoo. Sure, having a pansy on my leg as a gardener was fitting, but this one just feels a bit more like me – more grown up, more botanical knowledge under my belt, more creative and artistic. The beautiful bee design I chose is not my artwork. My dad found it on some farmers' market poster. It's all healed now and after all, this week is National Pollinator Week, so what better time to make its blog debut. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCJ0W94PN3I/AAAAAAAAAzI/9oxKZn8-514/s1600/IMG_1424.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCJ0W94PN3I/AAAAAAAAAzI/9oxKZn8-514/s400/IMG_1424.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486075234007070578" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-32156103431741058282010-06-22T07:36:00.000-07:002010-06-23T14:01:23.637-07:00The Bee's Knees<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCDaaKExjbI/AAAAAAAAAyg/lyCClOXOerY/s1600/IMG_0676.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCDaaKExjbI/AAAAAAAAAyg/lyCClOXOerY/s400/IMG_0676.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485624489053097394" /></a>Did you know it's National Pollinator Week? It's the perfect time to get some beautiful, pollinator-friendly blooms into your garden if you haven't already. Plants, like squash (summer squash and winter squash), require pollination to produce fruit. So far, to attract bees to my garden, I've planted nasturtium, six different varieties of heirloom sunflowers, three different types of lavender, zinnia, and tons of dahlia tubers, not to mention all of the showy blooms I planted down the wild flower path. According to <a href="http://www.sunset.com/">Sunset</a>, you can enter your zip code at <a href="http://pollinator.org/guides.htm">pollinator.org/guides.htm</a> to get a list of pollinator-attracting plants for your area.<div><br /><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCDdX-7GXEI/AAAAAAAAAyw/yOu865n2TMc/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCDdX-7GXEI/AAAAAAAAAyw/yOu865n2TMc/s400/IMG_0164.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485627750234872898" /></a>Need some inspiration? Check out the <a href="http://www.pollinatorpathway.com/">Pollinator Pathway</a>, a mile-long pollinator-attracting garden planted in the parking strips (the band of grass between the sidewalk and the street) along Columbia Street in Seattle. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCDbFHjhR8I/AAAAAAAAAyo/JjLIv1IkWgA/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCDbFHjhR8I/AAAAAAAAAyo/JjLIv1IkWgA/s400/IMG_0946.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485625227111122882" /></a>Want to have your own hive, but not sure where to start? Check out <a href="http://www.ballardbeecompany.com/Ballard_Bee_Company/Welcome.html">Ballard Bee Company </a>and consider hosting a hive. The Ballard Bee Company will place a hive in your yard, maintain the hive, and will even give you a jar of honey for your efforts, not to mention all of the bees you'll have in your yard to pollinate your plants. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCDd2WE2eLI/AAAAAAAAAy4/EM-pXYoXILg/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TCDd2WE2eLI/AAAAAAAAAy4/EM-pXYoXILg/s400/IMG_1096.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485628271845865650" /></a>You can also support our local pollinators on a larger scale by getting involved in <a href="http://www.greatsunflower.org/">The Great Sunflower Project</a>, a scientific effort to understand urban bee populations. Be a citizen scientist by joining the project, planting beautiful sunflowers, and observing bees in your own garden! </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-23448754330931438332010-06-21T15:36:00.001-07:002010-06-21T15:58:25.817-07:00Farmers' Markets Galore!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TB_tpXkzNEI/AAAAAAAAAyY/WNsEcX2e8Kk/s1600/CRW_3993.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TB_tpXkzNEI/AAAAAAAAAyY/WNsEcX2e8Kk/s400/CRW_3993.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485364166119339074" /></a>You know it's summer when there's a farmers' market open somewhere in Seattle almost every day of the week. I love this time when I don't have to wait until the weekend to see what the local farmers are harvesting. With so many options, I can get a jump on buying more strawberries to make into jam. And you know how much I hate to wait.<div><br /></div><div>Here are just a few of your weekly farmers' market options:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Wednesday</i>: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Columbia City Farmers' Market, 3pm - 7pm</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>Wallingford Farmers' Market, 3pm - 7pm</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Thursday</i>:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lake City Farmers' Market, 3pm - 7pm</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Friday</i>:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Phinney Farmers' Market, 3pm- 7pm</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Madrona Farmers' Market, 3pm - 7pm</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Saturday</i>: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>University District Farmers' Market (Year round), 9am - 2pm</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Magnolia Farmers' Market, 10am - 2pm</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Sunday</i>:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ballard Farmers' Market (Year round), 10am - 2pm</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>West Seattle Farmers' Market (Year round), 10am - 2pm</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Broadway (Capital Hill) Farmers' Market, 11am - 3pm</div><div><a href="http://meadowbrookfm.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Meadowbrook Farmers' Market</span></a> (new and off the beaten path), 11am - 3pm</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-7882666342330216732010-06-20T19:06:00.000-07:002010-06-20T19:54:27.267-07:00Wild Flowers in Mt.Hood, Oregon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TB7LJjeyKqI/AAAAAAAAAx4/GgrjZGzC9iQ/s1600/IMG_1380.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TB7LJjeyKqI/AAAAAAAAAx4/GgrjZGzC9iQ/s400/IMG_1380.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485044761187461794" /></a>We rambled through fields of these beautiful yellow and purple wild flowers today on our way to our friends' post-wedding picnic brunch. I felt like Julie Andrews should have been skipping beside me singing, "The hills are alive with the sound of music!" It was gorgeous and is exactly what I hope <a href="http://stacysgrowinggreen.blogspot.com/2010/05/cutlery-plant-markers.html">my "wild flower" stepping stone path</a> will evoke.<div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TB7OjCjQNlI/AAAAAAAAAyA/ZXNgxedWuSA/s1600/IMG_1386.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TB7OjCjQNlI/AAAAAAAAAyA/ZXNgxedWuSA/s400/IMG_1386.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485048497559320146" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TB7StgJHpiI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/NcbZsPYi2YU/s1600/IMG_1385.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TB7StgJHpiI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/NcbZsPYi2YU/s400/IMG_1385.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485053075347973666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TB7RLtd9GOI/AAAAAAAAAyI/p0M-jbonJ2k/s1600/IMG_1387.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TB7RLtd9GOI/AAAAAAAAAyI/p0M-jbonJ2k/s400/IMG_1387.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485051395297843426" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-23403230828013216972010-06-16T17:59:00.000-07:002010-06-17T21:20:26.390-07:00My First Batch of Jam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TBmhkaHtWCI/AAAAAAAAAxg/wFKj3MCzYuI/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TBmhkaHtWCI/AAAAAAAAAxg/wFKj3MCzYuI/s400/IMG_1617.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483591668159305762" /></a><div>Ok, so I'm noticing another little pattern (didn't I just <a href="http://stacysgrowinggreen.blogspot.com/2010/06/drum-roll-please.html">reveal</a> a neurotic part of my personality last week?). Here's the thing: I get really excited and inspired about an idea and I want to do it all...right now. Then, when I'm in the midst of taking it all on at once and have way too much on my plate, I have a little stress breakdown and have to assess the situation. To my friends and family, this is old news. In fact, they're the ones that usually get to listen to me vent and talk through how I'm going to make it all work without going crazy. Luckily, because of my energy and enthusiasm, I always follow through. I may get a little stressed out in the process, but you'd better believe I'll finish what I started. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, when I finished reading <a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Animal-Vegetable-Miracle/?isbn=9780060852559">Animal, Vegetable, Miracle</a> and decided to go <a href="http://stacysgrowinggreen.blogspot.com/2008/12/stacys-growing-what.html">seasonaltarian</a>, my first instinct was to dive into it full steam ahead – start going to the farmers' market, grow my own food, make my own bread, can my own tomato sauce, and so on. But, for some reason, I really took things one step at a time. I decided to start off by really learning to grow food year 'round. Then, I bought the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kneadlessly-Simple-Fabulous-Fuss-Free-No-Knead/dp/0470399864">no-knead bread cookbook</a> and started to master making my own bread. Last summer, when my garden was bursting with seasonal bounty, I thought about learning to can, but felt unprepared (literally lacking all the necessary canning supplies) and preoccupied with all my summer harvesting and winter garden plans. So, I ate my fresh summer vegetables and froze the rest. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TBmiI3ON9WI/AAAAAAAAAxo/mMPjktMNass/s1600/IMG_1631.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TBmiI3ON9WI/AAAAAAAAAxo/mMPjktMNass/s400/IMG_1631.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483592294446527842" /></a>Until now. I decided that this would be my year for canning. And after my "mother in law" hooked me up with all things canning for Christmas this year (a bath canner, canning rack, jar lifter, jar funnel, mason jars and lids), there was no turning back. So, on Sunday night, I completed my first "canning" project: strawberry jam. I have to say though that this doesn't really count because I made freezer jam and I have yet to process a canning project using the hot water method...but it's only a matter of time. </div><div><br /></div><div>I decided to call this freezer jam because it is super low in sugar and since sugar is a preservative, I wanted to make sure it would keep. That being said, I got this recipe and canning advice from a Master Gardener colleague, Greg, and he didn't say anything about freezing it, so I'm sure it would be fine. Being the germophobe and hypochondriac that I am, I like to be on the safe side. </div><div><br /></div><div>Like I said, I was thrilled to hear about Greg's strawberry jam because it has hardly any sugar. Most of the recipes I find call for almost equal parts fruit to sugar, if not more sugar. I just didn't want that, and I hit the jackpot because this jam is amazing. I still have a lot to learn. It took me twice as long as he said it would, but it was worth every minute. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TBrvgyIxIRI/AAAAAAAAAxw/7kHKMewx5d0/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TBrvgyIxIRI/AAAAAAAAAxw/7kHKMewx5d0/s400/IMG_1374.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483958842770399506" /></a>Greg's Strawberry Jam</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>I used organic whole cane sugar, which is what I think gave the jam it's rich, Merlot-like color and flavor. I also discovered that chardonnay tastes even better with a few strawberries floating in your glass and helps the work of prepping strawberries go by in a flash!</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>1/2 flat deliciously ripe, organic farmers' market strawberries (about 9 generous cups)</div><div>1 cup sugar</div><div><br /></div><div>Wash, hull, and cut the strawberries in half. Put them into a large mixing bowl with the sugar and let them sit overnight. </div><div><br /></div><div>Strain the fruit from their juices and put the juice into a heavy stockpot on the stove. Adding the berries later will help them keep their form. Bring the liquid to a soft boil, stirring frequently. The goal is to slowly boil the sugar/strawberry juice mixture, without burning, until it starts coating the spoon (this is called "sheeting," I'm told) and reaches 220 degrees, which you monitor with a thermometer. This takes about 30 minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then*, add the fruit to the pot, bring back to a boil for about 5 more minutes and you're done.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yields 5 (and 1/2) half-pint mason jars. </div><div><br /></div><div>*This is where things went awry for me. When I added the strawberries to the mix, it obviously changed the temperature and I guess because of the juices that were present in the berries, the gelled nature of the mixture I had just created changed. So, I continued to boil the mixture for another 30 minutes – the amount of time it took me to get the mixture back up to 220 degrees again and start sheeting. </div><div><br /></div><div>If it wasn't clear before I started, I am new to this whole canning business and should probably talk to Greg about what he thinks about my 30 additional minute conundrum. That second 30 minutes of boiling probably wasn't even necessary, but it just didn't seem right. The beauty of the whole thing is that the result was delicious! And I am hooked and ready to can again. I can't imagine that this recipe, the way I've presented it at least, will be helpful to you, considering the fact that I can't actually tell you how long you should boil it. But I can tell you that the experimentation was worth it. I can foresee many canning posts in the months to come! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-30688978626706584912010-06-12T17:00:00.000-07:002010-07-29T19:46:33.688-07:00Blog love: A local gem<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TBQreRWoLmI/AAAAAAAAAxY/owiHFRzpH4o/s1600/Good+Egg+banner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 100px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TBQreRWoLmI/AAAAAAAAAxY/owiHFRzpH4o/s400/Good+Egg+banner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482054445471116898" /></a><br />A few weeks ago, I met Kate. We sat next to each other at a birthday dinner at the <a href="http://tomdouglas.com/index.php/restaurants/palace-kitchen">Palace Kitchen</a> in Belltown. Besides the beautifully mosaiced rooster sculpture in the entrance way, the restaurant has amazing food and coconut cream pie that is to die for. I'm not sure whether it was the meal or my inherent ability to initiate garden-related conversations, but it wasn't long before we were talking about cooking and growing food. And then, as if that wasn't enough, I discovered her blog. I've only been reading <a href="http://goodeggseattle.blogspot.com/">Good Egg</a> for a few weeks now, but I know I'll be another one of her future followers. Her writing is beautiful and the pictures are lovely. I haven't tried a recipe yet, but my peas finally have blossoms and she posted a delicious-looking risotto recipe, so it won't be long before I do. And now she's starting a garden, so I can only imagine what she'll do with her own bounty. I don't want to gush, but I just had to share my local blog love. Gardening and turning your harvest into a gourmet dinner is an amazing learning experience and the more resources we can find to help us along the way, the better. Enjoy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-7242126964236350932010-06-06T17:11:00.000-07:002010-06-06T20:42:36.529-07:00Drum roll, please...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TAxaMouJ2KI/AAAAAAAAAww/Y87sdKDpemc/s1600/IMG_1608.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TAxaMouJ2KI/AAAAAAAAAww/Y87sdKDpemc/s400/IMG_1608.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479854019738982562" /></a>When I first bought my house, I noticed a pattern arise. Every time I gave someone a tour, I would say things like this, "And this is the kitchen, but I'm going to take this out, I'm going to paint this, I'm going to put in a new _________, this isn't going to stay like this," and on I'd go describing my vision to my guest. It was as if I wanted them to see the place as I could see it in my mind, to see all the potential it held. In my ideal world, nobody would have seen it until I had made my vision into a reality. But then, as I settled into home ownership, I realized that the house will never be finished – there will always be projects and things that can be revamped, improved, or redone. <div><br /></div><div>So, when we started working on the chicken coop, I recognized this perfectionistic, visionary attitude as it began to creep in again. I really didn't want to post any pictures until our masterpiece was complete. But after months of hard work and many requests, I'm giving in. Now for my classic spiel...it's not completely done yet. We still need to put trim on all the doors, which will be in the contrasting light green color, put a door on the storage cabinet, redo the run door, which will also be light green, and adorn the hen house doors with super cute rusty house numbers. But I have to concede that it is looking pretty amazing and it's about time for it to shine in a post. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TAxbnuVOO4I/AAAAAAAAAw4/-S5vAAhsZRU/s1600/IMG_1600.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TAxbnuVOO4I/AAAAAAAAAw4/-S5vAAhsZRU/s400/IMG_1600.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479855584613120898" /></a>Words cannot express how proud I am of my amazing boyfriend. I realize that my coop could have been way more bare bones than it is and the girls probably would have been perfectly happy, but he spent hours engineering and crafting the coop to be just the way I hoped it would be. We have learned that we're horrible estimators of time – turns out we have no context for knowing things like how long it will actually take to install a drainage system and prepare a roof for planting. We have put months (literally months – almost three and a half months to be exact, from planning to almost-completion) of blood (yes, blood has actually been shed – two words: hardware cloth), sweat, and thankfully, no tears. So here it is, our coop in all its glory, almost finished! I'll share more photos of the finished coop and a detailed post about our green roof soon! </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TAxcvq9q9jI/AAAAAAAAAxA/DjdZIhZvh7k/s1600/IMG_1601.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TAxcvq9q9jI/AAAAAAAAAxA/DjdZIhZvh7k/s400/IMG_1601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479856820659615282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TAxdUVvhs_I/AAAAAAAAAxI/lSz_lyj_KwI/s1600/IMG_1602.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TAxdUVvhs_I/AAAAAAAAAxI/lSz_lyj_KwI/s400/IMG_1602.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479857450618303474" /></a></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TAxd0EUQVvI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/BR3UF2o6iA8/s1600/IMG_1593.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TAxd0EUQVvI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/BR3UF2o6iA8/s400/IMG_1593.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479857995696330482" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627893554847799473.post-84291277513249922522010-06-05T07:27:00.000-07:002010-07-29T19:42:02.648-07:00Jam it, pickle it, cure it<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TApjvOGFYvI/AAAAAAAAAwo/IZ2ENVCQgZ8/s1600/000.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 358px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIZcViNd1gE/TApjvOGFYvI/AAAAAAAAAwo/IZ2ENVCQgZ8/s400/000.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479301559538246386" /></a>I first discovered this book in September while we were killing time in a little book store in Orcas Island. It was featured in a section all about canning and preserving food. But what's different about this book is that it's not really about canning. <a href="http://www.jamitpickleitcureit.com/">Jam it, Pickle it, Cure it</a> by Karen Solomon does have some classic canning recipes, like strawberry jam, but it primarily features tons of recipes for typical processed foods. It also gives you storage information for each food. Since I've been avoiding buying processed foods, I was thrilled to find this book. I can't wait to try the recipes for DIY mustard and ketchup, graham crackers, and butter. Does anyone wonder what I'll be doing during my summer vacation this year?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0