The LeFort Urban Homestead...

The Importance of Rest and Rejuvenation

2012-02-09T14:26:00.000-06:00

I picked parsley from the garden the other day. What?! It's February!

This warm--or at least snow-less--winter has really messed with my sense of "hibernation." Just in the last couple of weeks have I finally felt like things are slowing down in our house/family life. I tried to page through a seed catalog last weekend, which is usually a fun activity for me in the depths of winter. But I just couldn't get excited. In fact, I felt somewhat anxious. Perhaps this warm spell--which is all I hope it is instead of the new norm--makes me feel like it's time to plant already and that brings me some unusual stress as I feel like I still haven't properly recovered from the last growing season. Interesting how the weather affects me like this. I didn't realize how vital those dark, snowy, cold days are for me to put all garden plans aside and breathe before commencing once again. Give me a couple more weeks and perhaps I'll feel better, but for now I'm leaving the seed catalogs lie as I continue to experiment with using my preserves and tinkering with new gluten-free baked goods.

I've known about the health-benefits of soaking grains since I put Sally Fallon on my list of culinary/nutrition heroes nearly a decade ago. Admittedly, I don't always soak or sprout my grains before cooking, but the notion popped back into my head recently. Knowing I had a good amount of millet on hand, I went hunting for a sprouted millet pancake recipe. I adapted this slightly from the original source, but was happy with the results.

Soaked Millet Pancakes (Gluten-free)
Makes about 6 medium pancakes

I love the warm spices in here--like coriander--that I wouldn't typically use for baked products--especially not pancakes. Choose which spices you add; I stuck with coriander and lemon peel.

1 c. whole dry millet grains
1 t. baking powder
1 t. ground coriander (or other spices/seasonings--like nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, allspice, lemon zest, etc.)
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1 t. xylitol or maple syrup
1 T. ground chia seeds or ground flax seed
1/4 t. salt
2 T. melted ghee
Water
Optional: sunflower seeds or other chopped seeds/nuts

Rinse millet and place to soak in water overnight or for at least 5-6 hours. The millet will soften, but not necessarily sprout. (In the original recipe, the Quinoa will sprout!) Drain and rinse well. Transfer to a blender or food processor adding just enough water to cover. Add salt, seasonings baking powder, salt, oil, vanilla, and xylitol/maple syrup. Blend until well mixed and grains have been chopped up. It will be thick batter. Let sit for 5-10 min. for chia to absorb liquid. Heat griddle and grease with butter, coconut oil, or oil/fat of choice. When ready, spoon ladlesful onto griddle and let cook until bubbles pop up. Flip and lightly brown other side. Serve with warm maple syrup or fresh mashed fruit.

The last time I grocery shopped I rediscovered wraps. Most of what I can find at the store are wheat based so those are for my family to enjoy. I'm currently experimenting with a gluten-free flatbread that's pliable enough to roll. I can't wait to figure it out!

Mixing som GF wrap batter

GF wrap. Still in the experimental stage. Stay tuned.

So far the GF flatbread only worked for a melt. Need more pliability!

In an attempt to keep my little one from getting cabin fever, I asked her to make egg salad with me as she so enjoyed last year after Easter. She enjoys using the egg slicer after I peel the eggs. I'm still sneaking veggies into her foods so take note.

Dill Cauliflower Egg Salad
Makes 4 c.

Another easy food rocessor recipe. I adapted this from Process This! by Jean Anderson. Used my homemade cucumber pickles, but could have also used some homemade pickled cauliflower as a substitute. I am still using some of the purees I prepared and froze last fall. This would be a great opportunity to use pureed cauliflower.

Wrap it up!

4 large scallions, trimmed and cut into 1-inch chunks (include some green tops)
1 small rib celery, trimmed and cut into 1-inch chunks
1/2 c. cauliflower florets (or 1/4 c. frozen/thawed cauliflower puree)

12 large eggs, hard-boiled and peeled, chopped

2 t. dried dill

2/3 c. mayonnaise
1/4 c. bread and butter pickles
1 T. Dijon mustard
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper
1-2 T. milk, if needed to thin

Add scallions and celery to food processor and pulse 5-6 times. Add dill, mayo, pickles, mustard, salt, and pepper and pulse quickly to combine. Add eggs and pulse quickly a few times. Transfer to a bowl and thin with milk if needed. Adjust salt and pepper, to taste. Enjoy in a wrap with local microgreens or sprouts, pickled cauliflower, and even a slice of ham if you wish.

Ham and Egg Salad Wrap

Kids love wraps too!

In other cabin-fever-fighting news, we built a "reading cave" for Vera this week. One of my fellow craft bloggers brought up the idea that with Pinterest being so big these days as a way to put all of your craft/cooking/etc. ideas in one place, it's possible to...

"gorge ourselves on great ideas that we want to try out "one day." But what happens when that day never comes? When we become so overwhelmed by all the amazing ideas out there that we feel inadequately crafty ourselves?"

I thought it was prime time to show that my numerous Pins aren't for naught so we kicked out this lighted cardboard box. I strapped on daddy's headlamp, grabbed some packing tape and a blunt edge to poke holes and within 10-15 min. we were in business. Now V has a new cozy hideout in which to page through library books, eat a snack, or fall asleep (if I could be so lucky!) How are you beating the winter blahs this year?

V's reading cave

Using MORE Preserves Creatively...

2012-02-02T14:09:00.000-06:00

I don't have much to say for myself lately other than I've been cooking a lot. Craft projects have been laying idle, nothin' much doin' outdoors (unfortunately), and no progress made with paging through seed catalogs for 2012's growing season. What's been consuming me mostly is the final plan for our kitchen remodel which should start by the end of this month. That should produce some interesting posts--or at least before and after photos.

A couple of recipes that drew special attention I made for Sunday dinner this past week with our in-laws. Slow Cooker Curry Chicken was the center of the plate--and put me at ease as far as preparations went--but this coleslaw garnered the most hoorays.

Marinated Coleslaw
Serves 4-6

It's amazing what can happen when one chooses to leave the sugar out. As my mother-in-law agreed, many people think everything needs to be so sweet, but we all really enjoyed the sheer sourness of this simple slaw (that can mostly be prepared in a food processor, if available). And I used more of my pickles from 2011 as well. The cabbage is still storing well from our Thanksgiving CSA box. I love the texture of Savoy!

1/4 head Savoy cabbage, shredded (by hand or with slicer plate of food processor)
1/2 c. pickled ramps, chopped by hand or in food processor
1/2 c. pickled green peppers, chopped by hand or in f.p.
2 carrot, peeled and grated by hand or in f.p.

Combine all vegetables and set aside.

Dressing:
1/4 c. white wine vinegar
1/4 c. olive oil
1 t. salt
1 t. ground pepper
1 T. Dijon style mustard

Boil all ingredients in a saucepan for about 3 min. Stir well. While hot, add to the vegetables. Let sit about 15 min. Taste for seasoning. Serve!

Nice and sour!

Butternut Squash Cake with Chocolate Icing (Gluten-Free)
Serves 12-16

The original recipe from Better Homes and Gardens used sweet potatoes in cupcake form. I adapted it as a gluten-free cake using some of our cellared winter squash and coconut oil instead of butter for the cake and icing. The texture turned out very well, though it was slightly more dense than usual--likely because of the coconut oil and not the gluten-free status.

Have your Gluten-Free Cake and Eat it Too!

2 c. all-purpose gluten-free flour
2 t. pumpkin pie spice
1 T. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. xanthan gum
1/4 t. salt
1 c. coconut oil, room temp.
1 1/4 c. granulated xylitol (or sugar)
3 large eggs
1 lb. butternut squash, roasted, peeled, and mashed
1/4 c. milk (cow's, almond, etc.)
1 t. vanilla extract

Icing:
12 oz. semi-sweet gluten-free chocolate chips
1 c. coconut oil, room temp.
1/2-1 c. powdered sugar (depending on desired texture)

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and line a 9-inch baking pan with parchment (I think a springform pan makes it easiest.) In a medium bowl, combine flour, spices, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, and salt; set aside. In large bowl, beat coconut oil with an electric mixer on medium for about 30 seconds. Add xylitol; beat until light and fluffy, about 2 min. With mixer on low, beat in eggs one at a time, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl between additions. Add butternut squash, milk, and vanilla. Beat on low until combined. Add flour mixture to xylitol-egg mixture; beat on low just until combined. Pour batter into baking pan and bake 40-45 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for several min. then remove from pan and let cool fully.

For icing, in double boiler, melt chocolate chips. Remove from heat and cool 15 min. With electric mixer on low, beat chocolate 30 seconds. Beat in coconut oil. Add sugar gradually, beat until smooth.

To assemble: Cut fully cooled cake in half cross-sectionally. Spread/pour/coax chocolate icing over cake layer then place second layer on top and repeat icing. Let set then cut and serve. Icing will eventually solidify at room temp. for more of a "ganache" like coating.

Using Our Preserves Creatively

2012-01-25T14:02:00.000-06:00

Peach Thumbprints

Last class season I had planned to teach a couple of Urban Homesteading courses called "Using Your Preserves Creatively" to encourage food preserves to think outside the box in using their beautiful jars of local fruits and vegetables. I love to make jams and jellies, but personally I don't eat them much on toast. In the past I've posted recipes for working some of these fruit preserves into cobblers and crisps or as a substitute to "fruit-on-the-bottom" yogurt, but I experimented with even more ideas this past week.

Thumbprint Cookies (Gluten-Free)
Makes 15 cookies

This is a fun recipe to make with kids, especially when you get to the thumbprint step.

Hot outta the oven--we used peach preserves

1 c. butter
1/2 c. granulated sugar/xylitol
1/2 t. almond extract
2 c. all-purpose gluten-free flour
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. xanthan gum
1/2 t. salt
1/4 c. homemade jam/jelly

Cream the butter, sugar/xylitol, and extract for about 2 min. Mix dry ingredients together in a separate bowl then combine with creamed mixture until dough forms. Chill dough 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350F. Shape dough in balls; place on a lined/greased baking sheet. Make a small indentation in the center of each ball with your thumb; bake 5 min. Remove from oven and fill each indentation with 1/4 or so of jam/jelly. Bake an additional 10 min. Cool for 2 min.; transfer to a rack.

Slow-Cooker Four Grain Breakfast Cereal with Fruit Preserves (Gluten-Free)
Serves 4-6

You can take liberties with the whole grains you use here. Also, the water could be completely substituted for milk of your choice.

2 c. water
2 c. milk (cow's, almond, rice, etc.)
1/2 c. quinoa
1/2 c. millet
1/2 c. amaranth
1/2 c. steel-cut oats
1/2-1 c. homemade fruit preserves
1/2 c. chopped nuts

Milk
Maple Syrup (optional)
Supplemental toppings: hemp seeds, drizzle of flaxseed oil, flaxmeal, seeds/nuts

Put all ingredients into a slow cooker. Before going to bed, turn on low. Cook for 8 hours (b/c I know we all sleep for at least 8 hours, right?!) Stir upon waking and serve with additional milk and optional toppings.

My husband's first client at his new job is what I call a sustainable weight loss company. One of the perks is that he gets a free session of this plan, which is also helping him learn how/why to market this company in his new communications position. Along with the regimen comes a spiral-bound book filled with lots of new, healthy recipes. The dietitian that he's working with has been sending him meal plans on a weekly basis. Admittedly, I was a bit unsure about how I'd feel having someone else tell me what to cook from day to day. But now I realize it's made my life a bit easier because I can pick and choose which of those suggested recipes I will try for our evenings meals. Our favorite so far was a pasta dish last night. Again, I was able to incorporate some of my preserves--both frozen and canned. And it also lead us to a delicious cilantro pesto recipe that we'll most certainly use next summer when the cilantro is overabundant in our garden.

Pasta with Cilantro-Lime Pesto (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Serves 2

I adapted this recipe to be gluten-free, but one could use any kind of pasta. In fact, the original recipe called for orzo, a rice-shaped pasta. This dish is actually vegan as well. I was tempted to add cheese somewhere as I'm often tempted to do, but the creaminess of the pesto satisfied any cheesy cravings I thought I was having. This dish is also good cold and would be great for a picnic.

8 oz. brown rice spaghetti
1 c. fresh cilantro
1/4 c. lime juice
2 t. olive oil
2 T. pine nuts
1-2 cloves garlic, minced (we love lots of garlic, especially in winter, but 1 clove will suffice)
Salt, to taste
1 c. black beans (canned/rinsed/drained or dried/soaked/cooked)
1/2 c. chopped roasted red peppers (I used homemade)
1/2 c. frozen corn, thawed/drained

Cook pasta fully in highly salted water. Drain and keep warm in pot. In food processor with blade attachment, puree cilantro, lime juice, oil, pine nuts, and garlic to make pesto. Season with salt as needed. Add pesto, beans, and corn to pasta pot and toss to fully combine. Serve immediately or chill for later.

Staying Active in Winter

2012-01-18T19:03:00.001-06:00

V sledding with Daddy on their last Friday home together

I was mentally beating myself up a bit yesterday because we didn't get outside on account of the snowstorm...and didn't get outside as much as I would have liked in the past week. There is still lots of time for winter fun, of course, but I know that both V and I would benefit from at least a walk on a bright sunny winter day like this. It's time to let the Vitamin D do it's thing. Yesterday we were literally inside all day, but in past weeks at least we've ventured out, even if it was to drive to a place where we spent time inside. I'm working on getting better at this and have some hikes through the snowy woods and other outings in mind--though I'd like to be more spontaneous.

The newest "farm animal,"
Harvey the gecko

On Sunday we headed down to Illinois' Lake County to our friends' organic farm for the annual Founders' Dinner. Not only is it a celebration of all the kind-hearted folks who put forth the funds to get their farm started over a decade ago, but coincidentally (or not) a gathering of most of our closest friends and their/our families. We look forward to this annual event as it's often the only chance we all have to be in one room and see how the kiddos have sprouted over the last year--and the kids think it's pretty much a blast to run around together for a few hours as well. Oh, and the food's not so bad either. What an understatement. Our hosts always provide the entree, which in the past has been pork from their own hogs or chickens from a nearby farm. (Next year's they're hoping to have their own pastured lamb to tempt us!) This year's meat procurement brought our farmer friend (actually one of Ben's best friends...and half of the reason that Ben and I met) up north to Milwaukee mainly to buy some grass-fed Piedmontese beef from another fellow farmer at the Milwaukee County Winter Farmers' Market, but also to rather spontaneously join us for dinner. On Sunday, he turned this near-perfect ground beef into a few hulking meatloaves, complete with bacon laid carefully across the top as well as some extra mixed into the loaves. Yum, 'nuff said. After mingling, watching kids run wild, and a few people sequestering themselves in a room where another friend had hooked up a portable TV to watch the Packer playoff game (otherwise, there's no television in the farmhouse), we enjoyed a lovely feast, sipped wine and cider, and listened to our fearless farmers give the year-in-review for 2011.

A few of the many girls enjoying dinner (and this blondie on the L
eating lots of green salad!)

Winter Salad with Herbed Kefir Dressing

This was my contribution to the Founders' Dinner meal. I had a hankering for a creamy "ranch" dressing the other day and came up with this "healthier" option. The salad is a loose mixture of your choice of greens, herbs, and sprouts. This may just be my new favorite greens mix for the season.

Salad:

Green and red leaf lettuce, torn
Spinach, torn
Butterhead lettuce, torn
Radicchio, shredded
Savoy or regular green cabbage, shredded
Red, Black, and Watermelon Radishes, thinly sliced
Flat-leaf parsley, torn into bite-size pieces
Cilantro, torn into bite-size pieces
Broccoli sprouts (or other sprouts)
Baby greens (chard, mustards, spinach, kale, etc.)

(I used the slicer blade to shred the radicchio and cabbage in the food processor, but these could also be done by hand with a well-sharpened knife.) Wash and spin dry all ingredients and toss to combine thoroughly.

Dressing:
Makes 2 c. and lasts for quite a while in the fridge

1 c. plain whole-milk kefir
3/4 c. mayo (or 1/2 c. mayo, 1/4 c. sour cream or plain whole milk yogurt or some combo of these three)
6 T. sliced scallions (green and white parts)
6 T. chopped fresh parsley
1/2 t. dried thyme
1/2 t. dried tarragon
1/2-1 t. Herbamare seasoning
2 T. arame seaweed (optional for a little more nutrition!)
Salt and pepper as needed, though the Herbamare has sea salt in it

In a medium bowl, stir together all ingredients. Alternatively, mix all in a food processor. Funnel into a bottle or shake in a Mason jar and serve.

Lacing cards

As we said our goodbyes at the end of our lovely dinner with friends I picked a fellow craft blogger's brain about how she maintains her productivity with four young children (and a henhouse) to tend. She modestly told me she takes her work bits and pieces at a time, but also gave me some ideas for how to bring Vera more into the crafting world with me so we can sew together. I loved lacing cards when I was a kid, but had honestly forgotten about them until this friend refreshed my memory. The day to use some of the random potential craft pieces I've been squirreling away for years finally came. I always save the pieces of card stock that stabilize packaged items such as men's undershirts or sheets, etc. For this project I cut them down to size then dove into my "bookmaking" box to find some scraps to use as images on the cards. My yarn supply is never lacking so I also found coordinating colors to sew each card. The only hang-up was that my hole-puncher wasn't long enough to reach every bit of border where I wanted a punch on the cards. I did my best and Vera seems to be enjoying her new "sewing" projects thus far.

I carved out a bit more time this week to finish a garment I started last week. I keep thinking that these outfits will be perfect "school clothes" for Vera in the fall. This vest and skirt set is made from more flannel from my mom's stash. With a random button from the flea market and some lining fabric begging to finally be used, it came together with very little expense (p.s. the pattern was from the thrift store and the elastic also from my mom's stash.)

Sewing school clothes for V

Cool button from the antique flea market

I also finally finished a shirt dress I'd started months and months ago, an idea I clipped from a Martha Stewart book. I started with a tired flannel that Ben turned over to me. I had to improvise a bit with the collar because of where the buttons fell so I chose to do a more "rustic" serged edge. The buttons are mismatched red characters from the flea market as well. It's a bit big on Vera right now, but will likely fit her when she's officially a primary school student.

Once Daddy's shirt, now V's dress

...with red buttons down the front

Though we haven't gotten outside much this week, we have managed to keep our hands busy inside baking and tasting new recipes. Vera helped me with these "brownies" yesterday.

Gluten-Free Apple Butter Bars

Apple Butter Bars

Makes about 9 bars

1/2 c. butter, room temp.
1/2 c. granulated xylitol or sugar
1/2 c. apple butter (I used some Cardamom Apple Butter from this past season's larder)
1 large egg
1 c. gluten-free all-purpose flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. ground cinnamon
3-4 apples, peeled and diced or 1 c. dried, plumped and snipped apples (the option I used)

Preheat oven to 350F. Cream together butter, sugar/xylitol, and apple butter in a mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients and combine well. Spread into a greased 9-inch glass pan and bake about 30-35 min. or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Sprinkle with sugar/xylitol after baking if desired. Best if served warm.

Hopefully we will get out into the snow this afternoon and perhaps enjoy some of these bars warmed up with a cup of hot cocoa when we come in.

Resolutions?

2012-01-10T16:06:00.002-06:00

I mentioned that I didn't set any official New Year's Resolutions, meaning I didn't formally write something down in stone. Though I've made a short mental list. One of those notes was to perk things up a bit with feeding my daughter as I feel that we get stuck in a lot of ruts--especially at lunch time when I'm trying to prepare something quickly as she's melting down. When we were traveling here, there, and everywhere during the holidays we had the pleasure of couch surfing for a night with some friends in Chicagoland. They have a little guy just about the same age as Vera. Our lovely hostess put out some appetizers including a tray of vegetables and dip. I was so impressed by how well their son gobbled up the raw veggies, especially the bell peppers. Being a culinary professional for a living does has it's drawbacks when you have kids. I have felt a mild amount of pressure (probably mostly self-induced) because I feel like some people expect my child to eat any food--no matter how "exotic"--that you put in front of her. Such is not the case; she's just like the average toddler when it comes to "picky" eating--getting hung up on single foods and immediately turning her nose up at green veggies. We've done the best that we know how to get her to branch out, but it's just something that happens with toddler's whether it's a textural issue or a simple attempt at asserting oneself. As CG powered down on the fresh veggies I realized at least one "mistake" I might be making with how we feed Vera. We've been dedicated to eating locally and seasonally for several years. I don't buy tomatoes out of season, I try to change our menus to incorporate cooling versus warming foods as the temperature rises or drops, and the vast majority of the fruit we consume in the winter is what I've canned or frozen. So with toddlers who sometimes need to taste a food at least 15 times before deciding whether they like it or not, I'm wondering if our pattern of fleeting vegetables--once they're gone with the seasons, we don't see them for another many months--isn't allowing her the chance to really get into some of these colorful, nutrient-packed foods. I will still focus on buying what's fresh and in season, but I've decided that at least maybe until she seems to have settled into her true likes and dislikes (which could certainly be ever-evolving) I will give myself a break and buy the occasional fresh bell peppers, cucumbers, fresh broccoli, etc. to encourage her. (Though I still don't think I could bring myself to purchase tomatoes in winter--they just don't taste like ANYTHING to me.)

On this note, I'm also giving myself a break when it comes to serving some of those comfort foods kids almost always like...with some tweaks. I always said I'd never be the mom who routinely feeds my kids hot dogs and goldfish crackers and ordered the standard deep-fried offerings on most restaurant's kids' menus. People will tell you "but that's what kids want," but my theory is it's only what they want if they don't know all the other great options. Yesterday I took a step in the direction of branching out a bit at lunch. The only other time I can remember hot dogs entering our home is via a camping trip...Vera enjoyed a couple franks while we were living out in nature for a weekend then we subsequently made "Beanie Weenie" with the rest of them upon returning home. I went to the co-op last week and bought some all-natural, no fillers, no nitrates, casein- and gluten-free, organic dogs and came up with a "healthy" (or at least healthier) version of the classic Pigs-in-a-Blanket, which was actually one of my favorite dinners as a child.

Pigs-in-a-Green-Blanket (Gluten-Free)
Makes 8 dogs

I was originally trying to find some pre-made organic, gluten-free crescent roll dough at the store, but had no luck. This biscuit dough worked, but was flakier than crescent rolls and therefore didn't exactly stay on the "pig" very well for dipping. This was good for my child though because she was most interested in just eating the piggies anyway. Note: even though these are all-natural, doesn't mean one should eat three in a single day as I was tempted to do yesterday.

Biscuit "Blanket": (you will have plenty of leftover dough to cut out a batch of biscuits or freeze for later use)

Ready for the oven

4 c. all-purpose gluten-free flour
2 t. baking powder
2 t. salt
1 1/2 t. baking soda
2 t. xanthan gum
1 stick butter, chilled (cut into small pieces or grated)
1/4 c. unsweetened rice milk (or milk of your choice)
1/4 c. water
1 T. cider vinegar
1 large egg (or the equiv. of your favorite egg replacer)
Extra gluten-free flour for dusting

8 super-natural hot dogs (pre-cooked, which I think most hot dogs are???)
8 large leaves of spinach
8 small slices of muenster cheese (or other good, unprocessed melting cheese)
4 T. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375F. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and xanthan gum. Cut the butter into the flour until there are no large pieces left. Combine the milk, water, vinegar, and egg; whisk well. Add the wet ingredients to the flour-butter mixture and gently mix until combined. On a floured surface, gently roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into eight isosceles triangles (remember you will likely have lots of dough remaining.) Lay a triangle with the short flat end toward you. Cover with spinach (either one big leaf or several smaller leaves) and a slice of cheese. Place the hot dog at the flat end and roll up. Put on a lined baking sheet with the triangle's tip secured on the underside. Repeat with remaining triangles, brush with melted butter, then bake for 10-15 min. or until golden brown. Serve with good ol' ketchup and mustard and enjoy without guilt.

To counter even the slightest guilt that might have arisen from the previous recipe, Vera and I mixed up an ultra-healthy batch of muffins yesterday. And she actually declared them "delicious!" so maybe I'm getting somewhere.

Powerhouse Carrot-Beet-Coconut Muffins (Gluten-Free)
Makes 1 dozen

Adapted from Smart Muffins by Jane Kinderlehrer. These are exceptionally high in protein, fiber, and beta-carotene. Even though these sound over-the-top nutritious, they end up looking and tasting very normal. And I love being reminded that true "muffins" are not supposed to be super-sweet like processors and chain bakeries want you to believe. I used some beet and carrot purees leftover from my recent Pasta Making class (see story below.)

3/4 c. hot water
1/2 c. prunes
2 carrots, grated (about 1 c.)...or a combo of beets/carrot
2 large eggs
2 T. olive oil
2 T. sorghum syrup
1 T. honey
5 T. oat bran
1 1/4 c. all-purpose gluten-free flour (I prefer Bob's Red Mill)
1/4 c. rice flour (brown or white)
1/4 c. lecithin granules (available at health food stores)
1/4 c. dry milk powder (or dairy-free protein powder)
3 T. sesame seeds
1 T. nutritional yeast
1 t. ground seaweed (I used arame and whizzed it in a spice grinder until ground)
1 t. baking soda
4 t. baking powder
1/2 t. xanthan gum
1 1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. ground nutmeg
1/4 t. allspice
1 T. dried lemon rind (available in the spice aisle at most grocery stores)
1/2 c. ground pecans
1/4 c. flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 400F. In small bowl, soak prunes in hot water and set aside. In mixing bowl or food processor, blend carrots, eggs, oil, sorghum, honey. Mix in oat bran and water the prunes were soaked in. In another bowl, mix together flours, lecithin granules, milk/protein powder, sesame seeds, nutritional yeast, ground seaweed, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and lemon rind. Combine wet and dry mixtures, mix just until combined. Fold in prunes, pecans, and coconut. Spoon into muffin cups and bake for about 20 min. or until toothpick/skewer inserted in center comes out clean.

It wasn't easy for me to hit the ground running last week after being gone for nearly two. The next time I try to schedule a cooking class the week after a vacation I should remind myself how crazy it can be to prepare. But I had fun teaching an enthusiastic group of adults how to make fresh pasta last Thursday at the Bay View Community Center. I demonstrated how to make Potato Gnocchi, Carrot Linguine, Beet Ravioli, and Herb Papardelle. Vera had fun helping me crank out the demo dough and ever so kindly let me use her Learning Tower as a drying rack. I was reminded how easy, fast, and fun it can be to make homemade pasta. It's like the Play-Doh Fun Factory for adults. I look forward to perfecting a gluten-free variety of homemade noodles this year.

Vera helping load the pasta roller w/ dough

Potato Gnocchi

Carrot "Linguine" Drying

Sheet of Beet Pasta for Ravioli

Placing the Herbs Before rolling into Papardelle

Herb Papardelle

Drying Papardelle

With two cooking classes already down in 2012 I have a few days to breathe to until the next one. Somehow this week I've found time to "play" a bit and use some of my new fabric. We've created an indoor swimming pool in the (insulated) basement so V is entertained in the tub while I sew a bit. It's been a good balance of new projects and upcycled ones, which puts one of my other mental resolutions into motion--to make more creative time for myself.

Indoor Swimming Pool to beat the winter blahs

Flannel "Rock 'n Roll" jumper

Hand-me-down fabric from my mom (I guess this is my
counter to princess culture)

Spinning with excitement!

Women's top to be transformed into leggings to go
with V's new jumper

Are those sleeves on your legs?

The whole outfit

The embroidery is came with

And what I chose to replace that with--an appliqued black star using
more fabric scraps

Post Holiday Post

2012-01-07T14:18:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year 2012!

Happy New Year 2012! I hope this shiny (and warm) new year finds you relaxed, inspired, motivated, and toasty warm. We had a fantastic December. Though it was hectic at times, I feel like we visited with more friends and family in one month than we had all year. Now if we could just find a way to allocate that precious social time over the course of the 2012, we'd feel better in many ways.

The LeFort Urban Homestead is excited and bustling for all that the new year will bring--new job opportunity for Ben, creative outlets/inspiration/free time/craftiness for me, a simpler garden and a new kitchen for our family, once a week Waldorf-based childcare then preschool in the fall for V. We'll do our best to take it one day at a time, but we're practically bursting at the seams with positive energy and laughter because we can't wait to get started.

Lemons right in your backyard!

We spent the majority of the last two weeks traveling. In fact, between December 23-January 1, we stopped in for just 18 hours so I could work a shift at the restaurant to prepare for New Year's Eve and so we could refresh the indentations in our mattresses (the LeForts haven't sprung for "memory foam.")

We began our travels on the west coast visiting Ben's brother and his family in Los Angeles. We enjoyed some great food, architecture, celebrity sites (but not sightings), and soaked up as much sun as we could mid-day in L.A. I feel like I appreciated this world-class city more on this trip than ever. I'm always fascinated by the different flora out there, but this round I also marveled at how efficiently packed in the houses are. Without much street profile and with lots of lush pseudo-tropical plants lining the properties, one would hardly guess that some of these homes are so spacious. Ah, I love urbanity! On an impromptu tour of the city, I was inspired by the Art Deco architecture so prominent when this city was developed and I drooled over all the gorgeous citrus trees growing in yards. Our accommodations at my b-i-l's and s-i-l's house exceeded our expectations, especially all the activities my sis-in-law had prepared for the kiddos each afternoon--cookie decorating and gingerbread house construction were the best.

One nephew's masterpiece!

Just b/c I do pastries doesn't mean I know anything about
building a gingerbread house. This was an "epic fail!"

Our holiday travels then carried us south as we visited my folks in east central Illinois for what will likely be their last Christmas in this home (plans to move across the border to a place more suitable to their current needs and lifestyle are well underway.) We caught up with family and friends and spent a "good old-fashioned" (by my high school standards) New Year's Eve eating, playing board games, and carrying on well past the ball drop. Overall, everyone enjoyed their homemade gifts and my parents said the family tree will be one of the first things they'll hang in their new home.

Pickled okra my other s-i-l always brings up from Alabama

My horde!

My favorite tangible take-away from the holidays was a laundry basket full of fabric handed down from my mom. She shops at thrift stores and rummages like I do so has quite a stock of fabric, but with moving on the horizon she was more than willing to pass along some material, patterns, and notions and I was more than willing to accept. I'm especially excited about the T-shirt remains from a quilt my mom just made for my niece. I've been incredibly inspired by the designs and ideas at CourtneyCourtney and can't wait to get working on some new projects. I didn't tell Ben about this load until minutes before we packed the car. My mom recycled a famous quote and said "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission." So true. We managed to wedge the goods in the back seat and were off! It was rough trying to hit the ground running and get this family back on track this past week's after nearly two weeks away, but in between those duties I ducked down to the basement like a kid on Christmas vacation who just wants to play with his/her new toys all day. I spent hours sorting, folding, "colorizing," and storing my new stash. I really need to consider starting a craft business in 2012 to manage my inventory...otherwise I'll just spend my whole life looking at, organizing and reorganizing my fabric (which could also be quite fun.)

My mom's scrap basket. What fun to dig through it!

Fabric and Fabric and Fabric!

What we finally crammed into the car

Some of my favorite vintage pieces

More vintage bits

I love these swatches! Second from the R was leftover from making curtains
for my old dollhouse!

Lay them straight

The randomness stacked in the basement

I've got big plans for these knits

Warm greens, yellows, browns

Cool Greens, Blues, and Whites

Reds, Oranges, Pinks

Holiday Calicos

Leaving you with a recipe that Vera and I tried this week. Since I've been gluten-free, I've been searching for a yummy brownie recipe and I think I finally found "the one!"

Not the Brownies, but my dad's beautiful holiday cookies!

Chocolate Cranberry Brownies (Gluten-Free, Grain-Free)
Makes 9

3 oz. gluten-free chocolate mini chips (I used Enjoy Life Brand)
7 oz. (3 1/2 oz.) butter
1 c. granulated sugar or xylitol
2 eggs, lightly whisked
1/2 t. vanilla extract
3/4 c. almond flour
1/2 t. GF baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 c. chopped walnuts (optional)
1 c. ground fresh cranberries (we whizzed them in the food processor for a bit)

Preheat oven to 350F. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a double boiler over low. Add sugar/xylitol and eggs to an electric mixer and beat until pale. Add vanilla and melted chocolate/butter and mix. Gently mix in the almond flour, baking powder, salt until well combined. Add nuts and cranberries and mix just until combined. Pour/ladle into a greased 9-inch square baking pan and bake 35-40 min. or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Let cool , cut and enjoy. (These seem to benefit from a day in the fridge overnight to tighten them up. I think it makes them seem more "fudgy.")

I didn't make any "resolutions" per se, but I have some small goals and big motivation for this year. For now we are trying not to overschedule ourselves, but find time to relax, read, and become reacquainted with quality family time, which hasn't been as common as we'd have liked in the past. Looking forward to all that's about to happen to/for our little family this year. Wishing you the best as well!

Quietly "reading" Dick and Jane.

Finding a quiet place to curl up and look at books

Time to Relax and Enjoy

2011-12-22T15:08:00.001-06:00

Christmas tree at the downtown M&I Bank lobby

(Warning: Mom, if you're reading this, SHUT IT DOWN because you promised not to peek!)

The holidays are here--Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Yule, Las Posadas, and almost Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year's. I completed my final homemade gifts yesterday morning and am now [figuratively] putting my feet up. I hope to engage in a physical foot-up session this weekend when we'll travel to see relatives for the holidays.

The goal with choosing and/or creating my parents' Christmas gift each year is to make my mom cry. In the past I've given them family photos, framed original poetry, or have written my mom a short story--we share a great love of reading and writing (afterall, she's a retired English teacher...my high school English/Speech teacher, in fact.) For the past several years, since I took a Geneology class via the Milwaukee County Geneological Society, I've been hoping to put together a basic family tree and gift it to my siblings and parents. It finally came together this year. I was originally thinking I might hire someone to hand draw the tree because I wasn't able to find an appropriate template online (or on Etsy--although there are some super cool original designs available there), but then realized I should just draw it myself. The whole process of sketching, photocopying, touching up (usually with white-out), recopying, and finalizing reminded me of my days in high school and college designing T-shirts and program covers for various events and teams. I'm glad I went this route; the design is exactly how I'd hoped--five generations with my parents at the center, and spreading out more in an hourglass shape than in a pyramid--and much more meaningful as a result. In keeping with using the resources and supplies on hand, as I tried with all the other homemade gifts, I retrofitted the hand-colored final piece into a mat/frame that was out of circulation. I'm pleased and I hope my parents will be tremendously touched.

Alice's new duds (not easy to sew so straightly
sometimes on these little garments.)

Baby doll Alice trying on her new coat and bonnet

My new "work" shoes

I also put the finishing touches on Vera's doll clothes yesterday morning then wrapped them, which lasted all of eight hours until our family gift exchange last night. Santa, knowing we'd be running around for the actual holidays, delivered last night while Vera and I were out getting my hair cut. He took the peppermint stick and carrot we left for him and Rudolph, respectively, and responded "Thanks!" on our note. Vera displayed slight disbelief, but then happily handed out and opened gifts with Mommy and Daddy. Her doll Alice was thrilled to finally have a coat and bonnet, though she had to fein amnesia upon opening it since she'd just had the final fitting earlier that day. And Vera was very excited about her Kermit pillow and Lois Ehlert autographed book. Ben came up with a lovely pair of locally purchased fair trade slippers for me based on the requirements for my annual slipper replacement--sturdy soles, warm, slip-on, dark color.

My first time playing Santa/Rudolph

The "Kermie" pillow is a big hit!

He also earned himself husband of the year when he presented me with a personally-designed certificate of 12 "Get-Out-of-the-House-Free" cards to be used monthly in 2012. He knows that rejuvenation will make me a better mama, but I won't go out and do something for myself without this push. I can't wait to use them.

Best. Gift. Ever!

This week we've managed to sneak a couple more holiday activities into the schedule. Besides making a run for the Wisconsin essentials for my parents--this year it was Danish Kringle and a certain label of brandy that my gramma always preferred--Vera and I went downtown to check out the holiday lobby display at M&I Bank downtown. Then we hopped over the Grand Ave. to see the Leonard Bearstein Orchestra, which Vera absolutely loved. We made potato latkes to acknowledge Hanukkah and may go see the Polar Express at the IMAX this afternoon. So many opportunities though with V being a little under the weather this week, we've had to slow down a bit (hidden blessing for sure.)

Packing Santa's sleigh, holiday bank display

Winter Wonder-land

Leonard Bearstein Orchestra in all their green and gold best.

Home just in time to make potato latkes--I fried mine in
goose fat (instead of chicken fat) against my favorite
Jewish friend's wishes.

The Winter Solstice greeted us today as we read The Shortest Day, which I recommend for preschool and school-age children. There are many activities included as well. We made a Yuletide hand wreath via instructions in Yule, a book that I highly recommend for getting information on the history of wintertime celebrations and symbols. It's about time to kick back with some [spiked] eggnog and reflect.

Vera's hand wreath

Now you can personalize
your root beer!

Speaking of eggnog, it was fridge cleaning time yesterday as we prepare to travel for a week or so. And sometimes when you reorganize and wipe down the refrigerator you just end up making a chocolate cake. Well, not usually, but when I found a flat, half-empty bottle of locally made rootbeer in the fridge, I wanted a way to use it creatively. Ben and two of his close buddies who live in our neighborhood have been leaving holiday cheer on each other's front stoops for the last couple of weeks. A personalized bottle--as in, he and his son are pictured with Santa--arrived from one friend and after a single, delicious root beer float made with Sassy Cow's Orange Chocolate Chip ice cream last week I tucked it into the fridge and kind of forgot. Have no fear, I found a recipe for a Root Beer Float Cake and we were on our way. It was a perfect treat for Ben and I to savor along with some of that holiday cheer after the gift exchange and after Vera had turned in for the night. We caught up by the light of the tree and licked our forks and plates clean.

Root Beer Float Cake (Gluten-Free)
Makes a 6-inch layer cake (nice and small!)

Sometimes you just gotta make room for chocolate cake

Adapted to gluten-free from a recipe from Joy the Baker. I was incredibly surprised and thrilled with the texture and flavor once it was converted. I didn't think this cake tasted much like root beer, but it ended up being a fantastic gluten-free chocolate cake recipe at least.

1 c. root beer (not diet, heaven's no!)
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 c. (1/2 stick) butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 c. + 2 T. granulated sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1 c. all-purpose gluten-free flour
1/ 4 t. xanthan gum
3/4 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 large egg

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease 6-inch springform pan and either dust with GF flour or line with a parchment round. In a small saucepan, heat root beer, cocoa powder, and butter over medium heat until butter is melted. Add sugars and whisk until dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool. In a large bowl, sift flour, xanthan gum, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk egg until just beaten. Then egg into cocoa mixture until combined then gently fold flour mixture into cocoa mixture. Batter will be slightly lumpy. You can give it a quick whisk, but don't overbeat. Don't worry, the batter is very loose. Pour into prepared pan and bake about 45 min. or until a skewer/knife poked into center comes out clean. Let cool completely, remove from pan, cut in half cross-sectionally. Frost first layer and place second layer on top, frost all over cake, smoothing top and sides. Slice and serve with eggnog cream.

Serve with fork AND spoon!

Chocolate Root Beer Frosting: (The salt gives it a nice balance once paired with the cake!)
1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
3 oz. semi-sweet gluten-free chocolate chips, melted
1/2 t. salt
1 1/4 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. root beer

In the bowl of a stand mixer or with hand mixer, beat softened butter and cocoa powder. Once combined, add melted chocolate, salt, powdered sugar, and root beer. Beat together until smooth. Spread on cake layers as directed above.

Eggnog Cream:
2 c. eggnog
1/2 c. sifted powdered sugar

Beat with whip attachment in an electric mixer (or with hand mixer) until frothy and slightly thickened. This won't whip up stiffly like heavy whipping cream, but will gain a little more body at least. I recommend pouring the cream into a shallow bowl and placing the cake slice on top. (Serve with both a fork and spoon!)

Nothin' but crumbs left

We're spending Christmas in Tinseltown (where it will be 70 degrees--I've never celebrated this holiday in a warm climate before...should be interesting). Can't wait to see extended family and Vera's beloved cousins. We're also heading to downstate Illinois to catch my family next week. Although I was hoping to see my siblings, in-laws, nieces, and nephew I'm relieved at least about the lodging situation. Although my parents have a sizable home, there's often little room at the inn. With everyone's sleeping quirks and requirements, it's often impossible for individual families to be contained to one room, not to mention my parents having to sleep clear across the house from each other. One of my favorite lines from Tina Fey's Bossypants on the topic of heading home for the holidays:

"...the retro chic of spending Christmas just like Joseph and Mary did--traveling arduously back to the place of your birth to be counted, with no guarantee of a bed when you get there. You may end up sleeping on an old wicker chair with a dog licking your face while an Ab Rocket infomercial plays in the background. It's a modern-day manger."

Lights on Wisconsin Ave. at Grand Ave.

City Hall via the M&I Bank Christmas Tree

On that note, enjoy the holidays and this new season however and wherever it will find you. I'll be taking a break from blogging probably until the New Year. Have a happy one!

Ready for the Holidays--Ready for some Snow

2011-12-19T14:53:00.000-06:00

Brick Road Skirts for my nieces Ruffles Galore!

Although it's been stressful at times, the holiday hand-crafted gifts are just about done. I had a slightly rude awakening late last week that put my procrastinating in check. All this time I thought I was going to be seeing my nieces and nephew at my parents' house between Christmas and New Year's, but found out that our paths shall not cross this year. So the final week of sewing that I thought I had starting today was cut short so that I could finish the gifts, get them mailed before the postal rush, and have them arrive in time for the girls at least to open their matching gifts together before they go home to their respective states. I spent a good solid 5 hours this weekend completing the second Brick Road Skirt for niece #2--whoever invented ruffles should be tortured with one. Wow! There were yards and yards of ruffles, hours and hours or gathering and re-gathering, but I'm very happy with the results and I hope the girls enjoy spinning around in their new fanciness.

I also spent late Saturday night--as I watched some junk TV--cutting and piecing together my nephew's gifts. As long as their mother--who I think is still a regular follower here--promises not to show/tell them about these gifts, I am posting photos here. After reading Pink Brain, Blue Brain by Lise Eliot, I've been trying to consciously choose gifts that challenge the gender barriers. From what I've read, boys don't often excel in reading/writing like young girls do so I thought I'd make some journals for my tween/teen nephews to encourage them to write, sketch, or whatever else 10 and 13-year old young men would do with a blank book. I've had some minor bookmaking experience over the last ten years and have been keeping a box of scraps and cool paper at my craft corner in case I got back into it. The idea for these journals evolved over time--mostly last week as I was lying in bed with my "monkey mind" going a million miles an hour. As I found out what supplies were/were not available, the binding and composition changed. But overall, they are what I had imagined. I used some newsprint paper I acquired a couple of years ago and used some cool maps ("Who Says North Is Up?") from the Syracuse Cultural Workers annual calendar that's regularly gifted to us from some of Ben's relatives. I have a feeling these boys will appreciate the work that went into these books and I hope they have fun jotting or scribbling down their thoughts, ideas, and drawings. This week I just need to put the finishing touches on a couple other projects. In general, I feel like I can somewhat coast until this weekend when we hit the skies.

Basic stitching around the cover's edge

"Monogrammed" with stickers from the craft store

Used paint samples as separators

"Sleigh Ride"

We've done a good bit of running around this month, but I feel like I've seen and hung out with more friends in December than I've seen in all of 2011. Friday night we joined some close friends for a "sleigh ride" (actually a wagon ride for lack of snow) up in Cedarburg. It was a great cold night and fun to be bundled up in the back of the wagon pulled by two beautiful Percherons. There was cider, hot cocoa, old-fashioned board games, and Santa for all to enjoy afterwards. Still hoping to do something special for Solstice this week and will also try my hand at some potato latkes to acknowledge Hanukkah and have a family gift exchange before we pack up and leave town.

Yesterday I made special pancakes to celebrate our first family breakfast together in quite some time. I got this idea from the children's book Christmas in the Big Woods. Ben reminded me that it was a work of fiction, which is why their gingerbread-person-shaped pancakes turned out perfectly. Yeah, I guess I should have realized that, but we gave it a shot nonetheless.

Gingerbread Pancakes (Gluten-Free)

Serves 3-4

It is KEY to spray the cookie cutters before pouring in the batter. Otherwise, just drop scoopfuls on the griddle.

1 1/4 c. all-purpose gluten-free flour (I use Bob's Red Mill)

1 t. xanthan gum

2 t. baking powder

1 t. ground cinnamon

1 1/2 t. ground ginger

3/4 t. ground cloves

1/4 t. ground nutmeg

1 T. brown sugar

1/2 t. salt

1 1/3 milk--cow's, almond, coconut, soy, etc. (start w/ 1 c., add extra 1/3 c. if needed for thinner batter)

1 T. molasses or sorghum syrup

3 T. oil

1 egg, slightly beaten (I also tried it with egg replacer, but the consistency was a bit gummy)

Pure Maple Syrup

In large bowl, stir together all dry ingredients until well combined. In small bowl, whisk together wet ingredients. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until smooth. Let sit about 10 min. Heat griddle or skillet on medium-low heat (lightly grease with butter, ghee, oil, coconut oil.) Pour 1/2 c. batter for each pancake (into greased cookie cutters to make shapes if you desire), allowing room for them to expand. Cook until tops get bubbly and start to look dry. Carefully flip and cook other side until golden. Repeat until batter is gone, greasing skillet in between as needed. Serve with maple syrup, butter, or other accoutrements of your choice.

Now all we need is Frosty!

We received a special delivery today after returning from a holiday lunch with Great Grandma. My cousin, who is spending more time at home with her kiddos these days, has had more of a chance for creativity--something all of us moms need more of, no doubt. She came up with this "Just Add Snow" Snowman Kit, which I think is brilliant. Now we just need some snow! I do look forward to seeing some of the white stuff outside our door. I know it will encourage Vera to get outside more on cold days, but I wouldn't be terribly disappointed if it waited until after all of the holiday travel. Happy Holidays to you all; I hope you find peace in these last couple of weeks of the year.

My Holiday Sweatshop...and Remembering What We Celebrate

2011-12-13T15:16:00.000-06:00

Lights on Wisconsin Ave. looking east from 6th St.

"Santa's workshop" has been in full swing this week with the help of some amazing friends who have taken/are taking Vera for a morning so I can sew away on some gifts--especially ones I don't want V to see. Yesterday morning I began Brick Road Skirt number two for my other niece as well as a tiny overcoat for Vera's doll. As I was sewing up a storm I had time to sip lukewarm coffee and let my thoughts wander. A big realization I had was how impossible it is to make these quality gifts at dirt cheap prices if you are accounting for actual the time and labor put into them, not to mention the materials (though mine were all scraps or things I had on hand.) A friend and fellow knitter made a statement in a recent blog post--when she was challenged with the idea of selling her knitwear--about how much she'd actually have to charge for each product. It was decidedly more than she believed anyone would easily pay. Since I've become a more serious crafter over the last several years I've gained enormous appreciation for the work that's put into handcrafted items. It's no wonder an adult size cabled sweater could cost hundreds of dollars, hand-sewn kids clothes carry boutique prices, and foods like meticulously cracked and picked hickory nuts can go for almost $25/lb. I had a pretty clear idea about all of this before yesterday, but after my four hour sweat session in the morning, I can now firmly offer that there's absolutely no way the cheap goods people buy at big box stores can be manufactured in the workers' or environment's best interest. It's truly saddening to me, but gives me even more motivation to sew away on these gifts knowing that it's one less item being demanded via exploited labor practices from China, Vietnam, India, or other foreign lands.

I have now knocked out two of the seven (or eight?) gifts I have on my to-do list. Will I finish in time? Probably. Although I'm sure I'll spend some late nights next week in my craft corner putting on the finishing touches. How does Santa do it? After taking Vera to see the new Muppet movie recently, she was excited about Kermit the Frog. I took a well-worn Kermit T-shirt (probably another relic resuscitated from my brother's crusty college dwelling), cut the print from it and turned it into a pillow. It's very basic, but she's going to love it. I even found some green piping in my stash to decorate the edges. So here's where I insert (hoping for a chuckle) "It's Not Easy Being Green." After the above paragraph, I reiterate that it certainly isn't easy. But I know it's the right thing for me to do and I think Vera will be happy with this novelty gift.

Perfect green piping from my stash

And plenty of matching material on hand for the back

Hand-sewn cards

I used to make all my own holiday cards as well, but in recent years have gone the way of printed photo cards. Once you have kids, all the relatives just want to see holiday photos, right? I only ordered about a third of the printed cards that I did last year, using e-mail and social networking modes to share our holiday wishes/photos otherwise for a much lower carbon footprint (much lower cost in printing and postage...and much less time filling them out.) Don't get me wrong, I still love each and every one of the people to whom I normally send hard copies of cards, but in keeping things more simple this year, time spent writing and mailing cards had to be cut. I did, however, sew some handmade cards yesterday to supplement the printed ones and sent these originals to my family members with wallet size home-printed candid shots of Vera tucked inside. I've made several types of machine-sewn cards before and it couldn't be easier. In fact, we made our own wedding invitations this way and I still treasure the prototype.

Though my husband claims I seem more stressed this holiday season, I actually feel fairly at peace. I just disguise it well as I walk around looking dazed, disgruntled, or desperate for a nap. We've had a chance to check out some cool holiday events this month--a circle tour of downtown Milwaukee to check out the Milwaukee Holiday Lights, the MATC Culinary Student Gingerbread Houses at the Milwaukee Public Market...

Kremlin (?) Gingerbread House

An Homage to my hometown--Paris...Illinois

Holiday Sparkle at St. Paul Fish Market--"Goldfish Tree"

...a Wine and Cheese Tasting at a friend's home, and the Holistic Moms Network Alternative Cookie Exchange at our house. There will be more fun towards week's end as we celebrate Winter Solstice.

My friends' amazing hors d'oeuvres spread for the Wine and Cheese party

Wine for the Tastin'

Karen's lovely mantle

Gretel’s Gingerbread Cookies (Gluten-free, Dairy-free Soy-free, White sugar in icing only)

Makes 3-4 dozen cookies

This is a very easy dough to work with. It’s not too sticky and therefore fun for kids to play and shape/cut/roll while mom/dad is punching out cookies…of course the kids can do this as well!

1 c. coconut oil, melted

1 egg

1 t. water

1/4 c. honey

1/2 t. ground allspice

2 t. ground ginger

1/2 t. ground cloves

1/2 t. cinnamon powder

1/8 t. peeled and grated fresh ginger (optional…but might want to add a little extra ground ginger)

1 t. baking soda

3 c. blanched almond flour, or more as needed (I ended up using 3 1/2 c. approx.)

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease or line a cookie sheet. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, until the dough is dry enough and not sticky to work with. Add more almond flour, if necessary. Roll dough (use a little extra almond flour to “dust” the rolling surface, as needed) and cut out shapes. Place cutouts on cookie sheet and bake 10-12 min, or until edges turn golden.

Decorating Icing

1 egg white

1/2 lb. organic powdered sugar, sifted

1 T. water

1 t. cream of tartar

Combine all ingredients in an electric mixer (or use electric beaters). Beat on high for 2-3 min. until glossy. Spread onto cookies or put in decorating bag to use for piping.

Ready for the Swap

We finally decided last week to approach the holiday season by presenting Vera with stories of all cultures' winter traditions. So far we're learning about Hanukkah and Las Posadas, we've read Christmas in the Big Woods (part of the Little House Series), How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and watched A Christmas Carol. We also plan to talk about Yule (Winter Solstice) and Kwanzaa; read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and watch "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" (indulging my inner 80s child) and hopefully learn about Chinese New Year and Ramadan later in the season. It's not that I expect Vera to celebrate all of these festivals or even pick one. My goal is to begin exposing her year by year to the ways in which people of all ages celebrate this special time of year around the world.

Othr Gluten-Free goodies for the cookie exchange

Chocolate Drizzled Peanut Butter No-Bakes

Gluten-Free Yumminess!

Through my efforts, not only have I learned more than expected about these other festivities, but have realized that this time of year for me is really about memories. I put my great-grandmother's glass ornaments--given to me by my own Gramma--on the tree; I read/tell stories we enjoyed as kids; we sing carols that I couldn't carry in a paper bag when I was eight; we exchange gifts in the spirit of generosity that our parents so overwhelmingly demonstrated; I display the toothpick, clothespin, and popsicle stick creche I sloppily glued together in 2nd grade; I bake cookies by family recipes; and carry on other traditions however subtle or strange--like hanging all the greeting cards around a doorway/window and bringing the trifecta of brandy, pickled herring, and frozen Tom and Jerry mix to my parents who live far enough south of the Cheddar Curtain so as not to have easy access to these regional goodies. For me, this time of year is for reflecting, remembering, (hopefully relaxing...eventually), and maybe doing it all while I sit quietly by the light of the tree in the living room.

The Garden is Done!

2011-12-07T16:27:00.001-06:00

Tatsoi in December

As of last week we were still cutting and sharing greens from our garden. Yesterday I finally closed it up. Although I'm sure some of my crops could have benefited taste-wise from a couple more cycles of frost and thaw, I mentally and physically needed to shut it down for the season. December 6 is by far the latest my garden has ever gone, which is fantastic and all, but towards the end here it was quite stressful thinking about whether the snow would beat me to the punch in pulling the plug for 2011. All weekend--despite our wonderful visit with friends--I was sort of in a fog, feeling like I was watching myself enjoy the weekend from outside my body. Some recurring back pain was no doubt partly to blame, but I think having something lingering on my to-do list for so many weeks and months--whether it was the garden or some other project--was making me anxious. Like magic, after I cut and trimmed the remaining white kohlrabi, plucked the last of the salvageable Swiss chard and kale, pulled the tatsoi, and ripped out the tomato stakes and dead plants, I felt like myself again. I needed closure. And that was all it took. (P.S. We'll see if the cold-frame gets placed and planted this week with spinach before the ground freezes!)

While Kohlrabi in December

Rainbow Chard in December

Brick Road Skirt #1 Completed

Not to mention, another load was off my shoulders as of yesterday when I finished one of the many homemade holiday gift projects I've dedicated myself to this year. I don't believe my sister or sister-in-law will read this, nor will their daughters who are the recipients of this/these particular item/s on my list so I feel safe posting a photo of the finished gift. It's called a Brick Road Skirt and I got the pattern/idea from a library book called Sewing Bits and Pieces: 35 Projects Using Fabric Scraps. My goal for the gifts this year was not to spend any money--just put a ton of elbow grease into it and enjoy the process. I love how fun this skirt is--reminiscent of a Spanish dancer's costumes--and I think it will be adorable with a pair of striped leggings. But I must say two things: 1) just because it was made with fabric scraps (of which I have an endless supply) doesn't mean it was simple; in fact, it was likely more difficult because of the intricacies of all the piecing, 2) I'm glad Vera isn't a ruffly, lacy, flouncy girl (yet!?) because it would be murder to sew many more projects like this. I believe the second one will come together more easily now that I have some experience, but I'm glad I only have two nieces for which to sew these. I used fabric, thread, elastic, and interfacing that I already had and even re-used some elastic from a pair of yoga pants that I had recently disassembled and reassembled into a circular scarf. Now I'm on to some doll clothes for Vera and a couple of other novelties before I start my nephews' gifts, which I cannot mention because I know THAT sister-in-law DOES often follow my blog.

Layers upon layers of ruffle! Oy!

So, back to the garden closing. The grand total of 137 lbs. from this season seemed far below last year's final count, but then again I didn't grow melons, zucchini, slicing cukes, and other heavy items of that sort. I was still very happy with this year's totals especially because I felt like it was hardly an effort. I suppose there's a trade-off. I was able to put up more food (canned, frozen, and dried) this year than ever before. So if I wasn't able to spend time in the garden it was likely because I was hovering over the kettle in the kitchen. Fair enough.

The Left side of my basement pantry

The Upright Basement Freezer

Root Cellar Shelf: Onions, Squash, Garlic, Potatoes, etc.

The carrot powder turned out well yesterday and I put a tablespoon or so into a smoothie for an interesting flavor. The small jar will live in my spice cabinet until it's gone, which will probably be in just a couple of months based on how much I've enjoyed it thus far.

Carrot Powder: Juicing by-product, dried and ground

Taking it Day by Day

2011-12-05T14:29:00.000-06:00

Christkindlmarket, Chicago

Keeping the holiday schedule simple is no easy task as I've found in the first few days of December. I keep reminding myself to take it day by day though, ironically, holiday simplicity feels like it takes more planning.

View from our friends' place downtown

Daytime view from our friends' place

We kicked off the month with a jaunt to Chicago for the weekend. If we get down to the Windy City for the holidays at all, it's usually just a short weekend so we try to see as many friends as possible in one trip. (Again, making one trip versus three trips to Chicago for the holidays required making the connections way in advance to see this person, that one, and the rest.) We met one of Ben's buddies after work on Friday. They've known each other since they penned letters back and forth between Germany and the United States in middle school. Now Carsten's in Chicago, at least semi-permanently, and much more available to get together with us. We landed downtown at the Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza, found some authentic Bavarian sausages for dinner, sampled some gluhwein and beer (for the gents, of course) then perused the outdoor stalls with traditional glassware, ornaments, fiber arts, wooden toys, candy, etc. then turned in early. Saturday allowed time for breakfast with one of my favorite college chums and the evening brought a semi-annual holiday party at the cozy home of some long-time friends and others who are more like family. One of the best things about being away from home--and I believe I've said this before after last summer's travels--is that Vera's naptime brings quiet time for me as well because there are no to-do lists staring at me from the chaos that can sometimes be my desk at home. Overall, it was a fantastic weekend, which ended with us back in Milwaukee putting up our holiday tree.

Tree at Daley Plaza, Chicago

My favorite vendor at the Christmas market

A highlight of our weekend in Chicago--our German friend's Angela Merkel reamer!

I'm still displaying the same tabletop tree I've had since my first holiday in Milwaukee in 2000. It was a gift from a big box store and has served me well through my urban adventures even as my current values would now lead me to support a local grower and cut/buy a fresh tree. I figure that as long as this tree is relatively in tact--though it loses more and more of its artificial needles every season--I will hang on to it. No sense in wasting the resources that were used to make it--however high impact--now that it's here. Plus, having it up on a table offers fewer temptations for a curious two-year-old. Afterall, I hang my great grandmother's glass ornaments on the branches. Some are probably 100 years old and although at least one breaks each year, I don't need to create an opportunity for more damage. I do look forward to having a tree which Vera can help decorate in the future without any anxiety on my part. On a simplicity note, Ben and I have more or less vowed to keep our holiday decor contained to one plastic bin (plus the small tree box). The tree holds three strands of LED lights, the antique ornaments, and a few small strands of gold and silver beads I believe were castoffs from some of my mom's Christmas decorations in the last decade. Ben has a very simple ceramic creche he bought while living in Chile, my mom made appliqued fleece stockings for us in recent years, and I set out a few sets of wooden nesting dolls. I've added a little extra sparkle this year for Vera--an extra strands of LEDs around the front hall tree, and some shiny antique garland bits I found at the flea market a couple of years ago (actually that isn't new, but was re-placed this year for a new effect.) Perhaps V and I will make a garland together this season before it's all said and done, but otherwise that's it. It takes me an hour or so to decorate then we get to sit back and enjoy the glow for the next month.

Our cozy living room with holiday decor

A little extra sparkle

A little extra sparkle on the mirror too

Ben's Chilean creche

Front entryway and stockings

Great Grandma Spang's ornaments

Oh Holiday Tree!

The tree at night

As I was reminded this morning (typical rough Monday) of the potential chaos of anxiety that this month can bring and was commiserating with a girl friend about it all, I realized that there are a few super important and relatively simple things I can do this month to keep myself in tact: eat healthfully, get enough sleep, don't overimbibe, keep exercising, and take time for myself each day. As I mentioned in my last post, I'm doing my best to enjoy the silence each morning with a cup of coffee before Vera awakes. I'm also trying to keep lots of veggies at the ready for salads and quick meals/snacks--there are always plenty of colorful, crunchy foods in the house, but I need to make sure they are at least minimally prepped and ready to grab and go. Forcing myself to get in bed early will be tough. Lately I've been lingering an hour or so after Ben's turned in and often wasting time in front of the computer. Even if I get into bed before my usual bedtime, I can relax and unwind with a book (I just started an excellent, inspiring, quick read over the weekend--Learning to Breathe.) Exercising actually isn't a problem for me because I've quickly gotten back into the groove of going to the gym just three days per week, which allows Vera to have some play time with the kiddos at the childcare facility there. I once thought that gym time for me was too luxurious, but was reassured after hearing that it can make me a better parent by giving me time to myself (even if it means me just plugging into my headset and slowly riding a recumbent bike while flipping through a magazine for an hour), but also because it helps me build strength and stamina, which will ultimately help me get through the days and weeks with an energetic toddler. I'm realizing that all of these steps to staying healthy throughout the hectic holiday schedule should be carried on always. Do I see a New Year's resolution here?

I haven't posted many--if any--recipes lately, but will get back to that soon I hope. But I do have to say something about carrot juice. Speaking of keeping healthy things at the ready, there's a huge bag of organic carrots in my fridge just waiting to be sucked down in a glass. I juiced some with a few homegrown red beets recently and Vera even went for this beverage. I recommend adding a hint of ginger juice to spice it up. When I make juice I often feel bad about the great fiber that's lost in the process. So I saved and temporarily froze this "pulp" and today I'm drying it along with my standard almond meal in the dehydrator. I will then grind the dried carrot pulp and use this "powder" in smoothies, soups, casseroles, pasta dishes, you name it. Once again, nothing goes to waste.

Carrot and Ginger--a great combo

A little hand grabbing the carrot juice--I won't complain

Looking forward to the simple things this week like enjoying the sweet little voice in this house that always makes us laugh. Last week I heard Vera reciting "This Little Piggy..." and the first line was "this little piggy went to the farmers' market..." Only my daughter. I was cracking up. Our bedtime ritual lately has been to read a chapter from The House at Pooh Corner, an old fragile copy which I found in a small bookshop in Wellfleet on Cape Cod over the summer. Those moments as well as rubbing up against my husband's new seasonal beard are my intended focus for when the going gets crazy this holiday. Peace to you!

Trying to keep it simple with some art projects

And crayons!

At least someone is using my old watercolors!

Keeping It Simple

2011-11-30T13:38:00.001-06:00

I ended my last post with the lyrics to a favorite holiday tune reminding me of the value of simplicity. The month of December (which is already TOMORROW!) will be a test of my intention. I was corresponding with my cousin yesterday via e-mail. She asked what our plans are for the holiday season and I began my response with "I'm hoping to keep it simple." Yet I followed with a whole list of week-to-week activities that don't pause until the third week of the month and then pick up on the 23rd and go full force again until the new year. As I punctuated my last sentence I thought "that doesn't sound simple." Although a few of December's activities are more or less set in stone, there are a number of others scheduled simply to get us out of the house on a predictably cold day. And of course, this is the time of year when so many events are planned citywide, especially happenings that attract the kiddies. And who doesn't want to do it all? Well, I really don't want to do it all, but will at least pencil in some of the more rare opportunities. (Breathe, keep it simple.)

Ready to "host" her first dinner party

We began this week by having friends over for dinner on a "school night." Originally we'd planned Sunday brunch then shifted the schedule because of an impending holiday party in a land south of the Wisconsin border. But this was a great opportunity for me to put some of last week's feast's leftovers to good use--with full disclosure to our guests. Roasted root vegetables and chickpeas were worked into a quinoa and mung bean entree, gravy was given new life as a base for a rich turnip gratin, cold broccoli and cauliflower salad was fluffed and re-served, and my homemade caramel decorated yet another apple dessert along with the rest of the Purple Door Ice Cream (made right here in Bay View.) And you can bet that I sent food home with our lovely guests. As I was planning last night's dinner, Ben, knowing how I can get carried away with the hors d'oeuvres spread, menu planning, table dressing, etc., reined me in a time or two and said, "remember this is a regular weeknight supper, keep it simple." He's such a wise man and my perfect counterpart! We had a wonderful time with our friends, even if all of us were up and down trying to keep track of the girls and make sure they had something on their plates at the "kiddie table." The night wound down with dessert and simple conversation in the living room. It was just right. (Breathe, keep it simple.)

We're beginning to open up more about the Santa thing with Vera. I talked to her a little bit this week and, after a short explanation, asked what she wanted Santa to bring her. She was in the tub at the time when the fun-shaped soap we'd brought home from our hotel in Yellowstone finally disintegrated (actually, this was the second of the soaps recovered from our trip). She said she wanted new bear soap. I said "Anything else?" and she responded, "just bear soap." How wonderfully simple. A friend told me her son wanted only a jar of honey for one of his first Christmases and a former classmate recalled that she would have been satisfied receiving a single bunch of green grapes when she was the same age. These confidantes went on to warn that things get a bit more complicated as the years go on--and the kids get wiser. But I'm going to savor the moment for this year and hope that she always keeps her wants so simple.

On the topic of simple things: during an errand run the other day I finally made it to the local cobbler shop to pick up some red shoe polish to shine up my secondhand Dansko clogs. Vera has a pair of thrifted red leather Mary Janes that also needed a new coat. I'd polished a pair of her shoes with her before, but the task doesn't seem to lose its luster (no pun intended.) Upon returning from the store, we excitedly rushed down to the basement box of old socks and other polishes set aside for shoe shining and I went to work. I always think of my dad when I polish shoes because he taught me at a young age how important it is to take care of your shoes (repair, polish, etc.) He had a fancy wooden box for his supplies that had a foot rest on it where you could settle while you or another polished your kicks. I also recall having to line up all the male servers one Sunday morning at a nice restaurant I worked at in college to show them how (and why) to polish their shoes. Hopefully Vera will carry on this tradition and care for her belongings to make them last. A simple wish, but valuable lesson.

Amazing what a coat of polish and a shine can do to secondhand kicks!

There's a framed original John and Yoko print hanging in V's room that says "A Small Pig is a Happy Pig." Our interpretation is that small is beautiful, less is more, simple is better... I refer to this idea frequently and was reminded of it again as we read from the library book The Biggest House in the World whose synopsis follows:

"A young snail dreams of having the biggest house—or shell—in the world. Then one day, his wise father tells him the story of another snail with the same dream. He grew and grew, adding bright colors and beautiful designs, until he found that his house came at a terrible cost. The young snail decides that a small, easy-to-carry shell might be best for a life of adventure and exploration."

This was a pretty good find for a book randomly pulled off the shelf. It perfectly sums up my current goal for life and could provide inspiration for this typically "insane" season as well. My simple vision for December (as I wake up earlier than my little one each morning--even if just by 20-30 minutes): I intend to savor the still warm coffee my wonderful husband has left insulated in the French Press before heading out the door. I may sit quietly and sip, I may pick up a little knitting, I may do some reading, but it's going to be something for myself in the tiny quiet space I have alone in the partial darkness. (Breathe, keep it simple.)

What will you do this season to keep your life simple?

All I Want for Christmas...

2011-11-28T15:14:00.001-06:00

Holiday Lights in downtown Milwaukee

It seems as though our family of three (or at least Mommy and Daddy) is still batting around ideas about how we want to celebrate this holiday season in terms of traditions, meaning, and activities. I grew up enjoying what seemed like fairly traditional American Christmas celebrations with a balance of religion (the story of the Christ child's birth) and Santa (the story of the rosy-cheeked jolly old elf and his workshop). My husband's childhood probably wasn't as gift-focused around the holidays, but there was still a good combination of both holiday figures.

City of Milwaukee Holiday Tree Lighting

Presently, I find myself balking at both of these traditions. As Unitarian Universalists--and individuals for that matter--we choose not to base our celebration so much on faith and salvation, though we feel the Christmas story is a good one...just as much as the legend of Hanukkah is symbolic, Dickens' A Christmas Carol teaches compassion, and tales of St. Nick shed light on the reason for the season. This year so far, Vera seems to be understanding and delighting in the holidays more than ever as Halloween and Thanksgiving demonstrated. That means she may finally take note of "the man in the red suit" as well as the lights, sparkle, and glow all around. As you might imagine, because of my connection to nature, I'm more interested in celebrating the Winter Solstice, or "Yule," and the rebirth of the Sun. I suppose many of these feelings come from the disillusionment I feel with the commercialism of "Christmas." We all (or at least many Americans) sit at our Thanksgiving tables showing gratitude for what we have only to hit the stores the very next morning (or in the middle of the night) for Black Friday shopping madness. To spend money we don't have and possibly throw down so that we may put gifts under the tree that show our kids and loved ones that we'd go to any length (even physical harm) to give them what they "want" all while pouring money into the accounts of national chains. For what?! (For the record, I observed "Buy Nothing Day" the Friday after Thanksgiving.)

Now more than ever, our society craves meaning and community. I see this as the perfect time to reconnect, relax, sit quietly, share a meal, volunteer, enjoy the tiny lights through all the darkness, and reflect on the previous year. Though we're still deciding how to present the Santa Claus idea, we are almost certain that we will encourage Vera to believe, at least in her heart. Thanks to a friend's recent recommendation, we checked out The Polar Express from the library, which opened my mind a bit and made me remember that no matter what you believe, this is a magical season. And how better to view it than through a child's eyes. I may add a little extra sparkle to our home this year--hopefully with Vera's help as we craft a special garland, wreath, or gift for a neighbor or friend.

On the topic of gifts, my homemade offerings are well underway and I'm enjoying every minute of crafting them, hoping for smiles on the kids' faces when the packages are unwrapped. I received a treat myself the other day when my father-in-law unloaded a box of vintage canning jars that he'd acquired from a friend and antique-collector who'd recently down-sized. They're not suitable for heat processing, but will make beautiful additions to my dry storage of nuts, seeds, noodles, and grains in the pantry. There was also an interesting glass funnel type piece that I've decided must be a jar filler. I really am easy to please and I want nothing more this season than to be safe and healthy with family and friends.

Beautiful, shining, old canning jars

Drey brand, hard to find these days

Interesting shapes and sizes

A very large, unique "jar filler," I think

I wish all of you a simple season starting yesterday. To recall a favorite song from a high school holiday dinner theatre performance, "'Tis the gift to be simple..." I hope you find joy in simplicity, meaning in the season, and hope in the new year. Peace to you all through December and this winter.

The Busiest Week of My Year

2011-11-22T14:55:00.005-06:00

Our lonely bird waiting for his brine

The days leading up to Thanksgiving always make for the busiest week of my year. The local food round-up last Saturday--with all of its intricate choreography--turned out pretty well and no one (neither Mommy nor Vera) spontaneously combusted even though we didn't return to the homestead until well after normal nap time. Whew! This week I made my traditional stop at the conventional grocery store--you may recall that this is one of my favorite "guilty pleasures" before the Thanksgiving holiday (call me weird for thinking of it that way.) We are more or less ready to go with the food preparations for Thursday. I will begin this afternoon by bringing back the "turkey bucket," our name for the 5-gallon bucket where we brine our bird until cook-time on Thursday. Vera's first Thanksgiving week found her carefully guarding the bucket. Last year when she was already stringing a few words together and repeating anything we suggested, the slightest utterance of "turkey bucket" in her sweet little voice would have Ben and I in stitches.

I crossed a cooking class off my list last night, realizing after shopping for my class that it wasn't the best timing because where was I going to put the food until prep. time? I crammed and jammed it into the fridge, but I will tell you that by National Restaurant Association standards, they should have revoked my Safe Food Handler certificate late Saturday night. (For the record, there was no cross-contamination, but my limited options for food placement in the fridge might have been given a second glance from an inspector.) Anyway...

This morning I had the pleasure of hosting a new interest group at our home. After all of our talk over the last couple of years, we finally pulled together a small group (four of us so far) of like-minded folks who essentially want to "save the world"...or at least get started preparing our little corner of it to withstand whatever the Earth, economy, or other powers-that-be throw at us. We are calling ourselves the "South Shore Resilience Circle," and I'm flattered and honored to be a part of this group of experienced men with specialities, knowledge, and interest in permaculture, gardening, rainwater management, forest gardens, alternative energy, peak oil, and community living, just to name a few. The gentleman who so generously let me pick elderberries at his impressive South Milwaukee homestead last season, a self-proclaimed "urban camper" and dedicated Power-downer, and the founder of Bay View's Eco-Village are my team members in this endeavor. We're also planning to recruit a gentleman who has electrical engineering experience, which could come in tremendously handy in setting up alternative energy systems. We've chosen to limit the size of our group, not because we want to be exclusive and only "save ourselves," but because through other similarly focused organizations around the city we've found that working in smaller groups can often be a better way to more quickly get to work on important projects versus continuing to meet, talk, meet, talk, meet, talk, but never set out on a task. Not to mention, it's nice to be able to fit everyone around a dining room table to solve the world's problems. Many of which have been sorted out when a small group of people pull up a chair. I was asked to be part of this circle for my culinary, preservation, and solar cooking experience. I am excited to share that skill set, but am also hoping to gain a better knowledge of the more technical details--exercising the other hemisphere of my brain--to learn about solar energy, bio-swales, and alternatively-fueled transportation just to name a few projects that have already been mentioned. I am hoping to inherit four inspiring mentors through this group and finally get somewhere with ideas that have thus far just been dreams in my urban homesteading journal.

Gorgeous label artwork by the
winemaker's wife/tasting room host

So it's two days before the big feast and once again I have most likely disappointed my blog followers by not posting more Thanksgiving recipes. Let me at least offer you a cocktail [recipe.] There's a great article in my current issue of Mother Earth News about hard cider. I just bought a couple bottles from Aeppeltreow Winery near Burlington. (You may recall, this was the orchard trip where a friend and I with the kiddos nearly got kicked out of the winery.) Never imagined Butterscotch Schnapps would be on my holiday shopping list, but, alas, it is now part of my "liquor cabinet" as I will be pouring this cocktail on Thursday--possibly at 10:00 AM sharp (official Wegner Family "beer-thirty") depending on how the day starts.

Cheers to you and yours this week. Stay tuned for my "List of Gratitude" in the next post.

The End of the Garden

2011-11-17T14:30:00.008-06:00

Ground Cherries still in their husks

Peeled Ground Cherries

The lone golden raspberry. I assure you, it was delicious.

It looks like the garden finally bit it as of last night. The Swiss chard and kale may still have a little oomph left in them to spring back from the cold, but otherwise I'm fairly sure it's about time to call it quits. I actually harvested lots of fresh herbs last night to put into a dinner entree (see below). I will likely be able to get at the parsley, oregano, thyme, and kohlrabi for a couple of weeks still, but the fennel and delicate radish leaves are toast. Last week we were still pulling so much from the ground. The tomatoes and tomatillos had the last bit of life wrung out of them on Saturday as I scoured the plants to harvest enough for one more small batch of salsa. Picked the remaining ground cherries as well--a small handful--and need to find some way to utilize such a small amount while still enjoying their flavor. Our golden raspberry harvest rolled in last week with--count it--ONE berry (which I ate in secrecy quickly after snapping the photo so as not to deal with dividing it three ways with my family! Shameful, I know, but one of those completely selfish acts that busy moms occasionally commit.) Still in the ground are the parsnips and salsify. It's the first year I've grown salsify and, honestly, haven't much researched what I need to be doing with it. The parsnips, on the other hand, can stay in the ground all winter. I ran into our CSA farmer the other day at the co-op (I love when that happens...he and his wife are "local celebs" to me...but also good friends) and he said I should/could just leave them in the ground covered with a thick layer of leaf mulch. Perfect, because right about now I have an endless supply of leaves blowing around my backyard and much less energy for gardening.

We're still hitting the farmers' markets and, in fact, plan to double or triple it up this weekend to collect all the goods before the Thanksgiving holiday a week from today (what!). I have a 4-lb. jar of raw honey to collect at the St. Ann Center Winter Farmers' Market, our heritage turkey to pick up at the West Allis Farmers' Market (it sounds like JenEhr still has a handful of these organic birds available for purchase...might want to call now!) and People's Market Day to support at the Milwaukee County Winter Farmers' Market. The latter is a special day at State Fair Park's Tommy Thompson Center. This market runs through spring, but Saturday's event will be brought to you by the people. In the spirit of the Occupy Movement, the farmers and producers have raised funds so that this weekend's market is sponsored by the people, not by deep-pocketed corporations. Please check it out. Show your support. And pick up some delicious locally-grown and produced foods to fill your holiday table or the table of someone else.

I promised I'd try to get my Thanksgiving act together in order to post some recipes for anyone interested (ahem...my sister-in-law who was seeking ideas last year and I thoroughly disappointed...) One thing I know for sure that's on our menu besides the turkey and Ben's Gramma Kate's cranberry salad are some Brussels sprouts. I picked up our Wellspring Thanksgiving share last night and was overwhelmed by the amount of produce, which will partially be worked into next week's meal.

Crispy Sesame Brussels Sprouts
Serves 4-6

In case this sounds too "Asian-infused" for you, I guarantee the sesame oil flavor is not overwhelming. As I was enjoying some of these leftovers today I was realizing that one could substitute bacon fat, beef fat, or another mild oil/fat along with the butter (gotta keep the butter!) and still have a lovely crispy texture. Also, I used gomashio ("goma" being the Japanese word for sesame seed) in place of the sesame seeds. Sesame seeds are also a source of calcium, surprisingly, so what's not to like?

6 T. butter
3 T. toasted sesame oil
3 T. grapeseed oil
1 1/2 lbs. Brussels sprouts, halved
1/2 t. crushed red pepper (optional)
Salt and pepper
3 T. sesame seeds

In a large skillet, melt the butter in the sesame oil and grapeseed oil over medium heat. Add the Brussels sprouts and crushed red pepper and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 25 min. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on top and cook until the Brussels sprouts are dark brown and crunchy, about 10-15 min. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

And, though this is not a Thanksgiving recipe per se, I promised (above) that I would include this recipe from last night's dinner.

Broccoli, Mushroom, and Mozzarella Noodle Strata
Serves 6-8

Adapted from The Homesteader's Kitchen: Recipes From Farm to Table by Robin Burnside. This began as a more "traditional" strata with chunks of bread in it. I didn't want to sacrifice my precious gluten-free bread for such a dish so I used gluten-free pasta in its place. One could use regular pasta or regular cubed bread in place of the noodles here.

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 c. finally chopped onion
1 T. minced garlic
1 c. sliced button mushrooms
1 c. sliced shiitake mushrooms (I used dried shiitakes and added them to the pasta water to "rehydrate")
4 c. cooked noodles--elbow macaroni, penne, mini shells...whatever you want (approx. 2 c. dry)
2 c. broccoli florets and tender stems, sliced
1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley
1 T. chopped fresh oregano
1 T. chopped fresh basil (I used 1/2 T. dried)
1 t. chopped fresh thyme
1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
1/2 c. grated Parmesan
4 eggs
4 c. whole milk
1 T. Dijon mustard
1 t. sea salt
1/8 t. freshly ground pepper

In a large skillet, heat oil and saute onions, garlic for 2 min., stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms and continue cooking until they begin to brown. Remove mushrooms from heat and set aside. Place cooked noodles in a large mixing bowl. Add mushrooms, broccoli, herbs, and cheeses and toss to combine. In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk eggs. Add milk, mustard, salt and pepper and blend well. Evenly distribute noodle/vegetable mixture in a well-greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Slowly pour the egg mixture over top and wiggle the custard into the rest of the ingredients until evenly saturated. Bake uncovered in a 350F preheated oven for 50-60 min. until top is golden brown and center is set. Let cool slightly then cut and serve.

Such a Thing as Fashion on the Urban Homestead?

2011-11-15T14:45:00.001-06:00

My favorite handmade dress

I often feel guilty that I'm interested in "fashion." I don't want it to sound materialistic; it seems like quite a "luxury" these days. But I allow myself to maintain this interest because it is a tremendously fun way for me to express myself. I've never been a fashionista, watched "Project Runway," or raided the racks at Barney's for designer pieces, but I have had an interest in fashion for as long as I can remember. In high school my sister had a subscription to Elle magazine, which, in my mind, has always been an example of cutting-edge, eccentric, over-the-top fashion. As a small-town girl, I felt cultured as I pored over these glossy pages of haute couture. And I may have mentioned once that as kids--even before Elle entered our home--my sister and I used to draw our own clothing catalogs. We would raid the paper tray of the Apple IIe printer and meticulously sketch outfits and accessories, then write descriptions and prices with correlating letters in a column to the right. How I wish I could dig up those renderings now! I considered my sister more of the fashion doll than me--afterall, she was the first one to make a pilgrimage to the then newly opened Mall of America. One year of high school we never wore the same outfit twice. Not necessarily because we had so many clothes, but because between the two of us--being only two years apart and roughly the same size--we were able to come up with enough combinations to keep 'em guessing. My fashion interests have greatly changed over the years. As kids we were dragged to secondhand stores and rummages regularly by our mom. During higher times, as an adolescent and well into high school, we loved to hit the mall with whatever allowance money or summer job savings had accumulated before it burned holes in the pockets of our Guess jeans. I gradually progressed to thrift stores in high school--before that was cool like it's become today--and would drive to the Goodwill across the state line so no one would see me. In college and just post-college--during my "retail therapy" phase, which coincided with when I had the most disposable income--I was more into the discount designer stores that one could find in a strip mall. Now I'm into rummage sales and back to thrift stores and have found a group of friends and fellow employees who enjoy scouring the racks and shelves at local charity shops just as much as me. It's literally one of my favorite activities to hit the nearest thrift shop to find a few versatile pieces to add to my "fall collection" or "spring wardrobe." Because of shifts in the economy, my personal values regarding material resources, and my dislike of chain stores and cookie cutter displays, I find that secondhand clothes shopping fits nicely into my lifestyle. In fact, I was realizing that I could take the Ethical Clothing Pledge and probably remain very happy.

50-cent favorite circular scarf

Of course, there's also my love of sewing for myself and my daughter. But even that has taken a thrifty twist. I no longer buy new supplies at the fabric store--unless I need the occasional spool of thread, zipper, or knitting needle, but even those can sometimes be bought secondhand. I'm excited when I find great patterns at thrift stores and flea markets, yards of fabric or large pieces of material (like sheets, tablecloths) that can be repurposed into garments or home decor. I've found gobs of yarn at thrift stores and rummages and have kept myself perfectly entertained with these nearly new supplies. Not only do I get to make and design quality clothing with my own hands, but I save a ton of cash. One of the "circular" scarves that I wear most frequently was really a piece of knit "ribbing" I picked up at a widowed man's rummage two ears ago for 50-cents. Strolling around American Apparel recently to get ideas I saw the exact same scarf for $28 (though I will give AA credit for showing me 17,000 different ways to wear it.) I was recently wishing to spice up my "neck apparel" collection and today found a big piece of lime green fine sweater knit fabric in my basement cabinet, cut it in half, sewed it into one long circle, using the natural curl of the stockinette stitch as the "edging." Et Voila! I have a new scarf that's nearly my favorite shade of green.

My latest upcycled neckwear

Cool old tag from the green fabric (above)

On the topic of neckwear, I was admiring the intricate felt poppy necklace worn by author and illustrator Lois Ehlert when we went to hear her speak at Milwaukee's Central Library last week. She's from Milwaukee and one of our favorite children's book authors so I couldn't resist meeting her. She was a charming, patient woman and shared a bit with us about how she creates her illustrations using collage technique from the bits and pieces she gathers and collects through her daily life. My favorite Lois Ehlert book is Hands: Growing Up to Be an Artist, which she revealed is about her childhood and what lead her to become an illustrator. It reminded me so much of my own upbringing in a household with creative parents--a mother who sewed, sang, cooked, and played piano and a father who built everything from treehouses, decks, and patios to shelves, cabinets, and our own wedding trellis. I only hope that Vera can gather some inspiration from our homestead and use it to become a creative person as well. In the meantime, she'll surely have an endless supply of fabric and yarns scraps as well as thrifted arts and crafts supplies with which to work.

Vera having Lois sign our copy of Eating the Alphabet

Lois discussing Oodles of Animals

Book Covers from Lois Ehlert

Home for the Holiday

2011-11-08T14:33:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I finally got busy planning my Thanksgiving dinner menu. As you've heard me say before, I LOVE preparing the Thanksgiving meal. The celebration will begin late next week when I pick up our Thanksgiving CSA share via Wellspring. We are not season subscribers to their community-supported farm, but for the past three seasons or so, we've purchased their Thanksgiving share, which is even more AMAZING than the photo on their website shows. It's worth every penny and this gorgeous box of certified organic vegetables usually seals the deal for my freezer, cellar rack, and pantry every fall. Not to mention, at pickup time it allows me to connect with farmer Jeff for the one time each year that we meet. So without further ado, order your share today. Only a dozen or so remain! Following the retrieval of that big box of love, which will take me a couple of days to sort, store, or minimally process, I will collect our heritage turkey via JenEhr Family Farm at the West Allis Farmers' Market next Saturday. I pre-ordered in early September, but there's a chance you can still secure a certified organic bird if you contact them pronto! A few days later I will spend another couple of days brining that lovely animal in a 5-gallon bucket in our garage. Usually the weather cooperates and is nice and cold so that I don't have to worry about storing this tasty thing in my fridge for too long. It's been unseasonably warm lately, which many people have enjoyed--and I have too as I've continued to harvest from my garden, but I don't have a second fridge for this tom so outdoors is the only option (just like Gramma Lucille used to do.) I will likely start gathering tablecloths, napkins, table decor, dinner music, and serving dishes the week of the event. Then my in-laws will roll into town on Wednesday night or Thursday morning (TBD). I'll be cooking Wednesday night and well into the day on Thursday. We'll hopefully have a leisurely day on Thanksgiving and a sloooow early evening meal. This is just the proposal, of course. We'll keep it loose. At any rate, I am hoping to get some recipes posted before the holidays this year. We'll see what happens.

Today Vera and I read The Big Snow, a classic and Caldecott Medal winner. It follows all the woodland animals as they stock their larders for cold weather and prepare to hibernate before a huge snowstorm. Reminded me of our own adventures in local food storage and made me think--at least for a split second--bring on the SNOW! I know we'll be reading this treasured book a few more times before the depths of the cold weather around here. And I'm hoping I feel just as happy about the weather in January.

Scrap yarn that Vera picked out

In crafting news, it felt good to finish a knitting project on Sunday night. After a close friend's wedding celebration on Saturday, it was nice to have a very slow Sunday where I could sit and knit as I listened to the football game. As it turns out, I've been making a new winter cap for Vera each year and completed this one just in time for the weather to become a little more brisk. I was thinking of wrapping it and putting it under the tree in December, but she watched me make the whole thing so hiding it would have generated more questions of "what happened to that hat you were making for me..." (and similar inquiries) than surprise and joy the day of gift opening. I have two of six holiday craft projects underway and am determined to keep them in motion even if it means sewing just one or two seams in the evening before bed. I began cutting out doll clothes from some brand-new patterns my aunt handed down along with a 15" baby doll (fingers crossed this is the closest we'll get to an American Girl). After my aunt had purchased this doll and the patterns over a decade ago, my cousin's daughters specifically requested not be given any dolls. So this baby has been sitting untouched and unloved since. Vera was glad to scoop it up and adopt her, so to speak. She's named her "Alice." But Alice needs a wardrobe. I'm doing my best to craft the essentials for the holidays--like a warm winter coat so this baby doesn't freeze. It's a great way to use many of the small pieces of calicos and other remnants I have in my fabric cabinet, not to mention these little outfits sew up fast. Reminds me of childhood when I would cut out Barbie doll clothes from patterns faster than my mom could sew them. Some might call it cruel, but I call it practical that two or three doll outfits are all I plan to give Vera for the holidays. Ben may pick out some building blocks to add to her collection. We are truly determined not to let these celebrations turn into mainstream mall madness. My theory is that it will cultivate appreciation and control, at least. I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on how you keep the winter holidays (or any holidays) meaningful, low-key, and without all the credit card debt. Here's to enjoying the season for all it truly should be. Cheers!

Mine looks NOTHING like the pattern online. Why???

I took the liberty of adding the I-cord "tassle" on top

Reading with Daddy, she wouldn't take it off!

Stocking Up

2011-11-05T10:22:00.000-05:00

a larger map

Though the outdoor farmers' market season is nearly gone (except for the West Allis Farmers' Market, Fondy Farmers' Market, and possibly a handful of others) the winter markets have begun. Today marks the first day for both the Milwaukee County Winter Farmers' Market and the St. Ann Center Indoor Winter Farmers' Market). Please patronize these venues now and throughout the winter and early spring where you can stock up on vegetables, meats, eggs, apples, honey, mushrooms, and much more.

Spiced Pickled Cauliflower

The past few weeks, even though our neighborhood farmer's market ended mid-October, I've been hitting the remaining markets around town. It's time for me to finish stocking my freezer and pantry (though they would beg for me to stop!) and load up my cellar's wooden rack with squash, garlic, onions, potatoes, and nuts in the shell. Believe it or not the canning kettle continues to boil around here. I put up pickled cauliflower this week and still have some watermelon rinds (a "treat" my mom remembers from childhood) that I want to try pickling before the weekend disappears. This past week was "use it or lose it" around here for a couple of days. I had some potatoes from the summer that were badly sprouting, but I was determined to get what I could out of them. I popped off the sprouts, boiled them all in highly salted water and have been adding them to soups, salads, and pizza(!) all week. I put some into a breakfast casserole this morning and intend to make potato salad tomorrow. One could also blanch and freeze cubed potatoes to fry up or use in a casserole, soup, or hash later in the season. I also noticed that the couple bottom-of-the barrel winter squashes I bought at the market last month had developed a soft spot or two. I peeled, seeded, and cubed these, steamed and pureed them before portioning in my mini-muffin pan. These "cubes" will add a nutritious kick to a smoothie, muffin, cake, pasta dish, or soup this winter.

Crank it!

I'm also finally grinding the ornamental corn that was given to me by my mother to use as decoration this season. I immediately saw it as food. After a crop failure last year with my own ornamental corn, I never assembled the manual grain mill that I bought off eBay. I finally dragged it out of the box and snapped it together (well, it wasn't quite a "snap," in fact, at one point, I thought I was going to break my sternum) and Vera helped me turn the crank as the corn ground between the plates. Our operation was interrupted, as many of these projects are when a busy family is involved, but I plan to finish this coming week. It will produce a fairly coarse meal that I could soak and use in baking or polenta.

Chippewa Wild Rice

Aside from stocking up at the market, I have acquired some other amazing seasonal foods from friends. My husband's boss gave us a sample of wild rice--a different variety than I had seen before. Apparently it's a single-source, hand-harvested wild lake rice from--appropriately--Rice Lake, MN that she acquired from the tribal rice buyer for the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. It's non-GMO, giving it a tender hull and a lighter color than the wild rice we're used to seeing commercially. It cooked up incredibly quickly and made a delicious base for a fall vegetable stir-fry. I may have to get my hands on more of this for our Thanksgiving table.

In other news, the holiday gift crafting has been underway for a good month already. Last year I got a little too excited purchasing gifts and felt it in the pocket months later, not to mention these store-bought or online-purchased items--though some were solidly made--didn't have nearly the meaning that I'm hoping my handmade presents will this go-round. Every year--save 2010 and the aforementioned "crazy"--I try to set some guidelines for my husband. This time the (loose) rules are that NEW gifts have to be handmade (by oneself or another individual). One could also purchase a secondhand present or a "service" instead of something material. Let's hope this pans out. Of course, I'm dropping most unsubtle hints to Ben already for the one thing I would like (I love that I can create and share a "Favorites" list on Etsy.) More stories later about what I'm actually crafting, but let's say the sewing machine's been abuzz and the knitting needles have been clicking away. I'm sure I'll burn some midnight oil before it's all said and done. I have fond memories of my mother doing this for us around the holidays. Hopefully it will be worth it when I see the smiles on the kiddos faces when they receive these lovingly made gifts. On that note, I finally convinced Vera to wear a sweater vest I'd finished for her recently. I told her I put a lot of love into it just for her. When she put it on she said sweetly in her 2 1/2-year old voice, "Ooh, it's fuzzy! Must be all that love!" My heart melted.

The Remains of the (Holi)Day

2011-10-31T14:09:00.001-05:00

After the fall of Mr. Pumpkin

I called a local business this morning to ask a date-related question and the receptionist was lost and confused because she already had her calendar open to November. With all the hubbub around Halloween this past weekend, it was easy to forget that today is still October, Halloween in fact. Because of the way this scary holiday fell on the weekly schedule, it made for an extended celebration. And who's not for extended holiday celebrations, especially when that holiday is creepy, scary, and has certain food associations--and I don't just mean candy. We kicked it into Halloween mode last Thursday as we strolled to a friends' house a block away for the regular Thursday playgroup. All the kiddos were doing a trial run of their creative costumes and even some of the parents were decked out (I missed the memo and just went as a "mommy" or as Vera excitedly said, "you're going as a mummy!?!") Of course Vera stuffed her gob with lots of less-than-wholesome food at the playgroup...and subsequently missed lunch because she cashed out for an early nap. But I guess sometimes that's what the holidays are about. There's always the next meal and the next day to try for something better.

Saturday night was Trick-or-Treat in our neighborhood; it's always the Saturday before Halloween. City of Milwaukee general trick-or-treating is always the following Sunday, but during daylight hours. As I think I've mentioned, our corner of the neighborhood--and maybe even just a few square blocks around us--is candy central. Earlier discussions with neighbors turned up confessions of them spending hundreds of dollars on candy or other novelties to pass out. We limited ourselves to two large variety bags...and a package of pretzel snack packs I bought on impulse last week for fear of running out. Even with that load, I knew we'd have to close the blinds and sit in the dark the rest of the night listening to kids ringing the bell and pounding on the door long after our supply ran dry. We took Vera out for the first half of Trick-or-Treat. She gladly put on her costume and tuned up her call of "Trick or TWEET," before we hit the sidewalks. After half a block or so she really got the hang of it and was bounding several feet ahead of us and strong-arming the bigger kids up to the porches for treats. We turned in after Ben and I realized we hadn't had dinner, but only a few coffee mugs full of "road sodas." Vera was excited to hand out candy back at our place; she loved seeing the kids' costumes as they approached. We knew we were running out fast so Ben grabbed most of the goods that Vera had collected and added them to the pot of sweets dwindling on our stoop. That quickly solved the conundrum of how to avoid having Vera (and ourselves) want to eat all that terrible candy. We did save a couple handfuls for her and thanked her for sharing her candy (knowingly or not) with the other kids. The best costumes we saw that night were a friend of ours dressed as a "Union Thug" a la Tupac, Hamid Karzai, Flo from Progressive, our neighbor who wore his dog's shark costume as a headwarmer, and a tall, lanky teenage girl in a leather trench coat who, when she stepped up to our porch and Ben asked "so what are you?," opened her coat revealing a sword and other various weapons and said "a trained assassin" so casually it was like we'd simply asked her the time of day.

Our Little Cardinal

A beautiful evening for a walk

On a mission!

Craziness on our street. Or as Ben likes to call it "Occupy Wentworth."

Saturday we used Trick-or-Treating as bribery to promote good behavior all day (I don't like having to do that!) but Sunday it was pumpkin carving that sweetened the deal. Ben lead the project, while I documented, as usual. We didn't invest in a fancy "carving kit," but made the best of our grill kit's large, backwoodsman style steak knives, an ice cream scoop, and a couple grapefruits spoons. Vera mostly watched and hesitated to get her hands into the pumpkin, but once I picked all the seeds out of the flesh, she had a blast squooshing around in them. I oiled, salted, and roasted them at 400F for 20 min. or so and salvaged what I could of the flesh to make pumpkin soup tonight. We just read Pumpkin Circle from the library last week (and again after breakfast this morning), which was enhanced and better understood by Vera after the carving process last night. Next year I'd love to grow our own pumpkins so V can see the whole process. Kids Pumpkin Projects is a great book that closes the loop on growing pumpkins and provides lots of craft and culinary ideas to boot.

Vera's and Daddy's pumpkins. Mommy didn't have one to carve because
she chose a variety more suitable for straight-up cooking and EATING!

Daddy the Pumpkin Artist

"How do you like me now?"

Mooshing and Squooshing around in the seeds

Rinse, Oil, Salt, Roast, and Savor

Now that Halloween is over--and the city workers are pulling overtime to get the leaves and yard waste cleared from the curbsides--people are definitely thinking more about closing their gardens. We did some very mild clean-up this weekend though it didn't involve yanking any plants from the garden yet. In fact, I was just bringing in more tomatoes today. We biked to the library this morning and along the way I noticed some discarded tomato plants in someone's gutter with red and green cherries still hanging on (no, I did not stop to glean though the thought crossed my mind.) It makes me think about the starving people in our world. As much as many people say that there's not enough food available to feed our growing population on Earth (which is probably true to some extent), I believe there are also challenges with distribution systems and HUGE problems with wasted food, especially in our own nation. While some see green tomatoes as garbage or at least compost, I see them as perfectly edible. I have just about wrung every last usable fruit--no matter how small--off of both tomato and tomatillo plant this season. We've made pickled green tomatoes, green tomato pie filling, and today was my fourth round of making salsa verde. I may only get 2-3 half-pints out of this batch. I'm not sure if it's worth firing up the canning kettle for that so I may just freeze it. But any additional tomato "sauces" I can extract from my garden, the better. We can never seem to preserve enough tomatoes, which we use regularly in our Friday pizza sauce as well as numerous pots of Sunday chili and other soups throughout the winter. The salsa makes a perfect alternative base for the latter; we're not big chips and dip folks, but when salsa is added to meat and beans, it adds the perfect level of spice.

Just this morning my cousin's wife contacted me about a bag of apples she received from a friend. She was curious about the procedure for freezing them--one can simply peel, core and slice before bagging, but I suggest holding the sliced apples in a bowl of water with a fair amount of lemon juice to prevent browning before they go into the freezer. If you've already made your applesauce, apple butter, and dried apples for the season and are still looking another outlet for all these sweet, crunchy fall fruits besides pies and cobblers, I came up with another idea today. Gelatin-ize them! While working at Sanford in my early days as a permanent resident of Milwaukee, our pastry chef made a variety of mignardise, my favorite being the caramel cashews and the "jellies" (gelatinized mini fruit treats rolled in sugar). Remembering those sweets was today's inspiration, but I also had a little help from a recipe clipped from a Family Circle magazine circa 1985 that I recently found it in my recipe files. The recipe indicates that--as families were pressed in the "home economics" realm then just as we are now--it "makes 64 jellies at 64-cents per dozen." I can't promise that you can make these on the same budget, but they're likely much more affordable than a similar jelly you'd find prettily wrapped, but loaded with preservatives at any upscale grocery or gourmet store.

Apple Ginger Jellies
Makes 64 jellies (though not necessarily at 64-cents per dozen)

Ready for storage

I used homemade applesauce for these. They're versatile because they can be kid-friendly--what kid doesn't love "jell-o"--or quite adult depending on the amount of spice. Vera declared them a little too spicy for her taste so perhaps halve the ginger for kiddos. On that note, they would most certainly make a great "digestif" because of the tummy-soothing properties of ginger. I used xylitol in place of granulated sugar to lower the glycemic index, but feel free to interchange the two ingredients.

3 c. unsweetened applesauce
4 t. dried ginger
1 1/2 c. granulated xylitol (or sugar)
1/8 t. salt
1 T. lemon juice
3 T. (or 3 packets, which are 1 T. each) bulk unflavored gelatin
1/3 c. granulated xylitol or sugar, for coating

Coat an 8-inch square glass baking dish with oil or nonstick cooking spray. Reserve 1/2 c. applesauce. Combine remaining applesauce, ginger, xylitol, and salt in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Bring to boiling, cook, uncovered about 10-15 min., stirring frequently as mixture thickens to prevent sticking. Stir lemon juice into remaining applesauce then add the gelatin. Stir gelatin mixture into hot applesauce mixture in pot, whisking to combine. Cook another 5 min. or so, stirring. Mixture should be fairly thick. Pour into prepared pan, spreading level. Cool at room temp. then chill completely for 1-2 hours. Cut into 64 squares. Place xylitol/sugar in a shallow bowl; toss jellies in sugar to coat. Layer between sheets of parchment or plastic wrap in airtight containers. Store, refrigerated, for up to 1 month.

Fall Food, Tricks or Treats, and Living by Lists

2011-10-25T19:02:00.000-05:00

Pickled Brussels--a little cloudy b/c I used dry mustard--
ran out of whole mustard seeds

I'm making pickled Brussels sprouts as we speak. First time trying my hands at this canned product...I have an idea for a winter birthday present for a friend. Stay tuned. Otherwise, there has been a lot of warm, hearty cooking going on around here. I feel like I've fully transitioned into fall/winter recipes though I'm tempted to buy one last round of tomatoes (if there are still some to be had) at the farmer's market today to make one last batch of preserves.

Chicken with Tomatillo Sauce and Braised Fruit
Serves 4

I recently learned that tomatillos are more of a fall variety--they don't set fruit in super hot weather. Hopefully you can still sniff some out at a local farmers' market; I used tomatillos from our garden, which are dwindling. I'm desperately plucking every last tiny one off the plants as I expect a freeze very soon. The dried apricots were my home-dried version. I love using cheaper cuts of meats/poultry and stewing/braising them into delicious hearty meals.

2 T. vegetable oil
8 chicken drumsticks, rinsed and patted dry
Salt and pepper
Dried oregano
1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
4 large garlic cloves, minced
2 t. chipotle pepper powder
2 lbs. tomatillos, husked, rinsed and quartered (or halved if using very small ones)
1 cinnamon stick
1 lb. pears, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2/3 c. dried apricots
1/2 c. dried cranberries or cherries
3 green onions, chopped

Heat a stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil and heat. Add chicken and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Cook chicken until browned, about 5 min. per side. Transfer chicken to plate. Add onion to pot; saute 2 min. Add garlic and chipotle powder; stir 1 min. Stir in tomatillos and cinnamon stick; return chicken pieces to pot. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally, about 35 min. Add pears, apricots, cranberries/cherries and simmer until pears are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 min. Transfer to serving dish; sprinkle with chopped green onions. Serve 2 drumsticks per person along with a ladleful of the "stew" that this creates.

Ready to braise!

Dinner is served

I'm also well into winter squash mode and am marveling at all the varieties available at the farmers' market these days. I just bought one (technically it's a "pumpkin") at the Fondy Farmers' Market last Saturday called Speckled Hound. Never tried it, but very excited to do so. When I see the brilliant orange-yellow-golden core of these hard-shelled fruits, I am either inspired to paint a room the same color or think about all the beta-carotene and other nutritious pigments helping my body (and my husband's and daughter's bodies) to grow, mend, and defend in this of cold seasons.

Red Kuri Squash and Shiitake Soup
Serves 4

Highly adapted from a recipe in Lucid Food by Louisa Shafia. She used the beloved rutabaga where I used winter squash and carrots. It's what I had on hand, but I'd love to try her variation as well.

2 c. dried or fresh shiitake mushrooms
5 T. olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 c. red kuri squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
1 c. carrots, peeled and sliced
1/2 t. ground pepper
2 star anise
3 T. fish sauce
5 c. chicken or vegetable stock, divided
Salt
1/2 t.
3/4 T. dried ginger

(If using fresh shiitakes, you can skip this boiling step.) Put dried shiitakes in a small pot, cover with water and boil 10 min. to rehydrate. Let cool them slice and set aside (reserve 2/3 for soup and 1/3 for garnish). Heat a stockpot then add olive oil and heat. Add onions, garlic, squash, and carrots and saute 5 min. Add pepper, star anise, and 2 T. fish sauce and cook, stirring for 1 min. Pour in 4 c. stock and bring to a boil. Decrease heat and simmer, covered, until squash is tender, about 20 min. Add 2/3 of sliced shiitake mushrooms and combine. Puree in blender in batches and return to stockpot. Season to taste with additional 1 T. fish sauce and salt. Thin to desired consistency with additional 1 c. chicken or vegetable stock. Serve hot garnished with remaining sliced shiitakes.

"Put some candy in my nest!...Please."

Speaking of finding ways to warm up, we'll need some layers and bone-warming meals this weekend as the kiddos head out trick-or-treating. Vera has never made the rounds before, nor has she willingly put on a costume. We borrowed a handmade fleece cardinal costume from a friend. Considering our home team's recent demise a la the St. Louis Cardinals, I hope no one takes it personally and eggs this pour child as she goes door to door. I have to make some slight adjustments to the chin strap on the "hat" in time for a costumed play group on Thursday morning ("let's get all the mileage we can out of these costumes," thought my friend who planned the weekly gathering.) Yesterday I put together her treat basket. During a quick trip to Michael's last weekend--a place I no longer enjoy perusing or shopping since I've learned to find craft supplies via thrift stores--I believe I cursed in front of my child as I used my sister's famous line "let's get the hello outta here!" after making a beeline for what was on my list and then for the register. This basket is by no means "child safe," but it's cute and that's what matters, right? Actually, I figure if we can keep her eyes on the prize for the duration of trick-or-treating, she won't be tempted to treat this basket--with all it's swallow-able pieces--like a toy. Notice I've not allowed much room for candy. I don't expect her to make it up one side of our street let alone down the other, but I may carry a pillowcase as backup just in case she hits the motherlode (our block has a reputation for being the Gold Coast for candy, so you never know...) Plus, I'm not really interested in bringing a whole bunch of junk food into this house (cue the moans and groans from everyone b/c I'm the strickest mother in the world in this regard. Yeah, yeah, yeah.) We are actually taking along the Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF box we picked up at church; I'm hoping that gets weighted down with loot way before her basket tops off.

One last thought for the day...I've been pondering one of my long-time habits lately. Though I'm well aware that my daily productivity only happens because of the long, detailed lists laid out days in advance and revised and highlighted nightly, it never occurred to me until last week just how many lists I keep. I have (in NO particular order) my daily to-do, rainy day to-do list, mental to-do list, craft project dream list, craft projects currently underway list, list of things to have my eyes peeled for the next time I'm at a thrift store/rummage/flea market, holiday/birthday wish list, book wish list, list of books I'd like to read (sublisted as: Food, Cookbooks, Gardening, Kids/Family, Crafts, and Leisure...with parts of each of these lists living in my Paperbackswap.com account), list of movies I'd like to see (which now manifests itself as my Netflix Queue), lists of music I'd like to listen to, a personal list on the Milwaukee Public Library website of books I'd like to check out (also cross references some of my book lists), a list of home improvement projects sublisted by dream/long-term projects and more realistic repair projects, a list of restaurants at which I'd like to dine, a list of places Ben and I would like to travel (a "bucket list" of sorts), a list (or should I say spreadsheet) of what is preserved in both my upright freezer and basement pantry, a list of items I'd like to try preserving sometime, a list of short stories I'd like to write, a list of seeds I'd like to order/things I'd like to grow one day...which leads into my garden projects list, a list of skills I'd like to learn, a list of products I'd sew and sell if I ever made it to starting my own Etsy shop, a list of holiday gift ideas for my family, a list of date night ideas, a list of blogs I'd like to keep up with...which brings me just to the tip of my bookmarks list on my laptop... Anyway, you get the idea. I'm crazy about lists. Sometimes I wonder if they really help me function or if they just hinder my productivity because they can cause me to be overwhelmed. I believe it's the former. I'm curious if any of you keep lists and if so, what kind and how do they work for you?

Rarely a Dull Moment

2011-10-21T17:31:00.001-05:00

This past week I was feeling like my life had downshifted a bit. The vast majority of the preserving is done, I felt caught up on other big tasks that had stared me down in previous weeks, and Vera was making a habit of daily three-hour naps. But as I've eluded to in the past, I don't fare extremely well (so far, though I'm working on this) without having some sort of project to busy my hands.

Fresh Olives

A couple of weeks ago I made an impulse buy on a trip to Glorioso's prior to our weekly music class. They had fresh olives for sale! (You know you're a food geek when...) These lovely green fruits came with a short set of instructions on how to brine olives. I've never tried it, nor had I thought I would when I got out of bed that day, but I'm going for it. So far I'm still in the soaking stage after having pricked them all. This will leech out some of the bitterness, which I tasted by the way. I love bitter flavors, but WHOOOO! it was BIT-TER! We'll see where this whole experiment goes. An elderly gentleman who had apparently gotten just as excited about this project at one point in his life shared some discouraging words with me as I bagged and weighed my olives. Oh well, if it doesn't work, I'll consider it a step in the learning process. And if it does work, then I'm that much more of a food dork.

I've been enjoying the transition to fall foods lately. Our meals have gradually faded from tomatoes and sweet corn into winter squash, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, and cauliflower. This past week I put a twist on red cabbage. I was happy with the results and thrilled to find another way to incorporate more bacon into my diet.

Mmm, bacon crust...

Braised Cabbage Cobbler (Gluten-Free)
Serves 6-8

Cabbage:
2 T. butter or bacon fat
4 c. shredded red or green cabbage
1/2 c. sliced onions
2 c. chopped, peeled tart apples
1/4 c. water
3 T. brown sugar
1 T. cider vinegar
1/8 t. ground cloves
1/8 t. salt, or to taste
1/8 t. pepper

Cobbler Batter:
1/2 lb. bacon, coarsely chopped
2 large eggs
3 shallots, coarsely chopped
1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, stems removed
3 garlic cloves, peeled
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 c. milk (of your choosing)
1 1/2 c. all-purpose gluten-free flour (or regular wheat flour is you're tolerant)

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a pie plate with butter or olive oil and place in the oven to heat.

For the cabbage: In a 3-quart saucepan, melt butter/bacon fat over medium-high heat. Add cabbage and onions; cook, stirring, until wilted, about 3 min. Add apples; cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 min. Add water, brown sugar, vinegar, cloves, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until liquid is absorbed, about 4 min. Set aside.

For cobbler batter: In a food processor add bacon, eggs, shallots, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pulse a few times to chop. Add milk and flour and mix into a smooth batter. Remove dish from oven. Pour half the batter into the plate. With a slotted spoon, pile the cabbage on top and press down slightly. Pour remaining batter on top of cabbage and bake for 45-50 min. or until golden brown on top. Let cool slightly and serve (I added a dollop of sour cream on top because I didn't think there was enough fat from the bacon and bacon fat. :) )

In other project news, I taught two urban homesteading classes this past week and had a great time learning from my students, as is usually the case. Tuesday night we made herbal oils and vinegars in the beautiful jars I found on Monday's field trip to American Science and Surplus. I made a couple of samples at home with what was available in my garden. I may not have grown the gorgeous fennel bulbs I dreamed of as I sowed the seeds earlier this season, but the fronds are still great for tossing into salads as well as dropping into a bottle of vinegar. I also plucked the remaining nasturtium flowers from my overgrown bed, whizzed them in the food processor then sealed them in a tiny jar with extra-virgin olive oil. (Note: If you're making your own herbal oils, you MUST keep them refrigerated. Store-bought herbal oils are commercially processed allowing them to be shelf stable, but I DO NOT recommend trying that at home! It's the perfect environment for bacterial spores to grow like crazy if left at room. temp.)

Nasturtium Oil

Fennel Vinegar and Nasturtium Oil

Last night I taught another round of Preserving Wild Edibles where we grabbed the last of the staghorn sumac living lakeside and turned it into a sparkling red jelly. After first making the concentrated "juice" that we'd need to transform this wild thing into a spread, we added a bit of sugar and sipped a local beverage "Sumac-ade." Tangy like lemonade maybe, but much more astringent. I wonder if it holds the same beneficial phenolic compounds as wine in all its tannic-ness. After processing our jelly, we were discussing what other wild edibles are still hanging around on these cold days. That lead to a conversation about putting the garden to sleep. I personally haven't taken any steps to turn my raised beds over for the season. I'm still harvesting turnips, kale, chard, herbs, kohlrabi, dried beans, beets, squash, tomatillos, green tomatoes, sunchokes, etc. We heard one comment about some people having already ripped out any annuals that may still linger and cutting back the remaining perennials. Tossing everything to the curb for city pick-up, many folks have called in quits by now in their gardens almost as if to say, "I'm done for the year, let's move on, let's roll out the holiday decorations," which is the last thing I want to think about at this point. I will continue to appreciate the green left on the urban homestead and I may just miss (as usual) the city's last leaf/yard waste collection in mid-November. We'll have to haul our cuttings to the farm for composting, but I'm willing to do so if it means I can enjoy all that our garden has provided this year for just a little bit longer.

Sumac Jelly

Preparing to Hibernate

2011-10-17T13:54:00.000-05:00

Green Roof Tour at Milwaukee Central Public Library

I'm finally feeling a definite slow down in my seasonal schedule. Classes are thinning out, the garden is winding down, and my preserving list is just about complete. I have two urban homesteading classes this week (see my schedule for my details). I planted garlic for next year and I squeaked in a couple batches of pear preserves last week (Pear and Lavender Jam as well as Brandied Pears).

Vera and I also made time for an outing last week. For some time I'd been wanting to take a Green Roof Tour at the Central Public Library. We choreographed the nap just right last Monday and arrived just in time. I suppose I was expecting a garden up on top of the building. Though that amount of greenery wasn't present, there was an impressive solar array as well as a diversity of sedum and grasses that help keep the roof cooler, retain enough moisture for the plants to grow, and provide a percentage of the library's electrical energy. And what a view! After this tour we popped over the Milwaukee Public Museum where Mondays are free for Milwaukee Country residents. Add parking and this whole afternoon hanging downtown cost us less than $4. You sure can't get that in Chicago!

Observation Deck on Green Roof

Looking northwest to the Courthouse

Various sedum growing on the Green Roof

Underwater display at public museum

So many amazing butterflies!

Wooly Mammoth bones at MPM

Hooray for the new couple!

...Though much fun still abounds in the windy city where we spent part of this past weekend gathering with friends at a wedding in the western suburbs. The Christian Orthodox ceremony combined with huge reception featuring delicious dishes of Iraqi and Slavic family recipes (awesome pickled herring and to-die-for bacon-wrapped dates), traditional dancing, an Arabic band, and plenty of ululating provided us with a priceless cultural experience. It was one of the best weddings ever and a great time with close friends.

Now we start preparing for Halloween, which means what for us? I don't really decorate in or around the house though we do have our token pumpkins on the front porch and Vera and I just picked up some suctioning spider webs today on a trip to American Science & Surplus (we keep saying this would be a fun place for date night.) So getting ready for the holiday this year simply means altering a borrowed homemade costume, going to the neighborhood Pumpkin Pavilion, making sure we have enough candy for the droves of costumed kiddos that will hit our block for trick or treating, and hopefully drinking a hot spiked beverage or two (though I should take a break between that and the aforementioned wedding. Ugh!) I don't start ramping up the holiday preparations until I plan my Thanksgiving meal, but I have a couple weeks before that is "due." Sounds like I finally have a little down time to sit and relax, do some knitting, and--believe it or not--work on some handmade Christmas gifts.

Indian Summer

2011-10-09T14:11:00.000-05:00

Pickled Garlic Scapes

I am loving this Indian Summer we've had all weekend though I haven't spent nearly enough time outdoors. Such is the nature of this time of the season when I'm indoors trying to preserve the remainder of the harvest. Today we're planning to take a break from it all and head to a pumpkin farm; it's Vera's third autumn and he have yet to take this fall field trip.

This past week/weekend I put up Pickled Garlic Scapes, Curried Winter Squash and Apple Chutney, Midwest Capers, Pickled Green Cherry Tomatoes, more Salsa Verde, and more tomatoes for our farmer friends.

Pickled Garlic Scapes

Spice Mixture for Winter Squash Chutney

Curried Winter Squash and Apple Chutney

Midwest Capers from above

Capers are Done!

Preparing the jars for Pickled Green Cherry Tomatoes

I also tried some new recipes last week including one with fresh fennel, a vegetable I enjoy in moderation though I'll admit I'm not much good at growing it.

Rustic Fennel Tart with Mushrooms (GF)
Serves 6-8

There is room for flexibility in this recipe. I used my home-canned pickled green peppers, which are sweet/sour, but one could also use a variety of fresh red, yellow, and green bell peppers.

Crust:

Fresh out of the oven!

1 c. amaranth flour
1 c. all-purpose gluten-free flour
1/2 t. xanthan gum
3/4 t. salt
1/2 c. cold water (or more if necessary)
1/4 c. olive oil

Topping:
2 T. olive oil
1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced, fronds reserved
1 c. sliced mushrooms
2 medium onions, thinly sliced (about 2 c.)
2 large leeks, white and green part halved lengthwise then thinly sliced (about 2 c.)
1/2 c. pickled green bell peppers
1/2 t. dried rosemary
1/2 t. dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
Milk
Parmesan, grated

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat oil in over medium heat in large skillet or dutch oven. Add fennel, mushrooms, onions, leeks. Cover and cook for 20-25 min., stirring occasionally, until vegetables have browned a bit. Uncover, add pickled peppers and herbs, and cook another 5-7 min. more until vegetables are very soft. Season with salt and pepper to taste. In the meantime, combine flours, xanthan gum, and salt in a mixing bowl or a food processor. Whisk in water and oil (or w/ food processor, add slowly through feed tube with machine running) until the dough comes together. Add more or less oil/water as necessary. The dough should be slightly sticky. On a well-floured surface, roll out the dough to a 12-inch round and carefully transfer to a Silpat or parchment-lined baking sheet. Mound the vegetables in the middle of the dough then fold the edges up over the filling. (You don't have to completely cover the vegetables, just contain them. Brush the edges of the dough with milk then sprinkle Parmesan cheese all over the tart (on dough and filling). Bake for 25-30 min. until the dough is a nice golden brown. Let cool slightly before cutting. Serve with a green salad or fresh sliced apples or pears.

Food Prep.

2011-10-04T13:35:00.001-05:00

Blueberries!!!

I'm still coming down from the weekend's whirlwind of events, many of which required food preparation on our part. There have been so many outdoor weekend activities from which to choose lately. It's like everyone's trying to squeeze things in before the cold weather really sets in, which could be any day now. Saturday morning I began the process of making 200 4-oz. jars of Blueberry Spice Jam for a friend's November wedding favors. We sourced 60 lbs. of Michigan blueberries, which she froze a month ago, then hauled them over here along with her fiance's brew kettle so I had a large enough vessel to cook them all down. The canning process took me a couple of days. What an experience! I am thrilled to do this for my dear friend, but it makes me realize I don't want to start my own jam company any time soon. I now have HUGE respect for Rachel Saunders at Blue Chair Fruit who makes all of her large batch jams without pectin. Skill, science-smarts beyond what I've currently acquired, patience, consistency...she's got it all!

Mixing required scooping it all into a huge bin!

Jar with LUH label

Last weekend was also our first [hopefully] annual block party. We've lived in our house over six years and still didn't know everyone on the block. There are so many great couples, singles, and children living just houses away. I can't wait to see more of them and hopefully get the kiddos together more often. The Milwaukee Fire Dept. brought over one of their ladder trucks and gave the kids and adults alike a thrill as they anchored the truck and put up the ladder. The kids got toy fire hats and the party officially kicked off. There was face and hair painting, chalk drawing on the street, a commingled pile of toys for everyone's enjoyment, music, camaraderie, plenty of junk food as well as delicious dishes from all the neighbors. The couple two doors from us entertain frequently in their home so they didn't hesitate to snake an extension cord from their porch to plug in a chafing dish full of made-from-scratch Mexican specialties. The kids had a blast, the adults bonded, and the firepit sizzled well after dark. I can't wait until next year.

MFD at the block party

Amazed at the actual size of that rig!

Our Block (LUH on far R with wild, overgrown front yard)

This week is about preserving more tomatoes for our farmers friends, gathering the remaining red beets from the garden to roast and pickle, and grabbing any other local preservable vegetables I can get my hands on. I have my last official preservation class this evening then my schedule is dedicated to Urban Homesteading and Vegetarian cooking classes from now until spring. My teaching schedule slows down come November and I'm really looking forward to my three-month "vacation" when I plan to spend time sewing, knitting, reading, cooking hearty meals, and enjoying what we've put up this season.

Quality Time

2011-09-29T07:10:00.000-05:00

Hometown Parade

My extended weekend jaunt south to my hometown was fantastic! Saw lots of familiar faces, caught up with old friends, and bonded with my parents. Amtrak is the best and we managed to slide through Union Station in Chicago without drama. Thank goodness Vera is still light enough to ride in a Mei Tai while I pack-mule the rest of our luggage from train to train. The Honeybee Festival had a bit to be desired, though I DID get my hands on a sleeve of locally made honey sticks--one of Vera's favorite snacks. She oohed and aahed at all the tractors in the parade (coincidentally most of them were made in Wisconsin) and we also headed out to the county fairgrounds where we strolled around the "pioneer village," checked out the craft pavilion, and watched Vera ride the "Honeybee Express," a series of modified metal drums hitched to a Cub Cadet. She loved it!

For some reason this made me crack up!

Blacksmithing

Native American beading at the pioneer village

Weaving with Beads

Though many things and people haven't changed a bit in the last 15 years I've been gone, there are also some new developments. My parents have always been crafty and big d.i.y.ers, but their roles have taken a twist. My dad, who is on the verge of being completely retired, has taken up building random garden art and baking the latest cake he spies in my mom's subscription of Taste of Home magazine. I walked into the kitchen Friday morning and he was busy with the beaters whipping up a pecan upside-down coffee cake. It was gorgeous! He's always enjoyed cooking--he's famous for his lasagna and also makes a mean chili--but now he's jumping in feet first and baking from scratch. I couldn't be more proud! And my mom--aside from planting a garden the past two years--has been dedicated to taking piano lessons from the organist at my old church. I can only hope to be as ambitious and have such a zest for life as these two when I'm in my 60s. I guess they have to find something to keep them out of each other's hair as they will be home together more when my dad's through working.

Papa Doc the Domestic Divo

D's Pecan Upside-Down Cake

Original Garden Art

Used Windows, Scrap Wood, Old Paint, and a Rusty License Plate
for Character. Now THAT'S upcycling!

Back at the homestead, things are cranking full steam again this week. A friend and I made another visit to Brightonwoods Orchard today. We wanted to give the kiddos time to play together--especially in that cool treehouse--and we hoped we'd get a chance to catch up ourselves. The day trip ended with us nearly getting kicked out of Aeppeltreow Winery, also located at the orchard. The kiddos were all over the place and--despite the owner's experience and understanding with rascally youngin's--we sensed we needed to leave before someone broke it and had to buy it. But not before tasting some of their delicious sparkling apple and pear wines, dessert wines, and distilled spirits.

Trees so full of fruit you wonder how people in the world go hungry!

Taking some color-combo cues from nature

Making a run for it after escaping from the tasting room

My stovetop at any given time summer-fall--Busy!

And, of course, I walked out of there with another bag of apple seconds, which I'm cooking down right now into more sauce as well as green tomato apple pie filling for canning. I made this pie filling according to the recipe a couple of seasons ago and really enjoyed it as the base for a dessert crisp. I'm always looking for new and different ways to preserve the end of season green tomatoes. There are still plenty of them on the vine.

I also purchased a pie pumpkin at the orchard with hopes of cooking it up for dinner. I'd prepared soup the night before so I thought I'd try something new. Immediately a lasagna popped into my head and I found a recipe soon after I got home.

Pumpkin and Swiss Chard Lasagna (Gluten-Free)
Serves 8-12

Cheesy Goodness!

Elbow noodles could also be substituted for the lasagna noodles to turn this into a sort of mac 'n cheese or, as I like to call it, "mac-asagna." Also, consider adding homemade pumpkin puree to your favorite homemade mac 'n cheese recipe.

2 T. grapeseed oil
2 large onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large bunch Swiss chard, washed, stemmed, and roughly chopped
1 1/2 t. salt
1 t. ground black pepper
1 t. dried sage
1/2 t. ground nutmeg
2 c. homemade pumpkin puree*
15 oz. ricotta cheese
2 c. shredded or chopped mozzarella + few T. for top
1/2 c. Parmesan
3/4 c. cream or milk
12 gluten-free lasagna noodles (or regular lasagna noodles, if you like), pre-cooked

Heat a large skillet, add oil and heat over moderately low heat. Cook onions, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 min. Increase heat to medium-high and add chard, garlic, 1 t. salt, 1/2 t. pepper, 1/2 t. sage, and 1/4 t. nutmeg. Cook, stirring a bit, until the chard is heated through, and no liquid remains in the pan, about 4 min. Preheat oven to 400F. In a medium bowl, mix together 2/3 of pumpkin puree, ricotta, mozzarella (minus 4 T. for top), Parmesan, and remaining 1/2 t. pepper, 1/2 t. sage, 1/4 t. nutmeg, and salt to taste. In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spray or grease bottom to prevent sticking. Lay 3 noodles in dish then spread 1/3 of pumpkin-cheese mixture over noodles. Spread 1/3 of Swiss chard mixture over pumpkin. Repeat this noodle-pumpkin-chard layering two more times, and to with final layer of noodles. Combine remaining pumpkin puree and 3/4 c. cream or milk. Pour evenly over top of lasagna, sprinkle with extra mozzarella. Cover with foil an bake 40 min. Remove foil and bake another 10 min. until golden on top. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.
*To bake and puree your own pumpkin: cut, seed, and slice (with skin) into 3-4 inch pieces, toss in oil, season if desired and roast at 450 degrees until tender (30-50 min, depending on thickness of slices). Let cool a bit, remove from skin and cut into 1-inch chunks. Puree in a food processor until smooth (with a little water of stock as needed). Use immediately, refrigerate, or freeze.