Talk of Tomatoes

Orcas Island: Smugglers Villa, Cascade Lake & Red Rabbit Farm

Janelle — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:02:50 +0000

… [more] Well before I was born—before I was even a thought—I went to Orcas Island. Even my parents, when they were children, took frequent trips to this island where their respective families would camp and fish, crab and hike, play games and swim. Once they met and married, they continued to bring us to the Island—by boat or ferry—and we would stay in a cabin, beach-comb and play board games. We

chicken salad recipe with raisins

Janelle — Wed, 15 May 2013 02:01:53 +0000

… [more] Ants on logs? You should offer this ‘snack’ to your kiddos if just for their reaction. When I was young, ants on logs was the descriptor for celery piped with peanut butter topped with raisins. I picture the clever mother who coined the term: a tease or dare to get her little ones to reach for a healthy snack. A handful of my friends and I have been playing with

asparagus recipes & asparagus health facts (plus: applause for seasonal eating)

Janelle — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:18:13 +0000

… [more] I remember a crabby moment a decade or two ago—a bit of an ‘a-ha’ moment. I was walking through a grocery store, and had this sudden [late to the party] realization that I was staring at the same produce options year-round. I didn’t know who to be crabby at. How was it possible I didn’t know what produce was ‘seasonal’!? For as long as I could remember, there were lemons

my Seattle urban farm March update

Janelle — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 17:16:20 +0000

“Best & Worst of today?”… [more] This has become a frequent information extractor at our dinner table, a chance for each member—amidst crazy schedules—to share the highlight and low light of each day. Sometimes it feels like we answer in staccato form, but other times it leads to a rich discussion on a significant moment or life lesson, and/or allows us a chance to validate, support and celebrate each other. I

cherry streusel coffee cake recipe (and ruminations of a morning on the farm)

Janelle — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:42:04 +0000

… [more] I imagine the farmhouse full of early morning hustle and bustle. Up at the crack of dawn, out in the barn with a pitchfork, boots with crusted mud from the day before*. If I were that farmer, I imagine saying hello to the snorts of pigs and the loud squawking of ducks and chickens. My eyes take in the status of my crops—I lean over to inspect some garden greens.

miscellany chili recipe

Janelle — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 22:51:47 +0000

… and there is chili on the stove. That is my pat answer all winter long. With teen-very-active sons, keeping warm, homey food at the ready is one of my top mom priorities. When I am in my zen-mother moments, I am filling the kitchen with chili for after school, baked breads and cookies, big bacon-laced breakfasts and so forth. All winter long, chili on the stove is not uncommon—and… [more]

homemade granola recipe with raisins

Janelle — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 20:53:10 +0000

My brother emailed me mid-breakfast to say: he and [my 7 year old niece] Lily were enjoying my homemade granola—and Lily would like the recipe. I had given all of my siblings a little stash of homemade goodies for Christmas, and my homemade granola was part of each gift. This versatile granola recipe with raisins… [more] is not only easy to make, but I venture to bet: better than any store-bought

how to make dried apple chips

Janelle — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:48:43 +0000

Mom, the laundry room is insanely cold again… can you make more apple chips? This seemingly disjointed request actually makes sense in our ‘under-construction’ home. With tons of DIY remodeling, we have had to cut heaters here and lights there, put up tarps and dust yet another layer off all furniture. A casualty of remodeling is a very cold laundry/bathroom. No heat reaches this room, and we keep the door… [more]

pumpkin bread recipe with raisins

Janelle — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:10:32 +0000

Luckily, this recipe makes two loaves. A good thing when you have lots of opinionated palates in the house. One pumpkin bread loaf stayed plain as the plain blue sky and the other pumpkin bread was chock full of golden raisins and walnuts (I personally would not be opposed to studding pumpkin bread with dark chunks of chocolate. I am just sayin.’) I hadn’t made pumpkin bread in quite some… [more]

Irish strawberry liqueur recipe

Janelle — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 04:23:24 +0000

I love when blog traditions emerge, whether it is taking the month of August off (like the Italians) or making sure to herald Halloween cocktails each year. Some annual events/topics stick around, while others—like Centerpiece of the Month or Brown Bag Blues—go by the wayside (the centerpieces took way too much time to manage, and my brown bag blues blog finally slid into the snacks… [more] category of Talk