Chip and Dale

As in the cartoon show!

I was headed outside again to assess the rabbit situation, and what did I see?! A chipmunk nibbling on my bean sprouts. When he saw me coming down the stairs to the garden he moved on to a rock about 6 feet away and consumed the bean top. Arrgggghh! I confirmed the assault when I looked at my poor bean, it's top munched off, a simple stalk poking out of the ground. Honestly. This is like the cartoon show ... and I'm the poor soul getting laughed at.

Wha sup Dooooccccc?!

I've had two raised beds here for 4 years. I have never seen one rabbit. I went out this morning to see the garden while carrying my coffee and what did I see??! Two of the biggest, fattest, fluffiest rabbits you've ever seen. They look so plump and fluffy they look like they are prepped for Easter pictures with the kids. Back in the 1500's if I'd run into these guys I could feed my family for weeks and weeks. My husband's aunt and uncle in Portugal would be salivating (they raise their own rabbits for food). Good grief. Now I've gotta deal with these guys. Bite the bullet and put up a fence, or marigold the place to death? Can anyone say "Pain in the neck!" ??

Minor League 2008 Champs!!

L to R: Peter, Nate, Josh, Bryce, Benjamin, Garret, Noah, Tommy, Jason, Bubba, Colin, Dylan

Way to go Twins!! What a great team Benjamin was privileged to be apart of. Thanks to Coach Rick and Coach Rip for doing such a great job! They had high expectations for the kids, helped them to take the game and themselves seriously and encouraged them enthusiastically for their accomplishments and efforts big and small. They won with great sportsmanship, honor and hard work -- and lots of fun. There was nothing better than seeing those boys glow when they accomplished something great. And, hats off to Tommy for the winning out at second base. When he looked around and saw no one was on base, he ran there -- ball in hand and beat the Giants player there for the out. What a game! Final score 13 to 12 - TWINS!

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Pizza Dough

I've bought different doughs and tried a few recipes ... I think this is the best. It only rises once, so you can start it by 3 and you'll be done by 6 -- but you can also freeze them. Originally an individual pizza dough recipe (makes 4) from Martha Stewart, I've added a cup of whole wheat flour (in place of one white) and make two medium sized pies, or one medium sized pie, two spinach pies -- or a rolled tube like spinach "pie".

1 pkg yeast

1 1/4 C lukewarm water 105 to 110 degrees

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1 C whole wheat flour

2 C white flour -- hold one cup back and add slowly as you knead

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1 1/2 t salt

1 T olive oil

Add yeast to lukewarm water - let proof for 10-15 minutes (I add a dash of sugar for good proofing measure)

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Meanwhile, measure out flour (holding back one cup white flour) and salt.

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Dump yeast mixture and olive oil into the center of the flour and stir all together. Once a ball is formed add enough of the extra cup of white flour to handle easily. Then knead for 5 minutes. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes. Continue kneading for 10 minutes adding the extra white flour as you go. You don't have to use all of the white flour.

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Let rise for 1 1/2 hours or until well risen.

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Turn out onto floured surface and use as desired.

Roll out with rolling pin. (if you're good you can throw, but at your own risk)

If you are feeling fancy and energetic brush crust with olive oil and sprinkle w/ freshly grated parm cheese.

Medium Pizzas Cook 450 degrees for 12 minutes on a pizza stone

Martha's recipe says to cook individual pizzas for 15 minutes -- that seems a bit long.

Spinach Pies cook 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes

Spinach roll (what do you call that, a cal zone?) cook 450 degrees for about 30 minutes.

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If you want to freeze, just wrap the rolled out crusts well and put in the freezer. I've typically done this with the smaller individual sizes -- for larger sizes you might need to support the dough on a piece of cardboard or something.

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Yum. Yum.

Goodbye Cable

We are taking the plunge. Or, more accurately, we are removing ourselves from the vat of overpriced sludge. (ok, sludge doesn't exactly rhyme with plunge, but it's close) That is we are discontinuing our cable service. Yes, you heard us right, goodbye cable. We really don't watch that much television as it is. We enjoy the occasional Patriots or Red Sox game, but after that, it's pretty much all down hill. Between all of the violence (I'm sorry, Victor and I just can't handle watching C.S.I. or even Law and Order -- horrible things happening to people, why watch??), the low budget brain-numbing reality t.v., and the sensationalized news channels, we are done. We will keep our television for dvd's and the programming that comes to us for free - especially PBS. And that's it.

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My brother, Scott has many fun toys and creature comforts, but one thing he has never caved on is cable television. At first it was largely in protest to their monopoly - charging outrageous prices without competition. When I asked him about it last night at our Father's Day Family Night he said that now he also doesn't like having the temptation to burn up his time at home and "check out" (ie: turn into a tube-zombie). Growing up, we were never allowed much television. I can still hear my father shouting "Turn that thing off!" Today, when we go to our pediatrician, we are asked how much television our children watch. Our doctor is always pleasantly surprised when I answer that, if they watch any at all, they watch a 1/2 hour a day.

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When I start to consider how commercialism, consumption and big business have gotten so out of hand in our society -- turning off my television is my way of saying "I'm not filling my head with your lies!"

More on Plastics ....

This article was in the Providence Journal from the Los Angeles Times.

At some point we need to realize there is some truth to the harm that plastics can cause.

That 'new shower curtain smell' gives off toxic chemicals, study finds
An environmental organization finds high concentrations of dangerous chemicals in shower curtains sold at major stores.
By Tami Abdollah, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer June 13, 2008
Vinyl shower curtains sold at major retailers across the country emit toxic chemicals that have been linked to serious health problems, according to a report released Thursday by a national environmental organization.The curtains contained high concentrations of chemicals that are linked to liver damage as well as damage to the central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems, said researchers for the Virginia-based Center for Health, Environment & Justice.

Chemicals in shower curtains
The organization commissioned the study about two years ago to determine what caused that "new shower curtain smell" familiar to many consumers."This smell can make you feel sick, give you a headache, make you feel nauseous or [cause] other health effects," said Michael Schade, a coauthor of the report.Researchers tested the chemical composition of five unopened polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, plastic shower curtains bought from Bed Bath & Beyond, Kmart, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart. One of the curtains was then tested to determine the chemicals it released into the air.The study found that PVC shower curtains contained high concentrations of phthalates, which have been linked to reproductive effects, and varying concentrations of organotins, which are compounds based on tin and hydrocarbons. One of the curtains tested released measurable quantities of as many as 108 volatile organic compounds into the air, some of which persisted for nearly a month.Seven of these chemicals -- toluene, ethylbenzene, phenol, methyl isobutyl ketone, xylene, acetophenone and cumene -- have been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as hazardous air pollutants, said Stephen Lester, the center's science director and a coauthor of the report.Potential health effects include developmental damage and harm to the liver and the central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems, according to the report. Phthalates and organotins, which are not chemically bonded to the shower curtain, are often added to soften or otherwise enhance the curtain. These additives evaporate or cling to household dust more easily than the chemicals in the curtains themselves, Lester said. Volatile organic compounds also evaporate more easily than the less harmful chemicals, he said. Vinyl chloride, which is a major building block of PVC, is a known human carcinogen that causes liver cancer, Lester said."PVC is just bad from cradle to cradle," said Martha Dina Argüello, executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility. "It's a mess when you create, it's a mess when you get rid of it, and it's off-gassing when you're using it."Representatives of Target and Sears Holding Co., the parent company of Kmart, said their companies were phasing out curtains that contain PVC. Target said about 90% of the store's "owned brand" shower curtains offered this spring were made of materials other than PVC. Officials from the other companies were not immediately available for comment Thursday. The report said that Bed Bath & Beyond had increased the number of PVC-free shower curtains it offered by selling those made of ethylene vinyl acetate and fabrics, but that Wal-Mart did not respond to the organization's faxes or letters requesting the retailer's PVC policy.The American Chemistry Council issued a statement Thursday saying there was "no reliable evidence" that phthalates were harmful or linked to serious health problems, or that they were tied to the new shower curtain smell.Argüello said studies were still being done on the effects of phthalates and other chemicals on people.Little information on toxicity is available for 86 of the 108 chemicals detected in the curtains, Lester said. The EPA has tested vinyl shower curtains and in 2002 said it had found that many of the same chemicals listed in the center's report.Lester said the test drew attention to the lack of government regulations or health-based guidelines governing indoor air pollutants. "The EPA does not regulate indoor air, period," said Barbara Spark, the indoor air program coordinator for the EPA's Pacific Southwest region. "We have not been given that authority by the Congress."The Center for Health, Environment & Justice sent a letter to 19 major retailers Thursday informing them of the new report and encouraging them to stop selling PVC products. "Most companies aren't aware of some of the risks these products entail," Lester said. "Once they're informed of this, they're in many cases ready to make changes and purchase alternative products."

Make a note of it ...

Make a note of it ... birds eat PEARS when they are not even one inch long -- right off the tree. Note to self: cover trees after petal fall with netting. All of the pears off my two baby trees -- which granted were a grand total of about 25 pears -- were consumed over one weeks time. I always thought that wildlife ate fruit off the trees once they were ready to eat. Not so. Nope. They don't care. Yesterday I covered my blueberries because I saw a bird getting a little too chummy with them for my taste. It's a good thing. My guess is I'll have to cover my apples too? Good grief. Lament.

Not Bad . . .

Not Bad. Here is my first big harvest of Bloomsdale Spinach and May Queen Lettuce. Wow. Yumola.

In the garden however, I have been riddled with bugs. I've tried all kinds of Neem spray and an Oil Spray -- however when I realized (thanks to friend Vivian) that I was infested with Potato Beetles, I had to use Seven -- suffice it to say, it's not organic. It's pretty mild stuff, but it was either that or kiss my potatoes, tomatoes and peppers goodbye. (this was even after trying to chase these little whipper snappers around my potato plants -- hats off to those of you who have the time, patience and talent for that. 9 times out of 10 you pull a leaf or two off with a beetle. I looked it up on the natural gardening book I've had out from the library for months it seems and that's what they had suggested. Apparently, Potato Beetles are especially prevalent in the small home garden. Terrific. Anyway folks, I gave up. If anyone has any other ideas -- please let me know. Between my fruit trees and veggie garden I've become a bit consumed by pests. I'm seeing bugs I've never noticed before. As a matter of fact, when walking our little miniature Schnauzer "Church" (weird name, I know) this morning I noticed that our birch trees were being CONSUMED by caterpillars. They blended in so nicely you could hardly notice them -- since I had the Seven all mixed up, I gave them a good blast. Fixed their little red wagon.

Dr. Bronner's All Purpose Soap

Consider using Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds. It's $10.99 for a 32 ounce bottle. It is condensed ... in the true sense of the word. You only use a teaspoon in a gallon of water. I've been using mine for months and I've hardly made a dent in it. I even made my own spray bottle mixture out of it - 1 to 1/2 teaspoon of the stuff and water. A boat-load cheaper than the $4.00 they want to charge you for something similar at Target. (Makes you realize why the companies started marketing them to us in the first place!) Dr. Bronner's is earth friendly, and cruelty-free. Plus, it won't make you feel like passing out from the fumes when you go to clean your shower! Some of that chemical stuff is nasty.

Little House in the Prairie

We are having a revival of Little House in the Prairie. Awhile back I bought the first season DVD set of Little House for Benjamin. Benjamin went on a field trip last week to the one room school house here in Rehoboth -- The Hornbine School. So, I pulled out the Little House DVDs and the boys are loving them. And I'm loving them too. What a great series. Good clean fun. Good life lessons. And, also a great look into the past for the boys. They love it.

Mom's Raspberry Rhubarb Dessert -- you can call her Joanie

Raspberry Rhubarb Dessert

1 lb (3c) rhubarb

1 10 oz pkg froz raspberries

1/2 c sugar

3 T cornstarch

1 1/2 c flour

1 c brown sugar

1 c quick oatmeal

1 t cinnamon

1/2 c melted butter

Thaw and drain fruit and add water to make 1 C. Combine sugar and cornstarch blend in liquid and cook and stir until thick and clear. Cover, add fruit and remove from heat. Cool. Mix rest of ingredients and put 2/3 on bottom of 9x9 pan, cover with fruit mixture & sprinkle with remaining crumbs. 325 for 1 hour

I have a memory of my mother usually doubling this into a larger 9x14 sized pan.

"Mom's" Lemon Squares ... you can call her Joanie

Here is the recipe for my mother's Lemon Squares. They are the best. They are. Quick. Easy. They have a lighter texture and a very lemony flavor. Often times a lemon square is tough and gummy -- like a gelatin. Not these. Enjoy!

Mom's Lemon Squares

Mix - stir the following with fork or cut with two knives until it looks crumbly

1 C flour

1/2 C butter

1/4 C confectioners sugar

pinch salt

Press into an ungreased 9 x 9 pan

Bake crust at 350 degrees for 15 minutes

Mix - I did it with a whisk to make sure all of the flour was no longer lumpy

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 C sugar

5 T lemon juice (originally 3T)

3 T flour (originally 2T)

Pour this mixture over crust when it comes out of the oven.

Then bake for 20 minutes more.

Dust with confectioners sugar after it comes out of the oven.

After they cool, cut into small squares. Eat.

A day of firsts

Today Ripley accomplished 2 "firsts"

He came into our bedroom this morning fully clothed. Underwear, pants, shirt, sweatshirt, socks all on and his shoes in hand. The sweatshirt was on backwards, but hey - not bad!

The second "first" was riding his bike without training wheels. Yes. That's right. No training wheels at the age of 3 1/2. The amazing thing is, we never adjusted his training wheels up, we just took them off one day. After that he tried on three different occasions to ride his bike, on the third "session" he got it. Of course he hasn't quite mastered stopping -- but that's for another day. He can turn and bike in a big long circle around the driveway though. Wow.

My first harvest 2008!

Here is my first small harvest. Bloomsdale slow-bolt heirloom spinach. Spinach is perfectly happy in early spring -- so I was able to plant mine in April. Really, my plants aren't quite ready for harvest, but I wanted to make a certain soup that required spinach. I didn't have any on hand so I decided to go outside and take a few larger leaves of some of the larger plants and thinned a few plants that were too close to one another (I always struggle to thin a perfectly good plant). I ate some leaves right out of the garden after a quick rinse and they were delicious! Isn't it beautiful?! It's not too late to plant your own. Just sow right into your garden. And, because they like the cool weather you can plant in the mid-late summer for a fall harvest.

Now for the recipe ... The soup recipe if from a book titled Seriously Simple by Diane Rossen Worthington. If you don't have a copy you should race out right now and go and buy one. It is fabulous. The soup is Lima Bean, Zucchini and Spinach. It is a lot better than it sounds. It is yummy and healthy. Here it is:

2 T olive oil

3 leeks white and light green parts, cleaned and thinly sliced (I didn't have leeks so I used one large onion)

4 zucchini, thinly sliced (I didn't have any so I used the crown and part of the stem of the typical bunch of broccoli that you'd find at a grocery story)

2 C fresh or frozen Lima Beans

4 C vegetable broth or chicken broth (I used 2 C chicken broth and 2 C water b/c that's what I had)

1 six ounce bag of fresh spinach leaves

1 T fresh lemon juice (I used the zest too ... why not?)

S and P to taste

1/4 cup sour cream (I used half and half b/c that's what I had on hand)

1/4 C freshly grated parm cheese

In a large saucepan heat olive oil and saute leeks for 3 minutes. Add zucchini and saute for 7 minutes. Add the lima beans and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to med-low. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes. Add spinach, cover and cook another 3 minutes. Puree the soup in the pot with a hand blender (if you don't have one - run out and get one right now, cheap and so much easier to use than other options). Add lemon juice, S & P. To serve, ladle soup into bowls and swirl a spoonful of sour cream and a sprinkling of cheese into each serving. Yum. Yum. Yum.

Hilarious

I found this note sandwiched between Benjamin's bedroom window and the screen - facing the outdoors. Uproariously Hilarious. Have to save this one.

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To: alians

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Ma zaoola

please stay hear

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bubse no mooging doo bob

but do not harm us we come

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bon Jas so mom lus irm ing

in peice it is hard for us

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zee body oooon demen zo zgoing

to be freinds do you understand

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Ma zaoo, Ben

pleas stay, Ben

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If this needs any explanation ... the top line is the alien language, underneath is the English translation.

Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches

These are so easy and so yummy. Makes enough for 8-10 BBQ Sandwiches. I serve them (if I can) on Whole Wheat Buns, with bread and butter pickles, Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce (I know, gee, not homemade! EEeek!) and I personally like a little mayo too (but not for Victor, Portugal being close to the mediteranian and all -- he's anti-mayo, pro-olive oil). Enough jabbering -- here's the recipe:

Slow cooked in the oven for 3 + hours (can go over, just make sure there is enough water so I doesn't dry out)

1 lb. Stewing Beef

1 lb. Stewing Pork (you can use all pork if you prefer)

1 chopped onion

1/4 C sugar

1/3 C vinegar

1 C water

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1 teaspoon celery salt

Put in 9x13 pan and sprinkle with Garlic Salt and Celery Salt. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 3 hours. When done, smash with potato masher. You can drizzle with BBQ sauce, but I just use BBQ sauce on the individual sandwiches.

Staring Benjamin . . .

This story is out of a movie from Hollywood.

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Benjamin has been struggling with baseball. It is almost like stage fright. He gets up at bat and hopes that the young pitchers will walk him to first. So he doesn't swing. The boys on his team are really good and very into the game. They are great kids. They come to every game -- everyone. They want to win. But they are also having fun. Their coach - a superintendent of schools of a nearby town - is fabulous. He has high expectations for them - and they know it. But he's encouraging, not demoralizing. And, he comes up with teachable moments about twenty times during any given game. The team is doing well and last week was tied for first in the minor league. Again, Benjamin went up to bat. The pitcher was a good pitcher and was throwing strikes. His coach told him so. So you can imagine Benjamin's team mates looking on while Benjamin didn't swing at pitch after pitch. Each time he was up at bat. Ugh. None of the kids were "down on him" at all, but they were disappointed to the point of tears when they lost the game. I actually had Benjamin apologize to one of his close friends on the team (who is one of the best players, one of the kids crying, and happens to be the coaches son). The reason being, Benjamin wasn't taking it seriously. He didn't get why these kids were crying. "It's just a game." he told me. I told Benjamin that it wasn't fair to his teammates who did take the game seriously, for him to continue on the team with a half-hearted attitude. Benjamin's buddy, Jason, kindly told Benjamin that it wasn't his fault, there were just a few plays that didn't work out. However, I told Benjamin that he needed to make a decision. Either decide to do your best and give your all, or decide that this isn't the sport for me. Benjamin decided he wanted to try harder. Victor had told Benjamin (with no success) that if he hit the ball and got on base, Victor would take Benjamin out for an ice cream sundae. I told Benjamin that if he didn't at least swing the bat at good pitches, he had to quit. Enough was enough. Admittedly, I went to the game last night with a bad attitude. Spring has stalled here and I literally have to pack my UGGs and wool coat just to stay warm. I have a million things to do at home, and here is Benjamin sleeping in the outfield, zoning out at the plate, and frankly embarrassing me a bit.

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So here it is. It's time. Benjamin's up at bat. His coach had already made him "shake on it" and promise that he was going to swing the bat. Not hit the ball, mind you. Just SWING. Good grief. So, Benjamin doesn't swing at a ball ... "good eye" his coach says encouragingly. I'm looking out skeptically saying between gritted teeth "just hit the ball!" Finally, next throw, Benjamin swings. And hits. The cute little ball bounds only seven feet from home plate and Benjamin sits there staring like "why did that ball just move? what is happening?" All of his teammates are going nuts, screaming RUN and cheering for him like he is Manny Ramirez hitting a homer. Benjamin finally gets his act together and runs for first. Instead of running through the base, he slows and stops at first -- and therefore gets tagged out. But everyone is still cheering! "YEA BENJAMIN!!!" Benjamin gets a high five from his coach with an encouraging nod and "next time run through the base" instruction. Several pats on the back in the dug out. Wow. Benjamin is beaming like he just brought home straight A's to his mommy. Victor tells him we're going out for ice cream anyway - because if he'd run through the base, he would have been safe.

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Again, Benjamin is up at bat. I'm a little more optimistic - but still clinching my teeth. Benjamin's coach nods at Benjamin encouragingly like "you can do it -- get it done Ben". Benjamin goes up at bat and hits that bloody ball again! This time the ball goes a little farther and Benjamin runs right away to first. The first baseman misses the ball and Benjamin is told to run to second. The Coach, The Mom's and Dad's in the stands, The boys in the dugout all go crazy cheering for Benjamin! Benjamin had the opportunity to run home after the next two hits and when he got to the dugout all of the boys crowded around him and gave him high fives and cheers. Don't you know he hit another one the next time up at bat and got on base again?! And, made it home. At the end of the game, Coach sat everyone down as usual to talk over the things they learned to do and not to do. He pointed out the good things the players had done. He reiterated how in this group everyone hits, everyone plays, everyone is a part of the team. When he got to Benjamin he congratulated him for his two runs and his accomplishment and handed Benjamin the prized reward of a "Game Ball" -- the first one handed out this season by Coach. Benjamin was beaming and his team mates were too. Everyone cheered.

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Don't you know we went out for burgers, chicken nuggets, french fries and ice cream after the game?!

Benjamin can't wait to go back today for his next game.

Now I understand why Dr. Trivett asked Benjamin at his recent annual checkup if he was involved in a team sport.

Healthy Cookies for Kiddos (and grown-ups too)

These are souped up cookies that I altered slightly from Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious cookbook. I put so many things in these cookies you'd hardly believe that they stick together. But they do and the boys were excited to have them in their lunches this morning. Of course, they are not Tollhouse, but I'm guessing they will be devoured at lunch ... and I won't be ashamed or sorry for packing them.

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Chocolate Chip Cookies with Chickpeas! Yes, chickpeas. Ripley doesn't know it yet, but it will be the first time he's had these! (ha ha ... little whipper-snapper) This recipe makes good sized fat cookies - well over 24 of them.

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Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Put a piece of parchment paper on the cookie sheet. (Jessica says use cooking spray, I say no chemicals -- then compost the parchment paper)

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1 Cup firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 C trans-fat free soft tub margarine spread (I didn't have any of this, so I used some butter and a little Crisco b/c I didn't have enough butter. I think I'd try to use the trans-fat free stuff -- it sounds good)

1 large egg (Jessica says 2 egg whites, but I'm okay with getting the omega 3's from the yolk in spite of the cholesterol)

2 t vanilla extract

1 15ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 C chopped walnuts

3/4 C raisins (I soaked these in warm water briefly and used YELLOW raisins -- more camouflage)

1 C all-purpose flour

1 C Whole Wheat Flour (Jessica called for just the all-purpose, I added in the whole wheat -- why not??)

1/2 C old fashioned oats

1 t baking soda

1/4 t salt (I used 1/2 t like tollhouse. Over 2 dozen cookies, 1/4 t salt? Come on.)

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Sift together dry ingredients: flours, oats, soda, salt

Cream margarine/butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla, then add all of the chunky stuff: chips, peas, raisins, nuts. Then, slowly add in the flour while beating on a low setting. Stop when thick dough forms.

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Drop the dough by the tablespoon onto the baking sheet. Press gently with a fork to flatten.

Bake 12 minutes -- don't over bake. If anything, slightly under bake.

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Voila!! You've gotten whole grains, protein, beans, raisins and nuts into your kiddo. Super yummy warm. Wow.

Baltimore Orioles

I don't know if the Baltimore Orioles are reading my blog, but they have come to mate in my yard. They are gorgeous. Their "call" is beautiful, powerful and loud. I've been gawking at them as they chirp back and forth marveling at how pretty they are. However, I just read that they eat fruit (also bugs, nuts, seeds and nectar). Thank God for fruit tree nets. No fruit for you guys from my little orchard. Speaking of my little orchard. I have one sweet cherry tree, one Chinese apricot tree, one Bartlett pear tree, one Anjou pear tree, two peach trees, one Fuji Apple tree, one three-in-one grafted apple tree, one Cortland apple tree (for pies especially) and six tall blue berry bushes. Fun! Of course it will be a few years for anything substantial, but hopefully by then I will have really ironed out the organic spraying thing. Keep well! Happy gardening.

My Victory Garden

Here it is ... my Victory Garden

Kids are Funny

At breakfast I was talking to Benjamin about baseball, which he's been struggling with, explaining that everyone isn't good at everything. I volunteered that I certainly wasn't good at everything. Ripley quickly spoke up and said "Yea, you're not good at throwing." (as in pitching a baseball) I agreed. Ripley reminded sweetly, not a hint of negativity detected just genuine honesty "You're noooootttttttt." "You're right Love, Mommy isn't good at throwing." Sheesh.

Portuguese Beans

This weekend when we were visiting Victor's parents for Mother's Day my Father-in-Law, who is Portuguese, was giving me a tour of his freshly planted garden. His potatoes are already poking up a good 2 inches out of the ground, as well as his beans. Every year he grows these broad green pole beans that are right from Portugal. They look a lot like a cannelloni bean from Italy. You can eat them when they are young like a regular "string bean" -- they usually cut them in a "French Cut" (but I guess it's really a Portuguese Cut) style, boil them in salted water along with a few eggs (still in their shells). Then, when they are done, the hard boiled eggs are taken out and minced, then mixed with a little balsamic vinegar (one teaspoon or more), lots of olive oil and salt. Pour the egg mixture over the beans. If you're feeling fancy, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top. One of Victor's favorite summer dishes. When the beans are allowed to grow larger, the beans are shelled and dried -- then used in soups all winter long. Yum. SOOOoooooo .... My Father-in-Law gave me a large baggie of his Portuguese Bean Seeds saved from last year for planting. I'm excited to learn from him how he saves his seeds and to do a little studying on my own. He also gave me some bush Portuguese Beans that look like a light kidney bean. I've never tried growing any other type of bean besides your standard bush green bean, so I'm looking forward to getting into it. Especially because they keep so nicely, are a good source of protein, and are easy to grow. Happy Spring and Come Summer!

Where have I been?!

I forget every year how much work is involved in springtime. Now, not only do you have to keep up the inside of your house (which I'm not doing a very good job at), but now you're also enjoying the great outdoors and the beauty of spring while tidying up the outside of your house. This spring has been a different year altogether. Over the past month we have almost completed adding wood chips to our side yard between our yard and the neighbors to cut down on weeds. We do this about once every 3 years and this was THAT YEAR. We had a 20' x 40' garden added to our yard and we had 2 apple trees, 2 pear trees, 2 peach trees, 1 cherry tree and 6 blueberry bushes planted into our side yard -- eliminating two huge areas of grass that no longer will need to be mowed. Lucky Victor. Me on the other hand ... I've been hard at work. I planted several perennial plants -- which like the fruit trees will produce in time, but need some work in the beginning -- including 5 rhubarb plants, 20 strawberry plants and the 30 (yes 30) asparagus plants (from Seeds of Change) that Victor gave me for Valentines Day. I also planted seed potatoes (a first for me) including heirloom Russian Banana, Yukon Gold and Reddale -- all ordered from Abundant Life Seeds. Yesterday I also planted my broccoli and broccoli rabe spoutlettes in addition to more seeds. All of these things could have gone in earlier, but I had to wait for my garden to be put in. I did a lot of transplanting in my perennial garden as well. Not only did several of them need to be split, but I'm making room for a larger kitchen garden for my basil, chives, thyme, oregano, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, etc. This area is right off my front wrap-around porch, so it's very convenient and leaves more room for vegetables in my larger garden. Already growing in the raised beds I've had for several years now are snap peas, shelling bush peas, 1925 heirloom bloomsdale spinach, May Queen lettuce, rare Scottish Macgreggors favorite beets, Rote Kugel beets, Dragon Carrots, and Chantenay Carrots. Happy Spring!

Chocolate Nut Chewies

**REVISED** (forgot to list the nuts ... oops. chocolate NUT chewies??!)

This recipe posting is a request ... because these are incredible.

The recipe is from Ann Faulstich. When my brother and I went to visit one of our closest neighborhood friends Amy Lynn and "Blair-Boy", their mother Mrs. Faulstich would invariably be pulling cookies right out of the oven. How she always managed to be thin I have no idea. But this woman seemed to bake cookies on a daily basis (I'm not exaggerating). We'd march into her house and grab several and off we'd go playing. When I got married, she sent three of her favorite and most popular cookie recipes along with a specially handmade cookie jar. Here is one of the recipes. Look out, you might have several!

Chocolate Nut Chewies
(Mrs. Faulstich noted that "Everyone likes these!")

cream:
2/3 cup butter
1 box brown sugar (1 lb)

Add:
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
Then add the dry stuff:
2 C flour
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 cup pecans (or whatever your favorite nut is) and 1 cup chocolate chips
Mix until smooth. Pour into a 9x13" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
Mrs. Faulstich adds that "Sometimes I put 1 cup of chocolate chips on top after I take it out of the oven, let them melt and spread - let it set until firm." That's what I did! Yum.

More on PLASTICS

There was another Providence Journal article regarding plastics yesterday. I've searched online to get a copy of the article, but after 15 minutes I can't find it. So, here are some excerpts ... as I still have the old fashioned hard copy pulled from my recycling pile here in front of me.

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From the Providence Journal: Material from the New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post and the Associated Press was used to compile this report.

Chemical in plastics new cause for concern
Retailers move quickly to remove baby bottles containing BPA from store shelves

Are toxic plastics lurking in your kitchen?

That's the question many people are asking after reports last week that a chemical used to make baby bottles, water bottles and food containers is facing increasing scrutiny by health officials in Canada and the United States.

The substance is bisphenol-A, or BPA, widely used in the making of hard, clear and nearly unbreakable plastic called poly-carbonate. Studies and tests show that trace amounts of BPA are leaching from polycarbonate containers into foods and liquids.

Yesterday, Woonsocket-based CVS Caremark said it was joining numerous other retailers, including WalMart and Toys "R" Us, in pulling tens of thousands of products containing the chemical off its store shelves.

Nalgene, the maker of a popular sports bottle, and the baby products maker Playtex have announced they will stop using the plastic.

And last week, the Canadian government became the first country to ban BPA from use in baby bottles, a move that spurred a leading Democrat in the U.S. Senate to call for legislation that would prohibit its use in a number of everyday consumer products.

"We have immediately taken action on bisphenol-A because we believe it is our responsibility to ensure families, Canadians and our environment are not exposed to a potentially harmful chemical," Tony Clement, the minister of health, said in a statement.

BPA is used in production of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy linings to add strength and resilience to the products. U.S. manufacturers produce more than 6 billion pounds annually.

While most of the focus so far has been on products for children, the plastic is also used in food-storage containers, clear plastic pitchers used for filtered water, refillable water bottles and the lining of soft-drink and food cans.

The article goes on .... and end with statements from the American Chemistry Council's Polycarbonate / BPA Global Group and the Grocery Manufacturers Association ... basically encouraging you to go ahead and continue to buy their stuff.

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This article from the New York Times is also good - click on link below -

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A Hard Plastic Is Raising Hard Questions

This is an excerpt from the NYT article that I list because it contains some information that I didn't know about. Like presence of BPA in canned food and drinks. Sheesh.

From the New York Times:

What about canned food and drinks?
While much of the focus is on plastic bottles, most human exposure occurs through the lining of canned foods. Canned beverages appear to contain less of the chemical than canned foods like soup, pasta, fruits and vegetables, which are often processed at high temperatures. Virtually every canned product, even those labeled organic, has a liner with BPA. One brand, Eden Organic Baked Beans, says it uses a BPA-free can.
How do I lower my exposure?
Switch to frozen or fresh vegetables. Use glass, porcelain and stainless-steel containers, particularly for hot foods and liquids. If you don’t want to use a glass baby bottle, several companies, including the popular brand Born Free, now sell BPA-free baby bottles and sippy cups. For formula-fed babies, you can switch to powdered formula rather than liquid.
Although many plastic products claim to be microwave safe, some scientists warn against putting any plastic in the microwave. “There is such a wide variety now, from disposable containers to actual Tupperware,” says Dr. Anila Jacob, a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group, a Washington-based advocacy group. “I don’t know of anyone who has done definitive testing of all these different types of plastic containers to see what is leaching into food.”

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Hope this is helpful.

Victor MADE IT! Go Lovey!

Victor finished the Boston Marathon yesterday looking great. You'd never know that the guy had one of the more difficult marathon runs (out of his more than 25+ marathons that he's completed). Now, with a wifey (me!), two kiddos and a job to hold down ... it's tough to find time to train. And this time 'round he didn't train as much as he'd like to. After debating how I might pull off a trip to Boston with two kids, half of the city shut down b/c of the marathon and a Red Sox game going on at the same time ... I decided to give it a try. We drove up to the Quincy T station and took the commuter train into Boston and walked along a bit of the "Freedom Trail" exploring local history. Then took the long winding walk (because of all of the shut down roads) to find the end of the marathon. Unfortunately, we were unable to get over to the side that Victor was expecting us to be on (when I say CROWD that just scratches the surface of what insanity was around the finish line) so, sadly after waiting to kiss and hug Victor for 2 hours (cheering on all the runners) -- Victor gracefully jogged by on the opposite side of the road waving to onlookers as we screamed at the top of our lungs and flapped our arms. At least we saw him. Then we walked around the maze of blocked off streets to get to the family and friends area divided by the alphabet. There we found him. Like I said, looking great. My sister-in-law Michelle said that some folks were literally crawling across the actual finish line (where she and Victor's mom were able to get to). When Victor says he had a tough run ... it means he didn't run like a gazelle the whole time. Sheesh. Here are some pictures (the last one is Victor with his long time friend Paul who also ran for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society). It's still not to late to donate to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society - he ran in memory of my cousin Eileen who died at the age of 33 of Lymphoma - and help Victor to reach his goal of $3000. Go to his site. You can donate right online with a credit card. Some of the donations are still not showing, so, not to worry those of you who have donated, but don't see your name! :) Thanks everyone!

Minor League BASEBALL

Here is Benjamin with his friend all dressed up for his first "minor league" baseball game. Looking sharp. (of course instead of smiling he's saying the word "baseball" which isn't as flattering as "Cheeeeese", but what are you gonna do?) They had a fun time, but after the sun of the day wore off most of the parents were freezing in the bleachers with temps at 47 degrees. Brrrrrr. Looking forward to warmer weather. (Hey, we could be like Iowa who got snow last week.)

PLASTICS

This article was the Wednesday, April 16th Providence Journal via The Washington Post. The headline was "New concern is raised over 'everyday' chemical" and "A federal scientific panel signals a shift in thinking about health risks related to bisphenol-a, used in numerous products." Good grief. The upsetting thing is how government agencies go on the defensive when concerned organizations and citizens raise concerns -- and then they come out saying "Gee, maybe there is a problem". I'll copy the whole article here, but here are a few excerpts in case you don't have time: "Used in plastic production since the 1950s, BPA in laboratory animals may be linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer, early puberty in females and behavioral changes (like hyperactivity - see previous entry) according to the study." BPA "has been detected in the urine of 93 percent of the population over 6 years of age." Here is the article. All I can say is that I'm glad we've gotten rid of our plastic both from an environmental standpoint and from a health standpoint.

Government raises safety questions about chemical in plastics
01:43 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 16, 2008
By MATTHEW PERRONE / Associated Press
WASHINGTON — A chemical used to make baby bottles and other shatterproof plastic containers could be linked to a range of hormonal problems, a preliminary government report has found.
The report was greeted by some environmental groups as confirmation of their concerns, while chemical makers latched on to the report's preliminary nature and its authors' warning against drawing overly worrisome conclusions.
The federal National Toxicology Program said Tuesday that experiments on rats found precancerous tumors, urinary tract problems and early puberty when the animals were fed or injected with low doses of the plastics chemical bisphenol A.
While such animal studies only provide "limited evidence" of bisphenol's developmental risks, the group's draft report stresses the possible effects on humans "cannot be dismissed." The group is made up of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration and the Institutes of Health.
More than 90 percent of Americans are exposed to trace amounts of bisphenol, according to the CDC. The chemical leaches out of water bottles, the lining of cans and other items made with it.
The American Chemistry Council, which represents manufacturers, said the report "affirms that there are no serious or high level concerns for adverse effects of bisphenol on human reproduction and development." Among the manufacturers of bisphenol are Dow Chemical Co. and BASF Group.
The group said it supports additional research to determine whether adverse effects seen in animals "are of any significance to human health."
Environmentalists, meanwhile, hailed the report as the first step toward reassessing a chemical they believe could contribute to cancer and other health problems.
"We're hoping this decision will force FDA to recognize the toxicity of this chemical and make manufacturers set a safety standard that's protective of the most vulnerable populations," said Dr. Anila Jacob of the Environmental Working Group.
The toxicology group's findings echo those of researchers assembled by the National Institutes of Health, who last August called for more research on bisphenol in humans.
The FDA in November said there is "no reason at this time to ban or otherwise restrict its use." The agency on Tuesday did not immediately have any comment about the new report.
But growing concern about the chemical has pushed many consumers toward glass alternatives, and triggered investigations by state and federal lawmakers.
Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., called on FDA Tuesday to reconsider the safety of bisphenol, saying the toxicology report's findings "fly in the face of the FDA's determination."
Dingell, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued letters to seven companies that make baby formulations earlier this year, questioning whether they use bisphenol in the lining of their cans and bottles.
The companies included Hain Celestial Group, Nestle USA and Abbott Laboratories.
A spokeswoman for the International Formula Council, which represents baby food makers, said Tuesday "the overwhelming scientific evidence supports the safety" of bisphenol, adding that no foreign governments have restricted or banned its use.
The National Toxicology Program will take public comments on its initial report through May. A final version will be issued this summer.
Earlier this month state lawmakers in New Jersey passed a bill that would ban the sale of all products containing bisphenol.
Canada's health agency is also examining the health risks of bisphenol is expected to issue its findings in coming days.

Catching up

Sorry I've been out of touch.

I've been a little down about the seemingly endless rain and 10 degrees lower than normal temperatures for the past month. However, I'm very excited about the 65 degree weather that's warming up outside. Thank the Lord. (Today we had to go to skating class ... me dressed in my long down coat. Ugh. Only two more weeks of classes)

I was finally able to catch up with the laundry after a week of strep throat. It was like going on a vacation where you have to play "catch-up" for over a week to recover. Strep throat wasn't quite like a trip to the Bahama's though. Hmph.

Also this week I've been hard at work trying to trouble shoot my bread baking. I made the Raisin Oatmeal Bread again, but it rose poorly. Totally demoralized I went to The Fresh Loaf website and asked for help in the "forum". (click that link to get to the conversation) This is a place where you can pose questions / problems regarding bread baking and loads of people email you back with suggestions and information. Fabulous. I was so thankful for the help of hard core bread bakers! One man who helped me out a great deal was Mike from Sourdough Home. I'm giving his site a plug because he was so helpful and generous with his time. He has a lot of helpful bread baking tips on his site as well. I have never tried to make sourdough bread, but I think I'll give it a try. Doesn't it sound good? Homemade Sourdough Bread?? MMmmmmm. Anyway, I'm excited to report that yesterday I produced two beautiful whole wheat loaves from The Moosewood Restaurant cookbook. Yum. I'll list that recipe later -- as I want to get outside and enjoy the weather.

My seedlings are coming along nicely. I have peppers, tomatoes, okra, broccoli, broccoli rabe, leeks, kale, herbs planted indoors. And cold weather peas, lettuce and spinach planted outside. Unfortunately the guy who's going to help us enlarge my garden space and plant my fruit trees came down with pneumonia and is set back two weeks. So, sadly I'm on hold outdoors. But two weeks will pass by quickly. More on that later too ... as I'm leaving you know to fold laundry and then to GO OUTSIDE!! Yipee!!

Children make you Laugh

Thank God. Children make you laugh. Yesterday's examples:
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Last night when it was time for the kids to take a showers / baths Benjamin lamented.

"Why do we have to take showers every night?" in a whinny tone. Of course I didn't point out that they hadn't had showers the night before, but said "Because, you get dirty." Benjamin plunks himself on the bathroom counter top and folds his arms and states (while trying to suppress a smirk) "Well, I'm not going to. I'm going to sit right here for the rest of my life." As the wheels of my very smart 8 year old start turning he adds ... "drinking water from this faucet ... and eating soap." I blew a gasket laughing. Seriously. Hilarious.

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This is a case of son and husband making me laugh.

Victor was sitting after getting home from work, flipping through a J.Crew catalog (The only one I haven't cancelled) with Ripley standing by his side looking on. They were in the men's section checking out the hope of summer attire when Ripley stops Victor and flips the catalog back a few pages and inquires with what Victor detected as a twinkle in his eye "Who's Heeeeeerrrrrr?" referring to the adorable, gorgeous, young "adoring" blond woman giggling behind the young dashing man featuring a pair of pants and shirt. Adding to the hilarity, Victor bounds over to me at the stove -- proud father that he was -- pointing out the dame that Ripley had supposedly ogled over. "And ...." Victor adds "she's not bad looking either!" (as if to say, Ripley really knows how to pick 'em) Proud Papa. Sheesh.

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And this morning ...

Benjamin was reminded to do his jobs ... one of which includes sorting out dirty laundry and bringing a load downstairs. He laments "No one in my class does this job." and as if to point out my laziness "Their Mom and Dad does!" Then I challenge like I'm considering composing an email to the class parents "I think the kids should sort the laundry" Benjamin responds "That's because you're one of THEM." Hilarious.