Hello from Nantucket Sound!

We have been blessed to be invited aboard my parent's boat "Tut". Currently we are en route to Nantucket. The weather is beautiful. My boys are sitting beside Gramp "helping" him to navigate, Mom aka Grandmama is reading her latest Diana Gabaldon book The Fiery Cross (which I am working on too incidentally after having just finished The Boelyn Inheritance), Victor is outside soaking in the sun. I'd load a picture for you, but Victor's laptop doesn't seem to have a photocard slot. Odd.

This weekend I am running in the Little Compton Road Race - a whopping 4.7 miles, which for me is all of the challenge I need. I've been running a comfortably paced 5 miles every other day so that I won't be in shock when it comes time for the Road Race. Wish me luck!

Happy Fourth of July!

For the 4th, friends of ours came to visit us at our little seaside getaway. The town is by the sea, our little getaway is a 10 minute walk away. Anyway, the weather looked a little less than promising so we decided to attack a new hobby -- fishing. Earlier in the week, we'd been by the little harbor here and saw a man in (I'm guessing) his 60's who said he was Greek, pulling fish out of the water literally every 3-5 minutes. It was unbelievable. The boys sat on the rocks mesmerized. Last summer we meant to get out and try fishing, but for some reason it never happened. Yesterday seemed like the perfect opportunity. I'd already gone out and purchased cheapo poles that came along with a mini tackle box all for $29.99. Our friends, the Trigos, were much more experienced in the fishing department than us -- which actually isn't saying a whole heck of a lot since we've basically never fished -- but their oldest son, Alex is a very experienced fisherman indeed. They bought the bait, and Alex and his dad, Carl helped us to get everything "assembled". We drove down to the little harbor where there is a breakwater and a lot of fishermen. (Fisherpeople??! Come on.) It truly is unfortunate that no one present had a camera or video camera because it surely was a sight to see Victor and I trying to cast. I officially lost four hooks I think and two weights. We practically emptied the harbor of seaweed -- attached to our hooks. Even non-fishers would have been hysterical laughing at the sight of us. But, don't you know at some point -- miraculously -- I caught a fish. A flounder!! I managed to get it half way up the breakwater (a large rocky barrier) and then proceeded to panic like a 1940's young lady screeching at the sight of a mouse. I didn't know what to do with it! We'd forgotten to bring a net of any kind so here was this flapping flounder halfway up the rocks and me -- squealing. Victor came to my rescue (as if he was qualified). By some stroke of luck, the two of us, sorry fishermen that we were, managed to get this poor fish up. I know this is a fish story and all, but you'll have to trust me when I tell you that it was about a foot long. We put that poor thing in a bucket with salt water and took it home. Carl deserves a metal for somehow managing to "prepare" the flounder with the sad knives he had at his disposal. I made a marinade out of olive oil, salt, pepper, and lots of sliced onions. Victor fried it up on the grill (on tin foil) and wow did that fella taste good. My first salt water catch. My second catch ever. (I'll have to tell you how my father let the spoonbill catfish I'd caught go some other time.)

Bambi Strikes

Yes, now it's Bambi. It looks like two deer attacked my strawberry plants -- eating leaves and stems on my new plants. Thankfully they weren't completely destroyed. With a little nurturing (and no more torture from Bambi and his friend) they will be fine. Close call. It's funny because I was going to write telling of my strawberry plants' success. They are now creating "daughter plants" for next year -- the little shoots they send out to create a new plant. This year I am to remove any blossoms to boost the plant's energy, nurture the daughter plants for next year when I will actually be able to pick strawberries!

Now, about Bambi ...

Well, I was just about to leave the house with Ripley when I went out to harvest some lettuce and snap peas for a salad at "Grandmama and Gramp's" and discovered THE DAMAGE. I knew it was deer that devoured my strawberries because I actually saw numerous hoof prints in the mud and straw!! Panicking, I went to the freezer and pulled out cayenne peppers to make a pepper spray -- simmering in water for 15 -30 minutes. Then I decided we would make a human urine barrier -- diluted with water -- around my garden. When I went to collect ... the urine ... somehow I managed to spill the container all over my bathroom floor!! Good grief. Just where is the Candid Camera guy? Undaunted, I used what remained and created a barrier around my garden. Meanwhile, I went to the stove to get the brewing pepper spray. When pouring the liquid through a funnel into a spray bottle I managed to slosh the boiling hot pepper spray spilling all over the floor and splashing onto my face, neck and chest! I ran to the refrigerator and pulled out sour cream and began smearing it all over my face, neck and chest. What a vision. Ripley was dumb-founded. Just WHAT is Mommy up to?! First she asks me to pee into a container which she then spills all over the floor. Then, she splashes boiling hot water all over the kitchen and herself ... then smears herself with sour cream! What is UP!? Stay tuned to see if my organic, low budget way of detering deer is effective.

On a lighter note, I did sneak a few stalks of Rhubarb from my new plants (you are supposed to wait for a year). I made my mother's Rhubarb Dessert -- but used strawberries left over from strawberry picking instead of raspberries. Really, the "dessert" is a crisp. Yumola! Here is a picture.

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Monday Evening Harvest - Portuguese Recipe

Siberian Kale Mix, May Queen Lettuce, Arugula, Turnip Greens. Wow! I made a big salad with the lettuce and arugula. The kale went in a Portuguese Caldo Verde (green soup).

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The turnip greens went into a Portuguese dish that is made with mashed potatoes and garlic. Sounds weird, but it's yummy. Here's what I did:

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Boil 4-5 potatoes (I just plunked mine in the soup that was cooking already and just fished them out when they were done.) Coat bottom of pan with olive oil. Cook 4-5 minced garlic cloves in the olive oil on medium low. Add a teaspoon of salt. I added a few shakes of red pepper flakes -- but that's not authentic. Chop turnip tops or broccoli rabe (a bitter green) into thin strips - vein stem and all. Braise greens in the olive oil until they are no longer crunchy (I don't mind a little firmness - but generally it's well done). Take the potatoes out of the boiling water (save a ladle or two of the starchy liquid) and smash until smooth with a fork on a plate or wide mouthed bowl. Once the braised greens are tender add the smashed potatoes and stir all together mixing the greens and potatoes together. Put a little of the reserved liquid into the mix so that it's not too dry.

You know you've embraced growing your own vegetables when ...

You know you've embraced growing your own vegetables when you have a nightmare involving a borer pest killing your zucchini and yellow squash plants. This actually happened last night. I've lost it. It's official.

Sunblock STAINS!

OK, for awhile, I thought I was the only one experiencing this phenomenon but I finally looked it up online to see if there are other people who get orange blotchy stains on their clothing as a result of using sunblock. Particularly white and light colored cotton clothing. The orange stains show up in areas where you spray the sunblock, and also smears on your clothing like deodorant can when you put on a shirt -- or foundation. I haven't found anything that takes these stains out to the point where you can wear the clothing. How frustrating!! I have ruined two brand new white shirts! AND NO ONE IS REALLY TALKING ABOUT THIS! I have tried some new elemental sunblocks that I purchased for health reasons (no chemicals) that I think will be ok -- but I don't know for absolute sure yet. Has anyone else experienced this ... and is there anything that takes the stains out?! Over the weekend I discovered: Coppertone STAINS and Neutrogena STAINS. Irritating! (Thanks for listening).

Just what is this stuff doing to my SKIN?

Chicken Enchiladas

I made these enchiladas this weekend for a Mexican potluck dinner. An old friend who'd lived in Texas gave me this recipe, I've made a few additions -- and it's yumola! I'm a bit embarrassed because they aren't what I'd call "authentic", but my Mexican American friend loved them -- so they can't be all bad, right?

These are extremely easy. I made the insides and the outsides the night before, then assembled them before putting them into the oven the next day. The recipe calls for 12 tortillas, but I've never found that this recipe makes enough to fill 12 tortillas -- but I buy the 10" flour tortillas, maybe the recipe is meant for the smaller tortillas? Just an FYI.

Ingredients:

Sauce:

16 oz can tomatoes

2 - 2 oz can green chili peppers

1/3 C tomato paste

1 t ground cilantro

1/8 t salt

1/2 t cayenne pepper

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Filling:

1 T olive oil

2 medium yellow onions - chopped

1/4 t salt

1 t ground cilantro

1 T flour

1 C sour cream

3 C cooked chopped chicken

12 flour tortillas

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Topping:

2 C Monterrey jack cheese, or Mexican blend shredded cheese

1 C fresh cilantro chopped

1 fresh jalapeno - sliced

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Sauce: Blend tomatoes, chili peppers, tomato paste, ground cilantro seed, salt, cayenne pepper in a blender until smooth. Set aside.

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Filling: Cook onions in oil. Add ground cilantro, salt and chicken. Stir flour into sour cream, then mix into onions and chicken.

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Roll your enchiladas, lining them up into a oiled long casserole. Pour sauce over the top. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle with cheese, sliced jalapenos and fresh cilantro. Bake for 5 more minutes - or until cheese is melted.

I serve with sour cream mixed with Mexican chili powder.

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!