Gardening News

As we speak several jars of pureed tomatoes are boiling away in a pan on the stove. At long last tomatoes are ripening at a fast clip! Last week I canned whole Roma tomatoes. This week I did pureed tomatoes and I'm trying to sun dry tomatoes outside -- the old fashioned way. We will see.

Isn't it funny how everything seems to ripen all at once? This is partly to do with the fact that some of the quick and easy plants to grow I struggled with this year. Like beans, squash and cucumbers. Good grief. Of course the peppers, broccoli and tomatoes that I started from seeds did beautifully. Go figure. Anyway, it wasn't until two weeks ago that I picked my first cucumber! I had to replant them once and the green beans two times. Finally they are churning away and I have to harvest beans every few days.

I have also done some plantings for cold friendly veggies such as certain lettuces, beans, peas, carrots and broccoli. My leeks are still churning away and should be ready next month. The cool thing about leeks is that you can "winter-over" them. Mulch them in straw and pull them out with a pitch fork when you are ready for one. I've also ordered garlic -- which you plant in late September (that's when the come from the seed company) and harvest in the early summer. I like the idea because not only do we use a ton of it, but I'm able to utilize garden space in the winter -- harvest it in the early summer, then plant another crop in the empty space. Cool! So, I thought it might be worth giving a try.

Although our little blueberry bushes have been quite productive considering it's their first year, and my strawberry plants have recovered from the attack of Bambi and produced a bunch of daughter plants for next year ... I have had to "pick your own" strawberries and blueberries this year at local farms. I picked large quantities of both and made strawberry jam (two varieties) and blueberry jam. I'll post the recipes I used later.

OK -- time to go and tend to my boys and some errands. Keep well!

News

Summer is winding down, school is gearing up. I've almost finished cleaning the house here in Rehoboth from "stem to stern". Once the kids get into school, I'll start attacking clutter that's accumulated (even though I'm pretty relentless about getting rid of things we don't need or use) AND hard core things like the bottom of your bathroom drawers or the bottom of the kitchen "junk drawer".

Benjamin will be in 4th grade! He can't wait to go. He told me about a month ago that he missed school -- he missed his friends and "all of the subjects".

Ripley is starting a Montessori school this year -- they generally believe in five days a week, so Ripley will be going to preschool five mornings a week. Although am at the point in the summer where I'm starting to fantasize about time to myself and concentrating on one task without interruption -- I think I'm going to have to battle some sadness about the Montessori schedule. It's pretty hard core. Last year, Ripley went 3 mornings a week. The other two weekdays we went to story hour at the library or to a sport activity like swimming lessons or hockey. Now, we will have to fit these things into the afternoons.

Speaking of activities ... Benjamin is going to being joining the swim team at the Y. Swimming is something that he is really good at -- more so than sports like soccer and basketball. I'd checked last year, but gave up when the receptionist "thought" that you had to be in Junior High to join. This year I spoke with the head of aquatics. The minimum age is 6. All set! He is excited and so am I.

Ripley is going to take swimming class in the afternoon one day a week, and parent / child soccer at the Y on Saturday mornings. Ripley has an October birthday so he has had to be patient waiting to be old enough to participate in sports he's been ready for since he was 2! Needless to say, he can't wait.

Poetry by Benjamin

A sample of poetry from Benjamin's 3rd grade folder:

Thank you

Thank you
for all my hands can hold -
sweatshirts colorful,
blue birds blue,
pages of nice new books!

Thank you
for all my eyes can see -
cool movies that are awesome,
lots of science in the world,
hundreds of rockets in the sky!

Thank you
for all my ears can hear -
electronics very loud
fun is loud fun is fun to hear,
compliments so good to hear!

Thank you
for all my mouth can taste -
cheese and crackers so delicious
milk so yummy in my tummy
H2O so good to sip.

Thank you
for all my nose can smell,
leaves on trees so delicious
snow on the ground so good to smell.

My little helper

Ripley helping to plant green beans.

My Victory Garden

Here are some pictures for your viewing enjoyment.

Yesterday as Benjamin and I were weeding, 3 rabbits marched into our garden like they owned the joint. When I tried to "shoo" them away, they just stared at me. "What's your problem? This is our munching ground!" Suddening visions of Mr. McGreggor's garden came to mind. I understand how those bad little rabbits lost their mittens! "And we shall have no pie. And we shall have no pie." Dern right no pie. I sent our dog "Church" after them. Fixed their pointy little ears.

Last week I replanted bush beans where I had the potatoes (Russian Banana potatoes came out the best -- others were a flop). I also planted some cool weather lettuces and more carrots. A friend of mine gave me her old windows from her antique home. After the kids go back to school, I'm going to strip the windows down and make them into cold frames. I'm hoping to follow Elliot Coleman and grow things in the winter time. We will see!

Way to go Tanya!

On Friday night around 8:30pm "Spencer" was born to Tanya (my Sister-in-Law) and my brother Scott in the Alternative Birthing Center here in Rhode Island. He was born at 7 lbs 13 oz with curly dark hair, alert open eyes and a gift for nursing like a champ within minutes of leaving the womb. (No lactation consultant needed) My guess is the darker hair will give way to lighter hair (as happened with Benjamin) since both Scott and Tanya were blonde headed kids ... but who knows? Maybe he wants to be just like his Auntie?! Pictures will follow ... as I'm still dealing with Victor's photocard-less laptop. I promise.

Thoughts, Happenings and one Recipe

Benjamin has just started sailing lessons. We have just finished with day two, and – he hasn’t even officially sailed a boat yet – but so far, so good. He loves it. He has exhausted me of all of the knots I know, mastering all of them. Sailing School is action packed with a lot of “to do’s” and is out doors – this is why I think he is enjoying it so much. But, like I said, we are only on day two. Personally, I’m green with envy. I taught sailing for three summers while I was in college and loved every minute of it. Being outside all day, on the water, sailing boats teaching kids who are having the time of their lives. Fun stuff.
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Ripley on the other hand is too young for most camps. At the age of three and a half, with an October birthday, he “feels” old enough, but has to wait. However, as of last night, he has “officially” become a swimmer. When it comes to athletics, Ripley will work at something until he gets it – undaunted by failures and setbacks. I wish he had the same drive when learning his numbers and letters … an acquaintance suggested pairing the numbers and letters with sports. I’ve tried a little of that – but generally Ripley looks at me like “Ma, would you just throw the ball?!” as I try to point out the numbers inside the foursquare game.
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To get exercise in the summertime while the kids are with me 24/7 I get up a couple times a week at 5:30 am to go running. Victor needs to be at work by 7am, so I have a small window to get my run in. The joy of getting up early to exercise during the summer is that it’s light outside. This morning, just before I got going I was even able to see the remnants of a gorgeous sunrise. The real reason I bring up running is because I get to laughing to myself, wondering where Candid Camera is hiding when I go to take off my jog bra. Does anyone else feel like they are wrestling a straight jacket?! Seriously, I can hardly get the thing off. Of course I’m sweaty from my run and everything is sticking to me – which adds to the problem. Asking Victor for help seems just a little too over the top hilarious – so I stand there struggling to get the bloody thing off. Sometimes I seriously think I’m stuck – either that or my arms are going to rip out of their sockets. Am I the only one??
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When checking up on my garden the other day, I realized that the embarrassing tangle of wild raspberries in our backyard is actually bearing fruit this year. And, lo-and-behold they are black raspberries. We always assumed they were red, but really never got to see any fruit, so we didn’t know for sure. And, they are really sweet! I picked as many as I could without looking as if I’d just wrested a team of four cats – and put them together with the small pile of blueberries that was ripe. With this small batch of homegrown fruit I decided to make a small tart for dessert. It was so quick to make that I whipped it up while putting dinner together. This is how I did it:

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Summer Fruit Tart
Rinse fruit – put on towel to dry
Mix in small bowl approximately 3 T sugar and 3 T flour (blueberries need quite a bit of flour b/c they make a pie very runny)
Put the fruit in a bowl. Pour one capful of Cointreau over the berries and toss gently.
Pour the sugar / flour mixture over the berries and mix gently.
Make one oil pie crust
Roll out crust to 1/8” thick (in between wax paper) then flip onto cookie sheet covered with tin foil.
Put fruit and any sugar / flour at the bottom of the bowl into the center of the pie crust.
With a knife, lift up sections (one section at a time) of the crust up and over onto the berries working all the way around the circle --- there should be a 3to 4 inch opening on the top where you can see the berries.
Sprinkle top of tart and fruit showing through the top with a little more sugar.
Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
You can use this recipe for any type of fruit – just test for doneness by poking fruit with a knife to make sure it is tender.
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Let me tell you, that tart was yumola. And that the fruit came from our yard – even better.Now I need to research growing wild black raspberries. I think if I trim them back a little – to give more energy to each individual plant – I think they may produce more fruit on a regular (annual) basis.

Garden Update

Here is the status of my Victory Garden. Aphids are rampid. Today I sprayed the garden with a soapy water spray. Hopefully this will make a dent in the infestation. The deer haven't destroyed anything recently (I am afraid to be too positive), however Thumper and the E.B. (Easter Bunny) have moved in. Tonight while eating pizza on our front wrap-around porch Victor noticed a RABBIT (I think it was Thumper) hopping along like he owned the place. The nerve. My carrot and beet tops have obviously been someones lunch and dinner in spite of being totally surrounded by marigolds. More pepper spray and grated Ivory Soap I guess.

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On a more upbeat note ...

My "Nutri-Bud Broccoli" has performed beautifully. I have always thought that broccoli was tough to grow, but this year it was problem free. I cut off the large center crowns when they were ready and then waited for other smaller shoots to sprout up. I need to replant again as broccoli is content in cooler weather.

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My potatoes are almost ready. My Father-in-law (who is from Portugal and knows a thing or two about gardening and especially about potatoes) told me that potatoes stay in the ground for 3 months, which basically boils down to waiting until the plants are completely done flowering. Then, the plants should be trimmed down --- wait one week --- then dig them out. While I was trimming the tops off I ran into several potatoes here and there, and they looked beautiful! My red potatoes are the most gorgeous red, and the Russian Banana fingerling potatoes look impressive. Of course I will be worried until I pull them all out of the ground that they are half devoured by some pest or other -- but what I saw today looked encouraging. This is the first time I've tried growing potatoes. It seems miraculous to me. Better than unwrapping a gift at Christmastime. Tomatoes, a vegetable I've grown for years, plod along from seedling to plant to flowers to fruit. But, you see the whole thing as it happens. Potatoes do this amazing thing behind closed doors. Wonderful.

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My Siberian Kale is flourishing. I've been making braised mixed greens. Stealing a few branches off of my turnips and beets -- mixing them with the kale. Cover the bottom of a pan with olive oil. Throw in 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of salt (depending on how many greens you're cooking), plenty of freshly ground pepper and a bunch of shakes of crushed red pepper (I like them spicy), thinly sliced garlic and if you have it- some sliced onions -- cook until translucent and slightly golden over medium heat. Then put the greens in -- they should be slightly damp from being rinsed which will help to steam them. Put the cover on the pan. Toss the greens around from time to time. Take off heat when the greens are done to your likeness. Eat!

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A few of the beets that took early in the season were ready for eating. I baked them in the oven the good ole Fannie Farmer way with butter, salt and pepper. They were fabulous.

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My zucchini and yellow squash are only doing OK. Some of the flowers are just falling off (not pollinated?) I should have planted more. That is one thing I've learned. I feared having too many of one thing and therefore planted conservatively with some things. But, invariably some plants get eaten, stomped on, or just don't take. This is true for my zucchini, eggplants and okra plants. Next year.

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My tomato plants are big and loaded with fruit -- but green fruit. As my father was lamenting the other day ... here in New England tomatoes are for August and September and that's it. But, the are worth the wait and the short season.

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I planted loads of peppers. Cayenne, Jalapeno, Thai, Sweet Red Peppers, Orange Peppers ... especially red pepper plants. I've been worried about them because I was pushing the planting season a little, then we had a cold couple of weeks. I read that peppers wont produce fruit if they are "put out in the cold". So far I have flowers and I am starting to see baby peppers peek out. Exciting.

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Alright, I've gone on long enough. More gardening news later ....

Tut Tuttle Trip

For your viewing enjoyment ... We are back in our wooded, inland home ... closer to "civilization" including access to my computer with photo card access and faster than Victor's laptop. So, for your viewing enjoyment here are some pictures of our trip on Tut Tuttle to Cuttyhunk and Nantucket. Enjoy! (PS: Am I the only one who struggles to format these pages? Suggestions anyone?)

Pretty dern cute.

Aren't they cute? During the summers, when my snowbird parents are "up north", we, along with my brother and his family, go to Mom and Dad's little golfing community on Tuesdays for Family Night. There is always some form of entertainment for the kiddos and a buffet dinner that keeps everyone happy (parents and poor eaters like Ripley included). Before summer struck, Mom cleverly shopped for "matching" clothes for the Grandkids. Here they are in their "yellow attire". From left to right: Ripley, Rosalie, Benjamin and Reese. Coming soon ... Scott and Tanya's number three boy! (due July 29th) Thanks for the good times Grandmama and Gramp!

Summer Fun

Yesterday was the Little Compton Road Race and Church Fair. Ripley and Benjamin ran in fun runs for the kids -- their first ever -- and had a great time. I ran the 4.8 mile run along with our friend Vivian. Vivian is hardcore and finished the race in 36 minutes. I on the other hand was thrilled and feeling great after finishing in 46 minutes. The Church Fair is fabulous with all kinds of game activities for the kids from a climbing wall, to your typical moon bounce, to donut on a string eating contests, to bean bag tosses and fishing for things in a kiddie pool. They had a great grill going with reasonably priced fare, and a "yard sale" (I think they called it a White Elephant sale) to die for. By the time we got to that part the paper back books were on sale for "four for a dollar". I purchased: A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton, The Known World by Edward P. Jones, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, Four Great Plays by IBSEN including A Doll's House, The Wild Duck, An Enemy of the People and Ghosts, To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, the play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, Martin Dressler by Steven Millhauser, Empire Falls by Richard Russo, and for the kids Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Bread-and-Butter Journey by Anne Colver. Of those, I've only read Little House on the Prairie.

After the Fair, we made our way to the beach with friends and enjoyed fabulous weather, beautiful water temps, and FUN WAVES. All of us had our turn catching waves on the boogie boards. What a blast! Afterwards we made our way back to the house for a BBQ of chicken, burgers, hot dogs, coleslaw, potato salad, tossed salad and Popsicles. I have to wait to share photos with you until I have access to a computer with a photo card access -- I'm still on Victor's laptop. Stay tuned.

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.