A GARDEN FOR SOMEONE ELSE

The other morning, the purple beans were ready. There were dozen of them, fat and ready to pick. They are always a favorite crop, because they're magic: they are purple on the vine, but the heat of cooking makes them green.

 

"Purple for Ava and green for Dylan." Ava says, satisfied with these vegetable that are willing to be both their favorite colors.

 

The garden is coming in like mad. The best crop of tomatoes I've had in the three years we've planted here. And corn sprouting on every stalk, the first time we've ever had success with it.

 



 

Basil growing in bushes already. I've already made my first batch of pesto and there is plenty more, waiting on the plants.

 

 

Pure heart watermelons, literally covering the vines, swelling everyday, waiting for the 4th of July.

 

And my cucumbers. I can always count on them.

 

This year, we planted edible flowers all through the garden, to encourage bees. And for making flower sandwiches.

 

 

The kids have their own bed and always plant sunflowers, and this year they chose the mammoth variety.

"Don't you want to plant anything else in your garden bed?"

"Where will our dinosaurs play if there are plants in the way?!"

I love my garden. I love working in it and the surprise of things suddenly there. One morning there is a tiny cucumber attached to a blossom. And in two days, it's huge and ready to be chopped up for a salad. Little seeds, that turn into this.

 

But this year, this garden isn't mine. Because soon, very soon, we will be leaving here and moving somewhere new. To start a new garden and grow new things. But for now, I'm tending tomatoes for someone else to enjoy. And I hope they enjoy them. I hope the new people who will live in this home partially chose it for the garden. For the idea of fresh veggies and the raised beds and all of it tended and ready just for them. But the truth is, it won't be mine anymore. And if they tear my garden out and put in a pool, if they cement it over for a basketball court, I hope they enjoy that too. Because it won't be mine anymore, it will be there's.

 

But until then, I'll water and weed, and pick cucumbers and watch for the first red tomato of the season.

HOMEMADE TORTILLA CHIPS & BLACK BEANS W/ GOAT CHEESE AND SALSA

Obviously, I'm on a Mexican food kick lately. And when I say lately, I mean always. Mexican food and me is pretty much a can't stop/won't stop situation.

 

There are worse addictions.

 

Anyway. These black beans are just delicious. The creamy tartness of the goat cheese with the spiciness of the salsa is a winning combination. The chips are crisp and warm and so simple to make. The whole things is an easy, throw together meal. I mean, it's barely a real recipe. It's just upping our game with the refried bean scene. And yes, there is a scene.

 

Go ahead, feed your Mexican food addiction.

 

Homemade Tortilla Chips

8 small corn tortillas

drizzle of canola oil

Sea Salt, to taste

 

Cut the tortillas into quarters. Place cut tortillas on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle liberally with coarse sea salt. Place baking sheet under the broiled (525 degrees) for 6 minutes, shake baking sheet and broil for an additional 5 minutes. Keep an eye on the chips, as they can easily burn. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve with black beans with goat cheese and salsa (recipe follows).

 

Black Beans with Goat Cheese and Salsa

Refried Black Beans (see recipe)

1 ounce goat cheese

1-2 tablespoons your favorite salsa

 

Prepare refried black beans. Remove from heat, dollop on the goat cheese and drizzle with salsa. Serve with homemade tortilla chips.

A FROZEN BIRTHDAY

 

Blurry, but adorbs.

My daughter is obsessed with Frozen, so naturally, when we asked her what kind of birthday party she wanted, it was "A Frozen birthday!!!"

 

But, she had specifics.

 

 "Ice Castle Cake. Blue with purple flags. Three of them".

 

 

"Olaf BALLOON!!"

 

 

"Carrots for Sven!"

 

 

"Play dough!" (Really?? We used it as a favor.)

 

I've found that with a group of little kids, one game and a craft is sufficient for a party. They acted out scenes from Frozen outside in our playhouse as their "game" and for a craft we built snowmen from marshmallows, pretzels, and candied orange slices. I just set up a station and let the kids work on them throughout the party.

 

 

The kids loved it.

 

 

Ava had a fantastic time and the party turned out perfect. Happy birthday, baby girl!

 

Ava's Anna Dress, Blooms and Bugs via Etsy

 

Cake Inspiration

 

Olaf Craft

 

 



HONEYMOON GUACAMOLE

When I got married, we didn't have the time (or the money) for a real honeymoon. My husband is military and we only had time off for the wedding it's self and the cross country move to get back to his duty station. But we had an extra night after the wedding and we went up to Truckee. While we there, we ate a meal so perfect that it was apparent that our married life was on the right track from the start. It was at a little Mexican restaurant and we started with the best guacamole I have, hands down, ever had. (Part of this might have been because we had been living in Georgia for the past couple years, where a Mexican restaurant had once served me "enchiladas" with cream gravy on them, no I am not joking.)

 

This is pretty close to that honeymoon guacamole. And since we just recently celebrated our 10 year (!!) anniversary, it seems only appropriate that we celebrate these years with a taste of our beginning. Make it and share it with someone you love.

 

This recipe is based on how much you like toppings.

Honeymoon Guacamole

Serves 2

 

Ingredients:

2 Hass avocados

1-2 tablespoon your favorite salsa

Big dollop of sour cream

Shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Chopped black olives

Hot sauce

 

Peel and smash the avocados with a fork. Sprinkle with salt. Add salsa, combine. Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, olives, and a sprinkle of hot sauce. Serve with tortilla chips.

Enjoy!

 





READING LIST: CALL THE MIDWIFE

 

 

Have you heard of Call the Midwife? It's a television show on PBS about midwives in postwar London in the East End. It's a fascinating show with a great cast. It is inspired by the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, which are even more fascinating then the television show.

 

Jennifer Worth (formally Lee) was a nurse and midwife in the 1950's who went to work in London's East End after the war with a small Anglican nunnery. She herself was not part of the religious order, but worked and lived at the convent with both the nuns and other young nurse/midwives like herself. There she recorded not just the work she was doing on a day to day basis, but the history of midwifery, medical care, and the people of the East End in England.

 

This trilogy is honest and beautifully written, and shows not only the great work these women were doing but the hardships that the people were facing. It is detailed and unsentimental (the television show can get a bit sentimental), and shows the deep honor these women took in providing the medical care that people so desperately needed.

 

From the dark alleys of prostitution, to the notorious work houses, to the family that gladly anticipates their 25th child, these books are simply wonderful.