Monday, June 25, 2012

Why Do I Use Herbs?


Lemon Balm on Fruit and Chive Blossoms on Lettuce

Chicken, Zucchini, and Basil
 While eating dinner my kids asked me,"Why do you put so many leaves on our food?"  Excellent question!  I think that one, if your food looks beautiful, it tells your mind it is going to taste good.  Second,  fresh herbs inhance flavors and make veggies taste better.

Cucumber, Pepper, and Basil


 Lately, when I have been tucking my youngest daughter to bed, after prayers, she says, "For breakfast I want, a sandwhich with whip cream, and pink frosting, and sprinkles and a cherry on top."  I laugh, and tell her I don't have any cherries but that sounds yummy.  For me, gathering fresh herbs from the garden and sprinkling them on my food is like having a cherry on top. 

I never get tired of the sunsets each evening at our house.  It is like the "cherry on top" at the end of they day.  The pinks and oranges are so glorious, I wanted to share this photo.  I hope you have a day filled with great flavor! 

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Farm Chick


June Lettuce



 I attended the "Farm Chick" show in Spokane earlier this month.  It is such an event that stirs me to be creative and embrace the urban farm chick that I am.  Being outside, and wrapping up school has not allowed me to sit and write or take many pictures of what I've been cooking.  I do know that my heart is full with thoughts of happiness;
 1) spending time with my family 2) watching my lettuce plants grow. 

I was so happy to share the farm chick show with my sister and her mother in law.  Vintage, creative, goodies as far as the eye could see!

 Last night, I ate the first of my lettuce crop that I started two months ago.  Planting and eating what you grow is such a simple joy.  I find it rewarding each year.  The lettuce is great the spinach, not so much.  It keeps bolting before I go to pick the spinach leaves.  Gardening is such trial and error, like so many things in life.  Today, I say, Hooray for lettuce! 

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Mountain Air



      I went with my daughter to her field trip.  We were on top of a mountain at the Chewelah Peak Learning Center.  Fresh air, hiking, mountain views, huckleberry bushes, many 6th graders.  All are wondrous.  
     This green bush has light colored berries on them, soon to be dark beautiful huckleberries.  On our hike we saw bear, elk, and deer tracks.  Amazing.


     I am a forager through and through.  Gathering, picking, plucking, all  are tasks that I look forward to doing.  In the past I have picked apples, pears, huckleberries, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.  Pure Joy.  I strongly believe that food you have gathered or grown yourself tastes sweeter.
     Mountain air provides me rejuvenation, life, and clarity.  Today, I am thankful for the mountain air.