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    T Tuesday: CSA edition

    Last week we received our first box of produce from our CSA. What a bounty!

    All of that came from the 3/4 bushel box on the table.

    Loon Organics CSA week 1

    Another really cool feature is a “swap box” at the pickup site. If you see something in the box you’d rather have, you can swap it out for something in your box. That’s how I ended up with 2 bunches of radishes. I swapped the second bunch for a bag of arugula.

    Carrots, beets, bok choy, garlic scapes, mixed spring greens, spinach and radishes all in week one! AND the basil plant in my deck box. I knew from seeing the boxes last year that we’d likely get one so I didn’t bother planting any…just left a spot for it instead.

    CSA basil plant

    Between the CSA, our home garden and the garden space at my in-laws, we should be eating super healthy this summer!

    I’ll update you on my gardens next week. They are growing like crazy. I’m so happy to walk out there every morning to see the growth. I don’t even mind having to pull a few weeds and use the watering can to hand water the spaces with our collected rain water.

    I hadn’t realized until just a few days ago how much my focus changes to the outdoors in the summer. Likely because our winters are so long and sometimes harsh that we tend to spend as much time as possible outdoors.

    Mini-me and I are off for a small adventure today since J is at work!! He got his first job and is at his second day of training today.

    What are you doing today?

  • Blog - Kitchen

    T Tuesday: early harvest edition

    Since school has been out I feel as if I’m busier than before. Not sure how that happened. Yesterday we went to my in-laws house to plant in their garden. I had 3 tomato plants yet to plant from the ones I started back in March. I also planted summer squash, green beans and snow peas.

    So where does the harvest come in, you ask. They have a huge strawberry patch and wanted us to pick. Mini-me and I picked nearly three 5 quart ice cream pails full.

    I also harvested some rhubarb so I could make a batch of muffins. Mini-me and I are the only ones who will eat rhubarb, so I’m cautious on how much I pick. I baked these muffins in the afternoon.

    rhubarb muffins

    I’m really not much of a baker. In fact I don’t like to do it at all. Too much measuring. Rules to follow. Not my thing. But this recipe, which I slightly adapted from the original on allrecipes.com, turned out perfect in looks, texture and taste.

    Rhubarb muffins

    • 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
    • 1 egg
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 cup buttermilk
    • 2 1/2 cups flour
    • 1 tsp baking soda
    • 1 tsp baking powder
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 2 cups diced rhubarb

    sugar crumb topping

    • 1 Tbsp melted butter
    • 1/3 cup organic cane sugar
    • 1 tsp cinnamon

    Using an electric mixer, combine first 5 ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Then add the dry ingredients.  Again mix until thoroughly incorporated. Lastly toss in the rhubarb. This may be easier done by hand unless you have a large paddle on your mixer.

    Place muffin liners in pan and fill each nearly to the top. Next melt the butter and add the sugar and cinnamon. (next time I think I’ll add some rolled oats for more texture) scoop a bit on topping on each muffin.

    Bake at 350°F for 25 mins and enjoy.

    rhubarb muffins

    Today will be spent painting mini-me’s room. She’s picked out a very sophisticated grey. I’ll share some before and after photos when we’re done…hopefully next week for T stands for Tuesday!

    What are you doing today?

  • Blog - Kitchen

    Handmade cutting board

    board3Look at this fantastic cutting board Big J made in school! He gave it to me for an early Mother’s Day gift.

    It started as two planks of wood. One hickory and one oak. The mix of woods gives interest to the board.

    board2

    It’s nice and thick…more of a butcher block. It’s beautiful.

    board

    I can’t wait to see what he makes next in the metals portion of this class.

    HAPPY EARTH DAY!

    Remember to be good to our planet today and everyday,

    PS…stop by my friend Elizabeth’s blog today and wish her a Happy Birthday!