tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76950592250095887372024-02-01T21:46:15.727-08:00The Good Food MuseMeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-41356850367590602212013-04-25T18:55:00.000-07:002013-04-25T18:55:30.356-07:00Small Beginings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypJ6xgaAtS0QzEKBkE8NA73G6OwFW0vzkYrE9FJ2Jscao1Xu_-vsny2M0y6KG8PmrUaF8TCbz7u2i-DGZQF_uKhDgD2hhoGZc3JKyIWz4gGHJM1ydK9buqErbcMGOQYdMrz3w1HVs3_I/s1600/garden5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypJ6xgaAtS0QzEKBkE8NA73G6OwFW0vzkYrE9FJ2Jscao1Xu_-vsny2M0y6KG8PmrUaF8TCbz7u2i-DGZQF_uKhDgD2hhoGZc3JKyIWz4gGHJM1ydK9buqErbcMGOQYdMrz3w1HVs3_I/s400/garden5.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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After what seems like the longest winter in history, spring is finally here. What a relief, and what a joy! It seems that our Wisconsin climate has become prone to wild fluctuations - one year it's so hot and dry that nothing will grow, the next it's too cold and wet.... let's just hope that after this late start we can pull together a decent growing season.</div>
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I'm reading Barbara Kingsolver's new novel, <i>Flight Behavior</i>. She is a delightful writer, and one of my favorites. This book tackles the subject of global climate change in a unique way that I've found very insightful and also very scary. What's in store for us in the years to come? Supporting a local food economy and gaining the skills to grow and preserve my family's food seem more important than ever. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbpLT5CmBVxZQ-PBMkFDXSDLm3FsnR3fEXMk1Z7aHu7VYLr11DVRYkhQa5IEwanIwQk3L_2QOp0ha-25yzwc-8QmWWyqEeW0k15qSUmN75x95dRQpsWfmoUDY8ZWxIqCLHV1_Nn5WrJI/s1600/garden1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbpLT5CmBVxZQ-PBMkFDXSDLm3FsnR3fEXMk1Z7aHu7VYLr11DVRYkhQa5IEwanIwQk3L_2QOp0ha-25yzwc-8QmWWyqEeW0k15qSUmN75x95dRQpsWfmoUDY8ZWxIqCLHV1_Nn5WrJI/s320/garden1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a small step toward that goal. Newly planted seed beds! Most of the early spring planting is done, and I'm beginning to think the seeds might even come up.<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtAcsddMgkaCsmaKDnNKV6Ct8f1Cj5eBXrWq_DNyVhv9B2yAi_Yn-y65I4VkPUHgURJ9YD1BnAH7Yzh9d-b0Lbl1ElKfbhidFCukr8HA-8QOu2SNYHDP7o7QfHGRS-Bh5cnS_cLA-dlo/s1600/garden2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtAcsddMgkaCsmaKDnNKV6Ct8f1Cj5eBXrWq_DNyVhv9B2yAi_Yn-y65I4VkPUHgURJ9YD1BnAH7Yzh9d-b0Lbl1ElKfbhidFCukr8HA-8QOu2SNYHDP7o7QfHGRS-Bh5cnS_cLA-dlo/s320/garden2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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A row of Spinach and a row of Kale (Lacinato and Red Russian). This weekend I'll add a row of lettuce and hopefully in a few weeks we'll have baby greens to make salad. I've also seeded radishes, peas, and cilantro. Nothing has broken ground, but hopefully this weekend we'll see some small beginnings.</div>
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We started broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, and parsley indoors in March. Most of it is under lights in the basement, waiting for summer weather. The broccoli is hardening off in the patio and will be planted this weekend.<br /></div>
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Have I mentioned that we got new chickens? The old flock went to a new home in order to lessen my load of responsibilities when the baby came. These girls are a year old, already laying. They are two Light Sussex, a Sussex/Rhode Island Red cross, and a Blue Marans. Pretty girls, and so nice to have eggs again!<br />
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Strawberries just beginning to make themselves known. We have yet to get a decent crop from this planting - here's hoping this year is our year. How hungry I am for sun warmed, sweet, soft, fresh picked berries!<br />
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and then there's this little guy - a seed that was planted over a year ago, and growing at an unbelievable rate. How I'll be able to handle my gardening tasks this summer with him tagging along is still a mystery.</div>
<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-53882923754979354142013-04-08T18:39:00.003-07:002013-04-08T18:39:28.185-07:00Blank Canvas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODtQGlXDTVEiy0V5fLGNIYVkk2a7AuBKv3QT5wdCP7TR2d_Hdm2aygfSimxWS5dT0Xo_xGt59KrxrgqhSEKGp4HpT14ROoSqSQ51wdBF6zAixMHAzJjSA9uJ5cGsgfjj9e7uMDcmNIJk/s1600/garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODtQGlXDTVEiy0V5fLGNIYVkk2a7AuBKv3QT5wdCP7TR2d_Hdm2aygfSimxWS5dT0Xo_xGt59KrxrgqhSEKGp4HpT14ROoSqSQ51wdBF6zAixMHAzJjSA9uJ5cGsgfjj9e7uMDcmNIJk/s640/garden.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The snow is finally gone! After what seems to be the longest winter in my life, spring is finally here. A wonderful drenching rain came this morning to wash away some of the winter filth, and then around noon the sun came out and the temperature rose to a whopping 62 degrees. Heaven! The baby, the dog and I took a long walk and I swear the grass was greener when we got home than it was when we left.<br />
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The garden is muddy, but other than that it's ready to go. Oh, the possibilities! We have seeds started in the basement, and it's just about time to get some the cool weather veggies in the ground. We'll have this home garden, plus our plot at the McCormick Community Gardens, and possibly another community garden on Atwood. I've been on the waiting list for a few years now and I have a feeling this year will be our year.<br />
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Three gardens, a full time job, and a 6 month old baby. Can she do it? Time will tell. This time of year anything seems possible.Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-63025413956025721332013-04-02T12:11:00.002-07:002013-04-02T12:11:21.946-07:00Spinach Salad with Blood Oranges, Strawberries, and Pepitos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXN6WwmHc8CMV-s7hh38z4dZGG60Pfm65CiKAToj6fxHInTApD-dUdR3uzPMSw442yUelUMXK4fOX6gaFg4_jrjkSsIHfQ3mkrRcnmUYR_cHurhemhp1FGbt7YS7f9EKBP5CISBqZLbEQ/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXN6WwmHc8CMV-s7hh38z4dZGG60Pfm65CiKAToj6fxHInTApD-dUdR3uzPMSw442yUelUMXK4fOX6gaFg4_jrjkSsIHfQ3mkrRcnmUYR_cHurhemhp1FGbt7YS7f9EKBP5CISBqZLbEQ/s400/photo+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Spring has been exceptionally slow in coming this year. The daylight has increased, but the temperatures have still been colder than normal, and there's still snow cover in a lot of areas... Frustrating to say the least, especially for a new mother ready to show her baby the wonders of nature! At least the local spinach is here, though! This is grown in hoop-houses by my friends at <a href="http://westridgeproduce.com/">Westridge Organic Produce</a>, and wow is it good! So flavorful and alive - it makes you realize just how un-fresh many of our "fresh" vegetables are all winter.</div>
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There was an Easter potluck planned at my Aunt's house last Sunday, so I decided to counteract some of the candy, cupcakes, and other sweets with a springtime spinach salad.</div>
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Yes, I know that strawberry season is a long way off. The California season is starting up, but these beauts are from farther parts than that even: Mexico. I have nothing against Mexican produce, organic strawberries go so very well with spinach, and these are really nice right now, so I went for it. Really, a lot of the Mexican produce production happens almost as near to us as California, so why discriminate? </div>
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Pepitos, also known by their more boring name: pumpkin seeds. I was debating putting bacon in this salad. I didn't, but I compromised by toasting these in the bacon grease left in the pan from our Easter breakfast bacon. Delish. I'll have to remember that trick next Halloween! I bought these raw and unsalted and added salt to the pan as they were toasting. Thanks to my friend Max for the pumpkin seed idea - they worked out great!</div>
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The last ingredient was a bunch of these beautiful blood oranges. The longer I've known blood oranges, the more I've grown to love them. These are not anything like the safe, sweet, predictable navels. Blood oranges have a burst of tart, fresh, flavor that can knock your socks off - not to mention the beauty of their amazing color. I just love them. They are past peak season now, but as one of the late maturing citrus fruits, they still belong in my spring salad.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KHJ0gSVp_2cDcTzb-CcDw3lifvHcCZv4O-x-F7tQldYE235xS2uARqH-ur9Sb0SxOCh1y-QPSmi7Ho6aMmB6y7uEJGuQEppYsIwYbeNLa3FuPY9VRC4orWNIimJhaAWl-8YXPqg16Y0/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KHJ0gSVp_2cDcTzb-CcDw3lifvHcCZv4O-x-F7tQldYE235xS2uARqH-ur9Sb0SxOCh1y-QPSmi7Ho6aMmB6y7uEJGuQEppYsIwYbeNLa3FuPY9VRC4orWNIimJhaAWl-8YXPqg16Y0/s400/photo-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The finished product. I dressed it with a simple balsamic (olive oil, blood orange juice, balsamic vinegar, basil, black pepper, and salt). Yum. </div>
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Here's a simple recipe. No quantities - in this kind of salad, everything should be to taste.</div>
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<b>Dressing</b></div>
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Extra Virgin Olive Oil</div>
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Fresh Juice of a few Blood Oranges</div>
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Aged Balsamic Vinegar</div>
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Dried Basil (or fresh is you have it!)</div>
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Fresh Ground Black Pepper</div>
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Salt</div>
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Combine everything in a jar with a tight lid. Shake well just before using.</div>
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<b>Salad</b></div>
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Raw Pumpkin Seeds</div>
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Bacon Grease from a Pastured Hog (or Olive Oil or any other oil you like)</div>
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Salt</div>
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Fresh Organic Baby Spinach</div>
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Organic Blood Oranges, segmented and cut into 1" pieces plus one orange cut into slices for garnish</div>
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Organic Strawberries, cut into quarters or 1/8ths plus a few cut into halves for garnish</div>
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Blood Orange Balsamic Dressing </div>
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Toast the pumpkin seeds in a skillet over medium heat with the bacon grease or oil. Stir often, until the seeds are nicely browned. Add salt to taste. Wait until just before serving and then mix everything together. Toss well, then garnish the top with slices of blood orange and strawberry halves.</div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-47733640326437445282013-03-26T18:17:00.002-07:002013-03-26T18:17:25.942-07:00Beautiful Broth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I really don't understand how anyone can cook a roast chicken and then just throw away the carcass. Chicken stock is divine, easy to do, healthful, and it makes your house smell amazing on a cold early spring day. What's not to love?</div>
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This stock was particularly beautiful. Leek tops, celery leaves, carrots, and of course the carcass of the roast chicken we enjoyed the night before. Cover it all with water and simmer for at least a few hours.</div>
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If you plan to make soup, it's important to pick any remaining meat off the bones before you begin. If you leave it on and boil it with the stock, it will get tough and overcooked and not good for much.</div>
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After a few hours, here's what we have. Not quite as pretty, but boy did it smell amazing!</div>
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The last step is to skim any foam off the top and strain out the solids. The light in this picture is a little weird, but you can see what a beautiful color it is, with a nice layer of yellow fat at the top.... you can tell this was a pastured chicken (local of course)! It's is an <a href="http://www.westonaprice.org/food-features/why-broth-is-beautiful">incredibly nutritious liquid</a>, and will make a rich, satisfying soup. </div>
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I always make enough to make one batch of soup and extra to freeze. That gives me at least three meals out of one chicken - good for the pocketbook, and a really nice way to fully utilize the animal.</div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-15648127196162365662013-03-10T19:07:00.002-07:002013-03-10T19:08:20.249-07:00White Tea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One thing about breastfeeding is that it makes you hungry and thirsty pretty much all the time. I've never been a very good water-drinker, especially this time of year when the chill in the air makes any cold liquid unappealing. I've been craving hot drinks of all kinds, and this has become my pre-bedtime ritual.<br />
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When I say "white tea", I don't meant the caffeinated beverage that's derived from the tea plant. That kind of white tea has become somewhat trendy these days. No, this is a favorite beverages from my childhood, no caffeine, no actual tea involved at all. An old lady friend used to make it for us kids, and we'd drink it with her and her husband when they had the more adult version - black tea. My memories are vague, but I believe Edie (that was her name) came from somewhere on the East Coast. Her family, I remember, came from the Isle of Man - I used to be so intrigued by her stories of the land where cats have no tails...... </div>
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Anyway, white tea. I've learned since that it's also sometimes called "Cambric Tea," named after the white fabric. It's the simplest thing - 1/4 milk, 3/4 hot water, and a spoonful of honey. I know it doesn't sound too exciting, it's not really, but it is just the thing to warm you up before going to bed on a cold winter night.</div>
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<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-29936055460600826782013-02-02T19:27:00.001-08:002013-02-02T19:27:07.419-08:00My New Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I remember being really annoyed when a food blogger that I used to follow had a baby and seemed to forget about food for a while and fill her blog with baby pictures and updates. What a fool I was!<br />
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Not only has having a baby made me forget all about blogging almost completely, but my hang up with Good Food, too, has fallen by the wayside. Even when I do remember that I'm supposed to be a kind or sort of "foodie," it's only for brief moments - certainly not long enough to make a decent meal. I am now in awe that the other blogger continued as much as she did; and that she had even a few food related posts in those first few months.<br />
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Let me backup for a second: Leo was born December 13, making him 7 weeks and 2 days old today. I won't go into to it too much, but he is a pretty wonderful little thing - when he's not screaming.<br />
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Though I kept up pretty well with my local, "good food" regime while I was pregnant, everything has gone out the window in the last two months. It didn't help that I had to have an unexpected cesarian section - just getting out of the house to buy groceries became a huge endeavor, not to mention finding the time and energy to make something creative.<br />
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My breakfasts and lunches have been quick bites grabbed in those peaceful and unplanned moments while the baby is sleeping. Apples and peanut-butter, leftover Chinese takeout, almond butter and honey sandwiches.... the things that sustain but do not excite. Dinner has been quickly planned and executed by Stanley or myself. Rarely has it been culinarily interesting. Often it has been take-out.<br />
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I've recently started using the baby carier quite a bit, and that makes things a little easier, although cooking isn't quite the same with a whimpering infant strapped to your front.<br />
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In short, food has become much more about just getting quick calories and some nutrition into my body and less about "voting with my fork". Breastfeeding, it turns out, burns significantly more calories than pregnancy. I was never so hungry during those 9 months of pregnancy as I am now.<br />
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I go back to work in less than a week. The nature of my job means that I will automatically be more in tune with what's going on in the seasonal produce world. Grocery shopping will get a lot easier. There will be less time to cook, but hopefully as the baby and I continue to adjust to each other, we can come up with some routines that allow for cooking time.<br />
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I'm not sure if anyone still reads this, but I'll try to update out progress as I can. This new phase of life is incredibly challenging in so many ways, food being a big one.Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-81903972735172588172012-09-01T18:37:00.001-07:002012-09-01T18:42:47.630-07:00New BeginningsHello ~ Yes, it's been a long time since I've posted! New phases of life have led to new priorities and new endeavors, and that's not necessarily a bad thing!<br />
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I'd like to invite everyone to visit my new blog: In <a href="http://inuterolocavore.blogspot.com/">Utero Locavore</a>. Here's a taste from the first post:<br />
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<b>Beginnings </b><br />
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Hello everyone! It's been almost a full year since I've posted to my blog, The Good Food Muse, and given the long period of time and the changes in my life, I thought it fitting that I start a new project.<br />
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As you can probably guess from the blog title, I'm pregnant! Stanley and I are expecting a baby boy in mid-December, which makes me 24 weeks along, almost at the 2/3 mark. Pregnancy hasn't been easy, but it hasn't been all that hard either. Especially once I could feel the movements of the baby in my womb, and the idea that there really<i>is</i> a little person in there became really real to me, excitement overwhelmed the feelings of discomfort. Hopefully that keeps up!<br />
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So what's this new blog about? Well, anything I write at this point in my life will invariably be about baby. It's really all I think about at times, and I can't leave him out. That's a given.<br />
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I've been thinking about how cool it is that my baby is made up entirely of things that I have eaten in the past months, many of them local. He's only a little over 1lb now, with a lot more weight to gain in the next three months. What percentage of him will come directly out of the Wisconsin soil? What does this mean for him as new human being? What does this mean for his mother and family? These are questions I hope to delve into here.<br />
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I've also started thinking about local beyond food. How can I welcome my baby in a way that upholds the same principals that draw me to local food? How can I enter into motherhood in a way that is good for me, good for my baby, and also good to the planet, it's soil, it's animals, and the economy of the place we call home?
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Of increasing importance to me as I plan for my family's future, is how do I do all this without spending way too much money? It seems that a lifestyle in which organic, sustainable, and local are central factors is reserved only for people who can afford it. Is there a way to do it in a way that is economically sustainable for my family and also realistic for our available time and energy? We shall see.<br />
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As September rolls closer, I've realized that I've done some sort of eat local challenge every year for 5 years. I can't imagine stopping now. I plan to start this blog with an eat local challenge, and explore what that means for a pregnant lady. If time and energy still exist, I'll continue through the birth of my baby boy, exploring all of the themes above, and more as they come up.<br />
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So there you have it: <span id="goog_530761223"></span><a href="http://inuterolocavore.blogspot.com/">In Utero Locavore</a><span id="goog_530761224"></span>.
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-74594439721417422242012-01-01T08:18:00.000-08:002012-01-01T16:34:43.968-08:00And Now for Something Completely Different<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCYBpHf1BLVtbgDQIxwynfcWBJxiSvNQzL1gNTW0sQN4cthYdvkjuhghwKmqhg3f68GyaJOxXvd94Br170i8z3eu3K1PnnGXt22NSxTcdR8HL9QbAQJ12XLwmYvIDYw3MjRZTprctRHM/s1600/IMG_1367.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCYBpHf1BLVtbgDQIxwynfcWBJxiSvNQzL1gNTW0sQN4cthYdvkjuhghwKmqhg3f68GyaJOxXvd94Br170i8z3eu3K1PnnGXt22NSxTcdR8HL9QbAQJ12XLwmYvIDYw3MjRZTprctRHM/s400/IMG_1367.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692699553193355362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div>Remember back in October when I mentioned the bin of huge decorative pumpkins we picked up at the Amish produce auction? These were prominent decorations at our wedding, and of course we couldn't just get rid of them afterward. </div><div><br /></div><div>So here's where they are now - decorations turned into winter sustenance for the neighborhood squirrels. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsc06Eh-Y9CaKjpLIoCY0xKlS7BJ-GMs_UQ6ogICplsWAOI8N4XCit4F31jbanBxx5KFuUSVqjxpo8001Yu_KD7E-eNpMEDVUWKTO14qV7XhLbJqY8hhcDAJHhynka6CFBrW7oeirWO0/s1600/IMG_1365.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsc06Eh-Y9CaKjpLIoCY0xKlS7BJ-GMs_UQ6ogICplsWAOI8N4XCit4F31jbanBxx5KFuUSVqjxpo8001Yu_KD7E-eNpMEDVUWKTO14qV7XhLbJqY8hhcDAJHhynka6CFBrW7oeirWO0/s400/IMG_1365.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692699551204732450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXksH2lyGpHnQD7P6cbfgLJohUyOVi4E82LMBehWNsJ0dXtshM8HqtX0STBJaygVwJW9hkyplWO-Thbin6Yfw8MKDcZpRyX4PXZBJN2qIAR71iWViX6Z-TdhFXhFBAdNH2DJtgg1sKRxU/s1600/IMG_1364.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXksH2lyGpHnQD7P6cbfgLJohUyOVi4E82LMBehWNsJ0dXtshM8HqtX0STBJaygVwJW9hkyplWO-Thbin6Yfw8MKDcZpRyX4PXZBJN2qIAR71iWViX6Z-TdhFXhFBAdNH2DJtgg1sKRxU/s400/IMG_1364.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692699547061694514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div style="text-align: left;">Cute, no?</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-83206430878674381492011-12-27T18:29:00.000-08:002011-12-27T19:19:37.614-08:00Winter-in-California Fruit Salad<div>As part of my job schlepping produce at the local food Co-op, I hear people complain all too often about the lack of peaches, grapes, and watermelon in our produce aisle this time of year. It's as if with the absence of these summer fruits, there is nothing left worth eating. How far from the truth.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYuAXVyFHVHo9pCkd2uzPwoQNFedZvHqXGbE7zECYidESgq-PSfk1mJap-YzPg5Gungf-Vx3nZ5R7hzWjyXkDG8OYYclT4rYLNZ8DxnCdiZ-jQKvG4LSd-HKc7gr6cPZaTVNl-5TAc8U/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYuAXVyFHVHo9pCkd2uzPwoQNFedZvHqXGbE7zECYidESgq-PSfk1mJap-YzPg5Gungf-Vx3nZ5R7hzWjyXkDG8OYYclT4rYLNZ8DxnCdiZ-jQKvG4LSd-HKc7gr6cPZaTVNl-5TAc8U/s400/IMG_1347.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691002476503604770" /></a><div>For our family's Christmas brunch, one of my contributions was this fruit salad, which is chock full of some of the most beautiful seasonal fruits. Yes, you can buy peaches, strawberries, and grapes this time of year, but why on earth would you eat these under-ripe, tasteless, travelers from a hemisphere away when you can have wonderful fruit that was grown right here in the good 'ol USA?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIszcCOj8ECvwSm7CazrVGSsqq-4FyGBAQ5A2D1AyC1zTZVrW1YooviNKIIM0qxa6SdewET7GAn-LZntIrouknV0hawWx-jNE6LoohY7hQYc3f48pjH5gWdh76Q2Jg_HERh93l75Xerw/s400/IMG_1333.JPG" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Satsuma mandarins from <a href="http://www.sidehillcitrus.com/">Side Hill Citrus</a>. The perfect combination of tart and sweet in a deliciously juicy package. The citrus season is just beginning!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Yqpj66XeByoDMrcx5PB5cCxAZ5gOMNTOOr2BR4KJTOib-k2e7_lIU6rR9H26yqsK88hcbIzztR7CdqreHdE5yhQedjVJWmjgxmDODm1iTy3pQjzQCKXoFJsGr1Q_zQhlLSnbKkCz83M/s400/IMG_1337.JPG" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kiwi, another Vitamin C rich winter fruit. Like pears, kiwi have to be stored for a period of time after harvest in order to develop their sugars. They're only now reaching their winter time sweetness.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_inAqAx9b44XtUiZc2X6Ne4gAvr1U9BFbu5C8-9wE5GNTNT-DvT1m8s-kzd-_pN5iFLElbAWm7PbPXnkN48DtzrIHORu9ziOMyCQvEvrz5xMP5NQndLXkEPuEt5VRwjXTl7nNjvMpOu4/s400/IMG_1338.JPG" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Two of the best winter keeping apples - Pink Lady and Arkansas Black. Yes, I know there are Wisconsin apples available now, and that I really should be using them. These California beauties are just so big and showy.... I couldn't help it. They just don't grow organic apples like this in Wisconsin. These are from Cuyama Orchards - one of my all time favorite California apple growers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZuaxbQ8RYJMq2QNCatYDZ7ypzsI80h44AmCSNsSE7_XtEs9hsUPJ__rEKHqZWKExURyk6U_1t0RRJKp8Q3l_c4aV7x_qPwJvEDCyJurNdUvKSttAj5OediFKQd9vtPK2ah9XaXJqfpg/s400/IMG_1340.JPG" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pomegranate. We found <a href="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/448091/chefs_trick_deseeding_a_pomegranate_in_seconds/">this super simple method of deseeding them</a>, which makes it easier than seems possible. Essentially, you spank it with a spoon and the arils fall out. Try it - you will be amazed. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQ4hKvcJpz5K0sqwST-IwsrbVrXG2TWMm1WT3zjtLgA9GwbQo-4NGaKoaQwYUBRdvvZlBpfwiyU4Z9ukXkAWEimlAJEsNqNJxiA_Sxgev2h3urgorZmZXHXRgX3yZ-9mp8wHRxlZ3rH4/s400/IMG_1341.JPG" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A winter fruit salad isn't complete without persimmons. I have to admit, I get a little silly about these when they're around - I really start to crave them. Unhappily, their season is just about up. Get 'em while you can. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpF1ZO3HC47mgdiWdjSCBySJAKwAbQolnmK9OKrjMcJNkGtDSYjtaQNsiQ1n5Ynj-Ifq5nZokphamFMLULAb1HR7KcEoQdp9rDu5uYeOSJ9EWqZW_Tna0dDMl7DI-_B5X1jjWKZCh7_pk/s1600/IMG_1344.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpF1ZO3HC47mgdiWdjSCBySJAKwAbQolnmK9OKrjMcJNkGtDSYjtaQNsiQ1n5Ynj-Ifq5nZokphamFMLULAb1HR7KcEoQdp9rDu5uYeOSJ9EWqZW_Tna0dDMl7DI-_B5X1jjWKZCh7_pk/s400/IMG_1344.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691002207238165122" /></a></div><div>It was all brought together by the juice of this fruit, which I have developed a new love for this winter. Passionfruit, easily juiced by my food mill. This was the secret ingredient in my cranberry sauce, the flavoring for some incredible icing, even a bit of zing to jazz up a simple glass of water. I could think of a million uses for the tangy juice of this fruit..... I already can't wait till they come back next year!</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-56965424534833427542011-11-13T17:09:00.000-08:002011-11-19T18:32:57.196-08:00Persimmons & Passion Fruit<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANlVXCPbjJ82m80weTN6YPRNIjGG3yGbo2GjumRAfqc2C7Sx52InhpVPOPqx9A2suXXlIspG57z4xlUqK6N5QQ-jSj7LoozQXu8Klnj7C9JsS4qBja0gFqYYrQx_z9Ra0Y5NsygerBgA/s400/IMG_1026.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">It all began with these fuyu persimmons. The sad thing about persimmons is that when they are really perfectly ripe, no one wants to buy them. They are squishy, gooey, bruised looking, and all around ugly - yet their flavor at this point is divine. Sweet, rich, and creamy.......I try not to use cliches very often, but "nectar of the gods" comes to minds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I bought these at a discount from my produce department because no one else wanted them. Lucky me. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JK6tPGp27zp7kgt0LOSevSstU4Ib4fS_EUf1fc7mzsjonJ17FLsJrlMjy15Lyzzumg9og5fXITwdOmrcIVh-dq8C4CjlP4JmFgj_9oHLuBvavoVPmHO82fTzdKpr5Mg2_qGsJ7JFVQE/s400/IMG_1028.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This just in: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_mill">food mills</a> are awesome. I never knew how much I needed one until I got one. Now I don't know if I could get by without it. This is what the persimmons looked like after a run through the mill. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wURRIjgTepdlXwhHC5X_GaLeRXI9RI4_GMMjeg55SJ38zCOrz6DuiyorAgK6KbGK1vi0b92aBehrifQ87c0k-ZjHtYhJrEouNz7GNDHxlGHedS3_6myvhNE-uhTujR-vSCPGfFB4uk0/s400/IMG_1039.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Persimmon Bread. <a href="http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2005/11/persimmon-bread/">This recipe</a> has <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Beard">James Beard's</a> name attached to it, so I figured it must be good. It also uses a TON of butter - another good sign. I used whole wheat flour, fresh grated nutmeg, pecans, dried cranberries, Costa Rican rum instead of cognac, and the full 2 1/2 cups of sugar. Persimmon adds a wonderful moist rich flavor to baked goods like this one. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH23A5u1waWkd1vu3AOXZ0U-YnQd8uz8IJ1Q7Z-u7leN-NBZ1-J3Ed0xjujBSyL5d26Jyo1I7a_NuU_6EEeZkNXx7xnFkrUdqdUMWHjFUK83Cxpl8Lb5lvEw5R0b6kT3vs5fk02o-JT_g/s400/IMG_1035.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Passion Fruit: another ugly duckling of the produce aisle. The rich sweetness of the persimmon is just begging for some tang for balance, and these babies are just the thing. From the outside, they look like there must be something wrong with them. As they ripen, the smooth purple fruit turn wrinkly. They are incredibly light to the touch, leading one to believe that there couldn't be much of interest inside. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The flavor is incredible. Tangy like citrus, but more complex and aromatic. Yum. Sadly, they don't get their name from passionate love... no, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Passiflora_edulis_forma_flavicarpa.jpg">their beautiful flower</a> reminded some missionary of the passion of the Christ. Don't ask me to explain that one, 'cause honestly I just don't get it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLk0mqgVCqU84-zpsPgSxN9QGAstg7QTSqm5H7dKq-S_q5ONaAAjDiZ1WqTvfYKBHZSTLEKx_8E_6M4_socwJXkcHbq5jh6m9KOTmQtj8B5ktL4tuaSB-cn-2lMA04-Ok6Cfp_cZEe3I/s400/IMG_1036.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Food mill to the rescue once again. This handy tool easily and quickly sorted the hard crunchy seeds from the flavorful juice. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou27rqUgjafiE2Avm5Nfc8f_PD4Y2tEAxyIseqS6lrsrZ2taFtcKVMB5ffBjvS7G2F27_UpFmk56qn5GnHR-_sDTz1mVYlcapOyKe7jClkCUVUtejk3l91iEAnkN7XfqIlT9yUoLjdE0/s400/IMG_1037.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I whipped the passion fruit juice with cream cheese and powdered sugar to make this thick sauce. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkBEFMxcbT4DYGdTRoLkCEJcogieOYg-DzAv6Lmfen_Zagg7KS9wo5dWlzcy-4eYA49SfC6msG93tmFvb4Bv8hQAz5A2Y5w72eEtQXV2W5mFuQQrcPhEFkdGWNb0l95zM1Oa1djCzrnc/s1600/IMG_1041.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkBEFMxcbT4DYGdTRoLkCEJcogieOYg-DzAv6Lmfen_Zagg7KS9wo5dWlzcy-4eYA49SfC6msG93tmFvb4Bv8hQAz5A2Y5w72eEtQXV2W5mFuQQrcPhEFkdGWNb0l95zM1Oa1djCzrnc/s400/IMG_1041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674655123358455090" /></a>If I had a better camera this would look more appetizing - just ignore the weird green hue. Moist sweet persimmon bread topped with tangy and refreshing passion fruit icing. November doesn't get any better than this.Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-79640535285926754612011-10-20T18:53:00.000-07:002011-10-23T06:48:14.302-07:00A Perfect Day<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe4YtNK9D_aq6pJtSBaaJ5RAEIB_Ys6sZcEZD-7tK6z0T-Fsq__UacwoHi6pM_C7bok5pFIIFs7NNWUZtDyJNQ5dZQxcPISAwwjH4ujD2nFarIL-R7JG8GT47dD0B4U4aVd9aZrW-PCw/s400/6247838535_dccd698858_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I know that most every bride will claim that her wedding was the perfect day... well, our wedding really <i>was</i> the perfect day. October 9, 2011 came at the tail end of one of the most glorious Indian summers that Wisconsin has ever seen. It was a warm, golden sunny day of bright fall colors and deep blue skies. I could wax poetic for a long time, but I'll spare you. Just look through these pictures and you'll understand.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL_tgUAdo-NeM9CAQWF7lI833aFUSmHztUnCN2Vv1lpuxcd2_iaItuXV-qd5DOWe11wOXVmpA0NcUXJLRrMNhNYRQgTcv1pAI8iXkjCFFMmJfjcLiGph-DuAJrCHEGjPWtFXwCn2X6d4/s400/6248303734_53e3c565ac_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Many thanks go to Stephanie Rickets to agreed to come take these pictures of the food. She has a blog of her own, <a href="http://myyearoffood.net/">My Year of Food</a>, which you really should visit. Her photos puts mine to shame, and I bet some day she'll be a famous food photographer.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9UK2XGyyh0kUq5zxxjk2J3w5tDlrRso__MZC-pmpXiMuxqkVhhUZhqSXKgFSElXxPIXBlpsanRajCTTdBanzNaKw35pkn0K0zUEXqJ27-c_HtOOMGoGLjVtwgdhaxpoYvSs9Pbux2R8/s1600/6247541627_d8dee8c217_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF4AUIPt0vqSPYUfsByw9qLk32PIjxr3FkWymNGUPRPQLnMe9XerTvQCbSAaOZVvBh76NjeJwreFQOwBmXzioEETsIMOb3L-ehyphenhyphenp8vetR45NV2e5pv6SmTA2L2hrYph3WCE5TZfiww0k/s400/6247793213_4c562c8d09_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I always call this first course "The Appetizers" mostly because I can't spell that other word no matter how I try. Anyhow, it came after our wedding ceremony and before dinner and although I myself didn't get any (too busy taking photographs and greeting our guests) I'm sure they were delicious.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There were Baguettes from <a href="http://batchbakehouse.com/">The Batch Bakehouse</a> (where else?) along with an assortment of the finest Wisconsin cheeses, dry cured meats, fall fruits, and my homemade pickles. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Gf93ahZUeAf6hNlhStmsbKOz8oTERt9vnCJedHh4emTfnX6CEsiobXR2RjHsK5rrUw-z4yMPkNe5gtIYxsIY8zd7By16oFz44IXKwMC3lUT_A2z9fwoW9xPv1cVNfwEQ04bbWDOLbKg/s1600/6247556141_38b27616e8_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Gf93ahZUeAf6hNlhStmsbKOz8oTERt9vnCJedHh4emTfnX6CEsiobXR2RjHsK5rrUw-z4yMPkNe5gtIYxsIY8zd7By16oFz44IXKwMC3lUT_A2z9fwoW9xPv1cVNfwEQ04bbWDOLbKg/s400/6247556141_38b27616e8_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665766176010418514" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOAfjneRWWEpdnxMU4uOPfW28BUJ29c8fE3wkzy0DJqP2AxxrXG0VRpmDSBMhsYcF0ypdhO8Zs5c7jKrV1xsRA_2HFUIRtxK3Sw74kOj81Ozlg_jMFIRxvpVOCc8yK2SkL8ZHXeJfoBk/s400/6248014246_93fdb2b62e_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CX0DCaKZah7Gfg4VKoEhW4eMZs-nq2XDp5wLRhnN5Ed59xQgVgi4jQRgnrn4wEg4rOLLOEHELXNbCoxIA4uSggCaQRDwg3e89DB6ntepJR3pMp4mPLoOx-eAl1n4gf1K41vbBcn6Fb8/s400/6248020920_25e9a99f44_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Old School Salami from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bolzano</span> Meats in Milwaukee</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0u2cElowK_HnosvO0F3jmaRXnKsR8rISSTEIkZ7pAaSK-fkgaha7o9fChtQdlgm35kxXU0h3ZNIYfvj_cP87tjILmxiClbaRzq6rudwLsOgM2ZO1WfkeSJbjtHMXhWqwDzWfjSB6wMIw/s1600/6247635641_9b55804a61_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0u2cElowK_HnosvO0F3jmaRXnKsR8rISSTEIkZ7pAaSK-fkgaha7o9fChtQdlgm35kxXU0h3ZNIYfvj_cP87tjILmxiClbaRzq6rudwLsOgM2ZO1WfkeSJbjtHMXhWqwDzWfjSB6wMIw/s400/6247635641_9b55804a61_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665766177284083730" /></a></div><div>Parker Pears from <a href="http://elaorchard.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ela</span> Orchard</a> and Harrow's Sweet from <a href="http://www.healthyridgefarm.com/">Healthy Ridge</a> in Door County</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0RK2nu8kwzNloGMvaML6-wSST9ck4rqzlDRxV6X4ie6TJR0OtezNOLaRTigvaEGf0yoIW0fiLF4fhB9RbVoYvmzzrAwwLL1gjWCmXhA1IvgybUCMLRDWa8uDhMivbWsVgaTSIbx2Muc/s400/6247648035_5aa5b9451c_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />My favorite apple of the season: Liberty from <a href="http://elaorchard.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ela</span> Orchard</a>. It's a sophisticated apple - rich and spicy sweet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUTpRJDcZIA189FFnb3hHYYXh8l0ItUeqGHM1b_ORfPNNZ7NIRbUSQSpch0Q59U4AZRsJ_zzospra-4qaeaxGVy2w4mqj_bnTtERoSggckPqcWeVMwPz3VkO37R-5yG9yb9kHvBnEU4k/s1600/6247642165_95a53fa818_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUTpRJDcZIA189FFnb3hHYYXh8l0ItUeqGHM1b_ORfPNNZ7NIRbUSQSpch0Q59U4AZRsJ_zzospra-4qaeaxGVy2w4mqj_bnTtERoSggckPqcWeVMwPz3VkO37R-5yG9yb9kHvBnEU4k/s400/6247642165_95a53fa818_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665766170829880994" /></a><div><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYHWg7N5NmJeicaG3yIG_qebpfxeuRsGUFnPsIhSaU4Ay9hSH_GCgIRjd_jlX0-doUW8RqxIsI1t8mAHIrali1XEme2_iKgaUjCc852utCkxvYtrlYT-0Jy9D8NFWE6wK1qUQjcXRciM/s1600/6247663869_8b7360f6ef_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYHWg7N5NmJeicaG3yIG_qebpfxeuRsGUFnPsIhSaU4Ay9hSH_GCgIRjd_jlX0-doUW8RqxIsI1t8mAHIrali1XEme2_iKgaUjCc852utCkxvYtrlYT-0Jy9D8NFWE6wK1qUQjcXRciM/s400/6247663869_8b7360f6ef_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665765465286531970" /></a></div><div>My homemade dilly beans, bread and butter pickles, and pickled beets.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HqcVKj82ubk69r23zc9ymd8RVQfkVlhvDFOlj5KjnPWVHhGTLh9iau2hoIyjoS9Jogwfor9qPXsHP4Cf8rjkhEi2a_1B-po6EcaC8ymfWExrI4_1QAVs8tVd0bEQGgn1AY2t5k1hqT0/s400/6248176370_8bf68b7710_b.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>There's a surprising lack of good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">charcuterie</span> in this state... this is what I could find: Pepperoni from Underground Kitchen, Old School Salami from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Bolzano</span>, and good old fashioned summer sausage from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Pecatonica</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDXyyAuruoQH2koYbvRmWODpKavu83r9qgzS-BfyPS_fqxYoLPboEP_fsRrt6IldlNM_AIvrKT9q-5H1YgX0Rc88zGFWLfVII-pVPYRRY5VSGH008aLm39O38F_BX4uCFWKKQj6Byn4A/s1600/6247769861_4cbf4e47cd_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDXyyAuruoQH2koYbvRmWODpKavu83r9qgzS-BfyPS_fqxYoLPboEP_fsRrt6IldlNM_AIvrKT9q-5H1YgX0Rc88zGFWLfVII-pVPYRRY5VSGH008aLm39O38F_BX4uCFWKKQj6Byn4A/s400/6247769861_4cbf4e47cd_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665765456580121746" /></a></div><div>The cheese. <a href="http://www.dreamfarm.biz/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Dreamfarm</span></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">chevre</span>, <a href="http://www.widmerscheese.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Widmer's</span></a> 6 year cheddar, and the best string cheese on earth (really, <i>it is the best string cheese on earth</i>): <a href="http://cheeseunderground.blogspot.com/2009/01/cesar-cheese.html">Cesar's</a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Oaxacan</span> Style String Cheese.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUz6H7l_WaN4hRFvQl9kPokC1a8MTkVAtwgEjghzk2YHc72MP8FDAKSs6SynMfjbCIKpYyzd56UIcoXEYSVVzTMAg8FZnBgXvvrkSq_yFB1KwbXndpevbeFmUqLv21H26gtPEDPK_GKVs/s400/6248312882_eb4a2a8c24_b.jpg" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">This is Wisconsin - just one cheese platter would never <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">suffice</span>. Here we've got <a href="http://www.carrvalleycheese.com/">Carr Valley</a> Apple Smoked Cheddar, <a href="http://www.hiddenspringscreamery.com/">Hidden Springs</a> Bohemian Blue, <a href="http://cheeseunderground.blogspot.com/2010/09/olivers-reserve.html">Shepherd's Ridge</a> Oliver's Reserve, and Holland's Family Cheese <a href="http://www.hollandsfamilycheese.com/">Aged <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Marieke</span> Gouda</a>. Beautiful artisan cheeses. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKKcgl1kt3XDN_sWemB3rvHBmjgoDNf_mr900L2HHu4Q39stMsBmkuHPpxpt1Vcn3Ys7JZPgNX0bl2RTtZ9oeiCOdCRs7SjweSgCzZ93GjFIwe2ryiOKTtg0LX2SOn_CRaWVm7P16EaY/s1600/6247853311_1eaa80baf9_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKKcgl1kt3XDN_sWemB3rvHBmjgoDNf_mr900L2HHu4Q39stMsBmkuHPpxpt1Vcn3Ys7JZPgNX0bl2RTtZ9oeiCOdCRs7SjweSgCzZ93GjFIwe2ryiOKTtg0LX2SOn_CRaWVm7P16EaY/s400/6247853311_1eaa80baf9_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665765453876380706" /></a></div><div>My little brother brewed up a batch of Oktoberfest just for the occasion, which we sipped along with dry (Brut) and sweet (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Appely</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Doux</span>) champagne style hard cider from <a href="http://www.aeppeltreow.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Aeppeltreow</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Cidery</span></a>. This being such a local event, I couldn't buy wine from California! The sparkling cider is just fabulous.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9UK2XGyyh0kUq5zxxjk2J3w5tDlrRso__MZC-pmpXiMuxqkVhhUZhqSXKgFSElXxPIXBlpsanRajCTTdBanzNaKw35pkn0K0zUEXqJ27-c_HtOOMGoGLjVtwgdhaxpoYvSs9Pbux2R8/s400/6247541627_d8dee8c217_b.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For the non drinkers there was regular cider from Green Thumb....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF4AUIPt0vqSPYUfsByw9qLk32PIjxr3FkWymNGUPRPQLnMe9XerTvQCbSAaOZVvBh76NjeJwreFQOwBmXzioEETsIMOb3L-ehyphenhyphenp8vetR45NV2e5pv6SmTA2L2hrYph3WCE5TZfiww0k/s1600/6247793213_4c562c8d09_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF4AUIPt0vqSPYUfsByw9qLk32PIjxr3FkWymNGUPRPQLnMe9XerTvQCbSAaOZVvBh76NjeJwreFQOwBmXzioEETsIMOb3L-ehyphenhyphenp8vetR45NV2e5pv6SmTA2L2hrYph3WCE5TZfiww0k/s1600/6247793213_4c562c8d09_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdQ8OZIZvL46BwJlNECHHqtSd93KZZV8dQ6Q0RPsznmKRLzn1VCCy7YVramKWAiVbpbR5GFGuhVB9ISx95LoGaLVDVRZoUs8E7l8XAcdjSiZV35ZdznpXyr3PAzrRnDEstRwymdkVVQw/s400/6248279078_f72dbb5c80_b.jpg" /><br /><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">along with Stanley's own home brewed iced tea.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTE9GDsZdzgBCEuhYsgMqd_4Oc-1rwVDnHfTch3S9HMJ2w90sKxAbWsyYYL3ADBlezGQ6axeVktmMwSpU-EcJBa2XHB38yDVDGcWzziLTcmM_8pWdSkd6f2-baaEXqrtw4Dw2Xy9-uJkg/s400/6248295182_16c2680658_b.jpg" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdAseDGQqwZJkECvbUwf2z4rq5NEWrdkYLM5d1OKCvN-LUk3leNSJF2P9jZdrHxy9tVRwGmMSEcgXeN3LYmmvze5QquGbbCO_Y5gT5L-U3WE4GP3soNCD66h-CKHgz4CW29MOZbJP6Gs/s1600/6247867663_9e0ea5252e_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdAseDGQqwZJkECvbUwf2z4rq5NEWrdkYLM5d1OKCvN-LUk3leNSJF2P9jZdrHxy9tVRwGmMSEcgXeN3LYmmvze5QquGbbCO_Y5gT5L-U3WE4GP3soNCD66h-CKHgz4CW29MOZbJP6Gs/s400/6247867663_9e0ea5252e_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665764522384613538" /></a>These pictures turned out so lovely, I can't help but share.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuZuTzgKEQ9-59J-lRvSPOWLW-_uNL15wH0CFzDBTQT6qj6ja1hnXihZWbrutr0xsBGRtU0ggnlCBdaeX6dYAdyZhyphenhyphenmyFUi2zjLpnmQkn7bf66L9j4dWF5BKrrXk5u2KLyx2U-ZA9a4g/s400/6248394264_2bd7ab5b33_b.jpg" /></u></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hn0LubVwdrDCY5iGMseiAh0fsiSXOT4tOXnK8pwdfA8rcI4lHrGS6VTwjh3HEQpkblNC5nzi8AKhGWOAnauV1UdvXYm2KmvXf0iYpIYkBOLU7vVwqd3HMAiRPE4A1WVjhfNw6O4LMRQ/s400/6248398272_2ff9e632ec_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2opAzKQl_m_sfjm7y7r3EbFrLsR7SEyjP5Qirja3DRVAPMC128DveRpo_G4xaHKLVGN0pUrYfdbd6C8G8D9WERRcmtApokCk5YVNUJ-kB8xROBuXP78L5ifNOKBEAvTPyu2OWg03FAQ/s400/6248401588_a81672903c_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kArTF0va8CdcAR5Sfcr6lkAgBwpRKwpfjbm7pv4iTpBxVyt8GmjasSFxHzucFcXb-lL4QR4TmrYMibktabCXmwxju62eVTGP-CO6UFECPbtrVCXRdpY3szT1AgD0mVjW3lYcygJ_eTM/s1600/6248091743_2f785e0ed2_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kArTF0va8CdcAR5Sfcr6lkAgBwpRKwpfjbm7pv4iTpBxVyt8GmjasSFxHzucFcXb-lL4QR4TmrYMibktabCXmwxju62eVTGP-CO6UFECPbtrVCXRdpY3szT1AgD0mVjW3lYcygJ_eTM/s400/6248091743_2f785e0ed2_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665763760655619490" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Many of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">decorations</span> came from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Tri</span> County Auction - a wholesale produce auction run by the Amish. Beautiful mums, squashes, and decorative corn. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2qfaR14L9-uo0arDb-ImfaWkrexNmdd9uTm9PzkXKU-q87J1pdGvxnwlp5Fq8sqisrog6Pfb07fAPspxoaIgyexOH8sclp2Ja90zO8uSUntxqYCzlGEJgG_1eeoSnzJQyLjqRdSUW2M/s400/6247952106_0be7d8dc17_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Time to set the stage for dinner. The tables were graced with swan gourds, also from the produce auction, which my oh-so-talented bridesmaids painted table numbers on. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrog2qCylaEOojKQ-VrJag-BHKQBYPcQyFzg7TfKpoW_dC6OuazV57otOumvj3oO1DpnkHfvaOsfHB2OEMssJN0_eAYC7RQsKGpdB8VTbKo7uZQIfhyKQ-YA9N9HGw8PUUTFoBuM8e1pc/s400/6247963670_e94b751f1c_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGV0TtitodiRMCwHl7Z2ZFpkJBB4R0PEe4TMvgmdbKTAlX5bcInjw0VacqetdnfnjBpMzAFVpG1My56_Y8mXYhYegYAifUvSLw7fWybBDczk_vngWs23b4Z-PemiLczmyI3JCDR-TdaY/s400/6247979202_d1e475613f_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Every place setting came with a half pint jar of preserves: jams, pickles, dried tomatoes. I made over 100 of these little guys.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDQMd4tIY22_HcTNxjrLI4Hgw4NDo-M6MHSzxLNWw1Rj5ODd8OIzv3_UcARhhj2HmXG0Z9qBk6sZ_NtVG5U4V1S59958PTU2277ahW-l9w6LEj6tvVGtofqt7hvpHI5KL_YLpzm6MayI/s400/6247477305_85fbe6b184_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QXVQd9r4xuMlvx4JFbehg6JcJfjBahyphenhyphenF4WZd_ArwvWc8WNEJbUYeUHZDDz8HabYcW725YOJvYbdkBqLP_9CLWKcdW1gKf-nbCmp52txTQU4h5saRqNGuh5MTY2QSQ45gAoTA8JiqxeU/s400/6249750979_9ce724f31d_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We also screen-printed a bib for each guest. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDxEBn4XJLMp3NFPuJEtTgK6VFjxpy1qAYgNHJGc9yy9Y76J9HHHoj3dYRmMIEcrLj_dnoynzd3yGImN1jecZThbKrPVPox6zbBZOnvZd7-2Oar82cA1jSmQz_zHN7dtr5an1M2iS5Y8/s400/6250197122_a9d697c17f_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUG9avhQCZqrpG4SyYUK-vXiTGleI-7lVErmZo9_AaV4HRrjScNdr2Gh_3vlfGrNsf90c1rQvK-FaTJNyQb2FPAqhyphenhyphenxInIUiDU2JHEXobQcolQXbeBBSVzo2aBDnF4-CcNr4XTG0Wzy8/s400/6250075485_1ddd340655_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Here you can kind of sort of see the head table. Pretty, no?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAknQIZzGhVZiRoBXH186VY5DQtnomWAhvBPxIk1gkBz-Vj4EMWF5TM6WAtXCARhU_Hj4cUODoz__mgOQ8OoNOuAXxc3dOyxUzL7JA0tlFf8OhEIhESaDU6tBvHsUYqf3hTy2AkEiHPu0/s1600/6250099221_43d54cf75e_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAknQIZzGhVZiRoBXH186VY5DQtnomWAhvBPxIk1gkBz-Vj4EMWF5TM6WAtXCARhU_Hj4cUODoz__mgOQ8OoNOuAXxc3dOyxUzL7JA0tlFf8OhEIhESaDU6tBvHsUYqf3hTy2AkEiHPu0/s400/6250099221_43d54cf75e_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665760450479063074" /></a></div><div>Yes, that's me and my hubby. Walking down to dinner. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t17yfahUaGNNeR3b6x0xksZaW18Tix6v6i94tIzIhlLmBBQJU_c2oK2voPzewVPovIHhN50l6vpaR-myCpbC_5u-jDj2ldCkQEBYi8PwP1HtcMdJxWvq5SzPapEW1mUqPFsiXPPy2rI/s400/6250416179_afd382bbcd_b.jpg" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">and what a feast it was! The food was prepared by Jeff of Papa Bear's BBQ in Madison. He did an incredible job. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImSNNuJIy0rvcAkivDzMPf1Nhoo1p2jip_zF2RWkkCZy268psgTWNndptq9vtR-ZzaNFfGt1Z4voSjMdWbuAFfDsdTmxRVZeqpElQwXQZrGU73KEFU7c-xvr4bU0omMR68yBfNDJa8Oo/s400/6250043517_68153e8760_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMg3fltPmt69RKEnF7k6pJaTHCtnTxp33thkRIfGB4915v2asR8pYcQIQJHjIowA0RmuPoSE9sGpI6XG9M3Y9Eq9bfV-LD-zT6tQvd5b9KjjYJmg-IYal5uBtfVeiJMyLf1HdKtEmaDc/s400/6249784655_480c84cd99_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Coleslaw with my homegrown cabbage.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ewb0Bj_n2A8QoF-GN57qHHPCLf6JKGyXCLWmS8heE70VyerOLIyXf5wtrg_uuq4UcENMk9htgFXnp9BxDuDvHjBnjghv_NMuYkYQ6ed1t7zUDf5H0LZ_TLJS-WKropWMrj7McyW2I80/s1600/6250104644_40f275ceb0_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ewb0Bj_n2A8QoF-GN57qHHPCLf6JKGyXCLWmS8heE70VyerOLIyXf5wtrg_uuq4UcENMk9htgFXnp9BxDuDvHjBnjghv_NMuYkYQ6ed1t7zUDf5H0LZ_TLJS-WKropWMrj7McyW2I80/s400/6250104644_40f275ceb0_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665760448949403538" /></a></div><div>Garlic roasted potatoes from the Main Street garden, </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5UlY53cQIVIPpIjBY6Dn840b0Dr5TaWvemKRKkysXNoPbIJredUx-JJun_zuDvaDG0fRxicNMGm7JGwabqd2dTw5HBBYLiU_eJzNDovBHT30523xSoCSr4xaXwM6MgXMElRsEkp8tTI/s400/6249587839_6887cd3259_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My beans got eaten by a lucky garden rabbit - these came from <a href="http://www.flytefamilyfarm.com/">Flyte Family Farm</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5qUEh6t8MZnbwqoKH_VMQu0figFh1b1cT905fjZC8kV3QlN_jJW9CJJwL_wamqb0tLxRb7X4Ye7NgLc3alCnsyTPme6If-9FecghjhU2YQjqEVOeUt2AfEib-B_wCCAXzPhaP2asBmk/s1600/6250108824_0f50bcdb24_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5qUEh6t8MZnbwqoKH_VMQu0figFh1b1cT905fjZC8kV3QlN_jJW9CJJwL_wamqb0tLxRb7X4Ye7NgLc3alCnsyTPme6If-9FecghjhU2YQjqEVOeUt2AfEib-B_wCCAXzPhaP2asBmk/s400/6250108824_0f50bcdb24_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665759290853623586" /></a></div><div>Collards from our side yard. These were incredible - probably my favorite part of the whole meal.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR08dUo-9m9gFyn3E0YIPGZiEIFtNMRq9DpUxGLQ70jtgL3tub1bZzuwXSjmmRLUNTuG2REsYNmNAFssEwtMCv56m053qXQwR4EBs4_eyINTHsCo1_E0aZdU5V2G5neAhk36Qvyw-9vTs/s400/6249619839_241c146a41_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The pork - from a lush pasture at <a href="http://www.therustictable.com/">The Rustic Table</a> in Northern Wisconsin to our wedding feast in just three days. It doesn't get better than this.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HzsxTIF8p0JEey91p4PRr_DI7LBa6Ojv-Lsi4W_Eb7p5ZC4QgmNrusZE5nyYoHemiyKMQq-wsbWkA8WpNey1m0d3iiFUUTa7CFNnmjLNQvhaXH_QukeClL5TOs0IBsvBxYeQsmIf6hc/s400/6249605035_a8daaf428e_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We also had chicken from The Rustic Table. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlcJBc-7oybU5AtCnbYVVo5O08vZ5MnUxfUWOWWQkDFFYAs00x9zgueGIYy2kq_W_HibdA5BLQWkcSex7TwtjkSoUyNLQSbj6mGZHnFcNZCcKmKqDyB_mQDoD42C-yqzfaZmSRDyUW70/s400/6250180718_9285413ff9_b.jpg" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Corn Bread was amazing. It ended up being a mixture of our our homegrown corn and also some from Wild Goose Farm (a tiny farm that I work with at the Co-op), ground by my brother Dave. It also used local whole wheat flour, and eggs. Hearty, flavorful, rich, and dense. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJOKtIAtun17UDsRbF8crCD1ftMwzjJNn-EA-GVvMwufMNQOMQNT9lauXDNaG6soSYDqXkavHOv0_EFUllzlwV5qpDmPJ4ViaoZ57JmHMtZ2PAUkwe6CVmnm6eOgzKr9vutPv9lUTVr8/s400/6249759189_5be07d65a6_b.jpg" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was all paired with more hard cider from Aeppeltreow - their Barn Swallow Draft Cider.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSq2N02binJywJLxhlzoKdrck3IFWaUH8wQcMk0J_tWYMD2JwSOBqqGAwWY7CDa3ySr6DghfWA5fjp8cPk3m0HA7ED5fbPXySxdUlwWYHfTKy1ZfIQnE558PlWildr7EaGYB-7JrnspU/s1600/6250180355_3c292833d5_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSq2N02binJywJLxhlzoKdrck3IFWaUH8wQcMk0J_tWYMD2JwSOBqqGAwWY7CDa3ySr6DghfWA5fjp8cPk3m0HA7ED5fbPXySxdUlwWYHfTKy1ZfIQnE558PlWildr7EaGYB-7JrnspU/s400/6250180355_3c292833d5_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665759276202797282" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Going through the buffet line.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMbTimMl7bas42cALXa7PD8m_8qWztsPpjgNEJKHk-fJJEt9t-ErG8ItHzCa-hAD5S5M_mBr8QQalVeypgaQq1MlvZcXKj7IeUqRtuHBUPWZIeVcFIirhMbiej29-3Tq1jVD5voeHJxE/s400/6250845700_32aff5c71b_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfPMuEPOroGpd2yWCde52E6kcxDcCDjkpjG30rptzYAARH92sZahwnPKo73kP6rjXPArLKVsYY2XwwMTPm9ScIa0-DTiYjjMdSICw52gn2barSyGTjvvSrspFX_WcasIeXVr7h856jX0/s400/6250266767_32e1aaea9c_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIjXFrZ1baXTTNcAI6NCXhyiZmtllaKkrDtwf4iUO3bxS39cMmnFcWTmmRRZaLJjJRDwkmKtTV9Sun7sTdE5gq9z0vUCTrMzwxdylPyCPUMCor5V5LaR-9582uxmTeDfRjonTHaUBSSo/s1600/6250718118_ae9dac41f5_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIjXFrZ1baXTTNcAI6NCXhyiZmtllaKkrDtwf4iUO3bxS39cMmnFcWTmmRRZaLJjJRDwkmKtTV9Sun7sTdE5gq9z0vUCTrMzwxdylPyCPUMCor5V5LaR-9582uxmTeDfRjonTHaUBSSo/s400/6250718118_ae9dac41f5_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665758266055966914" /></a></div><div>My plate. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYgl7TawrZR2jOsYBMXAIFp-TB483bH_6TTD8huZGNRmrWkOG4FWydlJOjS9vCteTjIRTzh4BlPiXAiggYTNz3M4rKC8VXMhiUbuanwTu5AV82zvIyXumON6L4m7yJE_pNDkkmHSpJ7Y/s400/6250197583_981a454d2b_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Stanley's plate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2Mf4nVgAruPKsxM3vVa5buGZsZVNC4PgYvlMuIgrRTYJygKABWWmFspm5S7bwCCdl-fkYspUE4cRAnWDS9UgA4nZPpo2RvqryKSGx0GgHNPXngsqugogOqWPVu3g3gqYhs6SlVKzsL8/s400/6250203543_5d8e7f046e_b.jpg" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXxjVYlWvIfDyh1u6sQBL5b1R4L4VEr_lH7mcL_olQrhLz01BkkPu5EB4GcLrArFl8GXLDV8DPGAhgXVInl5trkhlVD1haRYAVe1ltEaPVc9tQTSMWwAq7yuDien1W_uAEWBE4wmn1Io/s400/6248323480_c5a0455c35_b.jpg" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The cake. Winter Luxury Pumpkin cake with whipped cream frosting. Not my pumpkins - they were still a few weeks from ripe when the wedding date arrived. The pumpkins came instead from <a href="http://www.blueskiesfarm.com/">Blue Skies Farm</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-HTPONTbAXYWZOXXIoN9GRCFg1xHTLb7zlwvqouRmUBDHjwzM-zRsqhAi-3gKQmolH9H9F1huco3o4zeXH90CwlCIBMlhyphenhypheni4CZgtEiBk_9BVK4LmX6pps4ySu8Ej7l7AmmixP2oGaBk/s400/6247890641_a1b7d0f8cc_b.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">The cake was made by Mary from <a href="http://honeybeebakery.org/">Honey Bee Bakery</a>. So beautiful. This wasn't one of those pretty wedding cakes that tastes like cardboard... it was moist and perfectly pumpkiny. The perfect finale to the perfect wedding day.</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-84862232171704221252011-08-26T18:17:00.000-07:002011-08-26T18:31:03.775-07:00Progress<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5mC1h_0PzwikoN_gjTBnqv-mz1tVcGZY3LwV75qycjyhAkwkVo_ZniPtN5jHl6OYg9zxeZnW6GXAG6Y41bzry21sAXXo5Khcjf5v6Z5wChR1Rl5acxpRsU3Os54GEzUv-xMxmIUES5U/s400/august+pig.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Just look at this happy pig. Have you ever seen such a cute butt? Our meat farmers at The Rustic Table sent us this picture, taken yesterday. Yep, this is our wedding pig! (or at least one of it's siblings).</div><div style="text-align: left;">
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<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_r5AAY1W93B3zSfF69MpfSZ3GDM7OPzu7DhAA5rtLA3iIjwkg8flVGwhHcll9A5ZhuOVR6HYkF_otbadechg96VGlmmwpM10PxVyPABQGGOberl9aQlnRFuIDTzkeyKwSC0pLvoTIgg/s1600/corn.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_r5AAY1W93B3zSfF69MpfSZ3GDM7OPzu7DhAA5rtLA3iIjwkg8flVGwhHcll9A5ZhuOVR6HYkF_otbadechg96VGlmmwpM10PxVyPABQGGOberl9aQlnRFuIDTzkeyKwSC0pLvoTIgg/s400/corn.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645339332361384450" /></a>.... and this is the corn, destined to be ground into cornmeal to make cornbread at the wedding. I really had no conception that it would grow to be so tall, then I looked at the seed packet, and indeed it predicted that it would grow to be 12-15'. There are some nice ears that seem to have pollinated nicely. Success!<div>
<br /></div><div>The beans, on the other hand, did not succeed. I'll have to look into finding some local dry beans for October. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>There are a grand total of three, maybe four pie pumpkins that look like they'll make it. I'm a little disappointed by the yield, but it should be plenty for our wedding cake. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>In other wedding feast news, the cabbage is heading, the onions and garlic are harvested, the potatoes are almost ready for harvest, and I'm still experimenting with flower preservation. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Oh yeah - I had a wonderful wedding shower a few weeks ago and was gifted with lots of cool kitchen stuff including a FOOD DEHYDRATOR!! So far we've made raisins, dried blueberries, dried tomatoes, and venison jerky. So exciting!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I promise I'll post more pictures soon.... there's a lot to show off!
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5mC1h_0PzwikoN_gjTBnqv-mz1tVcGZY3LwV75qycjyhAkwkVo_ZniPtN5jHl6OYg9zxeZnW6GXAG6Y41bzry21sAXXo5Khcjf5v6Z5wChR1Rl5acxpRsU3Os54GEzUv-xMxmIUES5U/s1600/august+pig.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}">
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<br /></div></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-29410072846525520282011-08-07T19:06:00.000-07:002011-08-08T20:08:40.743-07:00Lush<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQOu0z8378tyaVsYe5hjiWO1Aw9fLo5yEZ4UPAZh81pX9vh6iZgrXyB46f0FYZ4Fbkczf2hgcWPqwUjAopZsV6LR8OKE_H5Oi0LtM0KmZwXZpjIoptlHK3-mpHXF3MYJXa7G-zY3_YH0/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQOu0z8378tyaVsYe5hjiWO1Aw9fLo5yEZ4UPAZh81pX9vh6iZgrXyB46f0FYZ4Fbkczf2hgcWPqwUjAopZsV6LR8OKE_H5Oi0LtM0KmZwXZpjIoptlHK3-mpHXF3MYJXa7G-zY3_YH0/s400/IMG_0557.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638310828877332066" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, things are lush, just they way I like them. Our cool wet spring became a hot, muggy summer.... turning Wisconsin into a temporary tropical jungle. This is the basil of my dreams - all the neighbors have been given free reign to pick as much as they want and still there's more than I can use. Heavenly.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the side yard.....</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLcWw__OqTr6zO4jkTRUufvnmNHaXxDZ4HSY6-Bf4NnkqDEaMvd1i8ZlWBKcoSeA5mm9FEixlIODv0_UvFVwu-Y42i-eKR8t5TEcMFIKfG7nak0vLu9JV8HzwquWRf_eWQiiMKF5WICU/s400/IMG_0592.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Matt's Wild Cherry Tomatoes - a pretty little heirloom cherry that's big on flavor. They are ripening fast!</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_16M6yOkX62Va-lY-YqT7Jul2Mh70xl9pH8Q4Upz0ywylJ5I-gxYVWVKcRLnPY5K1cTtP3RjxYsUZjaGGidawE2ci3uxQpA7KFb01UrnP-lM6fA9HDsYw1jSelkb9mGJLjRp-fA-Ydf8/s400/IMG_0593.JPG" /></div></div><div><div>
<br /></div><div>These are the wedding coleslaw cabbages, finally starting to form heads. </div><div>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAab4E848FtVWPYBZ1tcmZoC4NGDLrw33nnliI44xY6vW9Ut-ELTHWYSdUr-8yQbmx6nqTbt1S7lARXTZY81f2JLPJZWGPvuc0LgFDQVePOQKgesKdia_39IEvkksv5v5L8-dhWVBgH68/s400/IMG_0596.JPG" /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Teddy Bear Sunflowers, taller than me and just starting to form buds. I'm really hoping that there will be some flowers still in decent shape for the wedding in October. Time will tell.</div><div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwnFVde9oYRl3k9Sd0u3GMDqMMp72RKvVOXK-wNAXQpehKovSSJnSn2pfriQZ-AOS2KhmTYPdZwcx3EUiLADOQxufy-eGECpVo5ouuVOMe0mcbJk9cSgbHak5UFzx5L3i-yRdFiY9xgM/s1600/IMG_0558.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwnFVde9oYRl3k9Sd0u3GMDqMMp72RKvVOXK-wNAXQpehKovSSJnSn2pfriQZ-AOS2KhmTYPdZwcx3EUiLADOQxufy-eGECpVo5ouuVOMe0mcbJk9cSgbHak5UFzx5L3i-yRdFiY9xgM/s400/IMG_0558.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638309597594685410" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>The spring cilantro is gone, and Lacinato kale planted in it's place. I'll eat some of it, but mostly it will be greenery in the wedding flower arrangements.</div><div>
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<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRhqxqkbmlbKpq6J8Ll-DD0Zk6ykn4vlAFT9zWJ-GmQkT4-_NjITV7vZEPzw96P1n3mx9aGJuqSnAMx77xBCU1uOJieO7yOgFAonZXB7pnIHkVfy2m6kmnHr5-B97S9c7cBzQL9xuzx0/s400/IMG_0591.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The peas and lettuce of spring are gone, making way for the wedding collards. I planted these in late July 95 degree heat and had some doubt that they would germinate. They came through and are growing fast.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
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<br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0KzzCCYxeFWj93_ZMMSeLFoMj2yGGJ61ljddAdAkgntLmIqnfEnT9uMiNId59DK0rncPwhW3YnUzINxFmNUmY0lsoAilr_y_b-07g7e4FUE7NDYKwDJBK5rdFO0eAXqWi-uvHggp3qw/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0KzzCCYxeFWj93_ZMMSeLFoMj2yGGJ61ljddAdAkgntLmIqnfEnT9uMiNId59DK0rncPwhW3YnUzINxFmNUmY0lsoAilr_y_b-07g7e4FUE7NDYKwDJBK5rdFO0eAXqWi-uvHggp3qw/s400/IMG_0561.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638307217435157474" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u>Zinnias, Statice, Strawflowers, Amaranth, yellow onions.... everything is growing so fast.</u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u>
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<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsWyDQjSBQK-2xGtaVyL4C9hWkx1Rg5cdr8Qah9qV58uAMW1BP21HzflzCePKpK8Fx27V1MTMJrxiemnPF5kcQn9WEz8mNM62ncm9YU9LWmJiE7eNksCFSRrKWEYSqslmAik8H4HyNmw/s400/IMG_0553.JPG" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've started experimenting with drying flowers. The strawflowers and statice are easy - those get hung upside down in the garage. The zinnias and asters are in the Tupperware and stainless bowl with silica gel. I'll post about this process later - needless to say I think I'll get at least some usable dried flowers for the wedding.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DWCVmyYSXBb5WFrrDET2dwSRhemqufnWs-EQVY7wAgRAIwNcqas5-m02k-EdLokwywKIEuMSZ1QPnsPajsVuKAKXdNavvcI4YnaHJf0e-I3CiE-YpVgIFqYD4pszmMU0guSISbtRG0o/s400/IMG_0556.JPG" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u>
<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I pulled the garlic from the Main Street garden a few weeks back and it's been curing in the garage. Some day this week I'll cut the heads off and store them. </div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The McCormick "Three Sisters" Garden:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u>
<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03n9DQvNVA9CniyTS020D-c_hF-D0kWhAvlFRXWetfkcfDM9WHl1k6vLn85z7CGB1LJs1hxMkRsoNXz2al7Ch_tFTaL0newq07_CAM1lmXGsEhLcZcP1PaSe1PBIwkpozWlHKQZ0DgWc/s400/IMG_0580.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Things are looking good! The corn is literally 8 feet tall! The pumpkins are growing quickly and flowering. A few of them were infested with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squash_vine_borer">squash vine borers</a>, a horrible white worm that eats its way into the base of the vines and slowly kills the plant. </div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The best method for control that I could find was to cut the vines open with a razor blade, take the worms out, and cover the wounded vines with damp soil and hope that they heal. I was dubious, but also desperate (these are the pie pumpkins for our wedding cake!), so I gave it a shot. Lo and behold, most of them survived their surgery! The fat white larvae were disgusting, especially when squished, but it was satisfying work and even if I lose a few pumpkin plants I can be content that I saved most of them. </div><div style="text-align: left;">
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<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyjOIzippE0QxhnfGZcIovVNlyJwImVn-932tdYC_1TvvjHYWSg5n1oSNtENAx-Mb5K31l5_qEnSsgN86_dEQGpfsmgVqw63M3AW0GQZiLEIOLY8Lq3WJJjwxAtnPObURgeamr5sq_Nc/s400/IMG_0578.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638307200772386194" />The corn is incredible. It seems like overnight it went from 5 feet to 8 feet tall. According to the seed company, it can get up to 15 feet! It's Cherokee white flour corn... I can't wait to eat the corn bread!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyjOIzippE0QxhnfGZcIovVNlyJwImVn-932tdYC_1TvvjHYWSg5n1oSNtENAx-Mb5K31l5_qEnSsgN86_dEQGpfsmgVqw63M3AW0GQZiLEIOLY8Lq3WJJjwxAtnPObURgeamr5sq_Nc/s1600/IMG_0578.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}">
<br /></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyjOIzippE0QxhnfGZcIovVNlyJwImVn-932tdYC_1TvvjHYWSg5n1oSNtENAx-Mb5K31l5_qEnSsgN86_dEQGpfsmgVqw63M3AW0GQZiLEIOLY8Lq3WJJjwxAtnPObURgeamr5sq_Nc/s1600/IMG_0578.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTvG1cPMRRE9ypDS9CCWddh29-ycKkj9tPbRAJZq1FKOQExKXIqGOh-WxME75Vp8b9KwlsXJbkHnetAjIQwd5z5Z1LD4upLMfy1iiPw8K16r6XplL72IlvDozTCbsfYRzPZJl-PUxhP8/s400/IMG_0582.JPG" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It seems to be anchored pretty well. I worry about it blowing over in a high wind, but so far so good.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_JFPQ6J5-bGbaz0bZSIfCFSyDyb0e7CM6URsWx4GlcpS4PsYVPj4sgij8BxVjrZr-Tnf-ijCBUankMMmdbpTifMZgEJHaebbipM_awIJTr4yVpCMvi-Ml0TwArEJfqw_3YNZ1hi9h6g/s400/IMG_0583.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are even a few tassels starting to show!</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKi1xxzI7ML4eGY1_bCCx4cnWwRBLBAZFwBQDted2BzzIPa5SS5cueriT6wpE3jrw71W48qPiOO-oZ-WltOOSQC9l8Uum0Kyd8ovwb9J9nvyyYcIk7Z4h4o21uaKL2vH3P8TDQQJ-F5k/s400/IMG_0568.JPG" /></div></div><div>
<br /></div><div>This is a tease pumpkin. It's growing on the wrong side of the fence and the other side of the fruit has been chewed pretty badly by some sort of rodent. It sure looks nice in this picture though.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbkZZ4Xfo4dzXRiEYfslnzhK0c-7kC_AUvFO0Q9kmSPL0g6I8m4_ynP1__XtmKUIn1or4Boo7JtEUSKHRVSzdUwVBLJxpBECrdUXR7ugGgTpWBf6_ERDAAK8bCEEIYssphobwX9DbD50/s1600/IMG_0579.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbkZZ4Xfo4dzXRiEYfslnzhK0c-7kC_AUvFO0Q9kmSPL0g6I8m4_ynP1__XtmKUIn1or4Boo7JtEUSKHRVSzdUwVBLJxpBECrdUXR7ugGgTpWBf6_ERDAAK8bCEEIYssphobwX9DbD50/s400/IMG_0579.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638303395706508818" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Baby Black Futsu Pumpkin.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u>
<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0E-X7YuW4rOpA3aODCdaTQdNaIi7yTyyRrtYrzozlUEiBYLr9jTStkE7Lqg0VSMv9aOSh-k9pUujRv49pA_iVJ-WXMnK9suBRbUDpree2S9SlQ9MUZ32CVbBxc28OGAtJF2DpmzscFag/s400/IMG_0566.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Baby Winter Luxury Pie Pumpkin. In just two months this will (hopefully) be the base of a whipped cream frosted pumpkin wedding cake!</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_-VrhJu7LeoYsBj6cpn6MyS1G8rUZNlLK7vi1PhfW2CwAL7jA0P8Xs56oKtah2IvBPSo47mQjpn3RZHK4Od1FMEqtnryS31O99lIDjMJ2x8z_noCt1cCFNcMcB595FvZfIPnnz7aI4w/s1600/IMG_0587.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_-VrhJu7LeoYsBj6cpn6MyS1G8rUZNlLK7vi1PhfW2CwAL7jA0P8Xs56oKtah2IvBPSo47mQjpn3RZHK4Od1FMEqtnryS31O99lIDjMJ2x8z_noCt1cCFNcMcB595FvZfIPnnz7aI4w/s400/IMG_0587.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638302317863360754" /></a>I don't have any pictures of the Main Street Garden, but I thought I'd share a recent haul from that plot. There are green beans, carrots, beets, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, peppers.... life just doesn't get any better than this.</div></div></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-64347000597665545182011-07-25T18:38:00.000-07:002011-07-25T19:00:10.575-07:00Preserving the Summer<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomGPolnF2CD_zw7CcTU_u3f3Z8A2vlOX_tDIsMz3YEHZDID7TFiZZLuerXvUBA0BMafNbEU6lS0ghNHV5uualIREFI1ea5VcPxBJ1ert5tcpWOjdOxWem6mEeTHqBLwwz6MozhIHrPjI/s400/IMG_0535.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Empty jars, soon to be filled. We're giving away half-pints of preserves as wedding favors, and today it was finally cool enough to do some canning. With no central air, the idea of boiling a lot of water in our stuffy kitchen was more than I could bear these last few weeks.... today was only a high of 86 and it seemed cool. A canning bonanza ensued.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0L3XyI9eeQzMumxGwbNpxvB78pbyLfcpknryXuYyrqc9tbU2anzsP9X1uffVWlLYESUBtfc2KxISiUeOjwQLgqAZROP-sf1DKMgpg1DdYe0wZMapDCsxETpaeU7XpUt-mUMvR0MJhboA/s400/IMG_0533.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first order of business was the dilly beans. The beans came mostly from our Main Street Community Garden, with a little extra that I bought at the Co-op (local from Happy Valley Farm). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKQfB_Uvxv91RqYNKLzKm3E3WdC3btmWTyn3_EpAI30cUWIwCVBpuRvk10rZqutmqA6ZW4o8Ov_zq_D5zz7hNCNo4211UyPt6SVO6sHQR0rufjfyyu95Yqctx46qQYs26sFOHLnbLGXs/s400/IMG_0540.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Home grown onions and garlic, and dill from Keewaydin organics in Viroqua. Somehow this year we ended up with no pickling dill of our own. It's so easy to grow, I was a little embarrassed to have to buy it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I used the recipe from <a href="http://www.pickyourown.org/greenbeans_pickled.htm">pickyourown.org</a>. Easy as pie.... or easy as pickles I should say.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM67JOF5JcTV5mvNYD3eFF_tAy_OZm79Gzb-7Pp5YWmzrO6Yv4r2qgBNktOSnU_QXTKOQrWJErZb6WECYeVx3VBH5xRWp1kHho816O7pH4OgW7vCYi11mbfryCNmY5XUZ-Z6LFrdWp1vE/s1600/IMG_0530.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM67JOF5JcTV5mvNYD3eFF_tAy_OZm79Gzb-7Pp5YWmzrO6Yv4r2qgBNktOSnU_QXTKOQrWJErZb6WECYeVx3VBH5xRWp1kHho816O7pH4OgW7vCYi11mbfryCNmY5XUZ-Z6LFrdWp1vE/s400/IMG_0530.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633448607525438898" /></a><div><div style="text-align: left;">Because I'd been putting pff the jam making for a few weeks, we'd had to freeze these black-caps that Mom picked earlier this month. She's a master berry picker, and has a few secret spots on Madison's East side that she frequents.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgX0t0Z12m877agXNJz4uGb_q5lZ1skjmmdPeQCuAU7tCJ_puh7swxrW_8tmLGwEKHuxIP9OMVLMPD_bkHKI6KY_hnWZYjGW4OUKQXEc5m3S6fGx7NmzUzzpJlTpRMvmLVhjZkhf0gxaA/s400/IMG_0545.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'd considered making jelly (basically jam but without the seeds), but I decided last minute to make a whole fruit jam instead. The black-caps are seedy, but they taste amazing and I personally like the seeds (plus it's a pain to strain them, and I just didn't have the time). It's a simple process - just followed the recipe on the box of <a href="http://www.pomonapectin.com/">Pomona Pectin</a>. I like Pomona, it allows you to make preserves with less sugar, and I've had great luck with it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmS4BJ-wtYkGWXNjhXzPqz4g-5d-cCr7_IJ0m_vIzgxAhmmnEllYsZLZktrdTJKFfxRUHEgCLrAX-wBa677P7Y8KPE6KrAj_38X57gRL2Gxggv1cd9CKWwBLNf4zrUtLe31M1Z1pmvtLE/s400/IMG_0532.JPG" /></u></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">As you can probably tell, these peaches aren't quite as fresh as the berries. These are the last of the frozen peaches from last year's <a href="http://www.thegoodfoodmuse.net/2010/08/day-ten-effin-peaches.html">epic peach haul</a>. What better way to use them up than peach jam?</div><as you="" can="" probably="" these="" peaches="" t="" quite="" a="" fresh="" and="" the="" in="" are="" last="" of="" frozen="" from="" years="" href="http://www.thegoodfoodmuse.net/2010/08/day-ten-effin-peaches.html"><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmS4BJ-wtYkGWXNjhXzPqz4g-5d-cCr7_IJ0m_vIzgxAhmmnEllYsZLZktrdTJKFfxRUHEgCLrAX-wBa677P7Y8KPE6KrAj_38X57gRL2Gxggv1cd9CKWwBLNf4zrUtLe31M1Z1pmvtLE/s1600/IMG_0532.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEdYJvPdRRjP0RxArPp-HAL7nrgMsCN-9_sZXgKfu7L3EYskxtM4zANyj3eWtEFO1ghUGY-Kxpf-Q1h_8XnAWHtKqZOqbHxa7Efe4vWSNJmQBQAs3TzvJRLbf9J-eCzqyJVkYl_uH4Ic/s400/IMG_0543.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Again, I followed the directions on the Pomona Pectin box. I used the food processor to puree them and spiced it up a little by adding a bit of powdered ginger and cloves. I also added a few pats of butter to keep it from foaming. The result was a really nice light jam with a hint of spice.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfzHAwGIVlZ47xoPlPPH6ENgDTo4bf54aLC6mIyQU8xtdvOGdqC1D3G79TH3hXLjAi-bsDZvejKM7CrZXoqJlmPX-9ZVpcwAoOz9bzNrrLobpxbhEx6prqsttbVyYstSk_hzsgl1P0Lo/s1600/IMG_0547.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfzHAwGIVlZ47xoPlPPH6ENgDTo4bf54aLC6mIyQU8xtdvOGdqC1D3G79TH3hXLjAi-bsDZvejKM7CrZXoqJlmPX-9ZVpcwAoOz9bzNrrLobpxbhEx6prqsttbVyYstSk_hzsgl1P0Lo/s400/IMG_0547.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633446255680233266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Five hours of work yielded me 33 half pints for the wedding, and a few extra pints of dilly beans for us to eat. I jarred it all and then sterilized them in a hot water bath. Not bad for a day's work!</div></as></div></div></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-48306933355626296732011-07-11T16:19:00.000-07:002011-07-11T18:04:19.887-07:00Oh My Goodness It's Already Mid-July!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdpNc27KSPXhOcq1KjqD_RC-vrLU4pQALlTSsA88CzjYYrkKxdlLpNkxCzbGPqhhi6pXGPzOKZBXtNpuic3UkbaBFuQ8lpyvL6Y3NxhyphenhyphenjVoqkVWon7bU-pFAT30S0hlAe9NWniaXiQWI/s400/IMG_0478.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I swear there is no time at all between mid-June and mid-July. We've been crazy busy with family get <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">togethers</span>, work, and planning for the event that has started to dominate our lives: the wedding. </div><div><br /></div><div>I keep taking pictures of all the gardens, and then getting busy and not thinking of posting them until the plants have grown so much that the pictures are obsolete.... I took some shots today, and decided that I had to post them along with some of the older ones just to show the growth. </div><div><br /></div><div>The picture above is one I took today at McCormick Community Gardens. You can barely see our plot way at the end, or maybe you can't see it. It's there. </div><div><br /></div><div>Back to that soon, first let me show you the berries...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMejwVorA66KVO0xO0kXnitK8mAHQ5C7zSNP2ZDxdtBZO5o7wkGD_6_KRjOoKu3ZUwd2lRcuqXqjsNvz-17YYhvzihELxKUs6yWFz0VNJc95uD7fk5ygJ-MTx0Wui6JimUTpKT5OijRuw/s1600/IMG_0345.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMejwVorA66KVO0xO0kXnitK8mAHQ5C7zSNP2ZDxdtBZO5o7wkGD_6_KRjOoKu3ZUwd2lRcuqXqjsNvz-17YYhvzihELxKUs6yWFz0VNJc95uD7fk5ygJ-MTx0Wui6JimUTpKT5OijRuw/s400/IMG_0345.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628249176423406594" /></a>First, there were strawberries. We went picking on the 26<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> of June, just in the nick of time before the season was over. We went to <a href="http://pickdane.com/">Berry Hill Farm</a>, and I was accompanied by these two accomplished berry pickers.<div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DuaHCfvYecoKSMbMkjGXDBRwmc19S6ei2lQW5UqWOjnve0dpq_bBlrp-BsSM7FRHbNpTIXmH1_IwkeQ3DiQngM8f2MApjjw-4y_dQqzQ9GbGYRj51qSjoA3mS-CyOwjzmcs119S46OU/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DuaHCfvYecoKSMbMkjGXDBRwmc19S6ei2lQW5UqWOjnve0dpq_bBlrp-BsSM7FRHbNpTIXmH1_IwkeQ3DiQngM8f2MApjjw-4y_dQqzQ9GbGYRj51qSjoA3mS-CyOwjzmcs119S46OU/s400/IMG_0349.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628249162836163058" /></a>After a few hours of picking, we had two heaping flats full of small tasty jam berries. I made a big pot of jam and canned half pints to give away as wedding favors. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdza02qcE7Zjw7Ob3uYy1y2Gz8RjqoecOsHYvc3Q6FimbTlg8kw5cbTcEUCnYJBECFS6eJUT-_TtHJh8g4iaZwNStVdxzeID2fNyckOO_qB0m61JlSJfxe0Hi3wNj4W5suaSrPnZ1_8do/s400/IMG_0383.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next came the cherries (not exactly berries, but they belong in the same class). I picked a bunch from the tree at our Main Street garden, and made what I thought was going to be jam, but turned out to be sauce. The Sure Jell just didn't jell - I discovered later that pectin will lose it's jelling properties when it's overcooked. I think I processed the jars of jam in boiling water too long when I canned it. Ah well, cherry sauce is good too. This is also destined for wedding favors.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmm_-jO_RP3Cu2ptPr6NS5Qvgz33vlxIAyMlIQ83JGJlHmNsYnzo5sykNj-JrkyEnn_xyEKlzAwqqg1Mm-LSHjkjQG5rSL0ONOtuq__IM_hdxNQpGc-Dnjsi0KnipQzYDwhZkiPhrcIz4/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-ZvEGz0QJ-a4J2NsmdW2MK_SyEQ6-bMy70x59exQ2b37qZ9Xrm5SY4grSTAUuAYb9En_F-6YaQH5NncPlWwcvg4KgS7D9K4VFYzX1y1eky0kq47KEdnHCmIlMVEyxi3vudBdrfWQ1no/s400/IMG_0476.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last, but not least, the wild black caps. I picked some this weekend and added the few I picked to the huge quantity my Mom picked. She loves to pick, and has been saving them for me in her freezer of the last few weeks. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Mj4tnhdHWqIDT4E8TSV1NJ80C_AspeRyzxacAAFtXlnTKtqI3YDQLidr8gr4YXzd8fHFAQ_ZcAis5LZOS8WE-czfjz7IGDOf5rXvzxO1JmQh2q00MhScIdbcAlAcGpYCCGaBltvNr5w/s400/IMG_0477.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's been a bit dry, so these berries aren't quite as plump as I might like - they are a touch dry and seedy. So, I think I will make jelly instead of jam. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is just the beginning of my wedding favor making. I'm planning to do small batches of a bunch of things: jam, jelly, dilly beans, pickles, apple butter.... something for everyone.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhpWhedA2kqvMD0JlnVY-Czvlt3OT8bR0O2UlwvwWHmTdYgKHe2xrBWzvDmjalvkOg41_AIByDDe2IL2qCo8fPv6iCXuw-x5u1G2yarJoMDvZqtkvp5xzQImLJEXHiEvKwF1AKuokiQ8/s400/IMG_0373.JPG" /></u></span></div><div><br /></div>Speaking of wedding, here are the wedding potatoes at Main Street - big and beautiful!</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div>OK, now back to McCormick.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTFw2uYuiX1JjmxZUKaEaVCiK79cy1nrOmE05WtvsJt7qnenSQ-_dTd2zv4mNeD0olr7fyJzJqciXA6FlW0G2n8xmyd7PXN2-36S-AfQwYskyOaZwy6pl_zBn-Zcs4SPC9mw-8u4f5cs/s1600/IMG_0370.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTFw2uYuiX1JjmxZUKaEaVCiK79cy1nrOmE05WtvsJt7qnenSQ-_dTd2zv4mNeD0olr7fyJzJqciXA6FlW0G2n8xmyd7PXN2-36S-AfQwYskyOaZwy6pl_zBn-Zcs4SPC9mw-8u4f5cs/s400/IMG_0370.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628245938551486850" /></a></div><div>This is what our Three Sisters plot looked like when we got back from vacation in late June....</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijHmF7OiD8JA0OVNG0wDOzAfjC5EdO0Sd_OnPj-jVm7D-Sumwr95Oetl7RpBKABqAtTfQ9dT9S_8QQ7hyphenhyphen71buMGYV1vBvkWxX1Opbk9ZuzmNsuUFi8yg2kJ7ocjeFpTiOmwka5VQc3WY/s400/IMG_0481.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">.... and here it is today. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOojqpK7xq_DmjWalO024QYo4_McRxRuo7td9weVeWtresOPx6yyhYVaeVr63IpsBgxAelQkvGg7RWlaFuIblnHEPi31fA6mzKC98lrgSITnO7G9QKH7rIsz3HiSo5JYMXokOWWM-Q4Ko/s400/IMG_0487.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Everything is growing quite well, except the beans. Some little rodent has been slipping between the bars in our fence and nibbling on them. They are alive and a few are thriving, but something will have to be done if we are to have much of a bean harvest. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm letting the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">purslane</span> grow wild in this garden and pulling all the other weeds. I just love <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">purslane</span> in salads and for snacking... maybe I'll regret leaving this weed, but it doesn't seem like it's doing much harm.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgEFxvy5unXguDLE_10WEOjRHom-yHmdBW1wWO1vqzP18Yqo1M-FK0_bXh_1ZeGgoJ8k0-fKN3FTQ7iY_gQjV27_NNqMIPaisspboym34QGG9BDsgORi6efBj1_dyI93rJjCTI3arxmk/s400/IMG_0485.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been feeding everything regularly with fish emulsion since this garden is not planted in the best of soils. It all seems to be doing well, although the leaves are a little yellower than I might like. The pumpkins will soon be flowering!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">OK, now back to the homestead.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYue5D94i-Og9keYNnM7FAkR8FLd-SF_DbjHaj1wr1ng1OyTRpV_zm2ZAzM9koshheWZEfaCi7FxdRPSTVYdRuFYsduqVg30VFiVgySI19VBLujLR2sT6qcnl5sc0wgrrZRot7QQwaVyo/s400/IMG_0456.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of the five beds in the side yard this is my favorite, and the most wild. We have cilantro (going to seed), elephant head amaranth, baby's breath, bronze fennel, two cherry tomatoes, and bells of Ireland. Way too much for this little space, but it <i>is</i> beautiful.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCNjlwLML4orYrFoVTP7ONd-EynuuG1e1zJE0zNQ_JtngZlKDCpCphSlvPIp2Mo9UysGaYDb-r-D0v7wR9Oz9bwxmo4qadKC17Utjohi5n30naD6HqW5BlkcLmGLb44pii6tZ_6pi6bM/s400/IMG_0463.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div>Bed number two - lettuce and peas. Next weekend I will take these down to make way for the autumn collards I'm growing for the wedding. We've gotten many good salads out of this lettuce patch, and I'll be shelling the peas for dinner when I'm done writing this post!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmm_-jO_RP3Cu2ptPr6NS5Qvgz33vlxIAyMlIQ83JGJlHmNsYnzo5sykNj-JrkyEnn_xyEKlzAwqqg1Mm-LSHjkjQG5rSL0ONOtuq__IM_hdxNQpGc-Dnjsi0KnipQzYDwhZkiPhrcIz4/s400/IMG_0364.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bed three, four, and five a few weeks ago....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSPQ083JV7U-wWgnlmkxkMdlG5WocWzfL27JfoSqATgrhlSfC2LR-ck5oO3uE6a4zvq5iEYjOi1jpFL7q4NI3p2zgI8fFHOiUYhMRv9_iutknnarx7oFm0uAyMG1MHGC8R9RW2G19Xwk/s400/IMG_0449.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">... and here is bed three today. Can you tell which of the cabbage were transplanted? It's amazing how much that can set these plants back! I originally planted 1/2 in cabbage and 1/2 in Brussels sprouts, but the Brussels didn't germinate, so I thinned the cabbage and transplanted it into the whole bed. These will be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">cole</span> slaw at the wedding. The sunflowers are Teddy Bear and will be for wedding decorations.<div style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2ljz5hQWHJrhCeUQ0onu4a0rwUY81AJYNsesiukYKLJC7pYDrHrFvHJNflQymBhdAWmAXi3KLj7BuDVUsOjh-ehxITK1Xtd0Tm6XerHAM-kSLC8PhODYl-7q6pJDuhZ4wg-wMbXq5CI/s400/IMG_0448.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bed four. Not too exciting. Zinnias about to bloom, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Statice</span> starting to bloom, and onions. Yes, this is all for the wedding as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9QMrAGoHtiAmhOo02dKEnir2cKdX-UVEjtOSVg4_zbDolsR6M3ZiGVnHjIPCU3rSeJKGZbzRVYXP6L3inz3vLUiuRhReYQ2hY1lWXtg6IiGjnk4VmsevDDLLd3ntUnfoua8isYAKDcg/s400/IMG_0445.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bed five was the last to be planted and the least impressive. More <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">strawflowers</span>, zinnias, elephant head amaranth, and bronze fennel. You guessed it - they are for the wedding.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhpZAvO8cJBIJwJmhbTybQY7_dZYkGHgPMjtkD_Pc5KEEsY2RbzAYdkMuj91fkTMhBSGcwX0hPChwxen-5vaOxoeHLIq_oOTeZov6mlIG1lusLOf04cpgZtMfv09umHdrYf_wFk1Osjg/s1600/IMG_0444.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhpZAvO8cJBIJwJmhbTybQY7_dZYkGHgPMjtkD_Pc5KEEsY2RbzAYdkMuj91fkTMhBSGcwX0hPChwxen-5vaOxoeHLIq_oOTeZov6mlIG1lusLOf04cpgZtMfv09umHdrYf_wFk1Osjg/s400/IMG_0444.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628244472920524242" /></a>And here are the chickens that are mad because they aren't allowed into the side yard... they have too much of a taste for cabbage plants. </div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIngGcLxSEVIf6ZLkZArckB9tEWLBB8tlOAm8_EHujEWf8RDE3xEJe0i3dv7WOZoQcSTlGUeR2dSZu5bn90-X1HmW5n1ENpCqt-xpRObbdUHa79OY4hFhZkRmSuOIntW1NJuYGN75oRmY/s1600/IMG_0467.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIngGcLxSEVIf6ZLkZArckB9tEWLBB8tlOAm8_EHujEWf8RDE3xEJe0i3dv7WOZoQcSTlGUeR2dSZu5bn90-X1HmW5n1ENpCqt-xpRObbdUHa79OY4hFhZkRmSuOIntW1NJuYGN75oRmY/s400/IMG_0467.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628243189292915138" /></a>Oh, and there is this bed in the front. Turns out it is not at all sunny enough to grow strawberries. They plants have grown, but not enough. I planted basil between the rows, and it seems to be doing well. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">strawflowers</span> in back are doing very well and are about to bloom....</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlP8An6VD6zs_domsZg_UG6AlcVk-Iz1R6inpmPcb9e6zxyhRaEyQy1Jhyq4Fiow68iS_E8B6UcJMfHIrCdv9OHT7lp9hdH5JHxC28ihGmXdgGfoVC7q7_u1lp5bu31p0t963WrTbvK8Y/s1600/IMG_0471.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlP8An6VD6zs_domsZg_UG6AlcVk-Iz1R6inpmPcb9e6zxyhRaEyQy1Jhyq4Fiow68iS_E8B6UcJMfHIrCdv9OHT7lp9hdH5JHxC28ihGmXdgGfoVC7q7_u1lp5bu31p0t963WrTbvK8Y/s400/IMG_0471.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628243179624857058" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9IRmnbcPfowN8hNthyphenhyphenWoP-v_pUVkf6mfAnll9sw4-tA2NOqxbc-2rbSeJWbhizyi_KHeNRZmjRFRe_pjC2mxjVUJkOtM86u3AlC6i06GJnKVtrJFQjA0VenG2cuCqQ9CJyJ_IikEHR4/s1600/IMG_0474.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9IRmnbcPfowN8hNthyphenhyphenWoP-v_pUVkf6mfAnll9sw4-tA2NOqxbc-2rbSeJWbhizyi_KHeNRZmjRFRe_pjC2mxjVUJkOtM86u3AlC6i06GJnKVtrJFQjA0VenG2cuCqQ9CJyJ_IikEHR4/s400/IMG_0474.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628242109413093714" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lrrzgIhFFbYFBShAYHTkS2dB2VTfNFkJYN4LFrVI0FxZqTVuoBCKd8cQqukgOyJhi3BwTeLANaNNuUdnZ5oIVrdeBdW16lOgfX936r_6wa5QOiF6FjvmTqDL6tpqjJaJURWzNb8cOYs/s1600/IMG_0496.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lrrzgIhFFbYFBShAYHTkS2dB2VTfNFkJYN4LFrVI0FxZqTVuoBCKd8cQqukgOyJhi3BwTeLANaNNuUdnZ5oIVrdeBdW16lOgfX936r_6wa5QOiF6FjvmTqDL6tpqjJaJURWzNb8cOYs/s400/IMG_0496.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628239626490183378" /></a>I know this is getting long, but just a few more wedding things to tell you about. This is the Taco Bell parking lot where Stanley and I parked in the dead of night and cut a bunch of wild bee balm to dry for wedding decorations. It's so pretty, and just the right color!</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EkSMRrPIKE7n1QAlo_1KpYVW5fbTWjbgA2e5pZSUJYT_LSsQJlDVzGRqIZzpZhtM6QBp4UZEIJhD5afarvFQnoZG0KqD5_eMjeA72S9PtGFcbtAgaYAPHWS2yubOuI7bGkZL02q3EBY/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EkSMRrPIKE7n1QAlo_1KpYVW5fbTWjbgA2e5pZSUJYT_LSsQJlDVzGRqIZzpZhtM6QBp4UZEIJhD5afarvFQnoZG0KqD5_eMjeA72S9PtGFcbtAgaYAPHWS2yubOuI7bGkZL02q3EBY/s400/IMG_0499.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628239598203043234" /></a>and this is the peppermint and lemon balm tea that I dried from Main Street Garden peppermint and front yard lemon balm. It will be the after dinner drink of choice at our October wedding.</div></div></div></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-74069604475023904322011-06-19T20:17:00.000-07:002011-06-22T19:57:35.505-07:00The Rustic Table<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibA1zvwqiluTXqqmfFGTH3fH0D-ru0GZJpMaeG-xWo3ifrjOFNT6JETWWDDfVZdQbJDsTq74CGWtEHY52gqjTiz8RByttQGboVQJBrVu1iYWXH11G_dz4hBmQCWFWcyHppQK_Y-BXIrsY/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibA1zvwqiluTXqqmfFGTH3fH0D-ru0GZJpMaeG-xWo3ifrjOFNT6JETWWDDfVZdQbJDsTq74CGWtEHY52gqjTiz8RByttQGboVQJBrVu1iYWXH11G_dz4hBmQCWFWcyHppQK_Y-BXIrsY/s400/IMG_0334.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621237598108557954" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The cherry on the top of our weekend up north was a visit to our meat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">CSA</span>, <a href="http://www.therustictable.com/">The Rustic Table</a>. This is a pasture based meat operation on 80 acres of some of the most beautiful pasture you'll ever see. Stanley took a lot of nice photos, so this post will be picture heavy. Enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASTpPe94CDQ9iuhcoszS84cEuw65FeRwJlTrlB2CIFi7ZmKlQFbuhgDyur0vMO4VvZjvEg3heFLsbNtAY6uW7MXQa454P2Z2X51Br-qGUlforFT9IxBx-iqQs3-yG3SnFVJJ6u5nqDgo/s400/IMG_0184.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Black mule foot hog piglets, just a few days old.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1FUdiFPNZtTsrTvVuSWsdujzj-xZgvDNJ8z5yRkU8jgqxXCNJvVL74xjkRd0eEADBNa9kHbPbsXPLH-0DTc5COUmmf6wtUkBtD7lui6C5eAKsNckBwrVGYnJFjT-m8u6ytV6s0KOZBw/s400/IMG_0186.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjne-37RXuqnhZWtl73vHIOdhqQsH73XkOHcszfB2wec2dQA_qWXkjSeKk7lIDLa5pTJs_a0J-WomNHPhnv81WnyMisTdTZCjlVJRpGIZJ3yI2ZuzxGIiIXVEnw3d5-ZEaGQGBW4OZfmxE/s400/IMG_0196.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF42EGgcLK8f-x2BCcBLoCwA0QmZEvKXuFsYaB6zoTxG3XpjvGCf3hpb_Vk2WqEG-lJi2f79g4PxnvqW8LfUXKC-3kgAfGsOMGjyRVDo0ruw0zYynRawkhJu2FnTSTvh_5XBWszFm5GR0/s400/IMG_0221.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Compare to these month and a half old piglets. My, how they grow. One of these little piggies will be the centerpiece of our wedding banquet in October.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeJUwz-ot2skPG3q1wjqjq4Q_7DUIvYsg-BmjAcNArQdEs6SK4Vbu2DjRrM8IrKpafqM2T_L3QjXrau2sfud7kTt78XQNATk6Z8QbnS8x1tJ8g5HhM7t-3C0caJS7oIPfujsKk_0Hh0U/s400/IMG_0214.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUih5dXsaL8t5BqlmDWy_UHIf1__-mfUkWFB2stIZnLXtIkEG0F7AmeyGGrrEFirUpDsFjSxkHhb6lfaK7mdO41rQa8oFzFCgwaHyUx_8GnZH6_I2zO2cdzq-M5yd5SNaQ22QpO0ArLc4/s400/IMG_0229.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mama, fresh from an enjoyable visit to the mud wallow. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzSnUsAkQX0LwbOULAzoCPSqz7h74cHV96ScRlkQTmpA-tC3rTyGWfb46yAlrRCk_gr8GEUz9a4lTBRSI_8LyyOzyJk6TepABiT07ec-xQGj6-NDP3oWNQQmgtMlUUt3Usn-0l21v9ks/s400/IMG_0253.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Eating from the food dish. Is there anything as cute as these piglets? I think not.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzkJuWk5RkLXh0LtO9Y81sYRORdzWprb9b4xFso4YHvJHyujyKB9kfIGgxOuazec8nL10jst4-LX9uOLYQSr29LmPDxNG6GcVNsbdD9bYaauaa8X9lIVz0D9lx6hKzRT_cqVeHObXRC8/s400/IMG_0246.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G5DqNGZzawz1ZUKfEWdgHA03tKUAubQzWzv2a2mYlGwlro0z0cge1ILq_e0znn7ucWx5IJGk2K3qrm9DKMpmlfD6l8AHWlhlkctfFHqyxT3aK7UiUuyUYLrpKI_CRM5pnAayVE9gfQk/s400/IMG_0270.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The movable hen house. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOQcByGz99DdPIBc_fl32OYolHgbTrOjfqU7cgK3e1p8SKKYP_Jko_qBTbnMT8Y-uvg9Xe5LhCpLv8gfqnUye9q64YdiXH6H-TtdAVqFykoSUlXmUJItOT3CqBH_HK2R1Fr3P_4FZQ1U/s400/IMG_0277.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These chickens make mine look bad. All the grass they can eat.... a rooster to watch over them... chicken life just doesn't get better than that. We didn't get to see the meat chickens - they were butchered just before we got there. These are egg laying birds. Black Lace <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wyandotes</span>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfi95Q1Vx54ve3y-OdU25Kg1bhXf0RmybhShZTypTdA0yGIFRne0tkkrYwIYHX5jsF9Kx6C1lvwXFnnlgJB9qD7nQsUoCCcvavN5gmI-xGRZAXYx-R6sKTduf0ABBY5JdUm_BQVjtfMA/s1600/IMG_0325.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfi95Q1Vx54ve3y-OdU25Kg1bhXf0RmybhShZTypTdA0yGIFRne0tkkrYwIYHX5jsF9Kx6C1lvwXFnnlgJB9qD7nQsUoCCcvavN5gmI-xGRZAXYx-R6sKTduf0ABBY5JdUm_BQVjtfMA/s400/IMG_0325.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621237590621703426" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">A stone fence row - one of two made by the original farmers and their 15 children in the early 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">century</span>. What an amazing amount of work this was.<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQfgiBjuJ3no-r3MkVuX8kQSm_sE23IDZBu5uKXVx8KM80gIKpz2LGvr_aFUX7ciRVov97TCD0cK8pUho6pm8HsWYlGwZEeBwzg3TbQ55dld_FnwEJ9LqocTeI5wSbpzOJORLTF1syvw/s400/IMG_0258.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The beef.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfRJs0DP6jRK_rmue__46RqwPjpCxbIlT7fQNHKcX-8h1wffXBbKP799hRnVn0WGk01yndarxiRmvm0hn13gVvrhAVX2qaycAruWO2Myb3Ss31DwziuXW12iWTp5QjB_zG6zzPKUB4nk/s400/IMG_0284.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jersey <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Boyz</span>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MjqiRw3xrEWwdIC1haDWxn7F3KTV4VI78O2hX6YnBFsWsHZczGEnP_MW2B7YspzYm3FP0yNCaspo8DdR4tvdiOkmsnyHUb4nIP6z57DKmynZmfltbS_Wxl6q-CjwWVu0uBKelXFKd9Q/s400/IMG_0316.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">70s pop star or bovine steer? You decide.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBb7qrOpQgDCcRIVA58K5XaWbCx-_b978KrNPd3-vU10GgXXS9s0NDtxA9cK0Q3z-FWiEc9VNdyPOIr8W9VxFZD4RnQqOoJvu2ekrBIhQU4RutiPJv0DQZzRTLs5nxWIHkYo7eT4HLog/s1600/IMG_0320.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBb7qrOpQgDCcRIVA58K5XaWbCx-_b978KrNPd3-vU10GgXXS9s0NDtxA9cK0Q3z-FWiEc9VNdyPOIr8W9VxFZD4RnQqOoJvu2ekrBIhQU4RutiPJv0DQZzRTLs5nxWIHkYo7eT4HLog/s400/IMG_0320.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621236851228351074" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Lambs, newly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">shorn</span>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6kERlIWOlU1f4f2KnFQETOvyU3Cal60QJsFlbKScOqJJHx2yIuOoxjqef1kVPOCvXtMIN__w_Uy73e2NSd2aYxgjqnrRmrM6VGOUjxN7t60VtTdDyLyZUJLVUQXyYK8I_VLh-E3xIwA/s400/IMG_0264.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-41109802223159863032011-06-19T19:56:00.000-07:002011-06-20T20:31:24.967-07:00Best Locavore Birthday Ever<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAHNSYDJfdhlTsNwwpnzfqwxNcy2QKCowfli6GWrFxv8HdtvP9Yi9BiDZjUM1XJIuzMp-gVpv7TNLLzDnxHS3HDk2OOHkEmGnUAh8z7Q5Q2feSp_Y4eYPeWMlifJhTFl2XlefnmYSC5s/s400/IMG_0081.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Best birthday food ever. My birthday was Saturday, so Stanley and I went up to the North Woods of Wisconsin for a long weekend of camping. We were in Ohio at a family reunion for the beginning of the week, and we only had one night at home before leaving for our camping trip, so the packing was rather haphazard and hurried. Instead of running to the grocery store to pick up supplies, we decided to camp locavore style - bringing just a few local ingredients and gathering the rest along the way. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We brought bacon and pork steaks from <a href="http://www.therustictable.com/p/csa.html">The Rustic Table</a> (our meat CSA), and eggs from the chickens. I used the handy <a href="http://www.farmfreshatlas.org/contact.html">Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas</a> to locate a farmer's market along the way in Lodi. We were pleasantly surprised to find a good selection of produce.... we purchased green garlic, spring onions, hickory nuts, sugar snap peas, asparagus, strawberries, and to our surprise, new potatoes. I wasn't expecting to find potatoes this early, but there they were... right before we left I noticed a chocolate vendor and Stanley bought some <a href="http://www.lifeislikecholates.com/">lovely birthday chocolates</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrocDPMq5RBe_kFkjBUeDF5THxt71HvgoVi1MHg8TDz1os_MB4sQ-QkOTCSFblzwebdg3T76SNnhf8-wZ3UJoMrZCSqPSAc05eNWZlJoVQwo55nAvHQ8QeKt3t51LRPpCKAkAWusf7vY/s400/IMG_0006.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We arrived at our campsite with just enough time to gather wood and cook dinner before dark. Stanley is responsible for this lovely scene. Pork steaks from The Rustic Table, green garlic, and spring onions cooked over the open flame. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4R75K-BljF5xfhUIYCAZ5SWJI2GO0iwXKYLLzvS094hW39nI2OIRHigADl8GGJ3bD3n1F-Av3HYRgo8WteFkqNVu2XlJ1thS6KeJ7INNjQgBvdyErC_ZvwI3Qsj2AqfJ55G1lLcnV7A/s400/IMG_0008.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wrapped up some cubed potatoes and onions in foil and cooked them in the coals, the asparagus also was wrapped in foil and cooked on the grill.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMsBqVJxZFgQYaRb_oZuvR9j3Fhb_plsJsT-CdVVxs_rQTx57j6tUxuMsLRWgxwSluJsGs9K5-M4ruuR7l2A6HpMpBZ2fQfiRFpM-Ua5Gp5L0ZrEKws_UW_yLfxdaBNb2AXGH7O2bc5I/s400/IMG_0015.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yum. No salt or seasonings needed. The pure flavors of new potato, asparagus, onions, and pork were just wonderful. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW05D5I1NQxwSmpdCo0NrZVEpFk848x1TUnf8oTE6vavUsdHCK2zKDLRhd2KlvwgKTcIaDe1C8JhZf2Inyvutphou3enYzX3RmY2gUNeMdJFsN2yS80VT0PTOoVaweisTi15PfkQFpVxg/s400/IMG_0017.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And for dessert, strawberry shish-kebabs over the grill. Grilled strawberries is one of my favorite June treats - like pie without the crust.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It rained all that night and the next morning we decided to swallow our camping pride and rent a cabin for Saturday night. After driving around we found the perfect place: <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60184-d1636175-r114588405-Muskie_Bill_s_Place-Phillips_Wisconsin.html#UR114588405">Muskie Bills</a>. It was a delightful place - the interior of the cabin had us thinking we were living in That 70's Show, but it was impeccably clean, and best of all a small aluminum boat came with our rental. You can guess what Stanley did all afternoon....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqNNCDU3YFr5FAZqb9SWRpEKuJAFvNmnDsy-4Ku8D95arACY85QzjB3kBkuDKrzBY5tB1_hcsuWErwV1PjQKjOqlUJo8b6YcC66NYuPIByA1bZq3SgUKXNmHm-H2uw6be_bpFrvzgPA0/s400/IMG_0040.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xRTOYgUk-gdWa-6j3dEt7m9EAglZMuw0z9SsrSWoefiU1ZQvjtSg-uBhUHHv7cmxzUDkHl7c5LXVzoeyB9IPgp9Of9DhOOsiC_m22sqgW9sM2iFIutTHLXzSXcn8f8rGNzvPoTNvMP4/s400/IMG_0049.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He caught a plethora of fish, including his first Muskie (catch and release), and six good sized Rock Bass. He threw the two smallest back, and kept four for dinner.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pXApbI-RgWwJeGcZRThjThki8cgEwXRkwm98ggVzt5A-X7ECge5k_givpMp-A1a_SMEdjeaZhyphenhyphenauStzeIT9s05Gvi94dBcKGxlkUuAhoYzzHoyuOwpW2tjUNjiVnHyVuH79_BEb0hGM/s400/IMG_0051.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lucky for me, Stanley is really perfecting his filleting skills. Aren't these pretty? After dealing with the unpleasantness of gutting, scaling, and filleting the fish, he headed inside to make me the best birthday dinner of my life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiAEEDAuoSpkeIt0igTFRly_3EqH-ZabRpRlRok0nekOSoL3ZvuBAbDOQG8vqOeaAhgIAWX8opXwGoxwW8WoS1OxvM2msRueyeHgR4Ik1j9pFS-Gt7T1aTSAGA-EyDozvAdVDhZ7YCRQ/s400/IMG_0057.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ground hickory nuts.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RrTp3yV8IEQlSbmBSxhi95RwJuD2g7Hs1Utmzr0J_zjOfXxVExORhWmEJVrgjkLSOkTlFf3ELI05pjMeG3knCIAEdTSZWJLBJAhcdcqxcibHnh2RlcQliu_ldRYZ2Sg1vozIh6UoK_k/s400/IMG_0068.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bacon, sweet bacon. Better yet, bacon from the black mule foot hogs at The Rustic Table.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO-BcGQxDaa3bTkEwDDcUhQ9JMyqqXFka3UpAXkYp8RNAD_dACQ5i30xflTC-jJ_FSaSeD3KisocUQgkBWG-QaB2xVMcnLGj4Vb05lmVDZ3aMqOVaF7iMR8J9W4HN5yltrQWajf_1JQ0/s400/IMG_0070.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He rendered the fat with green garlic and spring onions.....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJs-5CaweIAFV8tN-mU4HMtAJxiImyvFVPSMDNtTJ8vy75jEdcG4nJoxvKD74IORh2i35IqLlRQzN4DeBptvqhBYO1zHG3fSd5k2SK3X5cMCACCHA7pcAHTIH2FZVoyaTJYQKy5vfem5M/s400/IMG_0069.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He dipped the fish a beaten egg, coated it with hickory nuts, and baked it in bacon grease.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5etya-VqB0QMgzhrukDYhVelXsDiGK1JDLHa5ZAfkRQN45Wf3IhOOZCD58Xdimfq9QwQNeT1Pb-vpBFQc8gT-MbE6FMRuzqCRqkrG0Z2rM5a3bj8-_LGpU8grIt9t1fZIhM8tVciSImI/s400/IMG_0071.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The bacon was then cooked with the asparagus in a pan on the stove.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVo0A2_fkOIVQFpOclpRZjtZP_JqouOBrIAor0_9rZuOliG6OQwTX_wRic2DaYpgV3q6C1Rc-hE0HpdVL7sHPP80jhg7deHYVlS40tzF1w_bhfufDPWXpX7b-CMW51n4IXrZyEr20OHPg/s400/IMG_0077.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last but not least, boiled potatoes were cooked briefly with the last of the bacon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe76iP1ocXE96na73AYNJ8ywkn8nHYid7hwkwypfpCc3hejDnWJB0ovTju3xDUFJ2NyZhR_PPAVK4YVKqoTiPTYh46hfqxydpJRvDMBW_tKc8WbcFcH6JDziioZOO030QBvlS0eISfr6Y/s400/IMG_0078.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wow. Again, no salt, no seasonings, no nothing except beautiful local ingredients. The fish was just amazing - it had been swimming at 3pm, and we ate it at 6pm. The flavors melded perfectly, tied together by the smoky salty bacon flavor. Happy birthday to me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5QeZBG8Sapw4kgmX1jlAHnQ6_ZubCGpeZKf70UM0U0QtmNUQMyq5zBxJNCkj3V2wqrVwmhGAETjd3TyA8ZNpiZs3GR1z0stS82zOmSIf4F5fSA0xsp7FIltvmNHmr4_bshldl49WHbU/s400/IMG_0088.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There were no leftovers, but Bernie was more than happy to lick the last of the bacon-y goodness from our plates.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrsFJcO03lQFb4iXPnBR-eQybm2E2FEcmMhiZblbQ2c8flSw91IN6a-eD6FBZ6HXHIkKmhrWD7Czn8yqM8VMOouPVbk7x41rjDOEABQnf2GGSdDi1EFGzCmSMQvR3ng6O2o6xvD6S7Yw/s400/IMG_0037.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For dessert we finished off these lovely Wisconsin made chocolates. Perfect. After dinner we waled Bernie down the lane, and to our delight found a bunch of wild strawberries.... a perfect end to a perfect day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00U9Uf0Rj2-Omu_TKLeyCwgKwCXzS_ZW0ly9BnjJKJpQi7Lc1X5Z_mHrJBYQp6Xxfbx0dG_1mpGN2po2MTNWb_s4voov34CJSe1taeR12X0BrQnf0QDS-UaxgFkMDhvuLKJQ1Rkhyphenhyphen8-g/s1600/IMG_0103.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00U9Uf0Rj2-Omu_TKLeyCwgKwCXzS_ZW0ly9BnjJKJpQi7Lc1X5Z_mHrJBYQp6Xxfbx0dG_1mpGN2po2MTNWb_s4voov34CJSe1taeR12X0BrQnf0QDS-UaxgFkMDhvuLKJQ1Rkhyphenhyphen8-g/s400/IMG_0103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620135697365629730" /></a><div><div style="text-align: left;">Last, but not least, I thought I'd share a picture of Sunday morning's breakfast. Scrambled eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes. I'm not sure why this picture turned out so steamy.... you get the gist.</div></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-71845125770785619062011-06-07T18:07:00.000-07:002011-06-07T18:41:01.560-07:00Grilled Kale<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEQ14qwgxf_pbQ49zeQanWyaVs1AIvt0KSV6midsptY5cnbfqaM3LedA_Ka6u0qf43cRfsZew9J7YkqId_f7qWbMX4lGezu-U5Xx6SZTmCltKf9oG7P-cNyPfVvNcNx1V8bcMBoC9VlY/s1600/IMG_9801.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEQ14qwgxf_pbQ49zeQanWyaVs1AIvt0KSV6midsptY5cnbfqaM3LedA_Ka6u0qf43cRfsZew9J7YkqId_f7qWbMX4lGezu-U5Xx6SZTmCltKf9oG7P-cNyPfVvNcNx1V8bcMBoC9VlY/s400/IMG_9801.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615651023440157378" /></a></div>It's hot. Like many hearty Wisconsinites we have no air conditioning at our house, so when the temps get up into the high 90s like that have the last few days, there is no way in hell that our stove will be turned on. Hence, the grilled kale.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7lvY0k_SnrAQYnedjQg2xqY6CFGM3_z_g9vD6pWKdo-mElbgUh1vUHaRgCPZf1nrSj0cvnSOhOd7wsZzCvPmooXolcs0FG_hd00rNyGlyvLJ_nCBpwKow3z9sq0rv6AMpHBMwZ0AmbQ/s400/IMG_9792.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It began with this beautiful bunch of Red Russian kale from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Westridge</span> Produce, a new local farm that we're working with at the West Side Co-op. It's always a gamble when we take on a new farm... will their stuff be nice? Will they be responsive and professional? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Westridge</span> has passed all the tests with flying colors. This kale is just beautiful. I know lots of people like L<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">acinato</span> kale the best, but I have a love of Red Russian. It's got a sweet tender quality that no other kale can touch.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I really wanted some kale and since the stove was not a possibility, the grill seemed to be the only way. I looked online for grilled kale recipes. Most involve tin foil and lots of prep time. I wasn't interested in either of those things, so I just made something up.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS_wgS-eEB1cWdU13AdKcypBTgTnAdTtDXWzGwmFiSxhK4RZ4Z883AmPX0xUnqKlSI-J7r7yodfxeE795x8UdbfoPz714-AbOK_LSfPxjGj_ZtLgdVvjuSB4rhrR28dvfqst4bp-nBzM/s1600/IMG_9794.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS_wgS-eEB1cWdU13AdKcypBTgTnAdTtDXWzGwmFiSxhK4RZ4Z883AmPX0xUnqKlSI-J7r7yodfxeE795x8UdbfoPz714-AbOK_LSfPxjGj_ZtLgdVvjuSB4rhrR28dvfqst4bp-nBzM/s400/IMG_9794.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615650193136611746" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">I coated the kale in local sunflower oil and the juice of one lemon and stuck it in the fridge while I lit the grill and started the brats cooking - just about 30 or 45 minutes.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS_wgS-eEB1cWdU13AdKcypBTgTnAdTtDXWzGwmFiSxhK4RZ4Z883AmPX0xUnqKlSI-J7r7yodfxeE795x8UdbfoPz714-AbOK_LSfPxjGj_ZtLgdVvjuSB4rhrR28dvfqst4bp-nBzM/s1600/IMG_9794.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7lvY0k_SnrAQYnedjQg2xqY6CFGM3_z_g9vD6pWKdo-mElbgUh1vUHaRgCPZf1nrSj0cvnSOhOd7wsZzCvPmooXolcs0FG_hd00rNyGlyvLJ_nCBpwKow3z9sq0rv6AMpHBMwZ0AmbQ/s1600/IMG_9792.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdrTaHB0gMQJof6rQALx-v3RkQKt8zcgXv-Y5mwvxoePzp7JxqbjxR1JTVf83jAxQECAsJI9p0T3cvNIqAeCq7qN_qMviuWJOkBmwSwr0xebfm_tsJNqSRXDLUBThIFgFU9Gf7YWCNEs/s400/IMG_9795.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't get any pictures of it on the grill, but basically we just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">layed</span> it on and let it cook until it was almost charred. It got flipped just once. Easy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">peasy</span>. No four hour marination time, no tin foil, no fuss, no muss.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_a9e6j3pisOuADr9mPeP3tq9fSIv6azV2uk6CvHOeDi4O6R_f6DNVUWIDmA_fAL3VvPEFkfLw_hjBCZKfa5Fo997dUTWMZLatZSa7DgL5oTEo-LbB9SiTJfiW_gB693BJbCwFFJ8a5yA/s400/IMG_9801.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was just perfect on one of the amazing local lamb and pork brats from <a href="http://www.therustictable.com/">The Rustic Table</a>. A <a href="http://yaharabay.com/YBSpirits/tabid/80/Default.aspx">local gin</a> and tonic followed by a dinner like this eaten out on the patio.... I guess hot weather isn't so bad after all.</div><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-48462661888460660522011-06-05T15:59:00.000-07:002011-06-05T20:30:11.944-07:00Three Sisters<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERnzTFWgL9yk5TX3q_3D9UGKeVluq_gG6O-nuPw8K_BTLZOYGpF6wISU1QiMlsNeaktJA7KaK8EUZWTl4t72PLQoIzc_hf0-Z_fJeN1kME9-_kMe9-CDzHJfEF9x83ulzS2PzneWn5Pc/s400/IMG_9779.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I finished the planting at McCormick today - this is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(agriculture)">Three Sisters</a> garden with corn, beans, and squash, all destined for our wedding feast. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMT0mCz_-uC74Izo9Z_fPXt9ytZMszENRph4t7MX9-VOt6ohnMd37YKm271iOHJexcZH7ataVJoOtDUkxuT5i_u3W7pDDhcCCciv9bNRrr4mZ9xwXnDGITwYMWrSbyvJ51doZDfw9EXA/s400/IMG_9775.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Two weeks ago I planted the corn in 14 mounds. As you can kind of see in this photo, it's now up and growing quickly, which means it was time today to plant the bean and pumpkin seeds. The beans get planted in the mounds with the corn, to grow up the corn stalks. The pumpkins go in mounds between the corn. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJcTSfifsBRia6xPK_cS57w4vRXKSHpbh16R90-yGR2yFHUJWnNCToPs2dwQoJA4BI49OJo2vtj9UAwC7t4I-aLz5fpDlf1KWLQi8JqjJWJqzFhtuxCJbcQaenKGYIfsbrETBQNYb4nc/s400/IMG_9776.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The little corn plants are looking good.... and growing really quickly. Hard to believe that it will (hopefully) be knee high by the Fourth of July, but if all goes well it will be.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYsHueCkyPG1EQd68kT5yRVA6suZHTGiSY1IU67Tr3VUgOstp5-9EDFiB498jTjw3FZ-NBfBuxod1ZaP3ybjobdsR48kPyGiVwOFuc3Iu9s72pVXkQKxaBPec9s7hGMkmOSraCEQqGW8/s400/IMG_9780.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lots and lots of weeds had also germinated in the last two weeks. Step one of my work today was to cultivate between the mounds.... just a 45 minute job, but the 90 degree heat made it seem much longer. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_qyFqfU98sl6eST7yJxduNtBN0KhGRWi7ORBs4AKZRwX2Hgn1KCGqgAsYZbV6jVlWMZpWtm1eJYrx8-nS0FwX7zNoXlIdSc1fiwKH7w10RVLC6zwnCCc9JOTmAT7-C-7UqgzOGQJ4D8/s400/IMG_9782.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These two five gallon buckets are all the compost that our kitchen and chickens created last summer. Amazing how it shrinks. I brought it over to give the pumpkins, corn, and beans a much needed boost. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzCuyWdOxKJdEasuGHD5rX-okGEJBcHUhrXAE4Py4QO6lAyA2_KfSShJ5AGXYij02X9TCo7zhUDs-1LwNX7v1ekRMZhg4A7XA7jhCy98wyPBSkKfAD7lxP_U6ua5j-PBqypN_vZraDTw/s400/IMG_9786.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are the pumpkin mounds created and seeds planted. I worked more of the free city compost into the new mounds, along with a shovel-full of the homemade compost. This soil is so poor, I will still need to fertilize it as it grows. Hopefully all the compost will at least give it a good start.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIxDnQtqUaaME8uDfd_pmgcxLQDw8Plk7Qmdq-e6IMznQaF92BqVD0xPiG-SJu051iSEvoS6ckDoWMub6v20ORn18-1FQgqrkclD_5_1p45wsynSyVRIcg67SOGbRtsmMaa02zDypPhw/s400/IMG_9788.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div>The last step was to mulch the whole thing with straw. Two bales perfectly covered all the space I needed it to. It should keep the weeds down at least a little, and it will make good organic matter to incorporate next year. Now we just have to wait and hope there is enough fertility in this soil to grow a decent crop.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYBz7BCOF2ayhAYDUQ7-4qWy-JnTYl8zy_wWJaPP96E2zfrdoTFBevwMKAcuLD6j1Abg2xPLQDj6V8Y6zdpFLiUvjqLbRP4bBMU5Sjm_lvwktEB1a_HTHXqcwkk-0638sOJxh_Q4H9As/s1600/IMG_9762.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYBz7BCOF2ayhAYDUQ7-4qWy-JnTYl8zy_wWJaPP96E2zfrdoTFBevwMKAcuLD6j1Abg2xPLQDj6V8Y6zdpFLiUvjqLbRP4bBMU5Sjm_lvwktEB1a_HTHXqcwkk-0638sOJxh_Q4H9As/s400/IMG_9762.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614925743339579010" border="0" /></a>I should show you the Main Street garden while I'm at it. This garden has none of the soil issues that McCormick has, and consequently gardening seems like a breeze here. All the help from the fam doesn't hurt either. Things are finally all cleaned up and planted.... looks good, huh?<div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsOaEiBCvPwZPpp-CecHPJlzaZjfn4VHbB2-qt6aeHB2N04-174B7WA930djartwXN6sjmBbxDnf5t-bQfJfqXViZRh-psi8to3tK1o9FFsqQOajJ3cvxGPdTKbY4UI8cSZMKVDhRO1I/s1600/IMG_9765.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsOaEiBCvPwZPpp-CecHPJlzaZjfn4VHbB2-qt6aeHB2N04-174B7WA930djartwXN6sjmBbxDnf5t-bQfJfqXViZRh-psi8to3tK1o9FFsqQOajJ3cvxGPdTKbY4UI8cSZMKVDhRO1I/s400/IMG_9765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614925274632227746" border="0" /></a>These tomatoes have a long way to go to grow into their cages. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69wzu5pJMyyXv1oHJ30m7hvWE15omS_kTFuVozKi2x_23x2hSm-NFD4NoZDVdGwb6EEaCzztBoZIKXgsi5qRgH9-TL4bD2EkR_JP4rm9uRtPT9nAiAktLMmZrdTKVO_47r0991M1qRB0/s1600/IMG_9767.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69wzu5pJMyyXv1oHJ30m7hvWE15omS_kTFuVozKi2x_23x2hSm-NFD4NoZDVdGwb6EEaCzztBoZIKXgsi5qRgH9-TL4bD2EkR_JP4rm9uRtPT9nAiAktLMmZrdTKVO_47r0991M1qRB0/s400/IMG_9767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614924715424136898" border="0" /></a>Soon I will harvest and dry some of this mint for our wedding... peppermint tea after dinner is the plan.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_l8I41aYe5ip3-NjqcONs0QuPcPLcB5MjTRqIl-5U2P9B6Qr4Kz3FIvDXhngB1AvXEppf-5st9IT2-z-fPMc-uLc-m7o-AP1fEuHZMVljLkkEQ9YZUFfIC0JR2pk6_IUZ-lsGbxsRPvc/s1600/IMG_9772.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_l8I41aYe5ip3-NjqcONs0QuPcPLcB5MjTRqIl-5U2P9B6Qr4Kz3FIvDXhngB1AvXEppf-5st9IT2-z-fPMc-uLc-m7o-AP1fEuHZMVljLkkEQ9YZUFfIC0JR2pk6_IUZ-lsGbxsRPvc/s400/IMG_9772.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614924286934864738" border="0" /></a><div><div style="text-align: left;">The potatoes are up! These are also for the wedding. <div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_l8I41aYe5ip3-NjqcONs0QuPcPLcB5MjTRqIl-5U2P9B6Qr4Kz3FIvDXhngB1AvXEppf-5st9IT2-z-fPMc-uLc-m7o-AP1fEuHZMVljLkkEQ9YZUFfIC0JR2pk6_IUZ-lsGbxsRPvc/s1600/IMG_9772.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pQ1hn_bl_vdivpLEeeHeKk6tQPjQEzT7_X3Pw-yEiE-cE3Ezh-Fqi1DoA1KE0ipCz3fssdiWW5Mzn3C7JX529opbYarMkit5s2C-y_SbHIqQUuavQdwANf9sNbdPTV4LCHW6e7xkEOI/s400/IMG_9770.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The snap peas are looking good. We planted melons and zucchini in mounds in front of them, and cucumbers in a row behind them After the peas are done, the cucumbers will grow up the trellis and the melons and zucchini will spread out in front. At least that's the plan. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBqn3ABOPUfuwlJNawJ-tObVZqSWoDpKnh3jB7I9L_1QeP80fHxyIUmWE0LgXQTN88EB2znlyPAMxdd0ai23udp1PsJ0NgbOw2hePw5lRv7t6EeeqemYkW7iMjjfjN631Dh2OCJQr7Sc/s1600/IMG_9773.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBqn3ABOPUfuwlJNawJ-tObVZqSWoDpKnh3jB7I9L_1QeP80fHxyIUmWE0LgXQTN88EB2znlyPAMxdd0ai23udp1PsJ0NgbOw2hePw5lRv7t6EeeqemYkW7iMjjfjN631Dh2OCJQr7Sc/s400/IMG_9773.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614923513116682834" border="0" /></a>Little baby cucumbers. Hard to believe how much they will grow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div></div></div></div></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-14349131583253753132011-05-24T20:03:00.000-07:002011-05-25T06:11:21.575-07:00Digging in the Dirt<div>I got a good workout on Monday. I found myself telling Stanley that I just had to "get the corn in" this weekend, and he laughed to hear me talking like just another Wisconsin farmer.</div><div><br /></div><div>The corn is Cherokee white flour corn - an heirloom variety bred specifically for making corn meal. It's going to be the base for the cornbread that we'll serve at our wedding in October. My task on Monday was to finish preparing the soil and get it planted at our community garden space, which just two years ago was a highway on ramp to US30. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even after one year of work, the ground at our plot is heavily compacted and the soil is very low quality. It resembles cement more than anything else.... but there's lots of sun, and if we can build it up it will be a wonderful spot in years to come. There's a part of me that loves the fact that I'm turning a little patch of Earth that would barely grow weeds into a lush garden using just my own (and Stanley's) manpower. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmXlefMqKPLvJ90Ei9HG_JcMnIulmZTwuEFjxdMBoq2O2AIZy21-ns5fVNWFBkps5SRe_90MpDzSX29HkpdwCDFWOta-JElnFv7brC3EqhzsqgXI966SwghBUF-7V-VoNtyzTkMkK25U/s1600/IMG_9746.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmXlefMqKPLvJ90Ei9HG_JcMnIulmZTwuEFjxdMBoq2O2AIZy21-ns5fVNWFBkps5SRe_90MpDzSX29HkpdwCDFWOta-JElnFv7brC3EqhzsqgXI966SwghBUF-7V-VoNtyzTkMkK25U/s400/IMG_9746.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610485835268880050" /></a><div><div style="text-align: left;">The ground is so hard here that last year we ended up working it a little, but mostly just growing in compost spread on top. This worked wonderfully for a month or so, until the roots hit the hard soil - they plants did miserably after that and we barely got anything at all from it. This year we took a different tact. Stanley did the bulk of the hardest work, turning the soil and loosening it up about a a foot down. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmXlefMqKPLvJ90Ei9HG_JcMnIulmZTwuEFjxdMBoq2O2AIZy21-ns5fVNWFBkps5SRe_90MpDzSX29HkpdwCDFWOta-JElnFv7brC3EqhzsqgXI966SwghBUF-7V-VoNtyzTkMkK25U/s1600/IMG_9746.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PGeyEif4fb22NDCe8SSobijeUle49Kw8ef-l7_ZvfT8uEckD8CzZFsYsFSsI0-GnL_m-w4FAGvdWMmrHw8iG_b13wKWJd0r01j0cpnoaRHcSfoPDCn__6dB4EVgER_3U2SCJJ_7tunY/s1600/IMG_9744.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PGeyEif4fb22NDCe8SSobijeUle49Kw8ef-l7_ZvfT8uEckD8CzZFsYsFSsI0-GnL_m-w4FAGvdWMmrHw8iG_b13wKWJd0r01j0cpnoaRHcSfoPDCn__6dB4EVgER_3U2SCJJ_7tunY/s400/IMG_9744.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610485828029417378" /></a>I then trucked about 14 large wheelbarrows full of compost (the city drops is off for free) and worked it in, leveling and breaking up the clods as I went. This was hard work, but quire rewarding in the end. This is actually starting to resemble something that might be called a growing medium!</div><div><br /></div><div>My plan for this garden is a traditional "three sisters" garden, with corn, beans, and squash. All of it is for the wedding: dry beans for baked beans and pie pumpkins for our cake. Renee's Garden has <a href="http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/3sisters.html">a nice description</a> of how to do the Three Sisters planting which I followed almost exactly. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurnbvMmiW3XEpz5yy1jmpKmmWw-yoz5fe3MkVcdKOmKGL6R2DXRF2JNs1si3g2FLvuus6QpRQqI6a2kN-3OmvTbw8DLqwVcZI0LY1DRojokfBUCcpq3dQHUGf5X32dDMEwILiV96o0F4/s1600/IMG_9751.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurnbvMmiW3XEpz5yy1jmpKmmWw-yoz5fe3MkVcdKOmKGL6R2DXRF2JNs1si3g2FLvuus6QpRQqI6a2kN-3OmvTbw8DLqwVcZI0LY1DRojokfBUCcpq3dQHUGf5X32dDMEwILiV96o0F4/s400/IMG_9751.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610485813656417602" /></a></div><div>The plot is 16' x 25', so I used twine and a measuring tape to measure 3 long rows. It's hard to see in this picture, but I used rocks to mark every 5 feet <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">staggered</span> along the rows. This is where the corn and bean mounds will go.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUXzF7Ewq00ZoW6B0DOE341rcB0EKoaH9NyzeRJnFqvlhPvJQ_t1rkcb4YZo3w9tHblX4F3mAFvwrohVXrTmEPkMLkSNJH5V5vrRVDb2lyrYb2gU1-ZwS2eRS1Ckh-xSdBaDmwlINj5k/s1600/IMG_9755.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUXzF7Ewq00ZoW6B0DOE341rcB0EKoaH9NyzeRJnFqvlhPvJQ_t1rkcb4YZo3w9tHblX4F3mAFvwrohVXrTmEPkMLkSNJH5V5vrRVDb2lyrYb2gU1-ZwS2eRS1Ckh-xSdBaDmwlINj5k/s400/IMG_9755.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610485806321519762" /></a>Here are the completed mounds, with the fence that Stanley built to keep the critters out. I loosened the soil underneath the mounds really well and used a little more compost to build them up. I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">careful</span> to incorporate some of the existing soil as well so that the plants aren't shocked when they find out what this garden plot is really made of. Each mound has four corn seeds planted in a square. Once the corn is up, the beans will get planted in the same mounds (they'll grow up the corn), and the pumpkins will be planted in mounds between the corn/bean mounds. Cool, huh? </div><div><br /></div><div>I realized that I have way more space than I need for the few pie pumpkins we'll use for the wedding, so I ordered four different varieties of pumpkins to use as decoration at the wedding: <a href="http://www.highmowingseeds.com/organic-seeds-cinderella-pumpkin.html">Cinderella</a>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><a href="http://www.highmowingseeds.com/organic-seeds-valenciano-pumpkin.html">Velenciano</a></span> (a white variety), <a href="http://www.highmowingseeds.com/organic-seeds-black-futzu-pumpkin.html">Black <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Futsu</span></a>, and <a href="http://www.highmowingseeds.com/organic-seeds-musque-de-provence-squash.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Musque</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">de</span> Provence</a>. How fun! </div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-72505839970005712402011-05-11T19:19:00.000-07:002011-05-25T05:40:10.845-07:00Flying ByWe made it. We're finally to that magical week of the year when things seem to grow overnight... all of sudden we've gone from a gray and brown landscape to a lush green growing flowering one. So what if it's not as warm as I might like?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">First, the community garden on Main Street......</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr0Xn9HYwJSoQXH8oIU7mwb9xlIYPB6o7VM8Lr72KPvO0r441vEnQwPwxaGjHzg1G7euaLLvnCJb55e2i3nKdPkUOMdvs7Lg9feP0e6cDY3CAEXVtyIP1DABJuc5mskhOv0PZNo10EwI/s1600/IMG_9730.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr0Xn9HYwJSoQXH8oIU7mwb9xlIYPB6o7VM8Lr72KPvO0r441vEnQwPwxaGjHzg1G7euaLLvnCJb55e2i3nKdPkUOMdvs7Lg9feP0e6cDY3CAEXVtyIP1DABJuc5mskhOv0PZNo10EwI/s400/IMG_9730.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607500579524458322" border="0" /></a>The garlic I planted last fall is beautiful, as is the lettuce that Mom put in in April. I don't know if she meant to make a smiley face, but she did. I like it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbKgWBihaHZ81s_JOrJHI3zzWsR6FJuFtvmEwjBAlSHFJ9jih_dG9Ex4x3oC4qtz0ceibFr18rYOQ6zahVyPa4cfcB0UPsDtnI5fB1mM8D4IE0FmeopU6HCpr7k1m6yLtjOvpRf-0UDk/s1600/IMG_9730.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgisilsScPXp_-kF97hu580A5ouJH3Nik3BP2_eiGUvY1TOrNqkbVVm9ZkylQfn2RPQCwPO7029CYYDLV7pD5iwef229cpQelqCo_JdfeNlTLzNXcMOadDST_-_w1vus7hrlpmty36HI/s1600/IMG_9725.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgisilsScPXp_-kF97hu580A5ouJH3Nik3BP2_eiGUvY1TOrNqkbVVm9ZkylQfn2RPQCwPO7029CYYDLV7pD5iwef229cpQelqCo_JdfeNlTLzNXcMOadDST_-_w1vus7hrlpmty36HI/s400/IMG_9725.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607496616577992738" border="0" /></a>No string yet, but I pounded in the posts for the snap peas' trellis on Sunday. Zucchini and cucumbers will go where the weeds currently are, and I'm carving out some space behind the peas for melons. I'm growing <a href="http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_center/product_details.aspx?item_no=PS15982">HaOgen</a> melons, not too many, but after my melons failures last year I had to give it another shot.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjM-_7j5Yk6X0vFk9g6bO0T4iEsfHNoo2hDCGKfarGU_0Pq7LbPStPFyU_XPHHSCz3NefOLUlOr5u0Uj7d7sjsPrawnpbOwsH5HExvle9Zb33cIaKe0HV_vTmpVqfld7Ru9UFu8yVf3k/s1600/IMG_9695.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjM-_7j5Yk6X0vFk9g6bO0T4iEsfHNoo2hDCGKfarGU_0Pq7LbPStPFyU_XPHHSCz3NefOLUlOr5u0Uj7d7sjsPrawnpbOwsH5HExvle9Zb33cIaKe0HV_vTmpVqfld7Ru9UFu8yVf3k/s400/IMG_9695.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607481005343128786" border="0" /></a>These suckers are ready to grow. I realized after I planted them that these are Nicola potatoes, not the Yellow Finn that I ordered. Oh well, they'll work. These are destined to be roasted for our wedding feast.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSHhSSduAJUZsf4xZhKMOakVwXOcKp9jn4pMX-0UfldhCHT5aAnHTRSsXl4YpBNAzRUZaRsQN7Ed3fs6jSXUC9kVT0ZAHvNqJzTXm5DX7k2UbnYYLgO8qgiPoj9OhEjLmV8F5pjbdEoU/s1600/IMG_9724.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSHhSSduAJUZsf4xZhKMOakVwXOcKp9jn4pMX-0UfldhCHT5aAnHTRSsXl4YpBNAzRUZaRsQN7Ed3fs6jSXUC9kVT0ZAHvNqJzTXm5DX7k2UbnYYLgO8qgiPoj9OhEjLmV8F5pjbdEoU/s400/IMG_9724.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607491497214582114" border="0" /></a>Two rows of <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=1533%28OG%29">Mountain Rose</a> (not for the wedding) and five rows of <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=1534%28OG%29">Nicola</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcsulYQq74xvJdvG9zxLt36f3NohfJk5SDoWJByWx3DemPdFomZifHaL6fNYRGSHJSVIDdZBXbF0MUyFY1iA3Dxh59UfubdgPEUUTNrxI0Wmv-BG6XGGozBhNuhkgg7Tg26UJodw-xz0/s1600/IMG_9723.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcsulYQq74xvJdvG9zxLt36f3NohfJk5SDoWJByWx3DemPdFomZifHaL6fNYRGSHJSVIDdZBXbF0MUyFY1iA3Dxh59UfubdgPEUUTNrxI0Wmv-BG6XGGozBhNuhkgg7Tg26UJodw-xz0/s400/IMG_9723.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607491491900441890" border="0" /></a>Dave planted a bunch of onion sets - over a hundred onions I think.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnBCdPDLQrRzFDi6g3byKLt3Rnlgq5R2Ds7tcZh1Gg_HRVhLB4HaTkx09pcW7V2hw4yeRM4oju9vWT1PQQSqvhOtRUSeFs-nMEJYBlrio2sJJltRi50Wt8_oTE_wdBevzl6pO-XqopWY/s1600/IMG_9722.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnBCdPDLQrRzFDi6g3byKLt3Rnlgq5R2Ds7tcZh1Gg_HRVhLB4HaTkx09pcW7V2hw4yeRM4oju9vWT1PQQSqvhOtRUSeFs-nMEJYBlrio2sJJltRi50Wt8_oTE_wdBevzl6pO-XqopWY/s400/IMG_9722.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607491483398192850" border="0" /></a><br />The broccoli and cauliflower that I started from seed way back in mid-March is planted and starting to grow. April was a cold, wet month, and the plants took a beating when I took them outside to harden off. They are making up for it now. What doesn't kill them makes them stronger?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">OK, now for the home garden.....</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIg1ueGAGWS9kH2vYCh_CqR9XiY5NmYhztS3fz-5bZprOlJiUAvtk6zQiB40VFFNRBFJwQ69UUPYJO2gEomZ1bWij_GyGTWZPP6Cp2nWbBz33qJjxfLKYDOz2KWGPItLL_3V7k9k5kmbM/s1600/IMG_9716.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIg1ueGAGWS9kH2vYCh_CqR9XiY5NmYhztS3fz-5bZprOlJiUAvtk6zQiB40VFFNRBFJwQ69UUPYJO2gEomZ1bWij_GyGTWZPP6Cp2nWbBz33qJjxfLKYDOz2KWGPItLL_3V7k9k5kmbM/s400/IMG_9716.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607490419742864386" border="0" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I have all but two of the five beds in the side yard planted. Here are the shelling peas, salad mix, and lettuce.<br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIg1ueGAGWS9kH2vYCh_CqR9XiY5NmYhztS3fz-5bZprOlJiUAvtk6zQiB40VFFNRBFJwQ69UUPYJO2gEomZ1bWij_GyGTWZPP6Cp2nWbBz33qJjxfLKYDOz2KWGPItLL_3V7k9k5kmbM/s1600/IMG_9716.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi914CIMZRfj5tdkeXHSUl3gJzvlAbGvksye_RUDdNvhylmBy6pNEzFxSv7gQ1AxGXlN5YWgQGV5bmbkLCxSFrMQRTDfX61USUtDmhcyFq_6LCSwVmr_IXTMNxB3rye-ZNAihSs_-YYJZQ/s400/IMG_9715.JPG" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This one is planted in yellow onions (for the wedding!). After I took this picture I filled the back third with <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=2cV&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&biw=1280&bih=617&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=statice&btnG=Search">statice</a> that I started from seed. Very soon I'll plant <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=globe+amaranth&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Tx&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=4N3RTaKyNqW90AGcr9zDCw&ved=0CCsQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=617">globe amaranth seeds</a> as well. I'm growing many more flowers than usual in hopes that I'll have enough for the wedding. Getting married is fun.<br /><br />The third bed is planted with cilantro and bronze fennel seeds (not up yet), and a few <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=pIq&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&biw=1280&bih=617&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=bells+of+ireland&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=">bells of Ireland</a> seedlings that I started way back in March. I didn't have great luck germinating them, but if all goes well I'll have at least a few to dry for the wedding.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN71TQTEyF3Mow_0ZNlQOTtBWCr7OC4cXa9poiCzOLqduvl6XsOasOMrvI2UYD9HUMJtFwf2HBbGDZx0pzWIsJm_H77F9GvkXxpG5JbTlTxQ1gC7ebu6OkOC5M7OIWbb9IjMk-joPPMbA/s1600/IMG_9720.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN71TQTEyF3Mow_0ZNlQOTtBWCr7OC4cXa9poiCzOLqduvl6XsOasOMrvI2UYD9HUMJtFwf2HBbGDZx0pzWIsJm_H77F9GvkXxpG5JbTlTxQ1gC7ebu6OkOC5M7OIWbb9IjMk-joPPMbA/s400/IMG_9720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607490409355559538" border="0" /></a>The strawberries that I planted in April are starting to leaf out. There are a few blooms starting on a couple of the plants. This year I'll have to pick the flowers off... next year we will have berries. It's hard to plant something and then have to wait a year to see any harvest, but it will be worth it no doubt.<br /><br />Today I planted a bunch of my strawflower seedlings on the North end of the strawberry bed. I love the semantic connection.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiyJNqG36KiQxvISdDIo4i6BDDcS6MBofRcRd1XHUNCcNaqAuMsT5-4omlpE9yc02tg4leplSx3rdTga_6bvTyEYxkUvMaU1GT_CcC72MSaWHpmh6n2fDh02UWU3ZOtPZJFCBtp5c7L0/s1600/IMG_9703.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiyJNqG36KiQxvISdDIo4i6BDDcS6MBofRcRd1XHUNCcNaqAuMsT5-4omlpE9yc02tg4leplSx3rdTga_6bvTyEYxkUvMaU1GT_CcC72MSaWHpmh6n2fDh02UWU3ZOtPZJFCBtp5c7L0/s400/IMG_9703.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607481010970176290" border="0" /></a>The little bed in the patio is really coming together. So far I have a few ferns that I transplanted from the side of the house (they were nice plants but in a horrible spot right by the trash can), an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alchemilla">alchemilla</a>, oregano, two nice hostas, lamb's ear, a delphinium, catnip. I should really stop.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUWFs5YWVFSPzA2pOC2vn_aHVjWWh7I6ongUaQo-Zh1BwyVsi-MFx1d5I-3CLR-RS1AwZJZaV3rm1j4xFTHs_upL-DQPijDdbBn5Uz8PKkkV1T2LrRLb0cuReWFYMzfPaJJiyzSCVJGM/s1600/IMG_9705.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUWFs5YWVFSPzA2pOC2vn_aHVjWWh7I6ongUaQo-Zh1BwyVsi-MFx1d5I-3CLR-RS1AwZJZaV3rm1j4xFTHs_upL-DQPijDdbBn5Uz8PKkkV1T2LrRLb0cuReWFYMzfPaJJiyzSCVJGM/s400/IMG_9705.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607481010532038962" border="0" /></a>I thought the ferns were molding, but when I looked closer I saw that these are spores. It's fern sex! What's the difference between spores and seeds? Seeds are the result of sexual plant reproduction. Spores have male and female parts inside of them. It's only after they've left the plant and the "conditions are right" that they get together and make baby ferns.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmquZAwQ9DZ6cQ50aiDFwkchkqcY3QZEiZLHDhnss1QkJfbAo0RY0rag6XppimWsUQW8cnuWOGUFNqcUUmz3w2e8Sze9EsDiZFcAaFC_diPrjbsRqc5wtUYbb9T4AwtNYZv8WeHAqdZ-0/s1600/IMG_9714.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmquZAwQ9DZ6cQ50aiDFwkchkqcY3QZEiZLHDhnss1QkJfbAo0RY0rag6XppimWsUQW8cnuWOGUFNqcUUmz3w2e8Sze9EsDiZFcAaFC_diPrjbsRqc5wtUYbb9T4AwtNYZv8WeHAqdZ-0/s400/IMG_9714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607481017460286722" border="0" /></a>Don't forget our cute little apple tree. This is the dwarf honeycrip that we put in bare root in April. It's going to flower!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpMcXO5yDei0oQa-YM7MRMZh9m6qifZgXueVEaTgcqYAwcQBzksIQvzEjGS5zjoWlHI-BeS8Irp456yvcEnfjSQ6AzI64I4Hz4NoX1RNehK6vesX4QgWIu0edcChrVPfTLLAO3TKyAp0/s400/IMG_9668.JPG" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My remaining seedlings... strawflowers, cherry tomatoes (Mom has the rest of the tomatoes), asters, a little more statice. Mostly what I have is strawflowers - a lot of them. They will be abundant at our October wedding.<br /><br /></div></div><br /></div></div></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-47507327680353155062011-04-28T17:38:00.000-07:002011-04-28T18:42:48.880-07:00Ramp Pesto<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutFt8PAixIkfeBaqq1fJIOMvu36hmzeeuvJJW4kWm2SBYylPqY1oER7yIJ9GkNzJGMpYqlBZVn0De4vSJUjHxym9REgUHwn2zKXts2zLk876943w8FI-mlA9GfhryAxxTUGBtgZ8K5VM/s1600/IMG_9457.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutFt8PAixIkfeBaqq1fJIOMvu36hmzeeuvJJW4kWm2SBYylPqY1oER7yIJ9GkNzJGMpYqlBZVn0De4vSJUjHxym9REgUHwn2zKXts2zLk876943w8FI-mlA9GfhryAxxTUGBtgZ8K5VM/s400/IMG_9457.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600800165128761842" /></a><div><div style="text-align: left;">This is not a recipe for the faint of heart. This is a recipe for those of us who have an intense craving for the first fresh green things of spring, and who want to taste those flavors in an extreme way. When I described it to a coworker, she said "things like that make me feel more alive." I concur.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutFt8PAixIkfeBaqq1fJIOMvu36hmzeeuvJJW4kWm2SBYylPqY1oER7yIJ9GkNzJGMpYqlBZVn0De4vSJUjHxym9REgUHwn2zKXts2zLk876943w8FI-mlA9GfhryAxxTUGBtgZ8K5VM/s1600/IMG_9457.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBAGTSV5ZRsBJ9OSngJACCmNpa5pTehPMwMu69P9B5fDrkeTWJPGIz4SFIO8JU6uPcHtL5pvMgvIoc3aAbhVaMPKZnxO5XWVUslMz-cOxI83DObkd9Atrjf-TM498rTWDsJdrlA_XoYk/s400/IMG_9447.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">Before I get to the pesto, let me tell you about the pork that went along with it. Despite the cooler than usual spring, my perennial herbs are sprouting up. I don't have tons to pick yet, but I felt OK picking a few sprigs of oregano and chives for the pork loin I was planning to cook. How pretty.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ19T8YjPZ3_grhwyZ6u_7kyG0yhNS6Qb361oVQ0yD1c3UBWVrxg0v8EVTmY7TOIy-R1q-kySystrW7oHrRZa8xcBcH7vLcwjkmZU7jk4ew_lv8cHtNbw99uzn4PK3L2Q2N4OnvmVEYF0/s400/IMG_9451.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The herbs got chopped up finely with a few of the white bottoms of some ramps, and mixed with olive oil and salt. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHWheHkcAqyMj0bXYD7iuJm5ZIN4DigAxk1dZDSyplwXm-LoACwAiBxghcCzwR4gI79i4vVJHBG-86JJjOuWceeLzQ8PDMg2rsp8PUF6xRQe1Q6OU5V3fkVt07uln1O1rHrZPtGg1_kk/s400/IMG_9452.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I slathered this delightfully green paste onto the Willow Creek Farm pork roast. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have to stop here to give some props to the meat guys at Willy Street West. Unlike the East side store, at West they take whole animals and cut them down, and they do a fantastic job. This roast was the perfect size for two of us, and it had a nice layer of fat on top that kept the meat nice and moist as it cooked. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The roast went into a 325 degree oven, and I got to work on the ramps. My objective was to taste the pure flavor of the raw ramps without any other strong flavors getting in the way, so I simply put the whole bunch of ramps into a blender (greens and all) with olive oil and salt and blended it up pesto style.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The resulting bright green sauce was intensely flavorful, like the most potent, freshest, spicy oniony garlic imaginable.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPJQKNRZbCCsPCo2kf1eGxLKQhxb7ET6YnzkMwbW2cfge-7UcxZfoWI4Yo4d8zsqYQdslsH6z14q051BGXnFpFheF4uwRPAeeqDac5dlB9LyP8ACyegya053_0zC3fs5E3yv6Cr7mPwQ/s1600/IMG_9454.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPJQKNRZbCCsPCo2kf1eGxLKQhxb7ET6YnzkMwbW2cfge-7UcxZfoWI4Yo4d8zsqYQdslsH6z14q051BGXnFpFheF4uwRPAeeqDac5dlB9LyP8ACyegya053_0zC3fs5E3yv6Cr7mPwQ/s400/IMG_9454.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600800157765998274" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">I tossed the pesto with rigatoni and we ate it alongside the moist herbed pork. My only complaint was that despite brushing my teeth numerous times afterward, I could taste the ramps for a good 24 hours after I ate .... but there are worst tastes to have in your mouth. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div></div></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-13326390862260296842011-04-22T18:46:00.000-07:002011-04-24T19:52:07.095-07:00The First Greens of April<div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKGW8ZlTizrdWz9PEHR3AJz3mw0UWO8MYt0iQU18664iyVryfG96x18VgPWwVPIzsyuJT03JMhS-gRVJBsDnmOJThvHnOQOQAJN86bFHxdX0AoXd_C8pHuarlk-_-Dkd8wFpOhv_mCFU/s400/IMG_9413.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The ramps are here, the ramps are here! These cuties are now for sale at the Co-op, along with wild-crafted local watercress. These first spring greens are so precious. Life is returning after another long Wisconsin winter.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6onl02NC87hAI8MGn9QmXeEBM_jNI1Bu-JMFdXIKmCkh9HipAwghInXlA39opcln9FjKrRE0wk9orQX6KbVBLr1cXjOPkm373JxpW8y3MemBYDIv8CjqQUnx8Y1ufc6aJf-gGl2Snu4/s400/IMG_9421.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the same bunch of ramps sauteed in butter. Now before anyone goes and scolds me for using these rare wild onions, I should explain that here in Wisconsin these are harvested sustainably year after year. I know that other parts of the country are not so lucky, but that's not going to stop me from eating these beautiful spring leeks during their short season.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allium_tricoccum">ramp</a>? It's a wild baby leek that grows in abundance in wooded areas. These came from Keewaydin Organics in the Driftless region of Western Wisconsin. They have wonderful spicy oniony garlicy flavor, and are only available in the early spring. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtC7pJ6wGatCn6dfXUi-pCu7DlVYZPYvDNnob6NgMdcMvoXSikk1DDQwjW1fsXECgN8dd8Wq39VnChYEoZGOWs6sg93JLhVh5sgQ1QQ4cxt3g-pHtYYo3PBFFE_ws1hPgFdWaJ1LYEs40/s400/IMG_9430.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watercress">watercress</a> - a beautiful thick bunch of it, also from Keewaydin. This is a spicy peppery green that grows in clear springs.... another sure sign of spring. Like many other wild plants it's very high in nutrients.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40zYH12m7JglD8M_1vQTdzHcsh1KsaEKl8vw4KFSkVEsbmAcxB5a5z-fA5Nbpe8bvskAThwSTqLEuLMJEfaxnBPP0jc2DQHaINdACy8dmk17YzYtZkfPsgKwqqWWzg45Ldudkw9mP_n4/s400/IMG_9427.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I start getting inspired when this first produce of the year comes in, and I wanted to combine the watercress and ramps into some sort of spring dinner. Sandwiches sounded like just the thing, so I got this beautiful round steak from <a href="http://www.therustictable.com/">The Rustic Table</a> out of the freezer, seasoned it with salt and black pepper, and put it in the broiler for just a few minutes....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My sandwich consisted of the steak cut nice and thin, fresh watercress, sauteed ramps, and <a href="http://www.dreamfarm.biz/">Dreamfarm</a> chevre on a demi-baguette from <a href="http://batchbakehouse.com/aboutus.html">The Batch Bakehouse</a>. I'll show you a picture in a bit, but first I want to tell you about the potatoes I made for the side. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccchrXW9mRZ5kjjV-3gCuRT8d2GI4eMaSdDn-jH7OOE1qEJmD1ox2udF1wBbQg7cffhw8UXAN-0pGGS4KTX1fZwJw_zpD3IrUmdC_8VC7Eh1SC8NT2wXL5z_1AfueH0nryCIZijycQI4/s400/IMG_9423.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As we move farther into spring local potatoes of decent quality are becoming harder to find. These are from Minnesota, which isn't exactly local, but closer than California. Most potatoes from last fall are starting to really show their age, but these are still looking pretty good. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejsCHAgyPRvXtHs8kGtlWT3c1NmTkq9J4nmtCeTKIovz5XRjHZ2bBhD02cSV_1w_KoLEZfjCgc_kmR93IFnl4Ctdfs6yYl0To1fF55qO7J9-1RbY3ctUv3MeidW21yOTlPg_gsw5OMYM/s1600/IMG_9425.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejsCHAgyPRvXtHs8kGtlWT3c1NmTkq9J4nmtCeTKIovz5XRjHZ2bBhD02cSV_1w_KoLEZfjCgc_kmR93IFnl4Ctdfs6yYl0To1fF55qO7J9-1RbY3ctUv3MeidW21yOTlPg_gsw5OMYM/s400/IMG_9425.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598213709670340370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a>I sliced them nice and thin....<div><br /></div><div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvpJ7oOXjbkDjgylXu5C7kZtIxmzlv-oqbHhCc4JMVyZ4Io_ZP10QQmffYQpuA5X5LbYXJw_PV6C4AWSJRbv1mAcKCaIA1PX92yc7xQs7QFnFd-xPNuTN2HwM7ZAaLeh5NWqHdaGzm2o/s400/IMG_9428.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">.... and fried them in local sunflower oil until they were golden.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjEc1RJMJqFuZ_tgmHMAixol48r37B30mm1y9lR4I2ldDdAJ4VaYX5sBrFLMDb22lgosVjnCTo4jDzUJ_z3bRlndNnhrZtnV3CjgBG5c0ZQywzyBgbjJLE6YJVvFqtImNGOr3LFIsaYc/s400/IMG_9433.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Homemade potato chips! Why haven't I thought of this before? They were exceptionally sweet and delicious. Definitely something I'll make again.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><u><br /></u></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_AFkrydfQJ3zGTtbYMRa9aKk-Hhogw_Lb2gftXH16eJxtj6Cf0QLpr37fR9Tca2tbL6iZm9KVLrurbXXNFWAvV5orD_uajJ4Wii6JYKKlgWisJJMJCZ9Z4DpZL8OhPBYGTVALyh84LM/s1600/IMG_9440.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_AFkrydfQJ3zGTtbYMRa9aKk-Hhogw_Lb2gftXH16eJxtj6Cf0QLpr37fR9Tca2tbL6iZm9KVLrurbXXNFWAvV5orD_uajJ4Wii6JYKKlgWisJJMJCZ9Z4DpZL8OhPBYGTVALyh84LM/s1600/IMG_9440.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_AFkrydfQJ3zGTtbYMRa9aKk-Hhogw_Lb2gftXH16eJxtj6Cf0QLpr37fR9Tca2tbL6iZm9KVLrurbXXNFWAvV5orD_uajJ4Wii6JYKKlgWisJJMJCZ9Z4DpZL8OhPBYGTVALyh84LM/s400/IMG_9440.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597851547791730402" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a>The finished plate. A wonderful hearty meal for a cold and rainy April day.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3u2BSEvLuzxIpvObSEaW6PWyXJOnpu8rWKldOe8ckBVW66wxK1kY0G2dNDyc_mEv84TGPxUUqsUmE99bCxLhjyRe-YL7l2cmLWUkVFFu2kzawntELaJAMvXB_mIA2lm9-Q_LT1_H-JA/s1600/IMG_9435.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-40602949265241602692011-04-20T18:30:00.000-07:002011-04-22T19:20:10.197-07:00Spring?<div style="text-align: left;">Just when we thought warm weather was finally here to stay, it had to go and snow. April snow can be some of the most demoralizing weather - winter just doesn't want to let go of it's grip on our great state, but it has to, eventually.... Right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Zdbn0I2S-WUv652Hjv730Xo9vnoWWA4EE_9YbUSQcDPA7TI4ZW9LkuVHxkSqGyJAAwLD7WkzgDJmkp7bufwy0pLEAxmO6wqnp1hmeE18uOAQJZ8-Fx4kNDVbq7OK1An3tKnYIWkEpPk/s400/IMG_9404.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I planted my bare-root strawberries two weeks ago, and they just had time to sprout new little leaves before they were hit with the cold slushy snowstorm that came on Tuesday. They're hearty little things though, and they didn't seem to mind it one bit. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I write this it's warmed up into the forties, and it's raining outside. A cold rain for sure, but a springy April sort of rain that does promise to bring May flowers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoH6uZou1Vfb4j6CiJevng8BXbFacSEL8l_tV5Zwouf0NfGWn1VHYwoeaSv0_dOHxTURBO0Hnh6DwMwPem-pyWBzG8rrZxB5BQzXHBcoqCVMh5S8MCTSISNvPgB52OZYIKGnbxeGeyCY/s400/IMG_9402.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's the strawberry bed from afar. You still can't see the little sprouting plants, but they are there, and despite the cold they're still very much alive.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYV6QHe5JTZjX95rkAG-4-v1XifZfTSstqUSXyr4y8pSgdkDy_wzBLvexLk0b1AY9xfh9qjrhWYj_kEIj5AUKgfJ9cH92VOB8KZJbA1Qb1Tl6EFwq1KjAjed9dfccu_vHFWNPysUvjArY/s400/IMG_9407.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I took advantage of some warm sunny weather last Sunday to finish the majority of the digging of the new beds in the side yard. Two are approx. 4x8 and the other three are 4x10. I edged the bed with logs from the big Box Elder that we had taken down last fall, and the paths between the beds are covered with wood chips from that same tree. I still have some work to do on the beds themselves, and I want to make the edging a little better, but the majority of the digging is done. It will be time to plant peas and cilantro as soon as the weather decides to cooperate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98e0E-umTpNV0TSsnVRgyG2XiFPtzmayPffgAph7yrEO-h3sHqDbTkLRr8ncp7mjg8bICc20DeOv4I1fcf_DQx-Gn90eooFiw8qbwqflXqIYR_QFBunRJ4Tuzzia71mh2WWmCDyXWVDk/s400/IMG_9409.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of our neighbors gave us these two grape vines, which I also planted in the side yard. It's kind of hard to believe that these two inert looking sticks will grow to be big healthy vines, but stranger things have happened. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't get a picture, but the side-yard is also now home to a little semi-dwarf Liberty apple tree. We really wanted an apple in the patio, and in order for it to pollinate we needed two, so we got two.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TK9TE5CLi_f18CQFHFxWYmN-0KA5ceepATgi1_IQcozV-Bl_hYWrpT8TVlIoQLPuF11l-KlSyYmE_tkivW7CHyUYlY7Y1uyPMRSszFhmf_UrKNIWA8AXD6q9fqQKFCONbetStzxbMj4/s400/IMG_9411.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We have now made two trips to the garden center for topsoil to fill the big hole in the patio, and we still don't have nearly enough. This is where the box elder was, and we've decided to put a little garden bed there since the ground is sure to settle in the next few years meaning that repaving it now would be silly. So far we've planted a dwarf <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">honeycrisp</span> apple tree and two Virginia bluebell plants.... I have plans for ferns, an elephant ear, and perhaps a few <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hostas</span> or other shade loving plants. Ornamental perennials are not always number one of my list of things to grow, but this seems like a good spot for them.</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695059225009588737.post-52169452963169884082011-04-11T14:46:00.000-07:002011-04-12T18:16:51.461-07:00April Overexertion<div>Goodness, it is easy to bite off more than you can chew in April! This Sunday reached 80 degrees for the first time, and all of a sudden we remembered why we love summer so much. </div><div><br /></div><div>My first task Sunday morning was the yearly chicken coop deep-clean. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlbCFcTQj7ZlV6nfcZlj4vWgrP-T13CCxavopkqUkpqdIXXLEplfFrFVbixeAk0Zcs6E6aBlzd4R1gOfXRxVWAb7eMXGdD0FcoZb9binF_dlZdoMzVJy1jhJnb9fgz4A9pLYZgOw0rV8/s400/IMG_9352.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We purchased a much needed wheelbarrow, which made the job possible. I have a "poop board" under where the girls sleep that catches most of the manure.... that gets scraped off and put in the composter once a week. The bedding in the coop was relatively clean of manure, but there was plenty of it, and plenty of feed that the girls insist on kicking out of their feeder. I like a nice thick layer of bedding in the winter to help insulate the concrete floor.... but it's warm enough now that they don't really need it.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I schlept about 8 wheelbarrows full of old bedding from the indoor coop and deposited it in the run. I don't know if this was the best idea, but I didn't want to put it directly on the garden beds since there is some "hot" chicken manure in it, and there was definitely no room for it in the composter. The floor of the run tends to get muddy, and I figured the extra wood chips would help alleviate that, and also help raise the level of the run up a little and make it harder for any sort of digging predator to get in. The hens loved it - suddenly the old bedding they had been living with all winter was new and exciting. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwb9czAhsHmrZdhOU57qphOAeLrNBCKCj2oZe8WDsigenCWNnCDJ-5FsE2H7PioCwqvS70Z17z1R3eEOEfAafA5-K0xa2kge6qBU-RdS3Qf7DsxNkMn0dQzIS3TRDYc-rXTciST-F7Yvk/s400/IMG_9349.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, Stanley was hard at work on the ongoing project of digging up our side yard. We marked off the shape with logs... it's going to be really nice! The plan is to divide it up into beds. Our ultimate goal is to make raised beds with cedar boards, but we have other financial priorities this year, and cedar isn't cheap, so this year they will be beds that aren't significantly raised. The soil that we're turning up is quite nice, so I'm not too bummed to have non-raised beds. </div><div><br /></div><div>Needless to say, digging out all the sod by hand is quite a chore. I'm so glad I have such a wonderful man to share the work with!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lYM-EwUPcPpkulwUcNmFufsKUXcVh6dYJOL155fmTCSM0iJiBHZuJGRt8fyRZlktWgwHww4druZBtyPzyYGp9N1ObFDgB8afZlkrqaKnyzhUsBG6orXkobAOsMY9jgLLLGILOFBm0wI/s400/IMG_9355.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We also worked on finishing up the strawberry bed yesterday. I edged it with extra patio bricks to give it at least a little "curb appeal." I swept and tidied up the patio, and dumped in all of the half decayed leaves that I collected. Stanley dumped what was left of last years ashes from the grill on top. This should make for some very nice soil in this brand new bed.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>From there I headed over to the Main Street Garden to drop off some seeds for Mom to plant.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeYLvuFIr78CcUGZBeKmai3o-rgUfM-O2BYeekQdb4WoKJXcNDX9JUMkJKozIOrxx-ZgNDn7sTngRMAo9NqfsNFybjtUE4QpZbk952qJOTrcOUJnHuJtyJMTpTD2PzZUGU92rBKEgY9s/s400/IMG_9360.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was greeted by the stench of Dave's composting brewer's grains. He's an avid home brewer of beer, and also an avid composter, and those two hobbies resulted in this huge pile of stinky half rotten grain... he was turning it and putting it in a black Earth Machine composter to finish up doing its thing. I'm sure it will make beautiful compost, but right now it's pretty darn gross. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWvKitjFdy4wIyV9OT32u5-ntYNAZNVdwKvlQtwYIUzH79Ynk6z9BfwmF3obQYt4qT2F_leqFzWuluJTHGglVR6V-Oi95gDm7TEioUhecY8hG2_iYT2DSNgx7Qv49ifztMbxJN2GURLA/s400/IMG_9362.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I put this picture in for all of the Madison beer lovers out there. This is Moon Man, the huge cat who lives across the street from our Main Street garden and who lends his name to a popular brew from <a href="http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/Beers.cfm?BeerID=79">New Glarus Brewing Co</a>. He is a great hunter, and does his part to keep rodents away from the garden. Sometimes I think he knows that he's famous.... </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSGBXcbqSv40cSH0qsW2GXsf10mGuz6iMUIQWDtlEOAAMt3UtVEwCtdRJ-_wYz9rSmzWeeb43s8-dHWC_Yuj19s1w7k_O3t1lP0wVy5H8NBcfS-W8MKrUA16-RmHaZRl2ZkIaIjKQag0/s400/IMG_9364.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's hard to believe that this barren garden will soon be a veritable jungle of vegetables.....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0Ea0dGkugkasM6ueFAwJ7N7rqq07N7Sz-LDnOXLWkIayxXpbHpzOaRuB8RHoNWY2IU3MnBzNUaojupqJLlyvNhKWX2ZB1bS_qzVCSdvs3dsNtE7sJqVReRQFQvt2ldW58VTRQmLbXik/s400/IMG_9368.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The garlic I planted last fall is up! It seems to have survived really well over the winter. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs5lSxrZgDXs_phSl0z-Qnp1ECnDU-id2GgbC-MxrBXf_9rsmPdP9a_YH8Gt_3msiKyM2CRlFJGPFlizPCr1F5YJEjlCvsCUScF0DX72AYXfx513M0uECDogM7wwrCoS674O9b81fo88/s400/IMG_9369.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mom happily planting peas. She put in some salad mix seed too.... so good to finally get our hards in the dirt again!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaw1xj0vI-qmB_aMESnSFjRItg1TLBBAzBJY0dT_s7XytLGdfquXdXPwuN2BNPhmjOfWodaymu3PyyiakTQ-nH4aBFxLizu3BQR5zFmfUqssVSlGT0ovk74YuL6tdzSYXO_Hw5uaKxBo/s400/IMG_9379.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The day ended with a lovely dinner with Stanley, Mom, and Bruce in the patio. How nice to eat outdoors again!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oG6RsHE6wOdS3AWaRMlXRPYjo7d6UFHib2KCW0JGZuKGZWc87PAo4YvvfsnRfK0Hu6vOFzLzhj2MtHSjtcfispKc3Gf4wfTFTqXW0vjIqdj1qh-j5TMK_jr-K6qvswQCHFBDRO2qFIE/s400/IMG_9373.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Stanley slathered this chicken from our meat CSA with his signature "New Bay" (like Old Bay, but different) spice rub and grilled it nice and slow. Yum.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWtwjhlPm9BThuTxeHfEqCleUMNBMaWscfDMMQIgHxLkazrmebWt-AiIvQyF8SNQrdzRqAAilh4XQZwUB_sH9eTBO4Wh8JF0S1Ed7d1ZYbZo4o3IyACDDPsl_Fxt0AgleEXXOGCUDdhw/s400/IMG_9377.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I made the first potato salad of the season - old crop local potatoes, fresh hard boiled eggs from my girls, asparagus and snap peas (no, these aren't local, but they fit the spring theme). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_rVIkvCSdLlVRDXZs5oFoo53ngmQFjqPJeCqH6PYMV1uF01Wxp8HdnlF5fk3wIfawNdNDsgPasElsA3PjDw_Dvb6dqqQPr3qo43uQZILGdpbtqxrjqWdKzbHQYBSItryJUEWffbz2FU/s400/IMG_9370.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For desert I combined last years frozen cherries and some frozen peaches from the Main Street garden into a simple fruit crisp. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sometime in the middle of the night I woke up to horrible pain coming from my left shoulder blade. I don't know if it was the chicken coop cleaning, or any of the other garden work I did, but man do I hurt today.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nevertheless, I had strawberry planting plans for the day that I didn't want to wimp out, so I doped myself up with ibuprofin and did the best I could. Hopefully I don't regret it tomorrow!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Stanley and I headed to the garden center to buy the strawberry plants.....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzEL8KrVJ6YQs7iOU5HpuL7DcjgerVvSBmVRYlxcY7QXNox-aQzrEi_xF4ivqoFy46KDhrjrLrzMlC9l689pEpoNi7fXRy_5-FR_VXASJ5nqv3i2EhTWlHntLa0uTKb5OjhTrSebf3mI/s400/IMG_9389.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I couldn't decide between varieties, so I ended up getting two: Wendy (an early season variety) and Jewel (a late season variety). It's hard to see the tiny little plants in this photo, but they are there - 26 in all. We won't get berries until next year, but at least they're started now.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaq1BWRyAINUe5ZsVSIudGEgjVnt-5OiVEqoukOSLM1m3Guyo09j8vD-bTG76LzEN331TAqkBTanEU9JEZ7XVddG7wksp-blAm_ofGlFRC0I2HrbWOToOVotkm2RbTYCclLhTFY_XQxIE/s400/IMG_9383.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course we couldn't go to that garden center and only get what we had planned on getting... while looking for the strawberries, we ran into the bare root apple trees, and decided that we had to get one. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had a huge box elder taken down from our patio last fall, and we are planning to put landscaping in it's place this year. When we saw the dwarf apple trees on display we both new we had to have one for this space. We chose a dwarf honeycrisp that will only get 6-10' tall.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When we talked with the saleswoman at the nursery, she reminded us that you need two apple trees in order to adequately pollinate and get fruit. So, we got two. Since there isn't room for two trees in the patio we settled on a semi-dwarf <a href="http://www.grandpasorchard.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=trees.plantDetail&plant_id=30">Liberty</a> that we plan to put in the side yard.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimehIfScGCcovStxxWOsgjYUl5aPQn0rG2LP0m5ywan37ii4V9pLFMEtt8MLzFhTpwql14qXjziEnMjI03Myrxt6vR6YA3fqevLNH9yKfq_Ggmn9B8wdOs0XHljFSC5ss52jW9RDwtsbo/s400/IMG_9380.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With a little bare root tree waiting to be planted, suddenly prepping the soil int he patio became more important. Stanley did all the shoveling, and that was a good thing because my back wouldn't have let me do it. It was harder than we thought... he removed 6 or 7 wheelbarrows full of wood chips from the tree stump that was removed last year, and about the same amount of fill gravel that was used in the construction of the patio. Whew! We were left with a large crater that now needs to be filled before we can plant anything. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I told you it's easy to bite off more than you can chew.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6-biFKKLV6auVE8jkiSbHL0zDwlxv0QHJxuDPCg2QibgUddcfuocPQWdjkCA6dqR-ygl4Xj6rMelT6j_3galIn5yQWc3fRIK32zAY6Jhrskk2J0hhXFhl_B-MYRl00vAOgxMfobC4ME/s1600/IMG_9386.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6-biFKKLV6auVE8jkiSbHL0zDwlxv0QHJxuDPCg2QibgUddcfuocPQWdjkCA6dqR-ygl4Xj6rMelT6j_3galIn5yQWc3fRIK32zAY6Jhrskk2J0hhXFhl_B-MYRl00vAOgxMfobC4ME/s400/IMG_9386.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594451881003113474" /></a><br /><div>This is where the Liberty apple tree will go - at the end of the garden across from the chicken coop. It will be lovely!<br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Whew! What a weekend.</div><div><br /></div></div></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614297586468407210noreply@blogger.com0