What Day is Today?

Today is canning day!

I canned for the first time today, and I have to say it was pretty successful. 4 pints of pickles, 3 pints of peaches and 3 pints of tomatoes (all from the farmer's market).

I really wish I could can every day! I'm hooked. My goal for the next five years is to really grow our pantry in the summer with an abundance of locally grown foods that we can enjoy all year (if I never have to buy canned tomatoes again I will be thrilled!). I also really love doing anything that makes me feel connected with a past way of doing things.

I used this book, The Fresh Girl's Guide to Canning and Preserving as a guide. It was easy to follow and gave great tips and recipes.

I can't wait to make peach cobbler in January with peaches from a tree right here in Kansas!

Sights (and smells) of Summer

I'm about to inundate you with many blogs. I simply have a lot to be happy about this weekend.

This first post is an ode to my local farmer's market (where I have a booth again this summer).

The produce is really starting to flourish: the reds, yellows and purples of tomatoes; gorgeous, juicy peaches; bright orange carrots; golden sweet corn; all accompanied by the sweet smell of summer flowers (starring the Zennia)! Take a look....

The above is produce from Jake's Farm

The Weiche's always have great produce

All of the flowers are from Carnhan Farms (The owner, Erin, is my stall mate)

The market has grown so much this year. There is so much more than produce and baked goods now. Come support local merchants!

Summer Lover

My official sponsor for the Summer of 2012.....Absolut Pears.

Grilled Cherry & Brie Pizza

If you make one recipe from this blog, make it this one.

Holy crow, this was delicious (and easy)!

First the pizza dough...

Combine in a large bowl: 1 c. warm water and 2 1/4 tsp. (or 1 package) yeast

When dissolved add: 1 T. sugar, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, 2 T. olive oil and 1 1/4 c. flour.

Beat until smooth. Add: 2 c. additional flour. Knead until elastic, about 5 minutes. Place in greased bowl & let rise until doubled. Form 2 balls. Pat & stretch to about 9 inch diameters.

Now for the toppings....

Melt 2 T. butter in a skillet and add 1/2 of a whole yellow onion, thinly sliced. Cook on low for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Onions should be a deep brown but not crispy when finished.

Simmer 1/4 c. Balsamic vinegar on medium heat for 3-4 minutes until it has a syrup consistency. Set aside.

You will also need 10 slices of Brie cheese, 3/4 c. shredded mozzarella, 1 c. fresh cherries, pitted, and 1 1/2 T. fresh rosemary

And finally, the cooking...

Turn your grill on low heat, place 2 pizza doughs right on the grill grates and cook one side for 5-10 minutes. Flip dough over when brown and crispy. Layer the cooked side with mozzarella, Brie slices, your caramelized onions, cherries and rosemary. Cook for another 5-10 minutes or until cheeses have melted.

Drizzle with balsamic reduction and serve.

We were lucky enough to have fresh tart cherries from our farmer's market, onions from a friend's garden and rosemary from our own garden. Try to get as many fresh ingredients as possible, trust me it's worth it.

Bon Appetite!

Topping recipe courtesy of Little Yellow Kitchen on www.tastykitchen.com (pizza crust recipe courtesy of Ike's mom)

Two Poems

An Ode to Swingin'

You can find me these days

On a hammock that sways

On the front porch of the Colorado House.

In orange, blue and yellow

It has the colors that will mellow

Even the most sourpuss of souls.

Just talkin' 'bout the weather

We're like birds of a feather

Sippin' beer from a mason jar.

Belle is prowlin' round

Except for the birds there's not a sound

Other than an engine roarin' right across the street

You can find me these days

On a hammock that sways

On the front porch of the Colorado House.

photo courtesy of trueblueridge.wordpress.com

McDowell Creek Boys

Head on up McDowell Creek and you might hear,

some guys playin' music that could make you shed a tear.

Earl on his guitar and Ray on mandolin,

Dennis grab your bongo, we all join in.

Stan in the corner pickin' on his bass,

Everyone in earshot has a smile on their face.

We can hear Dave's voice float across the creek,

As somebody whispers, "Hey, there's a party this week."

Their eyes light up, and they just know,

they MUST play this party at Lake Elbo.

So head on up Lake Elbo and you might hear

some guys playin' music that'll make you shake your rear.

written by me

Outdoor Living

I can't believe I have been so neglectful of this blog!

In all fairness, I did get married, so that took up a lot of time. And I have been planning for the new summer job that I start tomorrow and beginning to plan for my new teaching position next fall. So, this post will be short and sweet, and hopefully it won't be so long until the next one!

xoxo

Here are some photos of my favorite outdoor living activities.

Growing Our Own Veggie and Herbs

Oregano!

"Bell Boy" Green Pepper

Basil used to make Thai Basil Chicken

Cooking Outdoors

I cooked said Thai Basil Chicken on our camping stove on the back porch.

We haven't turned on our air conditioner yet, and we want to keep the heat down in the kitchen.

Hammocks!

The one thing that makes the heat bearable. I could just live in a hammock.

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary...

How does your garden grow?

Much better now that it isn't 90 degrees!

I finally, finally have a place to grow flowers, fruits and veggies!  And thanks to my garden party (aka bridal shower) I now have a ton of beautiful blooms to feast my eyes upon.  It really spruces the ol' place up!

 A place to sit and enjoy the vegetation.

 Some Yellow Osteospermum and White Pansies planted in an old farmhouse sink.

The shower favors were completely for the birds. 

On the front steps, purple Celosia, Red Salvia, Geraniums, and pink Gerber Daisies. 

The front porch isn't complete without chimes and a hanging flower basket. 

Can't wait to cook with the Thyme, Cilantro, Lavender and Basil! 

My friend Laura made these sweet little ceramic markers.

Peppers, peppers, peppers (Pepperoncini, Banana and Bell)

Many evenings are spent a-swingin'.

Planted a bunch of perennials in the front flowerbed.

 Planted in another sink are Ultra Red Star Petunias.

More Red Salvia (and blurred into the background are purple Phlox and red Dahlia)

Ravishing Rhubarb! 

Planted a rose bush called Julia Child (yellow roses!) 

Pineapple Sage!!!

 Cute little solar hanging lights, a gift from the garden party.

A strawberry patch.

I planted succulents in bricks (accented with little tea lights). 

And of course Turry the Elephant needed his own Vista Salmon Salvia.

So excited it's spring!!!!