Le Jardin de ma Vie

Good Eats in Chicago

2011-12-09T05:12:00.000-08:00

Three of every four years we spend the first weekend of December in Chicago at the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. We eat, we catch up with old friends, my husband attends meetings, we drink, we eat, we shop, we eat.

This year we were at the Palmer House Hilton on State Street. BEAUTIFUL. I borrowed my friend's nine year old daughter for an afternoon while she attended a meeting. We shopped a bit then sat in the lobby eating Garrett's Chicago Mix and drinking Diet Coke. Dancers from the Joffrey Ballet Nutcracker production were taking pictures in front of the tree with the kids. It was a wonderful, enchanted afternoon.

This year we ate at some unique places. We started with Moe's Cantina on Saturday night. Yummy Margaritas, yummy Queso Fundido, yummy guac and yummy cheese filled, bacon wrapped jalapenos. We also ended up in the middle of a Santa pub crawl. We saw sexy Santas and Elves, pimp Santas, fat Santas, skinny Santas, presents, and reindeer. It gave us lots to talk about!

The next night we ate at The Chicago Cuthouse. It's right on the river and the atmosphere was elegant and festive. I had the best tomato and buffalo mozzarella stack and an unbelievable, melt in your mouth filet. We also had a really good bottle of Malbec. I wish I would of looked at the label but I'm positive it went above my $15 wine limit.

Monday afternoon I spent shopping with some girlfriends. We had lunch at Wow Bao. The tag line drew me in - Hot Asian Buns. I ate the pot stickers because I love them but my friend let me try her Hot Asian Bun (Bao). It was like eating a pillow filled of creamy goodness. Next time I'll choose the buns!

That night we drank more Malbec and ate Sushi at Sushi Wabi. The concierge told us it would set the standard for all future sushi. He was right. It was delicious. My husband and I were more adventurous than usual. We ate salted edamame, the dragon, the caterpillar, the Godzilla, salmon tar tare with chips, and a roll with scallops that I can't pronounce let alone spell. It is not a place we would have just walked into. It looked kind of like an abandoned store front from the outside but the inside was modern, small and quaint. Definitely a place we'll go again.

Every year I say I'll plan ahead and make reservations at some of the trendy places, like Girl and the Goat and every year I forget and we are stuck with the concierge recommendations. It worked out so well this year!

Any recs for next year? I swear I'm going to plan ahead!

Critters

2011-11-29T19:53:00.000-08:00

I hate vermin. We once had a rat living in our garage. It ate my car. Twice. Our dog, Frank, was pretty sick at the time so he had a live and let live relationship with the rat. Once I found its nest and disposed of the babies, it went away. Oh, life on the farm. It's so glamorous.

I think that is the one and only time I've been grateful for our detached garage.

Last week my husband left me a message at work. Pete (our current dog) got a rat. He brought it up to the house. It was half grown. It was dead. Thank goodness. I hope Pete got his brothers and sisters, too.

I love having a dog that goes after critters. My kids get pretty mad at him for chasing and being rough with cats. Not me. His job is to get critters. All critters. If he starts letting the cats by, what's next?

I love it so much, I think I may let him in the house to track down the mice that ruined my evening. I know, I live in the country on a farm. Mice come with the territory. But they're really gross.

Tonight as I flew in the house before flying back out to run my son to basketball practice I went to the pantry for a quick snack. I saw that I had caught a furry critter in one of my sticky traps. I cleaned it up then went back for my snack.

Did you know mice can climb? I certainly didn't. They had been on the shelves in my pantry. How they got up there, I do not know. But boy did they make a mess. One that I spent my evening cleaning up.

I think it's time to let Pete in the house.

Happiness is...

2011-11-28T07:29:00.000-08:00

1. A completed 25 page paper.
2. The last class of a very difficult semester.
3. My very own Christmas tree.
4. Time to read books that I want to read.
5. An upcoming weekend in the city with friends. Chi town here I come!

My future plans

2011-11-20T15:26:00.000-08:00

I've been working, reading, and playing non-stop for the past few days. I know I shouldn't wish away Thanksgiving, but I. can't. wait. for next Monday. I am so ready to be done with this semester. Here's what I plan to do until my class starts mid-January:

1. Read the Twilight series. I got sucked into the second half of the first movie the other day. I fully expect not to shower or leave the couch for at least a week.

2. Make cookies. Jam thumbprints are my favorite.

3. Be a groupie. Two of our good friends have a band. We try to attend as many of their gigs as possible. They let me play the tambourine. It makes me happy. And, it gives me bruises.

4. Run! I have been so busy this fall. I need to start back up and get ready for Tampa in February, (hopefully) Mexico in February and Houston in March.

5. Clean. My cleaning angel is still on leave. Cleaning angel, please come back.

6. Kill. The weather finally turned and the mice are coming in. I started hunting them yesterday. I need to turn up the heat. If there is one thing that make me squirm, it's the thought of mice crawling around my house.

7. Enjoy Christmas with my kiddies! I have two full weeks off. I need to plan some fun things.

Any suggestions?!

Who's making the decisions?

2011-11-19T14:20:00.000-08:00

I've spent the weekend working on my final research paper for the semester. I've spent over ten hours reading about Critical Theory (describing what is and what ought to be), Critical Race Theory (Doing the above from perspective of someone of color) and higher education.

One question keeps going through my head. How many important decisions affecting my life have been made by rooms full of only white men?

I'm not a man hater. I don't even consider myself a feminist. However, I do believe that women have unique perspectives as do men of color, women of color, women of faith, men without faith, Midwestern women, east coast men, etc. We all bring something to the table.

My class this semester, however painful, has reinforced that concept.

I suppose I should end my moratorium on volunteer activities, stop complaining and figure out how to make my voice heard.

Unfathomable

2011-11-17T20:18:00.000-08:00

This fall my son's football team wore Superman stickers on their helmets. It was to honor a little boy who was an "unofficial" part of their team.

At one of their last games, the little boy was brought on to the field with his grandparents and given a team jersey with Superman printed on the back.

The little boy was laid to rest today.

I didn't know him or his family, but his story is heartbreaking. His mom passed away a few years ago. His step-mom stands accused of the heinous abuse that left him with severe brain damage. Authorities don't believe it was an isolated incident.

I can't even begin to imagine. How do you hurt a child?

So many members of the community have been touched by this little boy's story. To honor him, balloons were released when the funeral procession passed over a bridge on the way to the burial.

I can't imagine.

Christmas Cards: Yes or No?

2011-11-16T18:58:00.000-08:00

I had lunch with two of my oldest, dearest friends today. (I love that I have friends that I've known since junior high. They get me.) The topic of whether or not to send Christmas cards came up.

Postage is expensive. The cards are expensive. Writing a short, interesting letter to go along with the card is always a challenge. It seems like one more thing for a busy mom to do during a busy season. But, I love getting them.

Each year we put all of the photo cards in an album. We've been doing it almost nine years now. It's so fun to look back and see how much all of the families have grown and changed. I don't think it would be the same without ours at the start of each new year.

Are you sending cards this year? Why or why not?

Good Reads

2011-11-15T19:00:00.000-08:00

This fall I have been reading A LOT. Much of it has been for school. I had six books for my fall class. In less than two weeks, I have a 20-25 page paper due and lots of reading to do in the meantime. My paper will examine the persistence rates in higher education of African-American students.

To keep myself sane, I think, I've also been reading and listening to more books for pleasure than usual this fall. Here's what I've finished:

The Hunger Games Trilogy (Suzanne Collins) - I LOVED this series. I stayed up until 2 a.m. on a week night/day to finish the second book. I was truly invested in the characters and was so sad when it ended. I am so excited to see the movie next year.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Stieg Larrson) - I did not love this book. I really didn't even like this book much. It started slow and took awhile to get into. I finished it. The story wasn't all bad but I didn't like the characters. I won't bother with the next books in the series.

Wither (Lauren DeStefano) - This is the first book in The Chemical Garden Triology and another one in the teenage girl genre. I LOVED it! I LOVED the characters! I can't wait until February 2012 for the second one to be released.

The Big Bad Wolf (James Patterson) - This is a mystery about good looking blond women being kidnapped and sold into slavery. I'm about half way through and am enjoying it. It's a nice change from my teenage girl dramas! The library checkout card was blocking the description on the cover of the discs. I didn't know what it was about when I checked it out. I had to stay late at work Monday night and walking through the dark parking lot alone creeped me out. I didn't realize until now that this is ninth book in a series about the main character. I may have to go back and start from the beginning!

With all my school reading, I am going to be in desperate need of leisure reading over the Christmas break. Any suggestions?

My mind is no longer small!

2011-11-14T17:40:00.000-08:00

About a year ago, I was told "Consistency is the hobgoblin of a small mind." I was arguing the importance of consistency in whatever I was doing with this person.

If quoting Emerson was meant to make me feel small and stupid, this person achieved it.

Apparently, this quote is one I missed in my undergraduate and Master's degree coursework. My face immediately turned red. I was shut down and all I could think was, "This person just called me stupid!" Our conversation was over.

Well today, after completing one quarter of my doctoral coursework, I came across the quote in print! I can now consider myself a learned person.

If I ever make anyone feel like they are less for not knowing some obscure thing written by a dead white guy, or anything else for that matter, please kick me.

My Guilty Pleasure

2011-11-13T18:52:00.000-08:00

There isn't any snow on the ground. We haven't had a deep frost yet. I haven't done any fall garden tillage. It's not even Thanksgiving.

But this weekend, I received my first seed catalog! I will now spend countless hours pouring over my choices, trying to figure out my crop rotation and making lists. I love seed catalogs!

Things I wonder.

2011-11-12T14:44:00.000-08:00

I was reading the Pioneer Woman's blog post from today. I have a lot of questions. Not just about today but in general. They've been building over time. With so many followers, it seems pointless to e-mail Ree. She probably gets thousands of messages and since I have nothing to offer, I doubt I would get an answer. So for my one confirmed reader (and anyone else), what do you think?

1. When a cowboy goes to work at a ranch, do they give him a horse to ride or does he bring his own? If he brings his own, does he leave it there when he goes home at night? Is that like leaving your dog at work over night? It kind of makes me sad.

2. How many people assist her? The laundry along makes me cringe. I would never see the light of day.

3. How do I sell my husband on building another house close by where I can escape to work and entertain my friends?

I get that her blog is her business. But wow, she's super woman.

My Cleaning Angel

2011-11-11T13:48:00.001-08:00

Last year I finally broke down (a.k.a convinced my husband) and hired a friend to clean. She has been such a blessing. Between work, the kids' activities, and my school, I am rarely home. When I am, I'm buried in laundry and reading. The last thing I want to do is think about the toilets.

My cleaning angel had to take some time off for medical reasons this fall. I miss her. My house is a mess. Not only are the toilets and floors in need of attention, there is stuff everywhere. One of the benefits of having her come every other week is that we keep the house picked up so she can actually clean. Since she's been off, we haven't been doing a very good job at picking up or cleaning.

I was off today. I awoke at 8 a.m. to my husband telling me that the house needed to be cleaned. Even though I fully agree with him, I didn't want to hear it. I didn't want to acknowledge that it had gotten to that point. So I spent my day off cleaning the first story of our house. Washing floors, dusting, picking up. I did not enjoy it. Not even a little. And, I'll have to do it again in no time. Every crumb that falls on the floor leaves me bitter.

Cleaning angel, please come back!

Thanks Dad!

2011-11-10T16:32:00.000-08:00

Our elementary school hosted a Veteran's Day assembly this afternoon. My dad, a Vietnam Vet, attended with me. The kids read stories, sang songs, and gave artwork to the Veterans to honor and thank them. Taps was played and we sang the Star Spangled Banner. This is the second year the school hosted the assembly. Both years my dad has gotten teary eyed. I have, too.

My dad volunteered for the draft. He was an Army Airborne Ranger and part of the 75th Infantry in Vietnam. He jumped out of planes into the jungle. He led hunter-killer teams. Until I was in third grade, he didn't talk about it. All we knew was that if we needed to wake him up, we were to do it from a distance. He woke up swinging.

My dad is sitting in the middle.

When I was in third grade, one of his fellow Airborne Ranger friends, John Rotundo, contacted him. We started spending almost every weekend with John and his family. The flood gates opened. In many ways, the Rotundos became my second family.

A year or two after their reunion, my dad and John got in touch with some of their other friends and they all took a trip to Washington D.C. to visit the memorial. On the trip, they encountered a book editor and John and my dad began writing about their experiences. It had to be a lot like therapy for them both. A couple years later, Charlie Rangers was published.

Even with the book, I can't fully comprehend the horror my dad witnessed and was part of. I can't imagine how difficult coming home must have been. How do you renter a society so hostile to those who served? How do you really come home?

I am so grateful to my dad for his service and his sacrafice. And, to our school for the assembly. Watching the kids line up to give their artwork to the Veterans and watching my daughter find her grandpa and give him her artwork, was heartwarming. My dad is finally getting the thank you he so deserves.

Thank you, dad and happy Veteran's Day!

Act like a professional.

2011-11-09T18:03:00.000-08:00

Tonight I presented an etiquette workshop to a group of our business students. The focus was on how to behave in a reception environment. I covered things like responding to invitations, introductions, conversation, body language, how to stand, eat, drink and talk and how to make your exit.

My colleague who sponsored the event and asked me to present asked how I became interested in the topic. I think it was a combination of things. I think my parents, although not formal, taught me well. I've also been very lucky to be involved in the National FFA Organization and Farm Bureau. Both organizations hosted numerous personal and professional development workshops that included etiquette in which I got to participate.

Knowing how to eat at a sit down dinner is important, but I believe knowing how to network in a reception environment is even more important. Here are a few things I shared:

1. Etiquette is about making people feel comfortable around you. It's about minimizing the distracting things we all do. It's about making a good first impression.

2. Always wear your name tag on your right side.

3. Eat and hold your drink with your left hand. No one wants to shake a clammy, crumby hand.

4. Be strategic about who you talk to and what you talk about. Introduce yourself to people you wouldn't have access to otherwise. Build your network!

Social capital is one of the key concepts from my class this semester. It is the knowledge, resources, and opportunities we gain from our formal and informal networks of family, friends and fools. Not all of the knowledge we learn is helpful. Not all of our networks are positive. Not everyone has the social capital it takes to be successful in our highly competitive world. It felt good to share some of mine.

A bit of summer.

2011-11-08T19:27:00.000-08:00

Because it's November.

Because it's raining.

Because the rain is going to turn to snow sooner rather than later.

I needed a reminder of what warm looks like. These are from our stop in the Grand Tetons in August. I'm ready to go back.

Am I Really Priviledged?

2011-11-07T19:37:00.000-08:00

Tonight I had to present with another classmate on racism, white privilege, sexism, social capital and Critical Race Theory. Click here to view our presentation.

I think I mentioned in a previous post how challenging this class has been. It's also been pretty eye opening. Even though I'm a first generation college kid, I was prepped for college more than I ever realized.

I grew up in a college town. I was on campus way more than a high school student should have been. I was comfortable in the environment.

I knew there was money out there to help pay for school and I knew how to get it.

Even though college wasn't pushed on me by my parents or my high school, I was academically prepared for it.

I had family support - financial and emotional.

I had peer support. Most of my friends were in college at the same time.

I was taught the importance of social networking.

Most everyone around me looked like me. I was never the only white girl in the room.

This isn't the case for everyone. As a society and as individuals, we can do a better job supporting the kids that need it. We HAVE to do a better job. Kids are not disposable.

Night Life

2011-11-06T16:15:00.000-08:00

These ads sum up my fall. I'm ready for harvest and fall field work to be over.

One to Go!

2011-11-05T05:50:00.000-07:00

We have one field of corn left to harvest! Woo Hoo!

Corn harvest hasn't been too long, but I'm ready to get my husband back. Here's why:

1. I miss him.
2. I would like to sleep through the night. Waking at midnight when he roles in is leaving me with dark circles and puffy eyes.
3. I would like help parenting. Especially, my seven (16 year old) daughter. Nail polish on the carpet...Lying about nail polish on the carpet...I need some discipline assistance.
4. I miss him.
5. I would like to be off duty and not have to pay a babysitter.

Please pray for good weather, plentiful trucks, and a weekend without breakdowns!

The End of an Era

2011-11-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

This weekend my son will play his last peewee tackle football games. We've traveled to a neighboring town for the past three years to play in this league. We started when he was seven.

Year 1

Since we've played in another town, we've been fairly anonymous. Which was nice. The first two years I became acquainted with some of the other parents, but this year I helped with the fundraiser and had to hang around at practice. I made some friends. And over the past three years, so did my son.

I'm pretty sad to be done. I'm pretty sad to leave behind the group of kids that I've watched develop as players and as a team for the past three seasons.

Year 2

As we drove home last night, my son said, "I'm going to miss that little field." We talked about the friends he'll miss the most and how lucky we were to have the same defensive coach all three years. A coach who really pushed him to be better.

Next year we will move up to Junior Tackle and play in our small town. I know we'll have a blast watching him play with his classmates and watching them come together as a team. I know I'll be typing a similar post when he's a senior.

As we transition, what I think I'll miss most is being a really LOUD, SHRILL, and ANNOYING fan. In this league I can scream (encouraging things, of course) as loud as I want and as much as I want, because after all, I am anonymous.

Year Three (on the left)

Marxism and my Manicure

2011-11-03T17:48:00.000-07:00

This weekend is my college's annual fundraiser dinner dance. At work we refer to it as the Gala. At home, I call it Prom for Adults. In preparation I got a manicure tonight. My shiny red nails look awesome. I should do this more often.

I had been warned about the limited English at this particular salon. I am NOT GOOD with Asian accents. I work with some great people who's native language is Chinese. I am always asking them to repeat themselves. I always feel like such a jerk.

So I walk into the salon and ask the lady at the counter for a manicure. She had to ask four times if I wanted fake nails. She finally had to show me the display for it to sink in. I was short on time and I was a bit frustrated.

This is where Marxism comes in, kind of. This semester I am enrolled in Adult Education in the Social Context. At home, I call it Marxism and Socialism in Education. It's a class about power, alienation, oppression, revolution, and hegemony.

Did you know that Disney is the devil? We had an 300+ page book on it. Next time you watch a movie, think about how they depict the villain. They are usually not American, speak with an Eastern European accent and don't reflect the white, middle-class ideal. Food for thought.

It's a good thing the class is required because there is no way I would have ever chosen to take it. It's been painful. Not just because I appreciate capitalism, but because I never took philosophy or sociology in my undergrad or Master's programs. It's pretty deep stuff and it takes forever to read and actually understand. It's all abstract and I prefer practical. Even though I don't like it, I'm glad I've been exposed to it. It's made the Take Back Wall Street coverage much more meaningful.

Before this class, I would have been very frustrated with my nail salon worker. Not mean, but internally frustrated. Instead, I spent my time thinking about our exchange from her point of view and how frustrated she must be living in the Midwest. I tried to do something that I am not good at. I tried to empathize.

My husband and I went to Spain for a week in June. We don't speak Spanish. The last three days we spent on the Mediterranean coast at a hotel. We didn't hear a lick of English. People looked at us funny. If there is an "American" look, we must have it. It was very lonely and we were ready to come home.

This must be how my nail salon lady feels every day. And she doesn't get to go home. Maybe this class wasn't all bad.

P.S. I am not the lady in the bikini:).

Has it really been a year?!

2011-11-02T18:47:00.000-07:00

In looking at my blogger dashboard tonight, I noticed almost a year has passed since my last post. What have I been up to? What haven't I been up to?

So...hopefully to get myself back into the posting habit, I COMMIT to posting everyday this month. I also commit to not overthinking this whole blogging thing and to just write. So let's start with a list.

Things I am thankful for today:

1. The Yellowstone Association webcam. We took a family road trip to the park last summer and had an excellent time. The park is gorgeous. We hiked. We saw the thermal features. We saw an old friend. We enjoyed one another. I don't know if we will ever be able to top this trip. Today I discovered the live webcam that you can control remotely. All day long I gazed upon snow capped mountains and watched elk graze near the north entrance of the park where we stayed for two nights. It brought some peace to a day full of writing. Thank you Yellowstone Association!

2. Wonderful co-workers. Tonight we had a girls' night to celebrate boss' day. We had wine, chili and pie and watched one of our alum compete on a reality show.

3. Babysitters! My husband has been in the field for about a month and my mother-in-law has been helping. This means I am hardly ever off duty. I am ready to be off duty. Thankfully, one of my high school babysitters could watch the kids last minute tonight so I could celebrate boss' day tonight. Being off duty, even if only for a few hours was worth the money!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-21T07:26:00.001-08:00

I Love Kindergarten

2010-09-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

My daughter started kindergarten this fall. In the months, ok years, leading up to the first day of school, we consistently butted heads. I wouldn't necessarily call her strong willed but she is just as stubborn as her mom and dad.

And then kindergarten started. She has been such a joy and so much more easy going. She has some doctor appointments on Monday and we get to spend the entire day together. I am so excited!

Easy as Pie (and Jam)

2010-09-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

I have a four day weekend and lots to do. I have grapes, apples, frozen peaches, frozen raspberries, red peppers, jalapeno peppers and tomatoes. My house is hot and humid from the canner boiling pretty much non stop the last two days.

I mentioned my activities on Facebook earlier today and my friend, Holly asked for my apple pie filling recipe. The recipe calls for ClearGel which my mother-in-law buys in bulk online and shares. I think this came from her USDA canning guide.

Here you go!

Doubt

2010-09-18T17:47:00.000-07:00

Last spring I decided to go back to school, again, and work on a doctorate degree. Lately, I've been doubting that decision. I seem to be surrounded by very academic people, people with doctorate degrees that seem really smart. I listen to them and think, am I really smart enough to do this? What if I'm not? Can I really put together a valid, meaningful research project that adds to a body of knowledge? What if I just don't have the time or desire to do what it takes to research, write and defend a dissertation?

Tonight, I read this on one of the blogs I subscribe:

You can either do what makes you happy, or do what keeps you comfortable.

It was exactly the kick in the pants I needed.

If I don't do this, the world will not end. If I don't do this, our family will not starve. If I don't do this, our kids will still have two parents with three advanced degrees, and hopefully, grow up to see the value of higher education. If I don't do this, I will remain comfortable.

If I do continue, I will be challenged. I will be forced to consider other perspectives. I will have to stretch. And, I will be happy. Being in school, learning new things, and learning to look at things through different lenses make me happy. Yes, I am a dork. But at least I'm a happy dork.

So what if I don't sound as smart as the others I'm around? I'm a bit rusty with the school and theory stuff. And, the last thing I ever want anyone to do is compare themselves to me and think, "Gosh, I can't do that because I'm not as smart."

So what if I join the 50% of people who start but don't finish a doctorate degree? My family won't starve. I'll still be employable. I'll still be able to do work I enjoy. I'll have a broad range of knowledge, I just won't have the research experience and the credential. It will be ok and I will be a better, happier person for it.

What's in Your Basket - 8/23/2010

2010-08-22T20:12:00.001-07:00

This week's CSA baskets include lots of yummy tomatoes and peppers for salsa, canned tomatoes and jam!

Roma tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes
Cucumbers - The last of the season
Zucchini - The last of the season
Jalapeno peppers
Green peppers
Red peppers
Yellow banana peppers
Eggplant
Red cabbage - They are super small this year but at least the cabbage worms left them alone!
Basil
Sun pickles
Peach jam
Sicilian tomato jam

Enjoy!

Hot Damn

2010-08-21T07:22:00.001-07:00

My husband always says I pick the hottest days of the year to can and make jam. Most years, he's right. This year, not so much. This past week was pretty moderate for August in northern Illinois, which was a good thing. It seems like all sorts of stuff was ready to be put up.

This past week I've made five batches of Peach Jam, two batches of Hot Pepper Jam and one batch of a new one-Sicilian Tomato Jam. Bad things have happened in my process. I ran out of Peach Schnapps to add to my Peach Jam. But good things have happened, too. I threw in some Amaretto instead. YUM! I thought I found my new favorite jam recipe.

At least until I tried the Sicilian Tomato Jam. I can't wait to try this yummy, savory spread on a fresh baguette. And, for my cherry tomato plants to ripen more fruit so I can make more.

Hot Pepper Jam is one of my most popular. My sister- and mother-in-laws asked for the recipe this year. Apparently everyone's pepper plants have been very prolific. My go to recipe comes from the Jam Lady Cookbook. I got the recipe from my friend Lori, the source of most of my really good savory recipes.

Hot 3-Pepper Jam

4 cups sugar

1 cup, chopped, seeded sweet green peppers

1 cup, chopped, unseeded jalapeno peppers

1 cup white wine vinegar or cider vinegar
½ cup, chopped, fresh, seeded problano peppers

½ cup lemon juice

2-3 ounce packages of liquid pectin (6 ounces total)
1 slice onion (or equivalent amount of chopped garlic)

½ teaspoon butter (to reduce foaming)

I usually use whatever peppers I have on hand. If I have sweet peppers, I use them. If not, I just make sure that my total pepper amount is 2 1/2 cups. Put the peppers in the blender or food processor with the vinegar and lemon juice. Process until only smaller bits remain.

Put the puree in a heavy pot with the sugar and butter. It will start out a pretty, grassy green. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil for one minute. A rolling boil won't stop when you stir. Add the liquid pectin and return to a rolling boil for one minute. As it cooks, the color will darken and mute.

Ladle into sterile jars and process in a boiling water bath for ten minutes.

My sister likes her Hot Pepper Jam to be orange/red so I added a few drops of red food coloring to one batch before putting it in the jars.

Back to School 14

2010-08-04T19:32:00.000-07:00

For fourteen years my college roomie, Jill, and I have been hosting the Back to School Party. It started as a huge party at a cabin in the woods in Kirkland, Illinois. There was always a fire, a hot tub, cigars, a keg, tons of food, tents and random people sleeping everywhere.

Over the years we've calmed down. We can no longer drain a keg, cigars make the next morning even more painful, the fire is smaller, if at all, and there are no random people sleeping anywhere. The location has moved from Kirkland to Amboy to Ashton to Michigan. There aren't as many big people but there are several little people running around. And our core group remains.

Each year we gather. We eat. We drink. We laugh. And, we remember why the tenth floor of Wright Hall 10 was the best.

It had something to do with Cory falling in Fell Hall then again on Fell Avenue and having to be carried down stairs during a fire alarm.

It had something to do with Cathy falling into a man hole.

It had something to do with mud sliding in the front of Wright after the tornado tore through town.

It had something to do with our awesome loft.

It had something to do with backpacks full of beer, Cherry Street, Smalls and after hours.

It definitely had something to do with some great, mostly small town kids getting stuck on the same quiet floor on the edge of campus playing asshole and bullshit when it was too cold to walk to parties (while Jill cheated).

I love you guys!

Jill called me after the BTSP this year for my salsa recipe. This is my sneaky way of getting all my BTSP BFFs to read my tribute! The recipe is below. I'd love to hear your best memories of Wright 10 in the comments.

Black Bean Salsa

1 can whole kernel sweet corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
2-3 small jalapeno peppers, finely chopped
1 bunch/ container cherry tomatoes, chopped
2-3 avacados, chopped, tossed with lemon juice to prevent browning

Combine all the above ingredients except the avocados in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, mix the dressing ingredients below.

1/3 cup fresh lime juice (2 limes)
1-2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cumin
2 tablespoons olive oil

Mix into the large bowl. Fold in avocados. Chill then serve with corn chips. Or eat it with a spoon.

Sweet Corn Snob

2010-07-25T19:39:00.000-07:00

I am a sweet corn snob. My non farm friends just don't get it. I refuse to eat corn more than 4 hours out of the field. The sugars start to covert to starch within a few hours and it simply is just not as good. I'm also lucky that I have an endless supply (as long as the raccoons and the puppy stay out of it).

If you can't eat it all or have to much it is really easy to freeze. Simply shuck the corn taking special care to remove all the silks. Bring a large pot to a boil and boil the ears for four minutes. Remove from the water and immediately plunge into ice cold water to stop the cooking. Slice the kernels from the ears and place in freezer bags.

Sun Pickles

2010-07-25T19:33:00.000-07:00

My friend Lori shared her Sun Pickles last summer. They were so good that I doubt I will ever process another jar of pickles in a hot water bath EVER AGAIN!

6 1/2 cups water
3 1/4 cups white vinegar
dill, garlic and jalapeno pepper slices
2/3 cup canning salt
Rye bread

Mix water, vinegar and salt. Bring to a boil. Pack cucumbers sliced the way you like them, dill, two cloves of garlic per quart jar, and one head of dill per quart jar. Fill with vinegar mixture. Top with a slice of rye bread. Seal jars and place in the sun for three days. Refrigerate after bringing inside./

You can vary the spices any way you like. I LOVE the jalapeno peppers. They give the cukes a great bite.

Italian Garden Salad

2010-07-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

My mother-in-law shared this recipe with me last summer and I fell in love. It's a great way to use almost everything in your basket.

8 oz. Uncooked spaghetti
1 cup cut fresh green beans

DRESSING:
6 T canola oil
3 T sugar
2 T white wine or balsamic vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 t salt
1 t dried parsley flakes*
1 t dried basil*
½ t dried oregano
¼ t onion powder

SALAD:
2 cups cooked, cubed chicken
1 med. Green bell pepper, julienned
4 oz. Colby-Monterrey Jack cheese, cubed
1 med. Zucchini sliced
1 small yellow summer squash, sliced
8 cherry tomatoes, sliced
1 small red onion, halved, sliced

Shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

Cook spaghetti according to package directions, adding green beans during the last four minutes of cooking.

Meanwhile in a large bowl, combine the dressing ingredients. Add the chicken, pepper, Colby-Monterrey Jack cheese, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, and onion.

Drain spaghetti and beans; rinse in cold water. Add to the other ingredients and toss to coat. Refrigerate until chilled. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.

*Substitute fresh for dry herbs using a one to three ratio. For every teaspoon of dried herbs, use 3 teaspoons of fresh herbs.

This Week's Basket: 7/26/2010

2010-07-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

This week's basket may include:

- Potatoes: Red and Yukon Gold
- Onions: Red, Sweet and Yellow
- Kohlrabi
- Beans: Green and Yellow
- Baby Carrots: The first!
- Peppers: Green and Jalapeno
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Herbs: Basil, Oregano and Parsley
- Swiss Chard
- Beets: The first!

- Sweet Corn
- Garlic, Dill, Jalapeno Sun Pickles: These need to be refridgerated; Discard the rye bread on top upon opening
- Jam

10 Reasons Why I Love Michigan

2010-07-16T21:55:00.000-07:00

10. Cherries - The sweet were delicious this year and I brought home eight pounds of sour to make jam.

9. Camping - I grew up doing it and I love showing my kids that they can have fun without the creature comforts they are so used to.

8.   St. Joseph - My college roommate introduced me to this amazing beach town that isn't close but isn't too far away. Silver Beach is great for kids. They just added a carousel and a play fountain across from one of the best pizza places EVER.

7.   Oval Beach - The kids and I discovered this beach in Sagatuck last year. It has great sand, a concession stand and showers.

6.   Wineries - We love visiting the Michigan wineries, sampling and bringing home a bottle or ten. For some reason, wine is so much better when you know where it came from and have a story to go with it. Some of our favorite: Tabor Hill, Karma Vista, Lemon Creek, and 45.

5.   Winery Dogs - We visited two of the wineries with the kids this trip. (I know, mom of the year.) They had the opportunity to sample some great cherry, peach, raspberry and grape juice and meet three winery dogs. They were a great distraction while the parents were hard at work deciding which varieties would be coming home.

4. Family - I have a whole bunch of second cousins living on the Leelanau Peninsula. Up until last year, I hadn't seen them since I was a teenager. It was so nice to meet them as adults, catch up with them this year and watch our kids play together, just like we did when we were little.

3. Fishtown - I spent way too many summer vacation wandering around Fishtown trying to decide where to spend my money. It is a bunch of shops located on piers along the channel that connects Lake Leelanau to Lake Michigan. Fishtown is home to the Carlson Fish. Before leaving for home this trip, I was asked to get smoked whitefish for my husband who couldn't join us this year.

2. North Bar Lake - I was introduced to this Lake this year. It is a really, really deep, sandy lake in the middle of the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes fed by a very shallow, sandy channel from Lake Michigan. The kids played in the lake and the channel for two afternoons. What was even better was the Lake Michigan beach. The water was crystal clear, the bottom was sandy, and the sand bar wasn't too far out. It is my new favorite place in the Leelanau Peninsula.

1. The final reason I love Michigan - I get to watch my kids jump in the waves, hunt for petosky stones, roast marshmallows, hike in the woods, climb the dunes, and enjoy summer; just like I did when I was a kid.

Beans, Beans, and More Beans

2010-07-13T06:05:00.000-07:00

When we left for vacation last week the yellow wax beans were just starting to mature and the green beans were just starting to flower. When we returned Sunday afternoon, the plants were loaded! I spent an hour picking a bushel basket full of green and yellow beans yesterday. This week's CSA baskets will have enough to eat and to freeze for the winter. Here are directions on how to freeze beans: Daves Garden.

Swiss Chard

2010-06-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

This is my first season growing Swiss Chard. So far the bugs have liked it, ALOT. I included a young, uneaten bunch in my CSA basket this week. Since I'm new to it, too, I figured I should give my families a couple recipe ideas. I have not tested these recipes, merely selected to share them because I would like to!

Simply Recipes - Swiss Chard Recipe
Earth Eats - Swiss Chard with Toasted Cashews

What's in Your Basket

2010-06-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

This week's basket includes the following:

Salad Greens - Bibb lettuce (darker green), Ruby lettuce (Red) and Summer Crisp lettuce (light green).

Rhubarb

Green Onions

Squash - The first of the season!

Radishes - To prepare radishes, wipe clean and trim off the stem end and tip. The peppery flavor is most concentrated in the skin and so this can be peeled or cut off if the radishes are too pungent. For added crispness soak in iced water for an hour before use.

Swiss Chard - The first of the season!

Everything in the basket has been rinsed once. It should all be washed again before eating. Please rinse the plastic bags and containers and return them with the basket at your next delivery.

2010-06-13T17:39:00.000-07:00

This produce week's basket includes the following:

Salad Greens - Spinach, Bibb lettuce (darker green), Ruby lettuce (Red) and Summer Crisp lettuce (light green).

Rhubarb

Green Onions

Strawberries

Radishes - To prepare radishes, wipe clean and trim off the stem end and tip. The peppery flavor is most concentrated in the skin and so this can be peeled or cut off if the radishes are too pungent. For added crispness soak in iced water for an hour before use.

Everything in the basket has been rinsed once. It should all be washed again before eating. Please rinse the plastic bags and containers and return them with the basket at your next delivery.

Freezing Rhubarb

2010-06-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

Select tender stems. Wash and cut into 1-inch pieces. Discard damaged or blemished stems.

Dry Pack: Pack rhubarb into plastic freezer bags or vacuum package. Seal, label, and freeze.

Sugar Pack: Mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts rhubarb. Allow to stand until sugar is dissolved. Pack rhubarb into can-or-freeze jars or plastic freezer boxes. Seal, label, and freeze.

Syrup Pack: Prepare a heavy syrup. Pack rhubarb into can-or-freeze jars or plastic freezer boxes. Ladle syrup over rhubarb, leaving ½- inch headspace. Seal, label, and freeze.

Stewed: Stew or steam rhubarb according to your favorite recipe; sweeten to taste. Cool. Pack same as syrup pack.

Taken from the Ball Blue Book of Preserving.

Rhubarb Bread

2010-06-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

Bread
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups sugar
½ cup applesauce
½ cup oil
4 tablespoons sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups chopped rhubarb
1 cup chopped nuts

Topping
4 cups flour
4 tablespoons butter
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Sift flour, soda and salt together. Add sugar, eggs, oil, applesauce and sour cream. Fold in nuts and rhubarb. Pour into two greased bread pans. Cut sugar and cinnamon into butter into crumbly. Sprinkle with topping. Bake at 350° for 60 minutes. This recipe makes two loaves.

June 13: Garden Update

2010-06-13T17:17:00.000-07:00

This weekend brought a lot of rain, a lot of weeds and a lot of garden progress. This coming week will be full of weeding and mulching to cut down on future weeding. I don't think I'll be watering anytime soon.

The potatoes are starting to flower. They need to be weeded and hilled with straw this week. If they aren't hilled the potatoes will form above ground, have a green color from exposure to the sun and be poisonous.

There were some germination issues with the sugar snap peas so they are a bit behind. They are just starting to flower.

The yellow wax beans are on the verge of flowering. The green beans also had to be replanted so they are a couple weeks behind.

The strawberries were plentiful this year and should be done this week. Each year I contemplate tearing them out. They always surprise me and making me change my mind.

Who I am.

2010-06-09T16:27:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we had a staff development day in our college. As part of the day, we were asked to take a strengths inventory based on the books Strength Finders 2.0 and Strengths Based Leadership and attend a workshop. The idea is to find out what you are good at and develop those strengths rather than working to develop the areas in which you fall short.

My strengths were:

Positivity: I generally have a positive outlook on life and look for the best in people.
Includer: I enjoy meeting new people and am quick to include them in the groups I am part of.
Achiever: I am quick to act, like to feel engaged in my activities, focus on processes and like to accomplish things. I am a list person. I have eleven years worth of notebooks to prove it.
Competition: I like to win in situations that are important to me. No surprise here.
Futuristic: I am a goal setter and love to talk with visionary people.

I love personality profiles like this. I've done DISC and Myers-Briggs and going through this exercise was just as interesting. How could a quick inventory do such a good job at describing me?

It was even more interesting when a friend described who she was on her blog this week and asked who 'we' were.

Too often I tie my answer to that question to the roles I am playing at the moment. Just look at my blog header. So I am going to use what I learned from Strength Finders and answer her question without thinking about the roles I am currently playing. My roles are not what define me. It's who I am at my core that defines me and those attributes shine through in all of the roles I play.

I:
am happy.
like to try and succeed at new things.
like making people feel more comfortable in any given situation.
am always looking to the future.
like to control what I can.
always try to find the bright spot.
am structured.
am versatile.
am a life-long learner.
am creative.
am emotional.
am a builder.
am a good listener.
am faithful.

The second part of my friend's post described what she wasn't. In concert with Strength Finders, I am not going to focus on what I'm not. That list is way too long and it will make me feel bad about myself and quite overwhelmed. I know I am far from perfect so I'll just try harder to build on what I am.

Garden Progress

2010-06-08T18:30:00.000-07:00

It seems like just last week the garden looked like this.

Pretty hairy and pretty scary. It gave me nightmares. Then things finally started to come up and I could weed without disturbing ungerminated seeds.

And, now I finally have a clean garden with plants I can row. I am finally at peace.

Rhubarb Butter Crunch

2010-06-08T16:26:00.000-07:00

Church recipe books are one of the best things about living in a rural area. All the country cooks (a.k.a. Church Basement Ladies) submit their best recipes. I received this cookbook from my husband's great aunt as a wedding shower gift.

I discovered one my favorite springtime recipes inside. I've been known to eat the entire baking dish of this delectable dessert. I hope you enjoy it just as much as I do.

10 Random Things

2010-05-17T17:24:00.000-07:00

I haven't been posting regularly but I have been busy! Here are ten random things I've been up to:

10. Hauling kids to basketball, dance and soccer.
9. Starting a new job! Hooray!
8. Avoiding the gail force winds that blow through my yard. When will the wind stop blowing?
7. Running.
6. Cooking a meal at Ronald McDonald House Charities. It is such a great place!
5. Mowing the lawn. It started a month early this season. YUCK!
4. Training (ok mostly yelling) at the puppy. I need professional help. For the puppy, not me.
3. Planting seeds in my basement. Veggies and flowers.
2. Not cleaning my house. I need professional help here, too.
1. Applying to grad school. I will start working on my doctoral degree in the fall. YIKES!

Pizza Night

2010-05-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

My Friday nights as a kid were spent watching Dallas and eating popcorn with my family. It was a family ritual that I remember almost as well as Christmas Eve, Christmas morning and Easter morning.

When I had kids, I decided I wanted to do something similar. Unfortunately, and much to my husband's chagrin, Dallas reruns are hard to find.

So I decided that I would try my best to make homemade pizza on Friday nights. Do I do it every Friday? No, but I probably make it more Fridays than not.

Recently my husband's cousins and their significant others came to the farm to visit on a Friday. It was suggested that we order pizza. On a Friday night. Those words were like a knife straight through my heart.

Even though I would be feeding 15, I decided to make my pizza rather than take the easier, cleaner way out. And, it was a success! So much that cousin Mandy asked for the recipe so they could recreate it at home. What a great compliment!

So here goes!

My 'go to' dough recipe is from my KitchenAid mixer cookbook. If you don't have one of these it's not the end of the world, but you should really get one. It is amazing!

If you don't have a mixer, combine all the ingredients in a bowl, then turn the dough out onto the counter and knead it until smooth and elastic.

If you do have a mixer, add the water, yeast, salt and oil and let it sit for a minute. I never measure the water temperature. I just run the tap nice and hot and add it to the bowl. My mother-in-law, the home economics teacher, is probably cringing.

Sometimes I add a tablespoon or two of honey, sometimes I don't. Just depends on how sweet I'm feeling.

Next add 2.5 cups of flour and mix on 2 for about a minute. Slowly add .5 cup of flour at a time, up to 3.5 cups, and until the dough clings to the hook and cleans the side of the bowl.

Sometimes I add a cup of wheat flour. It gives the dough a nutty taste and makes me feel healthier.

Form the dough into a disk. Drizzle olive oil in the bottom of the bowl, put the dough in the bowl then turn it over to coat both sides with oil. Cover the bowl with a dish towel and put in a draft free place to rise for an hour.

The dough should double in size.

Punch it down. If you are making the dough for the night before, put in the fridge. A few hours before you want to use it the next day, take it out and let it rise again until double, then punch it down again.

If you are ready to make the pizza, slide your pizza stone into the oven and preheat it to 450 degrees.

Divide the dough and form a disc. Roll it out to about 1/8 inch thick.

It absolutely does not have to be a perfect circle.

Take your pizza stone out of the oven and sprinkle corn meal on top to prevent the dough from sticking.

One of my many secrets is to use tomatoes rather than tomato sauce. I prefer tomatoes from my garden that I have canned, but alas, I used them up at the cousin party. Walmart tomatoes also do the trick.

Spread the tomatoes and as little juice as possible over the crust. Sprinkle the tomatoes with Italian Seasoning, then have some fun. I put all sorts of stuff on pizza: garlic, pepperonis, sausage (browned before), bacon, prosciutto, blue cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, brie, whatever you think sounds good. Finish it with some fresh ground pepper and oregano on top.

I made this pizza last Saturday. I didn't realize until I got to the cheese part that I only had 2 cups of mozzarella left. Cheddar worked just as well.

This week's crust turned out super crisp. Every week is different.

I didn't have too many complaints!

One Year Annivesary!

2010-03-22T17:32:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I've had a blog for a year! Where did the time go?

Last year about this time I started with posts about starting seeds (I did this, this morning) and raking rocks (I did this, this afternoon). A lot of details have changed in my life but the broad strokes are the same. Will I be able to say the same next March?

March Can Jam: Raspberry Garlic Jam

2010-03-15T18:09:00.001-07:00

When I first discovered the ingredient of the month I didn't know what to think. Heck, I didn't even know what an allium was.

But once I found out, I was really excited. I've wanted to make garlic jelly for a long time. Since I don't grow it (I finally am this season!), I never had a reason to. Now I finally do! And, I found a recipe with wine. Oh how I love to add liquor to my jam!

The first step is roasting the garlic. This was super easy. Cut the head off, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, enclose in foil and roast!

The next step was making the juice for the jam. This was also super easy. Squeeze the garlic out of the skin and into a sauce pan. Add the wine, water, more vinegar and pepper. Bring to a boil and let steep. Then drain over cheese cloth.

While the garlic juice is draining, mash the raspberries and put three cups of the puree into your jam pot. My jam is not garlicky enough. Next time I'm only using two cup of raspberries.

Then measure two cups of the garlic juice. If you don't have two cups, add enough wine to get there. Next time I plan to make a double batch of the garlic juice and use three cups.

Combine the garlic juice, pectin and a bit of butter with the raspberries and bring to a boil. Add the sugar, return to a boil and boil for one minute.

Pour into jars and process. Voila! Isn't it gorgeous!

Recipe adapted from the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving and the Ball pectin berry jam instructions.

3 medium heads of garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 cup dry white wine

2/3 cup water

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, crushed

3 cups red raspberry puree

1 pouch pectin

7 cups sugar

Cut the tops off the garlic, place each in a separate square of aluminum foil. Top each head with one teaspoon of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Roast at 425 for 45 - 60 minutes or until soft and golden.

Squeeze the garlic out of the skin into a saucepan. Add the wine, water, balsamic vinegar and peppercorns. Bring to a boil for five minutes. Remove from the heat, cover and let steep for 15 minutes. Drain through dampened cheesecloth, undisturbed for a half hour. Measure two cups of the liquid. If there isn't two cups, add enough wine to make two cups.

Mash the raspberries with a potato masher. Measure three cups into a large stockpot. Add the garlic liquid, a teaspoon of butter to reduce foaming and the pectin. Bring to a rolling boil. Add the sugar. Bring to a rolling boil for one minute.

Remove from heat, put in jars and process for 10 minutes.

February Can Jam: Carrot Rhubarb Jam

2010-02-21T12:05:00.000-08:00

I was a little skeptical when I read the February ingredient. I had no idea what to do with carrots.

I found a carrot jam recipe with brandy and almonds. I'm known for adding liquor to jam so I thought about it. That is until I cleaned our my freezer and found loads of diced rhubarb from the past two seasons and a recipe for carrot rhubarb jam.

It smelled really good cooking and they're very pretty but I'm not sure what to expect. The recipe didn't call for sugar, just one small cup of honey. It also didn't call for any lemon juice. Not wanting anyone to get sick, I added a couple tablespoons just in case. It was chunkier than any jam I've ever made, more like a chunky salsa consistency.

Carrot Rhubarb Jam

Adapted from www.ifood.tv

3 cups carrots, grated
6 cups rhubarb, diced

3 oranges, juice and grated rind
1 cup honey

2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, ground

Pour boiling water over rhubarb.Let stand for 10 minutes. Drain. This reduces objectionable oxalic acid. Mix all ingredients and let stand overnight. Next morning, bring to slow boil. Cook only until rhubarb is transparent and mixture thickened. Pour into hot sterilized jars. Seal.

Thoughts on Pollan and King Corn

2010-02-15T17:00:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I was introduced to Michael Pollan - not the man, just his writing.

I was reading one of my favorite blogs and was shocked and disheartened by some of the conclusions the author was drawing about farming, specifically corn farming, from her research on whole foods and healthy eating.

Her post reviewing the movie King Corn and introducing me to Pollan inspired some dialogue and caused me to dig into a genre of writing I otherwise would have never exposed myself to.

Here are my thoughts on The Omnivore's Dilemma as well as the movie King Corn:

1. Pollan is a brilliant writer.

His ability to give corn anthropomorphic qualities as he weaves his tale of corn domination is second to none. But let's be real. Hybrid corn came about to raise yields to feed the masses, increase consistency and improve farm profitability. Food is a necessity and there are a lot of hungry people in our world. Corn is an efficient source of food energy, it can be stored and transported long distances without spoiling and there are many ways it can be used in the food we eat. By including corn in livestock feed rations we are increasing the availability of quality protein sources.

2. People should be more conscious of what they eat.

This includes reading labels and a balanced understanding how their food is produced. How does this happen? We desperately need to start placing more value on the life skills classes and lessons taught in our schools. This includes home economics and agriculture classes. The lessons I learned in my ag classes, I carry with me to this day: how plants grow, how animals grow, how to work hard, responsibility, and leadership. The Ag in the Classroom program is a great way to integrate these important lessons into science classes but we can't only rely on science classes. How do we do this in urban areas? Check out the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences.

This is also a matter of personal choice. Once people have a balanced understanding of how their food is produced, let them make their own decisions.

I do not buy organic produce at the grocery store. I understand integrated pest management (IPM) and how overuse of pesticide affects the bottom line. As a farmer, I trust the produce farmers to make good IPM decisions and the government regulations that are in place to protect against those who don't. Same goes for antibiotic use in livestock.

In my own garden, I avoid pesticides. Mainly because I don't want to go into the house and wash my produce before snacking on it in the yard.

I also buy local when it's in season and available - that's only five months at best in the Midwest. And, I would rather the people I know benefit from my purchase. These are choices I'm happy I have the freedom to make.

3. We all need to look at the bigger picture.

We are a food insecure nation and world. There are too many people who can't afford enough food or simply don't have access to it. Before we begin a campaign to raise food prices so people eat less, let's improve people's ability to get healthy food.

Obesity and the diseases that accompany it are also part of the bigger picture. Why are people obese? We eat too much and move too little. I love Michelle's Obama's new Let's Move initiative. And, I love what she said, "Our kids did not do this to themselves..." We need to be parents. We need to say "NO" to all the snacking, turn off the televisions and game systems and encourage our kids to get outside and move.

I understand there are environmental concerns. We can always do better. Locally, I am not alarmed. Because of the efficiency of hybrid corn, fertilizer and pesticides, we can produce more corn using less fertilizer and nitrogen than ever before. And, advances in technology and practices are continuously being made. We know that we must be good stewards of the land we farm, with no exceptions. Our kids and grand kids will one day rely on the very same land to make a living and a life.

I am concerned about the conflicting, agenda based science that is out there. I am also concerned with people's ability to discern science from opinion. No wonder there is so much confusion.

4. The Farm Bureau advocates for farmers.

Just like a union. And, because so many people are so far removed from the farm is it crucial that this grassroots organization continue to be a strong link and source of information to those making policy decisions in our capital cities. The Farm Bureau absolutely represents our family's farming operation.

5. I believe in personal responsibility.

I recently did The Quantum Cleanse. I had to give up gluten for two weeks. I read every label before eating. Even with the High Fructose Corn Syrup, I eat loads more gluten than corn. Is this the government's fault or some evil wheat plant's? No. It's my fault for not choosing to eat a more balanced diet. Something that I will strive to change since my return to normal eating.

6. Agarian romaticism is alive and thriving. Thank you Mike Wilson for naming it for me.

This theme was challenging for me to wrap my head around. Why in the world would anyone want to return to the labor intensive, low yielding ways of the past?

Then it occurred to me. People are so far removed from their farming roots that's all they remember or have read about in children's story books. They want to return to their fairytale version of farming and the perceived simplicity that comes with it, not the reality of modern farming that feeds our world.

They also want to feel connected to their food, just like we do. We know where our meat comes from - it's the farm down the road. We know what it takes to grow the lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, etc. we eat. We plant, nurture and harvest it. I fed my family a balanced diet of mostly whole foods before ever reading Pollan or seeing King Corn, because that is what most farm families do.

People also want to feel connected to their neighbors. Our community may not look like it did 50 years ago but it still a agriculture based community with businesses that support a strong farming industry. It is a community where everyone knows your name, cares about your well-being and helps out others in need.

Pollan was an interesting, compelling read. The young men in King Corn were endearing. I don't disagree with the underlying theme: People need to eat better. I just disagree with how they get there.

The Quantum Cleanse

2010-02-15T09:07:00.000-08:00

Completing the Quantum Cleanse was on my 35 things to do before I turn 35 list. Last weekend I wrapped up my version of the cleanse, returned to normal eating and took inventory of what I learned from the experience.

The cleanse requires that you give up five things: Alcohol, Caffeine, Sugar, Gluten, Animal Products for three weeks. I didn't think I would be able to do it all at once so I added one category each week spending only one week without all five.

Here's what I learned:

#1 - I have an enormous amount of self-control when I set a goal.

#2 - I eat an enormous amount of gluten.

#3 - I love cheese. I could probably be a vegetarian but never a vegan.

#4 - I'm not a big dessert person. Not eating sugar didn't bother me too much.

#5 - I need to moderate everything that I eat and drink. I overindulge way too much. Once I start it's hard too stop. I need to set rules for my eating and drinking.

#6 - I will not be returning to my morning coffee or rekindling my love affair with Diet Pepsi. I am just fine drinking my decaf green tea in the morning.

#7 - I will probably do the cleanse again this summer. This time I will do it the right way instead of my version.

My Jan. 31 - Feb. 6 Menu

2010-01-20T17:22:00.000-08:00

Alcohol, Caffine, Sugar, Gluten Free Week for me so the rest of the family gets to eat from the freezer,

Sunday: Chicken Rice Soup

Monday: Baked Ziti

Tuesday: Chicken Enchiladas

Wednesday: Swedish Meatballs

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Saturday: Leftovers

Alcohol, Caffine, Sugar, Gluten, Animal Free Week so more freezer eating for the family

Sunday: Lemon Garlic Tilapia with Baked Garlic Rice

Monday: Mexican Casserole

Tuesday: Baked Ziti

Wednesday: Vegetable Pad Thai

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Saturday: Leftovers

Key Lime Pie Martini Jam

2010-01-20T11:52:00.000-08:00

I've never worked with limes. I've never made a marmalade. And, although I've added vanilla, schnapps's and chambord to certain fruit jam recipes, I've never created my own recipe. From scratch. How hard could it really be? Twice as much fruit as sugar, boil until you reach the gel point, do the plate test, can...

Little did I know the secret to my jam would be in how I prepared the juice.

I started with a bowl of key limes.

And made juice. I decided to try slicing the limes thinly while removing the seeds, just like this recipe described. This worked famously.

Next, I boiled the slices with five cups of water for about 30 minutes. After letting it cool a bit, I tasted it. The juice was extremely bitter and pithy tasting.

So I started over. This time I sliced all the rinds off the limes.

Cooked the fruit with another five cups of water to extract the juice.

Then, I tasted the juice. Much better. So I made a key lime pie martini. Once I had my drink to taste the jam against, I was good to go!

Key Lime Pie Martini Jam

2 cups of key lime juice

3 cups of pineapple juice

3 cups of sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/4 cup triple sec

1/2 cup citrus or vanilla vodka

Mix fruit juices and sugar in a large pot and bring to a boil until gel point is reached. Remove from the heat. Add the vanilla, triple sec, and vodka. Pour into jars and seal in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.

I've been enjoying the jam on homemade bread since Sunday. It is a touch bitter but it's growing on me. I think I may try mixing it with cream cheese and eating it with graham crackers.

My Jan 17 - 30 Menu

2010-01-15T14:31:00.000-08:00

Last week's meal planning went so well I decided to do it again. It was so nice knowing what I was going to do about dinner when I got home from work. A lot less stress.

This week I decided to go through one of my cookbooks. I chose The Great American Favorite Band Name Cookbook. Here goes:

Sunday: Chicken & Rice Soup (page 78) and Apple Pie

Monday: Santa Fe Casserole (page 283)

Tuesday: Sweet and Sour Pork Chops (page 182)

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: Lenita's Pot Roast - This is a recipe given to me by a favorite coworker. We were talking about my menu plans, how Thursday was pot roast day and how I needed more pot roast recipes. She offered this one with cheese soup - yummy!

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Garden Cheese Soup (page 64) and Cherry Pie

Monday: Tacos in Pasta Shells (page 308)

Tuesday: Thai Chicken (page 211)

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: Enchiladas from the freezer

Friday: Baked Ziti from the freezer

Saturday: Homemade Pizza

What I learned this week: Being a Mom has Given Me New Ways to Get My Point Across

2010-01-12T03:30:00.000-08:00

Before becoming a mom I was an advertising account exec. I don't know if it is the ad industry, the industry I was servicing or just the agency I worked for, but I developed quite the potty mouth. The first time they heard me drop the 'F' bomb, my coworkers celebrated. It was all down hill from there and it's something I have been working on since.

So far the only repeated slips have been about those pesky Asian Beetles. My two year old son was at grandma's one night stepping on them saying, "Damn Bugs, Damn Bugs." At least he was using it correctly,right? And they are the most worthless creature ever created. I STILL have them in my house even though it hasn't gotten above freezing since Christmas. But I digress...

Fast forward to last night. I was changing the laundry around and moved funny. The lid came down on the bridge of my nose, right between my eyes. OUCH.

But instead of 'ouch, out came 'holy cats', 'Oh my gosh', 'Son of a fudgicicle,' and a few more I'm not remembering right now. All in a mumbled, garbled voice that sounded much like that of Ralphie's dad from the Christmas Story using the real words. Even though I was talking in code, I must have gotten my point across because hubby kept the kids from coming into the laundry room to check on me.

I didn't realize until last night, I have replaced my naughty words with new words that mean the same to me but won't get me a note home from school. And, they came out under duress.

That's progress, right?

Tigress' Can Jam Challenge: January Assignment

2010-01-07T12:42:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon the Tigress' Can Jam Challenge this week. Even though I missed the deadline, she let me join! I am so excited!

The ingredient this month is citrus. I immediately decided to use limes. I googled lime jam recipes and found a couple I would like to try. Recipes like Red Chili and Lime Jam and Mojito Jam.

But I found my inspiration in a martini - a Key Lime Pie Martini to be exact. So in the next couple of weeks I will be drinking martinis and trying to alter and perfect a recipe for Key Lime Martini Jam. Anyone want to be a taste tester?

35 before 35

2010-01-01T12:04:00.000-08:00

A few years back a friend made a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. It sounded neat but a bit overwhelming.

When I stumbled upon Yes and Yes' blog today and saw her 31 things do do before turning 31 I was intrigued. It seemed much more manageable. Since I am past 31 and my next birthday is just nine months away, I decided to go with a different target. I decided to come up with my own list of the 35 things I would like to do before turning 35 in September 2011.

Hopefully my feelings of accomplishment will override my horror of being closer to 50 than 19.

My list is a work in progress because I would really like the 35 things I choose to be meaningful and attainable. So here goes!

1. Learn how to sew. Start with making an advent garland for each of the kiddos.

2. Make my own Christmas wreaths. Definitely an evergreen wreath but these too:

3. Finish my response to Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma.

4. Actually complete a body cleanse.

5. Travel to Europe, the Provence region of France in particular.

6. Visit the site of the World Trade Center attack in New York City.

7. Purchase new filters for our reverse osmosis system.

8. Organize my spice rack in a more sustainable way.

9. Construct a boot rack near my basement door so we are not always swimming in shoes, boots, slippers, and flip flops.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

My January 3-16 Menu

2009-12-31T18:32:00.000-08:00

To start the week strong, I decided to spend New Year's Eve drinking wine and planning our menu for the first two weeks of the new year.

Sunday, January 3 - Dirty Risotto
The kids LOVED this!

Monday, January 4 - Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
This was delicous and so easy! I substituted yogart for the sour cream and it was just as tasty! Even better, I divided it into two baking dishes and stashed one in the freezer for a rainy or a least a busy day.

Tuesday, January 5 - Shrimp Pad Thai
I LOVED this. It was super easy, too.

Wednesday, January 6 - Leftovers
I had planned on making the Baked Ziti but we has so much food we did leftovers instead.

Thursday, January 7 - Crock Pot Roast
I paired this with macoroni noodles and green beans. It was very salty, just like I like it!
Since I had the ground beef thawed and the onions chopped, I made the Baked Ziti tonight. I divided it up into two containers to put in the freezer. We will have this on a busy night when I don't have time to cook.

Friday, January 8 - Homemade Pizza
I plan to cook the rest of the bacon and use up the mushrooms left over from the dirty risotto.

Saturday, January 9 -Leftovers

Sunday, January 10 - Swedish Meatballs

Monday, January 11 - Taco Bell Quesadillas, Mexican Rice

Tuesday, January 12 - Pizza Casserole

Wednesday, January 13 - Coconut Curried Chicken

Thursday, January 14 - Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Friday, January 15 - Homemade Pizza

Saturday, January 16 - Leftovers

Meet Pete!

2009-12-31T09:56:00.000-08:00

Santa surprised us this year with a new puppy! Pete is a 12 week old golden retriever.

We are still adjusting to having a dog and a new baby (the dog) in the house but are doing well. Pete lives in the basement in his crate. He loves the snow and jumping on the kids. Kiddo 2 loves having someone to boss around.

So far Pete can sit, lie down, sit down while he waits to come inside and stay for 5 seconds. Now if we could only get the potty training down.

We still miss Frank. We didn't realize how lucky we were to get a dog that was already so well trained and behaved. He was such a sweetie.

Pete has helped our hearts heal.

A Fresh Start

2009-12-31T05:45:00.000-08:00

It's New Year's Eve, another jammy day and I'm feeling a bit reflective.

2009 was a busy year. We did basketball, an indoor waterpark, Mexico, another indoor waterpark, spring soccer, late planting, little league, Vacation Bible School, a garage sale, Indiana shopping, northern Michigan camping, 4-H fair, the Ericson Extravaganza Wiffle Ball Tournament, four wheeling in Bushnell, fall soccer, tackle football, a murder mystery party, Thanksgiving at our house, a late and long harvest, Illinois Farm Bureau Conference and Discussion Meet, a weekend in Chicago, wrapping up my old job, Christmas, new puppy, a new job and two weeks off.

With all that was going on, I was in survival mode much of the time. I didn't realize how much I was in survival mode until this week. I guess clarity comes with two weeks of jammy days.

Being so busy, many important areas of my life were neglected. In the new year I want to do a better job:

1. Meal planning: I hope this will lead to healthier eating, more deliberate grocery shopping, a lower grocery bill, less weekday stress and more family meals. I plan to use some of simplemom's resources to help.

2. Character development in my kids: Too often I just do 'it' so I don't have to fight with anyone, it gets done when I want it done and it's done my way. I need to stop this and set some expectations about the responsibilities associated with being a member of our family, i.e. helping out around the house. This is even more crucial now that Santa brought a new puppy. More on him in another post. Simplemom is going to help here, too.

3. Asking for help: Because my husband is extremely busy in the fall and spring, I get used to being the one who takes care of everything with the kids and house. I need to stop this, ask for help and deal with the grouchiness that comes with asking. I can not do it all while staying sane and gracious.

4. Exercise: I used to run. I used to teach aerobics. I used to be extremely disciplined. Once we moved and I had my second child five years ago, it's been hit or miss. Now, 12 pounds later, I am struggling. This year I plan on enrolling in an exercise program at work. Since I will be starting a new job with a new office location, I'm hoping that starting this new habit will be easier. Also, since I need to take care of the puppy early in the morning, I am hoping that I will take time to exercise after taking him out.

There are a few other areas I would like to work on: my spirituality, not signing my kids up for every activity they want to participate in, cleaning my house, reading for pleasure - but these will have to wait. I need to focus.

Love at First Site

2009-11-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

I fell in love with Frank the first time I saw him. I went to the shelter hoping to find a Border Collie. The dog that had been advertised was gone but there was this beautiful dog standing with his paws up on the pen. He looked so happy and so soft.

When I asked about him the shelter staff said Body had just been brought in by the children of his elderly owner. His owner had been walking Body and had a heart attack. He had not been cleared for adoption but would probably be available the next day. He was a one year old pure bred golder retriever.

The next morning I drug my husband, three year old and infant back to the shelter,and Body, or Frank as we renamed him, came home with us and became part of our family.

Since he was still a puppy, Frank was very rambunctious. He got into everything, stole whatever he could and fell in love with the farm cats. It was amazing to see how rough and how gentle he was with the cats. One minute he would be carrying the cats around by the head and the next licking and cleaning them as if they were his puppies. It always warmed my heart to walk into the garage and see him cuddling with one or more cats.

Goldens are known for their gentle nature with kids and Frank certainly carried this trait. We were his people as much as he was our dog. My daughter grew up tackling, hugging and trying to ride him. He was my son's escort to the road every morning to wait for the bus.

About eight months after Frank came to live with us he got sick. We went to a few different vets and not one could tell us what was wrong. Overnight, his joints quit working and he could hardly move. After multiple vet visits and many prescriptions, we put him on a high dose of prednisone. It seemed to work and he got about 50% of his spunk back.

Over the past three years he has had short relapses lasting a couple days but nothing serious. In fact, the last year he has been in such great spirits and very active. He and his cat, Steve seemed to be getting along great and he even was stealing anything and everything left around.

Until the last couple weeks. Steve ran away and Frank started going down hill. He relapsed this week and within days his systems started to shut down.

Frank died this morning and I am so sad. He was such a good dog and we were so lucky and so blessed that he was part of our family.

Wasn't it just Halloween?

2009-11-13T07:29:00.000-08:00

Is it really the middle of November? It feels like Halloween was just last weekend. I am so not ready to embrace the fact that Christmas is only SIX WEEKS AWAY.

Maybe its because we are no where close to being done with harvest. We're usually just about done picking corn and well into tillage. Most years I have my husband back by now. Or, he's at least home before 2 a.m. with a more positive outlook on life.

Maybe its because the weather FINALLY straightened out and we've had some really nice fall days. The past week has felt like Indian Summer. Later today I get to clean flower beds at my GMIL's house. I am actually looking forward to being outside.

Maybe its because I have no idea what we are doing for Thanksgiving. I'm in a bit of denial about how close we are to this holiday. I'm not worried about Thanksgiving day. That day will work itself out. I'm worried about the day after. We usually get our Christmas tree that Friday. Its a tradition I want my kids to grow up with, remember and one day cherish. This year we will most likely not be able to do this because my husband will be in the field and it has been a heavy weight on my heart. I need to remember that it is not about the DATE, its about the experience of the DAY: going as a family, picking the perfect (or not so perfect tree), bringing it home, decorating it and watching Christmas movies together that night. Easier said then done.

Maybe its time for a new tradition to take my mind off of it. When dad's still on the field on that Friday, maybe we can have a cookie bake fest with grandmas and aunts to kick off the Christmas season. Or, maybe we can make homemade ornaments. Or, maybe we can just have a jammie day, watch Christmas movies all day and eat popcorn.

What do you do to create holiday memories with your family?

Random Thoughts

2009-11-05T18:52:00.000-08:00

This entire week I feel as though I've just been spinning my wheels. I have started a few big projects at work. I've even made pretty significant progress on them but there is so much left to do. I am so overwhelmed.

Football has been over for two weeks and I've gained ten hours each week at home. It's been nice not having to rush around but there is so much to do around here, too.

The next three days are packed full of fun, yet busy things. Tomorrow I have my last advisory board meeting for my old job. I need to organize the lunch before hand, get all the printed materials and the room ready, attend, present, get a networking reception ready for our students after the meeting, and clean up. Then, I volunteered to help set up for my son's school's vendor fair. Then, I need to come home and pack for a night away. Saturday I am going to help set up for our college's annual gala. Saturday night I get to attend the gala and dance. Then Sunday morning I will get to briefly sleep in before driving an hour home to return my son's football pads and attend his end of the season football party. Whew! I like being busy but this weekend is a bit too busy.

I have a very smart mouse living in my house. We have about 12 traps set.

Just writing this has decreased my stress. Now, off to get something accomplished...

What I Learned This Week: Fresh Pumpkin Pie is the Best

2009-10-19T18:43:00.001-07:00

What I Learned This Week

I planted sugar pumpkins for the first time this season. I was a bit skeptical in July as the vines overtook the section of my garden devoted towards viney crops. They quickly drown out my watermelon, muskmelon, and honeydew. Now I am glad they did!

Here's a sample of the 25 pumpkins coming from three vines.

I wasn't sure if I was going to do anything with my pumpkins until I saw an article about a pumpkin puree shortage. Knowing that others may not have canned pumpkin to make yummy muffins or pie, I figured I should use mine up! So, I made pumpkin pie from a recipe I found on Allrecipes.com, Pumpkin Butter from Smitten Kitchen and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins.

It was so much easier than I would have ever thought!

Step 1: Wash the pumpkin, split it in half and scoop out the seeds and stringy flesh. Put all the guts in your compost pile rather than the trash can.

Step 2: Lightly oil a baking sheet, place the pumpkin open side down, cover with aluminum foil and roast at 325 degrees until tender.

Step 3: Let cool until it is warm, but not quite room temperature. Scoop out the flesh and press it through a sieve.

Step 4: Substitute the fresh puree in recipes calling for canned pumpkin. One 15 ounce can equals 1.75 cups fresh puree.

Step 5: Store fresh pumpkin in a sealed container for one week or in the freezer for three months.

The pumpkin butter is divine. I can't wait to make a spiced pumpkin pecan milkshake or spoon it over cheesecake.
The muffins were also good. I took those to my daughter's preschool bake sale.

But the pie. OMG! It was super sweet and by far the best pumpkin pie I have EVER had.

And, as if a higher power knew I was planning this post, my son came home with more pumpkin facts today. Did you know Illinois grows more pumpkins than any other state? Or that you can use pumpkin puree to thicken chili, spaghetti sauce, soups and stews? Or add it to oatmeal? I think I may be trying that last one in the morning!

*Facts courtesy of University of Illinois Ideas for Eating Better for Less, October 2008 edition.

What I Learned this Week: I Need to be a Better, More Vocal Spokesman

2009-10-08T18:13:00.000-07:00

This post is in response to blogger I follow, Musings of a Housewife. She recently published a post regarding modern corn production. My response was too long for the comment box. I encourage you to read it before reading my response.

It takes more than one acre, one season, one book, and one hour to learn and teach others about corn production, family farms and a safe, renewable commodity that feeds and fuels our world. I've been married to a grain farmer for ten years and an active participant in the agriculture industry for almost 20. I learn something new about our food system every day.

I've enjoyed reading your blog the last few months and learning about your perspective on food. I wish everyone around the world was a blessed as you to have the resources, both money and time to cook from scratch and support labor intensive farming practices. It makes me sad to write, that even if there were more people (consumers) with the time and the money, there are not enough industrious people (producers) or land in the northeast (This is where the Musings author is located, look at page four: Researchers will Explore...)to meet that demand and live a financially comfortable, comparable life to the people they feed.

Today, fewer farmers feed more people and fuel more cars with less land, less fertilizer and less pesticide than ever before. And, 98% of those farms are family farms. They may not look exactly like our great grandparents farms but everything changes over time. (Think back to my
I'm not your typical farm wife post. I am not the same farm wife as my mil was or my gmil but I am still a farm wife:).)

Today's farmers still work hard; really, really hard. I can't imagine having to give up the technological advances we employ today, especially the ones that ensure a safe, consistent product. I want my husband to live long enough and be healthy enough to retire, pass our farming operation on to our children and enjoy life.

I applaud your efforts to feed your family in the most healthful way you can. It has made me think more about our meals and helped me strive for greater balance in what I feed them. Have I given up HFCS? No, and I don't plan to. But I am more attentive to making sure we balance fresh vs. processed, eat out of the garden more and not over snack. I love the granola recipe you first posted and eat it for breakfast most mornings. I also realize that eating like this takes a lot of time, a lot of planning and a desire for cooking; things that not everyone has. There is a need for processed easy to prepare meals.

Before you turn up your nose at the amber waves of grain, keep this in mind - only 3.8% of the 2008 corn crop (look at page 8-9) went to making HFCS. 30% went to decreasing our dependence on nonrenewable foreign oil and 44% went to feed livestock. Everyone has their preference, but I prefer corn fed beef over grass fed any day. The keys are parental control, personal responsibility, a balanced diet and an active lifestyle.

I am incredibly disturbed that your picture of farming has been shaped by the clip you presented in your post. Knowing that you often go on PR junkets, I invite you to visit our family farm in northern Illinois. Learn about commercial farming from a family that has seen and been part of the evolution of farming practices and market creation for our crop for over four generations. Maybe you can join us for Thanksgiving. We will likely be having a picnic on the tailgate of a truck in a field because the weather hasn't allowed our crop to mature and we will not have finished harvest. A sacrifice we will gladly make to feed and fuel our world.

One last thought: I can't speak for all farm families but I would venture to guess that over 90% have a patch of sweet corn and garden they eat from in season and freeze the abundance for winter. Many of our farmer friends also raise a few head of cattle or pigs to freeze and eat throughout the year. Farm families can, and do feed themselves.

Hot Damn Pepper Jam

2009-09-24T19:22:00.000-07:00

My house is hot! I have been canning tomatoes and making Hot Damn Pepper Jam all week. Hot pepper jam over cream cheese is one of my favorite appetizers and an easy dish to pass. I made about seven dozen jars this week. What I didn't make was a dent in my hot pepper harvest.

The recipe below is adapted from The Jam Lady Cookbook.

4 cups sugar
1 cup chopped seeded sweet green peppers
1 cup chopped unseeded jalapeno peppers
1 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup chopped, fresh seeded problano peppers
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 3-ounce pouches liquid pectin (6 ounces total)
1 slice onion (or equivalent amount of garlic cloves)
1/2 teaspoon butter (optional to reduce foaming)

"Blenderize" the peppers, onion vinegar and lemon juice. Transfer to a heavy pot, pour in sugar and butter and boil hard for 1 minute. Add the pectin and boil hard one more minute. Transfer to jelly jars, put on two part lids and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

I always play with the combination of peppers and the level of heat. This year I used red chilies, banana, Anaheim and jalapeno. I use cider vinegar instead of white wine because its less expensive.

The first person to comment gets a free jar!

2009 Garden Recap

2009-09-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

I tried to take before and after pictures this year. Here's the result!

The tomatoes prevail!

2009-09-16T19:32:00.001-07:00

The warm weather was just what the tomatoes needed. We finally have vine ripened, super sweet tomatoes to enjoy!

Blessings

2009-09-13T18:57:00.000-07:00

Today was a perfect day! There was so much to be thankful for.

- A wonderful, warm clear day.
- A great message at church.
- A fun t-ball game with our church family.
- Talented friends who played at the first, and hopefully not the last, Music in the Park.
- Root beer floats.
- A good friend to enjoy both with.
- Friends who are raising patient, kind children who take time to play with younger kids.
- Kids born under the same sign. They couldn't be anymore alike. It's almost as if they were twins.
- A gentle, loving dog.
- A large yard. Mowing isn't so bad.
- A new baby. Welcome baby Ben! I can't wait to meet you and give your mama a hug!
- A friend who is blessed with the unwavering support her husband.

I hope you find the blessings in your day!

Care Tags

2009-08-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

Most plants come with tags containing instructions on how to care for them. Life would be a whole lot simpler if people had tags, too.

Overly Sensitive: Requires extreme amount of empathy and agreement, Does not respond well to opposing view points
Rule Breaker: Requires constant flexibility
Rule Follower: Requires unwavering consistency
Know it all: Thrives as the center of attention

Balancing personalities and egos is not fun but it sure makes life interesting and dramatic. As a people pleaser I need to find my balance and my voice. I need to remember that people may not always like the decisions I make, but if I believe I am making them for the right reasons and can articulate those reasons, it's OK. I need to stop taking it so personally.

New Beginnings

2009-08-21T14:26:00.000-07:00

August is such a funny month. Everything outside is winding down. The sweet corn is done. The zucchini plants look tired. The beans have been decimated by Japanese beetles. The flowers are beginning to look leggy and spent. But things on the inside are just starting.

Kiddo 1 started school yesterday. We love his teacher and are excited about the new year.

Kiddo 2 started her second season of soccer yesterday, too. I don't know where my brave little girl disappeared to. She would not go out on the field unless I went with her. Definitely not what I expected. If I had, I wouldn't have worn flip flops.

Today I helped welcome the 1,900 students in the freshman class to Northern Illinois University. A team of students in the program I work with were chosen as one of two in the entire university to be featured at our academic convocation. They presented a project they completed for McDonald's last fall and did such an amazing job! Watching the university leaders and faculty present and singing 'Forward, Together Forward' in the NIU fight song gave me chills. 'Forward, Together Forward' became the university mantra after the 2/14 tragedy and the last time I saw the university leadership in that kind of context was for the memorial service.

Tomorrow I will run my first fall 10K. I challenged my 26 year old male colleague to the race. I know he's going to win and I'll have to reward him with his Monster Energy drink. My real challenge is to beat my own time. Hopefully all my training will pay off.

Monday my students will return and I'll start my last semester working closely with students. It will be bittersweet.

My CSA Project

2009-08-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

For a long time I have been trying to figure out how to make money from my garden. Eventually my plan was to have the kids help and earn money for college. My first though was to do farmer's markets. After researching a bit I decided that I did not want to deal with all the regulations and have to spend a day sitting there each week. My next thought was to do a road side stand. After all, we plant way more sweet corn then we will ever use. Then I looked around. There are people selling sweet corn and other veggies up and down our road. There is too much competition and little that can be done to differentiate our corn from the neighbors.

Then, last summer I stumbled upon the concept of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). CSAs are designed to ensure a local food source and connections between people who grow and buy food. This concept guarantees a market before the crop is planted and each customer receives a half bushel basket to a bushel basket of fresh fruits and/ or vegetables every week or every other week according to the subscription. This was perfect!

I decided to start small this year. I donated an every other week subscription to my sister's foster parent organization's auction fundraiser. So far it has gone better than I could have ever expected. My recipient has gotten baskets with lettuce, spinach, radishes, green onions, onions, red potatoes, Yukon potatoes, cabbage, green beans, yellow wax beans, jalapeno peppers, mixed hot peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, slicing tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, herbs, and sweet corn. When they are ready, she will also receive Roma tomatoes, honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon, and pie pumpkins.

Along with the basket, my customer also takes on some of the risk of unpredictable weather, pest damage and disease . For example, this summer has been extremely cool. Without the warm weather to push them toward maturity, the melons are very far behind. If we experience a frost in early September, my customer may not enjoy melons this season.

Also, not using pesticides to control insects or diseases means some of the produce will have visible insect damage. In most cases, the ‘nibbles’ are just cosmetic and do not harm the plant. You can eat the scarring or eat around it. Sometimes this damage is an entry point for diseases that can kill the entire plant.

This test has been so successful that I now have five people wanting information for next season. As I look at my priorities, my increase in hours at my 'real job', and all the running around I do for the kiddos, I'm a bit terrified. How much more can I take on before I reach a breaking point?

I'm definitely getting a housekeeper.

Rain, Rain Go Away My Lawn Needs to be Mowed Today!

2009-08-16T10:14:00.001-07:00

I just finished mowing half of our three acre yard, in the rain. It may look a bit 'clumpy' but clumpy is better than knee high. I'm praying the weather forecast is wrong and I will be able to finish mowing the back half tomorrow or Tuesday night.

As much as I love summer, I'm always happy to put the lawn mower away in the fall. That's when I get to reclaim the three plus hours I had spent mowing each week. As a self proclaimed type A personality I thrive on my 'to do' list and those three hours are quickly used up on other tasks. Since my college kids come back next week, kiddo 1 starts school this week, and my 10K throw down is this weekend my list seems a mile long. I don't even know where to start.

No more wandering around. What a difference a week makes!

My Lazy Days of August

2009-08-06T20:53:00.001-07:00

I'm getting lazy. I have lots I should be doing: weeding, watering, mulching, picking and freezing sweet corn, making cherry jam, labeling the jam I've already made. I've been off this week so I really have no excuse for not doing any of this, except that I've been lazy.

Here's what I've been up to:

8:30-9 a.m. - Wake up. I love waking up when my body tells me its time rather than to my annoying alarm clock.

9-11 a.m. - Watch the Today show in bed. Drink coffee. Wander around my house thinking about all that I should be doing. Tinker with my leaky hot tub.

12:30 p.m. - Make lunch for the kiddos. Wonder why kiddo 2 is still in her nightgown.

1:30 p.m. - Tinker some more with the hot tub. Wander around my gardens thinking about all I should be doing. Read. Sit in the sun.

4 p.m - Get kiddo 2 dressed. Get kiddo 1 ready for football practice. They really need a class for first time football moms. Lots of pad in strange places. And, who knew that you had to wear shirts under and over the pads? And that you were suppose to boil the mouth piece to shape it? They need a class.

5-6:30 p.m. - Run while kiddo 1 is at football practice. Nicole, Thanks for the advice on embracing the hills because they're good for me. It's all about perspective. I am now thinking about the my soon to be nice bottom because of the hills rather than dreading them on approach!

7 p.m. - Get all the pads off kiddo 1. Run to Wal-Mart to pick up last minute things I might need should I choose to cook dinner this week.

8 p.m. - Return home and wander around.

10 p.m. - Put the kids to bed.

11 p.m. - Shower. Go to bed.

Not such a bad way to spend my week off after all.

My tomatoes are out of control

2009-07-22T10:15:00.001-07:00

Tomatoes are one of the last plants I put in the garden each year. This year, I did not leave much room. I planned on having nine seedlings. The seeds I started in the basement were not thriving so I bought Roma, Slicing and Cherry tomato seedlings at Shopko. When it came time to plant them, I knew it would be tight but I though two feet apart was plenty. Little did I know that I had purchased the jungle hybrids.

These plants are at least 4.5 feet tall. They've long since grown through their cages. I had to put up a fence to keep them separated from the cucumbers. (Also planted way too close together.)

I'm a bit worried about how I am going to pick in between the plants and what the tomatoes will look like with so much competition.

Lessons learned for next year:

Dig up more of my lawn to make the garden bigger. Darn.
Plant the tomatoes at least three feet apart.

I am not your typical farm wife, or am I?

2009-07-22T10:14:00.001-07:00

Lately whenever anyone learns that I am married to a farmer, they reply, "Really? I would have never guessed." This really struck me when a second cousin who I hadn't seen since I was 13 said it to me a few weeks ago.

Does this say more about the image I project or their stereotype of what a farmer's wife should be?

I don't think I have a prima donna persona. I consider myself to be pretty versatile and down to earth. I can wear a business suit to work, then two hours later be covered in dirt and sweat working in my garden in cut off jeans. I like to have my hair styled, jewelry on, and be clean because it makes me feel good about myself. At the same time, I have no qualms about running errands with wet hair and no makeup in my yoga pants and flip flops. I like to tent camp and my dream is to reclaim the jacked up 1979 jeep wrangler with glass packs my dad gave my sister, brother and me to drive as teenagers.

I am not meek. I believe in being self-sufficient, working hard and paying your dues. I have my own specific professional and personal goals and I am part of the goals for our family farm.

The above description sounds a lot like my other farm wife friends. We are all strong women with careers; some linked to agriculture, some not. We are all moms. We all support our husbands and our family farms in our own ways. (No, I do not bring meals to the field. The only person who brings meals to me at work is the Jimmy John's delivery guy. If you are hungry, call him.) I think I am your typical 30 something farm wife.

So why is this incredulous "Really" happening? Is it because I am surrounded by people who have no real link to those who grow our food, fiber and energy? Since I was around people from small towns and people related to the agriculture industry through college and in my first five years of work, have I started to take for granted that people know that farming is a serious profession? And, that I, as a farm wife play a part, both on and off the farm?

So my question to you: How should farm wives look, act, live? What am I doing so wrong?

Overwhelmed

2009-07-21T19:54:00.000-07:00

So it's been about two months since I have posted. A lot has happened in and around the gardens. There is a lot to update! So tonight, I will steal a thought from my friend and fellow blogger, Nicole: I'm not behind, I'm just getting started!

I started delivering the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) basket I donated to my sister's foster parent fundraising auction in early June. Every other week I deliver a half bushel basket to the family that purchased it. So far they have gotten lettuce, spinach, green onions, rhubarb, radishes, sugar snap peas, potatoes, green beans, yellow beans, broccoli, cabbage, zucchini, squash, carrots, onions, and gooseberries.

Each week as I deliver the produce I am reminded how lucky I am to be able to garden and have such easy access to fresh fruits and veggies. When I am working outside and need a snack, I simply walk over to my peas and pluck one off. When I am wandering about the yard, I can stop at my red raspberries bushes and have a couple.

I am truly lucky that my parents instilled in me a love of fresh food, whether they realized it at the time or not. I grew up watching my parents garden, eating out of their garden and transforming their backyard into an oasis. I am a lot more like them then they realize. I hope, someday, my kids will feel the same way.

Center of Attention

2009-05-29T19:15:00.000-07:00

I spent the day pulling and digging out a weed. It was either Cowbane (highly poisonous) or Queen Anne's Lace (a beautiful, edible weed when placed where you want it). Whichever it is, I'm not sure how it got to my husband's grandmother's flower bed, but it quickly took root and took over. It literally drowned everything else out in the six weeks it's been growing. It's mission was to be the center of attention. The one thing in the flower bed that garnered all of the attention of passers by.

Ever been around a person like this? I seem to be surrounded by them lately.

Don't get me wrong, I love to be the center of attention. But I am also a middle child. I am used to having to share attention. I know that others enjoy it, too.

So today as I dug and dug and dug I thought about my options. I can go quietly, withdraw and be drown out. I can compete ferociously and leave a tangled mess. Or I can be gracious and graceful like the daffodils. I can find my niche and bloom in the quiet, in my own time when it is just right. Then take a back seat and let the others enjoy the limelight.

My Other Therapy

2009-05-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

The weather here as been extremely crumby the past week. It's been really windy, cool and rainy. I haven't been able to get outside as much as I would have liked. Thankfully, my gardening is about caught up so I'm not stressed about it.

But tonight I had so many things on mind I needed my therapy. I needed some thinking time. Time to process all that was going through my head and put it into perspective. So, tonight, I returned to my other form of therapy: running. It seems like the harder I push myself, the better I feel, and the more I am able to work out in my brain. So here's where I've returned to:

I am blessed to have two healthy kids I adore. I am blessed to have a husband who loves us, works hard and provides for us. I am blessed to have friends I can confide in and love to be around. I am blessed to have a family who loves me in spite of me. And, I can not control other people's actions. I must give them the benefit of the doubt because they are not malicious. They do not set out to hurt others and they rarely realize the consequences of their actions.

I am a plantoholic.

2009-05-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

I love the rush I get from seeing plants I don't have and thinking about how they would fit into my landscape. It's a great feeling. It's an even better feeling when I purchase and plant them.

I am going to stay strong for the rest of this season and not buy anymore. But since I will fall off the wagon next fall and spring, I thought it would be smart to start a wish list. This way I can keep track of all everything I need, prioritize and set a budget for next year.

Here's my start:

Jonquils - white with red centers
Iris - yellow and white
Clematis - red
White Flowering Crabapple Tree
Clump Birch Tree
Buckeye Tree
Redbud

I see more sod digging in my future. The chiropractor will be pleased!

Thank You Mr. Brown Thumb!

2009-05-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

When I started this blog, I was a bit cautious and very skeptical. Cautious of over sharing and hurting someone in the process. Skeptical if anyone would find it, read or heaven forbid, follow it.

As I started reading other blogs I started to learn tricks from other gardeners. Like paper tube seed collars for direct sowed seeds from Mr. Brown Thumb. You see, spacing has always been a challenge for me. I always seem to plant on a ridiculously windy day so I direct sow very thickly just to get it over with. Then I never go back and thin things out because in the process I always uproot half the row. This trick allowed me to lay out my planting board (thank you Martha Stewart, although my board doesn't have notches yet) with the tape measure and place the collars then plant the seeds. Now my lettuce and herbs won't compete with one another and I will know where to weed!

You can see two tiny lettuce plants starting to peek through! As soon as I figure out which is stronger, the other will be removed.

Since I have learned so much from the garden bloggers of cyber space, I have decided to loosen my restrictions on who I tell about this blog. Last week I gave my mom the address. Tonight, I will send it to my mother in law. That makes five people total! Progress is good!

On Edge

2009-05-18T19:37:00.000-07:00

I'm a little on edge. Literally. Yesterday was the first nice, almost windless day we've had in a while. I spent the day edging my foundation gardens. Thanks to Margaret at A Way to Garden I found a handy edging tool that helped control my depth. Bye, bye spade, I've found another!

I'm on edge for another reason. It stems from my inability to sense when my opinion does not count even when the sole reason for my being in a situation is to give it.

Tulips

2009-05-08T05:31:00.000-07:00

I love my tulips. I wish they lasted longer. This has been one of the better years for tulips on our farm. The wind hasn't been as hard on them.

I work at a university and last night we had a send off party for some of our students. After five years, I'm still not used to saying goodbye to the good ones. I will truly miss a handful of students that always brightened my day with their visits and conversations. I have to trust that just like my tulips, they will come around again.

Running Behind

2009-05-04T19:34:00.000-07:00

I know it's early. It doesn't matter. I'm still stressing about getting all my seeds planted. I have so much to do in the yard and at work. And, my house is a wreck.

We planted 25 Norway Spruce to form two seperate windbreaks on Saturday. Sunday was filled with running around. We accomplished a lot. It all had to be done. It's just not what I wanted to be doing.

Seed Junkie

2009-04-26T08:50:00.000-07:00

I am a seed junkie. I can't help myself. Every time I go to a Walmart, Menard's or Lowes, I end up buying more seeds. I don't need them. I don't have anywhere to put them. But I buy them anyway.

Patience

2009-04-21T18:36:00.000-07:00

I am not a patient person. I don't like to wait and I don't like surprises. Well, I do if I'm not anticipating them. I like to be in control. Waiting for the seeds to sprout in my basement has been painful. Every morning and every night I carefully inspect each flat to see if anything new has emerged.

Now that I've direct sowed some seeds into my garden I can't wait to see them pop up in rows. I love how my garden looks from our overpass on the approach to my house. It makes me feel so accomplished. Orderly rows just do something for me.

Even though patience is hard, it is sometimes the best thing for me, exactly what I need in a given situation. It's suppose to snow tonight. Not good for newly emerged seedlings. Tonight, I'm happy everything is still underground and wasn't in a big hurry to come up.

After five months of waiting patiently, I finally reaped the rewards of patience in handling a difficult situation. Even though it killed me not to, I did not rush the process. I did not try to present my case but let things unfold naturally. In their own time. And it worked. God has a plan. I just have to remember that and trust in it.

Little Ms. Fixit

2009-04-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

I woke up early this morning and after getting my son on the bus, I got to work. Before 9 a.m. I had replanted two potatoes that a critter dug up, fixed a broken hose and set up sprinklers on some grass I'm trying to get to grow. It was such a peaceful, amazing morning.

It's suppose to be 70 degrees today!

2009-04-14T19:20:00.000-07:00

A little bit of everything from my March planting is up! And, last night I planted more:

Watermelon
Honeydew
Cantalope
Squash
Zucchini
Dill
Basil

Even though it refuses to warm up, I know spring is just around the corner. We rototilled the garden on Easter Sunday. Thursday morning I will plant potatoes, lettuce and spinach directly into it. I have more sod to dig in order to expand my garden. My next step is placement so I can get a crop rotation going. There is always so much to do this time of year. I'm off to a great start!

Banished

2009-04-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes lines need to be drawn for protection. Currants and Gooseberries are banned from some states. Many people in other states don't plant them because they are carriers for a disease that affects White Pines. I planted both without knowing. My currents have since died but my Gooseberry is going strong.

I've been working with my seven year old son on thinking about the risk and rewards of his actions. I planted the Gooseberry bush so I could make Gooseberry jam and so my husband's grandmother could make pies. Is the reward of pies and jam worth the risk of killing the White Pine trees in my neighborhood?

What about people? Is the risk of exposing my kids to unacceptable, disrespectful behavior worth it? Is the risk of being ridiculed worth it? Is the risk of getting fantastically red in the face mad worth it? What's the upside of having that person in your life?

Growing

2009-04-06T18:54:00.001-07:00

Plants have it easy. Their future, for the most part, is mapped out. Their purpose is defined. A seed turns into a seedling then a plant. It does it best to reproduce then it dies. Sometimes I wish it were that easy for me.

What is my purpose? What do I want to be?

Professionally, my list keeps growing: a lavender farmer in Provence, a vegetable farmer in Ashton, a corporate trainer, a marketing executive, a nursery owner, a jam maker, a development officer, a farm produce coop farmer, a higher ed administrator.

Personally, I want to be a good wife and a good mom. I want my kids to be independent but have strong roots in my home and in my heart. I want to have a few great friends that I adore rather than many on the periphery of my life. I want treat our earth with respect. I want to be a contributing member of my community, nation and world. At the end of my life, I want God to say, 'You fulfilled the purpose I set for you. Well done.'

I used to think I could do anything I wanted. I'm smart enough. I have the drive. Lately I'm not so sure. Somewhere along the line something changed. I got married. I had kids. I bought a house. I got a dog. My time is not my own. It's not just about me and what I want anymore. Along with responsibility comes the need to prioritize and put others before myself.

My sister believes the purpose of life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate. Above all to matter, to count, to stand for something. To have your life make some difference.

It's a good reality check to think about who I want to make a difference to and in what order. I'm hoping that will drive my priorities as I plot my course.

Seedling Update

2009-04-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

Here's what's up:

Napa Cabbage
Regular Cabbage
Roma Tomatoes
Regular Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes
Oregano
Broccoli

Here's what's not:
Little Pumpkins
Hot Peppers
Jalapeno Peppers
Eggplant

As soon as I can get outside, I'll plant the potatoes, lettuce, spinach and radishes. Hopefully the snow will melt and it will warm up soon! I am not a patient person...

Make it stop...

2009-04-05T17:00:00.000-07:00

One of my gardening goals for 2009 is to work my vegetable plants into my landscape rather than just my traditional vegetable garden. I'm working on the path and transition from the garage and foundation gardens to my large vegetable garden.

I started with peas. I planted 17 seeds in a circle. As they grow I will tie them together in the center, hopefully adding some visual interest and height. I saw this at a garden shop in Indiana and it looked really neat. It's worth a try. So yesterday I planted two circles in the spaces flanking our LP tank in front of my Korean lilac bushes.

I'm considering taking out the hostas that line the existing path and planting lettuce in its place. I'm just not sure how it will look as I harvest it and the lettuce bolts.

I'm in no rush. As you can see, it's snowing.

Awakening

2009-03-31T19:13:00.000-07:00

I broke down. I put the space heater in my basement next to my seed starting table.

Within hours my oregano came up.

Tonight, the cherry tomatoes emerged! And, the house did not burn down. I need to listen to my intuition more.

Rocks

2009-03-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

Each spring I rake the rocks that were pushed from the driveway into the grass with the snow out of the grass. If the rocks are left, they will drown out the grass and dull our mower blades. I used to think it was just my husband's family that performed this spring ritual. As I've met more and more rural families, I've learned that I am not alone.

Raking rocks at my house is no small feat. We live down a long, long gravel driveway that curves around the back of our house. I use to take every rock personally as I raked in the cool spring air. This year, I'm trying to do it with a more positive outlook. It is a really, really good abdominal workout. I've given up running for the month and am raking instead.

So far I've spent about 25 hours raking. Today as I put in my time, I started thinking about all the rocks in my life: obsessing over things that I can't control, making comparisons, blaming, and thinking that I need to be in control. I know that I will never get all the rocks out of the grass or out of my life. But this spring, I will try harder to get a few more of them.

Our tulips survived the few inches of snow this weekend.

Loving care.

2009-03-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

I started tomato, pepper, eggplant, rosemary and oregano seeds last week. Today I planted broccoli, cabbage and little pumpkins. My growth lights are hung and ready for the first seed leaf to emerge. But I'm worried.

I'm not sure it's warm enough in my basement. And, I don't really know what to do about it. I don't really want a space heater running when I'm not home. Those things scare me to death. I know the growth lights won't emit enough heat. I really don't want to spend $40 on a germination mat. I am full of uncertainty on what to do to get these plants germinated and off to a good start.

This sounds like parenting. With each new stage, however confident I am on the outside, I wonder if I'm doing the right thing. Am I being too strict and taking away some of their independence? Am I right to nurture my son's competitive spirit? How do I reign my daughter in without breaking her extraordinary and strong spirit? Are they involved in too many things? Should I set high expectations? What if they fail? Will they be destroyed? How do I give them everything they need to be happy and well adjusted in our world?

Perfection

2009-03-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

I am not perfect. I never will be. But I like to try.

Neither will my gardens and that's why I love them. Each spring as the tulips begin to emerge, I start making plans. And, my gardens get bigger. Plants get moved around. Summer bulbs are purchased. Seed catalogs are scoured. This is all with the goal of finding the perfect balance in color, weight and texture. The perfect look to accent our farmhouse and yard.

This is so much like my life. My goal is balance: family, work, friends, God, housework, volunteer stuff. I need to remember, just like my garden, I am a work in progress. And, just like my garden, there will always be something to add, move around, rip out and split. I need to take time to enjoy the blessings in my life and accept what is happening in this season, because things will be different in the next.

As I experience the next two weeks of lent and prepare for the resurrection of Jesus, I hope I can remember that He was the only one to ever achieve perfection. And he accepts me anyway.