Thursday, July 07, 2011

Time is flying by!


I can't believe we are nearing the end of the week.  I have been trying to get all the necessary garden and housework accomplished while physically recovering from the work leading up to the 4th of July party.  It was all worth it and it is not like I'm horribly ill or anything.  I'm just all achy and fatigued so the everyday work takes a little longer to accomplish and the afternoon nap is a necessity right now.

While I can blame chronic illness, I expect the junk food eaten over the holiday weekend did not help me to feel any better.  I must have gained twenty pounds in three days.  Back to lots of veggies!

I've been harvesting all the cauliflower, more kale, lots of cucumbers, and green beans.  Where the cauliflower plants were, I will plant more bush beans soon.  I like to plant them throughout the season.  The cauliflower turned out about as good (or not) as the broccoli last year.  I've decided our state's strange springs do not set well with this family of veggies... that is going from frozen winter to hot summer with about six hours of  nice spring weather each year.

The kale is as easy to grow as the green beans and since I found out one is suppose to harvest it all season (blush) instead of just watching it grow... it keeps producing more and more.  I started growing it when I read how nutritious it is and I must admit I'm only beginning to know how to cook it. 

I made kale chips once and they were fantastic but the next time they were awful (I used too much oil).  Still experimenting, perhaps with some Italian recipes (they use a lot of kale).  In the meantime I just saute' it with some butter and oil, salt and pepper.

Speaking of food and all, when our friends came over for Sunday Dinner I made the meatloaf recipe in Tyler Florence's Family Meal cookbook (which I highly recommend).  It turned out to be fantastic.  I usually don't try something new for guests but this looked straight forward (with no weird ingredients or anything).  Along with the new dish, I served my two tried and true side dishes that I've made for a gazillion years (the creamy cheese potatoes and the broccoli casserole recipes on my recipe blog).

Dessert was a pie I first made many years ago but for some reason, had not made it recently (I don't know why, it is creamy delicious).  It is called Possum Pie and you should have seen the look on my friend Linda's face when I told her the name of the pie.  We had just been talking a few days earlier about the possums that come up on my front porch at night, hehehe.  Since it is an old (1990's) Taste of Home recipe, I searched and was happy to find the recipe online... here.  Delicious... and you don't have to kill a possum to make it.

Stephanie had surgery today.  I know she would appreciate all prayers for a quick recovery.  She is suppose to be still and not do anything for two weeks.  I know her hubby and Elisabeth will help out, as well as her friends and her wonderful mother-in-law who is not too far away but... well, you know... it is not easy for a mother to be quiet.  In the meantime, I told her pain pills are her best friend for the next day or two.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for mentioning Stephanie's surgery so we can pray.

Vee said...

We've been feeling the effects of the "fun" food this week. What I notice immediately now is that the "fun" stuff is way too salty.

May you rebound from the achies and may Stephanie bounce back quickly, too. Still, rest, rest, rest (and those good pain meds) will do her a world of good.

Kale. I hear about it. Have never eaten it.

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Praying for Stephanie and a quick recovery, and the wisdom and fortitude to rest when this is happening. It's difficult to do this with a family that includes several small children!
But it's important for the future!

I cook kale much as you mentioned, sometimes in olive oil, and then add a bit of water to steam it a little after sauteing, and then add about 6 or 8 drops of lemon juice or rice vinegar. Not too much, but just a little.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Praying for Stephanie...

I just checked out that possum pie - oh wow! My family would love that! I may make that for our fellowship meal this week at church! Thanks for sharing!

Deanna

ps - We are going to plant Kale too. I have heard how nutritious it is - I've seen people add it to smoothies!

Anonymous said...

I'm curious about the bush beans. You said you were going to plant more. Are you planting seeds or already started plants? I'd really love to plant some but I thought it was too late in the season.

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Forgot to mention that kale was my favorite green for years and years and then a few years ago we began getting organic collard greens from the CSA farm. I love them! Even more than kale. And they have more nutrients! Kale is very very healthy, but collard greens are even more so!

Susan said...

Hello, I enjoy Kale in soups - but of course this isn't the weather for it. Is it possible to make up some soup and freeze it for the winter?

God bless your daughter with rest and peace.

Angelina said...

Since I can't figure out how to email you, I will post this here and hope you read it. I have been reading your blog for a while how and have been so blessed by your words. I am in the middle of book ordering for next year and am diligently entring amazon through your widget. I hope you are getting all the credit. It should be considerable.

Thank you for encouraging me!

Debra said...

Oh, I love your red mixer! (And your deck above, too.) :)

And prayers said for Stephanie... May she heal quickly. Blessings, Debra