CSA Today

Two Tomatoes
Two Potatoes
Two Large Zucchini
Two Yellow Squash
Six Ears of Corn
Two cloves of Garlic
One Onion
One bunch of Beets
One Head of Cabbage

I had a cooking frenzy this evening....Tomatoes as well as onion, garlic and yellow squash are gone...I made Chambot (And that is TOTALLY the wrong spelling).  Then, I made a huge pot of marinara sauce (it isn't done yet, but it will be at 2:00 am when my hubby will put in the fridge for the night).  I made two platters of stuffed cabbage(the center of the cabbage went into the Chambot).  (one platter has soy protein substitute for the meat, so I will eat them).  Tomorrow, if I have some time, I'm trying a Chocolate Zucchini cake recipe and then all I'll have is the corn and beets left from the CSA.....which is basically a no -brainer.  I love it when I can use everything I get........

A stranger...

I saw a man today.  He got out of my dad's car.  I said hello, he looked like my dad.....but without any facial hair.....he was a stranger.   The chemo has finally taken it all away....I haven't seen my dad without his moustache and goatee for I don't know how long.....35 years maybe!  Wow - who is this stranger?

Dad, I like it.....I just have to get used to it!

Pear Sauce Muffin Tops

I made this recipe this past weekend.  It actually came out exactly like the picture here. http://www.neverhomemaker.com/2010/01/top-of-muffin-to-you.html

They were delicious with a cup of coffee or tea.  I changed it up a little as I am not a complete vegetarian, in that I do eat eggs, so I did use them.  I got more comments on this than I did on my banana bread which is the house favorite! 

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Flour
• 1 Cup Wheat Flour
• 4 tsps baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup raspberries (I used red that I had frozen)
• Pear Sauce - I probably used about 1 cup - this is the last from two years ago that I had canned
• 1 banana - I had them frozen and I mashed it
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsps. cinnamon
• 1/2 cup crushed walnuts if desired - I had no more left

Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Combine first five ingredients.  Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly. 
Combine the rest of the ingredients in a separate bowl.  Combine the dry with the wet ingredients.

Drop heaping spoonfuls onto a lightly greased cookie sheet.   - The first batch I made were a little too big, so big careful as they will spread and rise. 

Cook for 15 minutes.

My lofty goals - completed.

My weekend was busy and hectic - but I got everything accomplished - I don't think our refrigerator has every been so full!!!  The kids are ecstatic!  I cooked and baked and did everything I set out to do here.   The Pear/Banana/Raspberry muffin tops were the best!!!  Everyone raved about them.  I will post that recipe soon. 

We have food!!!  Leftover night was last night and we ate most of it.  The only thing I have left is some kale from my CSA and a head of cabbage - the cabbage is being made into stuffed cabbage this week and the kale.....I'm not sure....But maybe I'll borrow a blender and try this.  I'm not sure how I will like it though.  But I always try everything once......

Anyway, I even read this weekend - finished one book and am half way through another book.  I would like to thank my niece for the recommendation....Thank you, Kailee Lyn. 

I had/have another goal that I haven't written about because it is a very emotional subject for me.  I am looking for a new church.  I believe I have found one.  More on this very difficult subject soon. 

Reading

Reading has always been my passion.  I have loved the library since I got my first library card a long time ago....(maybe 40 years - wow).  Anyway, my passion has been on the back burner for far too long.  FAR TOO LONG.  There is so much that I want to read....My niece just got me started on the Debbie Macomber Number Series books - I don't even know how many numbers there are - I'm on page 200 of Number 1.  Then there is the Jennifer Chiaverini Quilt Series books that I want to start and then there are the 10 books under my bed given to me by different people that I just HAVE to read.  

So, I'm going to try to read a little every night, even if it is only 10 minutes.  And even if it's only my Country Woman magazine - which I'm behind two magazines (which is four months)!

And I'm going to try to read books that I will love.  I just finished reading A Thousand Splendid Suns - since I loved, loved, loved the Kite Runner, I thought it would be nearly the same love.  Not even close.  Bummer!

So, if I start a book and I get to page 150, and I'm not INTO it yet......Then I'm going to stop and start something else.  I have 10 books under my bed, I 'm sure I'll LOVE some of them.....

CSA on Friday

Here it is:

1 Large Tomato
1 Large Eggplant
2 Zucchini
2 Yellow squash
1Bunch of Carrots
1 Dozen Eggs
6 ears of corn
4 Cucumbers

I took the eggs this week, because of my planned cooking/baking for the weekend.  I also ordered for next Friday (get ready)........................two dozen chicken feet and chicken intestines....My dad wants to make special soup with the feet and a special sauce with the intestines!  It's fun being Italian!!!!

My lofty goals

I had/have big plans for this weekend: 

 I made the marinara sauce during the week already.

• Fry up the eggplant for Eggplant Parm. (for my daughter's homecoming)
• Make Another Zucchini Quiche (this goes too darn fast)
• Make Banana Bread for my son
• Raspberry Jam from my frozen red raspberries picked at my mother-in-laws (hopefully, I'll get 8 pints or more)
• Pear/raspberry muffin tops (new recipe)
• Zucchini Bread - I haven't made it this year yet, so I can't wait!

I will let you know what I get accomplished.

No Bundles

We have all our services (phone, internet, and cable) bundled with ATT Uverse.  With the storm two nights ago, we lost all our services, but we do have power.   Hopefully, it will be on by end of day today, but otherwise, I'll be back when my service is back. 

Chicken Stir Fry

I had purchased some organic chicken from my CSA and from a farm in Litchfield.  This weekend, we cooked up a whole one in the "Set it and Forget it" (Yes, the hubby actually bought that thing years ago, from TV and lo and behold, it works great and the whole house doesn't get heated up from the oven).

We only ate about 1/2 of the chicken (not even), and since I had so many veggies from the CSA, I made my chicken stir fry.  I love that this recipe will use anything that you have in the house.  I make it different every time.  Here is this weeks recipe:  And nothing is really measured....

Meat from 1/2 of a cooked chicken, (1/2  breast, thighs, 2 wings)
1 whole bok choy
Four cloves of garlic
Onion
Canola Oil
Soy sauce
carrots
kohlrabi (2)
Zucchini (a thin one)
Red Peppers
Salt and pepper to taste

Oil into the large frying pan (or wok) with chopped garlic and 1/2 of a vidallia onion (I would have used more, but I was out of onions).  Add thinly sliced peppers, bok choy with the leaves on, thinly sliced kohlrabi (I peeled it first), thinly sliced zucchini (all the vegetables cut on the diagonal).  I peeled the carrot and then put thinly sliced pieces into the pan and just simmered everything for at least 1/2 hour.  (probably a little longer).  I added the soy sauce and let it cook about 10 more minutes.  I added the chicken in and stirred it up.  In the meantime, I had made four cups of white rice (I am out of brown rice which I prefer).  Put one cup of rice on a plate, one scoop of the stir fry over the rice and enjoy.......You can use any veggies that you have: yellow squash, broccoli, collards, whatever.  Dinner is on the table in about 45 minutes from start to finish. 

Zucchini Quiche

With the abundunce of eggs that I have and the zucchini from the CSA, I have made this recipe three times in the last three weeks.  Once for a party and twice for the house and it goes very fast!

3 cups thinly sliced zucchini
1 cup Bisquick - I use I cup of flour, about 1 tsp. baking powder and a little salt
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup grated cheese
2 Tbls. chopped parsley
1/2 cup canola oil
4-5 eggs beaten
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9 x 13 pan - I use a 9 x 9 and it comes up a little thicker.
Mix all ingredients and spread in the pan.
Bake until golden brown (about 25 minutes).  Cool (or not) and cut into squares.

It is an easy dish to bring to a picnic.  It can be eaten hot or cold.  It can be breakfast, lunch or dinner....this is a no brainer and it is delicious.

My girlfriend Maryanne gave me this recipe about 10-12 years ago.  Good thing I know what goes into it as I can barely read the recipe card any more!  Thank you, Maryanne!!

CSA from Last Week

I have been so busy that I forgot to post what I received last Friday in my CSA - let's see if I can remember...

1 Head of Cabbage
1 Egglplant
2 Cucumbers
4 Ears of Corn
1 Bok Choy
2 Bulbs of Garlic
1 Bunch of Kale
2 large yellow Squash
2 Zucchini

I think that is it........  Cukes, Corn, yellow and Zucchini squash are already gone! Bok choy, garlic and kale (and last weeks kohlrabi) will be gone tonight.  I'll save the eggplant to cook this weekend and the head of cabbage (looks like more stuffed cabbage) - I have to be more daring.........

Nice Weekend

After a crazy and hectic festival weekend on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we were able to relax for most of the day on Sunday.  I took Nonni to Church on Saturday afternoon, so after taking care of the hens early Sunday morning, I went and babysit the triplets for a couple of hours.  They are too cute and I wish I had a camera......

I then took care of my dad's hens as he was away and went and got Nonni to spend the day.  We took her to the beach and she enjoyed sitting under the tent with her feet in the sun.  We had supper at Cindy's (Thank you, Cindy!!!!)  and then took off for home as I knew I had to do some work. 

Lauren and I practiced our new Zumba routine for a couple of hours and I think we are ready for Monday night......

It should be a good time!

Nonni

Everyone should be lucky enough to have a Nonni who hangs out in the pool at the age of 98 and enjoys herself......

I love this woman!  I am truly blessed to know her.

Festival Time

This weekend is our annual St. Mary Church Festival.  I have been working here for many years.

Thursday 6-10
Friday 6-10
Saturday 5-10

Food:  Lasagna, Ziti, Meatballs, Suffrito, Cavatelli and Broccoli, Clam Chowder and Porchetta (these are the items in our booth) Then there is Periogi, Empanadas, Fried Dough Pizza, Italian Pastries, Italian Ice, Burgers, Fries, Hot dogs, Sausages, Fried Clams, Watermelon, Beer, wine and soda and so much more in the other booths....I think Kielbasa and saurerkraut, too!

Hope to see you all there.  Come hungry!

What if.....

I sold my little house, bought a nice piece of  property in Oxford or Seymour, quit my multiple jobs, got a couple of goats, a few more hens, a bigger garden, took Nonni more than once a week, canned, baked and cooked to my hearts content, and enjoyed life.....

(Just dreaming out loud).........

(But I am thinking about it....)

Sunday and the rest of the week.

Well, it did not rain either Saturday or Sunday (only 10 minutes on Saturday).  The weather has been beautiful, if hot.

Took Nonni to church and then came home and had a little lunch.  Went to one party today for only a half hour and then to another party and watched the Soccer World Cup final - very good game!!!

I picked more raspberries, then went to work for about 1-1/2 hours and then worked on Zumba until about 10:30 pm.  We have our new set list of songs all picked out - it is going to be a fun, tough work out.....Now we just have to learn the routines for these songs.

Busy week ahead...church festival, work, church, zumba, driving school for Hope!

Saturday

I am teaching Zumba this morning, picking more raspberries, and then we are supposed to attend three parties - a Birthday party (Cheryl-50), a graduation party (Nick S) and a summer party......The Summer party was postponed until tomorrow (Sunday) due to the weather forecast.  After all the heat of the last week, I'll be happy for a little rain. 

Here's to a rainy weekend....no offense to any of the people who are having the parties!

Master Class with Tanya B.

I just did a Zumba master class with Tanya B. in Danbury, CT.  Oh my....it was awesome....She was magnificent and boy did we sweat our butts off.......Thank you Sue, Gina, Sarah and Chris for a great night!

These pictures show before the class and then after the class - you can tell I was soaking wet - but I had so much fun!

CSA #6

Here is what I'll be getting today:


Half Share:

2 bunches of collards
1 1/2 lbs summer squash
1 head of garlic
1/3 lb leaf lettuce mix
1 lb of potatoes
1 bunch of bok choy
1 dozen eggs


She usually lets me switch out the dozen eggs for something else....Last time I got two bunches of broccoli.  I'm hoping I can swap it out again.  If not, my dad can use the eggs as his hens aren't laying yet (August, they should start).


The collards - I'll do the same thing as two weeks ago.....
The squash - I'm not sure - the last squash I got, I made Zucchini quiche which was awesome.  I'll have to post that recipe.
The bok choy - Stir fry - the kids loved it last time!  I made up that recipe as I went along, so I don't have a definite amount of anything!


I still have a cabbage from last week - so I'm making another dish of stuffed cabbages, because it was relatively easy and delicious!


We are eating salad like it is going out of style!  From both my garden and the CSA.  No complaints, though!!!!

PYO

I picked my second quart of red raspberries tonight and my sister picked her first.  I'll go back again on Saturday for more!!!  I'll be making jam on Sunday!

My mother-in-law has such a bounty, for me at least!!!

Next up - Blueberries!!!!!

Hot, Hot, Hot

It was a scorcher here in the northeast.  100 degrees and no a/c at work or in the car or at Zumba.  Thank Goodness I have it at home........

And tomorrow, they are saying it will be like this again.....

Stay cool!

Harry

Universal Studios was an awesome trip.  Three days visiting Harry Potter and his new island in the Islands of Adventure.  They did an excellent job with the construction with the scenery, with the immersive aspects of every book in the series (except the last two).  Move over, Disney, there is a new castle in town!!!!!

Naples

Elizabeth and Rita in the Banyan Treeand at the restaurant

I never got around to posting pictures from Naples.  Here are some that my daughter has uploaded!

These pictures are from our boat outing with Natalie and Jerry in Naples, Fort Myers and Bonita springs

So much fun - great weather  and dolphins!

Pictures from the Sunset at Naples Pier.

Next Up - Pictures from Harry Potter!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Beans....

My son did me a favor today, he weed whacked the yard.  Except I hadn't told him that my new section of the garden near the fence did not have to be weed whacked.  Those were my beans - they were about 6-8 inches tall and doing beautifully......he thought they were weeds......I didn't know what to say, whether I should yell at him or cry.....I cried.

Maybe, they will come back up!

Red Raspberries

I know I had mentioned the mother lode of blackberries at my mother-in-laws house.  I made eight pints of Jam today.  I'm sure it will be delicious.

Well today, she said I better come back soon as the mother lode of raspberries was ripe and ready.  She wasn't kidding.  My daughter and I picked a quart and a half in less than 10 minutes.  I will go back every two days until they are all gone.  I am so lucky that she told me about them.  She only picked a few and the rest went to the birds every year.  Raspberry Jam this weekend!!!

Saturday

Today: July 3, 2010

Teach Zumba
Bring Hope to Driving School to register her for the summer
Come home, make appetizer for graduation Party
Attend Graduation party from noon until 5:00
Come home and change
Go out to dinner with the hubby for a nice dinner for our anniversary
Go back to the party, pick up daughter
Go home and get ready for a race on Sunday morning.

I'm tired already and it's only 7:00 am......

CSA #5

This is what I will be getting today in my CSA box (They post it ahead of time (on Tuesday), so we can plan!)

· Half share equals:

2 kohlrabi (never had this in my life) - I can't wait to try it!

1 cabbage (looks like I'm making stuffed cabbage again - maybe I'll try cole slaw?)

1/2 lb bag of leaf lettuce

1/4 lb bag of asian mix

1 bunch of radishes

2 bunches of beet greens

1 small garlic

1 bunch of kale

1 greenhouse cucumber

I'm ready for this week..................................

Stuffed Cabbage

I tried another new recipe: Stuffed Cabbage

I got the recipe off line and the cabbage was from the CSA

Cabbage leaves - I probably used about 18
Ground beef - almost three lbs.
Rice - 2 cups (uncooked)
Eggs - 4
Seasonings - whatever I liked, garlic salt, pepper
Sauce - I used my homemade meat sauce, but the recipe called for plain tomato sauce or tomato juice

Very gently cooked the cabbage leaves - I threw them in boiling water, shut off the water and scooped them out in about 2 minutes.  Mix together all the other ingredients in a bowl.  Take a handful of the meat mixture, place in the center of the par-cooked cabbage leave, roll it up and tuck in the sides (like you are making a wrap).  This made 18 and I am cooking them in two Pyrex Dishes.

I poured the sauce over both trays and cooked on a low oven (300) for about 1 hours, took off the foil and then 325 degrees for another hour or so.

I don't eat them, as I don't eat meat, but the kids and the hubby ate them up, so I guess they were good!!
I am thinking about trying them with a meat substitute..........