How does your garden grow?

Our garden is coming along nicely this year. You might remember that we decided to grow only heirloom tomatoes in the 2010 garden.

This one is called "Garden Peach." The flavor is pretty mild, but it does look somewhat like a peach, fuzz and all.

These little guys are known as "Grandpa's Minnesota." They are a larger cherry tomato. We usually grow grape tomatoes, these are not as sweet, but still good.

And this my friends is Eggplant Caviar. David Lebovitz's recipes NEVER fail me, and this one is no exception The children were horrified when I explained to them what caviar was. Which really surprised me because Ian is all about eating grotesque foods and Katie is in love with fish. I quickly dismissed their fears, because there actually is no caviar in this delicious dip. Really this recipe should be called eggplant heaven, because that is what it is. The creamy, roasted eggplant, spun with golden olive oil, sprinkled with fresh herbs, spiked with garlic, and a dash of heat. That is what it is, heaven. Although it will give you devil's breath. Serve this with some toasted pita bread, and your guests will be in what else... heaven.

Eggplant Caviar

3 small or 2 medium eggplants ( I used 2 Japanese eggplants)

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice,

1-3 cloves garlic (depending on how much you like)

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Poke each eggplant a few times with a sharp knife and place them over a gas flame on the stovetop, or a grill, turning them with tongs, until they're charred on the outside and feel soft and wilted. Depending on how smoky you want them, roast them for five to ten minutes.
When cool enough to handle, cut the eggplants in half lengthwise, and place them cut side down on the grill or bake in a 400 degree oven. ( I skipped this step because my eggplants were cooked enough.)
Bake the eggplants until the flesh is thoroughly cooked, which should take about twenty minutes, but may vary. Remove the eggplants from oven and once cool enough to handle, scrape the pulp from the skins into the bowl of a food processor. (You can also scrape them into a bowl, and mash them by hand with a fork.)
Add the tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and crushed red pepper.
7. Pulse the food processor a few times, until the mixture is almost smooth. Add the herbs and pulse a few more times.
Taste, and add additional salt, lemon, or other seasonings, as desired.
To serve, spoon into a bowl and make a well in the center. Pour a bit of olive oil in the middle and serve with toasted pita bread.

xoxo

Rachel

"Can-Can"

Apricot Jam from Apricosa
Brandied Cherries from Harmony Valley

Zesty Peach Barbecue sauce from Fresh Preserving


Cherry Jam from A Good Appetite

We finished up our first bit of canning on Monday. It was a job...but so fun, and so worth it. Mr. Young helped with the processing and the children helped make the cherry jam. The "pop" sound is so satisfying. There are so many other recipes we would like to try, but we ran out of small jars now. I guess we will just have to go buy some more.
Happy Wednesday!
xoxo
Rachel

Blueberry Pancakes and...God

Twice now we have been lucky enough to receive awesome blueberries in our fruit CSA. I decided that we needed some blueberry pancakes in our lives Sunday after church. Well, Brian and I anyway. The children..."on the side please."

For those of you that have a Rainbow near you blueberries are on sale this week. Wake up early this weekend and surprise your family. They'll love you more than they do already!!!

Blueberry Pancakes

adapted from Martha Stewart Favorite Comfort Food

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsps. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tbs. brown sugar

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 cup skim milk

2 tbs. melted butter (plus more for your pan)

Blueberries

Heat a heavy skillet ( I use a cast iron griddle) until very hot. Whisk together flour baking powder, soda, salt and sugar in a medium bowl. Add the beaten eggs, milk and butter; whisk to combine. Your batter should have small to medium lumps.

Heat your oven to the lowest setting (170 or so). Once your pan is hot enough butter the pan lightly. Place about 1/2 cup batter onto your skillet, in pools about 2 inches apart. Place the blueberries on top of the batter right after it is poured on the skillet. When the pancakes have bubbles on top and are slightly dry around the edges, about 2 1/2 minutes, flip over. Cook until golden on the bottom, about 1 minute.

Repeat with the remaining batter, keeping finished pancakes on a heat-proof plate in the oven.

I am continually amazed by God! Brian and I were having a bit of a heart-to heart last night. It was in regards to our not attending our church, and some of the hurt he was having regarding the transition. I was trying to be encouraging and listen, and was failing miserably.

This morning when I woke up I started to pray that God would heal his heart and fill it with his love and he would feel his presence. I then asked God to use me as his vessel to encourage him, because CLEARLY I couldn't do this on my own. I then turned over and looked at my darling husband and asked how he was doing? Like a child I thought he would say great, because I just prayed right? He said he felt the same. What?? I was so discouraged!!

We didn't have much time to chat, because "Uncle Shaney" was in town for a reunion and stopped by to have our favorite donuts with us.

Later in the afternoon, I was reading Quiet Life. One of my new favorite blogs.

From The Year of Living Biblically;

Andy, one of Jacob's spiritual advisers suggests that he read the Prophets.
"Try to make everything you do measure up to the moral standard of the prophets,"Andy told me. "Remember what Micah said. He said that the animal sacrifices weren't important. The important thing is to 'Do justice. And to love mercy. And to walk humbly with your God.'"

And that my friends was God. I know it doesn't make a lot of sense to you. I don't want to share a lot of the negative feelings about this transition because it would only hurt people. Trust me though...when I read this it was like God was talking to me and telling me you asked to be my vessel, now pour out my love to your husband.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We have been "visiting" the same church for a little while now. It is nice, and we feel encouraged which is good.

xoxo

Rachel

Bits of Encouragement

Badlands 2010

Church at the falls was really wonderful. The sermon was titled "Who is Always Gracious?" The pastor asked us to turn to Luke 15. He spoke to us about the parable of the lost lamb and the prodigal son. Verses that I am quite familiar with, and I am sure many of you are.

He then told us a story of Brennan Manning. Growing up Manning had a best friend, they did everything together. They went to school together, bought there first car together, went on double dates together, graduated from high school together, enlisted together, went to boot camp together, and served on the front line together. While they were serving on the front line one day, they were in a fox hole together. His friend was next to him eating a chocolate bar. All of the sudden a grenade flew into the hole. Manning's friend quickly put down the chocolate bar smiled at him and then threw his body over the grenade. He lost his life and saved Manning's. Later Manning went to see his friend's Mother. He asked her did he really love me? Her answer was, what more would he need to do to show you that he loved you? The Pastor went on to say how often do we ask the question if our Savior loves us? His answer, take a look at Mary she is pointing to the cross.

xoxo

Rachel

Canning Continued...

I have a lot of fruits I want to preserve this weekend! Here's what I want to make:

Cherry Jam

Brandied Cherries

Zesty Peach BBQ Sauce

Apricot Jam

I don't think it's all going to happen. We are really pretty busy this weekend. Pool party and bbq tomorrow. Church at the falls Sunday. Possibly a friend over for dinner that evening. Oh, and date night tonight. My date has ditched me the last three Fridays. I'm told tonight is going to be EXTRA special.

What are you guys planning to do?

I love weekends!!! Don't you?

xoxo

Rachel

Canning

It was such a gorgeous day here yesterday! I went to the grocery store this morning and picked up this canning kit and a bunch of jars they were on sale, plus I had coupons. I came home and unpacked my supplies. The children read and worked in their workbooks. We had lunch and then kids and I spent a few hours with the Buckmans at the pool. Susie and I read while the kids kept cool in the water. Brian was home when we got back. He noticed our supplies and said I guess we are doing some canning? I smiled, and he said I'm really excited and I said I know me too! Yup were totally nerds. We have a few ideas of what we might can salsa, maybe pickled beets. We have to poke around some books and see what appeals to us. If you have any pointers or have a great canning recipe to share I would love to hear about it!

xoxo

Rachel

The Wicked Stepmother

Yesterday my darling son and I had to have a little tete a tete. I was watching Tyler and Mira, and whenever this happens Ian has difficulty following directions. You see he adores his cousin Tyler, he is the older brother that he will never have. I guess it is the next best thing. We were headed out to our newly remodeled library that we love! I had asked Ian repeatedly to get the Ferdinand book. He was looking all over the house for it. I told him to check downstairs on top of the dresser. By now he is in tears, and he can't find it. So I check, and where do you think it is friends? Yup on the dresser. I asked him again to go get it. He then came up to me and asked me if I was his Stepmom. I said yes, actually I am your wicked Stepmother. He looked at me, and said no you are not. I then told him that I loved him very much, but he needed to listen and focus when I give him directions. I'm sure it went out one ear, but I am hoping at some point it stays in that adorable head of his.

These photos have nothing to do with this story. I just noticed that "my boys" were matching tonight and Ian of course loved that. He luuuvs his Daddy...so sweet. Ian doesn't know it yet, but his is a very lucky little boy to have a Daddy that adores him so much, and would do anything for him.

xoxo

Rachel