June 2008 – Page 2

CSA Distribution #3

Posted on June 11, 2008 by Carol — 2 Comments ↓

Will you look at that absolutely gorgeous table of veggies from this week’s farm share? I left it all arranged on the table so Drew could see it when he got home from work. (Usually it’s all packaged up in the fridge by the time he gets to see everything). He couldn’t believe it, LOL! This week we got two heads of lettuce, two heads of bok choi, 2 pounds of spinach, a bunch of turnips, 1/2 lb. of arugula, 1 bunch of broccoli, and 6 garlic scapes. As you can see, the scapes are not only delicious, but they also make a dandy bracelet:

That’s right — delicious and fashionable! I snipped some onto my cream cheese-laden bagel this morning and they are so yummy! The boys were actually fighting over the broccoli in the car on the way home. Crazy kids! Last week Drew and I discovered that we really like the turnips raw. They’re a bit midler than radish, and they are great for salads. I’m super excited about the bok choi. I plan on cooking up some stir-fry action with those. I will probably blanch and freeze the spinach to use in soups and sauces later because I just don’t think we can consume all this before next Tuesday! (I know, what a problem to have — believe me I am not complaining!) I also got to briefly meet Erin, one of the farm interns. It’s always so much fun to meet the person behind the blog!

Good stuff.

Hot Enough For Ya?

Posted on June 10, 2008 by Carol — No Comments ↓

Yes, I titled this entry like that just to be annoying. Everyone seems to be complaining about the hot weather here in the Northeast. Granted, it is not my favorite, but I think there are more important things to complain about. If the worst you’ve got going on in your life is sweating, well… that ain’t so bad 😉 One thing about the heat though, is that it cooking anything is rather unappealing. Who needs appetite supressants like Phentermine 37.5 mg when it’s too hot to eat? Of course, I don’t really have that problem.

Yesterday morning I decided to use up some spinach from last week’s CSA distribution, along with some low-sodium bacon I had in the fridge and I made a delicious quiche. That along with a simple green salad was a light and delicious lunch yesterday. I think I’ll enjoy the same thing today! Tonight I think I’m going to grill the last two filet mignon steaks we have frozen (and hooray – it’s on sale this week so I can re-stock!), and serve that along with a pasta salad and maybe some shrimp cocktail. I’ll make the pasta salad early before it gets too hot out, and Drew and I will probably have a late dinner, so grilling shouldn’t be too sweltery.

I’m looking forward to picking up our farm share tonight and I’m so curious what there will be! Saturday’s distribution included bok choi and broccoli rabe (both of which I love), and garlic scapes (which I’ve never cooked with and I’m super excited to use – I think they’d be awesome mixed into cream cheese for a bagel spread). I’m hoping Drew will be able to come tonight too so he can check it out.

By the way: isn’t that a gorgeous hydrangea? I could not resist it when I saw it over the weekend. I bought it along with two rose bushes (one pink, one yellow). Now I just need to figure out where I want them! Well, that’s all for now. Have a great day!

Summer Dishcloth Swap Topic #1

Posted on June 9, 2008 by Carol — 3 Comments ↓

Weekly topic #1 – Favorite Patterns

Yesterday I recieved the name of my secret pal for the summer dishcloth swap and I’ve already e-mailed her and heard back from her – hooray! I am looking forward to being contacted my pal, too. Hope to hear from her soon. So hello if you’re reading this! 🙂 The first weekly discussion topic is favorite dishcloth patterns. What a tough question to answer because there are so many! Currently I’m in love with the waffle knit cloth from Homespun Living. I’ve knit up a few of them, and here is the one I am working on:

I also am still a big fan of the ballband dishcloth (made famous by those Mason-Dixon ladies a couple summers ago). It’s so colorful and fun. I enjoy knitting up cloths that have images on them, too, but I always come back to the relatively simple patterned cloths for some reason. What are your favorites?

Super Savings Saturday

Posted on June 7, 2008 by Carol — 1 Comment ↓

I headed out to CVS on Tuesday this week and although I didn’t get a lot of stuff, I did get it for free. For everything you see in the photo I paid $0.00 out of pocket! I used $4.00 in coupons and $11.97 in ECBs which the cashier adjusted down and I ended up paying nothing. Plus I got back $13.47 in ECBs. The Listerine, bandages, and Brut deoderants are monthly deals. The Chex Mix was on sale for $1 and I had two $1-off coupons.

I need to start focussing again because I’m sure there are a few other deals I could have done, but… once things settle down around here I’m going to be totally on top of my game.

To check out more great deals, visit Super Savings Saturday and CVS Superstars!

Saturday Tidbits

Posted on June 7, 2008 by Carol — 2 Comments ↓

What a week it’s been. Things have been très crazy around Chez Carol, and it’s leaving us very stressed and exhausted. Don’t worry – nothing is really wrong or anything, and the problem will get resolved one way or another, but… it doesn’t make it any easier. So if you are so inclinded, any generic good thoughts would really be appreciated.
I’ll finally come out and say it: I am really bummed that Hillary Clinton did not get the Democratic nomination. I felt (and still feel) that she was the strongest candidate and I have no idea what I’m going to do now. I guess a lot of it will ride on what the VP picks will be. Then again, I don’t have to vote for either of the major candidates either, do I? I’m registered Independant because I like to vote for a candidate, not a party. We’ll see what happens between now and November to change my mind.
Just one more tee-ball game left in the Little League season. Next Saturday is the final game and picnic. We’re asked to bring a side dish or dessert. I know that one of the little girls on his team is diabetic (she might even have one of those medical id bracelets), so I think I might try to prepare something on the healthy side. I’m sure there will be an abundance of chips and brownies.
It’s super hot and humid out today but you know what? I’m not going to complain. I think this is the first really hot stretch we’ve had so far this year and I know in years past we usually get a couple 90 degree days in April, so it’s coming late this year.
Our big plans for tomorrow are to clean out the garage. Hopefully by the end of the day we can park both cars in there again.

A Little Wine?

Posted on June 5, 2008 by Carol — 4 Comments ↓

I hear from a lot of my online friends that they want to know more about wine. And since lately I’ve been suffering from wine-blog-itis, I thought this could be an opportunity to help anyone who wanted to learn about one of my favorite subjects. So, if you have any questions, why not consider posting them in the comments to this entry and I will answer them on my wine blog. The questions can be as general or as specific as you want! I’m trying to think back to when I was first getting into wine and it’s hard to remember the things that confused me at the time. So how about it? Ask away!

Father’s Day Countdown is On!

Posted on June 4, 2008 by Carol — No Comments ↓

Although I haven’t arranged for anything yet, I am pretty sure I know what the boys and I are going to do for Drew for Father’s Day. I have a gift, but I also have a fun outing planned. Hopefully it will all work out! (Gosh, I sure hope he isn’t hoping for a new TV and a plasma tv mount, because that is a little bit out of my budget.) I usually try to plan something fun for all of us to do. Last year we just had a picnic at the park, and the year before we went to the Catskill Game Farm, which has since closed its doors. I’m so glad we went when we did and the boys had a chance to see it. I think that the game farm is an icon for pretty much every kid who grew up in the Northeast! Do you have any Father’s Day plans?

CSA Distribution #2

Posted on June 3, 2008 by Carol — 3 Comments ↓

This week’s share included two heads of lettuce (I let the boys choose and they picked one green leaf and one red leaf), kale, turnips, arugula, radishes, and spinach. I could have taken more arugula or mixed in some mustard greens or another variety of greens that were there, but by that point the boys were really being a handful and some… er, how shall I put it nicely… impatient middle-aged women were crowding the bins, so I called it a day. This should more than last us the week.

When we got home Jake immediately wanted some spinach with his dinner (the boy loves it dipped in Ranch dressing), and I made a salad with the lettuces, some grilled chicken, and some shredded cheese. The only “challenging” veggies this week are the kale and turnips. I’ve asked Drew to make his famous kale soup (with mushrooms, stew beef, onions, and topped with feta before serving), so that takes care of that. The turnips are a little tougher since I have only ever had them mashed at Thanksgiving. I found a recipe for apple-carrot-turnip salad that sounds interesting so I think I’ll give that a try. I guess if all else fails, I’ll just roast them! Aside from raw in salads I’m planning on making a spinach-gruyere strata this week too. I usually make it at Christmas but since we have all this spinach… why not?

Keepin’ Cool In the Summer Quesionnaire

Posted on June 2, 2008 by Carol — 2 Comments ↓

I hemmed and hawed over whether or not I should join a swap right now, but the lure of the dishcloths was irresistable. I don’t know what it is about those little things but they are so addictive!!! So here I go with the Keepin’ Cool in the Summer dishcloth swap.

1. Do you Knit or Crochet? For how long?
I have been knitting for about three years now I guess? I can’t figure out crochet for some reason (though I used to do it in high school — no idea how I forgot). I have a set of hooks and I am hoping to teach myself over the summer.

2. Do you enjoy using metal, wooden, or some other kind of needle\hook?
I use them all! Whatever I happened to have handy, in the size that I need usually works for me.

3. What are your favorite types of yarn? Any you just can’t stand?
I’m not big on novelty yarns, but aside from that I am not picky. I like various brands of cotton, wool, and (gasp!) even some acrylics, as long as they are soft.

4. When it comes to cotton, are there any brands you’d love to try and haven’t?
Crazy as it sounds, I have not used CottonTots and everytime I am at the store I think that it would make a really soft cloth. I have a decent stash of Sugar & Cream (because I can’t seem to leave Walmart without a ball of it), but I am happy with most varieties of cotton.

5. When you make Dishcloths, do you use them yourself, or tend to give them as gifts?
Both

6. Do you have a favorite color? Any that you dislike?
I love earthtones and natural colors. I’m not really fond of anything too bright (like neons), but I love anything that is cheery-looking.

7. What color(s) (if any!) are your kitchen and bath decorated in?
Kitchen is shades of burgundy, purple, and hunter green with some “country yellow” (for lack of a better word) accents. One bathroom is sage and white, the second is sage and purple, and the third is blue and yellow.

8. What are your favorite scents around the house?
Vanilla, citrus, peach, cotton, cucumber… anything light and clean.

9. What is your very favorite thing about summer?
Picnics!!! I love eating outside. I also love going to the lake, the 4th of July, gardening.

10. What is your least favorite thing about summer?
The humidity! New York can get kind of gross in late July and August. And ticks, too. We live in Lyme Disease country and I am really freaked out by those nasty little bugs.

11. Do you use soap or body wash in the shower?
I tend to use body wash more often, but I love soap too.

12. What scents do you enjoy in the bath?
In the summer I like anything minty or lightly floral (mmm, lilac!) or citrusy. Not lavander though. When I was pregnant with Noah I had this lavander bath soap during my 1st trimester when I was really sick and even now, three years later, I can’t stand the smell! I just associate it with morning sickness.

13. What is your favorite dishcloth pattern?
I’ve been knitting several cloths with this waffle knit pattern from Homespun Living, and even though it’s been done so many times, I still love the ballband dishcloth.

14. What sort of treats do you enjoy? Sweet or Salty?
I like all sorts of things — nuts, chocolate… chocolate covered nuts 😉 Anything with caramel. Anything gummy. Anything cookie-related. Yeah, it’s kind of hard to go wrong in that department.

15. Imagine today is one of the hottest days of the year – what do you do to keep cool? Or are you one of those folks who loves the hot weather?
I’ll probably be on my deck dipping my feet in the kiddie pool while I drink I big glass of iced tea or lemonade and knit or read. Sounds like a perfect afternoon, actually! But I guess if it was really hot, I’d end up being inside with the AC on watching a movie, LOL!

16. What sorts of hobbies do you enjoy besides knitting or crocheting?
Gardening, reading, writing, anything related to food & wine, movies…

17. Do you collect anything (besides yarn!)
I have a collection of milk glass pieces from my grandmother. I also collect corks from wine bottles.

18. Are you on Ravelry? If so, share your ID!
CarolB

19. Do you have any allergies?
The usual stuff: pet dander, pollen, etc. But no fiber allergies.

20. Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have a cat named Maggie.

Lucky Number Seven!

Posted on June 2, 2008 by Carol — 1 Comment ↓

I’m so awful — I can’t quickly find a wedding photo to post on our 7th anniversary! Though I’ll be honest — I have been busy today cleaning and gardening and didn’t put too much effort into it just for the sake of blogging 😉 But yes, my sweetie and I have been hitched for seven years now. On our wedding day at this time, we were all sitting down to an amazing dinner at Travelers Rest! We actually had a low-fi celebration yesterday and just relaxed and had a nice day. Drew gave me a beautiful copper and glass necklace (copper is the traditional gift for this anniversary) and I gave him an Avengers comic with a copper-plated cover. He also ordered us tickets to the Bounty of the Hudson Food & Wine Fesitval, arranged for childcare, and made reservations for an overnight at a bed & breakfast in New Paltz. I am so super excited for out getaway!!! It’s been a while since we enjoyed time away, just the two of us, so this will be great. Plus, we’ll have all day Monday to wander around New Paltz which has some cute shops and restaurants.

It was a great anniversary – and here’s to many more! 😀