Pesto Yogurt Potato Salad

Pesto, Yogurt Dressing

There’s finally enough basil to really do something with in the garden! It’s in season now so enjoy it! This went on a potato salad today. It’ld be great on pasta salad or as a dip for veggies too!

Here’s what’s in it. Feel free to wing it a little.

• A half pint plain Greek yogurt
• A big handful of fresh basil
• a couple stevia leaves (or a pinch of sugar)
• one clove garlic ( more or less if you like)
• A small handful of walnuts (pinenuts or pistachios would work too)
• About a tablespoon of red wine vinegar (or lemon juice)
• A couple tablespoons grated asiago or parmesan
• a pinch of salt

Do this

• toss walnuts, basil and stevia food processor (or chop them very finely)
• blend until finely ground
• add everything else
• blend until smooth

If you want to make my potato salad…

• cut enough potatoes into 1 inch cubes to fill about a pint
• one carrot ( I like them diced)
• half an onion (store the other half chopped up in a jar for other recipes)
• Boil potatoes until soft
• drain and cool
• mix all ingredients with enough dressing to coat them well

Sharing and Growing (victory garden weeks 14/15)

Uli thought the trellis needed adjusting. ( Look how big she’s getting! and sassy too!)

Well things got crazy on the home front. I would like to preface this by letting you know upfront I’m not complaining. (I fled home to get help from my parents and much needed rest. They’re fantastic to be there for me and a blessing) It happens to everyone I’m sure. I had what felt like a mountain of studio work to do. Uli and the puppy were taking turns making really big messes all day long. On top of it things got crazy for my husband at work at the same time. Now we’re home and back to our routine. I can thankfully say our little garden didn’t suffer much.

I pulled out the peas and our cucumbers are taking off! Uli decided to make sure the trellis was ready for them while I was taking pictures. Some more herbs found their way into the car at Jack of the Green. Jack of the Green’s one of those hidden gems in Lake Leelanau, MI. You’ld be lucky to stumble upon it. Then be hooked by unique quality garden tools, plants, and inspiration. It was worth the stop just to chat with Tracy and wonder the display gardens. We found a friendly green frog in the water garden. Oh! And… Yep, I drove the herbs five hours back to Ohio. They’re that good.

The tomatoes and zucchini were so happy I had extra to share! It was always my favorite gift when friends and family think to offer me they’re extras at harvest time. While we were up north I made jam with black raspberries I scavenged from my parents bushes. All the while worrying about how my garden would fare in 100 degree heat and my husbands care. He went above and beyond my small requests for water and tending. I was surprised with pictures and counts of our ripening produce. He was actually into gardening. Who knew?!? I hope I haven’t created a monster… Anyway, it feels amazing to be home and finally able to share my own veggies with friends!

First Tomatoes! (Victory Garden weeks 12/13)

The first cherry tomatoes ripened this week! It was so exciting. Uli’s reaction was priceless. “Ahhhhhhhh!!!” followed by a big bite and then another. I’ll have to wait till the next ones are ripe to tell you how they taste. Uli gobbled up all three of them. I’m glad she’ll have something else to pick strait from the garden. The snap peas are almost done. They’re not so happy in the heat. I’ll be pulling them out this week to make room for the cucumbers.

The zucchini’s threatening to take over the garden! Next year I think I’ll give the zucchini it’s own bed. Another lesson learned…

I also planted some herbs in their own pot. They’ve almost filled it in. Uli and the pups like to hang out under the tree right behind it. It’s the yuckiest part of the yard and they love it!

Here’s Uli Belle by the zucchini monster. I hope she’s eating peas in this picture… The dress I just made her turned out so cute. I’ll be posting directions for how to make it this Friday.

The Art of Puttering (Victory Garden weeks 11/12)

Snap peas! Yum

My dad is a champion putterer. It’s becoming clear that it’s a trait he passed on to me. Through the spring, summer, and fall we would have to practically force him to come inside before dark. He was always doing something in the garden, vineyard, or field. His puttering turned out some amazing things. I got to enjoy fresh eggs, homemade wine, and meals made with vegetables we helped grow. I think I learned patience watching him tend our land. Things generally grow best with space, sun, and water. It takes careful puttering to make sure they get what they need to grow. I hope I’ll share this trait with my daughter.

Uli loves snap peas! She picks them right off the vine. I can’t even believe she can pick the peas from the leaves on her own! Yep. This is a proud momma moment. So my child runs naked through the yard when it’s far to chilly to do so… She’s happy, well fed, and appreciates nature. The garden has become a distraction. I’ve thinned weeds, watered, and now I find myself just staring at it and daydreaming. What did I plant here? Are there dog proof garden markers? Is the zucchini overcrowding the basil? Turn green already tomatoes! I want to eat you!  I spend the time I should be on more work related things outside. It’s not just the garden beckoning me. There’s a baby and two dogs that would rather play outside all day. I stress at the end of the day when I feel like works piling up. But, I wouldn’t trade these moments (ok these long afternoons) for anything.

Uli and I sat for an hour watching the birds this week. Her reaction would make millions if it could have been captured. The pure joy and wonder was contagious. I looked at the birds flying like they were this amazing show acted out just for us. Being a mom has made me slow down and appreciate the world around me.  It even hits me how lucky I am to have amazing parents to look up to. (That’s you Mom and Dad)

See if you can pick the peas from the leaves

My first beat harvest. It’s been an amazing couple of weeks in the garden.

Mothers Day Tradition (Victory Garden! weeks 7/8)

Every mother’s day I can remember my mom would ask to go to our local nursery. We would all go as a family to pick out flowers, vegetables and herbs for the garden. I remember loving the warm green houses. Mom would always ask what I wanted to plant. And I would pick out snap dragons or moss roses. This is the first year that I couldn’t go with her. It made me realize how much those trips meant to me. Even though it was our gift to her. I found my self missing those days of shopping and planting. It was so simple. Yet, filled with hope and love.  All she really wanted was for us to have happy family memories together. Now that I’m a mom I’ve found my self longing for that same kind of mothers day.

The garden’s been growing with out much help from me lately. Well, other than fending off the baby and puppy. So far we have happy beets, swiss chard, zucchini, spinach, and peas. The carrots are just starting to sprout. We could never get carrots to grow back home in Traverse City, MI. I’ve hoping it’s just warm enough here in Toledo. I’m looking foreword to our family nursery trip this week. We should get some more herbs, tomatoes, and peppers.

Here’s a picture of the squash sprouts

For now it’s just me Uli and the pups. We’ve learned to live with postponed holidays. I wouldn’t change it. Because when Jeff gets off duty we’ll be able to focus on our family. I already asked to go to the nursery together. We’ll see what Uli picks out for the garden.

Puppy Love (Victory Garden! week 5)

This last week’s been a bit crazy.  A puppy and a one year old can really destroy a seed tray! They knocked it over and stomped on it. Yesterday I caught Uli gleefully shaking my seed starts over the deck. So, I sighed and put what I could save in the garden… They didn’t really have a chance. I think I may salvage  some basil and chives. The rest I’ll just have to depend on the nursery for… Is it normal to have this hard of a time getting started?

I swear Uli and Chloe are in cahoots!

The peas are growing nicely. I’ll have to thin them this coming week. I nailed down my grid last week. Then planted zucchini, spinach, and lettuce. The beets and swiss chard will probably be ready to thin next week.  We’ll see how well I manage to keep things safe in the raised beds…

Butternut Squash Soup and Salad

We’ve been in puppy land this week. I love puppies!!! It can’t last though. She found us. Puppies and babies that wake up at night just aren’t a good combo. So a dear friend of mine will be taking her and spoiling her rotten soon. In the meantime here’s a two for one recipe. An easy one. It gets us through chaotic weeks like this.

Fun, freeform cooking is the style around our house. Here are a couple of recipes that just beg to be expierimented with.

Butternut Squash Bisque

Roast an extra squash while you have the oven going. This will be for dinner tomorrow (salad). Because who has the energy to cook two night in a row?… not me

Start by preheating your oven to 425

• One butternut squash (Hubbard, acorn, or sweet potato would work here too)
• One sweet onion
• Olive oil (1-2 tablespoons)
• Spices (I used paprika, cumin, and chili powder)
• salt and pepper

Cut your squash and onion into one inch cubes. Add spices, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Mix with your hands or a spoon.

Roast until the squash is golden and the onions are slightly brown and translucent. This takes about 30 minutes. Put one squash and all of the onions into a blender. Add water or vegetable broth. Blend. Add more liquid until the soups perfect for you.

Done! I love this soup!

I’m not yet brave enough to let Uli go to town with soup. So, I thickened hers with cereal. (Rice works for this two if you have some already cooked)

Butternut, Grape and Blue Cheese Salad

This salad is yummy warm.

• Start with spinach (my favorite with blue cheese)
• Half some grapes (anything purplish will work here blackberries, dried cherries, dried cranberries…)
• Walnuts (toast them if your feeling fancy or making a warm salad)
• One inch cubes of roasted squash
• Balsamic vinaigrette mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm (Uli actually got a hold of the computer and happened to type mmmmm….hehe… Evidently she likes balsamic vinaigrette)

PB&J Pancakes! Yum!

Almost too easy pancakes

• 1 cup flour (I use 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 regular. Feel free to get creative here)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• a pinch of salt
• a teaspoon cinnamon (not really necessary. I just like it)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk

Heat your griddle or pan up to medium.

Mix your dry ingredients.

Add the rest of your ingredients.

Stir with a fork until just mixed. Some lumps are ok. If you over mix your pancakes will be rubbery.

Pour batter on pan. Flip when bubbles start to form in the center.

I love to put peanut butter and jelly on our pancakes! It’s yummy and more filling than syrup.

Spongebob was on while I was cooking. Gary inspired the snail I made for Uli. I like to think she appreciates it.

Entertaining a one year old

My dear little girl is turning into a monster. Are all 16 month olds this crazy!?! I won’t bore you with too many details. It’s infuriating and hilarious at the same time. I would laugh when she pulled all of her diapers out to clothe her stuffed animals… only thirty seconds before she wiped her snack covered face on the couch…If you have a toddler you know.

My goal for the day today was to break the frustration cycle. It started with a prayer this morning. (not for patience… My dad taught me never to pray for patience. I prayed to focus on my love for my daughter today. Even if your not religious taking a few minutes to set a positive tone for the day can make a world of difference.) Then I took action. Here are some of the things I found to entertain my daughter today.

1. Coloring (usually lasts about 6 minutes before she eats a crayon)
2. Dance Party (This one’s a family favorite. It can go on for up to an hour. It’s exactly like it sounds we crank the music up, dance, and laugh)
3. Itsy Bitsy Spider ( a little tool I like to use to keep Uli focused on the table at meal times)
4. Close the door ( a slightly more evolved version of peek a boo)
5. Build an indoor tent (look at that smile)
6. Climb the couch (throw cushions ect. on the floor for an instant obsticle course)
7. Go outside (is usually on my list but it was cold and rainy)
8. If it’s too cold to go outside and all else has failed leave the house. Here’s where we went today.http://www.toledomuseum.org/ Toledo’s art museum is free. On top of that they have a family center set up with loads of activities. The painting supplies were already set up so I kept encouraging Uli to paint. She had her own agenda… It was making new friends and playing with typewriters. I already can’t tell her what to like.

Nothing I’ve done before has required creative thinking quite like being a mom does. I have a whole new appreciation for mom’s and caretakers everywhere. If you entertain a little one all day long You Are Awsome!