Bucatini with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Goat Cheese

This is a recipe that I found online.  Karma Free Cooking has a lot of yummy recipes.  It's a recipe they adapted from the Iron and Wine Magazine February 2008 issue.  I simply doubled the recipe.
I needed to make something easy and with the ingredients that we had in the fridge.  Punched in a few ingredients and voila!  Oh how I love thee, Google.  During the Summer, we try to eat more veggies and less meat.  A nice light pasta fits the bill perfectly.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb bucatini or spagetti (although I'm pretty sure it would work with any pasta.)
• 3 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves-thinly sliced
• 16 grape tomatoes, halved (we used sun gold tomatoes because we had an abundance in the fridge)
• 3 big handfuls of baby spinach leaves
• 1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese
• a lot of crumbled goat cheese (can you ever have enough?)
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until it is al dente.  Drain the pasta well, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water.
2.  Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the olive oil.  Add the garlic and crushed red pepper, if using.  Cook over moderate heat until the garlic is tender, about 3 minutes.

3.  Add the tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderate heat until the tomatoes begin to release their juices, about 2 minutes.

4. Add the spinach and cook until wilted about 2 minutes.  

Serves 2

I was pleasantly surprised at how good the pasta was.  The goat cheese melted into the olive oil and created the nicest sauce.  

What are some of your easy summertime recipes?

And Even More Chickens

I'm sure you are all fed up with chickens but I just really wanted to post the video we made of us clipping the chickens wings.  I promise to lay off of the chicken talk after this.  I PROMISE!!

And here is our funny out take.  Enjoy.

Yardbirds

When Bethy asked me to do a guest blog on chickens, I had this whole plan of going into the history and origins of the species, but in the interest of brevity I'm going to scale that back considerably.
So just a few short notes about......

Gallus Gallus Domesticus

The common chicken is a sub-species of the Red Jungle Fowl from Asia.
There are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird.
 And that should be all of the boring scientific mumbo jumbo for the rest of this post.

As a kid my grandfather kept chickens. My sister and I used to go and collect eggs daily. I would feed them, water them, and toss some scratch into the run. One day our rooster scared the bejeezus out of my sister, and now she hates all birds, especially chickens.
I on the other hand still have an affinity for them. So when we learned that our county had no zoning restrictions on chickens I was overjoyed and immediately went about convincing the rest of the household that we needed some fine feathered friends! It didn't take long before everyone was excited at the prospect of fresh eggs daily.
Which is the reason we have chickens. Eggs, eggs and more eggs. I'm not really into slaughtering animals if I don't have to. Eventually the girls will stop laying and I suppose when that time comes we will have a nice chicken dinner, but until then it's all about the juevos!

I came up with the design for the coop on my own. I looked over a bunch of plans on the internet and didn't really see anything that caught my eye, so we just started building. Free form. We tried to use as much lumber and scrap as we had on hand. The slatted side wall is made from re-purposed IKEA bed slats. The ladder was part of an old garden fence I found behind our shed, and some of the lumber, and the shingles I scrounged from inside the shed itself.

I'm not the best carpenter, In fact this was my first venture into carpentry, so my measurements weren't quite accurate, but I think it sort of adds a quirky homemade charm.
In total we spent about $150 on materials for the coop and original run.
Just yesterday though we doubled the size of our run and added a full sized gate.

When we were picking out our breeds the qualities that we were looking for were egg size, frequency of laying and docileness. The later being the most important. I really wanted friendly chickens so that
Winona didn't end up having the same experience as my sister.

We settled on a mixed flock that consists of a Blue Orppington (Belle) and two Black Copper Marans (Ariel and Jasmine(though we are beginning to think that Jasmine may be a rooster)).
Belle is already laying beautiful large pinkish hued eggs. By fall the other two(?) should be laying eggs that are considered a delicacy in France. They will be large and deep dark chocolate colored and I cannot wait to taste them!

We love our chickens. I love watching Winona with them. We have recently started letting them free range in the yard in the evenings and Winnie gets a kick out of chasing them around.
They are a joy to have around and everyone enjoys the fruits of Belle's labors. Honestly there is nothing like an egg that has just been laid. They are so creamy and so much better than anything from the store.

There is a huge urban chicken movement going on, so if you are interested in chicken keeping there are a number of websites that offer information on doing so as well as state and local ordinance.
Check out backyardchickens.com, urbanchickens.org, and mypetchicken.com for some great advice.

Weekend Adventures

         I was really a slacker this weekend and managed to not take any pictures with our good camera. I'm sorry, you will have to settle for iphone pictures.  Wah-waaaah.  

         On Saturday we went to a festival.  There were 40 local artist and restaurants and there were bands playing all day long.  It was a beautiful day.  AND I got no pictures of the entire day.  I did get Winona the cutest fall dress.  I would post a picture of it but you will have to wait until she wears it for a Fashion Friday.  (I do realize that I missed this past Fashion Friday.  I had an off week and was feeling less than fashionable.  Sorry.) 

Little Winz enjoying her dinner.

     Yesterday morning we got up and headed to our local farmers market.  We bought some local bratwurst (which we ate for lunch when we got home.) and a basket full of bing cherries.  We bought some of these cherries last week and needless to say, we needed some more.  They are that delicious.  We have been munching on them every day.

   Our chickens have had a farely small run and we decided it was time to expand it.  We also clipped their wings.  Jake held them upside down and I cut them.  I can't believe I did it.  I was so scared but now I know how to clip chicken wings and it was no big deal.  

    We let the chickens free range in the yard and Winona had the best time chasing them around.  She talks to the chickens and says "Bawk, bawk, bawk."  She also calls them Maya.  That's our dog.  

    Overall, it was a pretty wonderful and relaxing weekend.  I promise to be more fashionable this week. Also, I'm excited to let you know that Jake will be guest blogging from time to time.  Tomorrow he will be posting a blog on keeping chickens.  He loves those chickens.  

Crayons as nails.  Crafty.

Our first garden harvest.  Eggplant and some green beans.

Summertime!

    

Granola

 We go through a lot of granola at our house.  A LOT!  It is my favorite thing to eat for breakfast.  Granola with some Yogurt and milk...yum.  It is also very expensive to buy, so we make it ourselves.  I skimmed through many granola recipes and came up with a mixed variety of what we wanted to put in ours.  It was a success.  We will never buy granola again.  

Ingredients:

• 5 c. rolled oats
• 1 c. dried fruit (we used cherries)
• 1 c. nuts (we used cashews)
• 3/4 c. brown sugar
• 3/4 c. water
• 1/4 c. wheat bran
• 1/4 c. wheat germ
• 1/4 c. honey
• 1/4 c. molasses (we used blackstrap)
• 6 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In a medium sauce pan, combine brown sugar, water, butter, honey, molasses, salt and vinegar.  While stirring, cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.  Do not bring to boil.

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl and then pour the sauce mixture on top while stirring.

When it is all mixed, spoon a thin layer on cookie sheets.

Bake for 20 minutes and let sit until cooled.  Store in a airtight container.  

This recipe yeilds about 10 servings.

  

Molehills into Mountains

Weekend Adventures

    After our farm vacation we needed time to recoop.  We spent most of the week being lazy bums at home.  By the weekend we were ready to get out again.  We packed Winona up in the car and started driving.  I thought we were just driving but apparently Jake had a plan.

    He drove for about an hour, telling me that he was just driving.  He was actually taking us to a town called Leesburg, Virginia.  It was a surprise because we had never been there.  I had been under the assumption that it was some podunk town but I was pleasantly surprised.  There was a very charming downtown with many local restaurants and boutiques.  As we pulled into town I looked at Jake and said, "Let's move here."

     Now, usually when we travel we scope out the food situation, reading ratings and trying to find the perfect place to eat.  I just read something in Travel + Leisure magazine that perfectly described how we do it.  "Wherever I travel, I'm pretty much consumed with eating.  If I'm not eating, I'm probably looking for food.  And when I'm not looking for food, you'll likely find me looking at food, perusing the shelves of a local supermarket.  Sightseeing?  There's no finer.  Plus, you get to eat the sights." -Peter Jon Lindberg Market Values  Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

     So, you'd be surprised to know that we chose to eat at Moe's.  Yes, I know, Moe's?  But, we don't have a Moe's where we live and it sounded good.  I found out while we were eating there that they have really stepped up their game.  All of their meat is free range/cage free/hormone free/grass fed.  All of their produce is fresh and prepared daily.  I was quite surprised and pleased, making me happy we chose to eat at Moe's.  Some people may argue that Chipotle is better.  I'll have you know that it is owned by McDonald's.  Talk about YUCK!  We do try to vote with our dollar and usually eat local but on this occasion I was happy with Moe's.  

     There are a lot of outdoor things to do in Leesburg and we chose to go to a Mansion/Garden called Oatlands.  We had to pay to do a tour and I would have loved to see the mansion but the package was a little pricey so we spent the afternoon strolling through 4.5 acres of terrace gardens.  Wooooooow.  It was magical.  I felt like a princess strolling along my mansion terrace.  There was a moment that I sat down with Winona and nursed her on a bench in the shade and soaked in all of the sights.  It was quite dreamy.  

 That is a birdhouse.  Wowzers.  

     Little Winz is such a big girl now.  She thinks she's grown.

Dedicated to the Best Dad Ever! {Photo Heavy}

     When we found out we were pregnant, I think I screamed some curse words, and Jake jumped up and down and gave a big WOOHOO.  I was shocked for days and he was overjoyed right from the start.   I couldn't have asked for a better partner or father for my child.

    

 Besides the fact that he financially provides for us, there isn't much that I do that he doesn't.  (Except for breastfeed.)  He changes diaper after diaper...and poopy diapers at that.  But it's bigger than that.  It's much more than the money and "the doing."

    Winona is a Daddy's girl and for right reasons.  Her Papa is amazing.  I can see how much he absolutely adores her, and she him.  He will spend hours playing with her in the floor and reading to her.  There is a child-like quality that he possesses with her that I don't have.  It's when he plays with her that I see this side come out.  It is as if he never forgot how to play...and sometimes I think I have. 

    She loves to crawl all over him as if he were a jungle gym.  When he enters the room her little face lights up like the morning sky.  I know that I may never get her to giggle the way that he does.  They have a special bond, Father and Daughter.  One that I may never be in on but I love to witness.  I love watching their love grow.

     Here is a little flashback of their so-far life together:

The first time Jake held Winona.

 

 Best Dad Ever, circa 1983.

     Papa, we love you.  We love waking up and seeing your face every morning.  One of our favorite things is getting to cuddle with you before we go to bed and when we wake up. We love going on adventures with you.  Thank you for everything you do for us.  Making us smile and laugh.  

    Jake, you make my cup runneth over.  You are perfect in every way and I am so blessed to have you in our lives.  Happy Father's Day sweetheart.  

Fashion Friday {Almost Saturday}

     I have been trying to get this posted all day.  I should have finished it last night but I didn't even start it.  This weeks FF was a little bit of a challenge.  Winona was NOT feeling it.  I have got to step up my game.  I am pretty sure she hates being placed in the corner for photos.  HAHA.  Damn.  "Nobody puts Baby in the corner."  And the photos are probably lacking a little something as well.  So this may be the last of the green wall in the background.  I'm sure you are all relieved.  

     I also noticed that she wore the same sandals almost every day but two.  That's probably another reason she's so pissed off.  (Mom, I'm so sick of these shoes!!!)  I've had a hard time not slipping her into the 18 month clothes.  Trying to get her last bits of wear in for her 12 month clothes.  I hate that she grows out of the coolest outfits so fast.  I don't get enough of seeing her in them.  

     So here it is...the moment you've ALL been waiting for.  All five of you.  (These honestly are the best shots I could get.  YIKES!)  Enjoy.

Monday

Romper: Calypso St. Barth for Target

Sandals: Okie Dokie: Kmart

Tuesday

 Romper: Carter's- Carter's Outlet

Shoes: Soft Star-Good natured

These shoes are little leather moccasins that we got at our local green general store.  They are lined in wool and so stinkin' cute.  I wish she could wear them forever.

Wednesday

 Dress: Baby Gap- thrifted

Leggings: Cherokee- gifted

Shoes: Converse- ebay find

Thursday

 Dress: Carter's- Carter's Outlet

Sandals: Okie Dokie- Kmart

Friday

 Dress: Okie Dokie- Sears

Sandals: Okie Dokie- Kmart

Choo Chee Pla (Fish with Curry Sauce) with a side of Flamed Spinach

     Yum.  This dish is easy and delicious.  It takes about half an hour to make.  If you can get up the guts to eat some Thai food, you won't be sorry.  Both dishes have fish sauce which is the most disgusting thing ever.  It is gross to think about and it stinks.  Just hold your nose and try not to think about it because without it, the dish is just a poor imitation.  So my advice to you is don't skimp the fish sauce.  Trust me!!!  

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of tilapia fillets
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 tablespoons red curry past
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• zest of 2 limes

Heat a large skillet and add the oil and curry paste.  Stir fry for 1 minute.

Add the coconut milk, fish sauce, sugar and the whole fish.  Cover and cook for 20 minutes, carefully turning the fish once.  Remove to a serving dish and sprinkle with the lime zest before serving.

This recipe called for swamp cabbage...whatever that is.  Honestly, I've no idea.  I've never ever seen it.  If you can find it, give it a try.  We used Spinach and it was great.  This dish is also called Pad Pak Boong Fi Daeng.  Boong?  Really?

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 lb swamp cabbage or spinach, cut into 1 in. pieces
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons black bean sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 cup sliced green jalapeno pepper

Heat a large skillet until very hot; add the oil and all the remaining ingredients.  Quickly stir-fry for 30 seconds and serve. 

We left out the jalapeno pepper for Winona's dinner.  And yes, she actually ate this.  She is quite the adventurous eater.

Tada.  Isn't that beautiful?