Flowers in Mason Jars

I have some blue mason jars like this. Aren't they pretty? So simple & beautiful.


Here is even more inspiration on how to put those mason jars to use. (Unfortunately, I do not know the original sources for these above photos)

Recipe: Rainforest Crisps

Have you ever tried Lesley Stowe's Rainforest Crisps? Whether or not you've tried them, you must make this recipe!!! Our friends Tommy & Becca came to visit us and brought some homemade crackers. They are so amazing!

Running Update

On New Year's Eve, I made the decision to attempt to train for the half marathon. I felt that (no pressure) If it was too time consuming to balance training & family, I would just bail and not feel bad about it. But I'm almost there! I have 5 weeks to go and this morning ran 11 1/2 miles. Running & Nursing is still going fine, for any of you who might have concerns about exercising while you are nursing a baby. (Is this too much information? If so...sorry.) I've been staying very well hydrated & it hasn't been an issue! Any of my blog friends running the half or full marathon this Spring?

Added Note: Thanks to Caroline, I changed this to be more grammatically correct. Thanks, grammar nerd.

Guide to Spring Cooking

I'll be checking this out in a few weeks when the CSA starts. Stuff to eat right now that's easy to find around here: Asparagus, Ramps, Garlic Snapes, Rhubarb, Arugula! Check out these & other recipe ideas on thekitchn.com.

Lilac

I've been filing away photos that I found online of flowers that we have in our yard. Unfortunately, I don't know from where these images. But my lilac has started blooming in the past 2 days. Time to bring some indoors. Isn't this lovely?

Also in Bloom

You know what's a bad idea? Stuffing hyacinth branches into a cool old glass water container that you find left in your attic. Reasons: You will lose little flowers in there that you'll never be able to get out. Also, you can't clean the inside of the bottle. They don't make bottle brushes that long. It will be nice while it lasts though. Next spring, I'll just copy Emily Henderson (ps. have you seen her show? i haven't, but love her blog!) and do something like this with hyacinths:(above photo by emily henderson)
That's alright though. Because I LOVE SPRING! Also blooming in our yard - anemones, and more little bitty daffodils.

Hyacinths & Daffodils

Our yard is beginning to bloom! I love Spring. But...it seems like hyacinths & daffodils do not play well together in the same vase. The daffodils started to wilt right away. So now they are living in separate vases. Next up is lilac. Another one of my favorite smells!

5 Months, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Baby Jewell is now rolling all around, playing with her feet and her hands, staring at her fingers, and laughing out loud! She's a giant compared to her sister at this age. And she thinks her daddy's shaved head is hilarious.
After 3 babies, I finally got the hang of taking a baby's photo in a fun way! Here's Katie Belle's first 4 months.

And here is Jewell again, at 4 months, 3 months, 2 months, 1 month. If you are wondering how the other 2 didn't sneak into the picture, it's because they are at their grandparents!

Yesterday

Clearly, I've been taking a trip down memory lane lately. It feels like just yesterday that we took these pictures, but it was 4 years ago!! For the first 5 years of motherhood, I eagerly awaited the next stage of parenting. But once we began approaching Ethan's 5th birthday in January, I wanted to slow everything down! I know that I can't go back (nor do I have any real regrets), but I am so ready to be completely in the moment, cherishing every minute of my life with my husband and three precious babies. As my mother reminded me, "Life is a vapor." I am blessed beyond measure.

James 4:14, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."

Tummy Time

Our baby is 5 months, and we're still crazy about her. She is the sweetest little thing, and she actually doesn't mind tummy time!!!! She's baby #3 though, so I hardly ever remember to do it. Good thing she has a sister to flip her over & make her do it. :)

Kitchen - Before & After

I ran across this picture of our old kitchen, before the wreck & subsequent renovation. (Look at that little kid. So cute!) And here it the kitchen as it looks now!Similar in many ways, but with a major facelift. It's fun to take a look back! And here's another shot, looking across the other direction in the kitchen. And now I have to squeeze this next picture in there for old times sake. The day after the wreck, Ethan (age 2 1/2) raced to get his tools to fix the damage!

If I had my Way, I'd give Coconuts to Everyone.

Sometimes my husband rolls his eyes at me. Sometimes, when I bring home something like a coconut, and tell him I have no idea how to cut it open. But my wonderful husband does it anyway. This time he got a "new" drillbit, and got it open. Doesn't this look good?Coconut is full of electrolytes. In fact, these guys say it's "Nature's Sports Drink." I think they all liked it! I did have some left over. I used it instead of water for our steel cut oats (our daily breakfast). I get way too excited about food, I know.

Seasonal Spotlight: Asparagus

This morning, we picked this asparagus right out of our yard! I've been waiting for this moment - you aren't supposed to eat your asparagus for 3 years after you plant it. (Anyone know why? Anyone know what will happen if you do eat it early?) I can't remember exactly when we planted it, so I'm hoping we're on year #3. It popped up last April looking very tasty, but we didn't get to eat any. This year, Ethan has been eating it raw out of the garden!
Tonight it's going on our dinner plate though. Here are a few recipes that look great, and easy. Right up my alley.

Simple Steamed Asparagus.
Steamed Asparagus with Lemon Butter
Grilled Asparagus
Roasted Asparagus

And here are some of the reasons we should love asparagus. Want it in your yard too? It comes back for 15 years! Check it out!

Avalon Acres - 2010 Season Recap

Here's a recap of 2010! (I started late July, so this is missing half of the season from Avalon Acres CSA. Here is early and late July. (Remember, there are a few weeks of July we didn't get). We received:lemon cucumber, zucchini, pattypan squash, corn, yellow squash, yellow & green stripe squash, cucumber, potato, green beans, blackberries, carrots, kohlrabi, purple green bean, tomatoes, green bell peppers, & casaba (or canary?) melon.

In August (posts are here and here), we received: corn, melon, cherry tomatoes, yellow tomato, red tomato, yellow squash, peaches, green bell pepper, cucumber, potatoes, pattypan squash, eggplant, okra, butternut squash, various hot peppers, onion, green zebra tomato, & green beans.

In September (one week pictured below) we received: sweet potato, watermelon, cucumber, green zebra tomato, acorn squash, spaghetti swuash, purple okra, cherry tomato, tomato, eggplant, yellow squash, green bell pepper, lettuce, okra, melon, radish, pattypan squash, beets, green beans, delicata squashIn October we received: okra, butternut squash, acorn squash, pumpkin, cucumber, parsnip, apple, greens, cherry tomato, yellow squash, bok choi, eggplant, delicata squash, okra, green beans, kale, daikon radish

If you are interested in finding other local foods, I have thoughts on that here! And if you want a chuckle about how ridiculous the whole quest for local foods can be, you should watch this!

Avalon Acres - Winter CSA Recap 2009

I realize I never posted a recap of the Winter season of Avalon Acres CSA. Keep in mind, this was their first year - I think things changed quite a bit last year. Some of you might be able to share how it was different in 2010.Week 1: cornmeal, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, & peach preserves, green beans.
Week 2 (pictured above): Turnips (with turnip greens), Swiss Chard, Mustard Greens, Popping Corn, Sweet Canned Corn, Canned Tomatoes, Apple Butter, Whole Wheat Fettuccini (not pictured) & canned Tomato Sauce.
Week 3: homemade noodles, cherry jelly, tomatoes, corn, saurkraut, cornmeal, swiss chard, mustard greens, turnips, & green beans
Week 4: canned corn, popping corn, strawberry preserves, sweet potatoes, green beans, whole wheat noodles, bread & butter pickles, acorn squash, little pumpkins, Blue Hubbard Squash.
Week 5: pumpkin, blackberry preserves, corn, cornmeal, green beans, popping corn, fettucini, tomato juice, sorghum & sweet potatoes.
Week 6: blue cornmeal, corn, green beans, hot pickled okra, whole wheat fettucini, stewed tomatoes, & jelly
Week 7: Canned corn (2 sizes), popping corn, homemade pasta, canned tomato juice, peach preserves, apple butter & green beans.
Week 8: cornmeal, corn, popping corn, chow chow, saurkraut, tomato juice, stewed tomatoes, and kudzu jelly
Week 9 (pictured below): apple butter, apple jam, linguini, stewed tomatoes, tomato juice, cornmeal, sorghum, blueberry jelly & saurkraut

Avalon Acres - 2009 Recap

I'm excited about yet another year of the CSA with Avalon Acres. (What's a CSA?) I posted this last year, but wanted to post it again. This is a full year in pictures (missing a few weeks here & there). Although CSAs vary each year, depending on the weather and what they plant, but this will give you a good idea of what to expect if you are in Middle TN. Last year, we got a late start on the CSA, catching only late summer & fall. I will also post a recap of that. I love looking back at what we received, so I hope to take a picture every week, like I have the past 2 years.

These are half bushel shares for Avalon Acres CSA. The season runs May - October. They also offer many other options, including meat, eggs, baked goods, and a winter csa. Although I am a big advocate of CSAs, I do not say that they are best for every family. They are tons of fun, and tons of work. Read my complete list of pros and cons here. Another disclaimer: CSA bushels vary from week to week, year to year, and family to family. Two years ago we received tons of okra. This year we received none. So below should give you an idea of the variety, although not a complete picture.

If there is a link that is wrong, check out the csa labels in the righthand column, or click here.

MAYWeek 2: Radishes, Green Onions, Strawberries, Various Spring Greens, Cabbage, Kohlrabi
Week 3: Mustard Greens, Lettuce, Kohlrabi, Green Onions, Strawberries, Cauliflower
Week 4: (pictured above) Broccoli, Radish, Deer Tongue Lettuce, Red Leaf Lettuce, Spinach, Peas, Garlic Snapes, Herbs

JUNEWeek 5: Various Spring Greens, Peas, Green onions, Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Swiss chard, Broccoli, Potatoes, Strawberries, and Garlic snapes.
Week 6: Purple Cauliflower, Carrots, Onion, Potatoes, Herbs, Cabbage, Lettuce, Peas, Peaches, Green Onions, Garlic Snapes, Greens
http://lifewiththebrocks.blogspot.com/2009/06/csa-week-5-6.html
Week 7: Green Beans, Cabbage, Blackberries, Carrots, Onion, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Beets, Greens, Broccoli, Green Onions, Herbs, Radishes, Onion, Squash
Week 8: Cauliflower, yellow zucchini, garlic, potatoes, green beans, cucumber, cabbage, squash, beets, onion & green pepper.
Week 9: (Pictured above) Green Pepper, Zucchini, Pole Beans, Blackberries, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Corn, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Garlic, Carrots

JULYWeek 11: Green Peppers, Tomatoes, Eggplants, Onion, Purple Hull Peas, Potatoes, Corn, Cantaloupe, Garlic
Week 12 : (pictured above) Wax Beans, Potatoes, Cantaloupe, Tomato, Yellow Tomatoes, Onion, Green Bell Pepper, Squash, Cucumber, Cabbage, Eggplant, & Corn.
Week 13

AUGUSTWeek 14 & 15: Cantaloupe, Eggplant, Green Beans, Pattypan Squash, Green Peppers, Onion, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peaches, Squash, Corn & Potatoes
Week 16: (pictured above) Green Beans, Tomatoes (small & big), Yellow & Green Bell Peppers, Corn, Onion, Banana Peppers, Potatoes (2 types), Lemon Cucumber, Purple Eggplant, Cantaloupe & some sort of White Eggplant.
Week 17: pumpkin, butternut squash, tomato, potato, corn, eggplant, cucumber, white eggplant, yellow tomatoes, onion, and green beans.

SEPTEMBERWeek 18: Corn, (Gretel?) Eggplant, Tomatoes, Onions, Green Beans, Green Pepper, Red Bell Pepper, Butternut Squash, and the biggest Cantaloupe ever.
Week 19: Watermelon, Tomato, Potato, Eggplant, Squash, Green Pepper, Green Beans, and Sweet Rolls!
Week 20: Tomatoes, Banana Peppers, Watermelon, Potatoes, Spaghetti Squash, Purple Hull Peas & Yellow Squash Bell Peppers, Raw Peanuts
Week 21: (pictured above) Raw Peanuts, Spaghetti Squash, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Bell Pepper, Pumpkin, Radishes, Cukes & Green Bean
Week 22: Green Beans, Radishes, Pumpkin, Spaghetti Squash, Apples, Zucchini, Pattypan Squash, Green Bell Pepper, Acorn Squash and Tomatoes!

OCTOBERWeek 23 - Cushaw Squash, Pumpkin, Purple Hull Peas, Cabbage, Tomatoes, Peppers, Bell Peppers, and Potatoes.
Week 25 - Chard, Raw Peanuts, Potatoes, Green Bell Pepper, Tomatoes, Pumpkin, Butternut Squash, Cabbage, Crowder Peas
Week 26 (Pictured above): Potatoes, Bok Choy, Butternut Squash, Long Island Cheese Pumpkin, Muscadine Grapes, Tomatoes, Popping Corn & some more of those White Beans.

Will you be doing a CSA this year?

Baby J Tries Rice Cereal

With my first 2 children, I was so eager to move to each next milestone. I was ready for them to be eating food, sitting up, crawling, walking...But this time, they just keep sneaking up on me! I'm shocked that she's ready for baby food. I can't believe it...I already feel like time is moving in fast forward! We introduced rice cereal for the first time, and as I expected, it was a big spectacle. I think she liked it.

Valentine's Day!

I love Valentine's Day, I really do. I don't want any gifts, but I love the few extra hugs and kisses that come on this day. I hope you had a sweet day!

4 Months Old!

Roasted Pea "Pea-zzas" from Martha

I finally got around to making these "peazzas" that I cut out of Martha Stewart Kids magazine about 7 years ago. (What ever happened to that magazine anyway?) We enjoyed them! Keep out the Parmesan and it would be easy to freeze small portions of the pea puree at a time, and throw it in chili, or dark soups for a little added nutrients!
ROASTED PEA PUREE
1 c. fresh shelled or thawed frozen peas
1 tbsp olive oil
salt & pepper
4 oz spinach, blanched & wrung dry (about ¼ c)
¼ c low sodium chicken stock
½ c freshly grated Parmesan

Preheat oven to 350. Toss peas w/oil, season w/Salt & Pepper. Spread on rimmed baking sheet, roast 15 minutes. Remove from oven & cool. Transfer to food processor. Add spinach, stock, cheese. Process unitl mixture is smooth & spreadable.
PEPPERONI PEA-ZZAS
Roasted Pea Puree, 4 pita breads, 1 1/3 c mozzarella, 1 two-inch-long piece pepperoni, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 450. Spread ¼ c pea puree on top of each pita. Sprinkle with cheese, top with pepperoni. Place on baking sheet; bake until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven, cut into wedges, serve.

Maple Tangerine Carrot Coins

These Maple Tangerine Carrot Coins are in heavy rotation in our house these days. This recipe serves 8, so I often halve it. You can also use orange juice. Also, I usually omit the chives, but they do add a lovely little color to the dish!

4 c (1/8” thick) slices carrot (about 1 1/2 lb)
1/2 c fresh tangerine juice (about 2)
1/2 c fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon butter
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Combine first 6 ingredients in a large nonstick skillet; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 2 minutes. Uncover and cook 10 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates, stirring occasionally. Stir in chives, salt, and pepper.

Irene's Coat

I've been enjoying winter in my grandmother's coat. In 2009, my grandfather died (at 96 years old!), leaving a house full of a lifetime's possessions. It wasn't much, it wasn't fancy, but his things were left to be divided among his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He lived in Texas, so we flew in and were the last to go through the house to see if there was anything of my grandparents that we would like to keep. There, hanging in their closet was this beautiful cashmere & fur lined coat. I had a few minor alterations made & it's beautiful!
My grandparents. The necklace from these pictures was also my grandmother.