Menu Planning Monday

Monday: Ramp and organic whole wheat linguini with roasted cherry tomatoes
Tuesday: Meatloaf, roasted potatoes, cauliflower
Wednesday: Frittata
Thursday: Taco pasta
Friday: Not sure yet...its payday, so I will be shopping

Linking up at OrgJunkie!

CSA Week 15: Final Winter Share

Friday marked the last week of the winter share of our Fresh Fork Market CSA.  June 5 marks the start of our summer share and I can't wait until we pick up weekly again!  I need to see my grocery bill drop!

Bag Contents:

• 1lb ramp pasta from Ohio City Pasta (with ramps and organic whole wheat flour)
• 1 jar roasted cherry tomatoes (to use on the pasta in this house!)
• 1 lb ground Berkshire pork (meatballs coming up next weekend!)
• 1 lb grassfed ground beef
• 1 bag ramps (Had to toss mine...they went bad)
• 1 dozen eggs (sensing brinner once more)
• 1 bunch kale (love that my 16 year old is asking for kale chips!)
• 8 oz smoked gouda
• 1 quarter peck cameo apples (for snacking)

It has been a great experience and next winter, I am glad I will know what types of products to expect.  It is very different from the summer share, but I definitely plan on signing us up again in the fall!  Until then...can't wait for summer the week of June 5!

Mother's Day 2013

My Mother's Day was supposed to be spent with my side of the family, celebrating motherhood as well as my sister-in-law's birthday.  Well.  That just wasn't destined to happen today.  Last night, after picking Logan up from my brother and sister-in-law's, Logan got sick.  He wasn't able to keep anything down all morning so we ended up not going and just staying home. 

I did, however, wake up to a gift from Jamie:

God, I love this kid.  I am so proud of the young woman she is becoming.  She is smart, witty, caring, genuine, and true to herself.  She was my "date" at a wedding last night (C was the best man) and I just looked at her and was absolutely bursting with pride.  

Look at how pretty she is:

So, because Logan was so sick, this is how we spent most of our day:

Poor thing was so lethargic.  He just wanted to lay and watch TV.  That was after we were finally able to get some water into his system and he was able to keep it down.  So my Mother's Day dinner consisted of this:

Pizza from our favorite local place.  And just hanging out at home.  Thankfully, Logan perked up after he was able to keep down some toast and a part of a banana.  He was even laughing after his bath, which was awesome.

Even though the day was quiet, I am thankful I was able to spend it with my family.  And I guess that is what being a mother truly is.  Being there when your children are sick and in need of comfort.  And knowing they need you really is a blessing.

Garden Plans 2013

Folks, this is going to be a BIG YEAR for our garden. My brother, Matt, and I are going in together to expand our garden (he and his girlfriend are moving in together to an apartment and they are foodies like me).  Here is my little plot of vegetables from last year:

June 2012:

July 2012:

This year, we are multiplying this by six.  I have already started planning what to do with our six plots of fun!

I printed it off and taped it together so I can write in what I want in each square.  I am using companion planting guides I have found online and trying to rework my planting.

On the list this year:

• A crap ton of tomatoes.  I loved canning tomatoes last year to use in recipes and this year, I want a stockpile.
• Sweet Peppers: Red, yellow, orange and green.  I now know to chop and freeze if I don't think I am going to be using them right away.
• Banana peppers and jalapenos
• Pumpkin and zucchini
• Lettuce (hoping for several kinds)
• Green beans
• A few eggplants (now that my family realized they love eggplants)
• And I still need to look at what else we want.

Oh, and these are my new garden boots from Target!

And our new compost bin!  I can't wait to show you guys where I have it tucked away!

Linking up at Between Naps on the Porch!

Menu Planning Monday: Spring is here!

Can I just say that spring has sprung in Cleveland?  It has been gorgeous outside.  Poor Logan.  He wants to stay outside and play, play, play, but needs to go to bed early because he gets up so early.  And he becomes a crabby bear when we have to wake him up in the morning!

This weather makes me want to do nothing but grill.  Unfortunately, C's new work schedule is sporadic and  I am a terrible griller.  So, we are limited!

Sunday: Salsa chicken, cilantro lime rice, corn
Monday: Brinner (Alexia brand hashbrowns are amazing)
Tuesday: Taco pasta
Wednesday: Pineapple chicken over rice, salad
Thursday: Meatloaf, roasted potatoes and carrots
Friday: Rehearsal dinner
Saturday: C is in a wedding...so wedding!

Linking up at OrgJunkie!

CSA Week 14

Is it summer yet?  Because although I am still loving our winter CSA, it is every other week and I can not wait for our weekly pick up and more summer produce.  I definitely appreciate the protein and dairy in the winter, but I am longing for berries, peaches, and tomatoes.

This week we got:

• Pizza dough balls (2; they look whole wheat)
• Heirloom tomato sauce (I tried this as a pasta sauce and a pizza sauce; much better as a pizza sauce)
• 1 lb. Italian sausage
• 8 oz. Monterrey Jack cheese
• 1 bag mixed greens
• 1/3 lb RAMPS!
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 quarter peck Fuji apples
• 1 bottle sunflower oil (how awesome is THAT!)
• 1 dozen eggs
• Extras: Bacon and this cheese we love, which is made with Thirsty Dog Beer

The greens...stump me every time.  Apples for snacking, and we will be making a ramp pizza on Friday.  I was really hoping for some Ohio City Pasta, but alas, none at the stops this week :(

MPM! April into May!

After a few weeks of crappy weather, with on and off nice weather, I am so glad grilling weather seems to be here to stay!  BUT...I don't seem to have much on the menu that involves the grill!

Sunday: Mom and Dad's for my dad's birthday.
Monday: BLTs and Alexia Onion Rings (we love these!)
Tuesday: Linguine with Italian sausage and sundried tomatoes
Wednesday: Ramp pizza
Thursday: Meatloaf, roasted potatoes, corn
Friday: Leftover night
Saturday: Grocery shopping day and our first day back at our farmer's market!

What is on YOUR menu this week?  Linking up at OrgJunkie!