fermenting raw vegetables

Last Saturday I attended a workshop on learning how to prepare raw vegetables for fermentation. I must say my curiosity was kindled when I first heard about the process of preparing raw vegetables with the intention of having them ferment.This is something I had never tried before, but now I am learning all about the truly amazing health benefits of fermented vegetables. This morning I met at Tanya's yellow farmhouse and we began with the chopping and shredding of a variety of organic vegetables. Two necessary ingredients, the bacterial cultures and a jar of probiotics, had been purchased at the workshop.

A simple lunch of baked potatoes topped with butter, cheese and chives was served under the maple tree in the backyard.

 We were inexperienced enough to think we would have two batches done by lunchtime, however, it easily turned into a full day's work! But as Tanya helped me carry my portion of the fruits of our labor to the car, we agreed we were tired but feeling extremely good about our shared efforts.

 Oh, and while we were in the kitchen, Charlotte was busy making a fairy dwelling under a pecan tree with Tanya's older daughter.

 Now that evening has fallen and the lightening bugs are flittering here and there I am thinking today certainly was a day drunk with summer and its magic.

while I was away from here...

 I took a trip away with my husband.

We took it literally.

A beautiful spot in the Blue Ridge Mountains, if not a full day at least we squeaked in a good afternoon's worth here.

 As we drove down the graveled path," Oh, give me my camera." It was serene, green and picture perfect

 with the sight of the grapevines stretching here and yonder.

 The charming way in which the owner has filled the nooks and crannies is creative and fun. Welcoming you to come sit a spell, and if you are so inclined you can bird watch.

We dragged ourselves away. There were still more sights to see and things to enjoy on our weekend away.

in the merry month of May

At one time I toyed with the idea of naming my second daughter Mae, with an e.  After all it only has three letters and one syllable and I have strong inclinations toward preferring such names. Instead she was given her name by rites of family consensus. May just happened to be the month I gave birth to both of my daughters, seven years apart.

Since Charlotte shared her birthday last year with another very important event,  I felt as if this year a birthday party with friends was due her. So as promised nine little ladies showed up wearing their summer dresses on a Wednesday afternoon to attend a tea party with all the trimmings in celebration of Charlotte's eighth birthday.

 The entire day beforehand was spent baking and preparing such treats as cucumber sandwiches, ham roll-ups, peanut butter and jelly heart-shaped sandwiches, vanilla cupcakes,

  

lavender cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar,

 and strawberries dipped in dark chocolate.

The morning of the party, watermelon balls were scooped, cream scones were baked and then all goodies were arranged on the dining room buffet.

Pots of tea were served in china teacups.

   

And of course there were presents and giggles too.

 After genteel civility had reached its limit, the nine young ladies scampered outside to the back yard to play in the playhouse.  While in the dining room I sat down and had a cup of tea with a dear friend of mine. 

lavender lessons

The lavender is blooming....



...so amongst the bees she gathers.

Sunday Feasting

Sundays are holy.

 For my family this means a day we choose to go to church and worship. We feast on preaching from His Holy Word, praying, singing songs of praise and giving thanks while enjoying the fellowship of other believers which includes giving as well as receiving encouragement.

Then we come home to other types of feasting altogether. Today it was on the patio with a menu cooked from top to bottom in less than one hour upon arriving home from church. A meal fit for "princes and princesses."

Chicken Piccata
Roasted Cauliflower
Fresh Green Salad

It is unfortunate that I did not remember to take a picture of the food on my plate before I began eating it, but do keep in mind they are ravenous by this point.

And what would feasting be without dessert?

 Creamy vanilla ice cream with fresh, local strawberries.

A pitcher of iced tea with a lemon slice and a mint leaf, 

 continuing our sabbath rest after the table is cleared.

"How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You,

which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You."

Psalm 31:19

waiting

Who does not enjoy any sort of diversion when waiting is inevitable?  I am consistently conditioned to carry along a book, a latest knitting project, or even a bit of smocking or embroidery in which to occupy myself while waiting. Anything to fill that time with something I deem constructive or at least entertaining.

 Then there are those unprepared times and whatever the hand finds to do is in order.

And the unexpected can produce the loveliest of things.

body song

"Dance is the song of the body." - Martha Graham

 Many have a song to dance, my Charlotte is one such as this. I am glad that she is. When I was in my late twenties I took beginner ballet lessons on Tuesday evenings, chasing dreams from a childhood desire I had fostered for many years. Charlotte seems to have the music in her head and throughout the day she instinctively moves her body and feet with the movements of the song.

 

She performed with her dance group this weekend on a stage of green grass wearing a crimson skirt.

Then my ballerina sat in my lap and smiled for the camera.

her style

First we discovered the shoes, way too cool shoes. I even desired a pair. Then we found a dress to go with the shoes... a pretty dress, modest and feminine.

Then I guess she decided to paint her toenails blue to continue on in her course of style.

 Rose is fifteen years old as of Mothers Day. 

She drives now. 

With guess who in the passenger's seat?

rosy blessings

To all you fabulous ladies and mothers who make my day by sharing bits and pieces of your life with me.

Happy Mothers Day!

Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, but only one mother in the whole world.

Kate D. Wiggins

hands and knees scrubbing

I was ironing a wrinkled jumper I was planning to wear this morning.   Usually the place to do this sort of ironing at my house is in the bathroom.

Yuck, my bathroom floor felt horrible to my bare feet!

"It needs a wee bit of proper on hands and knees scrubbing," me says to myself. (I know none of you talk to yourself!)

The usual quick mopping will not do the job adequately; it is time to grab a bucket of warm soapy water, a large rag and get down on my hands and knees for some serious scrubbing.

How do you keep your floors clean? Mopping or hands and knees scrubbing?

new stone patio

The new stone patio is completed and curing nicely.

Now we can commence to dining outside once again, with the natural feel of stone under our feet.

Even if it is a run by the fast food store and pick out picnic food affair.