Strawberry lemonade

I've got a stash of fresh lemons from my parent's AZ orchard (smile), plus a pint of organic fresas=time for strawberry lemonade. Again I'm substituting some of the sugar with agave syrup, throwing in fresh mint garnish from the garden and voila....we've got a delicious fresh beverage to replace sodas or alcohol for the party.

My friends (or most of them) are used to the "dry" or non-alcoholic vibe my parties always have....

Movie night

I've been hosting these periodic movie nights with friends, because I love having people over, hanging out over good food, and watching movies....if I can do all these things together it is pretty wonderful.

Rather than have my usual big birthday party I decided to have a girlfriend movie night....something more low-key and less work for me (although it was always potluck, so it was never as much about cooking as cleaning!). I asked guests to donate to Child Aid, rather than bring me any gift.

The theme of this party is chocolate. We are going to have a chocolate tasting, and I've bought a selection of gourmet chocolate bars that I would NEVER buy otherwise. It's funny how that works. I'm making my famous empanadas (filled with chicken and veggies), and different friends are bringing other dishes to round out the menu, including brownies (because you can NEVER have too much chocolate).

Then we're going to watch "Like Water for Chocolate." Haven't seen that movie since it came out....loved it and the book.

Garlic flowers

While ruminating in the garden I discovered that some of the garlic was sprouting flowers or these long curly things with the beginning of a flower. Since garlic farming is a new thing, each phase of this plant's life is a discovery and mystery. My next question is...what should I do next?

After discussing with a friend, searching the Net and talking to someone at the New Season's weekly farmer's market (where they were offering tastings of yummy sauted garlic flowers with recipes), I know what I must do next. Harvest, cook and eat them. I even have a recipe!

Lots of things are going to seed in the garden right now - kale, parsley, some of the chard and cilantro. At the same time, a whole new wave of plants is starting to flower...borage and calendula come to mind. Others are in full harvest mode...the lettuce, some chard and spinach.

It is so wonderful that the earth provides us with healthy delicious things, right in the front yard for the picking.

What I'm reading

In keeping with the theme of the politics/ethics of food (I still need to share more about that Intuitive Eating group), I'm now listening to Michael Pollan's book "In Defense of Food."

I like the way he thinks.....emphasizing the importance of culture, common sense and tradition. There is a lot of eye-opening information about how political the RDA guidelines are, among other things.

Happy birthday to me

New beautiful Don Juan climbing rose, planted for the baby....


Van Gogh sunflowers planted in front of the house.



New delphinum. I love purple!

Foxglove (which I've divided and have all over the garden)....this all started with one plant bought at a church plant sale a couple of years ago. Lavender is in front, and the rose bush behind.

Foxglove close up.....

Today was a nice day....started it bright and early with dance class, which is always a fantastic start to any day. Then worked in the garden for a solid hour (my birthday gift to me!), weeding, watering and checking things out. The garlic is sending up flower shoots, which I'm told you can eat and are considered a delicacy.

Any day that starts with 2 of your favorite things is pretty darn good.

When I got to work my desk was covered with two gorgeous bouquets from co-workers....It was awesome and smelt divine. They took me out for a lovely Ethiopian meal for lunch.....and then Fede took me out to Autentica. They treated us to some awesome tres leches cake and singing Happy Birthday, plus free ceviche.

I am just surrounded by thoughtful sweet people.....

Strawberry rhubarb crisp

Today we got our monthly box of organic veggies and fruits, which is always a surprise. It had a pint of strawberries and some rhubarb, so I was thinking I needed to cook this stuff up so it doesn't get old in the fridge, a fate worse than death for good organic food that deserves to be eaten fresh.

I went and found a Mollie Katzen recipe (used a bit less butter and agave syrup instead of so much sugar). I have whipped up a dessert for tomorrow.

Update: This recipe rocked! It was very easy and extremely tasty. I confess we ended up eating for breakfast and dessert. If you use organic butter and agave syrup it's not that bad for you!

http://www.molliekatzen.com/recipes/recipe.php?recipe=strawberry_rhubarb_crisp

Swimming lessons

So I'm approaching another birthday, plus today is the anniversary of the miscarriage of Nicolas Miguel, who would be 6 years old today. It's definitely a time to reflect on losses. Today I was relaxing in the pool's jacuzzi before my laps and watched the babies and parents in a swim lesson. Looking at one infant I thought that my other unnamed baby would be about 6 months, maybe about his size. The pain was so sharp I thought I couldn't bear it. But I know I could, because I have. I thought of all the mothers who have lost children, in circumstances far more traumatic than mine.....Somehow that gives me strange comfort to know I'm not alone in such losses. Swimming is lovely, because you can cry and do laps without anyone taking notice.