Life savings spent

I called my dear husband on Saturday afternoon after running around all morning, most of which was spent at the local farmer's market.

The market was crazy busy, and lots of goodies there, despite the cooler than normal weather we have been having. The weather has slowed down the produce, but it was still in full swing with lots of plants, soaps, breads, meats, eggs, and more. I snatched up some asparagus right off the bat. I kept seeing these *gorgeous* hanging baskets in every one's hand and had to scope them out right away.


I was looking to add a few more items to the garden, mostly herbs. We got some lovely ones, and at a great price. A totally random purchase was that of some blackberry bushes. We came across them toward the end of the day, and he gave us a great deal on them. The three cherub faces of my daughters and niece helped with that, I think. I am just going to throw them in along the fence and see what happens. We will not have berries until next year, but I think the girls will have fun picking them.

And we ran across a few people with spots still open for their CSA. I am so excited. I spent a pretty penny this week at the Farmer's Market (who knew it could be so dangerous!). The gentleman who runs it was wonderfully accommodating. It is from Danjo Farms, which is the name of the husband and wife team that runs it, Dan and Joanne. How cute is that? This was the first week and we go the last spot. Since it has been so mild here, he didn't have any extra produce, but let us choose some herb plants to start us off on the first week. We will be getting a 12 lb. bushel every Saturday morning. It is filled with various vegetables, that we can modify and specify if we want. I also opted to add a dozen eggs and 3 lbs. of fruit for an extra $288. The price of the CSA dropped $150 because I signed us up to work 12 hours on his farm, which I am sooooo looking forward to.

This should be an awesome way to supplement the haul we are getting out of our own garden. I told him of my canning plans, and he was willing to include extra tomatoes or peppers to help me if I need more ingredients for my sauces and salsas. I am sure that will not be a problem, I have a lot of plants, but I love that it is an option. I cannot wait for next weekend to roll around and see what is in store for us in that bushel basket. I told my dear husband that I had spent our life savings at the Farmer's Market, he just laughed and said he better find another job.....just wait till he finds out! Who cuts a $900.00 check at the Farmer's Market?? Only me.

Meatless Monday

We hit the farmer's market this weekend. On this meatless Monday, I am incorporating some ingredients I found there. It has been unseasonably cool here, so the pickins' were slim. However, I did finally get signed up for a CSA! *woohoo*
We did come home with a few more plants for the garden, including some blackberry bushes. We won't have blackberries until next year, but I think the girls will have fun picking them. We plan on putting them in along the fence and just letting them go wild.
The hot item at the market this weekend was asparagus, it was everywhere. And I just can't stop buying strawberries! So here is what's for dinner...............

Grilled Asparagus Salad

1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tblsp. lemon juice
12 fresh asparagus spears
6 cups fresh spinach leaves
2 Tblsp. grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tblsp. seasoned slivered almonds

Combine lemon juice and olive oil on a plate. Place asparagus on the plate, and roll around to coat.
Grill asparagus for about 5 minutes, turning at least once and brushing with the olive oil mixture. Remove from the grill and place back on the plate with the oil. (You can also broil these, it takes about 7 minutes that way.)
In a large bowl, combine the spinach, Parmesan cheese, and slivered almonds. Cut asparagus into bite size pieces, and add to the salad along wiht the lemon juice and oil from the plate. Toss to blend, then serve.

Possible add-ins include
-cooked penne (If you need something a little more hearty)
-chopped tomato

And for dessert.........

Balsamic Strawberries

1 Tblsp. butter
2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
1/4 cup (or less) sugar
1 Tblsp. balsamic vinegar
Organic plain yogurt or low-fat vanilla ice cream

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the strawverries, sugar, and vinegar. Cook until the strawberries are heated through and darkened to a ruby red.

Place yogurt or ice cream into dessert bowls or stemmed glasses. Spoon strawberries over the ice cream and serve. Serves 4.

Um, yum.

Getting GREEN

Just a little reminder....GREEN= Getting Responsible for Earth, Environment and Nature.

I like the "getting" responsible part, it reminds me that it just takes baby steps to get to where I want to be. Each day I take a moment to think of the ways that I can be better TODAY.

Being green is more than just recycling, eating organic and avoiding the plastic bag.

Being green is about making choices to support small businesses, support companies with a social conscious and to buy locally or buy fair trade. It is about helping yourselves and helping you neighbors. It is about the example we are setting for our children. It is about charitable giving. Green living to me is about making the right choice for our community and for my family.

I know that being green is super hip right now and that's great but lets make green not just the new black but also a new way to live and a new way to inspire. Everybody's doing it.