The Farm Box

For the last few months, I've been splitting a Community Supported Agriculture Box from Tanaka Farms with a friend. The box contains organic fruits and vegetables that are so fresh there is still dirt on the vegetables and a few stones in the box! Now, you never know what you're going to get so for some, that might be a bit scary but for me, it's fun! It forces me to try new recipes and find new ways of hiding "that green stuff" so the kids eat it.

Today's box contained 2 different kinds of lettuce, carrots, a bag of tangerines, some oranges, avocados, spinach, a container of the sweetest strawberries around, brociflower, snow peas, and swiss chard.

What is swiss chard you ask? Well, here's a picture:

It's a giant leafy green that really looks scary to cook. But it wasn't difficult at all. The kids kept saying, "Mommy, are we going to eat that?"

So, once all the vegetables from my box were washed, it was time to surf the net for a swiss chard recipe. I found this one and I figured if this chef on food network used swiss chard, this recipe must be good.

Once I had everything assembled and it was in the oven, I went outside and cut these roses. Aren't they beautiful?


The buzzer rang on the oven, I pulled out the dish and waited a few minutes for it to cool. Took one bite and truth be told, it was excellent!

The kids liked it, even with all the "green stuff" in it.

Go, find yourself some obscure vegetable and cook it! You'll probably be surprised at how good it is!

Spring and Bird Nests

Working on this treat project for Gabby's class was fun! As I watched the leaves of the apricot tree right outside my kitchen window grow right before my eyes, I could imagine seeing one of these little nests tucked into one of the branches. These little nests made me think about how Spring is blooming all around me. A time for "new" in every sense.

Happy Spring Everyone!

Conversation of the Day

This conversation takes place while the lights in their room are off, I'm rocking Josh to sleep and Zack is laying in his bed waiting for me to say bedtime prayers with him.

Zack: I've stepped on all kinds of bugs on the ground.
Josh: Mush, Mush.
Mommy: Zack, what kinds of bugs have you stepped on?
Zack: ants, lady bugs, rolly pollies. But not grass hoppers.
Josh: whoa-ee po-wee.
Mommy: Why not a grass hopper?
Zack: 'Cause they are crunchy. Well, the little ones are a tiny bit crunchy (showing me with his thumb and pointer finger) but the big ones are really crunchy and that's DIS-GUS-TING.

Happy 7th Birthday Gabby!

Happy Birthday to my 7 year old! It's hard to believe that she's 7, a little lady! She's my perfect speller, avid reader, artist, lady bug lover, good big sister, special friend, fashionista, singer, and #1 little girl. Gabby, I love you to pieces and are so glad you call me Mommy.

Cotton Candy = Hair

Last weekend after church we ended up at the Irvine Spectrum for lunch and some fun in the sun. After lunch and some walking around, Dave decided to get the kids a "treat". And when I say kids, Dave is included.

So, as the little kids had their first tastes of cotton candy, Zack says:
"This treat is like hair!"

Dear The Sassy Cupcake

Dear The Sassy Cupcake,

My daughter is a fan. A huge fan. She thinks your cupcakes are the cutest, sassiest, most adorable things ever. She loves them so much that she'd like to submit a picture of a cupcake for your consideration.

She'd also like to request you come and do her birthday party with 5 of her most "specialist" friends. She wants to learn how to decorate cupcakes just like you do.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

The Last Supper

Last night we had the last supper we'll have with my parents for quite some time. You see, on Sunday, they get in their car and start the drive to Virginia to their new home and job. It's really hard to imagine that this day has finally come. We've talked about this day coming for so many months. I'm in denial that it's here.
So, the last supper consisted of homemade spaghetti and meatballs, homemade garlic bread, and pie galore! There were many laughs and giggles from the grandkids and there were many tears as well.

Shasha and Papa, we'll miss you so much. Drive safe and get that house ready. We'll be there for a visit before you know it.