247/365: thyme
This is the time of year when my herbs are abundant and I begin to panic about the days I left to enjoy them. Fresh herbs are one of the few things that make me pine for life in a warmer climate. They make me feel rich. Time to get cooking, I guess…there’s a frost warning up north tonight !?!?!?!?!
242/365: burrito massacre abstract
The other night I completed my first ever trail run. It’s something I’ve been interested in trying for awhile now. It was really hot and the hills kicked my butt but I’m excited to try again in a couple weeks.
After a shower, I opened a cold beer and cooked up the food that has sustained me for over 20 years: a bean and cheese burrito smothered in salsa and sour cream.
At that moment (approximately 9:30pm), in my PJ’s with my hot dinner in front of me and my fork in hand, I realized that, AGAIN, I had forgotten to take a photo all day. I pulled out my iPhone and snapped two godawful pictures of my plate. When it came time to post one, I was mortified: it looked like a burrito massacre. The light was bad, the salsa was garishly red, and there was nothing remotely artful about any of it. Still, I figured it was better than showing up empty-handed for the third time in a week.
I couldn’t bring my self to share the photo. So I went completely berserk with Photoshop and turned it into something I could stomach.
Bon appetit.
231/365: wheat
Saturday we visited the Mill City Museum & Farmer’s Market. We got a free threshing lesson using a method called flailing – basically beating a pile of dry grain stalks with a simple log and chain tool until the seeds come out. We were surprisingly good at it. But, then, we’ve been flailing for years.
229/365: curly kale
How gorgeous is this stuff?? I am happy to report that after years of trying, I now not only EAT kale – I actually enjoy it. Don’t give up 🙂
223/365: lunch @ the veranda, st. james hotel
Last Friday we journeyed down river to visit friends in Davenport, Iowa. Along the river roads, we stopped over in Red Wing for a lovely lunch at the St. James Hotel. It’s where we spent our first Valentine’s Day, where Brad proposed, and where we celebrated one of our early anniversaries. We wanted to share this history with the kids and revisit them ourselves – adding a fresh memory to the many treasured stories that already unfolded in this place.
Yep. Now it’s summer.
201/365: local sweet corn (first of the season)
For those who are paying attention – I took a few days off the blog – busy celebrating our anniversary and shuttling kids to camp. Still took photos every day, though. I’ll get caught up over the next few days.
Thursday was a big day. I think I started counting the weeks till our first CSA box sometime in January. Fresh, local food is back, baby. Now it’s summer!
160/365: pea shoots
I usually don’t let my chives flower like this. Now I wonder why not? As much as I love fresh herbs, it’s possible I enjoy looking at the chives as much as I enjoy eating them.
143/365: chives in bloom
Yesterday was a marathon day of travel, art installation, and opening reception. There were also snacks.
The show is a collection called ‘city/seen’ on view at the Emy Frentz Arts Guild (Mankato, MN) till June 17.
Any excuse to eat cheese & crackers…
133/365: cheese platter with tongs
One of the things I miss most in winter is fresh food, particularly herbs. I find walking out to the garden to pick fresh herbs for cooking to be utterly luxurious. So simple. So very satisfying.
The chives are always the first to return and couldn’t be more welcome.
103/365: chives
avant garden 365 