hey lady, what's cookin?
So whatchy'all been up to?
At night I've been working on a few crafty things (mostly little gifts, shhhhh.) and on a website for a friend, which is so mind-numbingly technical until it is done and then all I want to do is strip naked and do cartwheels in the yard, because I'm so proud of myself. But I'm not there yet. I'll let you know when I am. wink.
Having both kids with me during the day means there's not time to get much done in the studio. I can't see the back yard from in here, but I can from the kitchen window. From the kitchen I can see if she is smiling as he sticks the garden hose down the back of her swim suit, exactly WHO spilled the economy size container of bubbles, or if the squeals are of the delight or terror varieties. The terror ones usually revolve around a bug. The boy has a love of all things creepy and crawly. The girl does not. You know how that equation ends.
Anyway, back to the kitchen. Cooking feels creative and helps keep me somewhat sane-ish. Here are a few of the more successful things we made in the last week:
A small scoop of vanilla ice cream sandwiched between warm chocolate chip cookies. SO easy. SOOO yummy.
Strawberry leathers from this recipe. Ours turned out a little sticky. I didn't spread them thin enough. They were tasty, but I'll try using less sugar next time.
Southwest veggie burgers. Brian invented these. Your favorite veggie burger topped with pepper-jack cheese, sliced avocado, and baja sauce. (we have a weakness for that sauce.) These are best with salt and pepper kettle chips and an ice cold beer.
Big green salads topped with cold peas, dried cranberries, hardboiled eggs, and a sliced grilled chicken breast.
Vegetable stir fry with noodles. On the patio- that's the important part. Sadly, my wok died. The non-stick coating started coming off in big flakes, which is not the kind of seasoning we enjoy, so I'm looking for a new one. (keep dreamin, Alicia.) One pan meals make me happy.
And guess what?! Blueberry season opened today. Woo hoo! We are going to have to go soon. Maybe Saturday morning.
Alright. I'm getting hungry. Time to go start dinner!
Comments
Oh, I think I'm going to have to try making those strawberry leathers! And we used to love these southwest veggie burgers with fried jalapeños on them. Not exactly healthy, but still oh so good!
Posted by: Molly | June 17, 2008 5:51 PM
man i'm eating at your house! i think a trip to the city is long overdue!
Posted by: heidi | June 17, 2008 7:04 PM
eating outside is always the best kind of meal!
Posted by: Rachel | June 17, 2008 7:18 PM
Every meal has been outside lately. We have to keep dragging the highchair in and out.
You're making me hungry.
Posted by: amy h | June 17, 2008 8:37 PM
can not wait to be standing at my kitchen sink watching those scenes unfold. (the leathers look yummy. i'm going to try them.)
Posted by: emily | June 17, 2008 8:46 PM
..man, you make me wish I was more interested in cooking. I might pretend for a day that I am - and actually give those leathers a go!
Posted by: stacy | June 17, 2008 10:14 PM
yum!
I've become addicted to a curry noodle dish that I made a couple of weeks ago. Then I tried to alter it with green curry and shrimp and tofu and it did not turn out nearly as well, which was disappointing. So now I need to make the original again to fall back in love.
Posted by: Tracy | June 18, 2008 7:49 AM
its good for the boy and the girl to mix; my brother played dolls with me and i played swamp matron with him; catching tadpoles, etc. we made each other more !
you really gonna cartwheel naked? Someone might put that on the noticing project! :)
Posted by: mansuetude | June 18, 2008 8:53 AM
Brian's going to have to make those veggie burgers at the lake!! Yum! Sounds like your summer's off to a good start. :)
Posted by: Jennifer | June 18, 2008 9:37 AM
Oh, you're making me hungry. I'm going to go find lunch soon, and a park bench and a book.
Posted by: laeroport | June 18, 2008 11:30 AM
you are so creative with your cooking and it all looks yummy!
a trip to the berry patch for some blueberries sounds divine!
Posted by: hrsj | June 18, 2008 12:44 PM
your kitchen is hopping! tonight tom and i are going to try out a recipe for garlic scape soup. i'll let you know how it goes. xox
Posted by: shari | June 18, 2008 2:14 PM
Good thing summer vacation is about to start so I can try out ALL these recipes!!! They all look delicious!
Posted by: Jessica | June 18, 2008 8:26 PM
Those look like delicious and practical recipes! It's a good feeling to cook healthy family meals.
Posted by: Mary Smith | June 18, 2008 10:55 PM
you are making me hungry.
i think i am going to try your salad. just got some peas from the csa last night.
Posted by: erin | June 19, 2008 8:03 AM
yum - those look good. I have a wok recommendation for you: http://www.wokshop.com/HTML/products/woks/wok-carbon-steel-wood-handle.html
You can order from the Wok Shop online - I have one and I love it! It isn't a bad price either! ~20 bucks
Posted by: Jess | June 19, 2008 10:08 AM
wow. downright yum-able.
and all-clad makes a wok? who knew?!!! (not me, apparently.)
I laughed out loud (so loud) on your "no the kind of seasoning we enjoy" comment. ;)
Posted by: Grace | June 19, 2008 11:11 AM