Tag: Food

‘Royal’ly Cool Ideas for Cookie Decorating (Part 1)

Yes.  I think that's funny.  I'm lame like that. I was doing some Christmas shopping at Michael's craft store the other day and couldn't resist the adorable assortment of cookie cutters.   WHAT?  Michael's has great percent-off coupons!  I NEVER make rolled cookies and I NEVER have the time to decorate rolled cookies without a small child at my side.  This week, I had the time.  And obviously I now had the cutters.  I know, you're shocked.  My resistance is really low at Michael's, Target, and Bed, Bath and Beyond. It was cookie week on the Martha Stewart Show, and in...Read More
Heaven in a Springform Pan: Pumpkin-Mascarpone Cheesecake

Heaven in a Springform Pan: Pumpkin-Mascarpone Cheesecake

What a busy weekend! And the holidays aren't even really upon us yet.  Heck, I haven't even vacuumed up one single pine needle.  *sigh*  It's gonna be a lonnnnggg and crazy December. [caption id="attachment_2536" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Thomas had to journal about his weekend with JoJo the Dinosaur. I doubt any other kid in class has a pic like THIS![/caption] This past weekend The FarmGirl took the party on the road.  I gave my very first Mobile Cooking Lesson!   I took my kid and some equipment and lots of homegrown veggies and journeyed to a friend's house to teach her and her...Read More
Something Old, Something New… yada, yada, yada

Something Old, Something New… yada, yada, yada

We celebrated Thomas'  birthday a few weeks ago - no surprise he's a Taurus, huh? Full of  the bull, my boy is. On his birthday proper, I brought cupcakes to school so his class could celebrate this momentous occasion.  If he can't lose a tooth in first grade, at least he can turn 7.  I didn't want to buy canned frosting, although that would have been easier and the rugrats wouldn't have minded one bit, I'm sure.  I just felt all weird since I'm pretty much a 'from scratch' kinda gal. I did a little research and nothing tickled my fancy.  I have...Read More

When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemon Curd!

[caption id="attachment_1664" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Like a burst of sunshine!"][/caption] Top 5 Reasons to NOT COOK: 5) the chef is under the weather (repeatedly) 4) the chef's kid is sick and requires constant attention (also repeatedly) 3) the chef's cat is injured and requires care, including oral antibiotics - which we all KNOW is a near-impossible task 2) doctor and/or veterinary appointments take up much of the day And the Number One reason? 1) extended winter turns simple daily chores  into drudgery I can't be the only one who had the March from hell, right?   One crappy thing after another made me wish I could go...Read More
Retreating from Progress

Retreating from Progress

Eat Local and Eat Seasonal are inescapable buzzwords these days.  They are all over the news and for the most part, we all think that style of eating is a great thing, right?  Well, yeah - until we're just 'dying' for that tomato for our salad in January or by March we've got a hankering for fresh peaches on our cereal.  And when we WANT something, how concerned are we about where it's coming from? Chances are, not very.  Now, remember, not long ago ours was an agrarian society - a society made up of self-reliant farm people.  If we...Read More

The Freezer Wasteland

[caption id="attachment_1327" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption=""You're no match for me! Your icy length taunting me from afar. I'll get you... and if I don't, my ally the Sun surely will." "][/caption] You have one too, right?  The freezer, be it upright, chest or attached to your beloved fridge, tends to be forgotten territory - especially the back or bottom.  We all know the ice cream sits front and center - no need to reach or look any further!  [caption id="attachment_1325" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Maybe we need snow tires on the wheelbarrow?"][/caption] I'm mid-way through my New Year Clean and Purge event.  Each room,...Read More
Birthday Dinner for the Woman Who Bore the FarmGirl

Birthday Dinner for the Woman Who Bore the FarmGirl

[caption id="attachment_1055" align="alignnone" width="614"] Greenhouses in December[/caption] Yes, that means my mother.... and at times she does indeed bore me.  And me her, I'm sure.  But it's give and take and that's what makes the world go 'round, right? [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="180"] Little Smart Ass. Think it's hereditary?[/caption] Like THIS for example.  I'm so glad I taught my little beast his letters and now he can use them to his advantage.  Or so he thinks.  I found myself staring at THIS lovely display two nights ago.  Everything is spelled correctly, too, so I guess my job here is done. ...Read More
It May LOOK Like Spaghetti…..

It May LOOK Like Spaghetti…..

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="225"] A lovely autumn day on Celery Ave[/caption] Yeah... Spaghetti squash wasn't a hit with The Boy.  At least he tried it, though, which is an improvement over the last 2 years or so. He even tried Brussels sprouts this week.  Well, not exactly the sprouts.  You see, Brussels sprouts grow on a tall stalk with leaves coming out in a circular fashion, and the sprouts grow right above the stem of the leaf.  As Dad (Farmer Sonny) puts it, a little cabbage grows out of each crotch.  Not so appetizing when you put it THAT way, right?  Anyway,...Read More