Garden Tour

Last week on our visit to the farmer's market, my daughter insisted that we visit the Cleveland County Demonstration Garden.  It is on the West side of the parking lot from the farmer's market.  The last time we visited they were sadly recovering from the crazy hail storm that damaged so much of Norman in the Spring.  I couldn't believe how lush and beautiful it is now!  Clearly, they are better gardeners than me, but then again, most people are.  My daughter ran straight for the "tepee," a cone of string beans with a tiny bench inside.  She even allowed her brother to sit with her this time.

This garden is a great place to take children and teach them about agriculture, giving back, and sustainable living.  There is always a gardener there who is happy to show you around, provide information, and even a fresh snack or two.  All of the food grown here is donated to Food and Shelter for Friends and the gardeners are all volunteers.  They have a "worm hotel" which my kids find fascinating.  Apparently worm poop is some prized stuff for gardeners!  On this tour, we sampled purple okra, lemon basil, fresh peanuts (who knew they grew in the ground?) and of course, water straight from a garden hose.  Ah, the childhood bliss of it all!
For now, the demonstration garden is only open on Saturdays (8-12) but after the County Fair it will start being open on Wednesdays again.  Check it out, it truly is a "hidden gem."

PS-It goes without saying that you should check out the farmer's market while you are there.  Check out this carrot that my daughter picked out:

This bad boy weighed in at approximately 1.5 lbs!  And Mr. Farmer threw in a couple of little guys too just in case "that big one ain't sweet enough for you."  There is something about my rosy-cheeked girl, she loves those farmers and they love her!

Love Your Mother...Earth

Today, in addition to being Good Friday, it is Earth Day.  I don't know why, but it makes sense to me that they share time.  While reflecting on the cross and w hat it means to be a Christian, we can consider the ways in which we can be good stewards of this planet that God so lovingly made for us.  Of course, times are busy and money is tight and the baby needs changing and life is banging on your door, so here are my "lazy mama's" tips for some greener living!

Recycle: yep, it's a no brainer if your city has curbside pickup.  I read once that in our progressive town curbside recycling participation is about 30%.  That's craziness!  You're paying for it anyway, you may as well use it.  I just wish they'd take the cardboard, why not the cardboard, Norman?

Reusable grocery bags:  Another no brainer for me really.  I hated having an entire cabinet filled with plastic bags.  Yes, you can use them for a few things, but not in the massive quantities in which they seem to enter the house.  For about $.99 you can get a good quality reusable bag at just about any grocery store and most stores (Target, Aldi, sometimes Homeland) will give you a small credit for bringing your own bag.  I toss mine on the delicate cycle of the laundry every so often so they don't get yucky. 

Farmers' Markets:  yes, I can't say it enough, I LOVE the farmers' market.  There is something about giving my children cash to hand over to the people who actually grew the food that I find so nostalgic and satisfying.  Some of the food there is a bit more expensive, but some of it is way cheaper.  Plus, cute kiddos are almost always offered free samples!  I can't tell you how many times I have convinced my daughter to eat something completely different by saying "But this is the vegetable YOU picked out at the farmers' market."  Ours has the added bonus of an amazing demonstration garden, also with some edibles, and amazing gardeners to answer questions, give tours, or offer a cold drink of water on a hot day.  It's a beautiful thing, truly. 

Along the "buy local" lines, I also shop at the Oklahoma Food Co-Op.  In all honesty, the food is significantly more expensive.  I don't buy everything from this site, but I do get all of my ground beef here.  Watch Food, Inc. or do even a quick Google search on ground beef and you'll quickly see why.  Really, I just want to feed my family food that is what it says it is, and is made in a reasonably humane and careful way.   Also, at least one farmer always has a sell on beef and you get a discount if you buy in bulk, like 10 lbs or more.

Cloth diapering: Yes, it seems pretty radical and is not for everyone!  I tried it with my daughter and it just wasn't happening.  She was cranky, I was cranky, it just wasn't worth it.  But I gave it another shot with my son and has been a great experience.  He no longer has the terrible diaper rash that he used to and frankly, I think he looks adorable in the fun colors FuzziBunz makes.  Yes, there are nights when I think "I do not want to wash a load of friggin' diapers!"  So then we use disposables the next day.  I'm not too picky about it.  But overall, it hasn't been much different.  It's not like I'm scrubbing them on the porch, they go in the laundry and come out clean just like everything else.  Of course, it helps that my son has little rock hard poops that can easily be rolled into the toilet.  I probably wouldn't be as happy about the whole process if I had to actually scrub the dang things.  Okay, I'll stop talking about poop now.  It's surprising how much time poop can occupy in the brain of a mother of two, for one reason or another.  Okay, now I'm done!

Finally, I'm trying to grow some veggies again this year.  Usually, this does not work out great for me but I keep trying.  There is some virtue in that sort of optimism, right?  Since we no longer have a dog, I am attempting tomatoes and cucumbers in the back yard.  For some reason I have pretty good success with bell peppers in my front flower bed.  I suspect that the neighbors think it's weird but I'm okay with that! 

So that's it, easy and cheap green tips!  Enjoy Earth Day, Easter, and this beautiful time of year.

Pork cutlets with tomato sauce

I have a problem with pork.  Unless I Crock-Pot it, it often turns out semi-dry and flavorless.  Recently, I saw Rachael Ray cook pork an entirely new way (to me anyway) and I decided to try it.  The tomato sauce here is also inspired by my good friend "Ray Rachael" as my daughter calls her.  She makes lots of sauces with fresh grape tomatoes and I'm hooked on them!  They are tangy and sweet at the same time, and make a nice fresh change from canned tomatoes.  Little tip though, when smashing the tomatoes, be very, very, very careful!  Trust me, being "spit" at by molten tomato is no fun.  So inspired by RR, here is my winner, winner, pork dinner:

1 small pork tenderloin (appx. 1lb)
1/2 C flour (I use whole wheat)
1/4 C grated parm.
Dash of pepper and some herbs de provence
2-3T olive oil

Trim pork of any fat or connective tissue.  Slice into 1" thick slices.  Cover with parchment paper and gently pound until about twice the width and half the thickness.  Dredge cutlets in flour/cheese mixture and shake off excess.  This will give them a nice coating without all of the mess of egg washes, dipping and repeating of an actual batter coating.  Heat a large skillet on medium-high and cook cutlets in batches (don't crowd the pan) just a couple of minutes on each side, until browned.  These little guys are so thin they shouldn't take long to cook.  When cooked, transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.  When all pork is cooked, you can make the sauce in the same pan:

1-2 T extra olive oil plus a bit of butter
6-8 green onions, chopped
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, rinsed and dried
2T flour (I used the flour/cheese mixture from dredging the pork)
3/4 C chicken stock (I didn't really measure this, just guessed.  You may need more but it's better to start with less.)
Pepper

Turn heat to medium-low and add extra oil and butter.  Toss in veggies (I wait a few minutes on the garlic as it burns easily).  Toss veggies around a few minutes, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low).  This allows the tomatoes to steam and burst.  Uncover and GENTLY smash tomatoes with a potato masher or the edge of a wooden spoon.  Sprinkle veggies with flour and stir around for a few minutes.  Add chicken stock, return heat to medium-high and gently bubble for several minutes or until sauce is the consistency you want.  Add more stock if it gets too thick.  Season with pepper, if you like it extra spicy you can add red pepper flakes or a fresh chili with the veggies in the beginning. 

I served this with simple steamed broccoli (fresh from the farmers' market) and brown rice.  Props to Hubby for the awesome plate presentation!

Spring Veggie Quiche

I don't know about you but my kids will eat anything nestled in eggs and surrounded by pastry.  What a great way to sneak in the veggies!  In April in Oklahoma, there is not a hug selection of local veggies at the farmer's market but they do have a couple of my favorites: green onions and asparagus.  I paired this with some mushrooms from J&M Farms (an Oklahoma-based business), and some Braums (another Oklahoma business) eggs.  So the ham is from Target, whatever, I'm not Barbara Kingsolver but at least I'm trying!  So, here is my recipe for Spring on a plate! 

1 small bunch thin asparagus, washed, trimmed of woody ends, and cut into 2 inch pieces
4-5 medium button mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced
4 green onions, chopped
2T butter, spread, or olive oil
6 large eggs
1/2 C milk
4 oz. feta cheese
Several slices chopped deli  ham
Sea salt, pepper, and chopped fresh parsley
1 deep dish frozen pie shell

Saute veggies in butter/oil until tender-crisp, about 8 minutes. 

Meanwhile, whip eggs with milk.  Add cheese, parsley, ham, and seasonings. 

Fill pie crust with veggie mixture, then egg mixture.  If necessary, use a spoon or spatula to evenly spread mixture.  Bake at 350 for approximately 45 minutes or until golden brown and thoroughly cooked.  Serve warm, room temperature, whatever floats your boat!  This is what my "friend" Rachael Ray would call a BLD (breakfast, lunch, or dinner).  Yummity, yum!

Sring has sprung in the Great Plains!

For the second time!  Let's hope it stays this time.  What an awesome weekend of events here in Norman. 

Yesterday we did a quick trip to the Medieval Fair here in Norman.  It was such a beautiful day and a great experience for my older daughter.  The baby, not so much.  But, then again, he's been sick.  I think as the kids get older this will be a must-do annual outing.  My favorite was seeing the "craftsmen" do traditional things the traditional way, like blacksmithing.  There's something for everyone here, from Indian tacos (which is always a head scratcher), to jousting and other medieval sports, to some truly crazy, beautiful, baudy, outrageous, you-name-it costumes.  It's an experience that's for sure.  If you live near Norman, the fair will go on through Sunday the 3rd.

Yesteday was a great day for finally planting.  We picked cucumber (my daughter's favorite), heirloom tomatos, red bell peppers, rosemary, thyme, Italian parsley, and lots and lots of petunias.  My garden looks and smells great!  Yes, my veggies always die a slow and pitiful death, usually after producing little to no produce, but I don't think about that in April.  I think about how this year, by gosh, they are going to flourish.  Isn't that wonderfully  optimistic of me?

And, my personal signal of Spring:the Norman Farmer's Market, which I LOVE.  What a great way to teach your kids that food doesn't come pre-packaged and sterilized on grocery store shelves.  I love the experience of having my kids pick out a vegetable then hand cash to the farmer who grew that very same vegetable.  There is not much local produce yet, but they have a great selection of plants, from flowers to veggies and herbs.  The market is open every Wednesday and Saturday from 8-12 through October.  Go see those farmers and tell them thank you for their hard work and dedication!

Next on the agenda: cleaning our beautiful church!  So it wasn't glamorous, but if you concentrate really, really, really, really hard, there is something spirital about cleaning the baseboards in God's house.  Plus, we got to eat cheap pizza with college students, a  bittersweet nostalgic experience for for a 32 year-old mommy with a purse full of snacky snacks and coupons.

Finally, Girls' Night Out tonight with some spectacular ladies!  Mmmmm....can't wait for two hours away from kids where we will, hmmmm, probably discuss kids!  Once a mom, always a mom! 

What a great weekend!  What great weather!  Get out and enjoy the sunshine!!!  Was that enough exclamation points for you?

Secret Gem at the Farmer's Market!

On the other side of the parking lot from our local farmer's market is a "demonstration garden." I have always meant to check it out and this morning I finally did (with sick kiddos in tow). IT WAS AMAZING!!! Like walking into a little piece of The Secret Garden. A wonderful man greeted us, showed us all of the plants, let my daughter touch, smell, pick and taste things, and shared with us some organic gardening secrets. They grow tons of fresh produce and herbs, which they donate to a local shelter. There were gorgeous flowes, tiny wooden bridges and a soon-to-be children's garden complete with a teepee made of sweet pea vines. The master gardener also said that in about a month the garden will be covered in butterflies. The highlight for my child...drinking a glass of cold, clear water straight from the hose! What a wonderful, and free, treat on what was turning into a pretty crummy day. If you live anywhere near Norman you have to check this place out! If you don't, be sure to check out your local farmers' market, you really never know what treasures are hiding there.

Go Mommy Go - on the cheap!

It sometimes seems to me like SAHMs do just that...stay home! I understand (believe me) how difficult it is to get yourself and multiple small children dressed, pottied, fed, and out the door. Sometimes I feel like just staying home too, but I always regret it. Cabin fever quickly sets in with my 90 mph 2 year old and with myself as well. If you ask me, hiding in the house is a sure recipe for both mommy and baby meltdowns. Hence the Go Mommy Go! In an effort to give you some ideas on the cheap, here a my top 5 child-friendly, FREE outings: 1. Library, library, library! Big surprise coming from a librarian huh? Seriously though, the library is a mommy's (and a community's) best friend. My library in particular does something for children every day, and I mean every day! Crafts, story times, therapy dogs, mommy and toddler aerobics and music classes, you name it. I understand that some libraries do not host this many activities and if yours doesn't, ask them why. You might show them an under-served population they haven't considered before. Also, there is always a fellow mommy in the children's area desperate for a play date for herself and her children...bonus! 2. Playgrounds. If you're local to Norman, stay tuned as I like to "review" the many options in this town. Playgrounds and local parks are cheap (as in free) and you can visit all the ones in your area, so it's like a new trip all of the time. Especially fun in the fall when your toddler will love cavorting in the falling leaves. I'm also discovering indoor playgrounds in unexpected areas, like those humongo churches (also free and open to the public) and of course the local mall if you can take the cooties (I typically decide I CAN around mid-January). In my town there is even a great play center at the local car dealership, although I suspect it's a trap. 3. Ponds. Found in many subdevelopments, parks, and college campuses these are treasure troves of ducks, cat-tails, algae, and other such strange and fascinating goodies for toddlers. Pack a loaf of bread for ducks and geese, or for yourself if your feeling snacky! Warning: geese are often larger and more aggressive than the average 3 year old, tread lightly and when charged, toss the bread and run! Speaking of college campuses, they are also mine-fields of public art, some of it really fun and climb-able and a great way to introduce your kiddo to "culture." 4. Pet stores. I know this one sounds crazy but for a 2 year old, this can be as good as the zoo and usually requires much less travel, money, and planning. Seriously, these places now days have tank after tank of colorful fish, froggies, snakes, kitty cats, a menagerie of animals all waiting to be visited. They don't charge admission and if you happen to need dog food, you can chalk it up to two activities at once! 5. Farmer's Markets. In my town this is very seasonal, but still an option for 6 months out of the year. There are almost too many benefits of this one to list. Yes, it's not free if you buy something but you would be surprised about the selection and value of foods you buy at the grocery store anyway. You are supporting your local economy, teaching your children about healthy eating habits, learning about what your area has to offer from potatos to soaps, flowers, and flour. And you're showing your children a lifestyle and a people that sadly probably won't be around for much longer. My daughter loves to look at all of the vegetables and wave to the farmers. Children can really learn about where their food comes from and find more of a connection to it. Plus, those farmers love little ones! Don't be surprised if you come away from there with a free tomato or mini pumpkin :>) Those are my tips for the day. I realize that many of them require being outdoors and that winter is descending upon us. Stay tuned for tips on keeping kiddos happy and yourself sane during the not so sunny months. Maybe we should write to Starbucks about indoor play areas!