Overwintered Garden Finds!

We don't typically get days like this around here - mid 70s in March. I could just kiss Mother Nature on the mouth! With such a mild winter, I've had a handful of goodies that made it through to spring!

Radicchio 

Rainbow Swiss Chard

Collards

Beets

Kale

Chives

And to think, Spring doesn't officially arrive until next week! Here's to even warmer days ahead!

Breakfast Time with the Rascal

Carrot Bread

With winter in full swing, I have been hibernating away from reality. Freezing temperatures. Gloomy skies. Wind chapped cheeks. I long for the greenness of spring. I've been biding my time with indoor activities. Crocheting. Experiments in the Kitchen. Organizing cabinets. Reading mail order seed catalogs. And spending lots of time with the littlest rascal, of course :)

Far too cold for little ones to play outdoors? Solution: Bring the outdoors in! Fun with a BOWL OF SNOW!!!

I've been dreaming of summer's zucchini bounty and baking delicious zucchini bread. With none in sight, I instead satiate that craving with this yummy carrot bread, recipe courtesy of The Bread Bible (similar recipe posted here).

Carrot bread with a slathering of cream cheese

What a week it has been!

• Celebrating our oldest son turning 16
• The first snow of the season
• Doing my best to keep up on the house work
• Another trip to the dentist (not me, the kids)
• Welcoming 2 new pets to our home

Looking Forward To:

• Putting Christmas lights up on the house this year
• Making Veggie Chili this week - winter is on her way!
• Thanksgiving Recipes Inspiration (lots and lots of blog searching)
• Finally deciding on names for our new pets. We take this task seriously!
• Keeping the Winter Blues at bay...

Soy Curls - Fajita Style

Since our local heath food store doesn't carry Soy Curls, I had to order them from a store that was 30 miles away. My order arrived today! Dinner plans featured Fajitas! The only bad thing was that my green pepper prematurely 'expired' in my veggie drawer. So sad :( Good thing I soaked some cashews overnight for Cashew/Lime Cream. Delicious!

Soy Curls, Cashew-Lime Cream, romaine, hot sauce 

All rolled up, ready to eat!

Happy Hallowe'en!

French Lentil Veggie Soup

I was texting with a friend of mine, complaining how I had caught ANOTHER cold within the month (that's what I get for smoochin' my adorable snotty nosed nephews). Fever. Chills. Body Aches. Migraine. Sinus Drama. Bleh. He commented to the effect that "it was too bad you don't eat meat because chicken soup would do the trick". While he meant well, I took huge offense to this. Nourishing food need not contain animal products to do a body good! In protest, I drug my whiny sick ass to the kitchen to cook up a pot of vegan soup.

In my fevered stupor, I managed to chop onions, carrots, celery and green beans. Added a jar of tomatoes from my summer garden. A couple quarts of water. A handful of french lentils. Dried thyme. Lots of black pepper (helps me with the sniffles).

I crawled back into bed while my soup simmered away. When it was ready for me, I added a squeeze of lemon juice. I partially blended the soup with my trusty immersion blender cus that's how I like it. Keeping myself hydrated and eating my veggies/legumes. I will be feeling right in no time. And no chickens were harmed. XOXO

Confession: This was my 3rd helping of soup. Nom'ing it up!