I've been waiting to write in the blog for a while now. It seemed fitting that I would update it exactly one month since my last post back home...and then I missed that. Surprise, surprise. But anyways--here's been my life during that last month...and a day or two:
4 Jobs: Education Director for Prime Stage Theatre, Dramaturg for Young Playwrights Festival at City Theatre, Teaching Artist with Gateway to the Arts, and Teacher Workshop Coordinator for Shakespeare-in-the-Schools. I have been to observe classrooms, taught in classrooms, and gotten lost several times on my way to said classrooms. And I haven't even begun drinking more than one cup of coffee a day (Mom, be proud!).
3 Steelers Games: And they've won them all. Rothlisberger, who? All spent with lovely company, delicious food, and lots of beer.
2 Season Premieres: House (who's now happy? It's a shock to the system) and Glee.
One of the following: wedding (Tiff and Ryan's), baby shower (Meredith and Ryan's), 1st Birthday party (Grace's), Pens game (first pre-season and inaugural game in the new Consol Energy Center in suite seats), trip to Moraine State Park replete with bicycles and grilled food on Labor Day, Gala for Prime Stage Theatre aboard the lovely Gateway Clipper Empress on a beautiful autumnal evening along Pittsburgh's 3 Rivers, Professional Development workshop for my Adopt-A-School teachers with Prime Stage, job interview for a full time job that would have been great on the pocketbooks but potentially detrimental on my much-needed family time, demonstration of my mad wacky theatre skills (at Tbogen's Creative Drama in the Classroom class), pep talk to incoming Literacy*AmeriCorps members, finally successful experience changing my name on my driver's license to "Alyssa Herzog Melby," and homemade yogurt (it's really not that hard!)
Too many to count: coffee dates, lunch dates,volunteering at the East End Food Co-op, loads of laundry, tomato jars canned, and meetings, meetings, and more meetings.
And always: a wonderful husband, a "Beau"dacious dog, and a helluva lot to be thankful :-)
Up next: deep breaths. tea. sleep. And attempting to relish every second of the madness!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Slowing Down: Picking Grapes
I realize that I write enormously long posts. To help off-set that, I'm going to start a series of posts called "Slowing Down" that will be interspersed with my more verbose writings.
Picking Grapes on the Melby farm
From the windmill, vines high and low
Into the egg basket
For some homemade wine!
Picking Grapes on the Melby farm
From the windmill, vines high and low
Into the egg basket
For some homemade wine!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Greatest Generation
Yesterday Jake and I visited his grandparents, Rollie and Lorraine. We're back home in MN visiting family and gearing up for my cousin's wedding this weekend. We knew that we'd make it up to Madison at some point to see them, and the visit gave me a lot to ponder about marriage and what I value in my life.
I first met his grandparents in the summer of 2006 after we started dating. I remember the first time walking into their house, getting blasted back to past from the smell of it. Strangely enough, their basement smelled exactly like my own Grandma Lorraine's house, who passed away in 2003. Even then, I knew it was a good sign that Jake and I were meant to be! At this point, Rollie was already diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, but he was still living at home being cared for by Lorraine. Jake used to tell me all sorts of stories about things he would do with his Grandpa, the bottling company Rollie ran for many years and that Jake worked for as a teenager, and all the work around his grandparents' house that he would help with. Jake used to say "I wish you could have met my Grandpa before he got sick," but even now I can still see the twinkling in his eye of the perpetual joker that everyone tells me he used to be, and that's all I need to see to love him dearly! Eventually the disease's progression became too overwhelming, and Rollie was moved into the nursing home a block away from their home. Lorraine hasn't slowed down one bit, though, since I met her. She visits Rollie numerous times each day, still does his laundry, and even just washed her car by hand this past week! She's going to be 89 this year, but with the way she still moves around and how sharp her mind still is you'd never know it!
Lorraine met Jake and I at the nursing home yesterday afternoon around 4 o'clock. Rollie was listening to some oldies on his Ipod, and besides being a little tired, seemed to be in good spirits. We sat down with them both, chatted about what was new, and showed them pictures of our garden and from our honeymoon in Jamaica. Jake and his Grandpa shared a beer together, and we took some pictures. They were just amazed at the technology of the digital camera, being able to see the picture right away!
Two hours flew by, and by then Rollie was ready to head off to supper. Lorraine said, "Goodbye honey," and leaned in and gave her husband of 60+ years a big smooch on the lips. It took everything in my power not to start crying from the bittersweet moment, and even thinking back on it now brings tears to my eyes. How hard it must be for her to say goodbye to him every day, for both of them to be alone at night, when for so long they had always been together. But also how wonderfully sweet it is to see such love, dedication, and devotion after so many years, especially when no one seems to take marriage vows all that seriously anymore. I'm sure that they have had their bad times just like anyone in any marriage, but to witness the love that years have built up was something quite special. Both Jake and I remarked upon later that it's at this point in someone's life--when adults become children again and need to be taken care of--that it suddenly becomes so clear why having a partner, children, and family are so important. I don't think anyone ever wants to be alone, but when you start to think forward to your later years, the need to keep your family close and strong becomes so much more apparent.
Tom Brokaw rightly called their generation "The Greatest Generation" for their sense of duty, love, and practicality. I lament that my own generation doesn't have more of those three things, three things still so evident in his grandparents today. We talked with his grandparents about all the hard work they had to do, raising their families, working without technology, through the Great Depression and numerous wars. But it was that kiss between two people who had made it through tough times and good that spoke volumes. I hope that someday Jake and I can live up to their standards of duty, love, and practicality. Because if it ends with a kiss like that, it'll all have been worth it.
I first met his grandparents in the summer of 2006 after we started dating. I remember the first time walking into their house, getting blasted back to past from the smell of it. Strangely enough, their basement smelled exactly like my own Grandma Lorraine's house, who passed away in 2003. Even then, I knew it was a good sign that Jake and I were meant to be! At this point, Rollie was already diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, but he was still living at home being cared for by Lorraine. Jake used to tell me all sorts of stories about things he would do with his Grandpa, the bottling company Rollie ran for many years and that Jake worked for as a teenager, and all the work around his grandparents' house that he would help with. Jake used to say "I wish you could have met my Grandpa before he got sick," but even now I can still see the twinkling in his eye of the perpetual joker that everyone tells me he used to be, and that's all I need to see to love him dearly! Eventually the disease's progression became too overwhelming, and Rollie was moved into the nursing home a block away from their home. Lorraine hasn't slowed down one bit, though, since I met her. She visits Rollie numerous times each day, still does his laundry, and even just washed her car by hand this past week! She's going to be 89 this year, but with the way she still moves around and how sharp her mind still is you'd never know it!
Lorraine met Jake and I at the nursing home yesterday afternoon around 4 o'clock. Rollie was listening to some oldies on his Ipod, and besides being a little tired, seemed to be in good spirits. We sat down with them both, chatted about what was new, and showed them pictures of our garden and from our honeymoon in Jamaica. Jake and his Grandpa shared a beer together, and we took some pictures. They were just amazed at the technology of the digital camera, being able to see the picture right away!
 |
| Jake and Rollie sharing a Hub City Brown Ale. |
Tom Brokaw rightly called their generation "The Greatest Generation" for their sense of duty, love, and practicality. I lament that my own generation doesn't have more of those three things, three things still so evident in his grandparents today. We talked with his grandparents about all the hard work they had to do, raising their families, working without technology, through the Great Depression and numerous wars. But it was that kiss between two people who had made it through tough times and good that spoke volumes. I hope that someday Jake and I can live up to their standards of duty, love, and practicality. Because if it ends with a kiss like that, it'll all have been worth it.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Morning-time Stretches
I have always liked the idea of yoga. As a longtime dancer, anything that gets my body stretching, bending, and twisting feels amazing. I distinctly remember my first introduction to yoga. I was at my neighbor Barb's house. Her husband at the time had a book about yoga. I must have been 7 or 8, and I tried to read all the words--including the Sanskrit names--but really the pictures were what floored me. I tried to contort my body into the positions, try them out in any order that I like, but more often than not, it hurt and didn't really feel that good at all!
Only later in life, after many a theatre warmup with sun salutations and an official yoga class here and there, have I begun to understand the philosophical and physiological underpinnings to yoga that make it what it is. I don't practice a particular style of yoga (more out of ignorance than anything), although what I do is probably most akin to Hatha Yoga. First and foremost, it's about breath. This was obviously one aspect that went right over my head when I was younger. Second, it's about slowing down and going deeper. Each breath brings you deeper into the pose. Third, yoga shouldn't hurt. Even now as I push my body further I have to remind myself to pull back and listen to the signals my body is telling me.
I've begun to practice yoga every morning on our newly finished back porch. There is something magical about doing sun salutations as the sun is peeking over the rooftop. Although you can't see it in this picture below, you can imagine how cool it would be. And I even saw a rainbow this morning! Beautiful...
I get to listen to the sound of birds chirping delightfully (and the occasional chainsaw from a neighbor who is up and at it far too early). If the wind is blowing just right, the chimes blow and add their own soft mellow music to the mix.
At first my goal was to do 20 minutes of yoga every morning. I managed to do that and much more as time seems to whiz by. Although I had to stop during my recent illness, I just jumped back into my routine, and I feel great. I start with breathing and centering, then gentle warmup twists and forward bends (usually seated). I move into cat and cow pose to warm up my back, then child's pose for a rest. Next I do sun salutations--12 simple flowing moves that get my body all warmed up and aligned. I typically do between 3-6 sets of sun salutations (a set is two times through, one on each side of the body). Sometimes I stop here. Other times, I go through more pose sequences. And I always always always end in relaxation pose. Even if I can't stay there for very long, going forth into my day relaxed and calm is the best feeling in the world.
To find out more about the poses (and their Sanskrit names), go to www.yogajournal.com. They even have a cool "build your own sequence" application!
And after yoga? I enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee. I start the coffeemaker before I go out to the porch each morning. It's my treat to myself for morning-time stretches done well :-)
Only later in life, after many a theatre warmup with sun salutations and an official yoga class here and there, have I begun to understand the philosophical and physiological underpinnings to yoga that make it what it is. I don't practice a particular style of yoga (more out of ignorance than anything), although what I do is probably most akin to Hatha Yoga. First and foremost, it's about breath. This was obviously one aspect that went right over my head when I was younger. Second, it's about slowing down and going deeper. Each breath brings you deeper into the pose. Third, yoga shouldn't hurt. Even now as I push my body further I have to remind myself to pull back and listen to the signals my body is telling me.
I've begun to practice yoga every morning on our newly finished back porch. There is something magical about doing sun salutations as the sun is peeking over the rooftop. Although you can't see it in this picture below, you can imagine how cool it would be. And I even saw a rainbow this morning! Beautiful...
I get to listen to the sound of birds chirping delightfully (and the occasional chainsaw from a neighbor who is up and at it far too early). If the wind is blowing just right, the chimes blow and add their own soft mellow music to the mix.
 |
| Pentatonic-scaled wind chimes. Ethereal... |
At first my goal was to do 20 minutes of yoga every morning. I managed to do that and much more as time seems to whiz by. Although I had to stop during my recent illness, I just jumped back into my routine, and I feel great. I start with breathing and centering, then gentle warmup twists and forward bends (usually seated). I move into cat and cow pose to warm up my back, then child's pose for a rest. Next I do sun salutations--12 simple flowing moves that get my body all warmed up and aligned. I typically do between 3-6 sets of sun salutations (a set is two times through, one on each side of the body). Sometimes I stop here. Other times, I go through more pose sequences. And I always always always end in relaxation pose. Even if I can't stay there for very long, going forth into my day relaxed and calm is the best feeling in the world.
 |
| A face-down view from my yoga mat. |
And after yoga? I enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee. I start the coffeemaker before I go out to the porch each morning. It's my treat to myself for morning-time stretches done well :-)
Sunday, August 15, 2010
The Value of Value
Frugal, green, thrifty, "locavore," coupon-clipping, shop the sales--while all of these ideas are something I aspire for, I feel that often these ideals conflict with one another. What to do when your values are odds with the value of a dollar?
Take my recent food shopping for example. Yesterday, in preparation for a "trailer trash" party we were hosting (classy, I know), I went shopping for food at our local Giant Eagle. For a mere $20 and shopping strictly on the generic value brands (except the Oreos, which were one sale 2/$6), I bought:
Then this morning I went shopping at our local food co-op, the East End Co-op. We just recently joined in an effort to support a smaller, locally run operation which has lots of local and organic food. We had been going to Trader Joe's throughout the past year and really like that as well, although there's something about the lack of transparency with where they get their food that sometimes irks me. I will likely continue to go there to stock up on stuff as they have good organic and green products (we love their toothpaste!), but we're trying to spend our money more wisely these days. So with our 10% member discount on "member day" at the co-op, I spent $70 and bought:
We've also been going to the Farmer's Market in East Liberty every Monday since the beginning of the summer. Each week we bring $20 and hope to try new things, but frankly, once we buy peaches, half our budget is blown (but they are oh so sweet and juicy and absolutely worth it!). So even shopping at the Farmer's Market, too, has put me into more than one conundrum. Pay a little more for something we know is organic, or go to one of the bigger producers that is selling cabbage 2/$1? Now that we have our garden, it's been easier to make those decisions, but they are decisions nonetheless that reflect what I as a consumer feel is important.
Over time, I've noticed our move towards local and organic food start to add up. So what am I supposed to do? It's hard to put a price on the importance of eating local, supporting local business, attempting to buy bulk, and being more green, and at this point, I am willing to pay extra for making what I feel are more ethical spending choices. On the other hand, it's amazing all the food--albeit nutritionally bad food--that you can buy for just $20! It's really no wonder that our country has such a weird relationship with food once you begin to crunch the numbers. And while Jake and I have both lost weight because of our consumption of more vegetables and less food overall, man those oreos are delicious!
Jake reminded me the other day that although we're making this move towards more local, more organic, we still shouldn't forget to look in the sales ads that overtake our mailbox every Monday. With our freezer and dehydrator, we can stock up on veggies and fruits while they're in season, and take advantage of other sales for things we use every day. He's got a good point. And certainly the least I can do is at least look at all the paper the ads waste each week.
I am certain this debate will not end soon. I'm going to continue to struggle with this as I make more of a concerted effort to manage our finances, structure the meals of our house, and stay true to our values. So in the meantime, I'm going to go enjoy those Oreos while they're around and before Jake gets to them :-) Oreos with local milk, anyone?
Take my recent food shopping for example. Yesterday, in preparation for a "trailer trash" party we were hosting (classy, I know), I went shopping for food at our local Giant Eagle. For a mere $20 and shopping strictly on the generic value brands (except the Oreos, which were one sale 2/$6), I bought:
- (2) 8-ct. bags of hamburger buns,
- (2) packages of Oreos,
- (2) small cans of mandarin oranges,
- (1) container cool-whip,
- (3) 2-liters of soda,
- (1) half-gallon buttermilk,
- (2) boxes of instant vanilla pudding,
- (1) bag of potato chips,
- (1) frozen orange juice concentrate, and
- (1) box of Lean Cuisine pockets.
Then this morning I went shopping at our local food co-op, the East End Co-op. We just recently joined in an effort to support a smaller, locally run operation which has lots of local and organic food. We had been going to Trader Joe's throughout the past year and really like that as well, although there's something about the lack of transparency with where they get their food that sometimes irks me. I will likely continue to go there to stock up on stuff as they have good organic and green products (we love their toothpaste!), but we're trying to spend our money more wisely these days. So with our 10% member discount on "member day" at the co-op, I spent $70 and bought:
- 5 lbs. of bulk rolled oats (on sale)
- 3 lbs. of bulk yellow popcorn (on sale)
- 3.2 lbs. of bulk garbanzo beans (on sale)
- 1.6 lbs. of bulk raisins (on sale)
- 2 lbs. of pearled barley (on sale)
- .25 lb. of bulk ground cumin
- (1) 12 oz. package of Bike Fuel Coffee (on sale)
- (1) 32 oz. blueberry blend juice (on sale and used coupon)
- (1) jar of organic peanut butter (on sale)
- (4) boxes of Annie's Mac and Cheese (on sale)
- (2) lbs. of bananas
- (1) 32 oz. bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (on sale)
- (1) 8 oz. frozen blueberries (on sale and used coupon)
- (1) Seventh Generation dish soap (used coupon)
- (1) 1/2 lb. block of pepper jack cheese
- (1) 32 oz. container of plain yogurt
- (1) loaf of wheat bread from a local bakery
We've also been going to the Farmer's Market in East Liberty every Monday since the beginning of the summer. Each week we bring $20 and hope to try new things, but frankly, once we buy peaches, half our budget is blown (but they are oh so sweet and juicy and absolutely worth it!). So even shopping at the Farmer's Market, too, has put me into more than one conundrum. Pay a little more for something we know is organic, or go to one of the bigger producers that is selling cabbage 2/$1? Now that we have our garden, it's been easier to make those decisions, but they are decisions nonetheless that reflect what I as a consumer feel is important.
Over time, I've noticed our move towards local and organic food start to add up. So what am I supposed to do? It's hard to put a price on the importance of eating local, supporting local business, attempting to buy bulk, and being more green, and at this point, I am willing to pay extra for making what I feel are more ethical spending choices. On the other hand, it's amazing all the food--albeit nutritionally bad food--that you can buy for just $20! It's really no wonder that our country has such a weird relationship with food once you begin to crunch the numbers. And while Jake and I have both lost weight because of our consumption of more vegetables and less food overall, man those oreos are delicious!
Jake reminded me the other day that although we're making this move towards more local, more organic, we still shouldn't forget to look in the sales ads that overtake our mailbox every Monday. With our freezer and dehydrator, we can stock up on veggies and fruits while they're in season, and take advantage of other sales for things we use every day. He's got a good point. And certainly the least I can do is at least look at all the paper the ads waste each week.
I am certain this debate will not end soon. I'm going to continue to struggle with this as I make more of a concerted effort to manage our finances, structure the meals of our house, and stay true to our values. So in the meantime, I'm going to go enjoy those Oreos while they're around and before Jake gets to them :-) Oreos with local milk, anyone?
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Bring on the Apron
I couldn't believe when I took my students to the library on Tuesday how many large brown leaves from the 100+ year old oak and maple trees there were scattered all over the sidewalk. The cicadas have started their nightly humming, a drone that almost lulls you to sleep, until you remember the old folk wisdom that once you hear them, only 6 weeks til the first frost. Some would say this the sad part--summer coming to an end--but I welcome the fall with open arms. The warm days and cool nights, the color of a different hue and deeper lushness, the smell of crispness, and all the wonderful comfort foods that come with it.
But it's not just the change to fall I am excited for; this year, fall is bringing changes to me. Next week I start my foray into the freelance teaching artist world with my part-time job as Education Director with Prime Stage Theatre holding me somewhat steady. I'm excited for what this next year will bring--and terrified at the same time. But if I wasn't, I'd be worried.
I am also bursting with anticipation at the thought of being able to be home more. I am undeniably a homebody. I will take a movie on the couch or a fire out out on our back porch before a night out on the town any day. When we first moved into the house 3 years ago, I was all into "keeping a good house" for my first "real" home--keeping up with cleaning, cooking, etc.--that I thought I was "supposed" to do. And then graduate school came and that all went right out the window.
But now I find myself with another opportunity to reconnect with my home, all the changes it has gone through since we moved here three years ago. Physically, the kitchen and back porch remodel, the switching of the rooms upstairs, and all those added details we've brought in piece by piece. Emotionally, our connection to our dog, Beau, and to each other as married partners. I am learning to value my home in an entirely new way. It is not just that I feel as if I am supposed to keep a good home, but now I genuinely want to and am looking forward to having the luxury of time to be able to do things my way. I want to get on a routine of homemaking activities, including cooking, cleaning, laundry, baking my own bread (oh I can't tell you how excited I am to endeavor down this road!), organizing paperwork, and other little projects around the house, like fiddling with the sewing machine, working in the garden, making natural products, etc.
Underneath it all seems to be a strong desire to be self-reliant. I remember looking at this old Reader's Digest guide to Homesteading (or something like that) which my Dad had lying around his house. In it was every kind of activity you could imagine, from dying your own yarn, to building a smoker, to raising livestock, to home preservation, to maple syruping. And even then I remember thinking--how cool would it be to be able to do everything for yourself. Cool and unbelievably hard. I don't know how those pioneers did it, but dang--I want to give it a try. Couple my desire for self-reliance with how much I like to be thrifty and green, and I'm feeling really good about my potential success at this whole "homemaking" adventure. On a tangentially related note, a friend asked us a while back if we wanted to "go off the grid." No, not entirely, but wouldn't it be cool if in 2010 you really could? Think about out society today--consumer-driven, lacking in hard-skills, disconnected from food and energy sources--and to know there's some people who are actually doing it? It amazes me. While I don't think I would want to distance myself from mainstream society that much, I definitely empathize with their motivations.
Perhaps all this makes me sound like I want to be a 50s housewife (or a hippie radical--take your pick). While I do not want to have the inequality that went along with the 1950s (Jake will still be expected to do his share of dishes!), I do want that sense of deep connectedness to the place I call my home (and the pearls, if possible). I will admit--I am proud of all we've done with our home and all we continue to do with it. Just like Home Improvements are never done, neither is Homemaking--there's always things to do and things to improve. And if saying this makes me sound like a 50s housewife, then bring on the apron (and if it be of the tie-died variety, I shall not complain). I'm not ashamed to admit that I am choosing to make my home and everything I do to make it a home a top priority. Because as it changes and grows, so do I :-)
But it's not just the change to fall I am excited for; this year, fall is bringing changes to me. Next week I start my foray into the freelance teaching artist world with my part-time job as Education Director with Prime Stage Theatre holding me somewhat steady. I'm excited for what this next year will bring--and terrified at the same time. But if I wasn't, I'd be worried.
I am also bursting with anticipation at the thought of being able to be home more. I am undeniably a homebody. I will take a movie on the couch or a fire out out on our back porch before a night out on the town any day. When we first moved into the house 3 years ago, I was all into "keeping a good house" for my first "real" home--keeping up with cleaning, cooking, etc.--that I thought I was "supposed" to do. And then graduate school came and that all went right out the window.
But now I find myself with another opportunity to reconnect with my home, all the changes it has gone through since we moved here three years ago. Physically, the kitchen and back porch remodel, the switching of the rooms upstairs, and all those added details we've brought in piece by piece. Emotionally, our connection to our dog, Beau, and to each other as married partners. I am learning to value my home in an entirely new way. It is not just that I feel as if I am supposed to keep a good home, but now I genuinely want to and am looking forward to having the luxury of time to be able to do things my way. I want to get on a routine of homemaking activities, including cooking, cleaning, laundry, baking my own bread (oh I can't tell you how excited I am to endeavor down this road!), organizing paperwork, and other little projects around the house, like fiddling with the sewing machine, working in the garden, making natural products, etc.
Underneath it all seems to be a strong desire to be self-reliant. I remember looking at this old Reader's Digest guide to Homesteading (or something like that) which my Dad had lying around his house. In it was every kind of activity you could imagine, from dying your own yarn, to building a smoker, to raising livestock, to home preservation, to maple syruping. And even then I remember thinking--how cool would it be to be able to do everything for yourself. Cool and unbelievably hard. I don't know how those pioneers did it, but dang--I want to give it a try. Couple my desire for self-reliance with how much I like to be thrifty and green, and I'm feeling really good about my potential success at this whole "homemaking" adventure. On a tangentially related note, a friend asked us a while back if we wanted to "go off the grid." No, not entirely, but wouldn't it be cool if in 2010 you really could? Think about out society today--consumer-driven, lacking in hard-skills, disconnected from food and energy sources--and to know there's some people who are actually doing it? It amazes me. While I don't think I would want to distance myself from mainstream society that much, I definitely empathize with their motivations.
Perhaps all this makes me sound like I want to be a 50s housewife (or a hippie radical--take your pick). While I do not want to have the inequality that went along with the 1950s (Jake will still be expected to do his share of dishes!), I do want that sense of deep connectedness to the place I call my home (and the pearls, if possible). I will admit--I am proud of all we've done with our home and all we continue to do with it. Just like Home Improvements are never done, neither is Homemaking--there's always things to do and things to improve. And if saying this makes me sound like a 50s housewife, then bring on the apron (and if it be of the tie-died variety, I shall not complain). I'm not ashamed to admit that I am choosing to make my home and everything I do to make it a home a top priority. Because as it changes and grows, so do I :-)
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Attack of the Zucchini, Part 4
Oh, it feels so good to be back blogging! I took a few days off, or rather my days took off to the point where I had no free time, but the joys of a relaxing Sunday at home in my p.j.'s--ah!! So I'll now be taking this time posting yet again, and perhaps even later again today if something pops up.
The Zucchini are still coming in droves. I froze some more grated zucchini on Friday, but saved part of it for some delicious stuff Zucchini pancakes:
We found the base recipe on Food Network for a Goat Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Pancakes with Tomato Sauce. We didn't have goat cheese, so we substituted Feta instead. And the Tomato Sauce looked a little to time intensive for our tastes, so instead, we served them on thick slices of an heirloom tomato from our garden, the Pineapple Tomato. Sprinkled with Parmesan, it was delicious. The only thing that I would do differently next time is make the pancakes as thin as I could in order to get them to cook all the way through--not that they were not done, but I would have liked them a bit more done if that makes any sense.
Also, I want to say a special and huge "CONGRATULATIONS!" to my dear friend Emily (or Awillix on the blog) who just had a beautiful baby girl, Lily. While you likely won't be on the blog for a while now that you've got your hands full, know that I'm thinking of you and wishing I could send you some of the zucchini :-)
The Zucchini are still coming in droves. I froze some more grated zucchini on Friday, but saved part of it for some delicious stuff Zucchini pancakes:
We found the base recipe on Food Network for a Goat Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Pancakes with Tomato Sauce. We didn't have goat cheese, so we substituted Feta instead. And the Tomato Sauce looked a little to time intensive for our tastes, so instead, we served them on thick slices of an heirloom tomato from our garden, the Pineapple Tomato. Sprinkled with Parmesan, it was delicious. The only thing that I would do differently next time is make the pancakes as thin as I could in order to get them to cook all the way through--not that they were not done, but I would have liked them a bit more done if that makes any sense.
Also, I want to say a special and huge "CONGRATULATIONS!" to my dear friend Emily (or Awillix on the blog) who just had a beautiful baby girl, Lily. While you likely won't be on the blog for a while now that you've got your hands full, know that I'm thinking of you and wishing I could send you some of the zucchini :-)
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