little veggie garden

a while ago i posted about the Harvest to Home mini-veggie gardens we were selling. What i forgot to mention was that we actually purchased 2 for our own home. i figured that we could try and grow the rest of the items (or at least a majority) of produce that we were not getting from our CSA. what is so great about these little gardens is that you can pick a number of items to grow. for the winter, we decided on celery, broccoli, cauliflower, onions and a few kinds of lettuce (i find myself eating more salads now that i know what good lettuce tastes like).

(before)

(after installation)

the recent rain (and diligent watering) have really made a difference in just one month-check it out!

(one month later)

little baby heads of cauliflower and broccoli are coming through-i think they will be ready in about a month. the lettuce is also just about ready to eat-which i think i will try this week. i will have another update about the veggie garden in about a month.

(other side of the stairs-onions, garlic, passion fruit vine and succulents)

celebrating Ryan and the debut of the bus

("Regulators! Mount up!")

(peace, love and the power of the Kombi)

(Andy explaining the philosophy behind of Color Me Mine)

today was the annual celebration of my dear friend Ryan. every year, a group of Ryan's friends gather at the home of his parents where we catch up and celebrate a wonderful person over food, crafts and friends. this very special time is always filled with reconnecting and sharing with people i went to school with-i am thankful that we have remained friends over the years.

(keep working everyone!)

(the best tile of the day-an ode to the labels and logos of our youth)

(all the other tiles-sorry not as good as Maui & Sons!)

(mamacita Dana needed a back rub)

this year was the debut of our new car, a 1973 VW bus, which after a few months in the shop was now ready to roll-perfect timing~! after we decorated tiles and grubbed on ribs and eggrolls (me-yummy strawberries/hummus/cookies/beer), we piled in some of the crew for a little joy ride around big bad Turtle Rock-good times!

(hot-box then Del Taco!)

affordable art: Matte Stephens

how great are these prints from Portland artist Matte Stephens?? although there are a number of pretty heavy-hitters as clients, we the normal, small wallet-types can still afford these wonderful pieces as prints for under $85 (and as low as $35!) a pop. i think these can look great on their own on a white wall or among a number of pieces on a olive wall.
if you are interested in these prints, check out his etsy store!

CSA cooking: sick soup

basket inventory: Valencia oranges, limes, mandarins, mac nuts, 2 kinds of lettuce, carrots, parsley, dill, chives, baby tomatoes, chard, radish sprouts, radishes
as already stated a few times, i was REALLY sick for the holidays. I made this quick and low-energy output soup during this time. Sometimes i would add radishes or tomatoes for a spin. Might I add that is a good soup for cleaning out the old pipes too as a warning.

SICK SOUP

• 1 onion, sliced
  
• 2-4 carrots, chopped
  
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• greens (chard, beet, mustard, kale or cabbage) chopped
• 1/2 c lime juice
• 2-3 tbs miso
• 1-2" piece of fresh ginger cut into a few pieces
  
• 2 tbs Braggs Liquid Amino Acids (or more)
• few squirts of Sriracha
• 6-8 c veg broth with (optional) lg can crushed toms (optional-only for large quantities of soup)
  
• udon noodles (optional)
• parsley, s&p, other fave seasonings (all opt)
  

saute the garlic and onions in olive oil for 2/3 min, add carrots, saute for another 2/3 min.
add the broth, bring to boil. add miso, sriracha, toms (if you want), ginger-bring to a boil.
during this time cook the noodles until just about ready, cool and set aside.
cook noodles (if you have them) in another pot until almost done, set aside
add everything else (not noodles) and season to taste... add noodles last few minutes or even add when it is piping hot in a large soup bowl. this will last the rest of the week in the fridge (cool before you put it in) and is great if you are too weak to make something from scratch.

I also recently added burdock root to this which makes it extra crunchier!.

Kimichi and Kraut to open the new year

(right before arrivals)

This past Sat, i had my first class of the year: Kimichi and Kraut: Makin' Old-School Foods. i was a little nervous about my first class after a crazy 2 weeks of being ill and another week of playing catch-up with life in general, but we had a great turn-out of people wanting to learn how to make fermented goodies. PLUS this was my first fermentation class...go away nerves!!!
2 students were familiar faces from my Laguna Beach class...(PS a GREAT gift is spending time together). i also happened by strange chance to meet Blair and Ando who live in Idaho (their last day in OC was taking my class!). Blair is studying sustainable food with an emphasis on preservation and knew more than i did....great for the nerves right!
This was an incredible group of people-all around a table filled with cabbage, radish, salt and ginger (the smell lasted the whole day!) and more than that...i have to say i was inspired by everyone there...washing and drying dishes was actually a ton of fun!...if only every day could be like this.

the next Kimichi and Kraut: Makin' Old-School Foods will me close to st. patties at the store, but there should be a few more classes popping up elsewhere...more to come!
here are some photos of the workshop:

(purple cabbage kraut-a little tough to work with!)

(Blair showing her Kimichi that she will finish later that day)

(the rest of the group making kimichi-yum!)

(preparing napa cabbage for kimchi)

holiday gifts make an inspring 2010

even though i have been in a slight haze of sickness, soup and LOST, the clearing of my foggy brain is now finally coming to appreciate some of the things i received for the holidays. looking at some of them, i am beginning to realize how they are going to make 2010 pretty productive and inspiring...i am ready for some resolutions!
thinking about the beginning of 2010, i can't help by feel old: 10 years ago i was in Las Vegas, walking my mother down the isle at The Little Chapel of The West...still can't believe that was 10 years ago...i am still crushing on Eric Stolz!

(yeah still into it)

Mary Jane Shelves:
gustavo got me these country-folding shelves that will be so useful when i take my preserves on the road...i have been so inspired by my niece Nicole's adventures in selling her creations..i am going to give a go at it too!
RESOLUTION 1: use my training from last year (MFP program) to do my part in changing my world and hopefully excite people via the tummy!

Fairie Tale Theater:
Please tell me if you are into this Showtime series from the 80's. Shelley Duvall and her friends made this great (albeit DATED) version of Grimms and other tales...i used to watch this with my best friend Dale after going to the video store and spending way too much time trying to figure out which one to take home.
RESOLUTION 2: take the time to remember the good things in life and recreate them.

(my faves: Little Red Ridding Hood and 3 Little Pigs-A MUST)

Cast Iron Pot:
my mother surprised me with this AWESOME red cast iron dutch oven. as i have mentioned i REALLY wanted a large cast iron dutch oven to do some serious cooking (and lifting!)...thank you thank you...already making bread...
RESOLUTION 3: make more food by hand for those you love and really get to know how to cook!

(isn't it pretty!)

Leggings:
this was actually a present to myself, i get cold easily and use that as an excuse to not go out and run like i used to. i miss running.
RESOLUTION 4: stop bitching and run!!!

Marge also got a nice comfy blanket from her sister Sweetpea, she sleeps in it all the time.

giveaway: Hollywood Market sighting

as seen in past posts, i have a monthly stint at the Hollywood Farmers' Market. well, it also seems that i always see a famous face or 2, or 3, or more. every month i will be posting a clue as to who i saw and the first person to post the answer on this blog will receive a free preserve.

this month's clue:

what younger sibling of this acting duo was seen with his son. The son is one of 2 children he has with the sister of a now deceased famous actor who tragically passed away at the height of his career.
*bonus points if you can name the deceased famous actor.