Seven Reasons Why I Love Eggs, But I’m Not Into Raising Chickens!
July 20, 2011 - Written by DianaUrban Homesteading is big now, really big. Growing up in the city, you wouldn’t think we would hear roosters often, but we did, though I’m pretty sure they were for cockfighting and not for dinner. Now though, everyone wants to raise their own chickens in order to be sure of what is in their eggs. Organic, free range, outdoor roaming chickens can produce quality eggs, but the label on the carton is not a guarantee that the big chicken ranches are doing it your way. My brother in law has always raised chickens and turkeys, my brother who owns 80 mountain acres started raising his own chickens a few years back, Rachel from Hounds in the Kitchen is raising hers in the city. It all sounds so wonderful, to watch the baby chicks grow up, eat your bugs and present you with lovely fresh eggs, but you know it’s just not for me.
Here’s why:
1. We would need stuff. Just like raising fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, cats and dogs, you need the equipment. It doesn’t have to be store bought, it can …
Fourth of July – Foodie Recap
July 5, 2011 - Written by DianaThis isn’t everything we had for the fourth, we don’t have any burger photos and those were especially delicious. Some stuff was bought at the deli and enjoyed by all, but we won’t recap those. We had 4 generations at the family gathering. Here are a few of our specialty items:
Uncle Merle's Zucchini Relish
Pam's Stuffed Peppers
Beet, Feta, Spelt Salad with a Strawberry Vinaigrette
Pasta, Fresh Peas and Lamb Mint Sausage in a Dill Mint Pesto
Patriot Cakes Decorated by the youngest generation
Good Food, Wonderful Family, Great Conversation and a fun day. Plus the best fireworks show ever!
North Market- Farmer’s Market
July 2, 2011 - Written by Diana
These photos don’t do justice to the vendors. My camera phone was on video, and so I have half second videos but not photos, drat. There were lots of nice vendors at North Market though some had packed up by the time we arrived – maybe because of the rain. Athens Market beats them in the grain department, and variety, but still North Market has plenty of veggies, Oink Moo Cluck brought the home grown meat (we bought chicken). There were a couple of cheese places – I got feta for my salads, and my husband wanted the chipotle – which my daughter thinks will go well in her mexi-salad (along with the chorizo from Blues Creek inside the market). My husband found some great looking carrots too. We visited with Isaac from Honey Run Farm, he has awesome smelling soap – I love, love, love the mint smelling soap. We picked up soap and honey from him. Someday my husband wants to start his own beehives, but we’re still in the thinking about it stage.
My husband suggested …
Athens, Oh – Market on State
June 25, 2011 - Written by DianaToday we hit up the renowned Athens Farm Market – Wow! It’s worth rhe trip – local, organic, great variety, big but not overwhelming.
My Men With A Pan – Father’s Day Musings
June 19, 2011 - Written by DianaI’m reading Man with a Pan
My Grandfather
My Grandfather lived upstairs from us during most of our formative years. They owned the building and while we were growing up, we were the only ones living on the other floors. My grandfather loved to garden, so we shared those chores and the bounty. My grandmother owned a toy and card store on Broadway, and went to work in the morning and came home in the late evening even after my grandfather retired. When he retired it was his job to cook dinner every night for the both of them, then he would pick my grandmother up at the store and they would either drive or walk home to the food waiting on the stove. My grandmother didn’t retire …
A Night Out on the Patio
May 26, 2011 - Written by Diana
Lately we’ve been living in the lap of luxury with my daughter cooking dinner almost every night, and eating out on the deck. Tonight however, she had a date night – kind of, dinner with her boyfriend’s family. Since the pets were going to be taken care of ahead of time, that meant dinner out with my husband. I did have another agenda – picking up steaks for Memorial Day weekend and we were low on veggies, so a stop at the Greener Grocer.
This Wednesday was a fun night at North Market because on the patio they had some live entertainment – as well as some local beer. Dinner – was of course from one of my favorite North Market Stalls – Firdous Express. My husband and I have gotten lunch here quite a few times and the food is scrumptious. We both had lamb roast dinner, which comes with rice, Greek side salad and some pita bread. I had bright yellow saffron rice, while my husband …
Post Easter Musings
April 27, 2011 - Written by DianaEaster is the family gathering at our house, and I always look forward to it. My husband vows never again, but we always do. This was the first year my kids didn’t help with all of the pre-Easter cleaning and cooking. They did help out on the day of the gathering, but they weren’t around to pitch in beforehand, which was a pretty big thing. My kids have always been really good helpers – whether by force or voluntary, the effort was always appreciated and this Easter, much missed. This year, my mother in law volunteered to pitch in and I didn’t turn her down. So on Saturday (because Sunday didn’t work out) my kids, my spouse, my mother in law and I did our whirlwind best to get things going. I must say, we did an excellent job.
One of my favorite things about a late Easter is the spring possibilities. The threat of wind and rain prevented us from eating outdoors, but we did open the windows to let the wind freshen the air inside. The trees were starting to bloom and added a prettiness to the scene. I love searching my herb beds to …
Introducing… Emmalee’s Sweet Dreams
March 31, 2011 - Written by Diana
Two weekends ago, we went to a going away party for my niece who enlisted in the navy. There was a cake there that was absolutely knock your socks off fabulous. I showed photos of the cake all around, including to a friend who is in the navy. He was very impressed and even commented on the flags waving. Every minute detail was perfect and the sailor girl on the anchor was a great finishing touch.
I didn’t meet the creator of the cake in person, but I saw photos of other cakes she did for Sara, another niece, and they were lovely too. One cake was a flower pot loaded with flowers,( my brother in law boasted that all the flowers were hand sculpted and edible), though they looked almost real. The second cake was a roller disco style and amazingly it had a record that spun on a turn table cake. On top of the upper tier of the cake were realistic looking sculpted disco roller skaters.
I thought that Emma Moore, …
What’s Your Go To Work Night Dinner?
March 17, 2011 - Written by Diana
Since my kids are away at college, my husband and I have changed the contents of the fridge and pantry to reflect our tastes. We’ve run out of hotdogs, and those boxes of macaroni and cheese. My son’s favorite meals were frozen pizza and macaroni and cheese. I think my daughter’s was spaghetti & italian sausage – or tuna and noodles. Pasta is still a favorite go to meal, but it usually involves vegetables and not so much cheese.
My daughter stashed cans of ravioli in the shopping cart and I paid for it, but I won’t be eating it. It’s one of her go to meals along with chili. I like chili over baked potatoes for some meals, but we get the good stuff. I think it’s important for her to figure out what her own go to meals are going to be. Her tastes will change over time, but she’s got to figure it out for herself. She says I’m a food snob, but I didn’t get here overnight, it took time experience, and yes money. I’ve got …
Fantastic, Fabulous, Wonderful Fifty – How Do You Celebrate?
March 4, 2011 - Written by DianaMy birthday was Tuesday and it was a fabulous day. My husband and I have a deal. We take each other’s birthday and our anniversary off to do whatever we want. When the kids were young, we used it as a reconnect day and if it fell on a weekend, we took a weekday off instead. Our biggest rule is no chores. The house could fall down around us, but we ignore. Yesterday I got to choose what I wanted to do – and my husband went along for the ride. He’s such a great guy. The weather was fabulous, and perfect for spending the day together. First on our list – my husband mentioned North Market and I agreed wholeheartedly.
His plan – to sneak off and pick me up a box of chocolates from the Pure Imagination Chocolatier while I stopped off at the Greener Grocer for some veggies, grains and …
