Tuesday, May 25, 2010

VEGGIES....

I love when things just happen to fall together like they were planned. It just so happens that I have a couple of veggie posts that I planned to make over the next week AND today I came upon a wonderful veggie loving blog that is having a contest!! :) A contest? Where? What? Well, keep reading. Details are below.

First, I have two words...

ROASTED BROCCOLI....
or asparagus, or cauliflower, or tomatoes, or....
OK, maybe that was more then two words. I have to tell you though, you are seriously missing out if you don't roast some veggies and try them. What's that you say? You don't like broccoli....well, try it anyway. K doesn't care for broccoli, but she scarfs these little nuggets up like she's fighting for them. Of course, that could be because everyone is standing around the pan grabbing the best ones.
Here, let me show you what they look like fresh out of the oven....


Um...well, the pan WAS full and I HAD just pulled it out minutes before. Yes, they are that yummy and yes, I'm ashamed (proud) to admit the family did stand around the pan grabbing broccoli and popping them in their mouths. How barbaric!

I, personally, do not care for asparagus. However, roast those little spears and I'm there burning my fingers. Who can wait for a fork? Not I! I can't explain it, but roasting is the way to go. (it's also easy and we all know easy in cooking is a welcomed thing!)

Clean your raw veggies and prep them for cooking. Drizzle a little olive oil over them and add some salt and pepper. You can add a little fresh minced garlic, or garlic powder...a dash of red pepper flakes or any other seasoning that floats your boat. Usually, I stick to the basics. Spread them out on a pan and pop them in the oven. I generally roast my veggies between 350 and 400 degrees. Why the range? Well, I make it work with whatever else I am cooking. If there is nothing in the oven, I turn it to 400. Then roast them for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of veggie and the temp of the oven. You want the veggies to get a little brown.

That's a good thing. I promise!!

Be prepared to always roast your veggies. My whole family gets disappointed now if I serve steamed veggies!

NOW, about that contest!!!!

Check out Leslie Loves Veggies. (just click on the name) She's having a giveaway for a cookbook called "You Won't Believe It's Gluten Free". Then take the time to look around over there. She has tons of reviews and several contests in the works. Good luck!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Moving in....

K loves all things animal. So, she was beyond thrilled to catch this sight the other day.

Looking out our backdoor she noticed that there seemed to be some activity going on in her birdhouse. Being the bird lover that she is, she quickly ran out front and cut our dead grass in the garden.

She made a little pile in the middle of the yard and sat back watching.


Yes, Mr. Sparrow did use it for nesting material. Mrs. Sparrow is safely snug inside and the Mister is now making food runs for his sweetie. K couldn't be happier.



Sunday, May 23, 2010

Springtime Feelings....


Ack....I feel like I've fallen off the face of the earth here. For some reason, this time of the year always gets hectic for me and I get that "itchy-can't-believe-it's-almost-the-end-of-school" twitch . This particular feeling consumes me and while I enjoy it and actually look forward to it from January on, it still leaves me a little overwhelmed. Hmmm....more like a LOT overwhelmed. I'm absolutely positive that I'm ready for it and then BAM...it hits and I feel unprepared! Have we done enough? Too much? Can we finish and still enjoy summer? How do I settle this urge to spring clean for days on end AND buckle down and finish the school year strong AND handle that "Oh heck, it's almost summer, so let's just quit now" feeling? Some days it overpowers me and I wind up doing NOTHING. I hate those days.


Am I the ONLY one in the world that experiences such inner conflict!?


This year, school was finishing out strong and the house was getting in order. Key word...WAS. Mike took off his annual May week. (we celebrate K's birthday and our anniversary, by doing a mini-stay at home vacation) We had fun...until K decided to get sick. Fortunately(?), that was at the end of the week, so it wasn't too much of a buzz kill. Now I have to find that momentum again and crack the whip TOMORROW. How did TOMORROW get here so quickly? UGH!!


We WILL finish strong, spring cleaning WILL be finished and we WILL enjoy our summer!!


I can almost taste it.


It tastes like....M&M's.


Oh, wait....that might just be from my little snack.