Life Lyn Style

Fresh Fork Market 2012 Summer CSA–week 8

Jul 272012

Since we had my niece and nephew this week, we waited until today to pick up our share in Mayfield. Although I did stop in Beachwood yesterday for yogurt and milk since we needed to replenish.

Here’s what I picked up:

Here’s what we were expecting to receive:

1 pint blueberries
6 ears sweet corn
3 lb. Yukon gold potatoes
1 bunch rainbow Swiss chard
1 bunch collard greens
2 ct. cucumbers
1 pint cherry tomatoes or approx. 1.5 lbs. heirloom tomatoes (about 3 depending on size)
1 package chicken bratwursts
1 lb. yellow wax beans
2 ct. green peppers
1 cantaloupe
1 package pork spare ribs
1 jar Pope’s BBQ sauce

It looks like we got regular slicing tomatoes and some cherry tomatoes. We were also shorted the BBQ sauce, but my husband was able to pick it up on his way home from work. So, it’s here, but missed its photo opportunity.

We’ll have the chicken brats for lunch or dinner on Sunday. We’ll either grill them or braise them in beer. The kids have really been enjoying the cucumbers for snacking.

I’ll be making some fajitas Sunday or Monday. I’ll use a couple of onions that I still have along with the collards or chard and peppers in them. The blueberries will be lucky to be around after breakfast tomorrow.

We never got around to our Ohio City pasta last week, so I’ll probably make the béchamel sauce this weekend and use the tomatoes. The cherry tomatoes will make good snacks for the guys of the house tomorrow.

The beans will make a great side dish in the next couple of days. We’ll probably cut the cantaloupe up this weekend and eat it, but I am interested in trying Jane Snow’s cantaloupe gelatin dessert recipe.

Both the corn on the cob and ribs are on tomorrow’s lunch menu. I think we’ll be grilling!

The potatoes will last a few days, and I don’t have an immediate plan for them. Either the collards or chard will go into our fajitas. The other will probably go into a quiche or just be sautéed for a side.

It’s been fun getting the large from our Fresh Fork CSA. But, on Friday evenings, our fridge is packed to the max. We have been trying to use local eggs, milk and yogurt. When we add that stuff to the contents of our bag, it makes for a well stocked kitchen. It also means that we don’t need the grocery store much and prioritize our meals to use up bulky items first. I can’t wait to see what we are getting next week.

Knife Skills for Nick Part 2

Adventures with Nick and Sally 1 Response »

Jul 262012

As you may recall, Nick recently received a knife at a cooking class. He wanted to cut more and I had veggies to use up, so we decided to make tomato soup from our veggies.

After cutting up a few more tomatoes, Nick tried zucchini. It was truly a winner. It was really easy for him to cut and had a nice handle available most of the time.

Some cuts, he was so excited. For the most part, I thought things well pretty well.

But then we tried the onion. I don’t want him to get hurt and my patience meter was low after reviewing knife safety about 80 times.

So, this was his last cut. I cut up the rest.

We ended up with some fabulous tomato soup. I’m still not ready to teach him knife skills, but ready or not, it’s happening.

Fresh Fork Market Canning Class

CSA 1 Response »

Jul 252012

Last night, I had the opportunity to take a canning class. I’ve been doing some simple water canning for a year or so, but I always think there is something new to learn.

Here a shot of the set up:

The class was quickly put to work shucking corn, dicing peppers and chopping onions. The goal was to make some relish.

Clark and Robert taught the class and it was really well presented. There were lots of questions and good discussion throughout the class. I met the person in blue at the end of the evening. She had the best knife skills ever. Maybe she’ll teach me one day soon.

Here’s an action shot of Robert and Clark teaching and demoing.

I had a good time, tasted some awesome “slightly sweet” pickles and picked up a few tips. Despite the construction issues in getting to the Beachwood Community Center, the facility was really conducive to a class. I’d love to have a canning party soon. I wish there were commercial places to can in the area. My little kitchen just isn’t suitable for what I dream about.

Geauga Family Farms–summer week 8

CSA 4 Responses »

Jul 242012

Today, I took 4 kids with me to pick up the Geauga Family Farms CSA at Whole Foods. Since my niece and nephew are here, we had two extra with us. It was not our smoothest pick up because Aunt Lyn / mommy camp is really wearing out the kids. Everyone was tired and grumpy.

Here’s what we received in our single share:

lettuce, patty pan squash

green pepper, onion

cherry tomatoes, potatoes

green beans, fennel

I was quite happy to see lettuce in the share this week. We’ve been out since Saturday. We’ll roast the patty pan squash and stuff it for lunch one day soon. I like to use some sausage, rice or egg and veggies in a stuffing.

The green pepper will go into our salad and also be used for snacking. I’m going to probably just chop up the onion and freeze it. The cherry tomatoes will go to lunch with Stephen the next couple of days. I’ll probably make some mashed potatoes and green beans for dinner tomorrow.

In 4 years of doing different CSA programs, I received fennel for the first time today. I’m anxious to read a little about it and pick out a good recipe or two. I’m hoping that I can find something with ingredients that I already have on hand so I can use it tomorrow!

Other than the fennel, this is a pretty straight forward week. I’m hoping for fruit next week!

U-Pick Tour–Voytko Farms–take two blueberries

Adventures with Nick and Sally No Responses »

Jul 232012

Since Nick wasn’t in camp this week and my niece and nephew are in town, we all headed out to Voytko to pick blueberries with some friends. Picking will probably only last this week, but it was quite good and plentiful today.

My niece and nephew took right to picking. They had never picked blueberries before. Sally enjoyed some time in the stroller (mostly eating berries).

But, she did get out and pick a bit too.

My nephew is trying to teach Nick how to whistle. My niece is sure going to break hearts someday.

Here’s the best photo of all six kids that I could take.

We had a great time and will be sad when blueberry season ends. We ended up with 8.5 pounds, but I forgot to take a photo of them before I stored them. I don’t think we’ll make it out to pick again, but you never know.

Just for Fun–Butterfly Bagel

Adventures with Nick and Sally 1 Response »

Jul 222012

We don’t have bagels very often in our house. I picked up a few this week and fixed the kids butterfly bagels for breakfast yesterday. It was a fluke. I had cut a bagel in half and then they decided they wanted them toasted. So, I “butterflied” it so it would fit in the toaster. Some cream cheese, string cheese and a couple of blueberries later….

Both Nick and Sally love it! Sometimes the best things just aren’t planned.

Coit Road Farmers’ Market, Cooking Class and Teaching Nick to use a Knife

Adventures with Nick and Sally, Farmer's Market No Responses »

Jul 212012

Today, we visited the Coit Road Farmers’ Market for the first time. We really didn’t know what to expect. I had heard that it was small, indoor and had a cooking class scheduled for 11AM today.

I followed my easy directions and before I knew it we were at the market. It was hard to miss. There were just a few produce stands. This time of year, the produce stands for this market and just getting started. We were happy to see Secor’s from Perry. We really like to U-Pick there, so I was familiar with them. There were some booths with baked goods and other odd ball items, too. We ended up buying a watermelon, but I questioned to myself if that was grown locally since I think it’s a bit early and I haven’t seen any other watermelon yet. But, when the kids want watermelon, I try not to turn them down.

Nick and Sally were enamored with the chicken coops. I don’t think we are up for chickens at our house, but the kids would love it!

A new coop was delivered while we were there. Here’s a photo of the kitchen area that was going to be the scene for the cooking class.

In addition to the coops, there were also hives. All of the wood products were fascinating. Once it was time for the cooking class, Nick and Sally were given aprons to wear. I think they are adorable.

Miss Pat gave a demonstration on how to make pasta salad. She used cucumber, garlic and tomato from the market. She tossed them with pasta and some dressing. We were a little disappointed in the class, since we had seen photos of the last class, we were expecting a hands on class. Being a demo, it was hard to keep the attention of the kids.

Sally was also in a “mood” which didn’t help. I think she was just hungry and tired. After the demo, the kids were excited when they found out that they could keep the aprons. And, Miss Pat gave Nick his own knife. Once we finished at the class, we stopped to let Sally buy some corn.

She carefully picked out 5 ears and we were on our way. Then, tonight at dinner, both kids really wanted to help cook. We cook together at home often, but they really were extra inspired today. I think it was the aprons. Oh, and Nick could not wait to use this knife.

I decided that we could make some simple tomato soup in the morning and he could cut up the tomato. I nervously helped and watched him. He had such a great time.

I definitely need to brush up on my knife skills if I am going to teach my 4 year old to use one.

The first lesson was a success. The tomato is chopped and no band aids were needed. All in all, we had a nice day. I think I’d stop by this market every now and then, but I don’t think it will become my favorite.

Fresh Fork Market 2012 Summer CSA–week 7

CSA No Responses »

Jul 202012

We picked up our bag in Beachwood yesterday. Some weeks, it’s just more convenient for us. I love the colors in this week’s bag.

Here’s what we were expecting to receive:

1 dozen pasture raised chicken eggs
1 piece Havarti from Mayfield Road Creamery (8 oz.)
2 ct. zucchini or squash
1 bunch carrots or 1 bunch beets (switching from last week)
1 lb. whole wheat linguini
6 ears sweet corn
1 lb green beans
1-2 bulb onions depending on size
1 lb. apricots
2 lbs. peaches
Approx. 1.5 lbs. tomatoes
1 pint mixed color cherry tomatoes
1 pint blueberries

We were missing our blueberries. I’m hoping to stop by Mayfield today and pick them up. We are a bit overstocked on eggs at the moment. My niece and nephew are coming next week and they love eggs, so I think it will all even out. I packed some of the tomatoes in Stephen’s lunch this morning. I doubt any will be left by tomorrow.

I’m actually keeping up with onions. These are the only two that we have in our fridge. I’m guessing they will just be used in regular cooking this week. I’m hoping to grill zucchini for dinner tomorrow.

These tomatoes will probably be made into tomato béchamel sauce for our pasta. It’s convenient that we received carrots this week too.

Peaches and apricots disappear around here quickly. Nick likes to do a magic trick where the apricot turns into a pit. If there are any left tomorrow, we’ll grill some with our zucchini.

Everyone in our house loves cheese, so there’s never a need to figure out a plan. The pasta will be an easy meal for lunch on Sunday with the sauce.

The beans will make a good side dish for dinner tonight, along with the corn.

I’ve also been buying yogurt and milk from the truck. Between the CSA and the extras, our fridge is packed today. It sure beats shopping at the grocery store.

U-Pick Tour–Voytko Farms–Auburn Township–blueberries

U-Pick 2 Responses »

Jul 192012

This morning, Sally and I headed to Voytko Farms for blueberry picking after we dropped Nick off at camp. The farm is easy to find and has a few signs along the way. Once in the barn, there’s a nice sign with information and usually an attendant around to help. This year, berries are $1.75 a pound.

We met up with our friend Shayna. Sally was super excited to see her. Soon, we had some berries in our buckets. No, Sally didn’t pick those, she just modeled with the bucket for the photo.

I had Shayna take a photo of me picking. This is a rare occurrence, since most of the time there aren’t other adults in the patch with us. We started to hear thunder and new it was going to rain. Once it started sprinkling, we headed to the barn. It was raining pretty hard buy the time we got back.

It was actually a welcome sight and I just hoped it was also raining in our garden. Chuck runs the farm and had a computer with internet access in the barn. He looked up the radar and said that there was no way the storm missed Mayfield Heights. I was a soaked but happy camper.

With the rain, we ended up picking for 45 minutes. I ended up with 2.5 pounds of berries and a nice outing with Sally and Shayna. Since the berries were wet, I laid them on a paper towel on a cookie sheet to dry them out a bit before I froze them.

The picking was outstanding and I’d definitely suggest checking out the farm. All of my berries came from just 2 bushes and I could have picked more.

Voytko Farms is located at 11391 Franks Road, Auburn Township, OH 44023

Rehoboth Beach Farmers’ Market

Farmer's Market No Responses »

Jul 182012

When we first decided to spend a week at a beach house in Rehoboth, I started looking for things to do in the area. I came across a list that included a farmers’ market that was near a park. That sure sounded like a win win for our family.

After some beach time in the AM, we packed up and headed to Grove Park. We enjoyed lunch at the pavilion and then the kids played. They are still in their swim attire. Neither of them could climb the rope, but they had a great time trying.

Soon it was time to check out the market. They had a nice information booth, and since it was by the park, there were also restroom facilities. I’m not a big fan of kettle corn, but it sure smells delicious.

Blueberries were in season and quite a few vendors were selling them. The market looked like the tents were provided (sponsored) by area businesses. There were about 30 vendors on the day we visited.

We almost bought some of the prettiest broccoli that I had ever seen, but it was sold when we went back to get it. I was surprised that there were no greens to be found. We could have used lettuce, but ended up buying peaches, cherries, fudge and nuts.

The peaches came from Bennett Orchards. They have U-Pick peaches, but it was a week or so away from being open. Maybe on a future trip to Delaware, we’ll go peach picking.

This market was a decent size and more like the bigger markets in our area. We had a good time and the kids were able to practice naming their veggies once again.

Older Entries Newer Entries

December 2024
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
« May
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30	31