Forensics - state meet this Saturday.

This Saturday Jenessa, Jeff's daughter, is competing in the state Forensics meet. She is playing the part of a dragon, working hard at convincing the knight not to slay the dragon. I can't wait to watch and root for her team to win!

Possum tracks

One of the coolest things about fresh snow is you can see animal tracks. Usually we see all sorts of rabbits, squirrels etc. Jeff and I were out Sunday morning, cleaning up the fresh 4-5 inches from the day before and we found these possum tracks going down the sidewalk. It was easy to see as the snow had been removed earlier so just a light dusting remained. Jeff showed me how the possum walks like a waddle and moves his right front paw at the same time as his back right paw, then his left front and left back, so its right - right, left - left. How cool!

Nike's vet visit

Yesterday was Nike's annual well kitty check up. He does not like to go for car rides, but fortunately he was not as vocal as last year - last year the entire way he bellowed in indignation. He is a strapping young lad weighing in at a muscular 15 pounds. His doctor gave him a clean bill of health, saying he had a good temperment - apparently his hissing and growling as he was being examined didn't faze the Dr. too much. He got his shot and did well with that, and got Greenie treats when he got back home to help soothe.

Growing mushrooms

for Jeffs birthday, I got him a mushroom growing kit. Its the regular button type mushrooms you find in every grocery store, but homegrown is so superior! Its easy to do too, basically we needed to mist the planting medium (encased in plastic inside a cardboard box) so the spores would be moist and after a few days, roll the plastic bag down so it could get air. After a week or so you could see the mycelium forming, thread like strands. Then it got even more exciting - mushrooms started growing! The first few harvests were impressive, Jeff grew so many we needed to give alot away. We couldn't keep up, and we sincerely love mushrooms. After the inital fruiting occured, we were advise dto wait a bit longer, keep misting and sure enough, we could see it happening again. Here is a picture of a huge mushroom Jeff harvested - it was a great addition sauteed in wine and served with our steaks for Valentines day. To find mushroom kits, go to Field and Forests Products, they are based in Peshtigo WI. There is a website (www.fieldforest.net) and you can order kits of all different kinds of mushrooms, button, oyster, shitake, etc. They also sell spawn if you would like to start out by inoculating wood logs. Theres tons of info in their catalog, and books etc available too. Very cool company, we plan on trying out other varieties since we are hooked!

star struck

Wicked is in town playing at the Appleton Performing Arts Center to rave reviews. Stephanie Browns agent called Kindred Spirits Organics from NYC to order a fresh bouquet for her to enjoy. I had the pleasure to design a beautiful bouquet for her, with auberine calla lilies, white snapdragons, Dutch iris, green spider mums, bright pink tulips, bear grass, purple larkspur, curly willow and gorgeous lilies. It looked lush and abundant, exquisitely fragrant, perfect for a star.

It has begun....

I know its too early. I can't help it. I will only plant a few seeds....I promise to wait till the right time. Spring is still several months away.
Today I sowed some Mamoth, Purple Ruffles and Genovese basil seeds, sweet marjoram, oregano, sage, and spearmint. Tomorrow, a day closer, I will plant thyme, summer savory, cilantro and parsley.

Jeff's chicken recipe

Jeff is an excellent cook, able to come up with great ideas just by looking in the refrigerator and pantry, sometimes using a recipe but most often just tweaking/adding/substituting. I came home to the most delicious aroma, I knew we were having "chicken" that evening but not sure how he was going to prepare it. He breaded the chicken breasts and cooked them along with thin diced carrots and set aside. Then he made tomato basil flavored pasta and placed the chicken on top, edged with the carrots. Then he made a bechamel sauce, but instead of using just milk, he used half milk half chicken broth and ladled over the chicken/pasta/carrots. Yum!!!