Amaryllis Update

 

One of 7 bulbs exploded in flowers after hibernation.  I gave this one a gold sticker so I know it's the good bulb.  The others will need summer sun and fertilizer and we'll give them one more season to produce or it's onto the compost bin.  No sense keeping bulbs that don't produce!

Enjoying Earth Day

My last Earth Day post was 2022, and I can honestly say not much has changed, I made yogurt today and worked on my seedlings by taking them outside for their first hour of sun to begin the hardening process.  

I assessed my spring garden plants, the garlic is tall and happy, shallots look grand.  Carrots did not sprout at all.  Lettuce is peaking out and might have sent a starter shoot into another bucket, will transplant that later as it gets bigger.  No sign of spinach, and forgot where I might have planted it, the plant coming up where I thought it was appears to be related to buttercups after a picture google search, not sure how reliable that is but it's definitely not spinach.

Shallots

Garlic

Next steps for seedlings - plant Jalapeno, Poblano, 2 more Butternut Squash, and some mystery peppers that I think were my favorite snack peppers from last year and I forgot to label the bag!  

New project - I've been working on turning purple sweet potatoes into powder.  One 3 ounce bag can cost up to $20, and I can see why, it's super labor intensive!  First we bake it for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 350 in a glass container with lid, then puree it (removing the skin first), then spread thin on parchment paper and put in the air fryer dehydrator setting for 8-10 hours on 100, it must be completely dry and not like fruit leather.  If it's too thick then it won't turn to powder. After the drying process is complete, break it up into small pieces and pulverize with a mortar and pestle.  To get this jar, of probably one ounce, we've done 3-4 sheets in the air fryer and spent significant time pulverizing.  I've tried using the food processer but it makes a mess, doesn't turn it to powder, and the little pieces it makes can be done just as easily with the mortar and pestle.  It's a great stress reliever, we find ourselves doing it for 10-15 minutes each day so it's a slow progression but at least we're not throwing out these wonderful items.  The powder may look fine in the mortar, but use a sieve to make sure it's actually fine.  If we continue with this, I might try getting a spice grinder.

Here's a great guide to making purple powder if you prefer  a step by step guide: https://www.alphafoodie.com/how-to-make-ube-powder-purple-sweet-potato-powder/

Recently I've been making homemade granola, I'm still buying the oatmeal from Aldi, I'd like to find a source where I can buy it wholesale in a container I bring to cut back on the packaging waste.  

As with most homemade endeavors, it takes time, but the result is usually much better tasting then store bought alternatives and we know what's gone into the product.  Even if you are not convinced about global warming, making homemade foods saves money and I think we can all agree on that!  

The Day Before Spring

Today I planted my stash of amaryllis bulbs, a task that was due two months ago!  I realized tomorrow is the start date for planting seedlings so I started a few pumpkins and butternut squash.  Feeling very productive, I also transferred photos from my phone to computer from 2022 - 2023 summer.  

I worked outside a bit, letting cats out to roam the yard.  They seemed to enjoy the outdoors and beg to go outside every day.  

This is Aisha, enjoying sun while I had breakfast this morning.

Pesto Pepperjack Chicken Sandwich

Last year I got a basil plant that grew into a bush. I then learned to make pesto, from one of my favorite cooking blogs, The Chunky Chef.  I've used up my freezer storage of pesto a long time ago so it was time t move onto store bought pesto.  I got several from Trader Joes, and noticed they were using different ingredients, like cashews and other greens. So today, after having a severe craving for pesto, I decided to use what I had available! 

Cashews substituted for Pine Nuts 

Spinach and Arugula substituted for Basil 

All other ingredients, I had on hand, and followed the receipt verbatim

I found this new pesto to be excellent, and no longer will I hold off on having pesto until I have basil.  I will still grow basil, but happy to have an alternative.

For the sandwich: I cook one chicken breast for 11 minutes at 400 in the air fryer, covered in my favorite spice, AnonymousQ Disruption Beef & More. 

I slather pesto on both sides of a whole wheat bun, add one slice of pepper jack cheese, and melt in the air fryer for one minute on toast setting. 

Put the chicken and buns together and it's literally the most amazing juicy sandwich I've ever had in my life. Seriously, I won't even eat chicken sandwiches at restaurants any more because they usually come out rubbery, and so boring, or too salty. It's always great when you can master a food and improve upon all prior restaurant experiences.

While making lunch, I watched Megan Markle's new show "With Love, Megan", third episode.  I think it should have been named, "Learn New Things with Megan Markle", because she spends each episode trying new things and it's fun to watch how they turn out.  She has a great flair for making things beautiful and I have enjoyed learning from each episode.  I look forward to watching the rest of the series.

Perspective

Today I read an article about Octomom living in a 3 bedroom apartment (approximately 1500 square feet), and as a single mom she struggles to meet her children's needs. Then I read an article about Alex Baldwin who complained about living in a space too small for his family of 9, the space is over 6000 square feet. 

Yes, it's easy to poke fun at Alex Baldwin for feeling cramped in such a big space, but the issues probably has more to do with organization, and lots of children under 10, and little personal space. I think about my own space, and how it's starting to feel cramped. I have a 1918 square foot space townhouse with a tiny backyard, and street parking. 

In the right location in NY, a townhouse born similar year to mine is going for almost 4 million! 

I recently looked into buying a house of similar square foot size, smaller bedrooms, but bigger entertainment space and finished downstairs, but it would have put us a strain on our time to work on the new home and finish the current home to make it a rental, and the expense to maintain two properties until one could be rented would have put a strain on our budget. As I put away my dreams for this bigger space, and large yard, I decided that maybe it was time I put my considerable design skills to good use and make this place more comfortable, finish the projects needed to eventually make this a rental, and by the time it's ready to be rented, make it so fabulous that the future renters will feel like they are living in high class style, in Hagerstown. Game on!