Lemon Aid

Right now, I'm drinking soapy, watery lemonade & it's some of the best lemonade I've had in a long time.

You see, I got it down the road, at a local stand, next to a lonely, dead-end street, sold by a boy of 6 or 7 years.  Not much traffic goes on this road.  I know, because I drive it almost everyday, because it is so quiet.  Yet, this little entrepreneur was out there smiling, his hands clasped in front of him, waiting patiently for any business that may come his way.  On his cloth-covered table, were a few cups and a lone pitcher of pale yellow lemonade.  You could tell he was proud of his little business by the way he stood ready with his posture so straight, in his dress shirt and shorts.  His eyes twinkled and scanned for any customers that may drive this distant, off-beaten road.

His handwritten sign with its faded ink that read 50 cents hung taped onto his cloth-covered table.  I pulled over & scrounged through my wallet for some change along with a little extra as a tip.  Seeing that he was using hard plastic cups, I knew they were eating his profit.

Slowly and methodically, he took the change & carefully unzipped his wallet.  Then methodically, he took his scoop and dug into a thermal lunch sack of ice & dropped in two ice cubes and proceeded to pour the lemonade into the cup and handed it to me.  He was happy.  Very happy.  He was proud, too, for having served a real customer.  This was his business.

After thanking him, I jumped in my car and took a big swig of lemonade.  It was tart due to its dilution and there was an aftertaste of soap, but it was really good.  It was really good because he was making a sale.  He was working and serving, and running his own business.  I know he made that lemonade.  Not mom, but him.  I didn't just get a cup of lemonade.  I got some hope.  I got to share in a memory that he'll have for the rest of his life.  I got some hope.

It's inspiring when I see people sharing their interests and talents through their self-made businesses because it's so personal.  It's a vulnerable position when you start and run a business between knowing there's so much competition with ready-made wares.  So much of yourself goes into the process, too, that's it's intimidating to wonder if whatever you're doing will be rejected.  The beauty of the handmade is that there's a face behind the product.  As a customer, you can know who made it which adds to the story of your purchase.

I'm going to keep supporting his little lemonade stand.  I hope when you see a little one's lemonade stand, you'll consider supporting your local stand, too.  For 50 cents, I got some hope.  I got some hope indeed & it's delicious.

Mmmmonday's Meal: Fettuccine

I love cooking, especially when I can get ingredients fresh from my garden or from a farmer's market.  I also love paging through magazines & blogs & trying to figure out ways to vegetarianize (such a word??) a dish.  I thought it would be fun to start posting Mondays' supper in a catchy sort of way, by calling it mmmmMonday Meals.

I've been making this dish for years and it's a combo of things we like to eat.  It's one of my daughters favorites, too.

I like to pretend when I'm cooking that I'm on a cooking show (tho we don't get cable), so I love having bowls of pre-measured spices and fresh-cut herbs & veggies set before me ready to mix together all the colors,  textures, and flavors into a nutrition-sustaining meal for my family.  

I simplify my recipes by grouping my activities & creating "centers" where I do the different processes, so that's why you'll see the division lines in the ingredient list.

Ingredients:  (serves 6-7).  Prep time:  15 min.  Bake time:  20

8 oz of pasta.  I love using De Boles' fettuccine (high in protein, fiber & even probiotic!),

boiled 6-8 minutes & drain

8-10 slices of bread (lately we've been using potato, but you can use whole wheat, French, etc),

"buttered" with Earth Balance spread (gluten-free & vegan)

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1/2-1 grater full of  Monterey Jack or Colby cheese, shred (optional)

1 tsp dried or 1 T fresh basil, chop (fresh is great, but our growing season hasn't started yet)

4 T Earth Balance "butter" or other

2 c milk or plain soy/hemp milk

2 T. flour

3/4 c parmesan cheese or substitute, shred

black pepper, to taste

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3 small tomatoes, dice

1 slice onion, dice (I love the sweetness of a red onion, but any will do.  Vidalia would be good, too)

sprinkles of parmesan cheese and/or basil (optional)

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roasted sunflower seeds, hulled (optional)

Directions:  (all of this can be done simultaneously, which is a great time-saver)

1.  400 degree oven.  Use a med-large pot with lid on to boil water.  Lid off/stays off & put pasta in to boil for 6-8 min & drain.  Turn off heat.  Keep in same pot, but lid it to keep warm.

2.  Meanwhile, put spread on bread & cut into fourths and put on bottom of casserole dish (13" x 9") and line edges with buttery spread facing inwards.  Bake for ~10 min. 'til lightly brown & remove dish from oven.  Lower oven temp to 350 degrees.

3.  Meanwhile, In another med-size pot, make a roux by melting the butter on low with a little bit of milk and a little bit of flour & stirring with a whisk to keep lumps from forming.  Once thickened into a nice sauce-like consistency, change out to a spoon to stir & add your herb, pepper, & cheeses.  Pour over pasta & mix well.  Pour pasta into casserole dish on to top of toasted bread squares.

4.  Sprinkle with tomatoes & onions, and parmesan & basil , if desired.  Bake in oven for 20 minutes uncovered, 'til heated through.  Remove & serve.

5.  Sprinkle sunflower seeds for extra crunch & flavor, if desired.

Sides:  a fresh green lettuce salad with avocados.

If you make it, let me know how it goes.

Spring Flowers

I picked up some flowers to plant.  I found some pansies that are bright and happy.  Excitedly, the kids brought out their gloves and the watering can.  We sprinkled organic potting soil into the bottoms of our pots and scooped the flowers from their tight, root nests into their new, spacious homes.  Looking at the porch, bouquets of color now are viewable when we arrive home or look out our front window.  

Spring

Alas, a new season is before us and the time of hibernation is over.  I have a friend who loves winter.  This past winter I was trying to see the season through her eyes, but it was hard.  I love color.  I love life.  I missed seeing wildlife.  I love gardening...'nuf said.  So, I'm glad to see buds on the trees again.  I love seeing the birds hanging out in our yard.  I love seeing green reflected in the water.  

Two ducks waddled around in our yard a few days ago,  their nest amongst the yellow cream reeds out back.  The drake likes to float down the waterway, bobbing up and down with the ripples.  He's on his own sort of rafting trip, whilst the female tends to her nest.  Soon, we'll see little yellow fluff balls bobbing and floating behind their mom and dad.  Growth.  Life.  Ahhhh, Spring is here.

Harvest

Sugar Pumpkin
Originally uploaded by Piece Mama

I'm getting ready for our Thanksgiving celebration by preparing our menu plan and grocery list. I open our pantry and peer inside to see what we have and what we need. I've been tired, so I wasn't looking forward to what sometimes feels like a grab and pull attitude at the market.

So, I readied my detailed list and drove past the juniper trees, around a bend, and into the lot of my favorite, local small-town market. I fastened my littlest son into the cart and placed his special beaver friend next to him. My cloth bags went on the bottom rack of the cart. I hitched up my worn jeans and rewrapped my scarf that was slipping untied as a wisp of wind pulled at its coil. Taking a big breath, I pushed the cart inside. I so hoped my focus would be meditative; my thoughts simplified to its purist intent: to feed and nourish my family. Gliding between the produce stands, I silently give thanks to God for the land that bears these fruits (& vegetables). Sustenance. I absorb the smells and the colors of the season.

Casting my eyes away, I catch a glimpse of some of the shoppers. I see smiles. Genuine expressions. People standing side-by-side look over the market's wares with thought and appreciation. We're on the same journey. Conversations, laughter, and kind words were shared. Gazing at my list, it went from items to check off to words that told a story, one of thanksgiving and family and togetherness.

When I left this store, I didn't see gluttony or selfishness. I saw a humbleness for the things we have. Carts was not overloaded. Instead, I saw items inside that were carefully hand-chosen for loved ones. Our conscience was of harmony. Peering into our cart, I smiled. It contained life. It contained tradition. It contained thankfulness.

Changing Seasons

Peering out the window, I see bits of snowflakes tangling with the rain.  Colors in the trees are fading and going into dormancy.  Our apple tree, with its one leaf waving its sunshine-colored flag, reminds me of a sweet autumn story called, Fletcher and the Falling Leaves.  The story shows a little fox struggling to hold onto the falling leaves, not fully understanding that these breezes that blow are also the ones that are whispering the winds of winter.  I stare at my almost bare tree.  Her branches are a deep rust-colored brown.  There's one lone leaf left shivering, trying to hold on.  I find myself wanting to be like Fletcher and rush out to rescue it.  But I know soon this leaf, too, will fall, gently and quietly, unto the base of the tree to blanket and warm.  It's part of the seasonal change.  Winter is upon us.  It's chilly.  It's time to snuggle under a quilt and read a good book together.

Creativity's afoot...

Shoe train
Originally uploaded by Piece Mama

We've all heard of a shoe tree... well my 2 year old son created a shoe train. It's amazing when we can step back (pun intended) to see our kids problem solve or create art using everyday objects. So many times I am reminded to simply look at things simply. I look at each shoe that was placed heel to toe flowing in the same direction, through curves and bends. My son's shoes are placed before ours, following a trail to new adventures, led by a child's creativity. Shoes of rest (slippers) are mixed with shoes of work and shoes of leisure... it's a good reminder to try to keep grounded, go with the flow, and mix fun and work during the day to make sure it'll start on the right foot.