Liebster Award

I'm so excited--I've been nominated for an award! The Liebster Award is a really cool way to meet fellow bloggers, find kindred spirits, and get to know our blogging friends a little bit better. I was nominated by one of my personal favorites, Linn Acres Farm--you really need to go and check out their helpful and inspiring blog.

Better Than Campbell's Alphabet Soup

I knew I had to share this one when one of my daycare boys asked me to make it yesterday!

"When are we going to have the letter soup again? I LOVE it." Is that not the best compliment a cook could get? A 3 year old asking for veggies?

3 Tips for Newbie Seed Starters

There is a ton of great information floating around about starting seeds right now, because so many of us are in the thick of it. Giving plants an early start inside as we get ready for the summer garden is such a satisfying experience. It's also a yearly learning experience and a lesson in patience and delayed gratification. I really believe that no matter how many tips you read, or what advice you get, the only way you'll get to know all your little tricks is to take a deep breath, and DO it!

Our wild success with heirloom tomatoes, started from seed,
has kept us coming back to the learning process of seed starting!

"Urban People are NOT Farmers"

The words made me bristle immediately.

A local Facebook friend had posted the link to a much needed petition. Our city does not allow backyard chickens, and many of us would like to change that. The petition can be found here:

Urban chickens for Fort Wayne

I shared the heck out of the petition, not before excitedly replying to my friend's post "YAY! Signing immediately!"

Leave it to Facebook to create unexpected negativity. Not more than an hour later, another post appeared below mine saying (and I'm paraphrasing from memory, because since then my friend has taken her link down);

Sausage, Leek, Carrot and Butter Bean Stew

This was unique and tasty. Everyone in the family approved of and liked it. I was skeptical of using the wine, because it called for a lot, but after cooking down, the flavor was wonderful. I will be making it again!

Our Top 5 Pancakes- And a Bonus

Inventory Made

I sat down and wrote them all down.

I absolutely do not have enough room for all these seeds.

Why is collecting seeds so much fun? Magical, even? The potential in these packets as I lift them out of the seed box fairly buzzes in my hand.

Brown Bag Popcorn

A few days ago I posted an anti-microwave rant. The microwave is evil! It is emitting radiation and it is ripping the nutrients in your food to non-recognizable mutations!

Nevertheless. I'm back to tell you how to use your microwave. That evil one. Because if you are like me, you still have it there, on the counter, and it's blissfully unaware of its own danger. It just wants you to have some yummy popcorn.

Hear me out. I think this popcorn 'recipe' is a bridge, an in-between.

Valentine's Day Crystal Hearts

This is a great 'magical' activity that will surprise and delight all ages!

The kids were absolutely stunned by the crystals that formed on these Valentine hearts, as was I.

The Microwave: I just Can't Seem to Give it Up

The safety of cooking in a microwave has been a debate that's gone on for as long as I can remember. Some claim there is absolutely no danger, as long as the seals are all intact, others claim that radiation leaks out and helps cause cancer (heck, the same waves come from our cell phones and our WiFi. Unless we live in a tech-free zone, we are apparently doomed anyway!).