Monthly Archives: June 2013

There’s something inspiring about a vegetable garden. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I just always want to SHARE it…

Ellie and I spent several hours digging around in the dirt, picking strawberries and carrots and lettuce and peas – and guessing how much longer the blueberries would need. We topped that off with a walk around the lake, and some rock skipping off the deck. Sometimes I’m just overwhelmed with gratitude and awe at the life that I’ve been blessed with. It’s pretty much unreal.

Garden #1

Garden #1

Her “rabbit eared carrot”

This is my backyard?!?!?! How did I get here?

This pile of rocks about sums up my husband….he had them delivered so that he and Ellie can throw them into the lake. Yes. 3 yards of skipping rocks.

Garden #2

With all the beauty around, it’s hard to think that I’d be grumpy about anything.  BUT…the truth of the matter is, pregnancy does all sorts of wacky things to us women…physically, emotionally, and everything-ly. Kidney stones are pretty miserable, too. Put the two of them together, and…well….I’m NOT fun. Which brings me to another topic: the new fire pit. Yes, there is a connection between kidney stones, pregnancy and fire pits…

You see, I had plans to put a fire pit near where we have our annual campouts.  Up until now we’ve been using a fire bowl thing-a-ma-jig, and I wanted something a little more permanent…and less prone to tipping over. I poked around on Pinterest searching for designs, ordered gravel, convinced my brother to load up the Suburban with rocks from his house, and thought through design and placement to no end.  Everything was ready to go, we just needed to move the gravel into place and build the darn thing.  When a neighbor let us borrow his Uni-loader, Jeffrey willingly agreed to help out.  It had only been a few days since my surgery, so I figured I’d let him have free rein with some clear instructions, but stay inside with Ellie while he implemented what EXACTLY was in my head.

A couple hours later, he came in beaming: “I finished the fire pit! Come see!”

I won’t go into detail, but his vision wasn’t exactly my vision, and there just might have been some conflict and some yelling and some hormonal fit throwing. Whatevs. The fire pit is done. I’m pregnant. I just had a kidney stone removed, and another one is suspected to be brewing up in there. Nothing more need be said…except…I’m surprised my husband is still talking to me, and what do I REALLY have to complain about?

Not sure how either of us feel about this spot anymore.

Now I need to start figuring out how to make this situation work…so back to the drawing board…Anyone have any must see designs that won’t require too much cash or effort? I’m 90% sure we’re going to have to put a drain in to keep this area from turning into a pond, but I’d like to make it look a little better and more finished. Ideas?

Ok, people…it has been over a year since I’ve posted a real blog post, but I have experienced something that just has to be shared: the Rhubarb Sour. Now, let’s be clear…I have yet to FULLY experience this out-of-this-world-fill-me-up-again cocktail, but the magnificent elixir just might have touched my lips for a sip or two, and trust me, as soon as I pump this baby out, I’m gonna be all about this new oh-so-fresh-and-delicious-smackarific-scrummy-yummy drink!  It may be one of my favorite Pinterest finds of all, and just might be the new replacement for my Passionfruit Jalepeno Martini that my friends have become addicted to. Who’s up for some deliciousness?

Just to be clear, the original recipe came from The Boys Club and can be found here, but I made some adjustments to fit the tastes of my compadres (meaning I wanted it less sweet…more tart), which included using my famous home infused Strawberry-Rhubarb Vodka.

Photo from http://theboysclub.net/

Here’s MY version:

RHUBARB SOUR

1/2 cup gin
1/4 cup FRESH lime juice (or use Santa Cruz Organic Lime Juice – my fav)
1/2 cup rhubarb simple syrup (see below)
1/8 – 1/4 cup rhubarb infused vodka (see below)
1/4 cup soda water
baker’s sugar (for rim of glass)

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker  with ice and shake it like a Polaroid picture until it’s nice and mixed up.  I like to use dainty little vintage cocktail glasses with no ice…but that part is all up to you!

Now, here are the other two parts you’ll need to make BEFORE you go off and start your cocktail makin’

RHUBARB SYRUP (I took this straight from the Boys Club website with no adjustments)

Ingredients for Rhubarb Simple Syrup:

4 rhubarb stalks, chopped
1/2 cup honey
1 cup water

1. Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Stir often.

2. Strain through a fine sieve over a bowl, using a spoon to press down on the rhubarb to extract as much liquid as possible. Let cool and refrigerate until required.

RHUBARB VODKA INFUSION

1.75 liters vodka
5-6 stalks of rhubarb, chopped
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 of a whole nutmeg

1. Combine all the ingredients in a big ol’ jar, and let sit in a cool, dark place for about a month, shaking every once in a while. Filter, and enjoy.