{this moment}: puzzled sunsets

No words. Well, not this week. I got to play with my iPhone on the ferry and these pics are the results. As my hubby (my Good Apple) commented, "You need to have a disclaimer that these pics are like The Real Housewives of OC...modified." So there it is. These captured my new "modified" fun.

CSA October 4

Fall. It is official. Time for soups, stews and homemade bread. For the last two weeks, I have found myself thinking about soups as I looked at the offerings of the weekly share. I do have to admit, that I haven't been using all of my greens. This really troubles me since I do not want to waste food and I DO want to preserve what I can. We have been off island, with family and blah blah blah. Excuses. I know I am better than excuses; however, I just haven't pulled it together to blanch and freeze those greens. This week it will happen, although that means it must happen TODAY. Another crazy busy week ahead.

One item in the share that I am excited about this week is the celeriac. Into the mashed potatoes it will go or perhaps diced or shaved into the weekly soup.

This week I was given a HUGE beautiful head of cauliflower which reminded me of one of my favorite recipes: Country Captain with Cauliflower and Peas a la Bon Appetit. This is a crowd pleaser in our house and we just might have to visit it come Sunday.

Another happy find in our basket, the delicious cucumbers. It turns out they are our littlest one's favorite food (next to sausage). Who can complain? Perhaps me, I could eat cucumber and tomato salads all week with the amazing collection of tomatoes that are included. The folks at Heritage have raised the bar on tomato production. Week after week we have been gifted bags of red beauties. I am so thankful each and every week since I know I cannot grow a tomato to save my, well, you know.

Oh, and the basil! I am going to throw one more batch of pesto into the mix with the basil. I know there are plenty of uses for basil, but nothing captures it's palate punch for me like good pesto and now that I have my No Fail Pesto recipe, it is hard to turn to anything else.

Here is this week's share:

Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celariac
Chard
Collards
Cucumbers
Fennel
Flower bouquet
Garlic
Head lettuce
Herbs: korean mint, basil
Onions
Peppers: hungarian hot, italian pepperocini (the long skinny redish one)
Potatoes
Scarlet runner beans
Spinach
String beans
Tomatoes

Photos this week were taken with my new gadget, an iPhone. I am working on the intricacies of photography a la phone. Thanks for your patience :)

...and the Beat Goes On

I have grand plans for this week and I am writing about them in hopes that they will actually happen.

Today I covered both beds with bird netting. Why you ask? There are only carrots and remnants of patty pan and cherry tomatoes. Ah, but the raccoons are back. (No exclamation points. No CAPS. I am speaking about this in a calm voice. Really. You don't believe me? You are asking if I am medicated? No, just taking deep breaths.)

Let's just say my precious garlic bulbs will be here soon and I am hoping to hear the sounds of a seriously pissed off raccoon tonight. They WILL NOT mess with my garlic. (Yikes, THERE are the CAPS. I digress.)

And so this week I hope to throw down a couple of inches of compost and some mulch...under the netting, of course and I would like to set up our modified coldframe. Dreaming...hoping, that I can find a weather window.

Keep on me to make it happen and I will promise to post when I hear the raccoons finding the netting. *smiling*

Side note: My intention is not to hurt them...just deter.

Mental Chew reviews "The Chew"

We don't have traditional TV in our house. I watch shows online, that's about it. During a visit at my dad's I thought I would check out ABC's "groundbreaking" and "innovative" new show. Their words, not mine. Funny thing is...it is called "The Chew". Viewers are Googling, Binging and Yahooing "The Chew Recipes" and guess where they are landing? Yes, at my site. Nice by-product, eh? So, I HAD to see an episode.

There are five co-hosts on the show:
Clinton Kelly - from TLC's "What Not to Wear"
Carla Hall - Top Chef participant (love her)
Michael Symon - Food Network and Iron Chef
Daphne Oz - Healthy living consultant. Dr. Oz's daughter
Mario Batali - Chef extraordinaire, restauranteur, author and well known TV personality

The concept for the show is brilliant; however, after watching an episode, I felt like I needed to take a deep breath. When all 5 members were on, they spoke over one another...constantly. I found that my shoulders were creeping up to my ears as they cut each other off. In addition to the criss cross conversation, each person, with the exception of Batali, seemed to be saying all they could within each breath. Perhaps if "The Chew" cut a segment, like "Benefits of Kissing", each person could take a breath between their sentences and it would feel more conversational and less like a blast of information.

Simon and Kelly were easy to watch and I feel like I could warm up to them. Batali is Batali. There is a reason he is so well know; he is extremely good at what he does. His partners should watch him. Hall was fun to watch. Her input was full of great ideas and felt down-to-earth, whimsical and heartfelt.

Oz is the biggest glitch in the show. I am sure she is lovely in person, but her TV personality made me cringe a bit. She seemed rattled through her recipe segment and it felt like she was giving bedroom eyes to the gentleman she was interviewing in her second segment. Sorry, but it is true. I was thinking it, my TV watching partner said it.

Let's talk food. The recipes were actually great. They were quick, easy and healthy. Loved each and every one and I would try them all at home. The Chew posts the hosts' recipes every day online at http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes While I might not have time to check out the show, I will follow their recipes.

Again, this is a great concept and I could see myself getting hooked if: the conversation was more conversational, there was a mom on the panel, and they cut down the number of segments so they can slow down the pace of the show.

This show is just starting and I think it could stick with a few changes that would make the dialogue as strong as their recipes.

{this moment}:walking

A Friday ritual from Amanda at Soule Mama.

A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your “moment” in the comments for all to find and see.