Monday, June 23, 2014

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

For those of you with our cookbook, this recipe is on page 62
under "Salads".  Something different that will take you right on through the fall!

Dressing
1/4 cup olive oil
2 T orange juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
 
Whisk together oil, juice and cumin.  Set aside.
 
Potato Salad
 
4 cups peeled and diced sweet potatoes (2 - 3 large)
1/2 cup olive oil  - (1/4 cup will do)
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup diced celery
1 bunch parsley, minced (1/4 cup)
 
Combine potatoes, oil, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper in a roasting pan.  Toss to coat
Roast potatoes at 400 degrees 45 minutes or until crusty and fork tender.
Cool.  Combine potatoes, cranberries, celery and parsley.  Pour dressing over potatoes
and toss to coat.  Serve at room temperatures. 
 
This is so good, you may want to double! 
 
 
Serves 6 

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Strawberry Time

My first "Strawberry Rhubarb Pie" of the season! 
I've already made "Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler" many times!
But the pie...it is the BEST! 
Everyone loves this pie! 

A pretty painting of strawberries given to my husband and me
for an anniversary several years ago by my late Mother-in-law.

An old tray along with a vintage copy of "Yankee Magazine"
on display in the breakfast room!

A bookcase in the kitchen has the strawberry theme for the summer months.
Notice the "Wild Strawberry" wallpaper by Waverly in the background!
This wallpaper has been in this kitchen for about 36 years and...
it's still LOVED!!

Grandma's strawberry cookie jar, old paper coasters, wooden napkin
holder holding up a strawberry cookbook find themselves in
another cubby!

Mom's strawberry cup and saucer along with vintage towels are
keeping company with an old tole painted box (done by me many years ago)
are found on an old oak dry sink.

This little strawberry bowl is fun to use while washing and draining
strawberries.  This, a gift from my sister, is a favorite piece!
Ready, set, get your strawberry things out or start collecting!
The colors are bright, fun and delightfully help to make your house a home!

White Flower Farm

www.whiteflowerfarm.com
1.800.503.9624
Litchfield, CT

White Flower Farm has a wonderful catalog! 
Give them a call or sign up for it online.
The catalog is amazing and quite enjoyable.
I have purchased hydrangeas while sitting in my comfy chair!
Recently, we took a drive to White Flower Farm and
here is my report! 

They have prize begonias and so many varieties of herbs, flowers, bushes and so much more!

Take a walk around the farm.  I would recommend getting one of
the free maps of the property.  This will help you navigate the
greenhouses and gardens with ease!

I have purchased many different types of hydrangeas...among them
Little Lime, Pistachio, Pinky Winky and most recently Pistachio!
Take a trip in your car or from your easy chair! 
You'll love what you'll find for your garden at White Flower Farm!

It's That Time of Year Again!

A large snapping turtle has once again found her way up the 250 feet
from the pond to the edge of a perennial bed.  She's looking for the
perfect soft spot to lay her eggs. 
Each year around the 14th of June, Flag Day, this
natural phenomenon occurs. 

In the pouring rain
on this Friday the 13th of June,
she works very hard digging, looking around all the while being
totally aware of her surroundings. 

At last she has found the perfect place to deposit her eggs. 
Please know, she will lay the eggs, cover them up and return to
the water never again to return to this place.
In 3 months, the little turtles will hatch knowing everything there is
to know about life itself.  These little babies will never know their
mother but will instead upon being hatched find their way down
the lawn to the pond.  Isn't nature wonderful?!!
Will we see the little turtles when the hatch?  We'll see!
Hopefully, we'll be able to  catch a photo or two!