Saturday Snapshot (s) - Fachwerk and Love

In the Spring of 2010, SB and I flew to Germany to visit dear friends and to take a junket to Dresden and Prague. On the way back from Dresden, we stopped at a beautiful Ludowingian castle called Das Wartburg near Eisenach. One section of the castle was a long wing comprised of this beautiful fachwerk - timbered construction that supports stone and plasterwork. The lighting was just beautiful that morning and to top it off there was a pair of doves nestled into a sunny corner. So romantic and lovely ... it seemed that my tourist snapshot couldn't get any prettier. I fell in love with the place.

The next Sunday, we went for a walk in the Odenwald near Weinheim ... up into the hills. The Spring breezes were really soft and warm that afternoon. I stopped at one point and turned off the trail to take a rest and just look ... it was the stuff of dreams for me. Just look ... I often think back to that day. I can't tell you how much I love the German countryside and miss our German friends.

What, where, or who do you dream on when you're feeling nostalgic ?

Saturday Snapshot

Now's your chance to post a dreamy snapshot of your own ... or view the other snapshots that have inspired the bloggers who join Alyce's weekly photoshare at her blog, at home with books. Hit the link above and see what everyone is sharing this week! You're always welcome to join in too! Cheers! Enjoy your weekend!

Darina Allen and Christmas in March

If it can snow in March, then I guess I can bake one last wintertime dessert and give it my own snowy dusting! Darina Allen's recipe for Ballymaloe Mincemeat Crumble Tart is a highlight in her book of Christmas recipes. It was more than I could resist ...

Cook's Illustrated - Black Bean Chili

I swear I make so many soups and stews that I should start another blog that's devoted to just those types of recipes! I make so many soups and stews that I'm running out of different bowls to use when I photograph a serving for a post! The women in the area consignmnent stores know me now and aim me in the direction of new stock when I walk through their doors! No kidding! One gal calls me 'the dish and platter girl' ...I suppose it could be worse...

These are the latest little finds ... they hold just about a cup and half . Perfect portion for a nice hot lunch ... don't you think? If the truth be told, they're probably salad bowls or dessert bowls, but I will use them for my soups and stews! They look pretty with my ancient Corningware plates. Yes, they were a good buy. To boot, I found some silverplate spoons and the sweetest little pickle fork ... yup, I'll be dressing up the photos a little bit from the usual dishes and spoons!

The New American Plate - The Book and the Concept

My brother, Rich told me about this book a while ago and I poohed-poohed it, all the while knowing that he was concerned about me and was trying to pass on a good idea and some good recipes.

We all have to come to terms with weight loss and dietary control in our own time and it's taken me a while, but hey now ! I'm slowing coming around. The Weight Watchers membership has been a good first step. I'm managing to stay somewhat  mostly disciplined in my diet and as I get used to things like portion control, looking at the actual plate content analytically has started to kick in ... and here is where this cookbook comes in.

Turkey Fried Rice

Making your own fried rice will spoil you ... it is so easy to put in more of what you like and less of what you don't. It's fresher than what you get in most Asian eateries and it's really not that hard to make if you just sharpen your knife and get chopping! Get yourself a good wok and some wooden or silicon spoons for stir frying and away you go!

An easy lunch that is nutritious and not too over the top ... turkey fried rice and a pot of tea ...

Saturday Snapshot - Last Summer's Colors

Last summer, I ran around like a crazy woman when we were threatened by Hurricane Irene. I knew the high winds and heavy rains would batter my pretty flowers, so I cut half a dozen bouquets from the last of the perfect blooms. It was a pretty few days in the grey cottage, despite the rains and flooding that happened all around us.

Flash forward ... It's been awfully brown all winter and then, just the other day, it became awfully white and blustery. Times like this bring on memories of those summer gardens. Looking at this snapshot, I can't decide which is my favorite flower - the colors makes me positively woozy. Yup ... it's cabin fever!

I've been flipping through the seed catalogues the last couple days.

I've been dreaming on flower beds ... what do you do when you've been struck by wintertime cabin fever?

Saturday Snapshot

Check out other bloggers' Saturday  Snapshots by visiting Alyce's blog, at home with books. The are a kazillion links to check out! Have fun!

Farmers, CSA's, and Severine von Tscharner Fleming

                                                                                                

 Photo Credit - Rich Pomerantz Photography

SvTF is the way I'm going to refer to her. I'm sure she must have a nickname that she goes by ... perhaps Madame Greenhorn ? She's worked very hard to bring organization and support to young farmers nation-wide through her efforts in forming The Greenhorns. The homesteading and CSA movements have blossomed while she has been recruiting the most enthusiastic of supporters in the fields of agriculture, film, art, technology, and marketing to jump on board the Greenhorns advocacy group and help promote its mission to recruit and support young farmers as they go up against the large agribusiness complex that threatens small scale farming. The organization's blog,  the irresistible fleet of bicycles , is a wealth of information on finding available farm land, farming issues, seminars for learning farming practices and business strategies, ways to advocate for the small farmer in the political arena, and celebrations of successes. This is grassroots organization in a 21st century world and technology is helping a lot! The Greenhorns organization, with SvTF as its director, has its hands in the worlds of on-line communication, independent film production, and radio.

SvTF is an eloquent advocate. Yes, she's on a mission. Sounds a little daunting, doesn't it?  Well, it is when you really think about it, but there are so many small farms struggling to grow good food and raise healthy animals to supply the American public with healthy local foodstuffs. CSA's are just the tip of the iceberg. Local farmer's markets are the place to really see what small farmers can provide. The networks that are formed through those markets and regional food festivals are the backbone of the locavore movement  ... and I'm sure SvTF is cheering the little explosions of enthusiastic support that are occurring all over this country (and the world!). Yup, she must be ... and giving small farmers a place to connect and collaborate ... and THAT's game changing. Period. Peace.

As an aside - For a really great look at SvTF and other young farmers who are jumping headlong into this resurging agricultural renaissance, see Rich Pomerantz's blog and, in particular, his Young Farmers series at Rich Pomerantz Photography . He's taken some amazing pictures and has given  great write-ups on all these young people.

Betcha Can't Eat Just One ...

One of the things that Silent Bob loves the most are oatmeal cookies warm from the oven with a cold glass of milk ... these cookies are the best oatmeal cookies that you will ever have. Guaranteed.

They're fast and easy. They mix up in one bowl with no fuss and they're dropped helter skelter onto the cookies sheets and popped in the oven one batch - two batch - three batch. You get just about three dozen cookies ... enough for a party or for stocking the cookie jar.