Grounded

When I return from a writers’ conference, as I did Saturday evening, I don’t immediately peruse my new writing ideas. I go to my garden.

Being away from my garden is like missing a favorite meal. I crave it until I’m checking in with the tomatoes and butternut squash to see how their colors have deepened and their size plumped. I push my fingers into the soil to feel the level of moisture. I pluck a raspberry and savor the sharp flavor on my tongue, then I fill my container. I also give thanks for this relationship I have with the particular piece of land God has entrusted to me.

And so today I think it’s fitting to share a recipe from a friend of mine who is a debut novelist. Grounded, by Angela Correll, takes place mostly on a farm where career-woman Annie is spending time with her grandmother, Beulah. Together, they garden and cook, among many other adventures. Learn more about Angela, her book and her recipes at her website. And cut some of your remaining basil for this recipe.

Evelyn's Pesto

4 cups of basil leaves (fresh)

3 cloves of garlic

1/2 cup of pine nuts

1 teaspoon of salt

3/4 cup italian parsley (fresh)

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup of parmesan cheese

Put all ingredients into a food processor and process until mixed well. Freeze or eat fresh. Use as pasta sauce by heating and adding a bit of cream or as a seasoning for vegetables or soups.

Red and Blue Potato Salad is good picnic addition

It’s potato harvest season for those of us who kept potato bugs at bay and are now reaping the benefits of a good harvest. Because visual appeal is part of the whole package for creating an appealing meal, I’m thrilled to have white, red and blue potatoes to play with. In combination, they make an attractive color package. 

I’m never sure what to take to potluck gatherings because most of the dishes I prefer to serve are meant to be eaten warm. We were recently invited to a gathering of friends. Instead of challenging myself to keep something warm until mealtime, I decided to slightly alter a potato salad recipe I had tried. I substituted my red and blue potatoes for the Yukon golds and other garden-fresh vegetables such as—red peppers and carrots. Keep in mind that reds and blues have fewer carbs than white potatoes, which provides one of the nutritional benefits of this recipe.

If you’re enjoying a good potato harvest, try this Ina Garten recipe, sans lobster (as I did) unless you’ve just pulled in those lobster traps!

Lobster and Potato Salad

I intended to post a potato salad recipe today, but maybe I'll do that later this week. Instead, I'm participating this week in the Liebster Award. Groundwell Farm nominated me for this award and I like the idea, which is to thank the blogger who nominated you, answer the questions they pose and pose questions to a few bloggers (with hundreds rather than thousands of followers) who I nominate.

I'm thrilled that Groundwell nominated me. It's wonderful to be recognized by a blog that supports sustainability, something I've been working creatively to live. So thank you Groundwell for your good work and your recognition.

Now, to your questions:

1. What do you think about sheep?
Hmm. I'll be thinking about that one all evening because I haven't thought of sheep since I heard some in a barn and went to see them. They weren't interested in me; I didn't have food.

2. Identify your most unloved possession.  How did you acquire this thing?
A clock that hangs in our living room; it was a gift.

3. Why did you think you needed it?
 Because my husband likes it.

4. How did it disappoint you?
It makes me think of deer hunters and I know there are too many deer here, but I hate to think of them being killed.
 
5. What is your favorite gardening tool?
My small, hand hoe.

6. What got you started blogging?
I wanted to be accountable to myself as I worked to live from my garden.

7. What is the best way to build community?
Listen to one anothers stories.

8. When was the last time you grew something and produced a yield?
I've been doing it all summer.

9. Did you save seeds from your yield?
I saved my spring spinach seeds and planted them for fall.

10. The last time you entered the wilderness, what brought you there?
A desire for a peaceful place to walk.

Now, for the blogs I want to nominate:

Friends Drift Inn

Savoring Kentucky

Simply Nutritious

Now bloggers, for your questions:

1. What's the title of the last book you read?

2. What are you looking forward to this fall?

3. What's your favorite kitchen tool?

4. What's your favorite kitchen ingredient?

5. What have you never grown that you would like to try to grow?

6. Where did you go on your favorite vacation?

7. How do you stay optimistic when you're having a hard time of it?

8. What do you like about the changing in seasons?

9. If you could be a guest on a radio or television show, which show would you choose?

10. What will you do when you finish answering these questions?

Go Liebsters!