CSA update!

I'm now 1/2 way through the season of my CSA, and I love it! I still kept my garden, because I wasn't really sure what I would be getting and if I would like it, and I think that next year I will definitely plant way less veggies, and add some more things that won't take up freezer space, like garlic. I would also like to plant more blueberry bushes and strawberry plants, because I can never have too much of either of those!

I have been freezing things like crazy--Scott and I chopped up and blanched kale for caldo verde (kale soup) and zucchini in the past week. I also shredded a TON of zucchini to use in the fall for baking. Last week, I made these yummy sugar snap peas:



You know a recipe is great when your 6 year old gobbles it up!

I also made this over the weekend using zucchini, tomatoes, and corn:



AH-MA-ZING!!!!! So yummy as as side dish, a topping for fajita steaks, and I used it as
filling for veggie tacos with some guacamole on top. Delish.

I also made a kale pizza that was basically my own recipe--spread a little oil on the pizza dough (store-bought), spread my homemade garlic scape/basil pesto on it, threw kale and some tomato on top, and then sprinkled parm and mozzarella cheese on top. So tasty--my 4 year old kale lover devoured it.

We have been getting lots of scallions from the farm, so I have just been chopping them up finely, and putting them right in the freezer. I won't need to buy frozen onions all fall with the amount we've been getting. I used them in rice the other day, and I like the mild flavor of them. I would bet that they would be great in fresh salsa when I get some more tomatoes!

I just looked at the newsletter for what we are getting next week, and excited for our 2nd week of yummy, just picked corn, our first batch of cukes and carrots, and peaches and nectarines, among other things. I'm so happy with the variety of things that they have been offering.

The things kids say...

My kids have just been cracking me up this week with the things they are saying.

H- "Mom, I'm going to put you in your room. You are annoying me." I'm not sure where he got that from-<sarcasm>

In addition, we now have the, "You're so annoying." "No, you are!" arguments that are inevitable with siblings so close in age.

L-"Mom, did you know that God can see everything? I wonder if he can see inside my body."

This one is said quite often by H- "Aw, I forgot to tell him/her/them something before they left!" Usually when I ask him what he needed to tell the person/people, he has something silly, unimportant, or can't remember.

L-"Mom, God must have really big eyes if he can see everything. Do you think they are magic, like Santa? I think he chooses the weather, too."

H misspeak: a lawnmower is a "mow lawn"

L misspeak- Monster's University is "Monster's Anniversary"

What I am really enjoying most right now is hearing how expressive Hunter is with his thoughts and train of thought these days. The conversations we have just crack me up, partially because what he talks about, but also because of his "delivery." He is quite dramatic and animated (like Scott) when he tells a story, and usually had to demonstrate it by physically acting it out, which is hysterical. He and Lori are really great playmates most of the time, so it is really funny to watch their dueling imaginations.

Can't wait to see the funny things they do this week!

Back in the saddle

Although I haven't performed in a musical/light opera since college, I have performed a lot since college. I sang in a church choir and was a featured soloist both in OH and in CT, I sing at my church occassionally, I've sung for weddings, etc. With all of the performing I've done for many years, I was amazing at how vulnerable I felt at my first real blocking rehearsal for leads--and I'm just an understudy.

While I'm confident about my singing skills, I've never been a fabulous actress, so I felt very insecure as we were blocking scenes. I felt very vulnerable delivering my lines to a group of strangers, some of who I know are judgemental, based on conversations I overheard. Also, having worked with  my partner in crime at school in blocking and choreographing songs, where we run repeatedly in small chunks until the kids are accurate, the director I'm working with has a laid-back style. He basically listened to us read/sing and then gave us some very vague direction. Because I'm an understudy, I got to run through it once after watching a few times, but still was unsure of what exactly I'm supposed to do. So unnerving for me. First, I'm a perfectionist, and I like to know very specifically what I'm supposed to be doing. Second, I'm used to being the one who is telling everyone else what to do, so it is strange to be on the other side.

I'm definitely learning a lot, and even though I will probably never perform the role, I am learning so much. It is really giving me a great perspective on how my students must feel, and I think that I will definitely be a much different music director because of it. It also makes me really appreciate the amount of time my students put into working on their parts, in addition to their other activities and schoolwork.

The summer of 4 and 6

With our late school year blurring right into a week of camp, I feel like our summer only really started this week. That being said, I am absolutely loving the ages of 4 and 6 this summer. Why?

1. We are not in diapers at night this year. I did not have to pack an extra bag filled with diapers and accessories for camp, and when we stay out late, we don't need to deal with bringing a diaper bag a long. 

2. They can swim on their own. And do for HOURS. This is the first summer that both kids actually enjoy swimming, and have the endurance to do so continously. They swam from 11-4 today with a lunch and snack break. Swimming used to mean they mostly played in the yard while I enjoyed the pool, but today I could sit on the deck for a bit while they swam independently (with flotation devices, but I don't have to carry anyone or hold their hand). 

3. We are losing naps. Part of this actually stinks, because I love the quiet time or time to get things done, but is really nice not to be restricted by the all-powerful nap. Plus, bedtime can be earlier, which isn't all that bad.

4. They are occupying each other really well (mostly). I have to say, I know I'm really lucky, but my kids really play well together. Even though I have one boy and one girl, they enjoy playing together. Lori happily plays with trucks and trains, and Hunter likes playing house or princess with Lori. Scott and I can get quite a bit done before the minions become demanding.

5. They are great helpers, and actually do a good job of helping. My weekly dusting took no time at all--Lori dusted her room, Hunter's room, and the baseboards while I did the family room and our bedroom. Both kids helped take peas out of the pod with me to prep dinner, and they can get their own drinks and snacks without me doing much. It saves me so much time, and they feel capable and independent.

6. We are developing a bigger network of friends with both kids in school. It is so great to be able to knock on our neighbor's door and ask them over, or call a friend from around the corner for an impromptu playdate (read: time to talk to another adult while our kids occupy each other). 

I know that I will have plenty of things to add to this list as the summer goes on, and I can't wait!

Taking a chance

My friend from camp, Cait D., has a great blog about doing things she has never done before. It is so fun to watch her try different things, especially because they are often very comical, like this particular video where I make a little cameo. Watching her ability and willingness to try new things has really been inspiring. I've also been inspired by  my colleague and fellow blogger Marcy at (Don't Be) Too Timid and Squeamish, who is writing about her journey trying new things as well.

I have been DYING to be on stage in a production again. My friend Sloane did a show this past fall/winter, and I was inspired to take a chance! After music directing for 14 years, it is time. Plus it is on my bucket list! I've been looking at different things, but the time commitment with a husband that works nights and my kids just didn't work. I opened up the "Cromwell Chronicle" one afternoon (our local yocal paper), and saw that the local Gilbert and Sillivan society was casting a show that would rehearse Sunday nights (when Scott is home), and only some Tuesdays (totally doable). The audition was in 3 days, but the opportunity was dropped in my lap and I had to take it. I pulled a song from my senior recital (which was in 1999!!) and threw it together for my audition.

As I sat in an audition for the show for the first time since I was in college MANY years ago, I was not freaked out or nervous, and didn't really care about what part I got. I just wanted to be in a show again. I had nothing to lose--just a great opportunity to gain, regardless of what part I got. I started thinking a lot about why my attitude was so different now than it would have been back in high school or college, and read a post where Marcy talked about being more confident as she has grown into herself. That is it--being in my late 30s is why my attitude is different. I am the understudy to someone who is very young (but an amazing singer). As the director introduced us to each other, she was extremely snarky and irritated that she had an understudy--"I'm not getting sick, so no worries." I'm sure that would have been me at her age. 


Life is so much more complicated now than it was in my twenties, but the beauty of being this age is realizing what once was "life-ending" is now not a big deal. I'm so glad that I took this chance and am excited about the people I will meet and learning a great role, even if I never get to perform it. 

Shameless plug--come see my show. Hopefully, I'll be singing away in the chorus. 


Tickets available here!

Farm Share, week 2

Update: 

Used the spinach from last week to make yummy spinach soup--my picky son who hates veggies will always down a bowl of this very easy to make soup.

Stilll working on lettuce, and we've been eating it every day! 

Here is the list of what I'm supposed to be getting tomorrow--hoping they picked this morning before the rain!

Bok choy (leaving it at swap--hopefully Scott can pick up some beets or more kohlrabi)
Strawberries
Kohlrabi (I had to look up what this was)--they look like this:


And apparently taste kind of like broccoli stalks.

Beets (not sure how I feel about beets, but I found a grilling recipe, and one that used them to bake with)

Lettuce (still working on our lettuce from last week--might give some of it up to a friend or neighbor.)
Tai Basil (yum)--will be able to make a mean pesto with that and the basil I have in a pot on my deck.

Kohlrabi and beets are new to me, so I'm looking forward to trying to cook with them.

Farm share!

I have been dying to be part of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) for a few years, and last Dec., finally had the means to do so somewhere local, convenient, and affordable. I went with a farm in Rocky Hill, CT, Fair Weather Acres. A few of the reasons we went with them:

1. Easy to get to- the farm stand is a 5 minute drive from my house. Pointless to go to a farm where I'd have to drive a significant distance--defeats the whole purpose!
2. Affordable-they have 1/2 shares, and because I paid last Dec, I got a significant discount on our 1/2 share.
3. Variety- Not only do they offer up their vegetables, but they also partner with a local orchard to include fruit in their shares, which was very appealing.
4. A pro I found out after the fact--they box up everything for you, so I literally walked out of my car, they gave me the box and I was on my way. So easy!

The Friday before pickup, they send a facebook post about what they will have in your box the following week. I love that I could figure out recipes (and what else I'd need to grocery shop for) BEFORE I pick up the box. I created a Pinterest board to post recipe ideas so that I'd have easy access to them.

This was the first week of pick-up--I was looking forward to this for MONTHs, and it was finally here.
My box included:

• a gigantic head of red leaf lettuce (the size of 2 head!)-yum!Nothing like fresh lettuce!
• collard greens (never had them, but tried them-decent)
• kale (one of my favorites to make caldo verde, but made kale chips this week)
• spinach (love spinach, but haven't decided what I'm going to do with it yet)
• bok choy (I'd be happy to never have this in my box again!)
• was supposed to get radishes, but they weren't ready, so they gave me an annual plant

They also have a swap table--if you don't like something you take it out and leave it, and you can pick up something else that you might like more of. 

If I get more bok choy next week, it is definitely getting left on the table.... hopefully someone won't want their kale!

I'm excited to see what the summer brings. We have a garden in our backyard, so I'll be interested to see if I will still want to plant vegetables after a summer of the CSA--I might be able to get some yard back, and just do strawberries, blueberries, and garlic next year.