So the dark days are officially over and I no longer need to detail what we ate the previous week. I’m not sure if it’s helpful to everyone to imagine just what is stewing or baking in my kitchen or not so I’ll pose it as a question. Is it helpful? Should I continue? Because I have to confess I’ve cheated a bit this week.
We needed to make a Costco run for beer and to find some large resin pots to finish the bamboo house. Also Pancake Boy ran through the dim basement and was clotheslined by a chord connected to the XBox which pulled off the shelf. When that happened the Lego Batman disc was irreparably scratched so we were looking for a replacement for it before Pickle Man came home from school.
I broke into a cold sweat while we were in the refrigerated section looking for something my kind hearted neighbor had asked me to get. In a moment of weakness I bought a large bag of string cheese, all individually wrapped inside a larger plastic casing. I’m going to hell on so many fronts. It’s not organic, nor is it local. But TBall season is starting up and that coupled with planting out the spring/summer garden has left me desperate for some quick snacks that I can throw in the car or that the kids can free range for by themselves.
Last winter I had figured out how to get my own homemade mozzarella to string but paying retail price for raw cows milk was a little hard to swallow when most of it was turned into whey and nobody wanted to drink that. Making cheese at home is fun but not really cost effective so we had to end that little hobby until I can talk my husband into getting a mini goat.
And then because I had already sinned I broke down and bought a large bag of pepperoni slices for kids pizzas. To make up for that one I’m making my own pepperoni this week. That will be nice for the ham jowel in my utility room to have some company. Because raw fermented meat doesn’t like to hang out alone.
For our April grocery store pics my husband chose sausages so we’ve been eating a lot of those. They have been quick to toss on the grill while I’m working in the yard or saucing the remaining boxes of rotting apples in my garage. I like to fantasize that it’s my root cellar but most root cellars don’t have automatic door openers.
I do have some photos of crackers and English muffins and pepperoni pizzas and sausages on homemade buns but it’s not much and probably not too inspirational.
To end on an up note my soapwort seeds finally arrived. I’m looking forward to figuring out how to make my own liquid hand soap with them later this summer. I also decided to try and grow sweet potatoes in the re purposed coffee bags from www.upcyclenw.com in my parking strip. I’ll be adding those to my crazy planting list. I don’t know that I’ll get anything but if you aren’t taking chances gardening, you are leaving a lot of food off the table. And I’m working on my April can jam entry. I was so busy with the hog processing last month that I missed the March allium deadline and I hate missing a challenge.
And for anyone who missed it, I’m having an open garden this upcoming Saturday from 1-4 and hopefully I’ll find the camcorder charger so I can put up a virtual tour for anyone who can’t make it. If you can only come during the week let me know and we’ll schedule a weekday tour. I’m also going to be on the Sustainable NE Seattle tour in May and then will have another open garden in early July once the fall/winter planting have been put in. I hope I’ll inspire some of you with existing gardens to put in winter crops and ditch the grocery store all next winter along with me.
Finally, I got around to putting up a new page tonight which you can find along the sidebar entitled Why Do I Bother? It’s a little glimpse into my madness and what led me to completely shun the grocery store, processed food companies and feed lot operations. I’m so grateful that I was crazy enough to take this journey, as wacky as it sounded at the time. It’s the best New Year’s resolution I’ve ever made!
I’ve only just recently found your blog, and I must say that it’s a relief to see other families aiming to eat local, fresh, in season food here in Washington state. We started with a small flock of backyard chickens last year, and now I’ve convinced my girlfriend that we should endeavor to find as many locally produced foods as we can. It’s already proving to be a challenge, and I can’t say that we’re quite as loyal to rules as you appear to be, but I already feel more committed to my community and more connected to my food.
Your confession about Costco was funny. I felt the same way in there a few days ago, but I simply could not bring myself to purchase some things. Bananas were the first non-local item to leave the weekly list. Now I find I have no appetite for something that travels further than I get to go on my annual vacation.
As to whether it’s helpful to read about what’s cooking, I say yes. We could all use a suggestion from time to time, and getting creative with food makes projects so much more fun.
Thanks for taking the time to chronicle your adventures.
Your blog came across my virtual path about two months ago. Since then it has become a treasure.
Recently, I even emailed your insane planting post to a few friends.
Living in NH, it is encouraging to read what you are doing in a similar climate, out in Washington State, to bring together a family meal. Being rather new to the locavore seen, I was unaware that there was a “dark days challenge” until I read it on a few blogs this winter. My family was attempting to eat in such a way on a daily basis, so you can imagine how exciting it was to realize the resource bloggers bring to my table.
Thank you.
Thank you also for your delightful honesty. You have become more real and relatable to me on the virtual pipeline. I hope you keep flying, you are right on course.
OMG – I’m sorry to laugh at your foibles but this post was hilarious! Some days, you just have to do the best you can, and it sounds like you’re way ahead of most.
Hope to see you Saturday!
Oh, PLEASE keep posting what you’re cooking! Love it.
I am really interested in your garden and would love to see it. Thank you for hosting on Saturday, where is your fantastic garden?
So I confess I am relieved by this post. I often read your blog and am overwhelmed by all that you are doing (and doing so well) this post reminds me that you are not some online imaginary perfect person but real…tempted into string cheese…I’m kind of delighted by how human it it. So you might be feeling bad, but it makes your other endeavors even more powerful when I remember that behind your blog is a person!
Is this a trick question?! Of course I love your food posts (almost as much as the gardening ones). I am no where near so good as you about eating locally and sustainably but I am always inspired by your efforts and creativity. I tend to get into ruts with my cooking periodically and your posts help shake up my thinking to mix it up a bit.
Robin feel free to email me anytime you are trying to find something local. I feel like I know who most of the farmers are. The one thing I want to nail this year is legumes though. I miss them! And I can find organic legumes at the market for $8/# but that still blows me away. How can grassfed beef be $3/# and legumes more than twice that? So not right.
Sharon that’s interesting we have the same climate. Have you read Four Season Harvest yet? It will really inspire you! Good luck staying on track! Once you add the family to the picture it gets so much harder. We’re getting there though…
Tiffany – I can’t wait to meet everyone, I’m so glad you are coming!
Aunt Lolo will do as soon as my camera battery recharges. Derp!
Jenn, I’m about 2 blocks east of Sandpoint way (5710 NE 56th St 98105)
Rachel, thank you. One thing I don’t do well is sleep but I need to work on that. It’s got to be the reason I was so sick this winter. I just have this burning desire to conquer all these things now that my little guy is not as clingy and I finally have some free hands for the first time in 7 years.
KFG you always amaze me. Every time you mention a meal it seems you grew every part of it. I’ve had to cheat on onions and garlic with purchased powder this winter since I didn’t grow enough and we have been without potatoes for months now. You know when your 6 year old is eyeing the seed potatoes times are tough!
Don’t forget the bacon tomorrow!
Jenny, we’ll see if there is any left. Chicken Little thinks it should be the basis of every meal unless there is also breakfast sausage or pepperoni. And unfortunately the dog ate my hanging pepperoni links today so we may be down to the sausage.