Sarah’sTim Blog

Low Countries

Returned last night from our two week trip to the Low Countries.  Together with Andrew, we hit 10 cities in three countries: Brussels, Luxembourg City, Brugges, Ghent, Oostend, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Haarlem, Den Haag and Delft.  We met up with Brad and Sarah in Amsterdam too.  We had a grand time, ate sea food, frites with mayo, tostis with kaas, omlettes, pancakes, waffles, croissants and drank lots of sweet sweet Belgian beer.

We are working on uploading photos, so check the flickr throughout the week.  Wishing the trip could be longer, but happy to be back!  Loki missed us, but was well taken care of.

And, welcome to the world Malcolm!

At the Fair

I worked the library booth at the Monroe County Fair this past week and got to walk around for a little bit and take it all in.  I am a total city/suburban girl at heart when it comes to this stuff!  I checked out the animals, and stumbled on the livestock auction.  Surprisingly, some people were buying pigs, goats and cows as a gift to local community kitchens and other hot-plate charities.  Who knew!  As interested in food as I am, I always learn new things about the cycle of land to plate.  Living in Indiana brings all that closer than I knew.

Also?  Looking at these has got me thinking….

Peachy

Does it make me a horrible person that I sometimes forget what fab kitchen implements I actually own? Like an ice cream maker? Earlier this week, I made green tea ice cream for a program at the library and it was delicious and a big hit. The same night I realized I had a bag full of fresh peaches from the farmer’s market. What to do? Make ice cream! Well, actually sorbet. So I peeled and blended on Monday and made this today, Wednesday. And while it was quite good, I can’t help thinking that it tasted a little, well, like old peaches. Next time I’ll peel, blend and freeze all in the same day.

1.2 million dollars later, our BelNeLux rail passes are purchased! Low countries here we come. Too bad this looks a little complicated, and possibly sold out, the lineup looks fantastic!

Tuesdays

On the first Tuesday of the month, I usually have quilt guild.  Then on the second and third Tuesdays I have teen programs at the library (book discussion and anime club).  So its easy enough to say that my Tuesday nights are pretty wrapped up.  My city decided to add a mid-week early evening Farmer’s Market at the Westside Bloomingfoods that I walk by every single day (or ride, as of late) on my way home from work.  Guess what night they picked?  Yep.  Tuesday.  So I can almost never go!  Tonight, however I was free!  It was pretty quiet and although my favorite tomato guys weren’t there, I scored some beans and fresh eggs.

Despite having a chipped bone in his wrist (fricking noon ball), Tim has been working on creating a drainage system for our basement.  Tonight that involved creating a cement hump in our so-called driveway.  Guess who can’t mix a wheelbarrow full of concrete with a broken hand?  Guess who got to do it instead?  Why the big rush?  Because it is supposed to RAIN.  AGAIN.

Sunshine In

Praised be, the sun was brilliant all day today!  Not a rain cloud in the sky, which allowed us to get out into the garden this morning.  We have baby zucchini about ready to  burst and I can’t wait.  I also rode my bike to the market, picking up some of the best sugar snap peas I’ve ever tasted and some radishes.  I love the spicy crack of a good radish.

Next week at work is crazy, so maybe kicking back tonight with a movie.

Crumbly

Determined to use some of the rhubarb posted a few days ago, and after determining pie (one of my favorite food groups) was slightly too complicated, I googled rhubarb crumble and happily made the recipe in the first result.  Delicious.

Two birthday packages hopefully will go out in the mail tomorrow, which means a)I can post more pictures of a craft project and b)I am woefully behind in all spring birthdays.

Also?  Seriously with the rain?  Ok, so my house hasn’t been blown over by a tornado.  For which I am grateful.  But on Saturday, I am determined to go to the Farmer’s Market and maybe to some yard sales and I will NOT be happy if it rains on my parade.

Red Stalks

I’ve been reading food books again, and its got me thinking.  About food.  About nutrition.  About sustainability.  But not enough to motivate me to go out and cut some of this beautiful rhubarb to eat.  I don’t have a big rhubarb history, so not really sure what to do with this except for putting it in a pie.  Strawberries are coming in the same area, but a little slower. Can I just saute it in some butter?

I’m off tomorrow for Memorial day.  Have a few sewing things planned, also maybe reading.  But depends on the weather.  In the RARE chance it doesn’t rain, I will only be found OUTSIDE.

Thinking

Things I think about: food, coffee, being passionate about my work, quilts, fabric, Loki, Tim, classes, going back to school, work, work, work, am I eating enough fruit, going to the farmer’s market, Web 2.0, interns, photography, SPEA, The Commission for Sustainability, recycling, living green, whether I can see the New Pornographers in concert, being a good person, travel, friends, organic food, allergies, natural leave-in conditioner, exercise, switching to gmail, having a baby someday, paint colors, books, The Clash, religion, gardening, health care, family, whether I should get new highlights, crosswords, publicity, and politics.

In no particular order, and not meant to be inclusive or exclusive.

Soup Making

It was super delicious, but I am curious about the food styling at Vegetarian Times.  My soup:

And from the magazine:

Mine seems a little murky in comparison. I think they left out the blended beans step for the photographs.  Hm.

Tim and I went and saw the Joe Strummer documentary yesterday, it was fantastic.  I’d link to the site, but hearing a raw version of White Riot without any music is a little disconcerting (and sticks in your brain…well my brain anyway).  And you know how to google, its called ‘The Future is Unwritten’.  Watching the movie makes me want to listen to The Clash and it made Tim want to get the band back together.

After the movie, I got a text from Marcus who was at Yogis before the IU game.  Glad I got a chance to see him!

App

Parmesan Sticks waiting to go into the oven. These are sort of a pain to make, but are so delicious and you can freeze them too. Just in case there are leftovers, which there won’t be. I think this is my mom’s recipe. YUM!

Parmesan Sticks
Makes 5-6 dozen

2 C freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper
Cayenne pepper
2 C all-purpose flour
1 C butter
4 oz. cream cheese
1 egg
Paprika or poppy seeds

1. Stir Parmesan, a few grindings of pepper and a dash of cayenne into flour. Mix well.
2. Beat butter and cream cheese in mixer until smooth and creamy.
3. With fingers, work in flour mixture until you can round up dough in a ball. Wrap in saran wrap, flatten slightly and chill for a few hours or overnight.
4. Remove dough for 10-20 minutes before shaping.
5. Divide in ½ (keeping other ½ in fridge) and roll into oblong on a lightly floured counter until ¼ inch thick.
6. Cut into strips 1 inch wide and 3 inches long, using pastry wheel if you have one.
7. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and brush with slightly beaten egg. Sprinkle with paprika or poppy seeds (or ½ and ½ )
8. Refrigerate cut strips that have been brushed and sprinkled for 30 minutes. Remove.
9. Bake at 375 degrees until golden and slightly puffed, about 12 minutes. Cool on wire racks.