Tender Greens

There are two sides to every story. In the following story there is good news and bad news.

First, the good news:

This beautiful bunch of greens was just collected from my raised garden bed a short while ago. As I write this story I have already eaten a salad without salad dressing and enjoyed the incredible flavors of the following tender greens...

Radish 

Bachoy 

Beets

Kale

With....

Tender Garlic Snipes

Sweet sliced onions

Green onions

The first salad from the garden is something I look forward to after a long winter in North Idaho. The flavor is incredibly intense compared to what is shipped in from somewhere else. I am thankful food is shipped in from somewhere in the winter, but also thankful to have the health and strength to garden again after a long year of health issues last year. 

Now that the weather is warmer and we have more sunlight I thought it was time to get the window sill ready to grow sprouts and micro greens. So I was carrying these boxes from the back steps to a table when something happened....

The bad news:

As I was carrying these boxes and I tripped on a chair leg, I think, because it all happened so fast, and down I went with the boxes flying and landing on and around me. The concrete and I are not friends! I have a few good welts, scrapes and bruises that flared up instantly, and I can feel the jar to my spine. 

The boxes are for Micro Greens that I like to grow inside for salads. I just add a good potting soil to the individual cups, add seeds and let them grow a few inches high and snip above the dirt line. The cups can then be re-seeded. It is a good supplemental green source in the summer time for a short while, and leaves room for the cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, and several sorts of tomato plants I have hardening off right now. 

Hope you are enjoying the dirt in your backyard this season. Stay safe. :)

  

Ode To Fall

Ode To Fall

Long strolls near the river cause sorrows to roll,

Away from my heart, far from my soul.

My Beloved is with me and all is well,

Of His loving embrace I must tell.

Bring the day quickly when faith becomes sight,

Roll back the heavenly scroll with Your might.

Oh the bliss, the glorious thought,

With Your precious sacrifice, I am bought!

The fall of man has kept us apart,

The Fall You created brings hope to my heart.

To see the Creator of all good things,

Face to face soon, now in creation as it sings.

Through the mist on the river as it whispers by,

Through the leaves as they fall from tree tops high.

This Season of beauty, this season of grace,

Will fall from memory, because Jesus took my place.

Weep not for me when I am gone,

For in His presence I’ll be singing the song,

Of the redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,

Who is altogether lovely, the Great I AM.

Fall on your knees, for He is worthy,

To receive honor, and power and glory.

When in creation you see the majesty of the King

Fall into His arms and find shelter, under His wing.

© Monika Hardy

Recovering from surgeries, Hello out there! :)

 Flowers from my hubby after surgery

Hello out there! I can hear the ripple effect of sound waves across the Great Divide as I call out. It has been a long year of car accidents and surgeries. I am just six weeks post op from the last surgery...a total thyroidechtomy. The entire thyroid, goiter and nodules and all had to be removed. I will try to share my story of this in the future as I found so many others stories helpful before I had to go under the knife. Prayerfully, we decided to go ahead and have it done as the mass was causing too much compression in the swallowing and breathing area. 

I am tired most of the time now, but am recovering nicely.
I am learning that not everything has to be done in this season of life.
I am learning that my brain is waking up again, and I can read, and write without much brain fog! 
I am praising God for all His loving kindness and healing!

So whilst I was checking on the condition of my blogs I found a lovely surprise! Miss Mandie dropped by with a kind comment which led me to her new blog. Mandie has blessed my socks off, and I just have to share her with you. As I type my eyes are getting heavy and I know dream land is nearby. So let me leave you with the words of a wonderful new online acquaintance that feels more like a friend already! I'm sure you will be blessed as I am. 

Mandie's Wings

© Monika Hardy

What Did I Do Today?

To all the young ladies who take motherhood seriously, 

God bless you, 

may He give you the strength to continue

 to care for the little ones He has blessed you with!

 What Did I Do Today?

Today I left some dishes dirty
The bed got made around 3:30
The diapers soaked a little longer,
The odor grew a little stronger.
The crumbs I spilled the day before
Are staring at me from the floor.
The fingerprints there on the wall
will likely be there still next fall.
The dirty streaks on those windowpanes
will still be there next time it rains.
Shame on you, you sit and say,
Just what did you do today?
I held a baby till he slept,
I held a toddler while he wept.
I played a game of hide and seek,
I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.
I pulled a wagon, sang a song,
Taught a child right from wrong.
What did I do this whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess that's true.
Unless you think that what I've done
Might be important to someone
with beautiful eyes and soft hair.
If that is true... I've done my share.
-----Author Unknown

© Monika Hardy

Lacto Fermented Cabbage Relish

 Lacto Fermentation

I went to the store the other day and saw such a beautiful display of cabbage in the grocery store that I had to praise the produce people for doing such a fine job!

Of course I had to pick up a head and bring it home. 

Unfortunately the smell of cooking cabbage disagrees with my husband 

so I thought I would try my hand at lacto fermentation! 

It turned out nice with out that sauerkraut taste, but more 

coleslaw like texture. 

(Even though I'm of German descent, I don't care for sauerkraut)

Basically mixed veggies in a jar with spices,

2tbls salt per quart jar, 4 tbls per 1/2 gallon jar, and fill with distilled water to completely cover.
I use the 2 quart/half gallon jar to use up more vertical space in the fridge. 

Place all ingredients in the jar and let stand on the kitchen counter for 2-5 days,
gently shaking each day to distribute spices,

and then place in the refrigerator. 

The fermentation creates a food filled with beneficial lactic acid, and digestive enzymes.  

A wonderful way to keep the flavor of harvest alive in winter!

You can mix and match the veggies, or layer them, 

as well as choose from many spices. 

Possible veggie list

Cabbage 

Celery

Red, Green, or White Onions

Carrots

Cauliflower

Zucchini

Green, Red, or Yellow Peppers

 Lima Beans

Kale

Broccoli

 Turnips
Cucumbers

Possible Spice list

Mustard Seed

Turmeric

Dill

Chili Peppers

 Celery Seed

Peppercorns

Coriander

Mint 

Fennel

Other Possible Additives

A tablespoon of ....

Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar

or

Whey (The liquid that forms at the top of yogurt,

this helps begin the fermentation process)

Be creative! Experiment! 

Keep in mind, if you are not used to pro biotics in your diet, 

go easy on lacto fermented foods at first, until your system gets used to them.

This is not a government approved method. 

We need to educate ourselves, and be responsible for our own food choices.
The US government has their own suggestions
National Center for Home Food Preservation

 

© Monika Hardy