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summer reading: laidback knitting

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How come the lazy days of summer are always so busy? I picked up 10 Secrets of the LaidBack Knitters to read how other yarn lovers slow the pace of life with their craft. I really enjoyed the stories, but I don’t think I’ll make any of the patterns, so I’m glad I got it from the library.

On a side note: do you see that little bit of yarn left for the Honey Cowl? I’m almost there!

This book was a good choice before my next hold from the library is available. I have a feeling it’s going go be heavy.

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print is not dead + an original refashioned tote

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Printed books are alive and well in our house. These don’t even include the many Magic Tree House and Ivy and Bean books my daughter regularly checks out, in addition to the craft books I bring home.

Yes, I do tend to read a lot electronically, but if it’s not interactive, my daughter prefers her books on paper. I’m happy with that, and I’m not alone. A recent Pew Research report found “More than nine in ten parents of minor children say it is important to them that their children read print books.”

We bring home a back-breaking bag of books from the library each week, but I’m not complaining. My daughter will most likely spend a good part of her life in front of a screen. There’s no need to rush it.

tote note: This is one of the first refashioned bags I made out of one of my very favorite shirts. I tried to look for the original link in my archives, but I either didn’t write about it or didn’t do a good job of making it searchable. Anyway, it’s still the favorite shirt/bag I own.

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recipe: easy roasted red pepper dip

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There’s cheesecake in the fridge and a box of Girl Scout cookies in the pantry. I’m trying very hard not to eat either.

The other night I was tired and hungry, and needed a quick healthy alternative. I whipped up this simple little dip and was pleasantly surprised by the creamy sweet taste.

It was a little thin, but thickened up after a few hours in the fridge. The next day I drizzled it over some leftover tofu and couscous. Yum! I finished it off with some pretzels.

I’ll be making sure to stash some jarred peppers in the pantry for the future.

Roasted Red Pepper Dip

1 12-14 oz jar of roasted red peppers (packed in water not oil) drained
1/3 cup almonds, skins removed*
1 small garlic clove
pinch of sea salt

*how to remove almond skins here

Combine everything in a food processor. I actually used my NutriBullet.

The “chips” are just raw zucchini thinly sliced on my cheapo mandoline slicer purchased from the grocery store.

What are some of your favorite easy snacks? Share in the comments!

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cornfields close to home

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We pass this field a few times each week on our way to Tae Kwon Do. This year it’s filled with corn. Last year it was soybeans. They had a rough year because of the drought. We kept track of their leaves throughout the summer. They were brown before the end of July.

We’ve had a lot of rain this Spring. So far, everything is growing bright and green. However, there’s a sign on the corner: “For Sale.”

It’s not surprising. If it were my land I’d consider selling, too. That part of town is growing. The potential for that space, its worth to a developer, must be so high.

We’ll be sad when it’s gone. It’s a gorgeous expanse of green that’s especially beautiful at dusk, when the sky turns an infinite number of pinks and purples.

So for now, we’ll soak it in every time we pass, and I’ll try to get a few more pics before it’s gone. Before it becomes another Walgreens or CVS. Before its natural beauty is replaced by asphalt. Before progress marches on.

Because a growing economy is a good thing, right?

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trying something new: kale + coconut

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I’m not usually a fan of coconut, but there’s a recipe in Super Natural Every Day that I’ve been wanting to try. Recently my daughter decided she liked coconut popcicles, so I figured since I had a big bag of kale in the fridge, now would be a good time.

Oh. My. Goodness.

I didn’t change much with the recipe, just used a bit less oil, and served it over farro. It was awesome.

I can’t recommend the flat variation enough for baked kale. I used curly for this, and my daughter was finicky because it doesn’t crisp evenly. She still ate most of it, though.

You can find the recipe on amazon if you “look inside” the book. Page 80. Yum.

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my fridge is filled with these

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My husband keeps teasing me about all of the jars in our fridge. I’ll admit, I have quite a collection, but I’m not a fan of plain water. Here are some fun drinks I’ve been playing around with since it got warm outside.

cold-brewed tea: You’ll find at least one jar of tea concentrate in my fridge at all times. Lately it’s been green and I’ve been adding it to my morning smoothies. I also make regular, decaf and passion teas. Just add four bags to a jar and let it steep for 12-24 hours. I dilute it with water in my glass, but the green goes in my smoothies at full strength. GOOD MORNING!

iced coffee: Cold brewed toddy or just leftovers from a morning latte. I’ve been trying to create my own frappuccino at home for an afternoon pick-me-up. I’ve come close, but it’s still missing something. (Probably sugar!)

fruit infused water: This is something new for me. So far I’ve tried cucumber and strawberry (not together) and my daughter and I love them. They are a great alternative to flavored waters, which can have just as much sugar as soda. I fill these up at night and use the fruit in my morning smoothies. We drink the water during the day.

homemade lemonade: My husband makes this from scratch with lemon juice and sugar. My daughter is usually the only one who drinks it, so he just makes a jar’s worth instead of a whole pitcher. It usually winds up getting frozen in popsicle molds.

So, that’s not too many jars, is it? How do you stay hydrated during the summer months? Do you have a stash of jars or are you more of a pitcher person?

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she needs me, she needs me not

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She obviously doesn’t need help with her new bow and arrow.

summer mornings:

“Mama, can you do this for me?”
“Mama, can you get this for me?”
“Mama, can you make this for me?”
“Mama, can you etc., etc., etc., for me?”

In my head: “Really? You’re almost seven years old. Do it yourself. Grow up already!”

summer afternoons:

“Bye, Mama!” after a quick hug in front of camp.

In my head: “Really? You don’t want me to walk you to the door? You can find your class by yourself? STOP GROWING UP SO FAST!”