Windowsill Envy

We are visiting my parents this week. I have windowsill envy:

Yep, 48 feet of south-facing windowsill! Ferns, begonias, african violets, purple oxalis (shamrock) and a few other random plants up here.

More Spring happyness!

I know, it's still March, and Show is inevitable in Minnesota in March or April, but 6 50+ degree days have warmed my blood, and I'm sure that Spring will actually return! The Rhubarb is making its way through the mulch to fill a pie crust someday!

The Iris were green when I raked off their bed for the first time this spring, they are small, but they will be blooming before I turn around.

The best thing growing in the yard, in my opinion, are the neighbors! Finally all those kids who scurry to the bus stop, and scoot right back home are appearing after 4:15 and riding bikes! Yesterday was cloudy, but still in the 50's and there were 6 kids in the driveway! Rip Sticks, RC cars, Chalk, and energy. It was a beautiful thing!

This one was jumping for joy! Me too, to be honest!

Spring Windowsill

What's in my window-sill? Mostly plants, a few odds and ends, bananas, vitamins, and the pile of plastic bottle tops waiting to go to Aveda's recycling program at J's school. The window is over the sink and looks out on the back yard.

Looks like some Cilantro ready to be added to guacamole! The potted Basil needs water. I love looking out over the plants, and finally seeing the grass again after 4 months of snow!

Here's the little greenhouse on the top shelf: Brussles Sprouts and Cauliflower seedlings, African Violet and Curly Begoinia cuttings. There is a grow light 6 inches above the sprouts, but they reach for the window anyway!

Easy Peasy Mac and Cheesy!

It doesn't matter what day it is, when I ask the Little Girl what she wants for lunch, she answers:
"Macaroni and Cheese, of course!"

Personally, I think the blue box kind tastes kind of, well, boxy. I was spoiled years ago by a friend who made her own Mac and Cheese when we came to visit. Once I could cook for myself, I mastered the dish.

It's not fancy, but my favorite is quick, easy, and uses ingredients I usually have on hand.

Macaroni: 8oz of your choice               Shredded Cheese: 1 cup, whatever kind you like
1 Tablespoon butter or Marg.   1 Tablespoon Flour    1/2 cup Milk

Step 1: Cook the Macaroni, then drain it quickly and add back to the pot, and return to the stove.

Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, sprinkle the macaroni with a tablespoon of flour, and drop in the butter, Stir that around a bit.

Step 3: Add the milk and the Cheese. It's not perfect yet, put be patient and stir!

There it is, Mac and Cheesey goodness!

Spring Sightings

We've got seeds started on the windowsill! Miriam planted a six-pack with cauliflower seeds. I tucked a few Begonia and African Violet cuttings into another six-pack. 

I made my first sale on Etsy, and had a request for some new patterns. I like the dinos! Maybe the Camo print will be good for bigger boys! Miriam has claimed the butterfly wrap.

The snow is melting from the yard, Easter is coming nearer and nearer, spring is definitely on the way!

Marmalade Chicken

Not too long ago I made some marmalade. It looks delish, but the truth is it's too thick. I got impatient and added some pectin right before it finally started to jel. So it's impossible to spread on bread.


So, in an attempt to salvage some leftover rice, use up a bit of frozen chicken tenders, and enjoy all the citrus flavor of the solid marmalade, a new dish was born.


Needed:
2 cups cooked rice
6 or so chicken tenders or 4 breasts.
Optional: 1 sweet pepper cut into 1in cubes) 
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tb corn starch
1/2 cup orange marmalade (yours does not have to be too thick!)


layer in a baking dish: rice, chicken, peppers, marmalade.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
Or: bake in Microwave for 10 minutes, covered.


Then, mix soy sauce and corn starch, add to the pan and stir to combine all ingredients. I break up the chicken at this point to make bite size pieces.


Bake for another 5-10 minutes, or microwave (uncovered) for 5 minutes to thicken sauce


Serve with steamed broccoli!


YUM! just the right thing for a pair of Dino-kids who are being omnivores! 

Jackpot!

Note to Readers! It's March in Minnesota, which means cold and still snowy!

So when my inlaws came home from their vacation with this:

I was thrilled!!

A full burlap coffee bag from Kauai! It was like importing some warm sunshine into my snowy yard! I had to hang it up and get the juxtaposition!

The questions remains: what do I do with it?

 The logo is so beautiful and huge, I don't want to chop it up!