Things and Stuff

I wrecked the brakes on our truck, something about leaving the emergency brake on and crystallizing the metal....la la la=$600. Crap. So I am vehicle-less this week while it is repaired and I somehow figure out what bills to delay so we can pay the bill. I thank God that all it will take is a little creative accounting and a mere week in delay for some utilities. 

I am also thanking God for wonderful friends. Today SugarCreek Mama Abby is coming to my rescue and taking me to Lacona to pay a bill that cannot be put off (propane). It's quite a road trip for her. Also, in our grief over sweet Mallory, we have also counted our blessings in friendships, family, and life. 

Today we planted carrots, radishes, spinach, eggplant, zucchini, chard, lettuce, three kinds of beets, and cilantro. Awesome. The peas have sprouted. 

Tomorrow I am skipping park day and will start raking out horse manure in the pumpkin field. Then we will plant pumpkins. I know it seems early, but we are a zone warmer than most of Iowa and the manure creates heat too. Mostly it is an experiment.

Over the weekend we planted two apple trees, two peaches, and two hazelnuts. Yesterday a catalogue arrived from Stark Bro's that listed a whole bunch of trees on my wish list at 1/2 price. I think we may be ordering another round. 

This week the bees will come out too. I am a little worried about them though, no activity and quite a few dead bees falling out of the base. I am praying for their health and well being. 

Baby ducks will arrive tonight. 4 sweet fuzzy baby ducks. 

Pictures to come later in the day when I find my connector cord for the camera.

Good Dog

Our new puppy Mallory was killed this afternoon on the road in front of our home. Just after our first apple trees went in the ground and just before dinner. 

Our hearts are broken.

Lamb Chops

Lamb chops, asperagus, feta cheese, warm sour dough rolls, and new potatoes in salt and butter.
Lamp chops are ity bity, but easy to cook. Basically season, brown in a skillet, finish in the oven at 350 degrees. I overcooked these but they were still pretty good. 

Easy enough for week night fare. 

Alaskan Pollock with Carrots and Leek

I am not a foodie. A mere ten years ago I gave my Dearest food poisoning that required an ER trip and caught the kitchen on fire IN THE SAME WEEK. 

I am much better now. I discovered that if I keep things simple and use quality, fresh ingredients it is hard to mess up. 

I cook mostly with cast iron skillets and dutch ovens. I don't own a gratin dish or any specialty dishes beyond my standard glass casserole 9 x 13 and a couple of bread and pie pans. I'll fancy up the fare for weekends and company, but typically a dish has to be simple and take less than 15 minutes of prepration. I have a 4 year old and a baby. I don't have time to play around in the kitchen. 

Tonight's dinner cost less than 4$ for 4 servings. Alaskan Pollock was on sale, 10 fillets for $4.25 and I split the package for two meals. Carrots and leeks were also pretty cheap.

Basically the most expensive part was the aluminum foil. Ha. 

So here it is:

4 frozen fillets of white fish

3 large carrots cut long and thin (like grass, but 1/4- 1/2 inch thick)

2 leeks cut long and thin (like grass)

4 pats of butter

lemon juice

salt and pepper (and granulated garlic if you like)

foil, 8 12 x 12 sheets. 

Lay out 4 foil sheets, top each with leeks and carrots, then lay a filet on top and squirt with lemon, finish with seasonings and butter. Lay foil on top and pinch the two sheets together around all 4 sides. 

Bake for 45 minutes at 425. 

Done.