CSA?

Thanks to Jenny at Southern Savers, I learned about a program called CSA (community supported agriculture).  

CSA supports local farmers by allowing customers (ME!) to purchase a share of their farm and in return they deliver fresh fruits and vegetables from their gardens. The agreements and prices vary by farm. I was so ecstatic to learn that there was a farm participating in CSA near me. They deliver to Ocean Spring on Wednesday.

With the money and stockpile that we saved couponing, Wes and I were able to use part of our grocery budget this month to buy into a farm for 8 weeks. The deliveries started, today!! We received about 8lbs of cabbage, kale, broccoli, and onions. You just get whatever is ready in the garden each week.

I am so excited about this because 1: we don't have grow every vegetable in our own garden so we can keep it small, and 2: it is going to force us to be creative, try new things, and eat healthier.

Each week, I know I will be trying out new recipes. I think it will be a good idea to place those here for whomever would like to try them and to keep a record of what we liked and didn't like.

Tonight's recipe....

The sausage and cabbage skillet.

1pound Kielbasa sausage
2Tbls butter
1/2 onion
1/2 head cabbage
1 can tomato sauce
1 Tbls sugar
1 tsp paprika
4 potatoes cubed
salt and pepper to taste

Brown sausage in butter in a large skillet or dutch oven. Remove sausage from pan. Saute cabbage and onion in same skillet until onions are tender. Stir together tomato sauce, sugar, and paprika. Pour over cabbage and onion. Stir and simmer 5 minutes. Add potatoes, increase to medium heat. Return sausage to pan and add salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 10-15 minutes until potatoes are tender.Serve with bread.

*Compliments of Taste of Home 2006 cookbook. 

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO

Read Roger: Southern Misschief

Read this great blog post by Roger Sutton concerning his trip to Southern Miss for the Children's Book Festival.

Read Roger: Southern Misschief

What is a reluctant reader?

I attended a lecture by Roger Sutton, editor of Horn Book Magazine. Horn Book reviews all children's books published in hardback each year. In his lecture, he made some pivotal and thought provoking suggestions that have me asking these questions.

Do we (teachers, librarians, parents, people) categorize children as reluctant readers because they don't read the books we "want" them to read?

Why does a child have to a read chapter book in order to be assessed on reading skills? As long as they are reading a book on their level be it non-fiction, pictures book, or chapter books what's the BIG deal?

Does every child in the teacher determined reading group, have to read the same book? Is this better for the child or for the teacher?

What am I subconsciously doing to encourage or discourage reading by projecting my own ideas and beliefs about reading upon the reader?

Is there only one way to assess reading? Is that "reading fair" style or something else?

What about other types of reading materials...e-books, magazines, online articles, newspapers, comics, etc.? What about these?

The answers to these questions will vary across individuals, schools, disticts, and even states. Some will cause quite the controversy when presented. Still, I believe that it is through a good debate that change is brought forth. I would love to hear from you and about what you are doing to prevent reluctant readers.

Until next time...

XOOXOXOXOX

What's for dinner?

Sometimes, I am asked what I cook for dinner. People tire of cooking the same old same old week in and week out. I try mixing  up the things that we eat with recipes from www.allrecipes.com or cooks.com, but this week, I have been on top of my game creating extremely flavorful meals that are quick and easy. If you are in the need for something new, try these from the Morehead kitchen.

Pork Chops

1 package bone in pork chops
1/2 cup teriyaki  sauce
fresh mushrooms
sliced jalapeno pepper
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375. Line 9x13 glass pan with tin foil. Place chops in pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover in teriyaki sauce. Layer with mushrooms and jalapeno slices. Bake for 20 minutes or more depending on thickness of chops. Do not over cook. Serve with English peas.

Pork tenderloin

Pork tenderloin
EVOO
Your favorite meat rub ( I used Jamaican Jerk from Pampered Chef)

Preheat outdoor grill. Brush meat with EVOO. Coat with rub and press in with fingers. Cook 15 minutes on medium low grill. Turn meat and cook for 25 minutes on medium low grill. Let meat sit for 5 minutes before cutting. Serve with French style green beans and angel hair pasta topped with warmed Rotel tomatoes and Parmesan cheese.

Tip: I place a sheet of aluminum foil sprayed with Pam on top of my grates to keep things clean and prevent sticking.

Until next time..

XOXOXOXOX

Love

A year ago to date I wrote this lovely post to celebrate my wedding anniversary.   http://flowersandkittens.blogspot.com/2010/03/march-11-2006.html .

Today, after thinking about my anniversary all week long and even wondering what I would write on this very blog, I forgot that TODAY was the actual day of my anniversary!!!! Yep, said good morning, ate breakfast, kissed him goodbye, but never said, "happy anniversary."

He had to come to my school to be in a parade. He hugged me and whispered, "happy anniversary!" I am certain that all the color left my face, I went weak in the knees, and I vomited a little in my mouth. It made me that sick!! So, I just started laughing and said, "Ha, I was waiting on you to say it!" He laughed back, knowing I was lying through my teeth.

Nonetheless, he is still taking me out to dinner. Our wedding day was one of the best days of my life, but it is the days that have followed that day that have made my marriage. The "in-between" then and now days that have made me fall more and more in love with him. The inside jokes, the comfort, the looks, the laughs that happen everyday make me so proud to be Mrs. Morehead.

I love you, babe!!

And I am thrilled that you love me back!

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO

I'm gonna be a mister!

Throw me something, mister!!! Yes, indeed, all my family and friends gathered together bright and early, and I do mean early, in the wind and rain and cold to be misters for my surprise of actually being in a Mardi Gras parade on Sunday.

Wes, Julie, and Rachel had been secretly planning this for months. Wes rented a float, bought the throws, gathered the people, and we had a fantastic time!!

I am still in awe over the love and thoughtfulness that was put into throwing this party for me. I can't say enough about Wes. He put so much time and energy into making this a wonderful weekend. I am more than lucky to have such an attentive spouse. My friends are just as amazing. They schemed and kept Wes on task and made me feel so special and loved. My family is always so entertaining. I am overjoyed that they were all able to be part this spectacular day.

Until next time....

XOXOXOXO

On turning 30

 For quite a while now, I have been dreading turning the "Dirty Thirty" as a friend of mine calls it. I don't know what made me feel sad for leaving the oh so young twenties behind. Maybe, it was because people will no longer say, "AWWWWW" when I tell them my age. Maybe, it was the Redbook article I read that outlined all the not so appealing things that would start happening to my body when I turned 30. Maybe, it was a number of small things, who knows?

What I know for SURE is this...

• I wanted to cry about it on Thursday.
• Friday, I was perfectly happy being 30 and looking forward to celebrating.
• I don't feel old at all, but I do get tired easier than I used to.
• I can stay out all night long, but the next day is a wash.
• 29 was probably the best year of my life, and if that is any indication of what the 30's will be like, bring it on!!
• I have the most AWESOME husband who threw me the biggest surprise birthday weekend, ever!!
• My life is in a good place.
• I am happy!

Speaking of the "biggest surprise birthday weekend ever." Wes really out did himself. It started with strawberries and waffles for breakfast on Friday morning. He planned a surprise dinner for me at my fave Mexican restaurant with my fave friends on Friday night. Then, we hit the dance floor.

Saturday, my entire family came into to town to celebrate and hit some Mardi Gras parades in the rain!!

Sunday.... well that is another post entirely.

So here's to the thirties!! Let's have some FUN!!

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO