A Home Grown Dinner -- One of my Top 10 Dining Experiences

Prepare to be amazed.

It's been almost a week and I still am.  

Come with me to dinner at Cassie's house.

Cassie is also known as Farm Girl.

She's the one in the lovely, long dress, and sweet pink apron.

She's the one behind Pocket Square Farm, a suburban home turned tiny farm.

She's the one behind one of the best dinners I have ever had.

It was Cassie's turn for book club, which means she got to pick the book.

She chose Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.  This book changed her life, she says.

After that dinner I believe her.

I think it changed mine too.

After reading the tale of Kingsolver's family embarking on a journey to grow and eat as much of their own food as possible, Cassie determined to do the same for her family.
She started small; a few raised beds in the back yard.
Now her side yard is full of raised beds.  Her other side yard will be soon.  
And I have no doubt that her front yard will be full before too long.
She has a bathtub full of basil.
She's getting chickens.
Did I mention she lives smack in the middle of suburbia?





To show us how serious she is about this farming stuff, and how much she loves the book, Farm Girl Cassie had us over for guerrilla dining in her back yard. 
The entire meal was either made from scratch or from her garden.
Or both.
Like her yard, the whole thing was breathtaking.
Take a look:

After giving us a tour of her front yard gardens, Cassie ushered us into a dining wonderland.

The table was set with roses from her garden.

And a menu.  Yes! A menu.

There were lights strung up amongst the grapevines.  (Thanks to Farmer Ross, Cassie's husband)

As darkness fell, the table became more lovely with candlelight and wine glasses filled with organic wine.  One thing Cassie hasn't embarked on yet--wine making.

Cassie prepped our first course table side.  

Greens from her garden and a homemade champagne vinaigrette.

It was so good.  

Then, before each of the other courses, she told us about each thing she had made for us, where the ingredients came from and how it was prepared.  

(And do you see that play structure in the back there?  Cassie is a mom of 2 kiddos under 6.  She gardens with them.  They love it.  She's remarkable.)

There was: homemade french bread, homemade butter (she used her Kitchenaid mixer!  Who knew?) an incredible acorn squash soup with fresh squeezed Valencia orange juice, fresh tomatoes with basil and feta, green beans dressed with a light, creamy dressing, and my favorite, roasted eggplant and zucchini stacks with HOMEMADE mozzarella cheese.  

Oh my word.

She's promised to provide the recipes so I can link to her blog.  I can't wait because everything was so incredibly good.

Like, better than a lot of restaurants good.

Then we had dessert.

Nectarine lemon and basil jam swirled in cheesecake and then spooned on top.

Cassie didn't make the jam.  One of her students did.

Oh, did I forget to mention that she is a 5th grade teacher?

We were at the table for hours.

It was magical.

People pay big money for a dining experience like the one Cassie created for us last Tuesday night.

It rated in my top ten dining experiences of all time. (list  #12 tomorrow)

I felt like we were in a movie or a photo shoot for a magazine.

Except that there were no stylists, chefs or assistants to make it all happen.

Cassie did it all.

Every vegetable came from her garden.

Every herb.

What she didn't grow herself she made for us herself.

It was so inspiring.

So lovely.

So amazing.

It was such a labor of love.

And you know what? You could taste it.

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While you may not feel up to creating all that Cassie has, I don't think I am, I hope you are at least inspired to plant a pot of something on your back porch.

Fall is on it's way so plant some greens.  Try arugula!

Or maybe bake a loaf of bread from scratch.  

Try making your own cheese.  This I am going to do.

You won't be disappointed by your efforts.

You'll be able to taste to love that went into it.

Hope this leaves you with a little more inspiration to bring good things into your life this Monday afternoon.

Love from,

Greta

To see read more about Pocket Square Farm, read Cassie's blog here.

And I'm linking up to Heather's Make It Lovely Monday. Go check it out.

A Sweet and Simple Shower for Baby # 4

Everyone expects a baby shower for a first baby.  And maybe a shower for the second, if it is a different sex.  After that you start to get into a gray area.  Some people are adamantly opposed to 2nd, and 3rd baby showers.  And I think by the time you get to the 4th, all bets are off.

But I don't think it should be that way.

Because the arrival of every baby is worthy of celebration.

The shower might look a little different, but that mama should definitely be showered with some love.

My sister in law is due to have her 4th baby in a few weeks.  She is having a girl--her 3rd.  I knew I wanted to have some kind of shower for Jess and her newest girlie, and thankfully our friend Lindsey wanted to also.  

We teamed up.

Because it is Jessica's 4th, we wanted to go in a less traditional direction for the shower.  At this point Jessica doesn't need a stroller, or lots of baby paraphernalia. She's probably got the essentials down to a science now, and has most of them.

We decided instead to shower Jessica with some special treats just for her.  Because a mama of 4 deserves some treats if anyone does, right?

So the day was all about her.

We chose to have the shower at the beach because Jessica loves the beach.  

The decorations were very simple.  Lindsey made the adorable Baby Abby garland.  I made the polka dot one.  Tying them to my big market umbrella made all the difference.  Like I always say, it's in the details.

Even though the theme was to spoil Jessica, we still wanted to celebrate the reason for the celebration!

And we wanted the decorations to be something Jessica could use in the girls' room if she chooses to.  We used paper in pink (obviously) and turquoise (because that is big sister Cora's favorite color) in all different patterns and shades to make the garland.  We used 2 different sized hole punches and pale pink yarn.  (yarn works way better than string, by the way. less tangly)  I made the garland double-sided by affixing each polka dot with double stick tape.

It did not take me forever.  I spent an enjoyable hour watching Sense and Sensibility and making the garland.  Easy peasy.  (Also, Lindsey and I punched holes the night before--full disclosure)

The table decorations were very simple.  

I brought a big folding table.  Since I don't have any table cloths big enough, I covered it with a piece of muslin and made a runner out of a piece of mod, pink fabric I had on hand.  I didn't even hem it--just ironed the edge under.  (full disclosure)

Lindsey brought some cute pieces of pottery for the utensils and some of the food.  Small details like that look much better than setting them out in a plastic cup.  Lindsey has an eye for details like you wouldn't believe.

For the food we asked everyone to bring a favorite snack to share.  It made for such a relaxed and friendly shower.  There were lots of wonderful treats to munch on and Lindsey and I didn't have to bring all the food down to the beach ourselves.

I often fall into the trap of thinking I have to do everything myself, but I am discovering that people really like to help out.

Because we wanted to have some of Jessica's favorites, Lindsey picked up some cupcakes from Sprinkles.  They are Jessica's favorites.  So cute and so good!

But one of my favorite parts was the gifts.

We asked everyone who wanted to to bring something just for Jess.  You know, all those little treats you never buy for yourself?  Especially when you have 4 kids that are constantly growing out of shoes.  

Of course there were baby gifts too.  Because, really, who can resist a tiny, hot pink tutu?

But there were also coffee cards, and nice candles, earrings and favorite lip balms.

It was fun.

Spending the afternoon sitting on the beach, enjoying snacks, not reminding anyone to please not walk on your towel, or making a mad dash into the water for a stray toy, or child, well, that was our gift to everyone else.

I think it was a great way to shower Jessica with some special love.

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I've been thinking of other ways you can have a shower for baby # 2, 3, 4 or 8?  The key, I believe, is thinking outside the box.

If the mama is opposed to gifts, just plan a brunch at her favorite restaurant.

Or take her out for pedicures.

Have a movie night at your house with her favorite chick flick and favorite treats.

Go to a nearby "destination" and spend the afternoon walking, window shopping and eating.

Visit a museum together and then have lunch in the museum cafe.

You will notice eating is a big part of these suggestions.  Don't forget to include the food!

I thought this would be a PERFECT shower theme.  Just tweak it a little to suit the occasion: favorite gifts for the mama, or the baby.  Or both!

Just getting away from the kids for a few hours and doing something a little out of the ordinary will make a mom feel special.  And that is what it is all about.

Have you been to any fabulous showers?  Or hosted one? Do tell.

Love from,

Greta 

And the Winner Is....

Ummm, I promised I'd announce the winner on Monday.

I'm sorry.  Spending days at the beach has been wearing me out.

I know.  You don't feel sorry for me.  But I'm not kidding.

Have you ever taken 3 little kids to the beach?

Anyway.  

Here's what you want to know.

Congratulations Jenny!  You won!

Here was Jenny's comment about the print:

"Yay for no more brace face! What freedom! So, the reason I need this print is because those were the exact chairs we had while I was growing up. Wait--they are the exact chairs my parents still have! I just sat in one on the beach. At one point the straps wore out on one chair, but, no worries, my dad got new straps and re-wove it himself. Made to last."

I think it was meant to be that Jenny would have the lawn chair print hanging in her house, don't you?  Jenny, please send me your info and I will send the print off right away!

For the rest of you, left wanting a vintage lawn chair print of your own, we still have a few left for $10, including shipping.  We'd be happy to send you a little bit of summer to hang on your walls.  

Because, even if you didn't win the giveaway, I still want you to feel this way:

And don't worry, there will be another giveaway soon.  Perhaps a lovely vintage trinket from my Palm Springs getaway this weekend?  If we manage to leave pool side that is!

I have a few fun posts in the works.  Check in soon.

Love from,

Greta

PS.  the posters are from here.  Aren't they fabulous?

My Weekend in Pictures and the Letter B (List #11)

Oh my this weekend was busy.

I hit a couple garage sales, hosted a baby shower, went to the Farmers Market and to church, the beach and on a date with my hubby.
I'm still wiped out.

Here's the weekend in pictures and the letter B.  It's list # 11 by the way.

More details to come later.

1.  Bags

2.  Baby Shower

3.  Box

4.  Box # 2

5.  Bottle

6.  Breakfast

7.  Beach

8.  BBQ Potato Chips

9.  Boogie Boards

10.  Blondie

11.  Black hills

12.  And for fun:

Bears.  Beets.  Battlestar Galactica

Enjoy the cryptic post.  Tomorrow the kids and I are heading to the beach twice.  In the am for our weekly beach date with friends and then the afternoon for a bday party. After the party I have book club.

More than likely I will not be posting any info on these pics tomorrow night.  But I'll give you all the info soon.

Scouts honor.

By the way, totally cheating on these lists now.  I'm turning everything into a list.

Happy Tuesday!

Love from,

Greta

Garage Sale Treasures -- Worn but Worth It & the List (#10)

The other day, James wanted to know why it is cold at the South Pole if it is in the south.  Isn't is supposed to be cold in the north and hot in the south?

So I got out our globe, a flashlight and we learned about the equator.

After we were done, we left the globe on the table.

When I saw it this morning, I realized how much I love that globe.  And the table cloth underneath it.

They are 2 of my most favorite treasures.

Neither one is perfect.  Maybe that is why no one else bought them.

The globe had a decent size rip in the paper.  It was easily repaired with a dab of glue, but the seam still shows.

I don't mind one bit.  

Anyway, isn't it  better to pay $2 for a globe that is a bit worn than pay $20 (or more?) for a new one while the old one gets tossed in the trash?

And then there is this table cloth.  

This is my favorite table cloth of all time.  

I have never seen another one like it.  I love the colors and the design.

I'd like to hang it on the wall as art, but I love to use it on my table too much.

It gives me great joy to see it on my table.

Is that weird?

It has some stains on it that I can't get off.  When I bought it I thought I'd just turn it into pillows or something.  But you know, the stains don't even bother me now.

It's old.  It's not perfect.

I think we are too quick to chuck things.  Or we buy things for the "right now" that don't last or aren't really what we want because we are in such a hurry to get it done or just have something.

I am terrible about this.  Therefore I end up with a lot of donations to our local women's shelter.  However, I am trying to be better.  I want to be a better steward with my money and less wasteful with things.  We're reading the Little House on the Prairie books and it is very inspiring.

In our family, Aaron is a champ at this.  I am learning.  As evidence to this fact, my laundry room window is bare and waiting until I find just the right material for the curtain.  The rest of the room is done and it is killing me to not have the window finished. But I am making myself wait until I find what I really want instead of settling for something now and getting rid of it later.

This post seems to have morphed into a sermon on saving, so I might as well end with this point.  Another helpful thing I have found while garage saling, thrifting or estate saling is to have a list of items I want or need and and keep an eye out for them.

I have found a salad spinner, a citrus reamer, and countless other things I had planned on buying new but didn't have to.  Why buy a citrus reamer for $5 when you can get it for a quarter?  If you don't mind waiting a bit for something, there is a good chance you can find it if you keep your eyes open. 

Just don't forget to make that list.  Otherwise you'll be sure to walk right past that waffle iron you've been looking for.

Just a few things on my current list:

Canning supplies

Cast iron skillets

Club cook wear

Typewriters (duh)

Vintage wooden Fisher Price puzzles

Old coffee cans 

Vintage office supplies/accessories

Dress up clothes for my kids

*That's List # 10, by the way.

So do you have a list?  What's on it?

Garage sales often start on Fridays now.  I'll be out tomorrow looking for some coffee cans...

Love from,

Greta

List #9 --The Things I Won't Miss About Braces

Look who got her braces off!

One week ago, I spent 2.5 hours in the orthodontist chair.  After they were off, they brought me balloons and sang "You Got Your Braces Off Today, Hurrah!" to the tune of The Ants Went Marching One By One.  

It was slightly embarrassing.

I hadn't seen my teeth in 4 years.  I've missed them.

I was so excited I scheduled a haircut for that night, and Aaron let me run off the minute he came home.

Short hair, no silver on my teeth--I felt like a new woman!

The next night we went to the fair and I took a turn in the photo booth, solo, to document this momentous occasion.

If you've had braces, you know what I'm talking about.

Since I am horribly behind on my lists, I decided this would be the perfect time to write 

# 9.

Here it it.

List # 9: The Things I Won't Miss About Braces

1.  Waking up every morning with my lips stuck to my braces.  I had to peel them off.  No, I'm not joking.

2.  Constant cuts on the inside of my lips because of the small people in my house who have no concept of the weapon like force of their heads.  

3.  Constant canker sores on the inside of my lips from said cuts, from said heads.  4 years of canker sores people!  It is amazing I was ever nice to anyone.

4.  Picking my teeth.  Nuts, popcorn, salad, crab cakes, corn on the cob--just a few of the worst offenders.

5.  Always wondering if my sore teeth were from cavities or the braces.  It was always the braces.

6.  Having to explain to everyone that I got braces because of my receding gums.  That makes me feel like I am 80.

7.  Kissing my husband with braces.

8.  Telling my husband not to kiss me because my mouth/lips hurt too much.

9.  Getting the bristles of my toothbrush stuck in my braces.

10.  People saying, "you still have those on?"  It's like saying, "you're still pregnant?"  

Duh.

The morning I was headed out to get the braces off, I was quite nervous.  William made me a card of he and I holding hands to help me be brave.

he also told me, "I'm glad you're getting your braces off so you can look like a normal human again."

So sweet.

I'm hoping it was just the braces that made me look abnormal.  

Don't forget to enter the giveaway in celebration of me no longer being a brace face.  Go here.

Love from,

Greta