Spring?
We've had the most unusual winter in the 20-some years that I have lived in the Northwest! So much sunshine. There have been some cold days and I know folks who ski or snowboard aren't super happy with the lack of snowfall. You won't hear a complaint out of me. It simply feels like spring is around the corner. There are bulbs that agree with me.

Crafty Night

So, this isn't really about something super recycled or from my garden etc., but I am pretty happy with this and wanted to share. I have a friend who I'm co-hosting a baby shower for tomorrow and this evening I wrapped all the presents. Her colors are pink, black and white.  I couldn't find any wrapping paper to match. So I improvised! I found plain pink paper at the dollar store, along with some bows and black posterboard.

Tools

Extra sticky beads I had laying around.

Bead embellishment to pull in store bought bag.

Finished Product!

Final touch

Build Gardens!

If you live in the Portland area, Growing Gardens of Portland is having a garden bed challenge. Similar to other fundraising events, you can captain a team to raise funds to build garden beds for low income people. The best part is that you also get to help build the bed AND the funds go directly toward helping families in need. OK, even better, it's a "pay it forward" model in that your one-time help continues to assist a family well into the future! What more could you ask for in a service project?? Community building, direct service, hands on experience, teambuilding, gardening, fun for foodies...!!!

Don't want to participate in something so multi-faceted but you'd love hands-on dirt work? Come join us at Ronald McDonald House on the same day for a day of yard work! Ask to speak to someone about "Weed and Feed."

Create a team & fight hunger for GROWINGGARDENS
Are you looking for a fun way to make a positive impact in the community? Consider becoming a Team Captain & form a garden building team for GROWINGGARDENS Dawn of the Bed! No prior garden experience necessary.
GROWINGGARDENS digs at the root of hunger in Portland by installing raised garden beds at the homes of low-income households. Three years of support including seeds, plants, tools, compost & worm bins and education from volunteer mentors and workshops assure the success of our Home Gardeners.
Dawn of the Bed is a day to build garden beds with the support of volunteer teams who will build the gardens and raise financial pledges for the cause.
HOW DOES IT WORK?

• Sign up with GROWINGGARDENS as a team captain.
• Attend an orientation Tuesday, February 21 - 6-7:30pm
• Recruit 4-8 friends, co-workers or family members to join your team.
• As a team raise $600 or more which covers the cost to build a garden & provide support to 1 low-income household. (A prize will be awarded to the team that raises the most money)
• Gather shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows and other tools for the day of the event.
• Build the garden on the Dawn of the Bed day- Saturday, May 5 - 10am-3pm.
• Celebrate with the other teams & GROWINGGARDENS staff at a post-garden building celebration.

For more information or to sign up contact Rodney Bender at 503-284-8420 or rodney@growing-gardens.org.

Resolutions

It's that time of year when we start frantically making our own resolutions or rolling our eyes at other people's resolutions. I'm in the making resolutions camp and proud of it. The darkest day is over, but cold wet days are ahead if you live in the Pacific Northwest. What better way to while away the hours than to eat, wait - no - make resolutions. (It is a better alternative to eating myself into an senseless, grumpy hibernation.) So here are mine:

• Get back into an exercise routine including yoga class once a week and a cardio class once a week. Get on that bike and get out walking.
• Cut out straight-up sugars (no packaged, primarily sugar-based treats such as candy bars, pudding, cookies, cake etc.) Save sugar for fruit, and the occasional delicacy (like a homemade gift of a treat or a bubble tea here and there). 
• Get the garden plans going and get that garden growing this year!
• Continue to be in bed by 10 on week nights (notice I did not say "go to bed by 10"... that ends up being 11).
• Budget better for self care including massages every few months and acupuncture once a month. 
• Plan my next trip to Peru. 

There are a few big surprises in store for this year too that I can't share yet.... So, that's it for now. A few resolutions will have to remain private. 

Oh The Places We'll Go... With Leftovers

I made Chicken Chipotle Chowder Wednesday night (Chupe de Pollo con Chipotle) - one of my old favorites! It's a rich, spicy soup that can work in summer or winter. That said, it is not a week night soup like it is advertised and you will heat up your kitchen. I have Wednesdays off and it's swap night with my neighbor. I wanted to make something special for them as they are always spoiling us with all sorts of homemade treats so spending a few hours cooking was worth it.

The chicken in the recipe gets boiled and simmered with garlic, onions, carrots, celery, oregano and cumin together in chicken broth. It makes for a savory and moist meat addition. I decided this time around to add extra chicken as the chicken breasts are boiled whole in the broth.

With the extra chicken I made an "enchilada bake" that turned out to be an elaborate dip more than a casserole. I'm not complaining though. I cleaned out my fridge and I got several dinners and more to share with the neighbors. I shredded the chicken for the bake, added some whipping cream to each layer, more cumin, cilantro, black beans and black olives. Then I drizzled on fresh homemade annatto oil, which if you haven't tried this before you should. Annatto oil makes a fabulously sensual oil, the color of cadmium red. If you can't find annatto, the prolific Penzy's Spices carries it - it arrives along with directions on how to make the oil. I'm christening the recipe now "enchilada dip."

Ever Growing

Now we have taken up farming teenagers at the Copeland Street House. Our 17 year old nephew has moved in with us and will stay with us for at least the rest of the school year, perhaps longer if he wants. This has already been an amazing experience for us. Farming our little plot is as much about nurturing things as it is for nutrition and sustainability. Now we have another human to nurture. Kalvin is a great guy and I'm looking forward to the holidays around our urban homestead with all the more reason to decorate and celebrate the little moments.

Sunday night was just one of those moments. Kalvin had been at his parent's for a few days and we celebrated him being back with us by baking chocolate chip banana muffins. We put on a little "Pink Martini" and enjoyed the warmth of our newly repaired furnace on a cold November night. There is so much more to a homestead than the things growing outside of it or the selections of food and furnishings one makes. The energy one choses can go beyond the literal way you power your house.

Arty Food Blog

A friend of mine just started a new food blog. She is working on her PhD in Art History, so I think there's potential for a visual and tummy appealing combination. The Artful Kitchen