Supper... Buy Fresh Buy Local style...

Ah, Pinterest.  So many things to discover, explore, and pin, pin, pin!!!

Recently, I came across this recipe on Pinterest.  The recipe and this photo originated on thekitchn.com, and combined kale and goat cheese in frittata cups, baked in a muffin tin.  OH, YES, PLEASE!

I do try, however, to use local or homegrown ingredients whenever possible...
First, out to the garden to pick some crinkly, green kale.

Then to the fridge to pull out some fresh eggs from my friend, Kylene, at Roses Ridge Farm.  Her chickens are a delight.  When you pull up in her driveway, all the chickens run out to greet you!

And goat cheese.  Hhmmm... I was missing my Shady Goat Farm cheese since the market season ended.  But I'd found a lovely Virginia goat cheese from Sullivan's Pond Farm:  Rocky Mount, from their Isabel series, 'Semi-soft mild, with a rind of rosemary, and chopped jalapenos and seeds. Wrapped in "White Lightnin" macerated corn husks.'  Perfect!  (Since I used this particular goat cheese, I eliminated the red pepper flakes and thyme called for in the recipe.)

While I was preparing the ingredients for the frittata, I started roasting some white and sweet potatoes from New Earth Farm. 

I'd love to show you a photo of the finished plates, warm and fragrant and filled with local goodness, but the plates were empty by the time I remembered to grab the camera.  Let's just say it was quite good...  enjoy the recipe from the fun folks at thekitchn.com...

Kale and Goat Cheese Fritatta Cups

Makes 8 individual cups

2 cups chopped kale
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoons red pepper flakes
8 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled

Preheat the oven to 350°F. To get 2 cups kale, remove the leaves from the kale ribs. Wash and dry the leaves and cut them into 1/2-inch-wide strips.

In a 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook the garlic in 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat for 30 seconds. Add the kale and red pepper flakes and cook until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes.

In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the salt and pepper. Add the kale and thyme to the egg mixture.

Using a 12-cup muffin tin, use the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to grease 8 of the cups (you may also use butter or non-stick spray if you'd prefer). Fill the 8 cups evenly with the egg/kale mixture.  Sprinkle the tops with goat cheese. Bake until they are set in the center, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Frittata is best eaten warm from the oven or within the next day, but leftovers can be kept refrigerated and reheated for up to a week.

God's good gifts...

Our words for the day, on a journey of enrichment and discovery with wee worshipers:

God's good gifts

The Word was opened carefully and the verses read aloud.  This message from the Eternal One, offering abundance and fulfillment.  These precious words to those without pennies to pay.  An invitation to experience richness.

If you are thirsty, come here;
        come, there’s water for all.
    Whoever is poor and penniless can still
        come and buy the food I sell.
    There’s no cost—here, have some food, hearty and delicious,
        and beverages, pure and good.

I don’t understand why you spend your money for things that don’t nourish
        or work so hard for what leaves you empty.
    Attend to Me and eat what is good;
        enjoy the richest, most delectable of things.

Isaiah 55:1-2

We shared about nourishing things to eat and thirst-quenching things to drink.  

Trista's hot cross buns

We talked about places to go and explore, the fun things we do with our families.  About other signs of the coming joy of Easter in our homes. 

Outdoor Show at McDonald Garden Center in Hampton

 

 

The beautifully hand-painted eggs are the work of Rev. Bill Hiller

 

And then we looked out the wind-chilled windowpanes at God's good gifts of Spring... blooming flowers, sprouting herbs and veggies, and lush green leaves.

Lenten Rose in our garden today

Lush herbs ready for planting

 God's good gifts are all around.  

And the smallest of the faithful 

help us to see them with fresh eyes...

His hand provides...

These are worrisome times.  Words like 'sequestration' and 'furlough' and 'reduction in force' are used in daily conversation.  We agree that this will be hard on many in our area.  We say that we will pray for those in need of jobs and we do.

And then... it happened to us.  On Friday, my dear husband left his office with a RIF letter and the belongings from his desk.

But he is a man of great faith in our Lord.  He is a man of integrity and of positivity.  His worry is for others.  For we KNOW that our Lord provides richly.  We are ASSURED of it in His Word.

Tonight, we feasted on the green goodness from our garden and jewel-colored beans and homemade, sky-high biscuits.  We laughed.  We shared.  We looked toward the future with our eyes on the Lord.  And we smiled with anticipation at what He has in store...

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.  For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.  Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

collards

 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

Lenten Rose

“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. 

kale

 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom."

^{Luke 12:22-32}

hope for tomorrow...

 

hobby greenhouses class at Norfolk Botanical Garden

This morning dawned cold, blustery, and dark.  No matter, the hubs and I had a date: we were headed to Norfolk Botanical Garden for a class on Hobby Greenhouses!  I'd love a greenhouse.  Ok, really I'd love a conservatory... a place to curl up in the chilly months with a good book and a cup of tea... a place where Scarlett and I could hide out and she could stalk squirrels... a place of quiet rest in the winter sun.  With a few growing things sheltered from the chill.  But first we had to learn more.

We got in the Jeep and headed to the garden just a few miles away.  Suddenly.  Snow.  Hhmmmm.  More snow.  Big flakes falling as we zipped along the highway.  And still very cold.  And windy.

Norfolk Botanical Garden is lovely, even in Winter.  We arrived and checked in, and were asked to wait as a group.  Hhmmmm.  We were going to ride the tram to the other side of the garden and enjoy our class in the propagation greenhouse.  Lovely!  (Did I mention that the tram is open.  To the cold.  And the wind.  With no heat.  Hhmmmm.)  We arrived at the greenhouse and hurried inside. 

And Spring opened her arms and enfolded us.  Aahhhhh.

We learned many things about soil content and greenhouse temperature control and suggested flooring material from a most knowledgeable facilitator. 

More than this, we had a delightful morning together in a warm greenhouse filled with green and growing things from the creative Hand of our God.   

 

 

Inspiring Women... fellowship, faithfulness, friendship

The last few weeks have been spent with wonderful women, creative women, strong women...

We have shared the joys of teaching together, of praising and worshiping together, of sharing the handwork from our larders.   They have prayed for me and forgiven me when I was spread too thin and my words were not kind.  We have shared our stories and our journeys, on good days and bad.

Today I'm sharing some images from these moments of friendship and fellowship, love and laughter.  Today I thank my God for these beautiful women and their gifts in my life! 

Working and teaching about handmade cleaning products alongside the great women of the Virginia Urban Homesteaders League...

Sharing and praising God for a new year and new friends with the faithful women of the Providence Presbyterian Women...

Guest speaker, Lisa Olson

Swapping and laughing with the creative women at the VaUHL Winter Larder Swap...

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?

She is more precious than rubies.
Her husband can trust her,
 and she will greatly enrich his life.
She brings him good, not harm,
 all the days of her life.

She finds wool and flax
 and busily spins it.
She is like a merchant’s ship,
 bringing her food from afar.
She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
 and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
 with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She is energetic and strong,
 a hard worker.
She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
 her lamp burns late into the night.

Her hands are busy spinning thread,
 her fingers twisting fiber.
She extends a helping hand to the poor
 and opens her arms to the needy.
She has no fear of winter for her household,
 for everyone has warm clothes.

She makes her own bedspreads.
 She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
Her husband is well known at the city gates,
 where he sits with the other civic leaders.
She makes belted linen garments
 and sashes to sell to the merchants.

She is clothed with strength and dignity,
 and she laughs without fear of the future.
When she speaks, her words are wise,
 and she gives instructions with kindness.
She carefully watches everything in her household
 and suffers nothing from laziness.

Her children stand and bless her.
 Her husband praises her:
“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
 but you surpass them all!”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
 but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
Reward her for all she has done.
 Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Proverbs 31:10-31