Bean Salad and Cottage Food

Yup, that is a picture of the cottage group, out on the dock, watching "Big Brother". That's me knitting.

I took up my favorite summer salad. Bean Salad. Packed with protein, tastes better the next day and even better the day after and does not wilt in the heat.

The base of the salad is always the same -

3 cups of beans ( canned, soaked, your choice)
1/4 good oil (oil, canola, vegetable, what ever you have)
1/4 vinegar (your choice - I use a lot of Balsamic)
1 medium size sweet onion
1 medium size green or red pepper

Mix together, place in fridge and let it meld.

You can add anything to this salad. When my herb garden is bursting I add a little bit of everything, Thyme being my favorite.
You can add lemon or lime juice.
You can add any vegetable you want  just cut the pieces small enough.
I have even added cold cooked rice and lasst nights cooked veggies to the salad.

I sent this of with my eldest son and his friends for last weekends cottage fun - it was the first dish finished.

High in protein, great source of fiber and so far enjoyed by all. Easy peasy vegetarian - even vegan!

Ennui

I have hit the wall, a wall, a well, a well that I can not get out of.

There is nothing I want to eat, to cook, to knit or to read.

There are no plants I want to plant, no weeds I want to weed.

I have a major case of early rainy spring ennui - nothing interests me. My cooking is boring and yet nothing in the recipe books or on the food blogs and sites that I follow can make me rattle my pots and pans.

Knitting  has lost its thrall - other then the streetcar socks that I always have in my bag.

Spring is slowly coming to my front garden. The rain has chased the cherry blossoms away. The squirrels did not get all the bulbs and the colours are coming back.

I truly believe that when the sun comes out to play so will I.

Making Dinner

Have you ever noticed that it is easier to prepare a formal or celebration meal then cook everyday food for the family.

I have hit the the February food blahs. I can not get excited about anything that is in my current cycle of cooking. I say it is because I am waiting for the lovely fresh fruit and veg from my garden but it is not that. I am bored - I sound like one of my kids. But I am bored. I need a change in food.

I have spent days surfing the web looking for something, anything that will tickle my funny bone.

The house is very busy in the spring, all the school activities, the need to play in the garden and the lengthening of days. I have decided to cook two meals a week in the slow cooker.

I will photograph and keep you informed.

"In Dreams"

Unique Sheep Eos " Big Sur Twilight" 

In Dreams Mystery Shawl

by Susan Pandorf

 

The Mystery KAL starts Feb 4. I can not wait! 

Evenstar

I'm done. It took me a year. The learning curve was huge. I have to block it again but.... I am done!

Best New Condement

I am a person of habit when it comes to cooking Holiday meals.
Cranberry sauce, Keen's Mustard preped the day before, onion marmalade cooking on the oven vent all day.
This year I tried something new!
I made an onion pickle. Just a fast day of pickle, easy and very tasty.
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup white sugar
Bring to a boil
Add
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
Bring back to boil
Turn off heat and let it cool

Tangy, yummy, and great in a sandwich.

The Stuff in my house.

I have just read the most amazing book. Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things. The book is a compelling read, a page turner, sort of like watching an accident. You want to read about the people who are worse then you and you want to congratulate yourself on not being like them but you see little bits of you or your loved ones on the pages.

One point that was made very clear in the book is the massive, one day, huge clean out do not work and in some cases have lead to the suicide of the hoarder. The forced loss of their stuff is to traumatizing and they can not cope.   

I  watch the tv show " Hoarders" it is one of my guilty little pleasures. It also serves a purpose in my life. After every episode I toss out, recycle or give away stuff. The show reminds me to clear off my flat surfaces. After reading the book I don't know if I can watch the show. The empathy I have for the hoarders is to strong. It is a mental illness, one that can be mitigated, one that can be lessened with therapy and new coping skills. Not in two days of cleaning. When the coupon for 2 for 1 Pizza expired in 2009 is as important as photographs for family and friends throwing out the coupon is not the answer.

Read the book. If you have the condition find a professional to help. If a loved one has the condition find empathy and a professional.