Rain clouds, rhubarb and cowboy boots

Jun 7th, 2009

On the plus side, the unexpected plethora of water falling from the sky has turned our arid yard into a backyard jungle.  It’s just been a bit unfortunate for my little swimmers, who have been turning blue with cold while dodging thunderstorms at practice.  Acadia addressed the issue by pairing her swim suit with cowboy [...]

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Your Rockin’ Rhubarb Resource

May 18th, 2009

Despite a decidedly rocky start with rhubarb, I have made a remarkable comeback. Even though I was deceived as a child into believing that my beloved frozen strawberries were in fact rhubarb (and therefore off limits,) I have now gotten to a point where things with scary names aren’t intimidating.  Well, except kohlabi.  Anyone in [...]

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My house smells like dirt (in a good way)

May 8th, 2009

Coming back home after eight days away I am hit by one particular fact: my living room smells like dirt.  No, I can’t blame my husband for letting things fall to pot. The kids are in one piece and the house is still standing.  The house smells like dirt in a good way.  Forest path [...]

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Changes in altitude, plenty of attitude

Mar 23rd, 2009

This weekend brought not only the first day of a spring break full of sassy pre-pre-teen attitude, but also the first day of spring.  Eternal optimist that I’m known to be, I chose to focus on welcoming the new season, and not on the emotional trip that is repetitive eye-rolling.  I’m a glass half full [...]

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Super Easy Freezer-style Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Jul 9th, 2008

This jam is incredible, and incredibly easy if, like us, you weren’t raised down south steeping jars in vats of bubbling water while okra grew out back. But that doesn’t mean we don’t know good jam when we taste it.
We use the No/Low Sugar Needed Sure Jell Pectin and mostly followed the freezer jam recipe. [...]

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Rhubarb, when do I pick it and what do I do with it?

Jul 7th, 2008

Got Rhubarb? Lucky you. Rhubarb is used in Chinese medicine and is thought by some to have cancer-inhibiting qualities. Plus, it’s super tasty in desserts..
Rhubarb stalks are ready to harvest from early spring through mid summer as soon as the leaves are full. The stalks will be anywhere from light green [...]

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Rhubarb Crisp

Jul 1st, 2008

This is a favorite around here. At book club last spring it went faster than the wine!
Ingredients:

4 cups diced rhubarb
3 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoons cold butter, cut in small pieces
1/4 cup melted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup sifted all-purpose flour
dash salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2/3 cup quick cooking rolled oats

What to [...]

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Rhubarb, one tough old gal

Jun 7th, 2008

Ahhh, reproduction. Who could forget fifth grade with its squirm-worthy talk of budding and asexual reproduction and new boobs and busy bees? Back then, nary a day passed without the girls getting herded off to the gym and the boys skulking down to the art room to hear promises of puberty, and treats [...]

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