Homemade Herbal Lemonade
The heat is on, woowhee! Really, it’s the humidity that’s pumping here in Philly right now. I was wringing my clothes out this morning in the garden. Still, a quick chug out of my icy jug of Homemade Herbal Lemonade was so cool and delicious that I was able to keep at the weeding for five whole hours! Well, I did take a break to pick some blueberries and raspberries somewhere in the middle there…recipes to come for those. In any case, this is a mighty refreshing beverage to have on hand on a hot summer day.
If (when) I get married, I think I’d like to have one of my close friends make several dozen of these beautiful bottles of lemonade to have scattered around in ice-filled tin tubs and on the long communal tables laid out with a farm fresh feast {I guess I’d better buy stock in a lemon company that year}. There’s just something about the way these jars gather condensation in the heat that makes me want to pour a glass and kick back with my flip flops off and the skirt of my sundress hiked up just a little higher. A jar would make a great addition to a picnic basket for an outdoor concert in the park or a drive-in movie. Bonus: add a shot of vanilla vodka and get a nice little buzz with your cool down. Perfect for a sultry summer night.
40 comments June 14, 2010
Wyck Summer Kick-Off Festival {Philly}
I had a great evening on Friday, strolling around the busy grounds and house of Wyck during their lovely little Summer Kick-Off Festival. The music was great and the weather perfect. I loved seeing so many folks enjoying this historic garden for all it’s worth. Kids were especially fun to watch as they discovered the baby apples on the trees, the chickens in the back, and the stilts under the ancient trees that were there for them to try out. I really went for one reason though…to try the limited edition Wyck Old Rose Gelato from Capogiro.
I love Wyck’s roses for so many reasons, but the chance to eat them (or at least their essence) tops the list. So there I was, giddy to take my first bite and boy was it good! Fragrant but not too “perfumey”, the taste of the roses initially striking with the first few bites but then fading to this wonderfully mellow floral undertone as my taste buds adjusted to such an unusual flavor. When rose season rolls around again next year, I’m going to see if my good friend and Wyck gardener-extraordinaire, Nicole, will let me take home a bag of rose petals to post a few rose-infused recipes of my own. For now, enjoy a few photos from this fun event and make plans to visit Wyck sometime soon for more fun, history and education. They have quite the full calendar of events all summer long.
1 comment June 10, 2010
New Mt. Airy Farmers Market {Philly}
I’ve neglected to post about the newest addition to my neighborhood’s wonderful assets: a bustling farmers market in a perfect location along the busy main arterial. This market is well suited to a section of Philadelphia already full of sustainable and locally-minded small businesses and families, mine included. Held every Tuesday afternoon/evening, it’s the perfect chance to stock up on goodies to use during the week since most Philadelphians know that going “down the shore” on the weekends is going to make other markets less convenient. Currently there is an Amish farmer selling lots of baked goods and annual plants; a fruit stand with gorgeous cherries and honey at the moment; a farmer selling grass fed meats, cheese, raw milk and any other “animal product” you can think of; an urban farm (well-known Weavers Way) selling heirloom and other unusual vegetables; and a friendly and funky cut flower/herb/potted perennial plant grower (oh yay, that last one is me).
More info here: http://www.farmtocity.org/FarmersMarkets.asp
Takes place in the Lutheran Seminary plaza across from the WaWa in Mt. Airy
Tuesdays 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. through Thanksgiving
3 comments June 10, 2010
Rhubarb & Strawberry Ice Cream
Summer came screaming in like an out-of-control freight train around here. We had our first official heat wave (three days or more in a row with 90+ degree temperatures) in the first week of June which is some sort of record, I believe. The beautiful fragrant old garden roses have already come and gone. Last summer was cold and wet. This summer apparently is lining up to be hot and dry (except for today’s lovely soft rain). Me thinks the ice cream churner is going to be getting a lot of use these next few months. What a shame. It is a burden I will try to bear with grace.
First stop on the seasonal scoop tour is Rhubarb & Strawberry Vanilla Ice Cream. I realize these two wonderful earl summer ephemerals may be slipping away from the farmers market stalls, but hopefully you can find a pint of berries and a bunch of stalks to give this recipe a go. It’s so creamy and fruity; the perfect early summer cool-down.
On another note, I have to say thank you to several of you who have really been so good to reach out to me - via lovely comments in the last post, thoughtful emails, or even in-person visits at the farmers market – letting me know how much you appreciate the blog. It’s been a challenge keeping up with all my passions (turns out there is a bottom to the creative juices in this vessel) and having your words of encouragement has meant a lot to me. I feel rejuvenated and already have several new recipes in the works to keep us all well-fed as the summer progresses. Thank you, dear friends!
11 comments June 9, 2010
Rhubarb Macarons
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately {I have a lot of time to do that when weeding the garden} about what defines success in a person’s work. I spent many years working in an intense corporate job where I earned a decent wage. By most accounts, I was quite successful, being good at my job and making enough money to pay all the bills, occasionally treat myself to a few nice things, and beef up my savings account. But I was so unhappy doing that work that I quit and started a whole new career tract, going back to school and becoming a poor student when I most certainly was at an age where being such was just barely do-able and certainly not desirable. Can you really be that “successful” if you are at a place in your life where you need to take such risks to regain balance and even {if I dared to dream} some really happiness and satisfaction?
And now here I am on the other side of that leap of faith, a little out of breath from the effort, but really quite pleased with my progress towards establishing my own business and doing something that I find extremely gratifying. My savings account is not nearly as beefy, and I find myself stuttering when I describe my “income” when I attempt to find some health insurance that would be even remotely affordable for the new entrepreneur. I work 12 hours a day , six days a week, trying to make my well-laid plans a reality. And I’ve been a bit saddened to have to let go of some hobbies I really loved {namely food blogging on a regular basis}. But at the end of the day, I have a smile on my face. A real, broad, toothy, genuine smile on my face. I’ve never felt so healthy and creative. I’m not able to give myself a paycheck yet, but I sure as hell feel rewarded and “successful”. Is this enough though? Frankly, I don’t think I can answer that question just yet.
7 comments May 24, 2010
