The Road Side Stand

Some of the best places in this world can't be found on Google Maps.  One of them is the Road Side Stand.  It's not quite a Farmer's Market, but the prices and quality can't be beat.  Last spring when I suffered from "Morning Sickness" all day, I really craved this fresh produce that simply doesn't exist during March & April.  I'm so thankful for it now!  

During the summer months I forego the conventional grocery store shopping and frequent several local stands.  Maple Arch Farm is my favorite!  It had humble beginnings.  I recall years ago it was nothing more than a small table and two kids under an umbrella.  It has grown to become so much more!  They offer a variety of produce all grown organically in mineralized soil (unless otherwise marked).  And when I say variety I mean you'll find items like Yellow Doll Watermelons, Musk Melons, White Tomatoes and Purple Bell Peppers.  Some items can be more expensive, but the Bargain Table more than makes up for it.  Everything pictured below is just $1.75 because it is 1-2 days old.  Just the other day I bought a 1/2 Bushel of Green Beans for only $8.00.  I put my latest bargain in freezer bags and look forward to enjoying them over the winter.

This stand doesn't stop at produce.  Here you'll also find plants, flowers, hay bales, baked goods, eggs, dairy, grass-fed meat, jams, jellies...the list goes on.  This fall they'll have the most adorable Fairy Tale Pumpkins, squash, gourds and mums from every color of the rainbow.  You can even order a Thanksgiving Turkey here.

Maple Arch Farm is located along Route 10 between Cochranville and Parkesburg near the intersection of Friendship Church Road.  They're open Monday - Friday, 9AM - 5:30PM and Saturday 9AM-4PM.  The Early Bird does get the worm but don't come too early.  The produce makes it's way from the farm to the stand via a horse drawn wagon just before opening time.  So be patient and give them time to unload the goods.  If you're interested in large quantities for home preserving, place an order and do their best to accommodate requests.      

This stand has limited availability of organically grown fruits.  But just down the road I spotted a sign that had just what I was looking for - BLUEBERRIES!  Perhaps the easiest foods to preserve for later use are these little gems of blue that are loaded with antioxidants and phytonutrients.  I freeze them for smoothies, waffles, pancakes and desserts over the winter months.  If you're looking for this small stand it is located along Highland Road between Fallowfield Road & Umble Road.  

If you have a favorite road side stand, orchard or market, I'd love to hear about it.  Sometimes "word of mouth" or taking that wrong turn is the only way to find out about these places - especially in Amish Country. 

 

 

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Bottoms Up

There’s a lot of talk about health care these days…more like complaining and much of it is justified.  But I hear nothing about folks joining together to truly fight for their health.  I’m sure there are many who shake their fists at ObamaCare with a cigarette in hand as their packaged dinner cooks in the microwave.  How ironic. 

Our household does its best to avoid the need to ever step foot in the doctor’s office.  I recall about 8 years ago making an appointment because my toenail looked very strange.  It turned out to be toenail fungus (just so happened to be right after my first and LAST pedicure) and the Dr. wanted to prescribe something that might clear it up in six months or more.  But first I needed to have blood work done to check my liver since the medication could cause liver damage.  NO THANK YOU!  I went online, found a natural cure that worked much faster and have been fine since – liver and all. 

One way that we keep our family healthy is juicing.  With so much fresh and local produce in season right now we’ve been enjoying lots of healthy drinks.  And let me tell you it can really make a difference.  Almost two years ago I came down with a nasty cold the day before my husband was scheduled to leave for Air Force Basic Training.  I needed to accompany him to the base two hours away, then drive down to the airport to say goodbye.  I did not have time for a cold!  So I got out the juicer and for the first time added some garlic.  Well, I learned that day that one clove is more than enough – actually I put in five!  Oh wow, that was some strong stuff.  The whole family drank some, within hours I felt better, my husband never got sick during boot camp and the boys stayed healthy all winter.  However, our last night together was less than romantic – you could smell that garlic from across the room for the next few days. 



I know there are better juicers out there, but we’ve used the Bullet Express Trio for a few years without any problems.  Our most common concoction is Apples, Carrots & Kale, but the possibilities are endless.  A great book filled with recipes for both juices and smoothies is "The Big Book of Juices and Smoothies" by Natalie Savona.  Each blend is rated for Energy, Detox, Immunity, Digestion and Skin.  



There are few rules to juicing that are important:

*NEVER juice beets alone.  It can temporarily paralyze your vocal cords.  There are days that I've thought about juicing beets for my kids for some peace and quiet - but I've been nice :)          
*Drink Responsibly:  Juicing is concentrated nutrition.  You don't want to overload your body with ingredients that are diuretic, will stimulate your liver and the list goes on.  Do your homework first.  Enjoy!    



Pineapple, Kale, Carrots & Blackberries.


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Worth A Thousand Smiles

20 Weeks

The halfway point in my pregnancy has been reached!  The baby is on the move and I continue to grow.  These past few weeks have been filled with thoughts, dreams and circumstances involving twins.  I’ve been bigger than normal and couldn’t help but think I had more than one in there and lots of other people thought the same thing.  So it was with much anticipation that I went to my first ultrasound.  The tech asked if I wanted to know the sex – “I just want to know how many are in there.” was my reply.  He assured me that I’m only having one – whew!  I was literally losing sleep over it.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, than what is an ultrasound photo worth?  For many babies it can mean the difference between life and a horrible death.  Technology has changed everything in recent years and the Pro-Life movement is no exception.  An organization called Save The Storks is fighting for life not with protests, boycotts or words of judgment; no their approach is different.  This is their mission:  We seek to encourage every abortion-minded mother to choose life and to share with them the good news of Jesus.  By offering free ultrasounds to women on their way to abortions clinics they are saving lives one baby at a time.  Check out their website for more information.  www.savethestorks.com

Here are the first pictures of my own little miracle.  I've never had a 3-D ultrasound before.  They're my favorite for sure.  I can already see resemblances in the facial features.  I'm in LOVE!

Looking down on the baby in it's cramped position.

View from behind.

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Sensational Strawberries



The boys were a huge help and
did most of the picking this year.

We had a great crop of strawberries again this year, but the very early spring made harvesting difficult.  Because they peaked over Memorial Day, while we were camping, I really missed out on the best of them.  Thankfully I am surrounded by farms with an abundance to sell.  This morning we plan to pick up about 10 quarts to replenish our jam supply. 

pomonapectin.com

When I first started making jam a few years ago I just couldn’t get over how much sugar I was adding to the recipe.  7 cups of sugar just seems insane for only one batch.  So I switched to Pomona’s Universal Pectin.  The recipes have no sugar and low sugar options.  No I don’t feel like I’m putting my family at risk for diabetes every time we have a Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich.

Here are some other yummy treats we’ve enjoyed this spring… 

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Strawberry Chiffon Pie

Homemade Popsicles

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Time to Relax

In a word I would say that Memorial Day was relaxing. The only thing on the schedule was our next meal. We spent the holiday weekend camping with our good friends Mark & Ruth at Spruce Lake Retreat just a few hours north of us. I can literally walk to their house, yet days and weeks may go by without even seeing our friends. Life gets busy for both of our families. Mark and my husband Jeremy have similar work schedules - they put in long hours and often don't know when they'll be home. Both Ruth and I are very thankful that our husbands have jobs, but the hours can get long for us too and the kids. It was soooo good to escape life and "do nothing" for a few days.

Nothing beats cooking over the fire. Wrapped in foil is 4 year old Esther's Catch of the Day.  That girl loves to fish!  She caught several trout during the daily fishing trips.  Later we reminisced about how the men had it made hundreds of years ago.  They got to go hunting and fishing everyday!  Not just during "hunting season" when it was cold outside, but all year long.  Ruth and I enjoyed the fishing trips too - we stayed behind to catch a nap!  

Isaac found a little green worm.

Jonathan found a newt.

When the kids weren't catching fish they were catching all sorts of little critters in the woods.  We packed a few toys for them, but I think they had just as much fun playing with what they found under rocks and crawling on trees.

The children also spent many hours at the nearby playground.  I know that in the world we live today a lot of child supervision is required.  But I can't help but think of it as a "necessary evil".  As parents we have the constant stress of telling the kids - stay away from the road, look out for strangers, don't touch that!  Kids need rules and limits but they also need the freedom to make mistakes, explore their surroundings and work out they own social dilemmas. 

I was very proud of my boys as I watched them from a distance at the playground one day.  Some older twin bullies had decided to pick on Jonathan & Jason.  They stood their ground and they stuck together.  In the rules of brotherhood you're allowed to hit each other, but no one else is allowed to hit your brother.  I never told them that, but somehow they knew.  At one point I did step in because one boy was shaking Jason, but other than that I let them work it out on their own.  I love that our camping trip gave them some much needed unsupervised time. 

When Jason wasn't playing he was eating. I asked him why he decided to smear his fudgsicle all over his face - his response - "my face was hot Mommy." Stupid question I guess.

In Jonathan's spare time he liked to hold Baby Ruby. He is really looking forward to being a big brother again in the fall. He recently asked me - "Mommy, do you think the baby will like me?" "No Jonathan, I think the baby will love you!" Jonathan does do a very good job of looking out for those younger than him. I have no doubt that he'll be at his best when his new brother or sister comes along.

           

  

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It's OK To Say No Sometimes



The Peonies are Blooming!

The arrival of spring is also the beginning of busyness that doesn’t seem to relent until the dog days of summer in July.  There are more birthdays than I can keep track of in May alone, not to mention the garden needs to be planted, my son Jason has a birthday, schoolwork need to be finished up for the year, the list just keeps going…

I’ve done it a time or two, perhaps you have too…you say “yes” to everything when really for the sake of your sanity you should say “no” sometimes.

Jesus, the Son of God was all knowing, all powerful and capable of being in two places at once.  What was his response to the many demands of His ministry?  

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."  Luke 15:6

Jesus could have met the demands of others around the clock, but He didn't.  Yet, stuck in these human bodies we try to conquer the world with no downtime in the schedule.  This past month I've said "no" to some very good things in life, but I don't regret it. Sometimes rest is best. If I'm stressed - the whole family feels it. If my boys miss their nap - it can get ugly!    

Speaking of my boys...Jason turned 4 years old this past week.  In step with not saying yes to everything I kept his party small and simple.  I didn't feel overwhelmed with preparations and Jason had just as much fun.

We don't typically consume lots of sugar in our house, but when we do I go all out.  I found the most delicious recipe for Smores Cupcakes with Marshmallow Frosting that are just delectable!  

Here is the link to the recipe that I first found on Pinterest.  Cutting the frosting recipe in half was a very good suggestion that I followed and I still ended up with extra. 

Enjoy!    

http://www.marthastewart.com/332838/chocolate-graham-cracker-cupcakes-with-t      

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15 Weeks & Hungry!

A few months ago I never thought the month of May would arrive.  I’m now at 15 weeks and feeling pretty fabulous.  I would like to share about all these little projects I’ve been working on, but they’re all just shy of completion.  I've been using my new found energy to create yummy dishes for all my daily cravings.  When I’m not cooking I’m sorting through recipes, grocery shopping and grazing in the kitchen.  Oh how I love to eat!  And yes I’ll be happy to share some of my creations.

15 Weeks

But first a little update on our growing family.  If you ask my sons what we did today they would tell you…”we went to the Baby Store to listen to Mommy’s belly.”  I love their innocence.  Even more, I love my mid-wife.  My first son was born in a hospital and my second was born at my local birth center.  What a better experience that was.  There was so much less drama, noise and electronic devices wrapped around me.  Instead the lights were dim, the voices hushed and I had some privacy. 

The heartbeat was strong today, my belly is growing ahead of schedule and all the blood work came back with good results.  It just amazes me how life can thrive within a sick woman those first few weeks.  Praise God for this little child!

Buckets from our wedding day
are still being put to good use.

Not all recipes are easy to experiment with.  There is a science to baking that leaves little room for error.  But when it comes to soups and stews you’re only limited by your imagination.  Soup is a staple at our house, it’s on the menu every Monday.  Today’s dreary weather called for some Chicken Corn Soup.  I never make it the same way twice.  But I always follow some important soup rules:

1.        When making soup for supper, always start cooking at lunchtime.  The longer the soup sits, the better the flavor.

2.       Allow onions to simmer for 20-30 minutes, but don’t brown - another flavor enhancer.

3.       Fresh is best.  Vegetable, herbs, stock…it makes such a difference to use fresh ingredients when possible.       

4 tablespoons butter

Chicken Corn Soup

1 cup onions, finely chopped

1 cup celery, finely chopped

3 cups carrots, chopped

2 chicken breasts

1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1 Tablespoon salt

¼ cup parsley, finely chopped

3 cups corn

½ cup flour

Normally I make this soup with noodles, but today I added some

 flour for added thickness instead;  very yummy either way.

First, sauté the onions and celery in the butter for 20-30 minutes without browning.  Add the carrots and cook for an additional 5 minutes.  Then add about 4 quarts of water, the uncooked chicken, salt, pepper and parsley.  Boil until chicken is cooked through.  Remove the chicken and hand shred after it has cooled some.  Add the shredded chicken back to the soup with the corn.  (I use frozen corn fresh from the cob)  Then add 3-4 cups of the soup and the flour to a blender.  Gently puree and add this mixture back to your soup.  This little step makes the soup oh so creamy!  Add more salt and pepper if desired.  Enjoy!      

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