Eating local- day 6

So, even though wine is involved again, I'm managing to get tonight's meal posted.  I'm particularly proud of this one.

Marinated and grilled grass-fed round steak from Mr Hochstetler in Kalona. We're getting down to the last of our beef and don't have much selection left. But marinading it for an hour and half made it ever-so tender.
Spiced fried potatoes.  Red, gold and blue potatoes from Buffalo Ridge Orchard at the farmer's market. onions and jalapeno from the garden.  Cayenne, salt and olive oil.
Green, yellow wax and purple beans steamed with rosemary.  Beans from Oak Hill Acres (farmer's market), rosemary from the pot on the front porch.

One last day in the challenge. I wonder what tomorrow will bring....

Eat local- I missed a day

So...Yeah... I didn't post my photo from yesterday.  I was distracted... and my laptop battery died... and... there was a bottle of wine and...  well, you know.  It just didn't happen.
But, here is yesterday's submission to the Eat local contest.

A simple Caprese salad.  Classic summer yumminess!
Heirloom tomatoes (Amana Orange, German Pink and Black Krim) and basil from the garden.
Cheese curds from Twin County Dairy, Kalona, IA
Basil and sun-dried tomato infused olive oil from Pickle Creek Herbal

Absolutely delicious.

Ian and I went to the farmer's market this morning and picked up a few things.  A few potatoes for dinner tonight since I didn't plant any this year, a few beans since mine are done and some chevre.  Mmm....

Eat local- day 4

A southwestern themed quiche.

Eggs from the ladies in the back.
Corn frozen in July- from a local farmstand
Jalapeno peppers and onions from the garden.
Kalona White Cheddar from Twin County Dairy, Kalona, IA


Isn't this fun??

But I don't have anything planned for tomorrow... any ideas??
My brother suggested local melon slices wrapped with La Quercia Prosciutto.  An idea- if I can find the prosciutto- it's hard to come by.

Eat local- day 3

Mmm....

A rustic apple/raspberry tart with a honey glaze.
Apples and raspberries from us.
Unbleached and whole wheat flours and butter sourced from Stringtown Grocery in Kalona, IA.
Honey from Mr P's Bees- Solon, IA.

I'm having fun with this.  It looks like quite a few more people have started posting photos for the contest so my odds of winning the gift certificate are dwindling.  But every post brings more the the Field to Family program so that is a good thing.

Eat local- day 2

A ghostly experience!

Pasta withGhost pepper/tomato/meat sauce.

The grass-fed beef is from our lovely Amish farmer, pasta from a local bakery, sauce from the garden.  Yes, I know I can make my own pasta but it just wasn't happening today.  And we purchased it from a lovely old Mennonite gentleman at one of the newer farmer's markets in town this afternoon.  One thing I love about this area is that there is a market somewhere nearly every day of the week so if you don't grow it yourself, you can get it from someone who does.

Baking in the oven is tomorrow's entry.  Going with a dessert this time.  But you have to wait....

Eat local week- day 1

So... our local health food/organic store is having an eat local contest this week.   For every day you post a photo of a local dish on their facebook page, you donate $1 to Field to Family and are entered to win a $100 gift certificate.

I'm all in!  Here is today's entry:

A lovely brunch omelet featuring eggs, peppers, onions, peppers and herbs from us,  Herb and garlic infused olive oil from Pickle Creek Herbal and aged gouda cheese from Frisian Farms.

More tasty photos to follow this week.  I plan to enter every day this week.  So far there are only 8 entries for today. So if this keeps up, my chances are good for that gift certificate.

Sunday already?

Oh my, where has the week gone!  And I only worked 2 days at my paying job last week!

Things have been going well here.  V arrived home safe and sound.  He is currently doing some repairs on the window at the bottom of the stairs.  Well, I guess when I say repairs, I mean he has removed it and is re-installing it.  It was put in really badly so he's trying to make it all right again.
The boys have been in school all week.  Although they had early release every single day since it was so unbearably hot and humid.  Justine is settled into her dorm room and started classes.  She has also restarted her blog about college life. If you're curious, you can check her out here.
I've been doing a little of this and a little of that. You know the drill- laundry, managing the garden and house.  I promise I'll do a feed sack to tote bag tutorial soon.  I just haven't had time.
I did go gather some jewel weed and am trying something new- a homemade itch balm.  I saw it at The Homesteading Neophyte.  And I've got everything on hand.  I'm trying to get it done today and tomorrow so I can send some out to Justine.  Her boyfriend will be out in Pennsylvania on business next weekend and is going to see her and deliver a few things to her.  So, itch balm and an aloe plant will wend their way eastward.
Otherwise, I've been wandering with the camera and having fun.  I'll leave you with a few photos of the week.

 Look at that clear blue sky!  But I do wish it would rain.  We have just finished the driest August on record. We had only 0.1 inches of rain all month.

 The greenhouse is cleared out and prepped.  I still need to re-set the pavers in the middle. There is one huge chard plant still in there but it looks pretty sad in the heat.  It was 99F NOT in the greenhouse!

 The mint is blooming and is a popular place for beneficial insects.  This is a Golden Digger Wasp.

And finally, can you spot the mantis?  She has been hanging out in the runner beans.  I nearly picked her one day.  

I hope all here in the US have a good holiday tomorrow.