My Fall Harvest

Back in the spring we dug up part of our front lawn and put in a little vegetable garden.  Good friend's of ours grow garlic, 2000 bulbs!  They gave us a whole bunch and we have been storing them for the last few months until they were ready to plant.  This afternoon we cleared out the old garden and made new for the new one that will be ready next summer.  Here is some pictures of the process.....

 

28 cloves = 28 bulbs (we hope)

buried (tip points up)

 covered and watered (with help!)

 

I'll be sure to keep you posted next summer!

Crafting 101

My brother had his 3rd baby a few weeks back and when thinking of a gift to get this little guy, I came up with nothing.  We all have so much and need so little so I attempt to make presents and give something meaningful.  This past weekend we went to visit our friend's Jill and Jamie, and Jill is always coming up with fabulous ideas. (You can take a peek at her ideas on her blog http://sayyippie.blogspot.com/ ) She made a collage for a new baby that was so sweet that I decided to try do something similair for my newest nephew.  It was super easy and fun to do.  I picked up some nice scrapbooking paper from Winners, and got the essential collage supplies from Michael's (a leaf hole puncher, some canvas and mod podge glue).  Here is what I came up with!

Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup

I enjoy having soup but must admit I put all this effort into making a good soup and am usually left somewhat disappointed.  I will eat it but Ewan is never a fan and often opts for a canned option (ouch!).  Then I discovered this mixed vegetable lentil soup and it is delicious!!  Ewan even asked for me to make a second pot (unheard of!).  So I thought I would share it and if you do make it, let me know what you think!

 Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup

 1/8 cup olive oil

3 garlic cloves, sliced

1 onion, peeled and sliced

2 tbsp. curry powder

1 tsp cumin

½ tsp cinnamon

3 celery stalks, chopped

3 cups carrots, chopped

2 cups butternut squash, chopped

1 sweet potato, chopped

8 cups of water or stock

½ cup almond milk (can be cream or any milk alternative)

¼ cup fresh basil

¼ cup fresh cilantro

2 cups of green lentils (I cooked this first in a separate pot)

1. Add olive oil, garlic, onion, curry, cumin and cinnamon to a large pot and sautee for a few minutes
2. Add in celery, carrots, squash and sweet potato and sautee for a few more minutes.
3. Add 8 cups of water or stock, bring to a boil and then simmer on low for about 45 minutes.
4. Once vegetables are soft, puree with a hand blender.  Then add in almond milk (or alternative), basil, coriander and lentils.
5. Blend again. 
6. Season with salt and pepper
7.  Enjoy!!

Lice Protection!

Now that the kids are back in school, lice will be prowling the halls once again.  So far we have been fortunate to avoid these little critters.  Apparently lice like clean hair, not sure if this is true or not, but we tend to only wash the kids hair a few times per week.  I also made a lice spray that I quickly shake and spray onto their hair before we walk out the door for school.

This is what I did.  I kept an old toner bottle to re-use.
Added the following essential oils:

Rosemary 10 drops
Tea Tree Oil 10 drops
Lavender 5 drops
Lemon 5 drops
Geranium 5 drops
I topped the bottle with water and am ready to go.  You need to remember that the essential oil and water will separate.  So give the bottle a good shake before each use.