It’s been a while since I did a Yarn Along post with Ginny.  But I have slowly, slowly been working on my Oaklet shawl, and it’s getting big.  I’m on the lace border now, with my fingers crossed.

I got French for Children for Ella from the library – after reading a lot of reviews this one looked like the best.  She loves listening to the cds and reading the adventures of Super Chat.  It’s so fun to be learning it along with her.  Myself, I’m reading some books about managing people -  The Way of the Shepherd, and First, Break All the Rules.  They’re different, but both really fascinating.

I made this awesome tart and keep meaning to tell you about it. It’s loosely based on the Mixed Greens Tart from Lulu’s Provencal Table, but simpler and with a potato crust. It’s an excellent way to enjoy all the amazing spring greens from the farmer’s market (or your garden!) and turn them into a substantial dinner.

Spring Greens Tart

for the crust:

2 potatoes (I used a Yukon Gold-type)
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt

filling:
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cups mixed spring greens (dandelion, sorrel, baby kale, spinach, etc)
4 eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1 tsp salt (or to taste)

chevre (if desired)

First, grate your potatoes. Mix with the egg and salt, then press into a tart pan (with a removable bottom, to save your sanity). Bake at 350 about 12 minutes, until starting to set but not until golden (it’s going to bake again). Place on a baking sheet.

Whisk together eggs, cream, and salt. Spread greens into your potato crust, pour eggy goodness on top. Sprinkle with chevre, if desired.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, or until eggs are set with the slightest jiggle at the center when you shake the pan. Serve warm.
Bon Appetit!

Friday.  A day home after many busy but good days at the bakery.  We spent the morning in the hoophouse and then disced the fields with Cole (our draft horse), while Ella and Gabriel, amazingly, sat in the car and listened to this children’s version of the Magic Flute.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how things don’t always turn out as we originally envision them, but sometimes they turn out even better.  I knit this shawl two winters ago but it came out way too small to wear – now it’s a nice warm wrap for my babe.  We listened to Dave Matthews while weeding the hoophouse. and I found myself strengthened, as always, by these words:

Pay no mind to taunts or advances,

I’m gonna take my chances on

Everyday

Everyday

It’s been that sort of month – extremes of criticism and flattery, and of course the truth is somewhere in between.  In our every day, our ongoing, steady work and love.  That’s where I’m taking my chances, too.

Blessings on your weekend, friends.

Sometimes, I’m grateful to look in the archives and find old notes waiting for me.  Here’s some from last April:

Notes to self:

Next time you want to do some sewing, declare it your Only Goal for the day. It will happen.

For that matter, having one goal is always helpful. Don’t panic, other things will happen, too.  Or they won’t.  There will be another day.

Next time you wonder how so many dirty dishes multiply, even in this small family, the answer is this: We live here. We actually live in this house, and make three meals a day here. That means dishes. Take it as a blessing, a sign that you are living the life you want.

Eggs from your own hens never grow old, never get less beautiful.

Also beautiful: naps. Especially on rainy days.

Also beautiful:  inspiration like this.  And this.

Note to self: beauty is everywhere.  Take the time to see it.

these quotes . . .
” Your work will prove your love. You may be exhausted with work, you may even kill yourself, but unless your work is interwoven with love, it is useless. To work without love is slavery.” – Mother Teresa, from No Greater Joy
“Kindness has converted more people than zeal, eloquence, or science. Holiness grows so fast where there is kindness. The world is lost for want of sweetness and kindness. Do not forget we need each other.” – Mother Teresa, from No Greater Joy

And most of all, I was grateful this reminder this week:

She named the runt Peppermint.  Peppermint likes to be gathered in a pouch and held by Beethoven.  So I’m told.  There seems to be a whole lot happening these days.  A lot of babies (feline and human), lots of family to visit, friends to help and make, actions to take, seeds to plant, fences to build, weeds to pull, housework to ignore until planting time is done.  A birthday present to sew by Saturday (am I nuts?).

All of it good.

Protests to attend, like the one for VT Yankee Nuclear Power Plant we went to last Saturday (still operating even though their license is expired!).  I hope I am still so bold in my elder years as all the amazing folks who were there – dancing, holding signs saying things like “Ask me about resisting war taxes” and “They own Congress, but they don’t own us.  Fight like hell.”  The latter was worn by a sweet elderly couple holding hands.  I realized after they walked past us that the woman was blind.  May I be so willing to stand up for what is right, for as long as I can stand.

(I originally wrote this post in May 2010, but thought I’d repost it since this is exactly how these days feel, too.)

Remember that mantra I shared a while back?  It popped into my head today, as I drove to what promises to be a crazy afternoon of juggling many tasks.  What if we saw adversity as an opportunity to use our strength, instead of just a negative?  Like physical labor, we can either take pleasure in using our body (or in this case, our mind and heart), or we can lament how hard it is.  Just an idea.

And now, back into the fray.

The magic of shearing day – huge wooly sheep, one exeprienced man with a pair of hand shears, and in ten minutes, a very skinny sheep and a huge pile of fleece.  Now they’re ready to be bagged up and shipped off to the mill.  How lucky am I.

These sweet tiny hands have really come to life – grasping my hair when I hold him, holding tight to my shirt as he falls asleep.  And have I mentioned that he has red curly hair?  Outrageously handsome in his vest made by Kyce.

Meet my son, Mozart.  Some days, he’s Beethoven, it’s true, and you will find him grumpy and deaf.  Sometimes he dresses up in every play silk in the house, but mostly, you will find him in white tights, short pants, and lots of vests.  If you need something done, sorry, he’s too busy composing.  And he wants a violin for his birthday, please.