Plum-a-licious

I made 4 plum tortes. One went to work to share with my bio group, one went to a friend who gave me quilting lessons, one stayed put and we shared it with friends and family (with a scoop of vanilla ice cream :-), and the fourth I took up to my grandpa's, which we got to enjoy too. I wish I had before and after pictures. It's pretty cool because you just lay the plums skin side up (halved) on top of the batter and as it cooks the plums sink into the batter making it look like a cake.

We introduced Maggie to solids this weekend, but more on that later. But on that thread, I steamed some fresh plums and peaches together, pureed, then froze. Perfect serving sizes for her to start with as we introduce her to solid food. A great website I came across to help with making baby food is wholesome baby food.

I had a bunch of pretty pink plum/peach water from steaming leftover, which I need to find a use for now. Other recipe recommendations for plums, besides just eating off the tree? Also, any recommendations for pie tins that aren't the cheap aluminum ones? Those leave a taste in the food that I can't stand.

Home cookin'

Maggie has been doing lots of cute new things lately. She's been rolling over onto her tummy and is now trying to get up on her knees. We often find her up from a nap or in the morning on her belly just looking around with a smile on her face. No crying for this baby! She has huge grins, big cheeks, and is very interested when we eat-it's only a matter of time before she tries cereal, fruits, and veggis. She hit the 5 mo. mark last weekend and on that day, she pet an emu at the farmer's market!

She loves her exersaucer and slaps things with her left hand mostly (a lefty like her momma?), bounces away in her doorway jumpy thingy, and cruises around the backyard in her 70's era backpack (which is currently ripping so I need to fix it).
All summer I've been eating generously, with a little more fun and fat than I'm used to. I was thinking it was needed because of the nursing/calories lost but I feel some of it staying on. I've been lucky in that I was back in my regular clothes really quickly, but parts of my body feel like they have been reapportioned and I'm ready to lose that little baby belly roll and be more active. I fixed a nice little lunch for myself yesterday, consisting of a green salad with garden tomatoes and a green goddess dressing I made. I'm posting the recipe because it is just that good.

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Marin's Green Goddess Dressing

1 head parsley (or other herb you like)

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. agave nectar (or honey)

1-2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup olive oil

Pinch of salt

Blend everything together except for the buttermilk, which you add at the end. Don't overblend. Chill. Stays fresh for up to a week.

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I also had some figs from the farmer's market and polished off the baba ganoush I made with lots of yummy garlic and roasted eggplant. I've been cooking a ton, which is so fun and I'm glad I've had the time to do it. We've been eating so well. On the list for today is plum torte and Italian eggplant casserole.

Urban nature

I moved our little bistro table in the backyard to a shady spot and with that, I started spending a little more time outdoors. The best of it is we have a hummingbird feeder set up near the table and right in front of the kitchen window and it's brought quite a few hummingbirds in (my birding buddy at work says they are Anna's hummingbirds). They fly up into our trees, so I think they have nests up there, and I hear them chatting all day long. What's really cool is watching them up close-when they drink the sugar water, you can see them gulping it and when they are just sitting there, they will open their long pointy beaks and be quiet and still, just looking around.
We've got morning glory growing over the fence and HUGE black bumble bees are sucking out the nectar. Then there are the pretty roses we've planted-miniature, peppermint, and an old English variety that smells like rose perfume.

The growing season

Our summer garden is not at it's best this year, BUT we have been getting lots of yellow sun gold tomatoes, a few medium-sized cherry tomatoes, and one roma. Everything else has been pretty minimal. Basil and thyme, a few pickling cucumbers, and a few japenese eggplants on the way. It's plum season and our tree is in full force. Michael was at the farmer's market and found out that what we have are Elephant Heart plums-with deep red flesh and a good sweet/tart combo. I feel a plum torte coming on.
I'd love to plant more because we have the space but what do you plant at this point in the heat of summer? I think I have to wait for the fall planting. Instead, we have hung our laundry lines and they are sharing the gardening area since it's in full sun.

Maggie has transitioned to cloth diapers much of the time. I never thought I would be able to do it but with a little help, it was easy. I scored some great dipes from a couple knitting friends. A little laundering every few days and then a good dose of sun to wash those stains away!

So, I'm sorry garden, but a lot of our focus has been elsewhere this summer and for good reason-we are raising a very healthy kiddo. About 14 pounds and counting-no fertilizer, no water, not much sun...just lots of nursing, cuddling, sleeping, and giggling!

Deals and more deals

I've scored some great deals recently and wanted to show and tell. All on sale, marked waaay down and fitting for our budget.

I'll post more pics if I get the chance:
-a cute quilted halter dress and other cheap clothes for Maggie
-tons of kids books-the cheapest of them being 13 cents!
-Maggie's first dollie for $1 (it's kind of crazy looking, but at this stage they love bright colors, crinkling, and rattling)
-vintage buttons for her first knitted top (super pleased with how this turned out) -scrap fabrics, one a quilted top that is ready to be sewn into a simple baby quilt
-a ball of variegated soy/wool yarn for 50 cents
-vintage linens from a grab basket including a runner for our dining table, apron for me and play apron for Maggie to use for dress up down the road
-a beading book for 2 bucks, and
-a quilted wallet case that will probably serve some craft purpose eventually.

All told, I spent under $40 for sure.

That was last weekend and this week, we scored more used kids books, including a bunch of the Serendiptiy books. They are old school and I particularly remember my sister really being into them. They each have their own moral at the end of the story and the graphics are creative and cute. Maggie enjoyed Catundra this week.

Turns out my mom saved a bunch of our childhood stuff, including my sister's collection. She mentioned it the day I found these. Funny how things work like that.

Working a wee bit

I am on a slow transition back to work part-time. With that said, Maggie and I had a little fun last week as I prepared for some field work. We visited a local rare plant population, which is what we do for various reasons before doing the rare plant surveys. It was a quick jaunt and fun to do it with her. There were some neighborhood kids hanging around and they asked if I was on a "treasure hunt". I laughed but now I'm thinking that for a botanist, it is a treasure hunt!