To Fry or Steam, that is the question

As I was perusing recipes earlier today (ok, just before dinner) I got to thinking, So many recipes, so many variations, so much deliciousness, but one difference I just don't understand. Why is it that some say saute the onions, peppers, garlic before adding the meat while other brown the meat then add the onions etc?

So, why the difference?  Please remember we are talking same recipe's here. Is it taste, personal preference, or just technique?   I love to play in the kitchen just as much as the next person but just don't understand why so many great chefs/cooks are split on the order in which they do things. I have my own ideas on why this is, but I'd love to know your opinions on the subject. Do you steam or do your saute?

I have no fancy or mouth watering pictures to post here. Just plain and simple, what do you all think? How and when do you what you do?  I would really love your feedback.

Oh, and if you have a great eggplant recipe i'd love to know that too!!!!!

As always, thanks for coming,
~ Amy G

It's been way too long!

Where do I start. I suppose I should start with an apology. I started this blog an embarrassingly long time ago and did an extremely poor job of following through with what I started.  That goes without saying.

So, here I am again. So many wonderful things have happened in the last 18 or so months I figure it's high time I get to getting and start blogging again. This time with an intent to keep it going.

Without writing a short novel on all that I have not kept you up to date on, I will just highlight the biggest and the best.  Ready, here you go.

 

• Last September we found out that we were expecting baby Gore #2!

• Last December we moved into a beautiful new home in a fabulous little community
• In April our beautiful baby girl surprised us 3 1/2 weeks early.
• Most recently, Jonathon started Pre-School last week! A very bittersweet day for this mommy. Can't believe he's already 4 years old.

 

 

That's all I have for now. Until next time, which I promise it won't be 18+ months.
Thanks for stopping in.
                                ~Amy G.

Time with Dad.

Unlike most 9-5 jobs, farmers don't/can't always have a set working schedule. Some times of year simply include daily chores and making sure all is well. However, there two times of year, harvest and spring work, when a farmer and his family just know that their beloved family member will simply not be around. It is during these times when you have to take the family to the field to get some daddy time. Admittedly, this was one of the hardest adjustments for me as I tried to settle into my new marriage and then mommy life. Yesterday, was one of those go find daddy days, bring him some lunch, and take a tractor ride

Not sure what he was more excited about. Seeing daddy or the tractor. Either way

it was just one of those "all is right with the world" feelings.

After the tractor ride we found a nice shady spot under an almond tree to enjoy some lunch.

It was a great way to spend some time with dad.

Wordless Wednesday- Summer goodies.

Well, summer has finally arrived here in Northern California. After a period of what seemed like forever filled with rain and gloomy skies the sun has finally found us. With our second beautiful day in a row and no specific plans I sent my son out to play and took some time to preserve an early summer favorite...Cherries!
Thanks to my mom's neighbor sharing!

I washed and pitted (until my fingers were stained, note to self maybe some gloves next time)

Chopped, I cheated and used my fun new manual food processor.

Processing!

And Done! I love the "Pop" of the lid!

I have never done cherries so I followed this recipe http://www.pickyourown.org/cherry_preserves.htm.

I did sample the final product directly out of the pot and I have to say...YUMMY!

I love being able to preserve, share and eat fresh fruits and veggies all year long. What's one of your favorite Summer things?

Happy Memorial Day!

Hello all,
First and foremost I have to apologize for my lack of activity over the last months. Life took over and here I am so long without posting. We are all well, busy as usual and ready to share some more stories with you.
Happy Memorial Day to you all, I hope that you have all been able to celebrate all the many men and women who have given so much to our country with friends and fun. As for the three of us, we have enjoyed birthday parties, friends, BBQ, and our local fair!

Since the weather has been...let's just say not the most cooperative for planting season, my husband was able to take the afternoon off and join us for some good old fashioned fair time fun. Jonathon, of course, had a corndog and rode the rides until he was about to pass out. We ran into some friends we haven't seen in a while, checked out all the farm animals and farm babies, my husband spent some time reminiscing about showing his animals as a child, and we all around just enjoyed our day with each other.

Sadly, my computer is not wanting to upload photos to share, but I have some posted on my Facebook page if you'd like to check them out!

I always look forward to the fair coming to town and we are fortunate enough to have a county fair close to us as well. So we will get to do it all over again in August! Can't wait.
I know the fair brings so many great memories to many families year after year. Here in California our fair system is at risk of having its state funding removed. The fair is not only a great place for families to come together and have a great day, but serves as a valuable educational tool to all the children who participate in the hundreds of projects available. From arts and crafts,agriculture and animal projects to wood shop the memories made and lessons learned are priceless. Let's hope that we can enjoy the fun for generations to come. Please make your voice heard and tell our Governor how valuable the fair experience has been to you and your family.
I'd love to know what is your favorite thing about the fair?

Yes, Farmers always do complain about the weather.

If it's been said once, its been said a thousand times. Farmers are always complaining about the weather. When it's supposed to be sunny it's rainy and when it's supposed to be rainy it's sunny. They just never seem to be happy.

Our farmers, your farmers, work hard to nurture their crops and plan to make the most of every stage of their life cycle.

 I'm by no means an expert, but I can pass along what little knowledge I do have as to why this is.

Here it is. 

When it's bad, it's really bad. For example, it's Spring.

 The trees are blooming.

 The sun is shining and the bees are buzzing.

Perfect conditions for the making of a great upcoming crop.

A quick note for those that may learning along with me:

    1) Almond trees are cross pollinators. Hence, a minimum number of  bee work hours is very helpful, if not essential, for the start of a good crop. Bees are, by nature, fair weather workers and will not come out of the cozy hive if the weather conditions are not perfect.

    2) These trees will only bloom once. If you loose your blooms, your loose your crop. If you loose your crop you've lost your annual income.

Back to spring conditions. Perfect conditions until the wind starts to blow,

 the rain continues to fall, temperatures drop to freezing multiple nights in a row,

 and it starts to hail and in some cases snow.

Another quick note:

     When temps. do reach close to freezing, the farmer sets his frost alarm, gets woken up, usually in the middle of the night, and goes out into the orchard to "turn water on", turn on the sprinklers in an attempt to keep the blooms from freezing.

So, as you can see, mother nature can be a cruel mistress and as such, farmers will continue to complain about the weather.

.

While this entry might be oversimplified I hope that I was able to shed some light as to why, yes, farmers always complain about the weather. All this, and they still LOVE what they do! Thank you Farmers.

As always, thanks for visiting.

~Amy G.

As a child I used to love the sight of  the snow-topped hills in the far distance on a clear day.   Today, the view I love the best is always changing.  It all depends on the time of year and to be more specific, the time of day. 
This morning I enjoyed watching the wild turkeys as I did the dishes. A sight I never imagined would be "normal" .  And, in our house, just for fun, the first person to see the turkeys come across the orchard yells "Turkey Trot" and we all come to watch. Love this time of day.

Now while these pics don't do any justice to the size of the rafter or flock, these were the best I captured.

So after a great Saturday of fun, my son and I got to end this Saturday playing in the front yard as the sun went down.

I never found this view in the city.

What view do you love best from your house?

Thanks for checking in,

~Amy G.