Hi All!

Ok, just a quick update and then I HAVE to get to bed. 

I went the other day to visit the Dr. about my foot.  So far, my right foot is hanging in there so we did another Cortisone injection, this time for the left foot.  Almost immediately after getting the shot, my whole foot went numb.  Very weird feeling.  I spent the rest of the afternoon, all night and most of the next morning not feeling much of anything, literally.  I'm very glad that wore off.  So, now I wait another two weeks and see where I'm at.  I ran a few times this week, and so far so good.  Let's hope it stays that way.

I've been super busy at work the last few weeks.  Usually summer is a slower time for me in the kitchen at school, but with the CSA (community-supported agriculture) program and the Stepping Stones garden running wild, I've been up to my eyeballs in veggies.  It's been fun and challenging to come up with new recipes and ideas for preparing veggies for the kids beyond serving them with ranch dressing.  This past week I made pickled beets which the kids will try tomorrow (Monday).  I've also done ranch roasted potatoes, and cucumber salad.  This week I have an enormous amount of cucumbers to try and use as well as a giant bag of green beans.  I also have a small amount of kale which I might make into kale chips for the bigger kids to try.  On Friday, the kids will have English muffin pizzas made with basil from our own garden.  Overall, the kids have been great about trying the new foods.  Not everything is a hit, but at least they are trying it.

Along with the program at school, I'm also trying to keep up with my own home version of the CSA.  I have no less than 10 different veggies in my fridge right now that I'm trying to get used up.  Tonight we had tacos with local green beans on the side.  I thought they were wonderful, but unfortunately, my family prefers canned green beans to the real deal.  Sigh, more for me I guess.  All of my meals this week will revolve around my veggies.  Tomorrow night is tortellini with spinach and pesto sauce with yellow squash on the side.  I did make a pesto a few weeks ago and I think it tasted pretty good.  But, the one for tomorrow is store bought so I can compare the taste and see how I can improve my own.  The recipe I used is simple, but I tweaked it here and there for my own taste (plus, I didn't have as much basil as what the recipe called for). 

How to make pesto: (from Food Network Magazine's 50 Things to Make with Pesto)
Blend 8 cups packed basil leaves, 1 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts, 2 to 4 garlic cloves and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor until almost smooth.  Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. 

I made mine with half basil and half parsley.  I think I only had 4 cups total.  I did use pine nuts, but man...are those things expensive.   A little 1/2 cup bag was $5.  Next time I will use toasted walnuts.  I would go easy on the garlic to start.  You can always add more.  We made pesto pizzas with the finished product.  Pesto with sausage, spinach, and mushrooms.  They were pretty good.  I think with a few more tries I can perfect my pesto making. 

Ok.  I'm off to bed.  Today was a busy day of running around doing errands.  The rest of the week will be spent doing laundry and packing for V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N.!!!  We head out early Saturday for a week in Colorado.  I can't wait!!  We have rented a house in Estes Park and my whole family will be there.  Aidyn has been packing for about a week now.  Her strategy is to pick all random unrelated toys that she hasn't played with in months.  So far her suitcase contains: one of my old phones, a harmonica, a tambourine, an old jewelry box, a handful of animal stamps, some play food, a toy CD player, books and a spoon.  When I suggested things like her toothbrush and some clothes, she told me there wasn't room in the suitcase.  It's going to be a long week....
Anyway, there is a lot to do this week, but I don't mind because it ends with me seeing my mom and dad and Diane and my brothers and nieces.  AND, Tim and I have already mapped out the first three places we need to go and eat once we arrive.  :)  It will be good to be in our old stomping grounds for a few days. 

Now, I'm really off to bed.  It's 12:20 and it's still 83 degrees outside.  I hope I can actually get some sleep.  It's never good when the forecast shows a picture of a sun and a little cactus.  This week is going to be a hot one! 

Good night my friends, I hope you have a great week!