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Summer Strawberry Sparkling Lemonade

June 27, 2020 Colleen Stem
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You know that taste, that taste of when you bite into something and it just takes you to a certain time and gives you that certain feeling? Freshly picked strawberries. They always give me all the warm feels and plaster a big smile on my face, especially when I am munching while picking. In those moments, nothing else matters except eating as many as possible and savoring every fresh burst of goodness that fills my mouth. It is exactly what summer tastes like.

A couple of days ago I went and did a little strawberry picking and brought home a bounty of greatness. I ate half, froze a few, and made this fresh lemonade situation because what is better then a glass of cold ass lemonade in the middle of a freaking hot summer day? Strawberry lemonade is, sparkling strawberry lemonade.

It is everything summer should be.

I knew how perfectly perfect this summer drink was when the mr had his drink in hand, took a sip, and said that it tasted like when he was a kid and would spend his days hunting for, picking, and eating the most delicious wild strawberries. I proceeded to laugh a little, thinking to myself, “well what a fancy dreamy childhood you had.” HA. But really though, that right there is truth my friends. Fresh strawberries are little gems of summertime happiness.

Now to the summer strawberry sprakinling lemonade!

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The stuff. Freshly picked strawberries, a couple lemons, and plain seltzer water.

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Easy as can be. Juice lemons until you have 1/2 cup juice. Remove stems from strawberries and add to lemon juice, then either with a stick blender or regular one, blend until smooth.

I didn’t add any sweetener to mine because we don’t like super sweet and the berries are way sweet enough for us. But if you want, add a little sweetener of your choice and blend in. Go easy though, maybe a couple teaspoons. You can always add more if you need too.

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Basically all you do now is pour a bit of puree into a cup, add an ice cube, slowly pour seltzer in, and give it a little stir.

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Garnish with a lemon wedge and a cute little strawberry and enjoy the taste of summer.

-C


Summer Strawberry Sparkling Lemonade

makes 2-3 drinks

  • 1-2 lemons (1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice)

  • 1/2 a pint ( or about 12 small to medium strawberries) fresh strawberries

  • plain seltzer, mineral water, or club soda

  • a few teaspoons of liquid sweetener of your choice if using

  • ice

Juice lemons until you have 1/2 a cup off juice. Place in a jar or blender. Remove stems from strawberries and add to the lemon juice. Either with a hand blender or a regular blender, blend until completely smooth. If you are using any sweetener, you can add a little in now and blend in.

For drinks. Pour the strawberry lemon puree into 2-3 cups. Add an ice cube or two and slowly add about a cup of seltzer to each drink (you can add more of less seltzer to your liking). Gently mix with a spoon. Garnish with lemon and a sweet little strawberry if you like.

In summer, drinks, cocktails and mocktails Tags Summer Strawberry Sparkling Lemonade, simple, drinks, mocktails, cocktail, vegan, summer, Lemonade, berries
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Sunday Happy

June 21, 2020 Colleen Stem
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How are you doing these days? Me, I am fine. Fine. Fine, fine fine. I am fine right?

This week was a doozy. It started off good with a family BBQ party for Anthony’s high school gradation. It was great. The weather was perfect, Megan was happy, Anthony was happy, and it was just nice to see family together at once again.

But then the week started to suck. A list of bullshit. It started with a cute little stupid asshole wood chuck. In the matter of 24 hour, the hairy little fucker ate my ENTIRE GARDEN!!!! Pretty much everything. All the greens, the beans, the zucchini plants, all the flowers, the radishes, I mean, EVERYHITNG. The only thing that it kind of spared were the tomatoes, although he did munch on them too. So I cried. and I yelled and cried some more. Then I replanted and fenced off my garden. Hopefully he won’t come back after the mr plugged the hole in the fence and had a stern talking-to with him…..

And then there was a lot of drama drama drama with a family member that I don’t want to get into but oh my fuck. Some people, I just can’t. I am gonna leave it at that.

And then the fridge decided to stop working again.

And I got stung by a yellow jacket and my arm blew up and itched for days.

And we are in a heat wave.

And I am getting ready to finally file taxes….

AAAAAAHHHHH!

So yeah. Not the finest week. But there was good stuff too, I am just to cranky right now (so freaking HOT!) to remember. HA! I really hate hot weather. I think I get a little summer seasonal affective disorder. For real.

Today the mr is working and I am spending the day doing chores. I have a desk that needs painting, a basement that is is dire need or cleaning, laundry up the wazoo, and a broken fridge that need fixing, again. I am also going to smack on my respirator and go to town on the clay dust in my studio. Then maybe I will allow myself some time to lay on the kitchen floor with my hot sticky body pressed against the cool wood floors, with a hot coffee in hand of course. Fuck I hate hot weather!

Sorry for the ranting. Have a fantastic day!

Internet links from the week.

-Bakers, and eaters for that matter, doing thing to make the world a better place. I think I will do a bake sale soon too! Bakers Against Racism Is Just the Beginning

-This is a question that I have asked a lot.When Is the Artist Assistant Just the Artist?

-Vermont ranked largest producer of maple syrup, brings in over 2.2 million gallons. Yeaya Vermont!

-Have you baked lately? Have you slowed down or stopped? I don’t know about you, but I always bake a little less in the hot ass summer months because I don’t want to turn stove off but I do know a lot of people are sick of the kitchen from all the quarantine time and have abandoned the kitchen. IT’s ok, you an always go back! The Great Pandemic Bake-Off May Be Over

-Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Ice. Good information to know, especially now that it is summer.

-My dream WINDOWS!!!!

-BUILT-INS FOR THE WIN. I didn't think I was built in sitting kind of person but I love all of these.

-Live in Vermont? Know your shit. SINGLE-USE PRODUCTS LAW 

-Libraries Are Dealing With New Demand For Books And Services During The Pandemic. I know that my libraries (yes, I have 2) have had a huge demand. We are still doing online reservations and curbside pick up, but man, trying to reserve a book lately has been rough… always already out!

-When I was a little, I always wondered if everyone saw color differently and no one could prove that my blue was a different color then your blue because of how our brains work.. I still think that is possible. Hummingbirds can see colors we can’t even imagine. The humming birds know what I Am talking about.

Pictures from the week

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-C

In sunday happy, summer Tags Sunday Happy, Everyday life, family, BBQ, Quarantine, The great outdoors, internet links, life in pictures, pictures from the week, summer, Vermont, Vemronting, graduation, party
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Cauliflower, Kale, and Lentil Bowl with Peanut Sauce

June 20, 2020 Colleen Stem
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I am freaking hot. We are currently in a heat wave right this very minute and I am not happy about it. This is my problem with summer, the heat. Or better yet, the heat with humidity. It turns me sour and I can’t deal with anything, including myself. It is not a good look on me.

But a redeeming quality summer does have is all the fresh produce. The farm share is really starting to pick up and we are getting a good amount of fresh goody goods and that is something I can’t not be happy about. But it is still to hot and when it’s to hot, no one (I think) wants to cook. So don’t cook, just compile. A big ass bowl of veggies, some lentil (or use beans if you want) , and creamy peanut sauce. Thrown together within minutes, hardy and satisfying without being heavy and hot, and tasted really freaking good. A meal on it’s own or a fantastic side dish or snack dish or you know, anytime eating time food dish.

It is just a good dish to make and even better to eat. Heatwave or not.

Now to the cauliflower, kale, and lentil bowl with all the peanut sauce!

The stuff. Half a head of cauliflower, a few big kale leaves, half an onion, cooked lentils, peanut butter, apple cider vinegar, hot water, soy sauce, ginger, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.

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Cut up cauliflower. Just go at it with a knife until it is a pile of small little pieces. Then dice up the onion into small pieces and cut up kale into small pieces as well.

Toss all of that into a bowl and top with the lentils.

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Peanut sauce. Mix together the peanut butter, vinegar, soy, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Stir and add in enough hot water to make it creamy, smooth, and pourable.

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Dump the peanut sauce into the bowl with everything else.

Toss until everything is evenly coated. And don’t forget to add a good amount of black pepper.

And that is it. Now grab a bowl and a fork and eat. It is really really good.

-C


Cauliflower, Kale, and Lentil Bowl with Peanut Sauce 

Serves 1-2 as a big salad or 3-4 as a side

  • 1/2 head of cauliflower

  • 1 1/2 cup cooked lentils

  • 2-3 large kale leaves

  • 1/2 a small onion

Peanut Sauce

  • 1/4 heaping cup of peanut butter

  • 2 tablespoons soy or liquid aminos

  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes

  • 4-5 tablespoons hot water

  • black pepper

Start by chopping up cauliflower into little pieces. Some pieces will be like crumble and that is good. Also dice up onion into small pieces and chop kale into small pieces. Place it all into a bowl and top with the cooked lentils.

Make peanut sauce. Place peanut butter, soy ,vinegar, the ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes, and 4 tablespoons hot water into a jar or bowl and mix until incorporated. It should be smooth and thick, but pourable. If to thick, add in another tablespoon or two of hot water.

Once sauce is made, dump into bowl with the rest of the stuff and toss until everything is coated and combined. Top with lots of black pepper and then, well, eat. Or set aside until meal time. Then eat.

In Vegetables, Vegan, side dish, salad, Raw, pulses, quick and easy, grain free, Gluten Free, dinner, Dairy Free Tags Cauliflower, Kale, and Lentil Bowl with Peanut Sauce, cauliflower, lentils, pulses, vegan, grain free, gluten free, peanut sauce, healthy, plant based, dinner, quick and easy, summer, no cooking, saald, salad, BBQ, Summer, fresh, raw, dairy free
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Sunday Happy

June 14, 2020 Colleen Stem
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My eyes itch like a mofo. Gunky and funky, I can barely see my computer screen. Allergies right now… I forget every year until they hit me. But I am ok and I deal with it (by bitching and itching). So I’m good. As long as I don’t think about anything else. Haha, but for real.

The week. Another one to cross off the old calendar. Not a whole heck of a lot different then the usual. Made dinner for my mom, Barb, and boys. Caught up with Ryan and his girls for a while. The mr and I looked at a piece of land that was so close but not right, and picked up my first summer farm share! But the overall theme of the week was to finish up assignments, collect and drop off all the littles stuff back to the school because, Hooray for us all!! School ended and now there is no more trying to make sure all the work is done and no more “I do not understand your 4th grade math homework so..” to deal with. Yes, very exiting for not just the littles this year, I think the parents and all the people dealing with home schooling are probably just as excited too. And not only is school out but there were two big endings this year. Alex graduated form 8th grade and is off to high school this fall. (We had a little dinner and ice cream cake party at my house for him.) But the one that really gets me is Anthony. Graduated high school and is off (if people can go off )to college in the fall. That kills me. The first of my nephews and nieces to graduate from high school. I am really proud of him but honestly it makes me want to barf because it makes me feel so old. And probably not as cool as I think I am. (meh, I still am the coolest! HA!)

Today there are a few things. The mr and I have to drop the car off so tomorrow it can get inspected and the oil changed. I need to go grocery shopping and to curb side pick up my library books. And then there is a family BBQ for Anthony, to celebrate his public school achievements. That will be fun and a little jarring. Just the family, but I think it is going to be the biggest gathering of people that I have attended in a long time. Gonna be interesting for us all to be together again….Just glad it’s not at my house. HAHA!

Links from the internet from my browser to yours.

-Microaggressions Are A Big Deal: How To Talk Them Out And When To Walk Away. Lets all (especially us prevailed folks) make sure that when people are speaking they are not being assholes and to educate on human decency.

- When we were told we needed to wear masks, I made a few, just kind of whatever ones because I didn’t think I would need them for too long. Now I have a bag full of masks, all well made, because I know it’s gonna be reality for a longer time then I think we all first thought. Our masked future.

-I didn't even know that this ever happened. The Last Person Hand Painting Movie Posters in Greece

-This Farmer’s Home Consists of a Tiny House, Small Trailer, and Gorgeous Garden. In my wheelhouse of dreams.

-You don’t need to toss away shower liners every time they get gross. How to Clean a Plastic Shower Curtain the Right Way

-Another thing in the bathroom. 10 Easy Pieces: Modern Metal Toilet Paper Holders. I really appreciate a nice toilet paper holder. No joke.

-Sometimes the back of the box just knows how to cook the contents of said box exactly how it should be cooked. (think pasta, rice, biquick, and toll house cookies) Just Cook From the Back of the Box 

-When I am stressed or bored, I spend a lot of time thinking of food and all the crazy things I could make, so I 100% get this. The Wild, Wondrous Cooking I Do in My Head

-So I need to get a new sleeping bag really bad. Thinking a double. Any suggestions?

Pictures from the week

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In sunday happy, summer, internet links Tags Sunday happy, family, everyday life, internet links, vermont, the great outdoors, school, pictures from the week, food, summer
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Sunday Happy

June 7, 2020 Colleen Stem

Heavy week. I don’t know about you but I am feeling all sorts of feels. Like I can’t even rangle my self into myself. A lot is happening. Good things, bad things, scary things. People are stepping up, coming forward, doing the right thing that should have always been the right thing. Then there are infuriating assholes and I can’t even. I am sad, optimistic, angry, and all sorts of everything in between. I just really hope for goodness and rightness and change. It has to happen. We need to make sure that it happens and happens now.

The week. Besides feeling crazy and overwhelmed, it was also mild and normal. Started off with a massive closet clean out at my moms. A few of us sibling went over and ransacked bins and bins of my moms old clothes. Sure we all found a few pieces that were worth taking home, but what we really found were the gems of old crazy lady stuff and had the best time dressing up and running around in old bras and house coats.

The rest if the week was basically the same as usual. The mr and I over at the littles everyday doing the normal food and school thing. We went for a few bike ride, a bike ride/ picnic, cleaned, trashed, then tried to re clean parts of the house, and made plans for the summer. We are instating internet schedules and restrictions, getting a reading list together, and making plans for water fights and camping. Next week is the last week of school so we got to get on it!

And fridge update. I don’t want to jinx anything but, HOORAY! The mr fixed it! And right after we found ourselves an old free fridge to be our just in case. HA. But yeah, the harvest gold is here to stay and now we need to find a place for this really cool, old mid sized fridge. We are probably just going to keep it for when we build that cabin in the woods. But where to store it?

Sunday again. Today my goals are simple. I am going to try and get a few chores done, plant another round of greens in the garden ,and get stuff ready for the week. Then I am going to spend at least an hour on the porch sitting and reading, maybe I’ll even take a little nap, and drink at least 2 cups of coffee. I deserve the coffee.

Internet links from the week.

-The People’s Kitchen Collective Is Feeding a Movement by Putting People First. Food and conversation.

-Someone one a podcast I was listening to talked about swiss miss houses. I looked them up and am now obsessed . Swiss and a Bit Cheesy. Swiss Miss Houses.

-Coronavirus FAQs: How To Stay Safe While Protesting, When To Go Out After Recovery. Be safe for yourself AND for others.

-5 Ways to Set Healthy Boundaries Around News and Social Media. I have been disengaging more and more from basically everything that needs to be plugged in. It is actually my natural state and other then checking news, emails, and maybe browsing the internet for a few minutes, I have been pretty much off everything.

- Several Antiracist Books Are Selling Out. Here's What Else Black Booksellers and Publishers Say You Should Read

-Is Vermont Really 'So Expensive'? Um, well, I mean, um….yeah.

-If I lived above a store, I would want it to be this house, above a violin store. ‘A Secret Retreat’ Above a Violin Store.

-Do you know much about Shakers as as religion and not just a cabinet style? I did a little research after I read somewhere that shakers hang their furniture when not in use to make it easier to clean. I understand this practice, I keep my chairs flipped when no in use. The mr hates it. About the Shakers.

-These animals build palaces out of their own snot. I respect this.

-Bored? I have heard that s few times this week Well guess what, it’s nota bad thing. . Benefits of Being Bored

Pictures from the week

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-C

In sunday happy, internet links Tags everyday life, Sunday happy, internt links, family, littles, life, pictures, vermont, bike rides, crazy old lady, summer
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