Glazed Over by Duck Momma

Chicken is such a versatile thing. A meaty blank canvas. . . That can quickly become routine and boring if you aren't careful. It is one of my favorite things to experiment with and I believe I stumbled upon a tasty version. Now given that my experimenting isn't exactly scientifically exact, what I share with you is approximate, always go with your taste and intuition!

I love glazed carrots so I took my inspiration from there. In a sauce pan I combined:

• about half a stick of butter
• 1 cup of light brown sugar (dark brown would be great too)
• 2 or 3 cloves of garlic smashed but left whole
• Salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• yellow curry powder

I simmered everything together and then poured it all over a lovely whole chicken, being  very sure to get the inside cavity as well. (It really makes a huge difference if you season the inside chicken cavity.) I put the cloves of garlic in as well so they could keep giving. I baked the chicken covered at 400 degrees (basting about halfway through) and uncovered for about 20. (Just until juices run clear) It was so tasty and very moist! It went very well with savory salty sides.
This particular version lent itself very well to leftover chicken salad the next day. So pop that baby in the fridge over night and pick off all the meaty leftovers. The slightly sweet meat went well with a tangy mix of:

• mayo
• sour cream
• spicy brown mustard (just a touch)
• very thinly sliced celery
• shredded carrots

The quantities depend on how much is leftover and your taste. I served mine on honey whole wheat bread (see the blog post Stuck on Honey for my recipe!) Two delicious meals out of one bird, sounds good to me!

So you Sew? The Sun Dress Endevours by Duck Momma

As I'm writing this I am working on the first of six little dresses for Goose. Making her little dresses for this summer seemed like a brilliant plan, I used to sew with my mom. They are just little dresses, how hard could it be?

What a silly question?!

I'm here to report, it is not easy! Somewhere between muttering as I rip out yet another seam and poke my finger with a needle I began to wonder what made this seem like such a good plan. I know the patterns are cute and the fabric is adorable. . . but there are made dresses out there. All sewed up and everything! ( I was shocked at how much it was to make a dress, you really don't save anything. And we got all the supplies at 40% off)

But yesterday as I put the gathers of the skirt in oh so slowly and looked down at the little dress that my little girl would wear, I remebered exactly why I wanted to do this. This little dress will be adorable for this summer (and maybe next judging from the size) but I'm making it for her. Just for her and maybe someday years and years from now when we sort through her memorable  things, I will be able to tell her those dresses where made by her momma (with grandma's help) just for her.

So with renewed passion, I press (yay puns) on one stitch at a time. And lucky you will just get to sit back and watch! Or maybe start your own little project? I promise, it will be sew worth it. . .

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Kitchen Adventures: Serving up Carrots. . . by Duck Momma

I had some wonderful luck at the Farmers Market yesterday. These beautiful carrots were just begging to come home with me. I thought they would be perfect for Goose. They were bright and beautiful and full of all sorts of good things for growing babies. . . Turns out however I had some important lessons to learn.


First, pace yourself. I got so excited with my find I decided to cook a bunch all at once. I cannot tell you why, it seemed reasonable then. Second, have a plan if you make to much and baby doesn't go for it. Evidently this making your own baby food thing is slightly more difficult than I thought. I think its the texture I need to work on. Maybe then she won't look at me with that offended look and actually consume some. They certainly were very pretty but the flavors just weren't quite right. I added a touch of orange juice to brighten the heavier taste and smooth it out a bit, but that wasn't quite enough.

Lovely Heirloom Carrots from the Farmers Market



A less than impressed Goose. . .

Another lesson learned! Since we have a few servings I think I will try adding some new flavors and try for a silkier texture. Maybe a mix with apples or pears,  I have some fresh sweet potatoes that might be nice too. We are both trying new things, albeit one way more wiling and excited than the other. . . on to the next adventure!

I

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End of Winter Farmer's Market by Tomato Duck

Here are a few more pics from the trip Duck Mama and I took to our Farmer's Market yesterday. We are lucky enough to have a year round, indoor farmer's market. Pickle and I go often in the warmer months, but I'm sorry to say this was one of our first trips during this cold weather.

My first stop was to get a cup of coffee. Then the cute kitty cookies were calling our name ( pictured above) that Pickle was almost to proud of to eat. Almost.

Here is a sneaky pic I took of Duck Momma and Goose that I snapped at the spice stall.

  

We also picked up some yummy cheese and some apples. I am looking forward to going back soon and often and I loved getting to spend the day with Duck Momma! 

Our Farmers Market by Duck Momma

Duck Momma's favorite stop at the market, Sweet Street Spices

Goose taking the trip seriously. . . to be fair, she just woke up

Tomato Momma and Pickle stopping for cheese! Mmm

Yesterday was Farmers Market day. We love our Farmers Market, it is really great to support local business, farmers, and artisans. Plus its just a lot of fun. This time of year is sort of the limbo point, its not really any season so the produce is a little more sparse but spring is coming and everything will start popping up!
I love finding fresh local produce, it almost always tastes better and can sometimes save you a bit.

We had some lovely finds though. I visited one of my favorite places on earth, Sweet Street Spices. They have such variety and make it so affordable, which is good thing because I have trouble controlling myself there. This time garlic, majoram, onion powder, cayanne pepper, corriander, and caraway seeds came home with me. I also found some beautiful heriloom carrots (which turned into goodies for Goose and glazed carrots for Momma and Daddy) and leeks!
Tomato Momma found crisp apples and tasty cheeses. Yum!

Even though it was a little empty this time, the sights and smells were delicious and we can't wait for next time!

One of my purchases, Heirloom Carrots. . . More on these to come.  . .

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Squish Squash : Munchkin Food Grinder Review by Duck Momma

When I registered for baby stuff, I imagine I had an experience like many new moms. I registered just about everything. I wanted to make sure we were more than set and I was also subject to "New Mommy Clouded Head Syndrome". The Munchkin Food Grinder is one of the things I fell for. Don't do it! I wanted to make sure I fed my new little one the best and freshest. I still do, (see Kitchen Adventures: Rainbow Series of our blog) But this 'tool' is not the great idea it seems. It is so tempting, it is bright and cute and I am a sucker for that. The whole process of trying to put food into grind is an absolute mess, the design just doesn't work.You are suppose to turn it upside down and then plunge. . . Not good.  The grinding teeth themselves are also not effective, quite dull.  I started with a nice ripe banana. . . should have been super super easy. . . should have been. Just that was a disaster. The little handle crank pops off if its too loose and if its too tight won't turn. And the little mesh fresh food sucker thing. . . soooo messy and really hard to clean. Trust me parents, pass on this one.

Once I started to function on my 'New Mommy High' I realized I had all I needed to make food. Any food processor, blender, or Immersion blender (I love my immersion blender, all the attachments make it super multifunctional by the way)will work. *Sigh* That lesson is learned, so on to the next!

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Picture Perfect by Duck Momma

Being able to combine personal interests and my family is something I have been able to take a lot of pride in. I have always loved and played with photography. My dad was always amazing at it, and my grandpa got me started by giving me his Cannon A100 SLR camera. That was it, I was hooked like a hungry fish in at a bait buffet. . . ok not the best line but I was hooked.

I will skip the part where I go on and on about my fasination with film and the development process, the length of time it took to convince me to go digital, and we will move right up to the current moment, my little Goose.

Every momma wants to catch every moment, I have four different cameras about that I use. Minor shutterbug issues aside, I have been able to put my love of photography to great use. I have a lovely frame for month by month portraits. But those can get so expensive: sitting fees, shots taken, and what parent can walk away from great shots of their beautiful baby so the packages sky rocket. . .

I have the answer! Now this may not work for all, but if you have a camera you love ( mine is a Nikkon D60 that we got for a steal second hand) and a little bit of pretty fabric like faux crushed velvet (think holiday wear), you can do your own!

Using an online photo service like Shutterfly or Snapfish to print, diaper rewards points for photo packages, and my own house for a studio, we get sets of pictures every month and we can keep the grandparents up on their baby fix for under $10.00. Yep $10.00!

So if you ever thought of trying, Go for it! Besides whocan get your baby to smile better than you? Start snapping!

Goose 2 months

Goose 4 months

Goose 5 months

Goose 6 months

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