Farm Box Wednesday

Today we picked up our third farm box of the season. I realize I never posted last week's box, so today I'll go over both.

Last week we received:

2 bunches of spinach
1 head red leaf lettuce
1 head green leaf lettuce
1 bunch cilantro
1 bunch dill

This week we received:

1 bunch spinach
1 head red leaf lettuce
1 head romaine lettuce
1 bunch radishes
1 bunch Italian parsley
1 bunch green onions

It has been a little overwhelming with all of this green in the house, but we have made good use of it. We've had all sorts of salads, right now we are enjoying greek salads with kalamata olives and feta. With the spinach I made Giada's Lasagna Rolls, which were awesome! The prosciutto worked so well with the spinach - delicious! Josh also made a huge batch of salsa with the cilantro from both weeks. I also found success making Chicken Lettuce Wraps and I've been wrapping things in lettuce ever since.

This week I need to figure out what to do with the radishes. I haven't eaten them in years and I wasn't a fan back then, so we'll see. Maybe I could try pickling them...

Playroom Preview

We have been working on transforming our breakfast room into a playroom for Jackson. We are about halfway through redecorating, but Jackson is so excited about his new room I had to give you a sneak peek.
The room used to be a pea green color with wood and wrought iron furniture. We've cleared it out, painted it a taupe-y gray and added a cute little table for Jackson to use for play, reading, art, whatever. We plan on adding a low bookcase, some floor pillows and cute wall decals.

I'm hoping to finish the room in the next few weeks, so stay tuned...

Farm Box Wednesday

Today we picked up our first CSA delivery of the season. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture - last month we bought a single share of veggies and fruit from Grant Family Farms, an organic farm in northern Colorado. The shares are delivered to locations all over Denver, and we pick the food up at our designated time/location. We will get a delivery once a week for the next 26 weeks. We start getting our fruit share next month from a farm on the Western Slope.

In our box today:

-Small bag of spring greens
- Head of butter lettuce
- Head of green lettuce
-bunch of spinach
-parsley
-cilantro

Lots of greens! I've never had this much lettuce in my fridge at once, so I've got to get creative with my menus this week. So far, I'm thinking of BLT's, chicken & lettuce wraps (Pei Wei style), some salsa to use up the cilantro, and I will probably saute and freeze the spinach for Jackson to have anytime, since he loves it so much.

Usually I think of my menu and then go shopping for the ingredients, so I'm really looking forward to getting creative and using up whatever happens to arrive with my share each week. This is going to be fun!

I scream, you scream

Yesterday Jackson and I headed across town with some friends for a visit to Little Man Ice Cream. Jackson has been there before, as this is our new favorite summer spot, but this was Jackson's first time getting to try the ice cream for himself.

I ordered the Mexican Chocolate for myself and for Jackson. His came in this little mini cone that was perfect for his size.
I was interested to see how he would react to the ice cream, and it worked for a minute. He was enjoying the flavor while relaxing on the cool retro rocker they had outside.

Then it got a little messy.

It was dripping everywhere and I tried to help him by holding the cone for him so he could lick it hands free. Big mistake.

He is now very independent and wanted no help from mom.

So he got a bit messier and enjoyed his ice cream. When he dropped his cone I threw it away and then had to share the rest of my cone with him.

Both of us are looking forward to more trips to Little Man this summer!

On the farm

This week Jackson and I went on a trip to The Urban Farm. Located right in Denver, the non-profit farm works on "improving the lives of children living in high-risk, urbanized neighborhoods by helping to create a sense of positive self-regard and self-reliance, a strong work ethic, and hope." How wonderful!

I have heard about this farm for a while, and was excited when my mom's group scheduled a tour there. It was a gorgeous spring day and we were both very excited. As we waited for the tour to start, Jackson got to meet and pet his first animal...what a cute bunny!

We then walked along and fed sheep and goats...

And we checked out ducks, chickens and turkeys. Jackson liked petting a duck and a chicken.

Jackson really liked the big turkey who was posturing for the crowd and showing off his feathers.

We also saw donkeys, cows and two giant pigs. The farm offered pony rides at the end, but I didn't want to press my luck with Jackson, who was exhausted. We'll have to come back... I heard they sell farm fresh eggs on the weekends.

My boys

What a nice way to spend a Sunday.

Baseball Game

A few weeks ago we took Jackson to his first baseball game, and I just realized I completely forgot to post pictures.

It was a perfect spring day, not too hot, not too cold. Jackson had taken his nap earlier than usual, and when he woke up we realized it was perfect timing to catch the Rockies v. Nationals game.

We got there in the 4th inning and grabbed tickets at the window. Our seats were way up top, which freaked me out a little, but then we sat that right in front of a barrier (so much better for a toddler than in a middle seat with nothing to contain him).

Jackson came prepared with his foam finger.

Aunt Katie also made it to the game with us!

He was loving the french fries!

Arriving halfway through the game was perfect for a one year old. Jackson was getting tired at the end, and shared a snuggle with Dad.

Overall, it was a wonderful day, and I foresee many more baseball games with the little man in our future!