Buying Local!

We love to buy local whenever we can. It started with visiting local restaurants and the farmer’s market and expanded to our CSA experience at Barbee Farms and local brews.

Importance

    Why is it important to us? There are lots of different reasons, one of which is that we like to support the business that keep our community unique. We chose to live where we do after a lot of thought. We want to keep it as special as it was the day we moved into our home!

Small Business Builders

    We’ve both worked for small businesses before and we know the effort that goes into keeping them afloat. Without the public’s support they wouldn’t exist! They work their tails off for not much reward.  Oftentimes you also get better service when you’re dealing one-on-one with the owner and not just an hourly manager who clocks out at 5.

Safer

    Local food is also typically safer than that which has been imported in. You know where it’s coming from and if there is ever an issue you can go directly to the source. Win-win situation!

Community Support

    Have you ever thought about where the money from a local business goes? It stays in the community! Where do you think it goes when you buy from the big box chains? Far, far and away is where.

I found this awesome image that describes it all WAY better than I can:

via

What are your thoughts on buying local?

Friday's Letters [04.12]

Happy Friday, folks!!

Dear Netflix, Thank you for the addition of Season 5 of Mad Men! I've been on the edge of my seat since I finished Seasons 1-4 last year. See what you can do about being speedy to post Season 6.

Dear Davido, Are you ready for some Spring cleaning?? Casa de Mobley is going be sparkling and fresh inside and out. Get excited!

Dear Mother Nature, Now we're talking! These days of high 70's and low 80's are FAB! Moods have perked up and attitudes have changed for the better. Keep this kind of weather around and the world might learn to get along!

Dear farm box, Welcome back! I am super excited to see all the goodies you will bring us this Spring/Summer. If this first week is any indication, the Mobleys are going to be very happy (and healthy!) campers:

 

Cinnamon Squash

It's that time of year again. The time of year when our farm box includes a delicious type of squash each week. We tried this for the first time about a month ago, and have made it many times since. In fact, when I attempted another squash recipe David asked for this one again!

Ingredients 

1 large butternut squash, cubed

1/4 cup honey

3 tablespoons olive oil

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400. 

Toss the squash with the maple syrup or honey and oil. 

Stir the salt and ground cinnamon together. 

Arrange the squash in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. 

Sprinkle the cinnamon-salt mixture over it, and then roast it stirring once, for 35-40 minutes.

Enjoy!

Sauteed Red Swiss Chard

Ever heard of red swiss chard? Neither had we. That is until Barbee Farms gifted us with some in our farm box. It reminded me of bok choy so I went ahead and prepared it the same way I would bok choy. Very simple and very yummy. Hope y'all enjoy!

Ingredients

red swiss chard, washed

olive oil

minced garlic

Directions

Cut up swiss chard. Even the stems!

I typically roll the leaves up and slice them. Makes for good bite sized pieces.

Warm olive oil in skillet on stove top.

Add swiss chard and garlic. 

Saute until stems are tender.

Enjoy!

Roasted Acorn Squash

I didn't know acorn squash could be used for anything other than decoration until it showed up in our farm box a few weeks ago. Not quite sure what to do with it I took to the internet to hunt for a recipe to use. There were a few fancy ones out there that I knew would take more time than I was willing to dedicate to the task at hand. Listed below is what I came up with off of a few others. Let me know what you think!

Ingredients

1 acorn squash, cut into fourths

olive oil

sea salt

butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 400.

Put squash pieces, skin sides down, on a lightly oiled baking dish.

I lined it with aluminum foil to aid in clean up.

 Sprinkle with salt. 

Bake squashes until tender when pierced with a fork, about 45 minutes. 

Remove from oven, and brush each slice with butter. 

Put back in oven for another 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

Baked Kale Chips

Have y'all ever had kale? I think I may have once or twice at a restaurant, but I'd certainly never pepared it myself. That is until recently when it popped up in our CSA box! The recipe below was an absolutely fantastic way to enjoy this super food and I suggest you give it a try next time kale pops up in your fridge.

Ingredients

 1 bunch kale

 sea salt

olive oil

Directions 

Preheat an oven to 350.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. 

Carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. 

Wash and thoroughly dry kale.

 Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. 

Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10-15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Baked Okra

A few weeks ago our fabulous CSA box included a bag of okra. I have always enjoyed fried okra (what good Southern girl doesn't??), but wasn't in the mood to destroy my kitchen. Instead I decided to bake the okra much like I was the chicken. Here is what I came up with:

Ingredients

cut okra

Italian bread crumbs

2 eggs

pinch of paprika

sprinkle of salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 375.

In a ziploc bag combine crumbs and spices.

Coat cut okra in egg.

Toss covered okra in crumb mixture until evenly coated.

Line baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up.

Spread okra in a single layer on baking sheet.

Bake for 15-20 minutes (or until browned).

Enjoy!

Anyone else have any other good okra recipes??

30 Before 30: Farmer's Market Feast!

David and I have always preferred buying local to not. If it comes to going to the corner coffee shop or Starbucks, we choose our local place. When it comes to produce, we always try and buy what we can from the farmer's in our area. About a year ago we started getting a box of fresh produce from a local farm. Each week we stop by and they give us a great selection of what's in season. So when I created my 30 Before 30 List I knew I wanted one of the items to reflect this passion of ours. So I chose to attend a local farmer's market and create a meal from the things we pick out. All that happened this past weekend!

We headed over to the local market armed with cash and a cooler for our goodies (we were running errands afterwards). Neither of us were in the mood for anything in particular for supper, it was only 9:30am after all and we had just gorged ourselves on breakfast. So we started perusing to see if anything caught our eyes. After a loop around (we wanted to get an idea of what was out there) we ended up with the following items:

eggplant

spaghetti squash

mushrooms

sweet potatoes

green beans

zucchini

There were lots of other items to choose from, but since our weekly CSA box included a bunch of items this week I knew we didn't want to go overboard. Anywho, what in heaven's name could we make with the above items?? We decide on eggplant parmesan with spaghetti squash and sauteed mushrooms with a bonus dessert of zucchini bread! I don't have the recipes organized quite yet but will be sharing them all in the coming weeks. Until then just know that our supper was absolutely awesome made even better by the fact that it was provided to us by the little old farmers behind all the stands.

What's your favorite thing to get at a local market??

Easy Summer Skillet

Anything with the word "easy" in the title has the power to hook me. The fact that I could also use the oodles of fresh veggies from our CSA box too made it the perfect match for our mid-week supper! This was an awesome meal and super simple to make. I would highly suggest it to anyone looking for a new summer go-to.

Ingredients 

2 zucchini (I used squash too!)

2 large Johnsonville summer sausage links

1/2 red onion

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 tomato

2 small red potatoes

salt and pepper

Directions

Cut the potatoes into chunks and steam for 10ish minutes until soft.

Meanwhile, slice up all the vegetables to approximately the same size.

Throw them in a skillet over medium-high heat with the olive oil. 

Once the veggies brown a bit, toss the potatoes and sausage in and sauté for another few minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Enjoy!

Steaming the potatoes

Half of the veggies

More veggies and sausage!

Simmerin' away

 Supper is served!

Thankful Thursday-Beach Music

I love beach music
I always have and I always will
There ain't no other kind of music in the world that gives me quite the thrill
When I hear...
60 minute man, and walkin' up the one-way street
He's up on the roof, he's under the boardwalk
Summertime's a-callin' me

-The Embers

As always, I have MUCH to be thankful for this week. Here is a glimpse at all the awesome in my life:

sisters

 Brothers are awesome too, but there is just something about the bond between sisters that is indescribable.

supportive husbands

 How superb is a hubby who encourages me to do whatever makes me happy?? Pretty superb:-)

coupons

 This week is SUPER DOUBLES at the Teeter. That means they will double coupons up to $2.00. How sweet is that? I spent roughly $30 and saved $107!! Hard to beat savings like that!

lazy days on the beach

Earlier this week and the next few days were just what the doctor ordered for this tired teacher! 

summer fruits & veggies

I love all the fresh foods that are available at this time of year. They are really encouraging us to expand our taste buds. I don't hate it.

wonderful friends & family who voted for me
I was selected as one of the winners!! My plate will now be made! Thank you all VERY much:-)

massages
Enough said.

What are you thankful for this week??  

Simple Summer Spaghetti

A few weeks ago we got a slew of summer vegetables in our farm box. I knew I wanted to do something different with them so on the hunt I went! I found what turned out to be a very simple recipe for "summer spaghetti". Even my husband who insists on meat at every meal enjoyed it! Take a look below for a fabulous way to prepare some of those awesome veggies you've been seeing on sale in the stores.

Ingredients

12 oz. package dry spaghetti

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

5 cloves of garlic, coarsely chopped 

crushed red pepper to taste

2 cups cut-up grilled zucchini and/or summer squash

2 cups red and/or yellow cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil or Italian parsley

Directions

Bring large pot of salted water to boiling.

Stir in spaghetti.

  Cook 9-10 minutes or until tender.

Strain noodles and reserve 1 cup of liquid.

Meanwhile, combine olive oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper.

Cook over medium heat roughly 3 minutes or until garlic softens.

Stir in zucchini, tomatoes, and torn basil.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Reduce heat to low.

Stir in noodles and pasta liquid into skillet with vegetables.

Heat thoroughly.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Transfer to large serving bowl and sprinkle with basil.

Enjoy!

Beet Chips

This past week a whole bunch of beets showed up in our CSA box. Who likes beets?? Not many people that's the answer. I scrounged around for a recipe and found one for "beet chips". We were surprised to find they were actually pretty good! David even asked that any more beets we receive be turned into chips. Will I be running out to buy them? Probably not but at least I have something to do with them if they are ever gifted to us!

Ingredients

4 beets, scrubbed -- do not peel  

1 Tbsp. olive oil

sea salt to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

Slice beets thinly. You want them to be the size of a potato chip. 

Toss with olive oil and salt. 

Spread evenly on a cookie sheet. 

Roast 45 minutes to 1 hour, turning halfway through, until crisp. 

(Check often to make sure they don't burn)

Enjoy!

 

The culprits

Before heading into the oven.

The finished product!

Thankful Thursday-Chuggin' Along

Keep chuggin' along
Keep singing your song
Put the plow in the ground till the daylights gone
When you look back over your shoulder
At everything you've done
Put the good times in your pocket

Let the bad ones make you strong
Keep chuggin' along

-Luke Bryan

Sometimes in the thick of the crazy it is hard to remember the things we are thankful for. We become so focused on the negative that we forget to remember the positive. I'm at that point this week. It seems that every time I get up, I get knocked back down. Instead of allowing myself to dwell on the negative, I'm going to focus on the positive. Here are the things I am thanking the Lord for this week:

rain

My grass and I are oh so very grateful for this respite from the dry, windy days. Not to mention that my allergies are jumping for joy at the rain washing the pollen away!

kind neighbors

I am very thankful for kind neighbors stepping up and looking out for me when I need it most! This people are serious awesome sauce.

coupons

It's super-doubles at the Harris Teeter AND Lowes Food this week-WAHOOO! My wallet and I are very appreciative of this little bonus.

bloggers

I am very grateful for my sweet blog friends and their kind comments!

crop share

I am grateful that a new season has come and we are back to picking up our weekly half-share from the farm (a full post to come on this awesomeness later!)

What are you thankful for this week??

Thankful Thursday-Time Is Love

Time is love, gotta run,
Love to hang longer,
But I got someone who waits,
Waits for me and right now
She's where I need to be,
Time is love, gotta run.

-Josh Turner

Spring Break

After MUCH waiting and anticipation, it has finally arrived!

my husband

I am continually in awe of how hard he works for our little family. Not to mention all the sacrifices he makes for us!

the kitchen

I am very thankful for the opportunity to cook and bake whatever my heart desires. It is such a calming experience for me and I love trying out new recipes! If you have any good ones, send 'em my way:-)

co-workers

For anyone who has ever worked with a challenging co-worker, you know how wonderful it is to have -good ones. I am very thankful for my work family who continues to support me and help me in any way that they can.

our pup

She is such a sweet companion to have! For those of you without a dog to welcome you home with dances and love, I'm sorry. Make this a part of your life.

time

I am SUPER excited about having some time to relax over the next week. Time to read, time to sleep, time to run, time to tan, time to blog, time to pray, time to visit, just time to be!

crop share

We just turned in our money for the next season of our half share and I am stoked! Yay for fresh fruits and veggies again!

What are you thankful for today??

Thankful Thursday-Home

It's been a long hard ride, 

Got a ways to go  

But this is still the place  

That we all call home.  

It's been a long hard ride,  

And I won't lose hope  

This is still the place  

That we all call home.

-Dierks Bentley

It's been a long and hectic week for me, so I apologize if this is brief. . .

the unconditional love of a dog

It's so nice having someone who jumps and does a dance every time I walk in the door regardless of the day.

my job

As long and full as the days may be, at least I have a job.

our marriage

I am so thankful to be married to such an incredible man who puts our family before himself!

the weekend 

After having two four-day weeks back to back and then a five-day week, I am especially grateful for a weekend off!

local produce

This week was the first time in months I've had to buy vegetables at the grocery store thanks to our crop share, and man was I disappointed. I'm looking forward to renewing the share again come April!

continued healing

I am now down to 30mg of prednisone a day (whoot whoot) and am on-track to be completely weaned off in March! 

our community group

I am so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate God with them each and every week.

What are you thankful for this week??

Thankful Thursday-You're Gonna Fly

You could be a black bird
On the country street
Hiding from the world from a broken wing
But you better believe you gonna fly with me
You could be a songbird from the New Orleans
Scared of the rain just 'cuz you're scared to sing
But you better believe you're gonna fly with me

-Keith Urban
 

Happy last Thursday of January-wahooooo! We are now one month closer to Spring, and in my book that is reason enough to celebrate. Here are a few more things that I am celebrating this week:

fresh farm veggies
Unfortunately this is the last week of our share until April, but we hit the jackpot. Our meals this coming week will include spaghetti squash, butternut squash sweet potatoes, white potatoes, carrots, bok choy and apples-all fresh!!

open communication

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times, but the open lines of communication in our marriage continue to blow me away.

warm snap in weather

LOVING the fact that I was able to leave the house without a coat this morning. I'm hoping these low 60's continue til Spring!

break throughs with my kiddos

This is the reason teachers teach. That moment when the student gets it. Or, in my case when the kid gets it and shares your enthusiasm in the topic.

alone time

It's amazing how a few hours by yourself can rejuvenate a girl!

A Feast Fit For A King

A while back I posted about a fabulous yard sale our neighborhood hosted. One of our treasures was a grill. "A grill?", you may ask. Why in heaven's name would any one purchase a grill at a yard sale. Well, it was $13 and we figured even if it didn't work, $13 was cheap enough for us to take a risk and figure it out.Fast forward 4 months and we still had not used it. We just never got around to picking up a gas tank. Well, David finally bit the bullet and got one last weekend-hooray! Then came the big question, "what would be our first grilled item??" Harris Teeter to the rescue! Steaks were on-sale BOGO this week.

David found a delicious marinade in our cabinet and fired up the grill at half-time of the San Fran/New Orleans game, and we were off! I made more homemade mashed potatoes (who can go wrong there?!) and prepared some of the bok choy in our CSA box from the farm. Yum, yum, yum! Here are a few pictures from our supper:

Steak waiting to be cooked (and then promptly devoured!)

Bok choy simmering in a little oil and minced garlic (recipe to come soon!)

Potatoes boiling

Finished product!

Needless to say we spent the entire meal plotting what we would cook next on our "new" grill! Recipes and suggestions welcome!

Sunday Suppers

Growing up was a little crazy with so many kids. Most evenings were spent being shuttled back and forth between various activities and doing homework in carpool lines. In fact, Sunday nights were the only evenings we were all guaranteed to be at home for supper. The Momma took this and ran with it. Each Sunday evening she would prepare a feast that we were all expected to take part in. I looked forward to these meals, and it wasn't only because of the marvelous food. It was wonderful shutting down all technology and other distractions and really taking the time to enjoy each other's company.

After we got married I decided I wanted to keep up the Sunday supper tradition. At first I started with smaller meals, but over time my cooking confidence has grown. With the added bonus of the fresh veggies from our crop share, our meals have become feasts as well! This evening's meal was homemade meatloaf, pink-eyed peas, "canberry" (that's what we called canned cranberry sauce), and homemade mashed potatoes. Mm mm mm!

Not the best picture but you get the idea!

The best part? Most meals are large enough to be eaten for lunch and supper the next night too! I'm always on the lookout for new meals to try, so please pass on any favorites you have! Here is the recipe I used for the meatloaf this evening:

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 egg

1 onion, chopped

1 cup milk

1 cup dried bread crumbs

salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons prepared mustard

1/3 cup ketchup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the beef, egg, onion, milk and bread OR cracker crumbs. 

Season with salt and pepper to taste and place in a lightly greased 5x9 inch loaf pan.

In a separate small bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard and ketchup. 

Mix well and pour over the meatloaf. 

Bake for 1 hour.

Enjoy!

Thankful Thursday-All Your Life

Would you walk to the edge of the ocean
Just to fill my jar with sand
Just in case I get the notion
To let it run through my hand
Let it run through my hand

-The Band Perry

Happy Thursday one and all! As with every week, I have much to be thankful for. Here are a few things on my radar this week:

coupons

I know it sounds silly, but they really are awesome! 

fresh veggies

It's been another delicious week at our supper table thanks to Barbee Farms!

solid friendships

 This week I got to spend a great amount of time with two girls I have known since I was three and I received an uplifting call from a new friend. Talk about a great week!

family visits

So grateful for the time we had to visit with family the past two weeks and the upcoming visits. It's amazing how rejuvenating that time can be.

heat

I am so grateful for the modern convenience of heat when it dips down to 18 degrees around here!

What are you thankful for this week??

Thankful Thursday-Joy To The World

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing,  

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Some things I am thanking the good Lord for this week. . .

cozy evenings in with my love

such a nice refresher after busy days at work

church family

so grateful for all the volunteers at Hope Church and their dedication to furthering His word!

online shopping

makes sharing the Christmas spirit significantly easier

fresh fruits & veggies

I have really enjoyed picking up our crop share each and every Thursday, and then brainstorming recipes to use them all. It's been an awesome experience so far and has really brought David and I out of our foodie comfort zone.

supportive school family

any one in the education field will tell you how crucial it is to have support. Our jobs require us to constantly be positive and engaging. Without my co-workers and admin team I would not be able to do this!!

no final exams!

there are many things I miss from my time as a college student, but one thing I do not miss is the craziness of preparing for final exams while also trying to enjoy this blessed season. Praise for being past this stage in my life

What are you thankful for this Thursday??