I planted zucchini, now what?

Well no, actually, we didn't plant zucchini because of our space limitations, but anyone who has, knows what I'm talking about. Zucchini plants just keep on giving and giving, and if you don't keep on top of it, you wind up with baseball bats practically overnight. I think I must be feeling some strange need to recreate this frenzied experience, because I keep buying way too many zucchini at the farmers' market. I just can't help it. And, to make matters worse, I'm way behind on a project due today, so I thought I would procrastinate the morning away by throwing some zucchini bread together. Thankfully, it comes together in less than twenty minutes including doing the dishes. So while I wait for it to come out of the oven, I thought I'd share the recipe here:

Zucchini Bread
Makes two loaves.

Beat together until smooth:
3 eggs
2 c. sugar

Add:
1 c. vegetable oil
1 Tb vanilla

Add:
2 c. grated zucchini (from 2 small to medium zucchinis)

Combine and add:
2 c. flour
1 Tb cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder

Optional add-ins:
1 c. walnuts
1 c. raisins

Bake in two greased and floored loaf pans at 350º for one hour until middle is firm. Cool in pan 10 minutes and then remove to rack to cool.


I'm always looking for zucchini bread recipes because it would be nice to have one for 1 loaf rather than two (this one doesn't divide well). But I keep coming back to this one because it's what my mom always made for us growing up. Plus it freezes well. Yum!

And if you have a bit of extra grated zucchini — as I did this morning — it's great thrown together into this incredibly refreshing and easy salad:

Grated Zucchini Salad
2 c. Grated zucchini
1 Tb. Olive Oil
2 tsp. Lemon juice
Handful of toasted pine nuts
1/4 c. Grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all together and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes or so for the flavors to meld. I'll admit I'm guessing at the measurements here — I just throw in a bit of this and that. And, as you can see in the photo, I didn't have any pine nuts today, so I toasted some sliced almonds. Not quite as good, but not bad in a pinch.

I'm still contemplating the blackberries I picked up yesterday at the market (though there are many fewer now!) I may make a blueberry/blackberry crumble tonight. Check back on Monday to find out… and have a great weekend!

Blackberries and purslane

There were blackberries the size of small potatoes at the farmers market today. Needless to say, I had to get some. They are so much sweeter than any blackberry I can remember.

And another score today — purslane. In the U.S. most people consider it a weed, but purslane is eaten like any other green in many parts of the world. I first read about it early this spring and have been on the lookout for it since. Unfortunately, I wasn't really sure what it was or what it looked like. But I finally lucked out today. I went to visit Vandalia Farms for Edible WOW and they were weeding out the purslane from the rest of the garden beds. I snagged a huge bag to take home. Eaten straight from the field, it was delicious and I can't wait to make it into a salad tonight.

Flitting from the rafters

I couldn't help myself. I saw this gorgeous mobile from Royal Buffet's shop on the front page of Etsy a while back and had to have it. I love all of the cut paper pieces in this shop — they are really beautiful and intricate. I was so curious to see how they are put together. It took a couple of weeks to arrive and I was getting quite anxious for it to appear. Mollie Greene who is Royal Buffet is based in Greenville, SC where my brother lives. I was tempted to send him over to knock on her door. Given the intricate nature of all the paper pieces Mollie is making — and the popularity of her shop, I can understand why it did take so long. It was so worth the wait. I have even more respect for her after trying to photograph the mobile — it wouldn't stop flitting about! You can see more of this talented woman's photos in her charming, and charmingly-named, blog: Fresh Milk Delivered Daily. I hope you'll check out this shop and blog and enjoy them as much as I do.

A blank canvas…

Yes, that is a wee little blank canvas. I received this package in the mail yesterday and am very excited about it. The folks over at Charmingwall Gallery have started a new project that grew out of the success of their Tiny Art shows. I first found Charmingwall through Gina Triplett's portfolio. She did their amazing splash page. I absolutely adore all of their artists. If you haven't been over there, check it out! Their new gallery, Six by Six, will feature all six-inch square canvases. You can purchase your own submission kit at their site here. The package guarantees a month-long exhibit in their NYC gallery, the canvas, materials to promote your work and even the packaging to mail it back to them!

Also, I've posted a new print to the shop. (Actually, I posted it over the weekend and it sold this morning. But has now been relisted — yippee!) Some of you may recognize it as my entry to the DWR Design the Modern Board snowboard design contest. I thought it would also make a nice print… have a look, won't you?

Lake views and a new exhibit

I thought I would start the week by sharing this photo from an absolutely lovely day at the lake on Saturday. I felt so lucky to be able to get away to such an idyllic place. The boy grew up around this lake, so it is extra special.

I'm very excited to be included in the latest group of shop exhibitors over at Paper N Stitch, a terrific online exhibition space. The current exhibit lasts until August 16 and at the end of that time, the shops with the most votes wins a little prize, so pretty please, go have a look and cast a vote or two, okay? Thanks!