Monday, January 25, 2016

A New Life: Garden Education and Meatless Monday

Last week a mom's group brought their kids to The Secret Garden for a field trip.
It's always fun seeing them having a hands-on experience.
Planting.
Composting.
Listening to a story about leaving a zero footprint.
(That's me; I was able to get this picture from their Instagram account since I never have pictures of myself reading to the kids.) 
Along with some wheelbarrow shenanigans.
 It's always a fun, educational time and great to be outdoors when the weather is good.
Plus, I was able to come home with some fresh chard from the garden which I cooked up in two different ways.
Sauteed in olive oil with lots of garlic and tomatoes and served over leftover rice.
And then yesterday, I sauteed it again, but this time with garlic, cherry tomatoes, mixed beans and wheat pasta.
A squeeze of lemon juice on both dishes was the perfect finishing touch.

I'm linking to Traude's A New Life campaign of "small steps to a better world." 
Practicing mindfulness, sustainability and quality of life.
Wishing you a wonderful week!

32 comments:

Quinn said...

Lovely to see your Garden having such a positive influence :)

Linda said...

Looks like a delightful day in a warm place. :)

Here, the long winter is really settling in and I'm tired of putting on 3 layers of clothing to do my 4 mile runs, but it's just the way it is for a long while longer. Hopefully, with it warming up this week into the 40s the snow on the ground here will finally melt as I've had to be clever in choosing the places I run outside, since ice and snow prevail.

Lost my dear cousin last week and our new year has been a series of losses. I've successfully cut full ties from Facebook as far as posting (though I will keep that account open since I have 200 family members on there - where I wouldn't have learned of my cousin's death and service without it!) and now slowly on Instagram, though I do still occasionally post a photo there with the motto of "Quality over Quantity" when it comes to my photo selections. ;)

Have a nice week,
Linda

Laurie said...

That's a great thing you're doing, Tammy.

Jennifer Hays said...

Hi Tammy, I loved seeing this day in the garden with the families. You're doing such wonderful things for your community. It was so nice to see a photo of you reading to the children too. I hope you're having a good week so far.

Jen Kershner said...

That sounds absolutely delicious to me! When my guy is traveling I find that I hardly eat meat while he's gone. One of my fave's is sautéed mushrooms over pasta with some chopped up avocado. Easy, fresh and healthy!

Betsy said...

Tammy it looks like an absolutely lovely days was had at the garden. I love how interested the children seem to be in your story. And I'm happy to see so many parents willing to bring them to learn. What fun! We have a nice warm day today-it's 41° outside. That probably doesn't sound warm to you does it? Have a lovely day today and thank you for sharing about the beautiful garden with us.
Blessings, Betsy

Amy at love made my home said...

It looks as though you had a great time with the group at the secret garden. Your dinner looks delicious too. Hope you have a good week! xx

Teresa Kasner said...

I totally enjoyed this post, Tammy. Seeing the fun everyone had at the Secret Garden.. and to see that you got to dine on the produce from there just was so neat. I loved seeing you reading to the kids - you really are a wonderful woman. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Dagmar said...

Loved seeing the photos, you captured it all, the fun and the goodness that comes with it all.
Loved the photo of you reading to the kids, well done!
;)
Ox Dagmar

Lisa said...

What a great picture of you reading to the group. The garden is an amazing space. It's nice to see how you really can make a difference.

Preeti said...

Nice to see your story time and to see kids enjoying gardening too :)

Folkways Note Book said...

Nice introduction to your community garden for the children. As always your photos add such a beautiful dimension to your post. -- barbara

Diane said...

It's great to see the garden grow into a place where people can come and learn and have fun. Nice picture of you in your element (teaching others about the environment) I hope your day is wonderful, Tammy. Diane

Createology said...

I adore seeing you reading to the children. Reap what you sow has come to pass with those lovely chard greens that you have cooked so deliciously. This fine example you are setting will help the next generation take pride in their land and be good Earth stewards. Blessings Dear...

Tanya said...

I LOVE that you are doing this...those children look so excited to be involved (and thanks for the photo of you!). The child-drawn rock at the beginning made me smile SO big. Bravo, my friend - what a great undertaking! Your food photos have succeeded in making me hungry, so bravo on that, too! Happy Tuesday - XOXO

Mereknits said...

You are so lovely Tammy, in every way. Love your dedication to kids and the enviroment.
Hugs,
MEredith

September Violets said...

It's so nice that the garden is attracting this attention. Looks like everyone enjoyed the outing, and you seem to have kept the kids' attention with your reading. Great looking dishes you prepared too!
Wendy

Aishwarya said...

The lesson in gardening will go a long way in their lives. That was lovely Tammy. How have you been. Hope alls well

She loves to crochet said...

I love to see what you are achieving with the community garden Tammy, the kids looked happy on their trip. Hx

Mary said...

Oh Tammy, I just loved seeing you reading to the children - great pic!
Your chard looks delicious - I noted you saw my post using chard to bake a neat appetizer/soup accompaniment - your chard would be perfect used that way!

Those kids are lucky to have you there for them - and I know you enjoy it too!
Hugs - Mary

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,
Those pictures are proof of happy and educational times with those kids!
Love that concept and you sure got away with some yummy veggies. You know how to prepare a healthy meal and I too LOVE garlic, it is so healthy for us.
Great photo of you. Indeed, when one always takes pictures there are not that many with us in the picture. And aside from that, I'm not such a selfie-freak! Hate that...
Today is my Mom's 1st anniversary of being in heaven. Odd feeling, also that time passed that rapidly.
Got a lot done, laundry, cleaning the house, moving the kitties out of our living room and kitchen area, it is now banned. Took the silk/wool rug out of the Rose Suite living room and covered the desk chair, the two recliner chairs with footstool with some waterproof bed covers and than with their fluffy kitty blankets they love so much to linger on. So they're happy and we went to sleep downstairs for a couple of nights to make them used to the Rose Suite being open to them.
Monday I did cook a dinner for 12 and hosted but Tuesday I was having severe mid- upper back pain and still it is bothering me. Good thing that I slept some this past night. Guess I did too much too soon... We have to respect our age more and I had such a bad flu, than bronchitis that it knocked me down again in a different way. But I did clean up my desktop on my Mac and there are lots of things to do. Love my desk chair, the most comfy one in the house. Found it at Hyatt hotels and did manage to get one on line, they come in S, M. L and have lumbar support and that really works wonders. I got this after I'd been paralyzed, following a long period of excruciating back pain. It always is scary but I think I will be fine in a couple of days. Resting, eating well and enjoying things you like to do. Still have to mail out something to you... Got way behind in everything!
Hugs,
Mariette

Lyn said...

what a lovely post and it looks like a fun day was had by all!
xxx

Susan said...

You look so sweet there, reading to the kids, Tammy. I am so happy you are able to do that for them. A love of reading is such a fabulous gift to be able to give. Susan

Melanie said...

I love seeing all the work you're doing in the Secret Garden. What an asset you are to your community and I bet the kids and moms love you! I didn't realize it got "cold" there until I saw the photos of everyone in coats and sweaters. Your food looks delicious, but unfortunately I have found out with an elimination diet for IBS that I can't tolerate most beans and garlic has to be minimal. It really stinks because I love both!

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

How wonderful to introduce gardening to children. Your garden is lovely! As always your food sounds and looks delicious!

Helen Philipps said...

How lovely! What great work you are doing Tammy. So lovely to see you reading to the children there. Your meals look delicious with your newly grown chard.
Wishing you a happy weekend.
Helen xox

Rostrose said...

Dearest Tammy,
I love this project - the Secret Garden is great and your engagement is, too! And both receipes sound very delicious, may be even for my husband, who seems to be addicted to meat. He doesn't like spinach - never! he's feeling sick from the taste of spinach - but he is able to eat chard, so I think I will try both dishes when it's chard-time in Austria!
Lots of hugs and thank you for linking to ANL!
Traude
PS: Marie is a blog-friend from São Paulo, Brazil, and she shows a collection of
very pretty, inspiring and artful guerrilla crochet works here - perhaps you wanna take a look at them:
http://algodaotaodoce.blogspot.co.at/2016/01/croches-as-infinitas-possibilidades.html?showComment=1454174611075#c583444371736950393

Kit said...

Your secret garden project just makes me smile. It is so awesome to see everyone having such fun. :) Kit

Lizzy D said...

Lovely post! The garden looks good and I loved seeing you read to the children. Your Swiss chard dishes looked yummy.

lizzy

handmade by amalia said...

I like seeing the garden full of life.
Amalia
xo

a writing place said...

Thank you so much for reading my blog, and leaving a comment. :-)

What an amazing life you are living! Having been in so many places of the world.

And the Secret Garden is a wonderful project.

I will come back again, and read more, and find out more about what you are doing.

Gentle hugs,
Tessa
upper NE of the US

Gracie Saylor said...

I love your part in nurturing the secret garden, Tammy. Thanks for letting us enjoy it through your posts! xx

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