winter gardening

I am just going to stand and stare at my garden until the snow melts and it grows something.

Boo Bradley at the Market

Remind me next year to not bother going to the market on the last weekend in April.  It is ALWAYS miserable and dreary, while the weekend before has always been a glorious welcome into Spring. Interesting how predictable these weather patterns can be. 

Dane County Farmers' Market 2012!

The Dane County Farmers' Market around the Capitol Square in Madison, Wisconsin is the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the country. All items are produced locally by the vendor behind the table. 

At the top of State Street you will find the artist section of the market, with about 30 of us handmade artist selling our wares.  You'll find me there most Saturdays this summer, one of my favorite places to be!  Come say Hi!

abundant thyme

speckled eggshell ceramic heart

It is the first week of April and in Wisconsin we would normally just be getting started digging in the soil, but this year has been so warm, we are already harvesting some overwintered crops that are as lush as if it is the middle of summer.  So far we have collard greens, leeks, lovage, tarragon, anise hyssop and thyme ... lots and lots of thyme.  What are you harvesting from your garden?

Potato Lovage Soup

small cloud plate and bowl with lovage fresh from the garden

My new favorite herb in my garden is lovage.  It is a robust perennial that can be used in place of celery in any recipe. It has a hollow stem, so try it as a straw for your bloody marys this summer!  I love it in smoothies, as around here it is much easier than celery to grow, and during the summer I can have a steady supply on hand.  Tonight I am going to whip up some potato and lovage soup, I've adapted this recipe here, replacing the milk with coconut milk.

• 1 medium onion,  finely chopped- if you have leeks you can use those, too
• 1 Tbls olive oil
• 2 lbs potato, cubed
• 2+ cups chicken or vegetable stock - adjust to desired consistency
• 2+ cups unsweetened coconut milk
• 5 Tbls chopped lovage - set aside some for garnish
• salt & pepper to taste

In a large saucepan, saute the chopped onion in olive oil until translucent; then add the cubed potatoes,  coconut milk, and stock.  Simmer until the potatoes are almost tender.  Then add the lovage and blend with your stick blender, or transfer in small portions to a vitamix or blender.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve hot with crusty bread.  Yum!

What's your favorite herb in your garden?

Happy Spring!

It is surprising how early these bloomed this year.  Happy too see them again!  Welcome back, Spring!

Meyer lemon yellow

I had to post a picture with these beautiful Meyer lemons sent to me by my friend Melissa from Cedarpocket.  She picked them right off her tree, packed them in a box, and shipped them to me!  I feel blessed!  I've been drawn lately to the colors of grey and white with a splash of lemon yellow.  Don't you love when food becomes decor?

young inspiration

I've invited my nephew into my studio for once a week clay classes, and I love having that little bit of one on one time with him. He is such a neat kid.

I'm starting off with loose instruction, and letting him get a feel for the rhythm of the studio. On the first day I gave him a hunk of clay, and told him to just start playing and see what happened. After a few minutes he exclaimed, "I am going to make a spoon!"  I laughed to myself, seemed like a funny choice for a 7 year old boy, but on second thought, I decided it was a GREAT idea and joined in on the fun. His spoon ended up turning into a volcano. My spoons ended up looking like this.

They aren't finished yet, I will be glazing them this weekend and they should be in my shop next week. I plan on pairing them with my salt cellars, and will make a few honey pots and sugar bowls to go with them.

At the end of the lesson, my nephew said "I had no idea jobs could be so much fun!" Yes, kiddo, some days they can!