monday's mulling: being grandma

Yes, yea, yes!

Over the last couple of weeks Todd and I have spent one-on-one time with both of our grandsons. The older one is 26 months and his level of wonder at everything he's experiencing makes my heart grow every time. The little one is six months and the laughter, the blowing "raspberries," and the delight of him seeing the baby in the mirror makes me look forward to our next visit and how he will have changed the next time we see him. Grandchildren bring that special, magical, and joyful view of the world that rubs off until we can’t help but feel hopeful and optimistic, too.

the friday feed: roasted tomato hummus

Wednesdays and Thursdays on the farm are extra fun and extra busy days. Wednesday is Market Day where two of the guys go to the Amish Market in Bainbridge, OH, to buy produce for the upcoming week. Those of us who work Wednesday afternoon move the old produce at the end of the day to the "Treasure Corner" (50% off) to make space for the new produce to hit the shelves on Thursday morning.

Last week there were a lot of 50% off Roma tomatoes and without having a plan, I bought eight. They sat around for a few days, we were leaving for Chicago, and it hit me that those tomatoes needed to be used. In my pre-trip planning, I always check my fridge to see what's in it and along with the Romas, quite a few veggies were in the bin. Didn't have time to eat all those here so they were coming to Chicago.

In this kitchen remodel, I've been going through canned goods and found two cans of chickpeas that have been on the shelf for a while. Hmmmm...Hummus. Tomatoes aren't a good hummus dipping veggie but they could make a tasty addition to hummus. How about roasted tomato hummus? Then with the celery, carrots, peppers, and cucumbers, cut those into sticks to eat with the hummus. Problem solved. 

ROASTED TOMATO HUMMUS

(Recipe from Chef Savvy)

 

Roasted Tomatoes

1 large tomato, chopped

5 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

2 tbsp olive oil, plus more for drizzling on top

salt and pepper

Hummus

2 (15.5 ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup tahini

1/4 tsp paprika

1/2 whole lemon, juiced

2 tbsp water

salt and pepper

a handful of basil

INSTRUCTIONS

 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Add tomatoes, garlic and olive oil to a sheet tray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to combine.

Roast the tomatoes for 25 minutes then remove from the oven.

Add drained chickpeas and tahini to a food processor fitted with the blade attachment.

Blend on high for 1 minute or until the mixture is smooth.

Add in the roasted tomatoes and garlic, paprika, lemon juice, basil, and water.

Blend for another 30 seconds or until the mixture is smooth, creamy and lump free.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

If desired, serve immediately with a drizzle of olive oil on top.

Serve with your favorite chips, pitas or veggies.

* I tasted the hummus when it was still warm from the roasted tomatoes right out of the oven. It was OK. After it had been in the fridge for a day and had a chance for the flavors to blend, it was delicious!

sears

Sears, Roebuck and Company started out in a building complex in the community area of North Lawndale in Chicago, Illinois. The complex hosted most of department-store chain Sears’ mail order operations between 1906 and 1993, and it also served as Sears' corporate headquarters until 1973, when the Sears Tower was completed. 

In 1988, Sears, Roebuck and Company sold and moved out of the building, but the Sears Tower name remained until 2009 when the building was renamed after the Willis Group, a London-based global insurance broker. (I still call it the Sears Tower).

My dad’s only career was with Sears, minus the few years he served in the Army. Out of curiosity, I found the address for the Sears, Roebuck and Company complex in North Lawndale and thought it might be fun to visit. Also out of curiosity, I googled North Lawndale to see if it was safe to visit. It’s not. It is the 4th most dangerous suburb in Chicago. “According to PropertyClub, North Lawndale on Chicago’s West Side was a developing neighborhood until the 2008 recession hit. It’s estimated that about 70% of men aged 17 to 45 in North Lawndale have criminal records. You have a 1 in 9 chance of becoming a victim of any type of crime in North Lawndale - and its crime rate is 198% higher than the Chicago average.” I would love to see the original Sears complex. Even though the spirit of wanderlust tugged, I deferred to common sense. Another, more blunt and to-the-point common sense answer - I asked my son-in-law about going to North Lawndale. His reply, "F**K NO!" 

attention dog walkers

In my daughter's Chicago neighborhood, just like all neighborhoods, dog walkers are a regular sight at all times during the day.

These signs are also a regular sight around the neighborhood. I rarely see these in my suburban community.

These piles pile up. Be a good neighbor and do your duty to pick up the doodie. 

a gated community

As we stroll through our little grandson's Chicago neighborhood I can't help but notice "things," such as the shadow cast on the sidewalk from the sun shining through the ornamentation on the fences and gates. That leads to noticing the different embellishments on the gates and fences separating all the houses from the sidewalks.

The houses in this urban neighborhood don't have much front yard space. To keep people on the sidewalk and off personal property, the streets are lined with fences. But what is nice about this "gated community" vs. the gated communities to keep pedestrians out is the variety of decorating one's space. There's a charm to these fences and even though one has to open a gate to get to a front door, they exude a welcoming feel to the home you're visiting.

monday's mulling: 6 months!

Today my little grandson turned 6 months old. A half year of life. Just 3 1/2 months ago he had open heart surgery to patch a hole in his heart. Before his surgery it took him an hour to drink two ounces of formula. He now chugs 5 ounces in no time. The little guy is thriving!

Todd and I are in Chicago babysitting while our daughter and son-in-law take a short holiday, their first vacation away from their little son. Daughter left us three pages of good notes and on Saturday she walked me through the bath and bedtime routine. It's so peaceful rocking a baby to sleep. A gentle lullabye, "Rock-A-By-Baby," played from the sound machine. I sang along with it as I held my little grandson.

Rock-a-bye baby on the tree top

When the wind blows the cradle will rock

When the bough breaks the cradle will fall

And down will come baby, cradle and all.

I don't like those last two lines. My little grandson is not going to fall out of a tree on my watch. So what should a grandma do? Why not rewrite the lyrics?

Rock-a-bye, AJ on the tree top

When the wind blows the cradle will rock

The gentle nightfall will bring you sweet dreams

And morning will wake you with its sunbeams.

just keep smiling

A quick trip to Kroger for a few random items: Pedialyte, bananas, chickpeas, and a 12-pack of Miller Light. Try to connect those puzzle pieces! (If you want to know, Little grandson is in town, daughter-in-law is 9 weeks pregnant, I'm making roasted tomato hummus, and son likes Miller Light). I used the quick self-checkout line and the alcohol needed to be age-approved. "Please show the attendant your ID." 

As the attendant showed up, me feeling on-top-of-the-world because of the pregnancy announcement said with a big smile, "I need to show you my ID!" 

Her reply (with no smile)..."The machine needs it. I don't." 

At least grumpy lady typed in a date that put me in my 40s.