Harvest Quiche

It's always sad to have to pick the vines and bushes clean before the first frost comes, because it means the cold is coming and the end of a year is nearing.  It happened and I was graced with a basket of plenty.  Lots of miniature peppers, eggplant and zucchini.  I harvested my tomatoes a few days before because they were pretty much done producing.  

So then comes the question of what to do with all the produce for two people?  My go to easy dinner is quiche, and since I'm caring for a young couples chickens while they honeymoon it seemed like the perfect solution for a Sunday of cooking.

My morning walk to collect the eggs along the Pumpkin vine
trail

Homemade pie crust, it's more time consuming but worth
the effort.

 While the pie crust is chilling, sauté' onions, then add chopped peppers, garlic, zucchini and eggplant
season well with salt and pepper, I also used dried oregano and thyme from my garden.  Eggplant absorbs the flavors from whatever you cook it with, so I usually go with the Italian flavors.  My food processor made quick work of the slicing.

Saute until soft and brown, add a few chopped
tomatoes, but save some to dress the top.  While this cools down
roll out your pie crust, then put the pie pans back in the fridge.
It's important for a flaky crust to keep them cool.  Fill when the vegetables
have cooled.

These are orange banana tomatoes. 

I used small soft mozzarella balls for cheese.
(I know this doesn't look very pretty but trust me
it tastes wonderful.)

 My metal pie pans are small so I use 3 eggs per quiche, but if using a quiche dish I use 4.  Whisk eggs until light and fluffy and add your desired milk or cream, I am not very good with measuring but it was aprox 2 cups of milk.  I am lactose intolerant so I use alternative milk, but they all work fine.

after pouring on the custard, I topped it with
high quality paparika and bake for 15 min
at 400 degrees, then lower to 325 and bake for'
an additional 45 min.  

While that was in the oven I made an Apple pie,
the house smells like fall!

One for dinner and 2 for the freezer.  You can
eat quiche luke warm and it heats up nicely in
the microwave.
I'll make a nice salad and dinner is served!

And everything except the staples (like floured, butter, salt and pepper) came from my garden and the chickens!  I love knowing where my food comes from.  This dish is great for any meal, so leftovers will be breakfast!

Gratitude

The older we get I think the more we appreciate the small things.  I used to live for gifts but now it's more like I live for these little notes of thanks.  It means I did something nice for someone else and was appreciated.  I'm so glad my mother taught me the importance of Thanks and that I passed it down to my children.  Taking the time to write a real note means so much.  

So go ahead and make someones day!  Write a note, thank you or letter-stay connected.  You will be sure to make someone smile.

Thought for the Day

ART BEAT

I have started adding new items to my easy shop and am still at junk Evolution (528 East Colfax Ave, South Bend, IN) through this weekend.  Perfect fall accessories!  You can start early at the corner of Hill and Colfax because they open at 10am (Art Beat goes from noon until 8PM).

Environmental Designs

One doesn't

discover new

land without

loosing sight of

the shore…

ANDRE GIDE

I start a new career next Tuesday.  I get to share my passion for design and sustainability with some hungry minds.  Ivy Tech Environmental Designs has offered me a position.  I'm honored to be working with sone very talented people.  Dr. Kent has turned this program into more than just Interior Design, and now other colleges are following suit.  It just might be the reason she was honored with "Teacher of the Year" out of all the Ivy Tech Campuses.  The program has come so far since I went to Ivy Tech, so I'm also looking forward to adding some classes like cad to my bucket list.

Interior Design has gone beyond the walls and into the yard and exterior of the home to incorporate outdoor living spaces and continuity as well as  sustainability, by using products that are safe for people and the earth and thats why it's now called Environmental Design.

I'm only working two days a week so hopefully I'll be able to spend more time on my easy shop (so sorry it's been empty for awhile, my work is at junk Evolution until the end of the month).  I will also have time to work on freelance design work.  

Here's a peek at our design center:

Student Desk

Class/lecture area

Dr. Kathryn Kent (Dean of Env. Design)

Cheryl King -15 years teaching at Ivy Tech

Just a Ramble

I am feeling so humbled and blessed of late.  It just goes without saying that if you are patient enough to wait, God will bless you.  Unbelievable goodness is happening.  When you are finally on the path you should be walking, good things just seem to fall into place.   Its an overwhelming warm happy feeling.  Thats all I have to say right now. 

The Coolest App

The dark path

Danny Seo is one of my green hero's and he writes a column for the news paper.  He mentioned a new app that repels mosquito's.  The sound frequency is very high and the females (who bite) don't like it.  West Nile Virus has been found in our Northern Indiana town but I don't like to load my body up with chemicals like Deet, so this was worth a shot.


I got to try it out first hand in the woods right by a river.  It has been one rainy summer so let me tell you, they were horrible!  I held it close to my face as they were buzzing all over my head and Ed sprinted on a head to get out quick.  He was all bitten up and I only got 1 bite.  So I'm sold!

If you don't have a smart phone here are some healthy alternatives.

Have a great week!

Char