Private Up North Home Tour Fairy Garden

"Hand in hand with fairy grace

will we sing and bless  this place."

-William Shakespeare

Today I was lucky to get a private home tour of a fairy garden created by Kate and some of her friends. 

They found just the right spot down a path into the woods toward the lake. Each part of this fairy garden was carefully thought out.

The tour begins at the base of the tree where Kate is standing. There is a sign on the door to welcome visitors. 

In the middle of the fairy garden is a fire pit with benches just waiting for dusk, the full moon to rise and fairies to gather for their evening meeting, eating and dancing. 

Nearby Dew Drop Inn is open to visitors who wish to spend the night.   

Next to the Inn is the entrance to a lovely garden complete with tables and chairs for the guests to enjoy their stay. 

And the caretakers of the Inn thought of everything. They put up a clothesline nearby just in case guests have to wash and dry their clothes.

Nearby a feast has been spread out on the cloth with a variety of fairy sandwiches to choose from.

Across from the Inn Kate set up more housing for visiting fairies. 

After the fairy home tour Kate and I talked more about her fairy garden I think she must have read this book carefully before she started. She remembered so many things that fairies love like shiny 

objects. Several glass droplets were spread around the garden.  A welcome sign on the door encourage more fairies to visit. Kate and her friends were clever to add a clothesline.  This appeals to fairies sense of cleanliness as they are very tidy and love doing laundry.

I forgot to tell Kate when I read the book I found out that fairies love dancing at night around the fairy ring so it might be nice to add some music with wind chimes.   

Kate and her friends worked really hard on this project and plan to keep adding things each time they make a return visit to the garden. Meanwhile she has asked her grandma to be the caretaker until she returns. 

Now I suppose you are all wondering how will Kate and her friends know if fairies have visited their garden. Some signs are if you see out of the corner of your eye a flicker or a glimmer, almost like a firefly-if you see it then you don't, that surely means a fairy is nearby. Tinkling bells when there is no known source of music is another common sign. Fairy rings and dew tents, those little wispy canopies over the grass in the morning, is another sign fairies had fun the night before. But probably the best sign that fairies have found your garden their favorite is uncontrollable laughter. Remember fairies love laughter!

Here are some food ideas for a fairy themed party  

Strawberry Mushrooms

http://www.partyideasuk.co.uk/Library/strawberry-mushrooms
cotton candy in small paper cups

Fairy Bites

http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/1080/christmas-shortbread-tidbits

Greek Orzo Spinach Salad

Greek Orzo and Spinach Salad

Cook's notes: Another salad for summertime dining. Olives and feta give a salty punch to this pasta salad. Bell peppers and sun dried tomatoes add a subtle sweetness. Spinach and fresh basil add a pop of freshness. The herb vinaigrette dressed pasta keeps better than a mayo based one.   

Recipe serves 4-6.

Orzo, also risoni, is a form of short-cut pasta, shaped like a large grain of rice. Orzo can be served alone, as a soup accompaniment, as part of a salad or pilaf or baked in a casserole.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/4 cups dried orzo (rosamarina) (8 oz.)
• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
• 3 cups fresh spinach, stems removed
• 8 oz. feta cheese, coarsely crumbled
• 1 cup chopped roma tomatoes or 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, patted dry on a paper towel and chopped
• 1/2 cup diced red peppers
• 1/2 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives
• 2 TB. snipped fresh basil 
• 3/4 cup diced red onions 
• 1/3 cup olive oil or lemon olive oil
• 2 TB. lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp.each dried parsley flakes and dried oregano or 2 tsp. dried Italian herbs
• 1/3 cup pine nuts

Directions:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Rinse with cold water; drain again. Transfer pasta to a large bowl. Add torn spinach leaves that will wilt when added to warm pasta. 
• Add feta, tomatoes, peppers, olives, fresh basil and onions. Stir to combine well. In a jar with a screw top lid, place olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano and parsley or Italian herbs. 
• Shake vigorously to combine and pour dressing over pasta mixture; toss to coat.  
• Cover and chill in refrigerator 6-24 hours to meld flavors. 
• Sprinkle with pine nuts right before serving. 

Broccoli Bacon Tortellini Salad and Roasted Grape Crostini with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

Tortellini Salad with Broccoli, Bacon and Pea Pods  

Cook's notes: Brightly colored vegetables mixed with cheese filled ravioli and tossed with a prepared reduced fat/lite ranch dressing make a satisfying light yet low calorie summer meal. Bacon adds a savory taste.  Chill several hours for flavors to meld. Recipe adapted from Midwest Living and serves 4-6.

To blanch pea pods place 1-2 min in large boiling pot of salted water. Drain and then transfer to bowl of ice water and drain again.

Ingredients:

• 5 slices of  bacon
• 1- 9 oz. package of refrigerated light cheese ravioli
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions
• 1-1/2 cups diced cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup fresh pea pods
• 1/2 cup bottled reduced fat/lite ranch salad dressing
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds

Directions:

• Fry bacon, drain and a paper towel, dice bacon pieces and set aside.
• Blanch pea pods.  
• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water and drain again. 
• In a large bowl combine cooked pasta, broccoli, carrots, onions, tomatoes, pea pods, bacon and sunflower seeds.
• Add enough dressing to moisten salad.   

Roasted Grape Crostini with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

I had never thought of roasting grapes until I saw this very delectable picture. The grapes are slow-roasted and served on top of toasted baguette crostini with goat cheese, walnuts and a drizzle of honey. It is an elegant appetizer or can be served after a meal as a cheese course.

The recipe comes from healthyseasonalrecipes.com Check out the website as there are many other recipes which focus on using healthy ingredients and seasonal produce.
Ingredients:

• 4 cups red grapes
• 1 TB. avocado or olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves
• ¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
• 1 TB. balsamic vinegar
• ½ cup crumbed fresh goat cheese
• 24 slices baguette, lightly toasted
• ¼ cup chopped toasted walnuts
• 1 TB.honey

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
• Stir grapes, oil, salt, thyme and pepper in a medium bowl. Spread out in one layer on the baking pan. Roast, stirring occasionally until wrinkled and caramelized, about 30 minutes. Roll ingredients around in pan throughout roasting time to cook more evenly. Remove grapes from oven and drizzle balsamic vinegar over them. Stir to coat. Set aside.
• Spread goat cheese on the baguette, dividing equally. Top with the grape mixture. Sprinkle with walnuts and drizzle with honey.

Road Trip Winona, MN

Destination-Winona, MN for The 12th Annual Great River Shakespeare Festival.

 
with a few stops along the way.
The Mississippi divides Minnesota and Wisconsin for many miles. The Great River Road is scenic and winding on the Wisconsin side heading towards Winona which is on the Minnesota side.

The Great River Road is Wisconsin’s only national scenic byway established in 1938. The entire trail extends 3,000 miles along the Mississippi River through 10 states. A road trip on the Great River Road takes you through 33 historic and unique Wisconsin towns. Of course we would have liked to see all 33 towns but could only fit in a few. 

The drive to Stockholm is a little more than an hour from the Twin Cities and passes through some gorgeous country — the road dips and rises over the country hills, and it twists and turns over ridges with water views, causeways, and steep rustic hillsides. Often we were passed by a steady stream of bikers out for a leisurely weekend ride.

 Stockholm is small, compact, charming, quaint and even a little bit quirky

with its benches, unique trash cans

 and some small spring- like hobby horses along side of the building. 

Beautiful outdoor gardens and floral displays seem to thrive in this town.

At the 2010 census only 82 full time residents were registered. But don't let that number fool you into thinking there's not much there. 

Not only is Stockholm one of Midwest Livings “Best of” it is also ranked as one of the top 5 “Shopping Hotspots” in the State of Wisconsin.
Stockholm is home to many unique events each year – Swedish Midsummer Festival, the annual Stockholm Art Fair (35+years!), numerous art tours, and A Stockholm Country Christmas.

 
Stockholm Pie and General Store is where you can get a slice of their world famous pies,pot pies, savory pies, cheeses, wines and craft beers. 
Stockholm was founded in 1851 by Swedish immigrant farmers. Many historic buildings in the village exist from days when Stockholm was a commercial hub for farmers, fishing and clamming. Ice, cut from the lake, was shipped all over the country. During the 1970’s many artists were drawn to the area by the region’s stunning beauty and began to revive the old storefronts and homes. Today, Stockholm residents are proud of their heritage and its vibrant arts community. Visitors are also drawn to the natural beauty of the nearby Lake Pepin area, which, according to William Cullen Bryant, “ought to be visited in the summer by every poet and painter in America.”

Winona is a city on the Minnesota side located in picturesque bluff country on the Mississippi River, its most noticeable physical landmark is Sugar Loaf rock formation pictured below.  

It is the home of Winona State University, Watkins Incorporated and Minnesota Maritime Art Museum. There are lots of outdoor activities with numerous parks and trails.   

Watkins Incorporated is a manufacturer of health remedies, baking products including vanilla extract and other household items. Their entire catalog includes 400 products and largely relies on an independent sales force of 25,000 people to distribute its products. 

One unexpected surprise was the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. The building is located along the Mississippi River. It houses an impressive private collection of land, river and seascapes masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Turner, Homer and O'Keeffe. In addition there are many annual temporary exhibitions and nationally-touring artworks throughout the year. 

 The outside grounds were a stunning display of prairie grasses and flowers. 

The Great River Shakespeare Festival is a nationally recognized festival which offers professional theatre productions, free concerts, educational opportunities for all ages and community outreach programs each summer from late June to early August.  We saw the their final performance of Much Ado About Nothing. It was an artistic, creative production with a very talented cast of performers. I would highly recommend attending next year if you happen to be in the area. 
The ride back to the Twin Cities on the Minnesota side was almost as scenic as the Wisconsin side. 

One of our last stops was Lake City. I was intrigued with the signage on this building which sent me sleuthing. Today this building houses Lake City's best antique,coffee shop and consignment store. But it is rich in past history. Check out Audrey Kletscher Helbing's post http://www.minnpost.com/minnesota-blog-cabin/2012/07/discovering-historic-gem-pearl-lake-city to learn more about this historic gem. 

As you can see in 48 hours we covered a lot of ground. Ending with this quote I saw in Stockholm 

and adding my own... explore the countryside.   
  

Weekend Round Up

Some of the week's best

The best way to start out the weekend is with a mojito.
If the Mojito was one of Ernest Heminway's favorite drink it works for me too! Ernest Hemingway made the bar called La Bodequita del medio famous as he became one of its regulars. He even wrote on the wall " Mi mojito en la Bodeguita" (My mojito at the Bodeguita) These words can still be read on the wall in his handwriting. Note you would have to go to Havana to actually see this for yourself.
A Mojito traditionally is made of five ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime, sparking water and mint. The original Cuban recipe uses spearmint. In the past few years the mojito has become a popular summer drink.
Cook's note: There are a variety of Mojito recipes but an important step not to skip is making your own simple syrup  ahead of time. The syrup keeps in the refrigerator several weeks covered. This recipe makes one drink.
Simple Syrup
Heat equal parts of sugar and water in a saucepan until just before boiling. Stir until sugar has completely dissolved.
Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 oz light rum or try using mango rum or Bacardi Limon or which really kicks up the taste
• 1 lime
• 1 TB. simple syrup
• mint leaves
• ice
• club soda

Directions:

• Place 4 mint leaves and 1 TB. simple syrup in a glass and squish it all around with a spoon for 25 seconds till you have a good minty smell. This is called muddling.
• Cut the lime in half and squeeze juice out from both halves into the glass.
• optional at this step using a cocktail strainer to remove the mint leaves.
• Pour in rum, stir with lime juice and simple syrup together. 
• Add ice and top mixture off with club soda.
• Garnish with a lime.

Grilled Chicken Souvlaki
A tasty Mediterranean lemon, garlic and oregano skewered grilled chicken that is perfect in pitas, in salads or right off the stick. Recipe serves 4 and comes from closetcooking.com
Soak bamboo skewers for 30 minutes in water before threading on chicken pieces. Add tomatoes and peppers.
Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 lemon, juice and zest
• 1 TB. yogurt
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp.pepper

Directions

• Marinate the chicken in the mixture of the remaining ingredients in the fridge for 30 minutes to overnight.
• Grill the chicken over medium-high heat until cooked, about 6 minutes per side.

Alternative Grilled Chicken Souvlaki Gyro

Pitas stuffed with tasty grilled chicken souvlaki, tomatoes, onions, creamy tzatziki sauce, feta and roasted red peppers. Serves 4
Ingredients

• 2 pitas, cut in half with pockets opened
• 1 pound chicken souvlaki, warm
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 1/4 cup red onion, sliced
• 1/4 cup tzatziki sauce
• 1/4 cup feta, crumbled
• 2 roasted red peppers, sliced (optional)

Directions:

Assemble the gyros and enjoy.

Pesto Chicken Salad

http://theclassychapter.com/pesto-chicken-salad-recipe/

Mandarin Pasta Spinach Salad with Teriyaki Dressing

http://lecremedelacrumb.com/2015/02/mandarin-pasta-spinach-salad-with-teriyaki-dressing.html
NEW RELEASE

Friday Sock Fairy Adventures Melinda's House

Friday Sock Fairy Adventures

Story synopsis so far...

Will is searching through the clothes in the dryer for his lost soccer sock. He really wants to find the mate as his soccer socks are a lucky pair. He once scored a winning goal wearing them. As Will leans into the dryer he is sucked in and tossed about. When Will stops spinning he tumbles out into a new place called Sockland.
This new magical place has mismatched socks everywhere hanging on tree branches. Three fairies fly by Will. He knows they are fairies from seeing their pictures in his storybooks. He runs down the road hoping to catch up to them but trips and falls over a large rock on the road. His leg hurts but he manages to catch up just as the fairies disappear through the door into the Sock Bank.
Unexpectedly Will’s size changes to very small when he rubs fairy dust over his hands. He is able to make it inside the Sock Bank behind a fairy just as the door closes. Will watches sock fairies unload their bags of mismatched socks in the bank hoping to find mates for their socks getting a gold coin in return. When Will spies his missing sock he grabs it but is caught by the sock security guards. When the guards lose their grip on Will a sock fairy named Melinda is able to rescue him. They fly out the opened Sock Bank door around the corner and out of sight.
Will and Melinda spy a poster advertising a sock hop at the Avalon Theater. All Will needs to do is wear his lucky socks, bring his dancing partner Melinda to the Avalon and dance till dawn to win the bag of coins. Lucky for Will wearing his matched pair of socks he and Melinda are able to win the sock hop contest. But unlucky for Will the sock security police spy him in the crowd. Melinda uses her magic powers and they fly out the door away from the theater. Melinda gives Will the bag of coins and tells him to get on the Sockland Express but be sure to get off at stop #3. The driver, Rocky Socky, is a sock monkey who wants Will to pay for the ride on the Sockland Express.
Will enjoys the magical ride of the Sockland Express when suddenly the bus makes an emergency landing at the Sock Mart. A clearance sale sign excites the passengers. Will is able to make a purchase of mismatched socks. He discovers Melinda on the Sockland Express and tells her about his plan to return to Sock Bank. He wants to find more matches for his socks as each pair will give him a gold coin. But Melinda has another idea. 

Vocabulary Word enchanted-spellbound, to attract and delight, charmed 

Friday July 31 Sock Fairy Adventures Stop #4 Melinda's House

"Really I can go to your house Melinda? How do we get there?" What does your house look like? "  

Will had lots more questions to ask. He could hardly sit still with excitement. 

"Shh-Shh Will, keep your voice down," said Melinda. "Stay close and follow me."

"Stop 4! Stop 4!" yelled Rocky Socky as the bus gently lowered to the ground. The wings folded under the bus and the wheels came out. The bus landed on the ground with a slight thump.

Melinda grabbed Will's hand and they flew out the door.  Lucky Will remembered to take his bag of mismatched socks from the Sock Mart.  

As they flew deeper and deeper into the forest the light got very dim.  Will kept looking around for fairy houses. He had read in his storybooks they often build near the base of a tree. Then they cover up their doorways so as not to be disturbed. 

"This surely must be your house here," said Will since he could see at least four doorways.

"No, Will, this way. We are not there yet. We need to go over this bridge and down the path. But I must warn you we need to be very careful. Trolls live under this bridge. They do not like humans and often if feeling very mean will  turn them into stone." 

Suddenly an very ugly troll popped his head up and stood right in front of Melinda and Will. "Stop! This is my bridge and NO ONE goes over unless I say so. What's the secret password?"   

Will was worried. He hoped Melinda would know what to do. She must pass by the bridge sometimes. He heard her whisper "DLOG ROF SKCOS." 

"Go," yelled the Troll. But don't come back this way again. I DO NOT like to be disturbed!"  

And in an instant the troll disappeared under the bridge.  

Will hurried after Melinda yelling "Wait! What did those letters mean?' 

"Will, can you remember the words the sock fairies whispered so the Sock Bank door would open?" 

"Yes, Socks for Gold."

"Well the letters I just repeated were Socks for Gold spelled backwards. Here we are."

Melinda pushed the twigs back so they could get in.   

"Tonight we need to go to the fairy ring. We are gathering to celebrate the full moon. There will be dancing and food. You can meet our Fairy Queen, Eva. She will help with us with a plan on how you can get safely back into the Sock Bank without being seen."

But Will hardly heard her words. He was totally enchanted with the inside of her house.

© Copyright 2015 EVER READY All Rights Reserved

Next Friday Sock Fairy Adventure August 7 

Under The Full Moon at the Fairy Ring

Celebrating July Birthdays

A "shout out" to some July birthdays (there are many more) that may have been overlooked on Ever Ready the past month.

• July 4, 1804  Nathaniel Hawthorn  was an American novelist and short story writer. He was born in Salem, Massachusetts, 
• July 18, 1918 Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.
• July 19, 1834 Edgar Degas was a French artist famous for his paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings. He is especially identified with the subject of dance as more than half of his works depict dancers.
• July 21,1899 Ernest Miller Hemingway was an American author and journalist. His economical and understated style had a strong influence on 20th-century fiction, while his life of adventure and his public image influenced later generations.
• July 28, 1866 Helen Beatrix Potter was an English author, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist best known for her imaginative children's books featuring animals such as those in The Tale of Peter .
• July 29 Ever Ready, blogger and writer
• July 30, 1834 Emily Jane Brontë was an English novelist and poet who is best known for her only novel, Wuthering Heights, now considered a classic of English literature.
• July 31, 1965 J.K. Rowling  Joanne "Jo" Rowling, OBE FRSL, pen names J. K. Rowling and Robert Galbraith, is a British novelist best known as the author of the Harry Potter fantasy series.

so in honor of this esteemed list not one but two dessert recipes are posted. These recipes were supplied by two guests at a recent lunch. 

Rice Krispies Ice Cream Pie

Cook's notes: All I can say is its decadent and after one bite my son told me I had to get the recipe:)

This is an Iowan dessert from the 50's. The source is Bernie's mother Helen who made the pie frequently for her large family of 11 children.

The recipe make 2 nine inch pies though I'm not sure 2 pies would cover 11 children!

Ingredients:

Crust: Follow directions for making  basic Rice Krispy Bar recipe but use 
6 TB. butter, one 10 oz. package mini marshmallows and 6 cups Rice Krispies
 http://www.ricekrispies.com/recipes/the-original-treats  

1/2 gallon ice cream of choice-pictured above is an ice-cream product called Moose Tracks or be creative and use your favorite flavor. 

  

prepared Sea Salt Carmel Ice-Cream Topping

crushed nuts

Directions:

Divide one prepared recipe of rice krispie bars between 2 pie pans that have been greased well with butter. Put in freezer for 30 minutes.
Divide softened ice cream between 2 pie pans. Freeze until firm covered with foil.
For easier cutting remove pie about 10 minutes before needed. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with nuts. 

Strawberry Raspberry Dessert 

Cook's notes: The "marriage" of strawberry and rhubarb are a yummy treat that screams late spring and summer.  This recipe was supplied by Sue L who was looking for away to use up rhubarb from her freezer. The center container on the tray was cool whip and another alternative would be ice cream. 

The recipe originally came from Land O Lakes

Ingredients:

Filling

• 1-1/2 cups rhubarb, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1-1/2 sliced fresh strawberries
• 1 TB. lemon juice 
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 TB. cornstarch

Crust

• 1-1/2 cups flour
• 1-1/2 cups uncooked quick cooking oats
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 
• 1 TB. cinnamon
• 3/4 cup softened butter
•  1/2 tsp. baking soda 
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Icing 

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 TB. milk (may need more)

Directions:

• Combine strawberries, rhubarb and lemon juice in a 2 qt. saucepan. 
• Cover and cook over medium low heat for 8 minutes or until fruit is tender. Remove cover. 
• Combine sugar and cornstarch in a bowl. Whisk into strawberry/rhubarb mixture stirring constantly until blended and thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13 x 9 pan.
• Combine all crust ingredients in a bowl and beat on a low speed until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. A food processor works well for this step.
• Reserve 1-1/2 cups crust mixture. Press remaining crumb mixture into pan. Spread filling evenly over crust. Sprinkle with reserved crust mixture. Bake 30 minutes or until golden on top.   
• Cool bars and drizzle icing over the top.