Oh poor neglected blog, poor neglected house, and dog, and oh everything really.  We’re working on so many many things and it’s been hard to keep up.  This time of year we pack seeds by the millions, we thresh seeds, we print and fold packages, we write descriptions, sort hundred of photographs of tomatoes, kick off marketing campaigns and it’s all very very busy.

This year things are a little more challenging, as I’m suffering from what I call why-do-they-call-it-morning-sickness-when-it-lasts-all-day-long-sickness? That’s right. Sometime at the end of this summer we should have a second baby.  While I’m a totally healthy low risk pregnancy sort of person, the first little bit is well, dreadful.  Temporary, but dreadful.

Well enough of this! The last few days have been better, the worst is over, and it’s time to get on top of things.  So while January was a total write off, February is my new year and I’m getting organized.  I have lots of posts written for the next few weeks, lots of local events planed, lots of new seeds, a farm to dream about and a garden to plan, hey! I might even make dinner.

Rebecca’s 2nd birthday was a smashing success, with splashing, swimming, bubbles and some pretty good food if I do so say so myself.

This is just a quick post to share our simple menu and a few cute photos that I couldn’t resist posting. For our guests, I’ll be sending you the photos of your families in the next few days since I can no longer keep track of who loves having their pictures here, who simply tolerates it and who’s husbands can’t stand it.

An old bed sheet and some daylilies with mint from the garden in your mother’s old vases can do wonders for your porch. Ryan and I made the bunting together last year for her first birthday, We sewed at night, out on the deck in the Toronto summer heat so we didn’t wake her up. 

By using the chalk board as a menu/back drop/cover up for our unfinished reno we were able to accommodate a variety of food restrictions, allergies and vegans. Lots of vegans. 

When we were on a strict elimination diet I would have loved to have gone to a party or picnic where 1st of all Rebecca and could eat something. Its really truly dreadful to go somewhere and not have anything to eat and 2nd to have not had to spend the whole time trying to figure out what I could possible eat.  So we simply kept the menu vegetarian and labeled all the foods based on their vegan/gluten free/soy free/nut free status. I even got to draw cute pictures of carrots.

Salad #1 Our Yogurt Dill Curry Mustard Potato Salad. Not Vegan, but delicious. Also clearly labeled as such.

Salad #2 Peas + Zucchini + Dill + Olive Oil & Lemon Juice is pretty much the best thing in the world. Add Feta if you’d like.  This one was gone in ten minutes.

Salad #4 Quinoa & Chickpeas with beets garlic and mint. Cook your Quinoa, then add chickpeas, then saute with garlic and mint.  Add cooked beets. Voila. Babies love Quinoa.

Last but not least, Salad #5.  Having a large number of nursing mothers in attendance I thought it was only fair to serve up the fennel salad from this post.  Keeping seasonal, we switched the fiddleheads for mushrooms.

 Then 6 toddlers and babies jumped in the pool in their best clothes and giant water-loged cloth diapers.  They all had their bathing suits with them but didn’t give any warning what so ever.

After an outfit change into her pinafore from the lovely bohdi handmade on etsy we had 100% organic Angel Food Cake from my grandmother’s Joy of Cooking. Served with whipped cream, cottage-made jam and perfect Ontario Peaches. We also had some fruit salad and peaches for those who needed an alternative.

 Then there was some of this followed by another toddler wading pool party.

Then some of this. What good little monkeys.  A good time was had by all.

Dearest Rebecca, today is your birthday.  

Here’s a picture of you being checked out by the midwives and being introduced to Hazel just a few minutes after your birth.  I’ve been trying to write a nice post for you all day but seeing as you are two now you’ve done all you can to stop me.  First there was the ice cream, then some swimming, trying to delete all your baby photos, helping yourself to the fridge and some chasing of cats.

At least we had one quite moment with the balloons this morning, right in the room you we’re born in. Looks like you’re staying up to celebrate the exact moment of your birth at 9:15, but I’ll need you to consider going to bed right after that please.

Love Mama, and Dadi who’s out walking the dog.

PS If you ever do go to bed I’ll post some birthday party pictures along with some recipes for great salad. Doesn’t that sound nice?