Pickled Radishes

As the farmers markets fill up with fresh local produce it doesn't take long for this housewife to start thinking of the pickling and preserving opportunities.
I'm in need of a few new tools before I fully embark on the canning mayhem that will eventually consume my kitchen this summer. So until then I'll be making lots of "refrigerator" pickles that aren't shelf stable and will last about a month or two in my fridge. If they last that long without being eaten...

If you love radishes and have never had a pickled one, you need to make a jar of these little pink beauties right away.

Pasta with Asparagus and Goat Cheese

Here it is. You're new favourite spring/summer meal. It takes barely any time to make and forever to forget. Truthfully I can't believe I've withheld this from you for so long.

I discovered Smitten Kitchen during the winter of 2008 and when spring rolled around and Deb revealed this winner of a dish I was officially head over heels. We've made this every spring and summer since then, experimenting along the way. 

Pretty much right off the bat we substituted dill for the tarragon, added bacon and have never looked back. Go make this. Right now.

Striped Elastic Waist Skirt

Aah, there's nothing like the sweet simplicity of pastel stripes. I've only been wearing this skirt for maybe 20 minutes but I already feel like I should be skipping down the street in the sunshine enjoying an ice cream cone. 

I don't know why it's taken me so long to make such a simple skirt. I added a second elastic band to try to make the waist band look a bit wider. I would love the look of a third, but feel silly using so much elastic for no purpose other than appearance.

Spring Potato Salad

I just couldn't resist trying out Smitten Kitchen's newest potato salad recipe. Asparagus, pickled green onions, and a mustard vinaigrette? Are you kidding me? That sounds amazing! It's truly a salad of my dreams.

I made this for myself while my husband was away and didn't change a thing except for omitting the peas because they're not available yet. This time I made it for my husbands lunch and knowing he might not be terribly excited at the sight of potatoes in his salad, I added some bacon to try to lure him in. Turns out it was a fabulous addition to this flavourful salad.

High Waisted Button-up Skirt

The more summer clothes I pull out of storage, the more I realize I have a lot of short skirts and dresses that just don't feel appropriate in this warm-but-not-hot-yet weather of ours. I feel like the only way I can get away with showing that much leg is if it's 30 degrees out. So here I am with another longer, and more demure skirt. 

This was another sewing project that started off with very little thought put into it and just kind of designed itself. All I knew was that I didn't have any zippers short enough so it was going to have to have a button closure. The button placement is a bit wonky, but hey it was my first time making a button-up skirt so I'm okay with that.  

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble

Dear Strawberries and Rhubarb

You make such a wonderful pair, I hope you two never part. 

Sincerely, 

Your biggest fan

Kale Chips

I really wasn't sure what to expect these to taste like. I knew they probably wouldn't actually be very chip-like but other than that I had no idea. 

They look a lot like dried leaves...and sort of taste that way too, but in a good way.

I think it's safe to say that kale chips are one of those foods that is mainly a vehicle for salt. Which I'm totally okay with.