summer!!

May will be here soon. First we will celebrate our May Day Baby's Golden Birthday. Then Hendrix will start T Ball, graduate from preschool, and rush into SUMMER! And since I'm a planner...here's our plan:

Go Rollerskating For Free
Visit ALL Of The Splash Pads
See Art At Joslyn For Free
Go Bowling For Free
Partake In Kiddie Happy Hour
Eat Smores
Conduct Science Experiments
Go To The Zoo
Visit The UNL/Backyard Farmer Garden
Feed Ducks At Schramm Park
Go On Safari
Watch Movies Outside For Free
Pick Strawberries, Blueberries, and Raspberries
Build Something For Free
Buy Veggies, Eat Breakfast, and Get Balloon Animals
See Our Customers/Friends At Our Own Farm Stands
Play T Ball
Set Up Twister In The Lawn
Visit Some Passport Locations
Do Summer Reading Club
Host BBQs
Get Invited To BBQs ;)
Rent A Bouncy House Just Because
Sarpy County Fair
Have A Staycation At Coco Keys
Build A Children's Garden
Slide Down The Big Slides
Go Paddle Boating At Mahoney
Catch Fish At Salt Creek
Camp In The Backyard
Visit Morrill Hall
Make A Water Blob
Go To Open Gym At The Community Center
Make A Hula Hoop Tent
Go Swimming
Walk Around At The Summer Arts Festival
Papio Days
Gretna Parade
Visit Our Favorite Muesum
Check Out A New To Us Farmer's Market
Go To A Block Party

why you should prebake sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are delicious and super good for you. Not everyone is a fan, though. Including my hubs. Bad news is...I'm still pushing them every chance I get. Because they are delicious and versatile. If you're the type of home cook who likes to prepare some stuff at the start of the week to help streamline the dinner process throughout the rest of the week then I highly suggest you add pre baking sweet potatoes to your to do list. They keep in a Ziploc bag for about 5 days. Here's five things you can do with them...

Have one for breakfast! Warm it up. Slice it, add Greek yogurt, real maple syrup, and nuts. You just had a veggie for breakfast.

Scoop it out and chop it up. Warm it up with some premade lentils and/or bulgur. Or any grain will do. Make a mustard-y dressing, toss a handfuls of fresh herbs, and feta or goat cheese. Viola! You just made an awesome lunch or side dish for dinner.

Scoop it out and spread it on a quesadilla. Add kale, salsa, and cheese. Broil in the oven for about 5 -7 minutes. You just made dinner.

Put last night's leftover pulled pork or shredded pork taco filling on top.  Leftovers made fancy!

Scoop it out. Mash it up with chicken broth, a bit of butter, and S&P to taste. Warm it up and serve it with grilled chicken and a green veg like kale or Brussels sprouts. Best dinner ever.

FAQ: weekly bounty boxes 2014

This week Spring is REALLY here. We'll installing our chicken coop, drip irrigation, some herbs, and greens. Which means that Weekly Bounty Box time is almost here. Our hope is, with cooperation from Mother Nature, that we can begin sales mid to late May. In the meantime, lots of folks have been signing up to get first dibs and asking questions about the Weekly Bounty Boxes (WBB). So I thought I'd answer some in a post.

How much?
Boxes will start at $30/week. WBB include enough veggies to prepare 5 dinners for a family of four. We also provide the 5 recipes and grocery list. We're hoping that some weeks we'll be able to add eggs and/or pork.

Where is pick up?
At our farm in Gretna or in Midtown near the Hanscom Park Neighborhood

How do we sign up?
Email clementinespandp@gmail.com and request to be on our Newsletter. We will send a Newsletter out every week. It will include a picture of the WBB and price. Recipients can choose to purchase and choose their pick up time/location. Quantities are limited every week. So get on the Newsletter List for first dibs.

Are you a CSA?
No. A CSA means Community Supported Agriculture. Which means customers pay upfront to support a farm. Customers are investors in the farm. Which means they often absorb losses, as well. Today's busy lifestyle isn't always a good match for a CSA so we offer a more Pick and Choose Option. Our Weekly Bounty Boxes are just that...Bountiful. We only sell Boxes that allow our customers to prepare five dinners.

Do you take Credit Cards?
Yes.  Card purchases may be made through our Blog or Facebook. The order will be processed after you make your purchase online. We are unable to process Credit Cards at pickup.

Can I buy veggies from you without buying a Weekly Bounty Box? 
Yes. We will have a farm stand at our place on Thursdays and Fridays. There will also be Pop Up Markets in Midtown Omaha throughout the season. Check our Facebook page and this Blog for weekly updates on Market dates and available produce.

What are you growing? 
Here's our growing list:
http://clementinesproduceandprovisions.blogspot.com/2014/03/2014-growing-list.html

Why are there limited quantities?
Mother Nature, man. We grow an acre of produce very efficiently. Our sweet corn is sold by our friends, Sarah and David. The weather is in charge.

Can I add more veggies to my WBB?
Yes. If you have more mouths to feed that week, let me know. I will adjust your box quantities and price.

Can you come cook for us, too?
No and yes. I will do most anything for the right price. ;)
....
Any more questions?
Email us or comment on our Facebook page.
Thanks Y'all!

2014 growing list

The seeds are ordered and arriving. Some are started. Lists are being made. Garden plans drawn. The 2014 growing season is upon us. Here's what we'll be growing...in no particular order:

Beets
Yukon Gold Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Sweet Peppers
Hot Peppers
Okra
Amish Muskmelon
Cucumbers
French Filet Green Beans
Fava Beans
Collards
Chard
Kale
Cabbage
Napa Cabbage
Corn Salad Greens
Oak Leaf and Buttercrunch Lettuce
Spinach
Black Diamond Watermelon
Shallots
Leeks
Crenshaw Melons
Sweet Peas
Snow Peas
Radishes
Scallop Squash
Zucchini
Butternut Squash
Acorn Squash
Delicata Squash
Spaghetti Squash
Eggplant
Basil
Tarragon
Oregano
Parsley
Mint
Thyme
Chive
Cilantro
Rhubarb
Berries
Zinnias
Bells of Ireland
Hollyhocks
Hops for Homebrew
AND Sweet Corn from Sarah and David

We're looking forward to trying out a few new varieties, but sticking with proven winners too. To receive first dibs on our Weekly Bounty Boxes please email us to get on our newsletter list.

coming soon...weekly bounty box

Not feeling like you can or want to commit to a CSA? Weather you travel a lot during summer or don't cook often every, single week...or are a picky veggie eater (you know who you are)...we offer you the Weekly Bounty Box! Every week you'll be offered the chance to purchase a box full of veggies, recipes to make them delicious, and a shopping list to make it easy. Bounty Boxes will available for pick up at our farm or in Midtown Omaha. Payment can be made beforehand with a card or cash payments can be made at pickup. Newsletter recipients get first dibs and there will be limited quantities so sign up to receive our newsletter. Email clementinespandp@gmail.com. Eat local without committing to more than you want. 

an open (love) letter to my son on his fifth birthday

Dear Baby Boy,
You're FIVE! Five! I have been completely avoiding thinking about it. Five feels like the end of an era to me.  No more babydom. We're out of clothes sized with a "T" after the number size. You are size 6 in the boys section. We're almost out of toddler sized shoes. You're a size 11 now.  You have long gave up your beloved dinosaur sippy cup that you drank your morning chocolate milk out of for years. You prefer an open Spiderman cup now. You've been a big brother for almost a year now. And, not to my surprise, you are the best big brother who ever lived.  Being a nurturer is your nature. What a lovely trait for you to have. It will get you a lot of good places in this life. I promise. Because with nurturing comes empathy and kindness.  You make this world better by being you.  You make me better by being you.
You make our family, my boy.  With your birth you made me a mother.  We all fell in love with each other.  We stuck by each other.  You make us a family where laughter happens everyday. Where laughing at ourselves is encouraged. You remind us to slow down and enjoy Family Movie Night.  You make us look up and admire the animal bones you find.  You help us listen as we listen to you giggle with Violet Alice. You are an intergal part of this family being human. Making mistakes.  Forgiving. Loving. Laughing. Sharing.  With your birth we learned that loving and being loved were the bread and butter of this life.
Your kindness, desire to stand up for others, sense of humor, and willingness to contribute continue to be your best characteristics.  Your father and I are constantly in awe of your kindness.  Your show of love, daily, to your sister is enough to melt my heart.  May you both always love each other this much.
Somedays I miss the afternoons where I would sing to you to get you to nap.  Other days I miss your pudgy fingers.  A lot of days I miss you being my baby.  Then you, with your sweet heart, tell me that you will always be my baby.  With the first child, parents tend to not stop and smell the roses enough.  I certainly did not.  Now I try to more. For instance, you recently learned about the planets in preschool.  You are now totally stoked about learning anything to do with outer space.  I absolutely love to hear you talk about things you are excited about.
Speaking of, this year you will be playing T-ball.  I am absolutely pumped to watch you play.  I could care less if you hit the ball or catch one.  I just want you to have fun with your friends.  I want you to enjoy yourself. You have been to known to be your own worst critic when you don't immediately succeed at something.  This year you have done a much better job, though.  And that makes me more proud than anything else.  Because if you try and try you will get better and then you will get really good. Ask anybody.
Five will bring lots of good things for you.  I just know it.  What an incredible five years it has been already.  For me, they have been the fastest, most love-filled, and fulfilling years of my life.  You continue to teach this family what life is really about and I have no doubt you will continue to do so. Happy Birthday,Hendrix.
With More Love Than I Knew Was Possible,
Mom

(letters for age 2, 3, and 4)

7 tips to be a successful novice gardener

Image from ellaclaireblog.blogspot.com

We believe anyone can grow food. We also believe that it can be fun. And we know it is incredibly satisfying. However, like anything, it does require planning, practice, and a desire to learn by doing.  Over the years we have figured out that there are 7 things folks should do before they plant their garden. We've talked a lot about gardening here and in people's backyards, but these 7 things are really all you need to know and do.

Sunny Spot

Seems obvious, I know. But I have seen one too many gardens fail because they were not getting enough Sun. Go for 8 hours of sunlight. Sun is food, man.

Access to Water

If you have to haul around a heavy hose or make fifty trips with the watering can you may want to get better equipment. Or pick a new spot. All that work to water on a hot summer morning won't help grow your love of gardening.  Procrastinating with the watering (because it's too much work) won't help grow your garden, either.

Easy to Weed

Weeds are the farthest from our minds in May as we place our sweet little plants in the ground. Then the crabgrass and purslane threatens to take over in July and you just want to cry.  Container gardens and small raised beds are a cinch to weed.  Plastic mulch in the larger gardens is incredibly helpful and how a lot large scale producers operate.

Insect, Fungus and Pest Prevention/Treatment Plan

Do you have rabbits? Tons of birds? Does your neighbor's garden have a cabbage worm problem every year? Plan accordingly. Put up a fence or netting, if needed, while setting up in the Spring. Research your options for treating insects and fungus. Do you want to go organic? Make your choices BEFORE there is an issue. Then you are less likely to be left scrambling to save your garden. All gardens face one of these issues during the growing season. Preparation will mean you're eating good ALL season long.

Starter Plants

For novice gardeners I highly recommend buying starter plants as opposed to starting from seed and transplanting. Obviously, some varieties you will need to start from seed. Like radishes, carrots, etc. Buy your starter plants from a reputable nursery in your area. Stick with the plants in the outdoor area of the nursery center. They have acclimated to the environment and will have a better success rate. Buying plants from a local nursery means (most of the time) that those varieties are good option for your area.

Limit What You Grow

Take a moment to consider what your household consumes. Are you always buying greens and tomatoes at the Farmer's Market? Or perhaps you are the only one who likes beets. Think about what you all can logically consume, put up, &/or give away during the season. You don't want to be pawning off 4 foot zucchini all summer long. Once you have a list, make sure your garden space can handle it. Your people may LOVE sweet potatoes, but if you have a container garden on your balcony, sweet potato growing isn't going to work. It's  just as easy to get overwhelmed harvesting as it is to over buy at the nursery. Restraint will make you a successful gardener.

Amend Your Soil As Needed

Invest in a soil tester. Test your pH levels. Research what the preferred pH is for your chosen varieties.  Add compost to enrich the soil and decide on fertilizers, if needed. Till garden to loosen up soil.