Kitchen Witchery

Being a bit of a foodie (or at least as much of a foodie as a vegetarian can be) the kitchen has always been a magical place for me. Like painting, cooking is a creative endeavor; something done with lots of love, and a wish not only to nourish but to nurture family and friends...

We're fortunate to live in a place with some of richest farmland and freshest produce in the country, which makes cooking even more of a pleasure. So every once in a while (like this morning) I take a break from the painting to visit one of the local farm markets and pick up provisions. Here's one of my favorites, just a couple of miles away....


This is the view of the main road from the parking lot. Check out the old water pump in the front yard of the house across the street. It's one of my favorite houses - whitewashed, with a bright red door, and sit sits right on the Conestoga Creek...

Oops - sorry, getting off topic, hehe. Back to the market....

Although they weren't on my list, I just couldn't resist these blueberries - the plan is to freeze them for smoothies, but I may just have to set a few aside for blueberry muffins. ;)


And the green beans - yummmmmm....steamed crisp-tender and served with a splash of lemon juice.


And watermelon - summer's perfect food! I found a recipe for watermelon salad I've been dying to try, with feta cheese, cucumber, cilantro and red onion - almost like a watermelon salsa.


And finally, a post about Lancaster County farm markets and local food just wouldn't be complete without showing you a local delicacy - the whoopee pie.


Two cake-like cookies filled with a shortening and sugar concoction sure to send children bouncing off the walls for hours. Now, what I'm about to say is sacrilege, but I really don't understand the appeal of these things. Unless you're like, five years old or something....Can't say that too loud around here though - disliking whoopee pies is like, well - like disliking scrapple, or red velvet cake (also guilty!)... But to get back to my original point, the produce in this area is truly amazing.

Well okay, and the snickerdoodles. ;)

I also have to share, with the spirit of kitchen magic in mind, I painted another kitchen witch piece this week! I'm loving the plum, turquoise blue and sage green combination....

This one is listed on eBay now, on just a three day auction. Look for more kitchen witchery as autumn approaches - a witch's pantry is waiting in the wings too. :)

That's about it for now.....Back to the kitchen I go (thought I was going to say back to the studio, didn't you?!) Actually, we're hosting a little gathering tomorrow, and I'm baking a batch of chai-latte cupcakes for dessert. Easy to carry around outside, and no need to wash dessert plates, hehe.

However you're spending it, I wish you all a magical and creative weekend!

♥ Carolee