I am ever so grateful for the beautiful sunshine that was warming my skin today as I walked outside removed my mask and breathed in deeply. I always enjoy sunshine more than any other weather so I look forward to the days like these. Sunshine is only one of the signs of spring being on the way. In my kitchen window I have some jars with sweet potatoes that are chitting! This means that I was successful at getting them to grow some roots so that I may plant them outside after threat of frost is over.
I have also been able to harvest more food from the garden weekly. Just the other morning I cut some fresh spinach and green onions to throw into some scrambled eggs, sauteed mushrooms and cheddar cheese for some nice breakfast wraps. Last night I made a Tuscan soup that had some fresh picked baby kale with sauce I canned from my tomatoes last summer. This soup was delicious and simple in the Instant Pot, it has white beans, onion, celery, carrot, garlic and spices and I served it along side some toasted sourdough.
I transplanted some baby pak choy into the garden this weekend. They are a food plant that doesn't mind the cooler weather. Some of my tomatoes are germinated under the lights too. My plan is to keep planting in succession to keep the harvest season going as long as I can. I hope that I can stop relying on purchases of most produce this year and still have some leftover to preserve. I am always so excited to get going on the garden again but this year seems so much more exciting and necessary even.
I also started my first batches of food on the dehydrator. Freezer space is limited and I would like to have some more shelf stable foods that don't require canning. So, I just started dehydrating some frozen mixed veggies and sliced mushrooms that I bought in bulk. I also plan on doing some celery, onion, bell pepper, and carrots this week. I use a lot of these foods in my cooking so by dehydrating them I will always have them on hand, and I can use them to make meals that are good for backpacking.
Speaking of backpacking, I brought that up recently to the husband. I want to start getting outside and hitting the trails again whether we are just walking, biking or chasing waterfalls. I also look forward to my first foraging adventure for mushrooms, fishing, crabbing and just about anything that involves being outdoors again. It is time to embrace the next changing of the seasons, and appreciate it for all its wonders.