Cute little meatballs, more gardening, dinner

As I mentioned yesterday, International Day at O's school came upon me more quickly than I'd anticipated. I've yet to cut the myriad strips for Italian flag-making, but I have finished these darling little meatballs for the kids to taste as they visit my table. It's our favorite family recipe (the one I've gone on about in the past) minus the pork and whatever's left over -if any- will be happily devoured by my boys tomorrow night. It was another gorgeous day here today, and I planted my potatoes and a calla lily and finally got the hoses reconnected so that I could water everything. I decided to double down on the amount I planted of things that grew well and that I loved last year: more potatoes, more greens, and once it's warm enough, more beans/peas and all manner of small tomato.

Although I'm looking forward to a yummy dinner of white bean and tuna salad with fresh bread, I actively yearned throughout the day for more of those ethereally good ravioli I made last night. For the first time EVER, T made no mention of it being Meatless Monday. A pat on the back to me for making the carnivore happy without for a night!

A bit late

Oh my. I'm at the gym, happily reading my O magazine on the elliptical and I think, my goodness, isn't it thoughtful to already be mentioning Father's Day? I check the date and realize I'm reading the June 2011 issue, all new to me. I'm behind, and it's worse than I thought.

Seeds are sown

Literally. It's another gorgeous day here, so despite an annoying headache, I took myself outside and got busy planting rows of spinach, arugula, radicchio and a gorgeous butterhead lettuce variety. I can't wait to eat everything- have you ever picked lettuce and immediately made a salad? Nothing like it. Even if you've got just a small patch, really, even a large pot will suffice(!), pop some seeds in some nice soil in your sunniest spot and soon you will be glad you did. All these greens like cold/cool weather, so now's the time to sow. Likewise, if you've got a warm'ish, sunny windowsill, you can also get your herbs going inside. Get a spray bottle that shoots a fine mist (so you don't raze the seedlings when you water them), and keep the soil damp; when it's warm enough, you'll be ready to transplant these outside. Plant extra of the things you use often: parsley, mint, whatever floats your boat. Not only are they fresher when you pick right before using, I also find this to be quite cost-effective. Who wants to spend $1.99 on a bunch of organic parsley to watch some or most of it wilt and/or before you can get to it?

I'm really grooving on the idea of this mixed greens-goat cheese ravioli tonight. I might candy some lemon peel for a garnish...

Have I mentioned how nice it is to have a quiet house? Good lord, I love school days.