Day of Darkness

Seriously, everyone slept in due to the extremely dark, rainy weather. My photos have dark shadows no matter where I take them (nope, no lightbox, sorry...I'm lucky I can keep track of the camera). Outdoors I could snap lovely photos of giant mushrooms and mold and slugs and mosquito breeding pits. I don't recall "tropical rain forest" in the description of our property when we bought it seven years ago! Soon we'll be able to call it waterfront property if this rain doesn't let up.

Nevertheless, the boys went to farm camp amidst thunder and downpour, spending most of the day on blankets doing projects under the big share pickup tent. They went out briefly in between storm cells to hunt for worms.

They used their new
Wrap-N-Mats for their
sandwiches today. A bit
steep at $5.99 a piece from
Stop & Shop, but a really
neat idea. They're just a
cotton print on one side
with a velcro tab attached,
and a layer of plastic inside.
Just wipe it off if it's just
got a few crumbs, or give it
a rinse if it's messy. And
best of all, when it's unfolded
you have an automatic
placemat for your food. I'm
sure those who sew could
make these in a jiffy.
Ryan & AJ's lunches: smoked Tofurky, soy cheese, lettuce, mustard, Vegannaise sandwiches on 12-grain bread; empty bowls for Stone Soup; red lentils to add to Stone Soup; a sidecar bento for sharing of snap pea crisps, new pickles, & black raspberries.

At home I spent much of the day cooking up farm food. I also made this quick dish for lunch while stuff was cooking. It's a recipe that easy to pull out of the pantry when pressed for time, and a favourite for potlucks...

Black Bean & Corn Salad

2 cans black beans, rinsed
& drained
1 can corn (or 2 cups fresh
or frozen corn), drained
1/2 of a green bell pepper,
diced
1/2 of a red bell pepper, diced
1/2 a seedless cucumber (or remove seeds), chopped
2 green onions, chopped

1/8 cup olive oil
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. sugar
1/2-1 tsp. hot sauce
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Mix first 6 ingredients in a large bowl.
In a small measuring cup, mix remaining ingredients. Pour into bowl & toss well. Chill.