We had such a busy, but productive, day yesterday! It was nice and warm outside, and since the weather is forecasting rain today, we wanted to get a lot done!
A visitor!
Yep, we have regular birds at our hummingbird feeders .. but we have had a couple of hummingbirds!
Sammy likes to watch over everything….
We also got started on some gardening, finally! Living at 9000 feet elevation, our growing season is so short, because it usually is June before we can plant anything outside! I decided to start some lettuce, spinach and kale, and just see how it does.
Marking the rows :
Just make sure you keep track of what you plant! I have this notebook that I keep track of everything from year to year … I am pretty good about it in the beginning of the season, and kind of fall off the bandwagon later in the summer..
Kombucha helps!
This is a new bird feeder … an early birthday present! Although in typical bird fashion, I don’t think we had a single bird customer all day … oh well, hopefully they will come!
Lots of work means you need lots of energy! I cooked up some beans in the crockpot overnight, and then assembled this casserole.
Quinoa and Sweet Potato Bake
Adapted from sparkpeople.com
Print this recipe!
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups cooked black beans (or 1-14.5 can of cooked beans, drained and rinsed)
1 large sweet potato, peeled and shredded
1 – 14.5 ounce can of fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp smoked paprika
salt/pepper
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
First, cook the quinoa – combine 1 cup quinoa, 1 garlic clove, and cover with water. Cook over medium heat until the water is absorbed – 20 to 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In the same saucepan, add the beans, shredded sweet potato, tomatoes, and spices. Stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Place in a greased casserole dish (I used an 8×8 square baking dish).
Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and add the cheese.
Bake another 10 minutes – just to melt the cheese.
So good and filling after a day of working outside!
I had made some cilantro bean dip, that worked well as a topping!
White Bean and Cilantro Dip
Print this recipe!
2 cups white northern beans, cooked
1 cup cilantro
2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
2 tbsp water, as needed, to thin it out
salt to taste
Combine all ingredients in the food processor and pulse to combine. Add water as needed, to thin out to your desired consistency.
I also canned some stock! Busy day!
But, it feels good to get so much accomplished! Tomorrow is the big birthday day, and I will be sharing the awesome cake I made! Happy Friday!
This is being shared with Fit and Fabulous Fridays, Monday Mania, and Fat Tuesday.
That looks fantastic, I really prefer sweet potatoes to have some spice to them, so this would be great!
We have out some bird feeders and haven’t had too many visitors…maybe soon!
Sam recently posted..Christmas in May
We have had more bird visitors today … it is like they have to learn where the feeders are and tell their friends
This is great, Jane! We just remembered that we had some sweet potatoes in the cold storage and were trying to think of ways to use them up. (They store great) And I have everything to make this in the pantry. Guess what we’ll be having for lunch tomorrow? Thanks!
Jane recently posted..BLISS!
Thanks, Jane, hope you like it! I’m trying to use what I have this weekend, and not have to buy extra stuff, so this worked great! I’m glad to hear they store well … I’m going to try and grow some this summer, I hope they do well!
I love that chipmunk pic! And YES for gardening! Greens are always a good choice for a short growing season–can’t wait to see how yours grow! And THANK YOU for the reminder to write down what/where I’ve planted everything, that will be so handy to have next summer.
Allie recently posted..Future Food on Friday
Yes, I have learned a lot since living up here .. cold weather crops definitely do better!
It took a few days for the birds to find our feeder, now it is quite popular! That sweet potato dish looks awesome. Have a great weekend.
Rhonda recently posted..Favorite Things #20 – Corn on the cob
Oh my goodness, Sammy is such a cutie! You’ve been a busy lady and I love kombucha too! The casserole is MEGA yum.
Veronica recently posted..The Truth
Thanks Veronica! Sammy is a cutie
This looks amazing, found it on Amee’s Savory Dish:Fit and Fabulous Fridays.
I will def. be saving this one.
Denise recently posted..Judge not…
Thank you so much!
So nice that it is warm enough to garden now…
If you feed them…they will come. I’ve yet to see a hummingbird this spring. Love that shot of the chipmunk!
Lea Ann recently posted..Campechana, Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
We actually have had some hummingbirds, I do have a picture, I just haven’t posted it yet! The chipmunk picture would be one my hubby took … he got me a telephoto lens for Christmas, we have been looking forward to spring coming so we can take lots of bird/animal pictures!
I love everything about this. The recipes, the birds, and especially the chipmunk!
TastefullyJulie recently posted..{Moosewood Monday} 6-Minute Chocolate Cake
ahh, thank you so much!
Making this tonight. Keep the quinoa recipes coming!
KQD @Roots and Wings recently posted..Habitat for Humanity and a Dear John Letter
Thanks! I do my quinoa
I adore this quinoa dish!!! I can’t wait to try it! I love your watch dog, too. He’s precious. I have had tremendous luck with growing kale. It is very easy to grow and maintain. We had a mild winter in Georgia, so I have been eating off mine since the fall.
Thank you for sharing at Fit and Fabulous Fridays!!
I just love anything with sweet potatoes. And I love that you had a visitor too.
Kimberly Montgomery recently posted..Ranger Raccoon
Thanks!
It was pretty cool!