Linked 52:Vegetables

Vegetables.

I love them, but not for obvious reasons. Because lets face it. I do not eat enough of them. Honestly, they aren't my favorite.

I am more apt to eat them if they are prepared for me. What is it about a nice big salad prepared by someone else that is just absolutely delicious? If I make it....it's just not as good. Maybe that's just me.

I typically am in a rut as to what kind I eat too. Green beans and carrots. Probably the most eaten vegetables by me. I cannot wait for summer...it brings me to the farmer's market. Where I just love to go so I can oogle at all of the freshness....

I digress.

I love vegetables more for sentimental reasons. They remind me of certain people and moments I have shared with those people.

People near and dear to my heart.

For example, vegetables remind me of a moment that was shared between my sister, my mom, Owen and I a couple of years ago. That moment can be seen here.
My mom is a gardener, an excellent one at that.  That year, she was in charge of a community garden.  She helped people plot and plan their own vegetable gardens.  At the end of the summer, the vegetables were bountiful! One day, we got down on our hands and knees and harvested.  Harvested loads of vegetables.  Owen had A BLAST.  What boy would not love getting down on their knees and digging in the dirt?!  Give him a job and he delivers.  Looking back at these photos...I see his grin.  He was in heaven.  I will forever remember that moment...because of vegetables.

Vegetables remind me of my dear sisters.  Both vegetarian. Both have taught me that you can be creative with food.   My youngest sister cooked for me when she visited this year.  The meal you ask??  Roasted veggies (carnival squash, carrots, parsnips, onions, potatoes) atop a plate of fresh salad greens with a homemade vinaigrette.  Simple but insanely delicious.  I am learning to be more like them.   I strive to be more like them.

Vegetables also remind me of my youngest sister for one other reason.  She is a farmer....she works in the dirt day in and day out.  She has sifted her hands through the soil of Maine and is now sifting her hands through the soil of Washington.  Planting and harvesting.  Creating CSA boxes for others who love vegetables as well.   A life so different from mine. One that intrigues me, one that I don't know I could live.  But a life that I would love to experience for just a few days.  To see what it's like.  To work so hard. To put all of your love and your labor into that earth.....

and then reap the benefits of the love and labor.....

to see and to taste your accomplishments...

This is why I love vegetables.

So, where are the photos you ask?

Well, in my own little way, I am doing my own labor of love when it comes to vegetables.  I make my own baby food.  I did this for Owen and am doing it for Max.  The idea sounded daunting at first. But really, it is so easy!  Cook them up in a pot, puree them, and freeze them in tiny cubes. Voila!
Now, I don't make every single thing. I still buy some baby food.  But, fruits and veggies that are easily accessible fresh or frozen I try to make.  Because Max is just starting out on solids I've only made a few....this week, it was carrots...

so pictured below are the carrots waiting to be prepped...

and the baby food I've made already.....

beans, peas, and sweet potato.

YUM.

ok--that was long winded...

without further ado....

p.s. I never said I was a food photographer. ha!

Go check out all of the other lovely ladies participating!

Stacey, Michelle, Tracey, Heather, Andrea, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Heidi, Heather, Liza, Amy, & Jean