Invitation by Shel Silverstien

If you are a dreamer, come in
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer...
If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire,
Cause I have some flax golden tales to spin,
Come in!
Come in!

Go here if you are all or any of these things.

Vegetarian and Delicious

I love the book (sadly out of print) "The Clueless Vegetarian". It's loaded with classic, easy recipes and ideas. I made this today, and served it with a spicy dal, and with Vanessa's Apple and Green Tomatoe Chutney. It was the perfect combination, everyne loved it, and I do believe it is a new favorite.

Indian Vegetable Pilau

5 TBsp butter (I use olive oil)
2 onions
1 " stick cinnamon
1 TBsp chopped fresh ginger
4 cups mixed, diced fresh vegetables, whatever combination, depending on what is in your fridge--potaoes, sweet potatoes, peas, carrots, green or red peppers, cauliflower, green beans, zucchini, cooked chick peas. It's a great way to use of the dribs and drabs before you do a grocery run.
(I used cauliflower, carrots and cooked spaghetti squash).
2 1/2 cups basmati, or long grain rice, raw
1 tsp turmeric
4 cups water
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup raisins

Heat the oil in large pot and cook onions till golden. Add cinnamon and ginger, stir then add all the vegetables, the rice and the turmeric. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring.
Add water and salt and bring to a boil. Turn heat down very low, cover pot and cook 20 - 25 minutes, till water is absorbed.
Fluff pilau with a fork, and add raisins. Let sit a few minutes before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

It is such a beautiful golden colour, with an incredible flavour that goes with any other Indian dish, or is great as a side dish. Wonderful the next day, heated up. It is so healthy (I know...I should say healthful) loaded with vegetables, and with a nice dal it is a complete protein.

If you can get any of the "Clueless..." books I highly recommend them. I have Clueless in the Kitchen, and The Clueless Baker too. They are a great introduction to basic cookery that explains how to begin cooking real food from scratch. The aim of the books is to show that cooking is something everyone can do. It assumes little prior knowledge, but all the recipes are fantastic, and not intimidating.

Jamie would be proud!

Marrow for Mike Fund Raiser

Here are some of the prizes for the fundraiser for my brother.

These are baskets I made up with the beautiful products made by the Creations From Eden swap group. They looked so gorgeous in the baskets, and the bidding was fierce.

This basket was mostly baby products from Autumn and Sage. I did it in a mini suitcase, and all the future grandmas at the sale were in a bidding war for it.

A friend of a friend ended up with both of these. I am still jealous!

I'm so thrilled with the enthusiasm of the community, and with the generosity of people who donated prizes, bid on items, and supported my brother. We're counting the days till the transplant. It's happening on April 1st. The secret fund raiser project has been revealed to him, and I honestly don't know which means more..the $40,000 raised, or the outpouring of love and support from so many wonderful people.