Down in North Carolina- Be Right Back

I haven't had the opportunity to blog much lately because I'm interning on a farm down near Asheville, NC.  If you want to see what's going on you can check out my daily photo on Instagram. 

New shop - DWesleyphotoandframe

Hi all!  If you've loved some of the photos on my blog by David Wesley, now you can get prints of your own at his shop.  Its just now coming together so more will be added in the near future, including custom picture frames.  I'm curious, are there photos on his Flickr that you would like to see for sale in his shop?

I have this one on my wall.  Love it!  Photo by David Wesley

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DWesleyphotoandframe

Foodie Friday - Inspired by my trip to the South

I went to Atlanta, Georgia to visit my cousin LeAnna and my friend Kyle.  While down there I picked up some interesting food stuffs.  My dishes are a little southern inspired, a little world inspired.

Ginger soy pig ears

Photo by David Wesley

Cajun style frog legs

Photo by David Wesley

Cajun style frog legs

Photo by David Wesley

Nigerian akras made with black eyed peas

Photo by David Wesley

Wild reishi

Found these beauties in Marquette Michigan last weekend.  They were perfect and bigger than my palm.  I've grown my own reishi but its so much less work just happening upon them in the woods.

Yellow drop stitch cowl

I'm happy to say that it will soon be too warm to wear this cowl, but I wanted to show you before it got packed away for the summer.  I fell in love with this pattern when I saw a friend post the one she knit.  Its the drop stitch cowl by Spider Woman Knits.  You can get the pattern for free on Ravelry.com.  Graciously modeled here by my roomie.  I used Patons classic wool roving yarn.

Photos by David Wesley

Striped Large Bowl

Going to play catch up and post some pieces I've had done for months now.  I have some exciting ceramics related news coming up!  This is a wheel thrown medium sized bowl that is perfect for pho.  

Photos by David Wesley

Foodie Friday - Sprouted Lentils

     I made lentil soup and boosted the nutritional level a bit by sprouting the lentils first.  Soaking also makes the legumes release phytic acid which is good because we can't digest it.  Phytic acid is also an anti-nutrient, meaning that it binds to minerals in our foods and makes it so we can't absorb them.  Weed 'em and Reap has a good article explaining the benefits of sprouting and soaking different foods here.  There is also a great infographic on how long to soak different seeds and nuts.

     Sprouting is very simple.  All I have here is a mason jar with a sprouting lid that has holes for straining.  After soaking, you just rinse twice a day and let the excess moisture drain from the upside down jar for a couple days.  The lids only cost a couple dollars but I imagine if you're the DIY type you could drill little holes in a lid you have or cut a circle of craft canvas to go under a regular jar ring.

Sprouted lentils are also a great treat for chickens in the winter when they can't scratch and peck for other greens and bugs.