About Tricia

I am Tricia. Momma of nine, homeschooler, artist, foodie and maker of all kinds of things. It's a pleasure to share here our family homesteading adventures, the things we make, and what inspires our days. Read more about my family and work here. Thanks for visiting!

Author Archive | Tricia

Happy 2nd Blogiversary to CCM and a whole week of giveaways and guests

By Tricia on March 27, 2011 in giveaways, Happy Blogiversary

Woo-hooooooo. Today we are two years old. In those two years so much has happened around here and I have been fortunate enough to share it with all of you. Thank you so much for reading my little blog, for your comments and ideas and for shaking me out of my sleep when I have fallen off the blogging wagon.

To celebrate…..I am going to be having a whole week of giveaways and guests!!!!! You are all invited to my party. I am super excited to have some amazing bloggers including one which has been my inspiration to really push myself and get my little farm to the next step for the last 6 years. A little hint: they grow most of their own food, live in Pasadena, and have been in the news, internet and on TV for the last few years including Private Chefs of Beverly Hills and have so generously offered a pretty cool giveaway to one of my readers. Stay tuned to find out who it is. Please do not forget to visit EVERY day because there will be lots of celebrating around here. We are going to be giving away so many cool things and posting lots of cool ideas.

A side note: I know I have lots of visitors every day because I can track who visits and if I miss something or neglect this blog I do get emails from some of you, but if you do not comment it gets lonely on here everyday for me. So if you like my posts, tutorials or ideas or you want to see more tutorials or giveaways then please do not forget to comment. Good or bad, I want to hear from you, otherwise I would just have a private blog open to my immediate family only. I choose to share my life with all of you so if you could please hold me up with some emails or comments I sure would appreciate it. Help me to make the beginning of my third year the best!

(Picture of amazing felt cake by Silvia Leite)

Comments { 5 }

Meatless Friday Meal- Garbanzo bean soup aka Hummus Soup

By Tricia on March 26, 2011 in Meatless Friday, Recipes

This weeks meal comes from Angela Liddons blog Oh She Glows. It is so delicious!!! If you like hummus, I promise you will love this soup. Super fast, nutritious and delicious plus not hard on the pocket book

Here’s what you’ll need:

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion finely chopped (about 1 cup)
2 tbsps fresh squeezed lemon juice
4 cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups vegetable stock
2 cups water
2 tbsp tahini (if you don’t have any, I have made hummus without it so it would probably still taste as good)
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 bay leafs
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt, or more to taste
To garnish, olive oil, lemon juice and pine nuts (if you have them on hand, toasted)

In a large skillet, add extra virgin olive oil. Add in the chopped onion and cook over medium heat for several minutes stirring often. After a few minutes, add in the minced garlic and stir. Lower to medium low. Cook for about 8-10 minutes.

Add cumin, salt, bay leaves and lemon juice. Stir well and continue to cook over low-medium heat for another 5-6 minutes.

Add the vegetable broth, 1 cup of water, tahini and chickpeas. Stir well and bring to a boil. Once it boils, reduce heat and simmer for another 7-9 minutes or so.

Remove from heat and let it cool down slightly. Remove the bay leaves and blend in the blender until smooth. Be careful not to burn yourself if it splatters.

Pour into bowls and garnish with lemon juice, olive oil and paprika. If you have those pine nuts toasted they add a nice touch. Don’t forget a nice hunk of homemade bread.