One of my favourite ways to eat potatoes: boiled with the skin on, then cut in half and/or into quarters and fried in a cast iron frying pan with butter and avocado oil and seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder. I also love adding lots of onion slices and frying them with the potatoes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or dried herbs. Serve with homemade mayo.
Only zinnias in pots for me successfully this year. But I found a volunteer basil plant near the alley that’s fairing far better than the potted one if my porch! Unexpected blessings.
I’m pondering the connection and your thoughts on the Olympic spirits and stories with Griswold’s words you shared - “it is “our” work to examine an experience for what it reveals not only about the world, or God, but also about ourselves…”. I’m also guessing the experiences revealed in the book are gifts to you just as the cover is beautiful. It will be a gold medal, too! (It’s probably just my lectionary overload habits.🙄) My favorite new potato fix is using small potatoes, boiling till tender, turning out onto a greased cookie sheet, smashing them, season, and into the oven till slightly browned. Add cheese near end of cooking time. Check out seasonings by searching smash potatoes. Thanks for all the good thoughts. Prayers always cherished.
Sounds like an amazing experience at the Olympics! So glad you were able to go! I have Circle of Hope on hold and am looking forward to reading it. But not half as much as I’m
Looking forward to Good Soil! Thank you for sharing that beautiful cover!
Thank you for asking what I needed you to pray for. I am in need of a loving, caring place for my 82 year old Dad who has Alzheimer's. It is time for him to have more consistent care and of course, he doesn't want to move. We are looking for a place near me in Cary, NC. I've been staying with him this past week- trying to see this time as a gift, but also observing him, laughing, crying, worrying and trying to come up with a plan in a very uncertain time. Any prayers are appreciated at this time. Thank you.
Thank you for another insightful essay. I love your stories from your nephew trips.
Your potato pile is certainly impressive! How do you store them? I'm in CA, so no one here has cold rooms or cellars. I'm always curious how to store food.
Our garden is cranking out tomatoes, but I can tell things are going to start slowing down soon. We've decided not to do a winter garden this year, so I'm ordering bell beans and buckwheat for cover crops and more clover for the rehab meadow where we hope to plant grapes someday. I need a really good human powered tiller, if you've got any recommendations.
Our 9 year old cattledog had knee surgery in March and is not healing as well as we'd like, and keeps reinforcing herself. Poor little girl is in pain and can't tell us what exactly is wrong, and I think we need to find a new vet who can help us sort out what's going on in there. Prayers for our Lacey's healing and for us to find a kind and competent vet would be so welcome.
Thaks again. Your book cover is beautiful! Looking forward to reading.
Another thank-you for your offer of prayer; my neighbor Dorcas’ cancer has returned and metasticized, and she’s really struggling…your prayers for her and her family would be much appreciated. And I, too, love the delicately beautiful cover of your book; a preview of great stories to come!
I feel so happy knowing that the crowds truly do cheer on those who won’t medal and those who show huge heart. I was in tears watching the last woman finish the marathon. Some onlookers ran with her and as she got closer to the finish, the crowd grew and grew. The finish line looked like a stadium full of people. Whether it was full or not, all those people had stayed 1.5 hours (I think) just to cheer for her, the last runner!
In grade school I was often the last runner or so. Thinking about a stadium of people willing to wait and whole-heartedly cheer for me as if I came in first…. Even watching it happen for someone else filled my heart to overflowing… and healed parts of my early formation. 🥰🥰🥰 Thank you for reminding me of my experience watching the end of that marathon. What a beautiful glimmer of the Kin-dom of God.
It is usually eaten as a main course, but in my opinion counts as dinner and dessert in one because it is savoury & sweet. It’s difficult to describe the texture, but the best I can think of is that it is a bit like gnocchi (which is also made from a potato, flour and egg dough). I guess you can think of it as a giant gnocchi ball with a small plum or apricot in it. Because the dumplings are boiled in a large pot of water, the fruit becomes warm and soft and juicy. Then you toss the dumplings in a frying pan in a mixture of melted butter, breadcrumbs, and cinnamon and sugar. Then serve them on a plate, slice them open and drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle some more cinnamon and sugar on top and enjoy! My kids always look forward to apricot and plum season so they can have these delicious dumplings that their Oma (German grandmother) introduced them to!
Ahhh so glad you got to take your nephews to Paris. Became dear friends with Pastor Elizabeth from ACP and she said she loved meeting you!
My fav way to cook potatoes: small ones cut in half, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with garlic salt, then roasted. I throw the leftovers on my salad the next day.
Have become a certified MI native plant gardener. Planted a new bed of butterfly natives for my granddaughter.
My raised bed produced an abundance of lettuces, kale and Swiss chard. My pots are filled with herbs. It’s been a great growing season.
Love reading your writings Jeff. Looking forward to your book!
Love your story about the Olympics. Love your book cover,can not wait to read it. Please pray for my knee replacement surgery on Sept. 5. I went from walking independently to needing a walker for 6 months. I am immunocompromised which adds a high risk of infection and rejection of the knee
I'm so sorry about your knee—and glad about the possibility of relief soon. May the surgery go smoothly, may your recovery be quick, and may you feel courage and peace in the meantime.
One more favourite way my family enjoys potatoes is called Zwetschgenknödl (plum potato dumplings) - an Austrian specialty and dinner and dessert in one! If you make these, Jeff, let me know what you think! See link for recipe (or search the Internet for others). Apricots are also good, instead of plums (but if you use plums, try to use the Italian prune plums if possible).
One of my favourite ways to eat potatoes: boiled with the skin on, then cut in half and/or into quarters and fried in a cast iron frying pan with butter and avocado oil and seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder. I also love adding lots of onion slices and frying them with the potatoes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or dried herbs. Serve with homemade mayo.
Only zinnias in pots for me successfully this year. But I found a volunteer basil plant near the alley that’s fairing far better than the potted one if my porch! Unexpected blessings.
Love love love that cover! Every time I see it, I like it even more.
Congratulations on cover design! Looks lovely....
I’m pondering the connection and your thoughts on the Olympic spirits and stories with Griswold’s words you shared - “it is “our” work to examine an experience for what it reveals not only about the world, or God, but also about ourselves…”. I’m also guessing the experiences revealed in the book are gifts to you just as the cover is beautiful. It will be a gold medal, too! (It’s probably just my lectionary overload habits.🙄) My favorite new potato fix is using small potatoes, boiling till tender, turning out onto a greased cookie sheet, smashing them, season, and into the oven till slightly browned. Add cheese near end of cooking time. Check out seasonings by searching smash potatoes. Thanks for all the good thoughts. Prayers always cherished.
Gorgeous cover! Please pray for my son-in-law Joe and his job search.
Sounds like an amazing experience at the Olympics! So glad you were able to go! I have Circle of Hope on hold and am looking forward to reading it. But not half as much as I’m
Looking forward to Good Soil! Thank you for sharing that beautiful cover!
Thank you for asking what I needed you to pray for. I am in need of a loving, caring place for my 82 year old Dad who has Alzheimer's. It is time for him to have more consistent care and of course, he doesn't want to move. We are looking for a place near me in Cary, NC. I've been staying with him this past week- trying to see this time as a gift, but also observing him, laughing, crying, worrying and trying to come up with a plan in a very uncertain time. Any prayers are appreciated at this time. Thank you.
You and your dad have my prayers. What a challenging thing. May you find a place soon that can feel like home to him.
Look forward to reading, Jeff!
Thank you for another insightful essay. I love your stories from your nephew trips.
Your potato pile is certainly impressive! How do you store them? I'm in CA, so no one here has cold rooms or cellars. I'm always curious how to store food.
Our garden is cranking out tomatoes, but I can tell things are going to start slowing down soon. We've decided not to do a winter garden this year, so I'm ordering bell beans and buckwheat for cover crops and more clover for the rehab meadow where we hope to plant grapes someday. I need a really good human powered tiller, if you've got any recommendations.
Our 9 year old cattledog had knee surgery in March and is not healing as well as we'd like, and keeps reinforcing herself. Poor little girl is in pain and can't tell us what exactly is wrong, and I think we need to find a new vet who can help us sort out what's going on in there. Prayers for our Lacey's healing and for us to find a kind and competent vet would be so welcome.
Thaks again. Your book cover is beautiful! Looking forward to reading.
Here's an insight into potato storage from someone in Arkansas. The key, I guess, is the coolest, darkest place you can find: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2016/07/04/store-potatoes-hot-humid-climate/
Prayers for Lacey!
Another thank-you for your offer of prayer; my neighbor Dorcas’ cancer has returned and metasticized, and she’s really struggling…your prayers for her and her family would be much appreciated. And I, too, love the delicately beautiful cover of your book; a preview of great stories to come!
Sending up a request for otherworldly peace for Dorcas and her family.
Oh thank you, Jeff~🙏
I feel so happy knowing that the crowds truly do cheer on those who won’t medal and those who show huge heart. I was in tears watching the last woman finish the marathon. Some onlookers ran with her and as she got closer to the finish, the crowd grew and grew. The finish line looked like a stadium full of people. Whether it was full or not, all those people had stayed 1.5 hours (I think) just to cheer for her, the last runner!
In grade school I was often the last runner or so. Thinking about a stadium of people willing to wait and whole-heartedly cheer for me as if I came in first…. Even watching it happen for someone else filled my heart to overflowing… and healed parts of my early formation. 🥰🥰🥰 Thank you for reminding me of my experience watching the end of that marathon. What a beautiful glimmer of the Kin-dom of God.
It is usually eaten as a main course, but in my opinion counts as dinner and dessert in one because it is savoury & sweet. It’s difficult to describe the texture, but the best I can think of is that it is a bit like gnocchi (which is also made from a potato, flour and egg dough). I guess you can think of it as a giant gnocchi ball with a small plum or apricot in it. Because the dumplings are boiled in a large pot of water, the fruit becomes warm and soft and juicy. Then you toss the dumplings in a frying pan in a mixture of melted butter, breadcrumbs, and cinnamon and sugar. Then serve them on a plate, slice them open and drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle some more cinnamon and sugar on top and enjoy! My kids always look forward to apricot and plum season so they can have these delicious dumplings that their Oma (German grandmother) introduced them to!
Ahhh so glad you got to take your nephews to Paris. Became dear friends with Pastor Elizabeth from ACP and she said she loved meeting you!
My fav way to cook potatoes: small ones cut in half, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with garlic salt, then roasted. I throw the leftovers on my salad the next day.
Have become a certified MI native plant gardener. Planted a new bed of butterfly natives for my granddaughter.
My raised bed produced an abundance of lettuces, kale and Swiss chard. My pots are filled with herbs. It’s been a great growing season.
Love reading your writings Jeff. Looking forward to your book!
Fran
ACP is a wonderful congregation.
Will be planting some pollinator-friendly natives in our yard, probably next season. Suggestions welcome!
Love your story about the Olympics. Love your book cover,can not wait to read it. Please pray for my knee replacement surgery on Sept. 5. I went from walking independently to needing a walker for 6 months. I am immunocompromised which adds a high risk of infection and rejection of the knee
I'm so sorry about your knee—and glad about the possibility of relief soon. May the surgery go smoothly, may your recovery be quick, and may you feel courage and peace in the meantime.
Thank you Jeff
One more favourite way my family enjoys potatoes is called Zwetschgenknödl (plum potato dumplings) - an Austrian specialty and dinner and dessert in one! If you make these, Jeff, let me know what you think! See link for recipe (or search the Internet for others). Apricots are also good, instead of plums (but if you use plums, try to use the Italian prune plums if possible).
https://search.app/UrWXycJcHhFCP7yi7
Is this a potato dessert??? What is the texture like?