As an elementary school girl, I had a fetish for the paper fortune teller game. Remember the one that was folded like origami and involved numbers, favorite colors, and ended with predictions on which boy you would marry? Or, what you would be when you grew up? Or, horrors, how you would die?
I can still remember how it felt to move the paper “fish mouth” up and down and back and forth with my thumbs and pointer fingers counting out the required number of movements. I played this little game with any willing being and quite often, I subjected my parents to my mystic ways of prediction.
As part of the game it was necessary to state your favorite color. When asked, my Dad always answered, “Red.” This seemed reasonable. I accepted it as life-long fact, and still purchase him clothing in shades of red. When my mother was asked her favorite color, she replied, “Green.” This always stumped me. Green?? Why not purple, or pink, or even, blue? Green…for a girl?? For years it perplexed me. I couldn’t get past it.
And then, I grew up.
And then, I began painting my own home shades of green.
And declaring that “green is good” in the garden – planting boxwood hedges, and Japanese maples with green leaves only, and letting the moss grow.
And insisting that half my plate at mealtime be covered with green.
And posting recipes for green smoothies. And watercress/arugula salads.
And then, it occurred to me that I love green as much as my beautiful mother does. I find it soothing, and calming, and nourishing. All things that I crave during the chaos of parenthood.
And I realized that there is so much we can’t understand about our mothers when we’re young, but when we grow up and become mothers ourselves, we have a newfound admiration for just how wise and wonderful they are.
“Happy Mother’s Day! I love you so much!! My wise and wonderful and beautiful mother!! xoxo”
Recently, I realized that my love for green has carried over to my work for 1859 Oregon’s Magazine. And I wanted to point out that good, greenness to all of you lovely people. I know I’ve been rather quiet here on La Pomme (blame Lacrosse season with 3 kids playing,) but I have been dutifully, writing little bits up for the magazine that I think you would enjoy.
- Make Way for Spring Greens – some musings on my spring garden and my favorite way to dress up those greens.
- Cheesy Potatoes (i.e. fingerling Potatoes with Kale and Gruyere Cheese) – Because I can’t stop tucking green bits into everything. But trust me, these are dang good. Although, if you make the recipe, please note that a mistake was made when it was printed/posted. The CORRECT amount of nutmeg should be 1/8 teaspoon.
- Strawberry Parfaits with Balsamic Vinegar and Mint – You see even something as simple as a parfait must have green in it. The story that accompanies this article was inspired by my mother’s brilliance.
- And in the latest issue of 1859, I am sporting a recipe for Roasted Asparagus Vol-au Vents. Basically, asparagus sautéed with mushrooms, shallots and white wine – all wrapped up in buttery puff pastry.
Here’s the live version:
We have some exciting changes happening at the Minns’ household in the next couple of weeks. Not sure if I’m having a momentary lapse of sanity, or what, but will share soon.
Cheers,
Carrie
PS: If you are interested in receiving the latest issue of 1859 Oregon’s Magazine, I have 2 extra copies. Leave me a comment below by Friday, May 17 at midnight, PST and let me know you’d like one . I’ll have the 8-year-old draw the winning names from a hat.
