| Playing with Food with Your Culinary Companion, Chef Amee |

| Did you know that within the Phoenix area there are over 20 Farmer's Markets to buy fresh produce throughout the year? My friend, Elizabeth, is the demonstrating Market Chef for the market in Downtown Phoenix. She makes fantastic culinary creations with the produce offered at the market and offers samples to shoppers. Stop by and say Hi! |
| If you and your family are interested in taking a weekend trip to cultivate your gardening an cooking interests, check out Apple Annie's Orchard in Wilcox, Arizona. It is about a 3 hour trip from Phoenix, but there is so much to do there if you plan it right. Throughout the year, they host many festivals including a Peach Mania Festival in July and August, The Apple Harvest Celebration over Labor Day Weekend in September, and The Fall Pumpkin Celebration in September and October. They even have a Grandparents Weekend and Antique Tractor Show in September as well. They have a fantastic website so click on the picture above and it will take you directly to their site. Don't forget to check out their Harvest Calendar to plan a trip to pick your favorite fruits or vegetables. Apple Annie's Orchards, 2081 W. Hardy Rd., Wilcox, Arizona, 85643 |
| I had the privilege of finding out about Farmer Greg through a mutual friend. He has a passion, similar to mine, and that is teaching people how to grow stuff! He is even growing stuff in his own 1/3 of an acre lot in the heart of Phoenix. The pictures to the side were taken when I visited his farm during one of his tours this summer. He is growing many things at his farm, but my favorites were the grapevines, apple and peach trees, various herbs, lots of different flowers, and baby tomatoes. He even has a chicken coup in his backyard that is located not too far from his own outdoor shower. What kid wouldn't love to have a shower outside, which by the way is located next to his outdoor kitchen sink and stove. He has workshops and classes all throughout the year and offers tours to see his own farm. In the fall he will be holding several classes on how to buy and grow trees in Arizona. (I will be there!) You can take a look at his website at: www.urbarnfarms.org to learn more about Farmer Greg. |






| Chef Amee's Garden |
| This fall, I attempted to plant another batch of vegetables in my garden: parsley, cherry and pear tomatoes, purple bell peppers, cauliflower, lemon verbena, garlic, and basil. It has been a labor of love with some success. (Check out my cauliflower head- it was so yummy and gorgeous! The tomatoes and garlic are still coming, but my basil doesn't like the cold weather.. Now is the time to plant your Arizona garden- just go for it and see what happens. But keep this in mind, our soil doesn't have a lot of the nutrients it needs to feed these plants, so make sure you buy some good potting soil and organic complost for healthier plants. Try it! |







| The Cook's Garden: The Premier Seed Source for Gourmet Garden Edibles This catalog is an invaluable resource for gardeners and cooks everywhere. Their catalog of seeds in inspiring- perfect for the experimental gardener like me! |
| MaryJane Butters has become one of my new heroes-- she is a farmer, crafter, business owner, educator, entrepreneur, and just plain 'ole down to earth! Iowa Public did a great piece on MaryJane, and I just knew that all of the farmgirls out there would want to see it... Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=pcn21XuJNVI |



| MaryJane's Outpost - Unleashing Your Inner Wild and MaryJane’s Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook - For the Farmgirl in All of Us |
| And check out her two books that have become my favorites as well: |