Kindle VS Nook and Spring Peas

I am a reader. I read ALOT. Books, newspapers, magazines, cookbooks, recipes, books, did I mention books? If I'm doing something where I can't read, like sewing, I listen to audio books. I TRY to visit my local library as often as possible but I also BUY books. ALOT.

TBHITW and I are trying to lighten our load and a big part of our load is books. Lots of books. Stacks of books. Bookcases full of books. Books under beds, on night stands and dressers, and on the coffee table (why is it called a coffee table? I never put coffee on it).

So TBHITW suggested I buy myself a Kindle from Amazon.com. Barnes and Noble also have their version of a Kindle, it's called a Nook. I like the idea of a handheld device that can download a book (and store up to 1,500) in a matter of seconds. I like the idea of not having all these books laying around.

I like the idea of not having to drive to a book store or library.

I did some green research and if I buy 40-50 e-books, the environmental impact of electronic device versus print book is paid for. I will definitely buy more than 40-50 e-books.

Does anyone out there have either e-reader? Any opinions? Any help in comparison shopping? I'd appreciate any feedback anyone can offer.

Now then,

I don't care how many daffodils bloom in my front walkway garden.

Or how many incredible pink trees I see:

Or how many little yellow flowers Holly stops to sniff (she loves these things):

To me, it is not officially spring until these babies appear in the market:

Fresh, spring peas. Oh joy, oh rapture. I could eat these little green pearls everyday and not regret one mouthful. And when my family can absolutely eat not one more pea? Time to freeze for the winter. Peas freeze beautifully and on a cold dark day in January, steaming up a few handfuls of peas will give you hope for spring.

Finally, it's here - spring AND peas!

Fresh Peas with Olive Oil and Mint: (make as much as you want)

Peas in their pods - shell as many as you need (about 1/2 cup per person)

Salted boiling water

Sea Salt

Olive Oil

1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped

Shell the peas and place in a fine mesh strainer. Meanwhile, set a pot of water on to boil. Add some salt to the water.

Immerse the strainer into the pot of water and boil peas for 3 to 5 minutes. Taste a pea to make sure it is tender.

Raise the strainer out of the water, place peas in serving bowl, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and toss in the fresh mint.

Yum.

Freezing Peas: Blanche the shelled peas in boiling salted water for 2 minutes. Strain and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let peas drain and dry off. Freeze in individual zip lock bags. They stack beautifully and take up hardly any room in your freezer. To cook, steam or microwave in a little water.

Do your local farmer a favor, if you find peas at the market that were grown locally, buy 10 pounds or so. Come this winter, you and your local farmer will be happy you did.

A Cook's Notes: I just realized that it has been a year since I opened this blog. Thank you all for following, encouraging, commenting and most of all COOKING!

As always, Bon Appetite!