Poking along...

Things have been quiet around here. It is quite a change from the weeks leading up to Christmas. We've had more time to visit with friends. The other day, our friends that let us adopt their chickens came to visit them. While the kids were playing in the yard, they found some Miner's Lettuce.

Miner's lettuce is a native in the western mountains and coastal regions of North America. It ranges is from the north, in British Columbia to to as far south as Central America. It's scientific name is claytonia perfoliata. It is a green weed that grows wild in my backyard and is edible. It really doesn't have much of a distinct taste like watercress. It takes on the flavors that are used when prepared.








As you can see, it has distinct features that makes this plant easy to identify.


The kids decided to make a salad for us. It was the sweetest thing. Unbeknownst to to me, Savanna and one of her friends went in and made a full salad! She came out and told us that lunch was ready; Miner's lettuce, chopped apples, sunflower seeds, grated cheddar and homemade vinaigrette (left over from dinner). We sat down and had a special treat! Next time you're out on a hike and feel a little hungry, look for some miner's lettuce and you can have a salad!