Oh, my! I finally did it. See, I've had the idea of a blog kicking around in my head for quite a long time now, and here it finally is. There were a number of factors that had to be worked out before I could get this going, including computer issues (involving a sick baby in the middle of the night, a sleepy mama, and a computer left on the floor... you get the idea), a trouble coming up with a name (more on that later), and a general lack of "gumption". The stars must have been in alignment, because it all got worked out around the same time and here I am!
Now, about this "milkweed" business. I've always loved milkweeds. The first time I remember seeing one was on a trip in college - I remember being fascinated by the seed pods, and I took one home and stored it in a Ziploc bag. (I found it years later gone to seed right in the bag!)
Fast forward to now. A couple weeks ago I had to go in for jury duty. I was extremely worried about it, as it was to be the first time J and I had been apart. Fortunately, after only a couple hours, I was dismissed and able to go home. My husband (who had taken the day off to be with J) and I went out to a local trail to let Jonah walk, and what did we come upon but a huge patch of milkweed, just beginning to go to seed. We were amazed at how beautiful the seeds are, all snuggled up in the pods.
We blew the seeds out and watched them float away, like hundreds of little fairies, much to Jonah's sweet delight. The fanciful part of me got to thinking about those seeds, growing over the season tight inside the pod getting ready to fly away in autumn. I wonder what dreams are sent out in those fairy-seeds? As they fly freely on the breeze, what must it be like for the newly-released seeds? Everything that had once been stored up in the milkweed pod all summer was now let go to explore the world. All these thoughts went through my head on that beautiful afternoon and stuck with me as I came to set up this blog, and it seemed an obvious choice. I want my thoughts and dreams to be “milkweed dreams” set free to go where they will. And, like the milkweed seeds, I don't know where I'll end up, but the journey is sure to be amazing!
The first time we pretty much followed this recipe – and it was delish, if a tad sweet for my taste. Last time, in true Erin fashion, I had to modify it. I didn't have an orange or a lemong, so I left out the zest and orange juice, used ¼ cup of lemon juice instead. I also used half the amount of sugar, and whole wheat flour. 
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