Finally, Some Warm Weather!

Everything in my garden is taking off!

Camping at Lower Crab Creek Basin

Storm brewing, after dinner. Time to crawl into the tent.

Our camp was in a remote meadow with flowing horsetails and the sound of the creek nearby. Coyotes, crickets. (Flickr Photo set.)

Hiking The Lower Crab Creek

The creek is along the north side of the Saddle Mountains.

Horsetails - blowing in the wind.

Bluffs near the campsite.

Early Sunday morning hike.

Canoeing on Lower Crab Creek

We paddled upstream as far as we could before the currant became too aggressive. We turned around after about an hour of paddling.

Going back downstream was a breeze, the currant carried us.

Highlight: Watching the cliff swallows.

Camp Cookin': Soba Noodles- Stir-fry

We didn't pack meat on this trip, but did have one can of sardines, which I added to this morning stir-fry for breakfast.

Lunch: Broccoli Soup with fried pita crackers, and Pineapple Crepes filled with cherries, orange and banana. We both were so eager to eat that we didn't take a photo - but that was the best meal of the trip!

An Invitation: Meadow Grass Along Crab Creek

"Look George, the deer slept here!"

They slept here...

They slept.

Nap over!

How to Build a Firepit - Lower Crab Creek

While George set up the tent and cook station I began to dig a firepit in heavy clay soil.

No fire danger here, the clay was wet and hard-packed. He said, "Dig a wide circle, stand in the middle, and just work your way around."

Fortunately, squatting gives a good center of gravity so I didn't topple over.

The wet clay was mounded all around the rim. I mashed it with my fingertips.

Eventually George dug out the center berm, and built a fire.

Now, time to relax with coffee!

Lettuce-Chard Soup & Cucumber on Toast

Oregano pesto and cucumber slices on toast; quail eggs rolled in spices; lettuce-chard soup.

This lettuce-chard soup is made with a variety of Mesclun salad greens, chard, beet greens, onion and garlic, mashed garbanzos and coconut milk.

Steaming Quail Eggs

Rather than boil them, I steamed them, with the lid on top of the strainer.

Oregano Pesto for the Freezer

Frozen in little cubes, which are thawed, then spread as flavoring for cucumber-quail egg toast. This batch of pesto had non-fat Greek yogurt, fresh parmesan cheese and a bit of ranch dressing added.

Oat Bran Muffins - Bringing the Cholesterol Down

Non-fat Greek yogurt, lemon zest, orange zest, carrots, whole wheat flour, yam flour, oat bran. 2 Tbs oil, banana, no sugar. A few butterscotch chips inside, a sprinkling of raw sugar on top.

Yes, There Might Be a Market for Organic Cat Food

Oregano and Buttercups

Buttercups have taken over my backyard, almost obscuring the path to the garage. Today I'll prepare pesto from the oregano, and freeze it in little packages - it is great spread on toast or added to salad dressing.

Cavatelli and Lima Beans

Tuscan Kale and Huckleberry Salad

This year I've planted two large berms of Tuscan kale, a dark purple-black kale, intensely rippled and pungent. Here, I've mixed in mesclun thinnings, beet salad, walnuts, orange, apple, red onion, and a sprinkling of cauliflower. Frozen huckleberries work well with the kale - both are rich in antioxidants.

Mesclun From the Garden and Quail Eggs

Thinned out my salad greens today, and brought the leaves home. The tiny quail eggs are from the Asian Market.

Sunday Sunshine at Black Lake

Wye Lake Paddle

This quiet, little lake is a favorite - many older cabins, and just a few people fishing from boats with small electric motors.

Hiking in Kitsap County

The air was warm and delightful on Saturday, with intermittent sunshine. We found a trail, but after about 30 minutes of hiking we turned back. A bear and her cubs had been photographed a few days earlier on the trail. We figured it best to get outta there!

Honoring the Invader Coaches and Their Families

Southern Kitchen - Tacoma