Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Corn Zucchini Fritters - Crispy Cornmeal Tops
We harvested the last of the corn, so I made some fritters, adding zucchini and leeks, onion and garlic from the garden.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Blackberry Pickin' Time - 26 Pounds for Jam
Blackberry brambles in the Port Orchard area were thick with ripe berries. We picked for three hours, and I made 13 quarts of jam.Next time, we'll bring a ladder - reaching up into those canes really tore up my arms...and my hair. I wore a pair of old running pants to protect my good pants.
I did my canning in batches of 3 quarts at a time, no sooner processing one batch than another was soon to follow. Finished at 9:00 p.m. Those jars sure looked gorgeous on my counter!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Gorden Ramsey's "Great Escape" Cookbook
My son sent me a video link of Ramsey's trip through India, and I was hooked! I bought the book! Totally lovin' it - great photos, ethnic traditions, and simple recipes.
Thursday, August 02, 2012
Up In Seattle: Spice World
Dick, George and I planned to canoe in the area, but stopped here first!
Dick treated me to a purchase of Harissa, Ras el Hanout, Kashmiri Garam Masala, and Piri Piri, a 6 month supply of each! 
This little bag contains the most valued items in my kitchen.
Ebey Slough
This slough outside of Marysville was our last paddle with Dick before he headed back to California.
We had a picnic in a nearby park, then headed under the bridge out into the slough.
Lake Scanewa on the Cowlitz River
Lake Scanewa is a reservoir on the Cowlitz River in Lewis County.
The side channels provide shady canopy over the water.
Simply wonderful, to gaze up into that. Flickr set here.
Canoeing Tahklahk Lake
Dick and George paddled this lake without me - I napped in the van. 
When they were finished, George and Dick said it was too beautiful to miss.
At Mt St Helens
This thin strand of grass, so similar to my stand of corn, with ears of seeds and a tassle. Flicker set here...
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Ollalie Lake - My Kind of Place
George's brother Dick came up for a weeks' visit. We canoed so many lakes, I cannot remember them all.
This little lake was my favorite, and I hope to camp here some day, site #4, right next to the water. Phones and computer off, just the silence of water. Best to do it late summer, when the mosquitoes are gone though - never underestimate how one insect can be such a bother at bedtime! Flickr set here:
Hiking At Walupt Lake
This was an 8 mile hike, some of it climbing, but with varied terrain, stream crossings.
We enjoyed an expansive vista and meadow at the top.
Jones Bay on Banks Lake - Washington
We held a family camping trip at Jones Bay, hoping for five days of hiking and canoeing. 
Our son Taraz flew in from Denver, Rahmat also joined us.
We rented a truck for the occasion, a huge, white double cab 2012 Silverado. When we drove into our favorite campsite blaring 'truck music' Rue and Annie were already camping, with meat on the grill.
I served this lentil dosi crepe with tarka dhal for an afternoon snack.We spent only two days camping at Jones Bay because 96 degree temps made hiking impossible. George and I did a 5 hour canoe paddle on the one full day we were there, and it was wonderful, refreshing. We paddled over to Steamboat Campground and got great espresso, fish and chips.
A terrible wind-rainstorm pummeled the tents that night, brought on by the heat. The families decided to split up. Rue and Annie headed over to Montana, George and I drove across the mountains down to Packwood, where the temps were in the low 70's. What a change! Loved it.
We rented a little cabin with a kitchenette for two days, and we did our hiking and canoeing for several days using the cabin as basecamp. It worked out great!
So many photos! Flickr set here:
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