Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Blackberry Cobbler with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream



Mashed Fava Beans with Fennel



Khoshari with Ragu


Fava Bean, Zucchini and Kale Burrito

Corn, kale, zucchini, red onion - all from the garden.

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!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Camping at Hurricane Ridge in the Olympics

Flickr sets here and here...




Sight-seeing in Port Townsend


Photo set here...

Canoeing Oak Bay - Washington

Yes, you can canoe in 4 inches of water! Video here... warm sand here....

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

Too Much Zucchini? Make Relish

I'll process about 10 pints, then call it quits.  Last batch today.

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...

Canoeing Herron Island - Puget Sound


Flickr 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.

O
ur 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 th
e 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: