Stephanie says

Third year

Near midnight Friday the almost full moon hung in the perfectly clear night sky framed by plum and spruce branches and bathing my view with dazzling light. Yes! Full moon due on Saturday, the closest to earth this year, dubbed a “Super moon” in the press, and expected to appear in exaggerated size on its rise over the horizon. Saturday dawned clear so we planned a photo shoot; moonrise due at 8:15. Off to high country (relatively speaking, Mt. Yoncalla is 1,804 ft.,) through two locked gates, then winding up logging roads through Douglas fir forest to the top of a ridge with a 180 degree view of the peaks and valleys of the coast range to the volcanic Cascade range in the far distance. The bases of Mt. Jefferson (10,495 ft.) and the Three Sisters were visible but their tops were lost in the shifting clouds. We watched as massive thunderheads formed. Oh oh. We waited for the emergence of the moon, debating where exactly on the horizon it would appear. That question wasn’t resolve...

I wandered past the grape arbor and noticed the grape leaves were big enough to harvest.   Terry had lamb in his freezer.   Dolma season!   We cut leaves, blanched them, and filled them with lamb, rice, onion, and spices.   Let the rolling begin.    You put a dab of filling in the middle, fold the top and bottom over it, then roll the whole thing up like a cigar.   (I can spot the ones I rolled.   Terry’s looked a whole lot more like cigars – but he did train as a chef so…     Mine look more like Lau Lau.   Okay, it’s not a competition.)   Then top with spiced up chicken stock (you could use lamb) and onto the stove top to simmer for awhile.   They were pretty good, (I forgot the salt though. This comes from talking while cooking.   Multi-tasking issues again,) though we both agreed the leaves were a little tough.   Terry found recipes using a slow cooker – which I’ll try next time. Tabouli at 12 oClock, D...

I happened into a conversation at the post office recently. A patron had received an order of nematodes; she waxed enthusiastic at the flea control properties of these minute bugs. It was a light winter here, no extended periods of frozen temperatures, nasty little fleas are populous this spring. My dogs have been very itchy so I did some research and decided to give nematodes a try. They kill fleas AND flies! Excellent. I wish I’d known about these when I lived in ranch country, and not having the sense to use screen doors, would haul out the noisiest vacuum cleaner ever made in the early mornings to suck up vast hordes of drowsing flies hanging upside down on the ceiling. 10 Million Live Beneficial Nematodes Sc - Flea and Fly Exterminator • Beneficial Nematodes are an organic and most effective way to battle soil pest. • Kills Over 200 different species of soil dwelling and wood boring insects. • Easy to apply and Harmless to humans and pets. How it works: (Tiny an...

I’ve got a thing for molded foods, sweet or savory. I’m unsure if this is indicative of  deep-seated psychological issues or just a love of things orderly. And in shapes. No matter. The photo of this dessert caught my immediate attention in a then current issue of Sunset Magazine, June 2008 issue. It looked amazing but I lacked Rose Water. Fast forward five years when I found Rose Water. The recipe surfaced from a stack of torn out pages and scrawled scraps of paper, most serendipitously. My friend Velma, age 92, gave me a number of dessert/salad molds that were her grandmother’s, which I’ve been wanting to use. Voila. It all came together in this light dessert; light in the sense of airy and fluffy on the fork, as well as in terms of sweetness. The combination of ingredients packs that “Oh, Wow” factor. And it is amazingly simple to make. 1 envelope (1/4 ounce) powdered gelatin ½ cup heavy whipping cream ½ tsp. vanilla 4 Tbl. honey, or to taste ...

Leaves of this plant look very weed-like, but the flower stalks are so lovely. My climbing roses are at their peak.