Stephanie says

My yoga block - customized.  Won a pet photo contest - must redeem doggy Frisbee and save yoga block from further gnawing. Yes, he is missing one bottom front tooth - that's how I can identify the guilty party.   Bet it felt good biting into.  Sorta like my desire to bite into the smooth, smooth gloved finger of my dentist.   The suggestion was placed into my mind at a very early age by my mother.  Really Mom, was that wise?  I think one of the Laird kids actually bit the dentist.  Might have been one of the Bakers.  So far, I've resisted; I've stifled that desire through each and every dental since.  The winning photo? He is just the cutest.  How can I be irritated with that scruffy face?  Rose Petal is so much better behaved...

The kitchen in my house was designed by a non-cook.  There is limited counter space so I've devised work arounds.  The only suitable drawer for flatware is directly under the cutting board, an object in near constant use because all it takes is a quick pull, and voila, there is a clean and flat surface for chopping, or unloading grocery bags, or cooling a dish just out of the oven.  Flatware is also essential - so I filled a small crock with knives, forks, and spoons for easy access.  That created one more item sitting on the counter... An attempt to inventory my canned goods, (tomatoes on a shelf in the laundry room, more tomatoes in a sturdy box on the floor, jams and relishes and vinegars stashed willy-nilly,) got me thinking about my much loved pantry in an earlier house, which segued into thoughts of building narrow cabinets in the breakfast nook.  I measured and pondered number of shelves, consulted my friend with a cabinet shop for custom door possibili...

A serious task awaits.   I break out my fine 10 oz. claw hammer; it’s perfectly weighted in my hand for these small jobs. I also gather up the one decent pliers in this house, (the one that doesn’t slip open into the wide mouth position willy-nilly,) and a small pick. I prepare the work surface with a block of wood and a stack of newspapers to blot up liquids.   I find my glasses to better observe my work.   Hammer in hand, my object before me, I give it a good thwack – the insect’s brittle outer shell cracks and reveals a succulent morsel of crab meat. Which I spear, (while wishing I possessed a small fish fork,) drizzle with a lemon quarter and dip into some homemade red tartar sauce, (like you really thought I’d buy that?) and pop into my mouth.   Gustatory heaven. Teresa brought me a Dungeness crab along with tomatoes and zucchini in my sustenance package.   She is spoiling me!  I ate the whole thing - with great relish. Teresa's s...

If you read my last post you’ll recall I sold my house.   Freed from the yoke of home ownership and mortgage payments some months later found me sipping fine wine on the outside terrace of a restaurant in Manarola overlooking the Italian Riviera, dining on the following salad; my adaption of it anyway.   Ingredients: This makes two large servings. 2 cans beans, (whatever you have on hand.   Depicted are kidney and cannellini beans but I’ve used chick peas and navy beans.) 1 can albacore tuna, drained and chunked Diced onion to taste 1 hard boiled egg for each serving Cherry tomatoes or diced tomatoes to taste Fresh oregano or basil Salt and pepper Rinse and drain beans.   Dress with oil and balsamic vinegar (or blackberry, yet again.) Toss with spices.   Arrange beans on plates.   Top with tuna, onion, egg, and tomatoes. It’s a quick, easy, and appetizing dish.  Ah, such a beautiful place.

I was house poor at the time.   Any discretionary income I earned went to keeping up my house.   Something always needed fixing and there was no way I could afford to hire anyone so I learned how to fix whatever.   My labor was free but I still had to buy parts, like a $700 underwater pump for the koi pond which had to be plumbed and wired once I scraped together the cash.   I did the job and didn’t kill any fish in the process. It belatedly occurred to me to sell the place.   However the house had some features that wouldn’t appeal to everyone, (like a huge koi pond,) so I figured it’d take some time to sell.   I'd heard about visualization techniques and decided to give it a try.  I began spending five minutes morning and night visualizing the house selling among some other mood elevating exercises like counting my blessings and focusing on the positive.   It truly helped improve my outlook on life. A string of events unfolded that ...

Salmon steak pan seared in brown butter The men in Teresa’s family are avid fishermen -    she gave me salmon steak caught just yesterday.   Fish is a food group I always intend to eat more, although that rarely happens because I haven’t mastered the cooking techniques (or have a hankering.)   But any food this fresh will be excellent.   And this was. This is more a general guideline than an actual recipe.   Use your judgment on amounts if you try this. Create a marinade of a pinch of sea-salt on the steak, then drizzle with with blackberry vinegar (in lieu of balsamic) and a squirt of olive oil.   Let it come to room temperature. Melt a small amount of butter in a frying pan over medium heat.   Allow butter to brown.   When the desired color is achieved, toss in the salmon – skin side up.   Save any marinade for the next step.   Cook for 3 – 4 minutes on each side, depending on thickness.   ...

 Swiss chard                                                        First cutting resulted in 8 ounces of large chard leaves and a couple Pak Choi.  So now what?  Should use that organic ground beef languishing in the meat drawer. Swiss chard bundles it is.   Blanch the chard for a few seconds in boiling water.  Cool in ice water bath while making filling. Saute diced onions in a splash of oil until limp.  Add hamburger and brown.  What's with that scritchy sound hamburger makes while stirring?   Remove from heat.  Add quinoa, chopped chard stems, chopped basil (fresh from the garden!), tomato juice. Salt.  Don't forget the salt.  (I forgot the s...