Sunday, August 30, 2009
On vacation . . .
Just wanted to say hello while on a two-and-a-half-week vacation . . . visiting family in Seattle and Michigan. We're having a great time and I'll share lots of pictures on our return.
Friday, August 21, 2009
A Summertime Favorite
Growing basil for making pesto is a favorite thing for me this time of year. I love basil for lots of reasons. It is so fragrant. Every time I pinch off a leaf for a sandwich, or just pinching off the little flowers to keep the plant growing fuller, the smell of basil fills up my senses. But the main reason for me to grow basil is to make pesto from it's luscious leaves. Pesto tossed with whole grain pasta, sprinkled with toasted pine nuts and freshly grated Parmesiano-Reggiano cheese is one of our favorite meals.
The bowl of pesto made today used these first two pots of basil. Hopefully the rest of the plants will last the next couple of weeks, providing it doesn't get too hot, while we're off on a vacation.
One can never have too much basil!
The plant on the right seems to be a different variety with smaller leaves.
Cast of characters for delicious pesto...basil, parmesan cheese, EVOO, pine nuts, and lots of garlic.
After making six batches of pesto, I distributed it into freezer bags, pressed them flat so they'd stack well in the freezer, and came up with enough pesto for ten dinners to be enjoyed throughout the year. And that's only using two pots of basil. I think I'll have enough to share by the time I finish with the other four pots!
Life is good!
The bowl of pesto made today used these first two pots of basil. Hopefully the rest of the plants will last the next couple of weeks, providing it doesn't get too hot, while we're off on a vacation.
One can never have too much basil!
The plant on the right seems to be a different variety with smaller leaves.
Cast of characters for delicious pesto...basil, parmesan cheese, EVOO, pine nuts, and lots of garlic.
After making six batches of pesto, I distributed it into freezer bags, pressed them flat so they'd stack well in the freezer, and came up with enough pesto for ten dinners to be enjoyed throughout the year. And that's only using two pots of basil. I think I'll have enough to share by the time I finish with the other four pots!Life is good!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Measure twice . . . cut once
Ken has finally gotten the chance to start cutting his lumber for his first wooden boat . . . the PD Racer (a.k.a. Puddle Duck Racer). Our shop has been a bit crowded since the remodeling job has been underway, and now that things are a bit tidier he is able to get to his equipment. All I can say, in addition to showing you the pictures, is that he's having a great time . . . he loves working with wood.
Measure once . . .
Measure twice . . .
And away he goes, cutting 2x12s into 3/4" x 3/4" x 12' pieces.
A new tool to help hold the long boards as they are being split . . .
Nice cut!
He's on his way, and what a happy camper he is!
Life is good!
Measure once . . .
Measure twice . . .
And away he goes, cutting 2x12s into 3/4" x 3/4" x 12' pieces.
A new tool to help hold the long boards as they are being split . . .
Nice cut!
He's on his way, and what a happy camper he is!Life is good!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
A Romantic Getaway
Ken and I decided to get an early start on celebrating our wedding anniversary this year . . . our 46th. We packed a small suitcase for just an overnight stay on the Oregon coast. Of course the Wooden Boat Show in a quaint little town called Toledo, along the Yaquina River, just happened to be in route and was the primary reason we were heading west in the first place. But when I realized how close we were to Newport, a beautiful seaside town, I suggested we make it a romantic getaway at the same time.
The boat show was the first stop. There were probably 20-30 wooden boats to admire and, because I'm burdened with "walking pneumonia" that's been a real pain in the neck as far as my energy level goes, there were times for me to people-watch (something I love to do anyway) while Ken walked down to the docks to get a closer look at the boats. I enjoyed the craftsmanship on the boats I could see up close being exhibited by their builders.
See that little orange boat? That's a PD Racer . . . the first boat for which Ken has bought the plans and the wood and is anxious to build.
We checked into our hotel, the Hallmark Resort, at 4 in the afternoon. It was a beautiful third-story room, right on the ocean, with a gorgeous view of the Oregon coastline. The weather couldn't have been better.
This was taken from the restaurant window of our corner room.
A big plus to the room was that it came with an in-room jacuzzi tub, a fireplace, a chilled bottle of champagne (because I happened to mention our anniversary when I made the reservation) and a beautiful balcony overlooking the beach down below.
View from our balcony . . .
As we were sipping our champagne, admiring the view from the balcony, we notice they were getting ready for a wedding on the beach right below our room.
I thought how apropos that here we are celebrating 46 years of marital bliss as this darling bride and groom start out their life as husband and wife. We toasted them, as we toasted ourselves, for a lifetime of happiness together.
Sunset from our balcony . . . right after dinner.
The boat show was the first stop. There were probably 20-30 wooden boats to admire and, because I'm burdened with "walking pneumonia" that's been a real pain in the neck as far as my energy level goes, there were times for me to people-watch (something I love to do anyway) while Ken walked down to the docks to get a closer look at the boats. I enjoyed the craftsmanship on the boats I could see up close being exhibited by their builders. 
See that little orange boat? That's a PD Racer . . . the first boat for which Ken has bought the plans and the wood and is anxious to build.We checked into our hotel, the Hallmark Resort, at 4 in the afternoon. It was a beautiful third-story room, right on the ocean, with a gorgeous view of the Oregon coastline. The weather couldn't have been better.
This was taken from the restaurant window of our corner room.A big plus to the room was that it came with an in-room jacuzzi tub, a fireplace, a chilled bottle of champagne (because I happened to mention our anniversary when I made the reservation) and a beautiful balcony overlooking the beach down below.
View from our balcony . . .
I thought how apropos that here we are celebrating 46 years of marital bliss as this darling bride and groom start out their life as husband and wife. We toasted them, as we toasted ourselves, for a lifetime of happiness together.
Sunset from our balcony . . . right after dinner.Life is good!
Friday, August 07, 2009
Days Gone By
We've been going through "stuff" to see what more we can get rid of. Being retired for ten years now, there are still things that we'll never need and feel it's time to let someone else enjoy. Among the boxes were a couple pictures Ken found (which I will treasure 'til the day I die). I thought you might get a kick out of them as I did, remembering the event when the picture was taken oh-so-long ago.
This picture was taken in China Town, Los Angeles, when I was 16 and Ken was 17 . . . we were married four years later!
This picture was taken at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, about three weeks after we were married. I was auditing a class that Ken was taking for credit. We were learning to repel down a cliff and by the expression on my face, one would think I was having a blast. In reality, I was scared to death but obviously couldn't let it show (because the one taking the picture was my new husband doing his job as school photographer).
The class title was informally called "September Camp" and formally was called "Introduction to the Skills of Outdoor Recreation." From my memory, and with the help of the brochure in which this photo appeared, we learned and practiced the following activities: boating, canoeing, sailboating, motor-boating, paddle boarding, water skiing, bait casting, and fly casting. In addition, in the area of nature craft there were studies in mammal skins (catch your own animals), geology, plants, and insects. In the area of camp craft, students learned "axemanship," tent erection, carving, fire building, outdoor cooking, knots, splicing, lashing, and compass. There was an overnight camp-out, and practice mountain climbing. At the end of the two-week session there was a battery of tests. The course provided practical experience and leadership preparation in outdoor recreation.
Little did we know, forty-six years later, we'd be living the full-time RVer lifestyle, while enjoying the great outdoors and using skills we learned at September Camp!
This picture was taken in China Town, Los Angeles, when I was 16 and Ken was 17 . . . we were married four years later!
This picture was taken at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, about three weeks after we were married. I was auditing a class that Ken was taking for credit. We were learning to repel down a cliff and by the expression on my face, one would think I was having a blast. In reality, I was scared to death but obviously couldn't let it show (because the one taking the picture was my new husband doing his job as school photographer).
The class title was informally called "September Camp" and formally was called "Introduction to the Skills of Outdoor Recreation." From my memory, and with the help of the brochure in which this photo appeared, we learned and practiced the following activities: boating, canoeing, sailboating, motor-boating, paddle boarding, water skiing, bait casting, and fly casting. In addition, in the area of nature craft there were studies in mammal skins (catch your own animals), geology, plants, and insects. In the area of camp craft, students learned "axemanship," tent erection, carving, fire building, outdoor cooking, knots, splicing, lashing, and compass. There was an overnight camp-out, and practice mountain climbing. At the end of the two-week session there was a battery of tests. The course provided practical experience and leadership preparation in outdoor recreation.
Little did we know, forty-six years later, we'd be living the full-time RVer lifestyle, while enjoying the great outdoors and using skills we learned at September Camp!
Life is Good!
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