Summer Survey: Mark

Mark at Dog Beach in Del Mar with the hounds.

1.     The best use for peanut butter: Chocolate is peanut butter's soul mate, but I have enjoyed an Asian dipping sauce made with ginger and peanut butter. Recently, Karen and I made a peanut butter chipotle sauce for ribs that was very good, as well. The worst use of peanut butter is for birth control. As a missionary, my companion and I lived with an elderly LDS woman named Sister Gwen Hall. She was a temple worker in the Oakland California Temple and looked after the missionaries in her ward for years. She tells the story of how her grandmother told her that eating peanut butter would prevent pregnancy. Three children later she concluded that it was a wive's tale. 

2.     A great gift you would like to receive but no one has ever given you: Something red, Italian, fast, and very loud . . . perferably with 12 cylinders.

3.     Fiction or non-fiction (and favorite title): How embarassing. I only read church, political, and technical books, not the classics.

4.     A food everyone loves to eat but you think is overrated: Storebought cookies. Oreos comes to mind. I really hope Karen doesn't read this entry. She loves Oreos. (As a defense, I eat them only as an ice cream topping or mix-in.)

5.     Ideal temperature for sleeping: 68 degrees with the windows open and a comforter on the bed. The sheets should be cool and crisp and the pillows made of down, not foam.

6.     One thing you love about camping: The sights, the sounds, and the smells of a camp fire.   

7.     One reason you do not camp more often: The absence of a hot shower and a comfortable bed.

8.     Favorite thing about nighttime: The feeling of peace and relaxation you experience right before you fall asleep. The darkness and quiet that silences the outside world for awhile.

9.     Ideal music for a summer evening: Anything loud and with a beat.

10.  Your thoughts on s’mores: Generally a little overrated. I know that they are a summertime tradition, but that are just OK and they have been just OK for decades. I would rather have another burnt hot dog. Now those are great and I would be smart to not save room for the s'mores. 

11.  Would you ever live in the South? Yes . . . Savannah, Georgia sounds nice. The thought of the old South is very appealing. Women with a Southern accent always sounds so genteel even if they are trying to be disagreeable. On the other hand, women with a New York accent always sound like they are angry at something or someone.

12.  If you stole an art piece, which one would it be? One that was very expensive, so the jail sentence would be worth it. I like my freedom so I would probably buy a print.

Summer Survey: Donn

Donny chauffeurs mom and me to June Lake in 2011.

I am pleased to introduce Donn. He is a man one can count on, good at everything under the sun. An all-around pleasure to be around. These are rare qualities. We love him. I include an image of Glass Creek because it is a good place to be.

1.     The best use for peanut butter: Big wad on a cracker fed to a dog and watch him lap it in and stick to the roof of his mouth. Unlimited entertainment!

2.     A great gift you would like to receive but no one has ever given you:  Face lift. More memory. New operating system. Need I go on?

3.     Fiction or non-fiction (and favorite title): Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys.

4.     A food everyone loves to eat but you think is overrated: Cake, but I do ‘like’ cake.

5.     Ideal temperature for sleeping:  Depends.

6.     One thing you love about camping: Flatulence without guilt. 

7.     One reason you do not camp more often: Getting really comfortable with creature comforts!

8.     Favorite thing about nighttime: Leaving my shades in their case.

9.     Ideal music for a summer evening: Nightingale by Yanni, full volume.

10.  Your thoughts on s’mores: Overrated!

11.  Would you ever live in the South? Lived in South California, never again, nuff said! (Donn is California-centric . . . .)

12.  If you stole an art piece, which one would it be? Me steal, surely you jest!

Summer Survey: Mother

Mother treks at the cabin in 2011.

A devoted mother reports in! She is on the go this year, coming soon to San Diego.

1.     The best use for peanut butter: Cookies and sandwiches . . . there are no bad uses!

2.     A great gift you would like to receive but no one has ever given you: All our pictures organized and in albums.

3.     Fiction or non-fiction (and favorite title): Both . . . almost always it is the last one I read.

4.     A food everyone loves to eat but you think is overrated: Mangoes.

5.     Ideal temperature for sleeping:  Maybe 72 degrees . . . snugly quilts are the best.

6.     One thing you love about camping: Being outdoors . . . and sleeping bags. 

7.     One reason you do not camp more often: Might have to do it more often. Aspen Grove was so much fun!

8.     Favorite thing about nighttime: A piece of chocolate at 10 o'clock.

9.     Ideal music for a summer evening: Anything my iPod wants to shuffle . . . what a great invention.

10.  Your thoughts on s’mores: Can't be beat . . . extra good with peanut butter on them.

11.  Would you ever live in the South? A/C is a wonderful thing . . . humidity would take much of the fun out of living there . . . a great old plantation would be fun.

12.  If you stole an art piece, which one would it be? Can't think of one I would enjoy if it were stolen!

Summer Style in Late July

Norman Rockwell

The water is warm. I only exclaim once going in. I put this sauce together this morning (using my garden's basil and oregano!) and my hands smell of garlic. I don't remember the last time I prepared pasta. There are good garden treasures to prepare with pasta during the summer. I just finished roasting my fifth large zucchini that Gloria gave me from her sister's garden, which I ate alone or in a salad. I have six ears of corn in my vegetable drawer.

I finished my jar of apricot jam this morning on seedy toast. Apricot jam is my preferred jam. We grew up on strawberry freezer jam. It can't be beat. My father spread it on waffles instead of syrup. I adore the sweetened tartness of the apricot. It never disappoints. Homemade jam is a superb gift. I don't make jam because of the alarming amount of sugar. I would rather not know.

Yesterday at the beach I finished a very exciting book about art crime. The author recovered stolen Norman Rockwells in Brazil, investigated the Gardner theft (the single largest property theft in recorded history, valued at $500 million), and taught me about golden eagle feathers in Native American art and that there are 14 original Bills of Rights. Along with the expected stolen masterpieces from Rembrandt and the usual host of French artists, it is a satisfying read.

Summer Survey: Brian

Brianlion is a first-responder. This is not a surprise. He is a favorite on the blog. In fact, we can't get enough of him.

1.     The best use for peanut butter: French bread.

2.     A great gift you would like to receive but no one has ever given you: Someone already has.

3.     Fiction or non-fiction (and favorite title): Both; The Pilgrim's Progress.

4.     A food everyone loves to eat but you think is overrated: Anything highly seasoned, especially sour cream.

5.     Ideal temperature for sleeping:  60°.

6.     One thing you love about camping: The ink-black night sky, glittering with stars, silhouetted by towering pines.

7.     One reason you do not camp more often: Difficult to brush teeth.

8.     Favorite thing about nighttime: The cold and dark and quiet.

9.     Ideal music for a summer evening: The same as for any evening: classical, soundtracks, choral.

10.  Your thoughts on s’mores: None in particular.

11.  Would you ever live in the South? Perhaps in the Florida panhandle or San Antonio. Though nice, they are not British Columbia.

12.  If you stole an art piece, which one would it be? The Magna Carta.

Summer Soup and Trail Mix Cookies

You may recall this post, and remember I've wanted to make this soup for many moons. The season and my periodic persusal of The Olives Table conspired. I made the soup last night. I delivered some to friends who needed dinner. I kept some. It is very nice (especially lukewarm) and quite different for a tomato soup. I have also made grilled cheese sandwiches twice this week with white Cheddar and fancy bread: lemon pugliese and a seedy whole grain. I put sliced tomatoes in the sandwiches. As the recipe alludes, it should be excellent with grilled shrimp. I've also made granola (for the umpteenth time) and cookies (for the third time). Super good.


Lauren's Trail Mix Cookies

Adapted from Love Soup by Anna Thomas

Makes about 4.5 dozen cookies

3/4 C white flour

1 C whole wheat flour

3/4 t baking powder

3/4 t baking soda

1/2 t ground cinnamon

1/2 t ground nutmeg

1/2 t sea salt

1 C unsalted butter, softened

1/4 C white sugar

1.5 C packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 ripe medium banana, mashed

2.5 t vanilla extract

3.5 C rolled oats

1 C raisins

3/4 C chopped walnuts

3/4 C bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chunks

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 or 3 large baking sheets with parchment. Whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a small bowl. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the white and brown sugars until it looks fluffy, then beat in the eggs, mashed banana (you should have at least 1/2 cup), and vanilla extract. Stir or beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture until well combined, but do not overbeat. Stir in the oats, raisins, chopped walnuts, and chocolate, until everything is well mixed. Scoop up rounded tablespoons of the dough and use a second spoon to push them off onto the parchment-lined baking sheets. Another way to do this is to scoop up a rounded tablespoon of dough and shape it into a ball with damp fingers, then place it on the parchment. Leave at least 2 inches space between cookies. Bake the cookies for 16 to 18 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges, and reverse the position of the pans halfway through. Transfer the cookies to a rack while they are still warm and allow them to cool.

Summer Survey with Friends: Yours Truly

Painting: Edward Hopper Second Storey Sunlight (1960)

I announce the summer of 2012 survey of friends and loved ones. As per usual, I will use myself as guinea pig first in line. Please stay tuned for my line-up of distinguished guests. 

1.     The best use for peanut butter: thai peanut sauce, peanut butter and chocolate ice cream, plain and natural.

2.     A great gift you would like to receive but no one has ever given you: a Volkswagen.

3.     Fiction or non-fiction (and favorite title): fiction and non if it is well written (most celebrities should not publish books), anything by M.F.K. Fisher or The Sun Also Rises or An American Childhood.

4.     A food everyone loves to eat but you think is overrated: cake pops.

5.     Ideal temperature for sleeping: cool night air.

6.     One thing you love about camping: cooking and eating charred goodness.

7.     One reason you do not camp more often: i am not comfortable with tent nylon.

8.     Favorite thing about nighttime: sleeping, quiet, bugs making noise.

9.     Ideal music for a summer evening: Van Morrison.

10.  Your thoughts on s’mores: i love them. they are a staple of summer. i need to eat them at least once more this summer. i like a quality graham cracker.

11.  Would you ever live in the South? yes, i would like to live in a verdant town and eat local peanuts in a sleeping porch and sip from a glistening pitcher of lemonade.

12.  If you stole an art piece, which one would it be? probably a pen and ink that i could frame.

Mumsie's Birthday

Yesterday was Mother's big day, though not as big as last year. She is 71. Here she blows out one candle on her red velvet cake with this frosting. She requested this cake flavor as it has peaked in popularity these recent years. She couldn't remember ever tasting it and was curious. It took the place of her normal chocolate and nuts. Robin and I both proclaimed it the best red velvet cake we had eaten, thanks to the recipe giver.

We started the morning with popovers, butter, and berry jams (blackberry and raspberry). Then we went shopping. We returned for a homemade root beer float and got ready for the afternoon party. She set out games and we jumped in the pool. The littles came and all soaked. Taylor proclaimed the pool "refreshing." For an early dinner, we ate Frito pie. I used this recipe but really did prefer my original (previously published in Gourmet). It was worth a try. Robin made and brought ambrosia salad (mother's request). I made guacamole and lemonade.

After dinner, the kids looked through a baby album of mother's. They were surprised she had been so little. We opened presents. And then, the quick cake before we left for The Shakespearean Festival to see Les Misérables. A long day of party and sun and fun.

Red Velvet Cake

Adapted from Tanya Sorensen's grandmother (sent by email on Feb. 23, 2008)

1/2 C shortening

1 1/2 C sugar

2 eggs

1 T vinegar

1 t vanilla

1 t salt

1 T cocoa

1 oz. red food coloring and 1 food-coloring bottle full of water

2 1/2 C flour

1 t soda

1 C buttermilk

Cream shortening, sugar, and eggs. Add vinegar, vanilla, and salt. Make a past of food coloring, water, and cocoa. Add to creamed mixture. Sift flour and soda. Add alternately with buttermilk to batter, starting and ending with the flour. Pour into 2 9" round cake pans. Bake 30-35 minutes at 375 degrees F. Cool and slice each layer in half horizontally. Spread with icing.