Dinner and a Cooky

We planned to have a cookie night, based on our cake night, but wiser. We wouldn't need to dispose of 8 whole cakes. So, we planned cookies and dinner about 5 months ago. The weekend passed and with it, a wholly enjoyable dinner party and cookie presentation. The highlight in cookies were Aimee's pumpkin cookies with brown-butter icing. Would you like to try one of her rolls? She rocked the baked goods.

Michelle, a non-cook open to possibilities, presented a taste of her motherland: old German honey cookies. Not too sweet, history in the mouth. Both cookies were spiced, but so nicely one could not identify individual flavors. It was thrilling. I made Alice Medrich's buckwheat butter cookies with cocoa nibs and oatmeal, coconut, and cranberry cookies. The first turned out nicely, the second were flat flat flat. I pretended they did not exist, averting my knowing eyes. For dinner we enjoyed the rolls, soupe au pistou, and cucumber salad.

Topics of conversation: oiling wood, cold cereal, the zoo (and dogs therein), barbeque, baby peacocks, pesto, France, salt, Canadians, Thanksgiving, piping, Baking Illustrated, sudden death, cupboard space, making people wait, pearls for swine, holiday traditions.

Reciting Lines

Mother played Parade of the Midgets by Elizabeth L. Hopson. Robin recorded it and played it back for her. She didn't realized the length of her pauses. Bo participated in his premier recital with Old MacDonald's Farm, an old folk tune. He announced his name and the piece with aplomb. He did not play the last line of his piece. He was done and brevity is nothing to sneeze at. Both bowed after their performances in the Tabernacle though I thought a curtsy from Mother would have served well.

this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

Have you seen a more interesting bride? Her necklace is perfection. I didn't photograph the whole, a regret. The ceremony was composed of readings, vows, and a union symbol (purified water from the Ganges from the groom and Santaquin well water from the bride, mixed and poured for both to drink). Readings of scope and virtue: John Muir, Thoreau, Abbey, Wendell Barry, Mary Oliver, Rumi, Stegner, the Book of Mormon, and Sherman Alexie. I was asked to recite E. E. Cummings. It was a pleasure to try to learn it by heart. The location was remote, the road wild, and the company natural. My niece and I delighted in hula hoops, corn on the cob, and the satisfying accomplishment of using primitive facilities in the outdoors. I reunioned with Ned from college (he recited Wendell Barry). A wedding for the ages.

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done

by only me is your doing,my darling)

                                                      i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows

higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

A Penny for Your Thoughts, A Nickel for a Kiss

Up in the Sky by Majali

I once went on vacation by myself to Santa Fe, New Mexico. I went to Santa Fe to eat Frito Pie at the Woolworth's. The Woolworth's had closed down. I remembered this today as I happened on this recipe. The original was served in the Frito bag at the lunch counter.

I have a weakness for lunch counters.

My mother has hooked Nancy on Fritos this year. At the cabin, Donn and Nancy celebrated with champagne and Fritos by the creek before their anniversary dinner.

I sent mother a birthday package to New Jersey at the first of July. When her tour itinerary changed, the package remained. The package has yet to wend its way to mother. The package contains, among sundries, Fritos.

Since attending Christine's wedding reception, I am always looking for a delicious garlic bread recipe.

Often when looking for a good recipe, I consult The Silver Palate Cookbook. I am still looking for garlic bread.

Amy sometimes recalls the Smokehouse garlic cheese bread. When googled, the recipe calls for a packet of Kraft mac and cheese powder.

One of my favorite foods is olives. Not surprisingly, I love tapenade. The best tuna sandwich you will ever eat is at Waters. It is the albacore salad sandwich with tapenade and arugula on herb focaccia. I would be lying if I denied it is one of my favorite foods ever. I try to never lie.

I found Dobby's death incredible. I often think of Dobby and house elves.

Sometimes it's hard to imagine eating at a place with "wool" in the title. A swank restaurant named "Burlap" just opened near me. I made an informal vow never to patronize it.

The two African violets in my terrarium thrive but have not bloomed. I have yet to help an African violet bloom.

Each House Beautiful issue makes me want to paint my room. Lately, it has been pink.

My current life goal is to make Spike Mendelsohn's Toasted Marshmallow Shake. I try to set attainable, pleasurable goals and encourage you to do the same. Help me help you.

The Cabin

My father's side are the hunters. So the cabin walls hold big game antlers, a deer head, and mounted fish. The cabin was built in the 1950s. It is a repository of family memories and ancient crockery at the end of the road of summer cabins north of Mammoth Lakes. You hear the creek everywhere. And this year it was burgeoning. 

The creek is always cold from snowy run-off. But live water is part of the terrain. We wash dishes with it, boil it to drink, and shower under it. When we talk about the cabin, we talk about the creek. 

Unfolding from the driver's seat in the dark of the dirt road and in the light of the porch, you breathe pine. And the screen door opens and Nancy comes out and the screen door slams. The sound of the screen door, the rush of the creek, and the snap of the fire.  

And every day Donn and mother look for clouds. The family is a family of photographers and clouds are a must. I lay the spiderweb quilt on my up-at-the-top-of-the-stairs bed. It was made for an attic bedroom. The screened window is a frame of trees. Three chamber pots remain. (The outhouse was not used by me; we used the inside bathroom, a room I was previously unfamiliar with.)

Mother found an attractive walking stick the first day. I applauded her spartan resourcefulness. We enjoyed the hearth every night. Every morning Donn turned on the gas stove to warm the kitchen. I feel like I ate mostly bread and cookies (the shortbread chocolate chip!) from Schat's Bakery. I was pleased to regale my audience with stove-popped corn one afternoon. Donn made cracked wheat sourdough French toast. Nancy presented her orange ginger salmon with wild rice, steamed squashes, and avocado papaya salad. We had ice cream every night. Donn did not convert me to Thrifty strawberry cheesecake and I did not convert him to chocolate malted crunch. We learned to play Spite and Malice from Nancy. We watched the slide show Donn made for Selina's funeral. Mother and I both finished our books. I took movies of the creek. We spoke of our generations, living under the roof of a sometime home. And the generations slide further down the creek.

Set in Stone: The Collection

I'm sure you've seen them. Garish shiny red or black plastico leather bindings. A moon-face of an author. Uniform dust jackets. Gilt gold spine lettering. Orangey-red-clothed from Harvard. They are different families in one catagory: the library collection. A small canon from someone who chose, another who approved. And now, they are for sale.


I don't wish to cast dispersion from my non-Parisian garrett. Even I have feelings of love for Everyman's Library from Knopf under the Random House umbrella. Some collections are pristine. I am first to say I love books, regardless of clothing, paper, typeface. However, they are a noble thing and the press should reflect this. If you are interested in buying the Everyman's Essential set for your home (100 volumes), I will break the bad news. The set is backordered. I like to think they sold out at $2,282.45 per (free shipping?) and are now reprinting.


I love a canon, it is true. I sometimes reflect on what is my approved list of books. And, how would I clothe them? The thought came about from reading this post on one of my favorite movies. I've read the book only once and vowed to find it soon to reread. The English Novel. What is more noble? This book would be in my approved set. The 100 Essentials has chosen instead Forster's A Passage to India, a choice I can easily self-explain. I must start creating a canon of English writers to set me on the path.

Luncheon: A Summer Afternoon

A few weeks ago Marci and I revisited our tradition: luncheon. I have often enjoyed sitting at their table and remember the first thing I ate there. We have constructed a few excellent repasts and culled the treasures of the season to do so. This was no exception. Rick joined us and ate two bowls of soup. He embraced the sheep's milk feta.

Menu

Red Pepper Soup with Olives, Lemon Zest, and Yogurt

Shaved Fennel Salad

Maine Crabmeat and Marinated Citrus Fruit Salad with Mint

Hibiscus and Mint Lemonade

Each a winner in its own right. The offerings were natural, we ate and felt light. She led me past the Meyer lemons to the apricots where I picked a bagful. That week I made apricot curd to use in the trifle for Fourth of July. She made apricot ice cream.

Island in the Sun

Last week I spent Thursday on Balboa Island with a large handful of my favorites. We beached, strolled, ate, talked, gawked, and came under the spell of a slow pace and summer streets.

In the evening I ate more seafood than I ever have in one sitting. Smelled delicious basil and tomatoes. Ate my bag of saltwater taffy. Contemplated a fiftieth anniversary. Shivered, sweated, and came home covered in salt and sand.

Sea to Sea

image: www.thecraftingchicks.com

Normally we are all together but mother is away so the mice played alone. I woke too early, ran the stairs at the beach, went to spin class, bought pound cake, made a summer fruit trifle for the evening, baked French toast casserole for the Fourth of July breakfast, drove to the breakfast and watched George and Martha Washington pose for pictures, ate chocolate frozen bananas after breakfast, watched children wave flags, the young women sing, Don Henley in the car on the way home, wanted to take a toes-up, washed my car in the driveway, read Rachael Ray magazines in the sun, went to Pat's for lessons on how to appliqué like a pro (I am daunted), back to my house for the cream, went to Phipps/Nelsons for block party bbq with hamburgers, bulgar salad (yum), pasta salad, and patriotic desserts (overdid on the bbq potato chips), watched fireworks in the street from the Fair, came home ill from the chips, tired from having much fun.

Bulgur Salad with Feta and Mint

Serves 6

1/2 t table salt

1 1/2 C uncooked bulgur

3 T fresh lemon juice

4 t olive oil

1/2 t black pepper

1/2 C crumbled feta

1/2 C fresh chopped mint leaves

Combine 1 1/2 cups cold water and salt in a small pot; bring to a boil and stir in bulgur. Cover pot, remove from heat, and set aside until bulgur is tender and water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Fluff bulgur with a fork, allow to cool. Spoon bulgur into a serving bowl. Add lemon juice, oil, and pepper; stir well. Add cheese and mint; serve gently but well.

Labels: A Good Record

I appliqued four labels on the quilts I have in my possession. One more to go. I need to dig in the journals for some dates. I wrote with a thin Sharpie. I enjoy stitching with embroidery floss. I plan to learn to handquilt this year. 

Cobwebs

When I saw the spiderweb quilt in a book, I liked the red background. Instead, I chose a purple with red in it. This is big for me. I have only bought some lavendar/purple clothes this year. If there was a color I would never buy, purple would be it. I never wanted to be royal. My feelings have changed enough to foster change. I also wanted this quilt that I thought was full size (and is really twin) to lie on an attic bed. I wasn't opposed to darkness.

Here Brian and I are standing very tall and his shoes peep out. I like my left hand; it is nicely poised.

I am exceedingly fond of the mustard and cranberry binding and find the print delicious to the eye.

This appealing one-year-old offers a dusty handprint. I enjoy when a youth clutches.

My first label. I intend to retrace my efforts and label the others. 

Father's Day

Some people have lost their fathers. Some people still have them. We are in both camps. Without father we watched a plane fly, crash, and undergo repair.

Happy Birthday, Mother!

This woman is not 70. Yet. She will be on a three-week trip over her big day so we celebrated on Saturday with a barbeque, potato salad, strawberries and fruit dip, garlic bread, Chee-tos, Enid's bundt cake (made by Robin), ice cream, and a vanilla cream pie. She wore a crown.

We played bingo and pin the tail on the donkey, the washer game, and swam. Hodgie drank periodically from all the watering cans. There were injuries, bees, and handmade gifts and cards.

She wore a pink ensemble. In the morning we attended the Tuacahn outdoor market where she bought a small sack of faux gems and did a round of shopping. We lunched at The Painted Pony with the girls. Good mother. And many more.

All the Better to See You With

Our week was dynamic, fresh, and spontaneous. We had a list and have vowed to complete our won ton class and toasted marshmallow shakes next week after missing the brunch hour. We also planned another movie night; our first was not on the list but a real pleaser with this film and the promise of popcorn and Milk Duds. We read this book. And did not read this one. She suggested if we have any strawberries in San Diego, I could make strawberry jam like her mother (after I served pineapple mango jam on toast). Grandma wore her Disney collection that she explained was easy to layer and several huge, very long necklaces. My living quarters reeked of polish and remover for several days. After snapping our visit to the zoo, it appears my attraction to the koala has not waned. We spent several afternoons at the beach. We shopped. We saw Beth and Todd on two separate evenings. Todd plucked myrtle from a streetside bush and we smelled. Mother ordered a tuna sandwich that was not boring. All appreciated and smiled for the messy sundae. Mother was properly impressed with our Marshall's. The girl took a weekly craft from the library. She put on gloss and perfume when she went out. She mapped how she wanted to wear her hair in my writing tablet. We had Sprinkles cupcakes but not Thrifty ice cream. I have three red metallic hearts on each big toenail (an ugly word) that float on a bed of light pearl.

As of today I

1. have new brake pads.
2. will share a farewell dinner with dear friends who are moving. in mere seconds, i will make these cookies for our post-lasagna and salad tummies.
3. am planning for next week when i welcome mother and daffodil for the week. i have sent them an effective "trailer" email of the week. 
4. contemplate teaching the "preparation to attend the temple" lesson on sunday.
5. count my blessings for friends who make me happy almost immediately.
6. worry about illness and disease and reversals with those i love.
7. look forward to celebrating a birthday (not mine . . . boo) this weekend. 
8. have menu-planned for sunday when i have a couple over to dinner.
9. found the above new book at the library based on cover and title. this is the law of attraction.
10. put these cookies in the freezer to mail tomorrow to james in the mtc, budapest hungary-bound.

Cheese Fondue

My mother made cheese fondue for us a lot when I was growing up. She served it in a red fondue pot and we chose our long fork based on the handle tip color. We became adept at fishing bread chunks out of the pot. A family meal at a common pot. When I grew I found people assume cheese fondue is Swiss cheese fondue, made with wine and spirits and white melting cheese. I've tasted it and it is just not the same. I know my mother has her recipe somewhere but it didn't turn up easily until I went through my old card recipe file yesterday. Cheese Fondue, Fontina. I think we used an orange Cheddar. It is delicious. We still request it for birthdays.

Cheese Fondue, Fontina

1 t caraway seeds
1/4 C hot water
2 T butter
3 T flour
2.5 C milk
1 lb shredded cheese
1 t salt
Pinch of nutmeg

Soak for first two ingredients for 15 minutes. Melt butter over low heat and add flour to make a roux. Add the milk gradually. Cook until thick and smooth. Add caraway seeds and cook until a simmer. Add the cheese one-third at a time, melt and stir constantly. Bring to a bubble. Add salt and nutmeg. Serve with bread cubes.

Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part VI

Irene is one of our favorite relatives. She was spoken of at Christmas; Irene married Budd. She restored the cinnamon raisin cooky recipe to me. Here she reveals all. A lot of people are Christlike from time to time. She is a lot like Jesus. 

A question that should never be asked: How much do you weigh?

Food you are renowned for preparing: chicken and dumplings.

A treasured object: a lock of my daughter's hair.

Favorite scripture story: the Good Samaritan (Luke 10).

Best color to wear: aqua.

Favorite See's candy: walnut squares.

Ideal species of animal: labrador.

If you were to get a cat, what would you name him/her? Cleopatra (Cleo for short!)

Favorite movie: Sabrina, original and new.

A place you would love to visit: Italy.

Cake or pie: Italian wedding cake.

What makes marachino cherries so red? It used to be red dye # 5, but it was bad for us, so now it is something else that is bad for us!!!

Best part of Disneyland: I had to go on Small World 29 times in a row, and I can't get that song out of my head, so I don't have a favorite part. Maybe the gift stores!!!

An object that should never have been invented: the bidet.

A song you like to sing: How Great Thou Art (not too well).

Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part V

Mother is known for eating trail mix for lunch and envisioning all fabric as a tablecloth. She loves making people happy. Her favorite people are small. She plants flowers with the season. She does not drink hot chocolate. Popcorn at movies. Nothing spicy. Everything sweet. She is the proud owner of a three-wheel bike.

A question that should never be asked: What would you do?

Food you are renowned for preparing: Waffles.

A treasured object: Gramma Stoddard's cane back chair.

Favorite scripture story: King Benjamin's address.

Best color to wear: Yellow.

Favorite See's candy: Dark chocolate and almonds.

Ideal species of animal: Dog.

If you were to get a cat, what would you name him/her? Smuggles.

Favorite movie: To Kill A Mockingbird.

A place you would love to visit: Victoria.

Cake or pie: Enid's chocolate bundt cake.

What makes marachino cherries so red? Probably the red dye that is really bad for you.

Best part of Disneyland: Small World.

An object that should never have been invented: Whoopee cushion.

A song you like to sing: The Wheels on the Bus.