Summer Survey: Our Amy

As one of our own, Amy, our girl, chimes in like we love. Who cannot get enough?

1.     The best use for peanut butter: slathered on a banana.

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

3.     Fiction or non-fiction (and favorite title): Fiction. Where the Wild Things Are.

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

5.     Ideal temperature for sleeping: 70 with an ocean breeze coming from an open window.

6.     One thing you love about camping: Not spiders. Not sleeping on the ground. Not lack of a restroom. I guess I love nothing.

7.     One reason you do not camp more often: Refer to above.

8.     Favorite thing about nighttime: A book in bed and then sleep.

9.     Ideal music for a summer evening: Beethoven or show tunes.

10.  Your thoughts on s’mores: gimme s'more.

11.  Would you ever live in the South? Where in the South? I live in the South of California right now, so yes, I think.

12.  If you stole an art piece, which one would it be? The Bedroom by Vinnie Van Gogh.

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.

Mark and Me

He ordered this Japanese chef's knife to our delight. It chops the herbs from the garden he planted. Then he marinates meat in herbs and vinegar. It is an intuitive science to him. He plants himself by the little kettle black barbeque that he carries downstairs. We use charcoal. He watches the flames turn to a glow while reading from his phone. I prepare tossed greens or potatoes. He keeps the neighbor's jubilant puppy from the meat. He calls for a platter. He looks for red-pink inside the meat. I like both meat and sauce. He did it again.

Fabric: It's What To Buy

Fabric: It's the latest fashion. Coming in in lines, asking top dollar, and fading out to greedy buyers on the sale rack. Once you see one, you may not see it again . . . . This fabric is Parisville by Tula Pink for Free Spirit in Pomegranate. A red-dy pink design on a red purple background. Red-pink is my calling card. I bought a small cut of it somewhere and fell in love as time went on. I used it in two projects. I wanted more. I went back to a number of stores in two states to no avail. I remember buying it from the bolt from a west facing wall in the store. It was not to be. Last night in my online fabric store meanderings, I caught site of it. I now have the name. I am buying some from Kerri's etsy store . . . two yards! All she has . . . . I never thought I would see for sale again. It is luscious. Now I need to plan how to use it. It is a dreamy prospect, my friends.

Pizza, Pizza

Mark got this book from his lovely girlfriend for his birthday. He began to read it like a novel. We both love cookbooks. We first made soft rolls in two forms: knots and butterflake.

This weekend we began Friday night with Neo-Neopolitan pizza dough. We made five pizzas on Sunday for his parents during six hours. We heated their pizza stone to 550 degrees F. We had no pizza peel and instead used ingenuity and parchment paper. It was a calamitious great time. His pizza sauce was exceptional. He minced fresh herbs from the herb garden he planted and brought to me.

Crushed Tomato Sauce
Peter Reinhart's Artisan Breads Every Day
Makes 4 cups

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1/4 t freshly ground black pepper
1 t dried basil or 2 T minced fresh basil
1 t dried oregano or 1 T minced fresh oregano
5 cloves fresh garlic, minced or pressed
2 T red wine vinegar or freshly squeeze lemon juice, or a combination
1 t salt, to taste

In a bowl, stir together all the ingredients, starting with 1/2 teaspoon salt and adding more to taste. Store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Cookbook Review: Super Natural Every Day

You know Heidi Swanson's beautiful site. Her dishes, her font, the light from her window. I sometimes peek at her site to know all is well with the world. Because I needed free shipping, I ordered one of her books several weeks ago. The book is a beauty, no surprise. I love her photography. Her brothy tomato soup is pictured here.

Once I made Lela (a friend I visit teach) some cauliflower soup and presented it in a glass jar. I love presenting soup in glass jars. Months later she requested the recipe. I am a person who remembers the origin of a recipe. I had no clue where this one came from. Then the book arrived by post. I took it outside to worship the sun on the stairs and open my gem. I greedily turned pages. I found the cauliflower soup with aged Cheddar and mustard croutons. It was Heidi's. I blessed her name.

She is a person who makes mixed citrus juice sound like nothing you have quaffed. From her I think making whole grain mustard is a great idea. Next on my list is her cabbage soup (chickpeas, potatoes, garlic, curry powder). Last year I featured her shaved fennel salad in my annual cookbook. Carnival cookies (peanuts, popcorn, chocolate chips). And the traditional Indian beverage, iced panakam (ginger, cardamom, lime juice, sparkling water). Yes, I will.

Soup Kitchen

Source

In January
it's so nice
while slipping
on the sliding ice
to sip hot chicken soup
with rice.
Sipping once
sipping twice
sipping chicken soup
with rice.


from Chicken Soup with Rice: A Book of Months
by Maurice Sendak

At mid-National Soup Month, four soups have come out of my kitchen. I do like a one-pot meal. I also enjoy serving soup at home and giving soup away. Who is not delighted with a jar of healthy soup for lunch?

At present I have split pea and roasted vegetable in the fridge. I use the Contessa's pea soup recipe from this book and it makes double what she revised for the Food Network. A large family ate from the pot for a week. Made at least three times over the years, it is flavorful and divine. For a New Year's holiday get-together, we feasted on Hoppin' John. Sprouts was out of dried black-eyed peas so I used second-choice canned. I used one ham hock and ate the leftovers (Skippin' Jenny) until they became too porcine. The fourth soup was the Contessa's Chicken Noodle Soup for a new baby's family.

For the preparations, I used two pots, the Dijon and the Cherry Red. I love a pot on the stove.

Looking Forward: Twenty-Twelve

Early New Year's Eve, I enjoyed Cherry Limeade at California Pizza Kitchen. Startling and very exciting. In line at Sprout's on Friday, the man in front of me asked my NY's goals. I said I was still working on them. He said he is perfecting his spiderman push-up and working to manufacture his healthy ice cream. Good luck with that, I answered. Actually, I was encouraging and said I would look for his ice cream. I was buying potato chips and sushi. After work, I stopped by Trader Joe's and the same man checked out my groceries. Again, I wished him well with his glacial goal. I bought chocolate-covered chips for NYs at the Ritchies.

1. Make pasta puttanesca
2. Finish Americana quilt
3. Learn to handquilt
4. Read the Bible and Book of Mormon (I'm going to try this . . . If it interferes with my B of M reading, I'll quit.)
5. Write fun stuff
6. Be kind
7. Focus on others
8. Pray
9. Love
10. Don't keep an overwhelming schedule

Gumdrop Lights

My trek to Christmas is often a two-pointed jaunt. First to the Ritchies, then home. It is the best way to make the journey. We made a string of gumdrop lights. Amy's theme was Vintage Christmas and she had a candy-themed tree. I took my strings of gumdrops down last night.

I watched this movie for the first time and made these for the first time. We hosted a Christmas tea for Taylor and Rachel Ritchie. They chose their own tea cups. We served sandwiches, Lindt truffles, Shirley Temples, cocoa, and a high number of bowls of goodies. I got a French nativity. A yoga top from someone; yoga pants from another. I love to give gifts. I feel mother embraced each gift I got for Father to give her. She also loved the sewing case and we have put it together together for her sampler class beginning in January. My sister is very easy to shop for. Today I'm presenting a crocheted fabric rug to Donn and Nancy. They arrive after Christmas. Amy wrapped my gifted treasures in fabric ties. Jeff sent the second half of my birthday gift: fabric for a quilt and a pattern.

As is our new habit, we host Christmas Eve and then go to Robin's for Christmas day around 10 am. The more Christmases the better; I'm sure you agree. We settled on brisket (Brian's request as it rhymes with biscuit). We used Jo-Jo's as the dessert base but I felt the word too willy-nilly for the menu. 

Christmas Eve Menu

Tomato Bisque with Toasts

Oven-Simmered Beef Brisket

Gratin Dauphinois

Simple Greens

Peppermint Oreo Dessert with Hot Fudge Sauce

Cookie Cutters

image from www.marthastewart.com

I am not into sugar cookies. I am drawn to their fanciful shapes and even more fanciful icing. They belong on the cover of magazines. Most often sugar cookies are tasteless, floury, and the frosting is too sweet. I take a bite and leave it. Plus, I avoid making roll-out cookies. My sister is my polar opposite in the sugar cookie arena. She loves to eat and make them. I don't know where she came from. She is constantly making new sugar cookie recipes. There have been one or two cookies I like enough to eat; I like the sugar cookies from Milton's. Often they are in the shape of dolphins.

I found this recipe earlier this week and was swayed by fresh nutmeg and the old-fashioned title. These women didn't mess around with fragile dough. I was encouraged and had a small amount of sour cream in the fridge from our chili night. It was a go. I made the dough and popped it in the fridge until today. This afternoon I rolled out without qualm and baked to good effect. I forgot to sprinkle them (my wrapped gifts have no bows or ribbons either.) The cookies are very nice. A good sugar cookie dough. Now, I will move onto frosting . . . .

A St. Nicholas Day Report

illustration by Norman Rockwell

Brian carried the Christmas CD charge for many years. Last year, I offered to relieve him since 2010 was quite a year-end for the fam. This year, mother chose other neighborhood gifties but I made another music CD for my friends. Last year's was highly inspired by Marta's merry mix. I even used her instrux to made CD cases. This year, I exercised self-sufficiency skills and here is my list.

1. in the bleak midwinter • erin bode
2. what are you doing new year's eve? • the carpenters
3. what child is this? (greensleeves) • sarah mclachlan
4. god rest ye merry gentlemen/o come emmanuel (feat. colette butler) • callie moore
5. it's beginning to look a lot like christmas • perry como and the fontane sisters
6. the christmas waltz • she and him
7. white christmas • bing crosby
8. carol of the bells • the bird and the bee
9. the heartache can wait • brandi carlile
10. o holy night • nat king cole
11. the christmas song • catherine feeny
12. we wish you a merry christmas • the brady bunch
13. auld lang syne • james taylor
14. the wexford carol • yo-yo ma, alison krauss, natalie macmaster

It is heavy on the plaintiff girl with a guitar. What can I say?

Shot of the Day

On my list of top male actors is Daniel Day-Lewis. He has earned my respect. He is an actor, not a celebrity. British, a cut above, and he played Newland Archer. This image was snapped at luncheon on the set of Spielberg's new Lincoln film. Daniel is playing A. Lincoln. Maira Kalman will have something to say about this. She might start a new embroidery. The iced tea, the tables linens, the black turtleneck.

Online: A Few Friends

Like you, I have a lot of favorite sites bookmarked. I have a list of sewing sites and a list of cooking sites. A list of books, news, and libraries. But there are a few sites I read really often. And they are writing sites. Through a string of consistent clicks, I learn I have an affinity and a connection to these people I've never met. Their writing is moving and they have a distinct voice. Their own.

Marta is a happy person who is a graphic designer. She is married with a small boy. She enjoys life and is a good photographer. Her blog is a mix of design, home decorating, style, family time, and recipes. She is best at introspective writing.

Jenna is a designer too. She is married and lives in NYC with her husband (a baker) and their two young girls. She is an excellent photographer. She is about my age though we don't have much in common on paper. Her voice is contemplative and soulful. In real life, she might be perceived as blasée or quiet. I don't think she smiles much. She is perhaps my favorite online writer.

Alicia is a sewer. Her home design is a picture. And, her photographs are beautiful. She lives with her husband in Oregon. I recently became aware of how connected I was when she told of her preparations to prepare to adopt a baby girl and I cried reading every post. I thought what ideal parents they would be. Today she published the latest. It did not go through. She is a lovely person who cares about beauty.