We had a very warm day yesterday here in southern Oregon. We had gone to Costco and while there we found some beautiful Boxwood bushes, perfect for three empty pots we had sitting on our newly finished porch built off the master bedroom. While Jim was outside planting I stayed in the kitchen and decided … Continue reading Salad Nicoise
We made these the other night along with some roasted butternut squash and braised Brussels sprouts. They turned out great. First we brined the chops using Alton Brown's brinning recipe cut in half. 1/2 cup kosher salt (do not use iodized salt) 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 Tablespoon black peppercorns 1/2 Tablespoon mustard powder 1 … Continue reading Bacon-wrapped Pork Chops
Rated one of the Top Ten Soups in the world. The weather here in Southern Oregon has been gorgeous the past couple of days, normally too perfect for soup but I'm feeling a bit puny, wanted something tasty, you know, spicy and fortifying. Jim immediately responded with suggestion of Tom Yum soup. Long story short … Continue reading Tom Yum Goong
My title comes from Robert Frost's poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." I've always loved walking, hiking, and climbing. In February of 2012 I installed an App on my iPhone called "Map My Run." My first hike was 3.36 miles. For the last eight years I have tried to catalogue my hiking activities … Continue reading Miles to go before I sleep!
Yesterday Jim came into the office and asked if we had any material laying around the house and where could he find it. He shared that he was going to sew some masks we could wear when we go out shopping or to the post office. He's pretty confident that wearing masks in public will … Continue reading Masks
Opened up our local paper "Tempo" magazine. Since all performances, activities, theaters, and events are cancelled, the "Tempo" accumulated a "Binge Watching List" of suggestions. Thought I'd share it with all our reading public. We're staying home more and we we'll all be needing good suggestions on what to watch in between washing our hands … Continue reading Binge
We lived in New England for twenty years and every kid played soccer in the Spring and the Fall. They would have practice once a week and they competed every Saturday morning, rain or shine. Our good friend Ray would stop at Dunkin Donuts and buy huge boxes of donuts for team and parents, we're … Continue reading Saturday Soccer
An authentic Cubano Sandwich is a gloriously grilled sandwich filled with ham, the ham shouldn't be smoky or too salty. Juicy Pulled Pork, Provolone (in an authentic Cubano Provolone is not used,) Swiss cheese, pickles, and yellow mustard on freshly baked white bread roll! We live in a culinary wasteland, however, this tasty meat and cheese … Continue reading Authentic Cubano
Jim and James love mustard and they are both, now, making their own. As you all know I'm German so my genes dictate that I should love it as well, but I've never been that keen on it. However, I had a little slice of ham the other night and Jim's new jars of Country … Continue reading Home Made Mustard
As most of you know Jim, James (our son,) and I have three major interests: food (eating, cooking, and researching,) travel (hiking, walking, climbing, and general sightseeing) and lifestyle (love to write about traditions, cultures, and norms.) James lives and writes from Portland, Oregon and Jim and I write from the Rogue Valley in Oregon. … Continue reading Confessions of a Blogger
