Playing catch-up

So we've been a bit behind in our blogging posts, partly because I've been lazy, and partly because Lisa let Christie use her camera on her recent trip to CA (such a good big sister). We took a few photos with my camera, but it is so inferior to Lisa's and I was getting frustrated. For example, this is what my camera thinks is a great example of its macro function:


"What? You want me to focus on the stuff CLOSE-UP? Hmmm....I don't know...."

So anyway, we've been slacking on the photo diary of our oh-so-exciting lives. But here are a few photos that are at least a little more in focus.



We dug up most of our potatoes recently, and these are some of the fingerlings that we eventually turned into this potato salad:


This recipe was a recommendation of Julie's, and we just got around to trying it. Definitely a keeper. Here's the link to the recipe, and we highly recommend it. Delicious.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/23/health/nutrition/23recipehealth.html?ex=1382587200&en=d8a1a5604271e9a1&ei=5124&partner=digg&exprod=digg


So the peppers in that first blurry photo were Lisa's nugget peppers. She loves peppers. In addition to the varieties that we bought and grew, Lisa snagged a few seeds from our friend Brett who was also growing interesting varieties. I think those peppers are called 'golden nugget' or something, and they have such a cute shape. Coming soon: fish peppers!

I'll have an update on the garden soon, but in a nutshell things are slowing down or dying because of the heat. We still have a few things going and are starting our late summer seeds, so I'll take some photos (Lisa's camera returns this Sunday) and share soon.

Clean Vivian:

Happy 4th of July

We started our Independence Day celebration with a nice pitcher of Mojitos. Other than the gin and tonic, this is the best adult beverage on the planet.

lots of ice
a few shredded mint leaves
approx. 1 tbsp sugar
1-2 tsp lime juice (I usually like a little more)
white rum
club soda


Look! We got a grill!


Look at that surface area -- this beats layering things on the hibachi....Plus, it has a side burner. Everyone knows what that means...we can finally make perfect fried rice!!! We are already wondering what our neighbors are going to think when we drag our wok outside.

Lost and found

This is Lisa. There has been a search this week for the missing red Michael Jackson doll. Look -- we found him!

Day off = day of food

Our day today was completely centered around food. Lisa, Christie (Lisa's sister), and I took a drive to visit our favorite Asian grocery, and our favorite Swiss bakery is conveniently next door. It would be a shame to buy rice and spring roll wrappers and not pick up a pastry (or 2...ok, 6) at the same time. We then went blueberry picking :


Later that day Lisa made bread:

These turned out so well, perhaps her best attempt yet. Wonderfully chewy, crispy but not too tough on the outside. So good. I think I'll keep her. We also made eggplant parmesan for dinner. We bake the eggplant instead of frying it, and layer it with tomato sauce, parmesan, and peas. Apparently this is a more Sicilian version of eggplant parm, but it is nice and light, and very easy. I'd show you a picture, but we ate it before I thought to take one.

To finish off Christie is in the process of making homemade strawberry basil ice cream. We are using our lime basil, so I think it is going to turn out really tasty. She made coffee ice cream last night and we were all rather impressed so we are trying it again. The recipe is from a recent article in our Fine Cooking magazine -- they give you all these really crazy ideas for flavor combinations. Pine nut olive oil, whiskey gingerbread, lavender vanilla, orange Earl Grey. I'm not so sure about the pine nut, but the others sound yummy.