Saturday, 24 July...Tell an Old Joke Day

Knock, Knock
Who's there?
Lettuce!
Lettuce who?
Lettuce in, it's hot out here!

Hey fellow Tacomans, it's hot out here. I'm not complaining just saying. The garden wasn't doing much of anything but suddenly it's in overdrive. I've got to pull out all sorts of recipes to make use of what we have and we'll still have plenty for co-workers and friends. Here's a quick recipe for spinach. A loaf of bread and iced tea, and I'll be ready to finish a few things on my continually growing to-do list for the shop.

Spinach & Green Apple Salad
2 T. olive oil
1 T. cider vinegar
1 T. Dijon mustard
salt & freshly ground pepper
5 oz baby spinach (about 5 cups)
1 Granny Smith apple
1/3 c. walnut pieces, toasted in a dry skillet until fragrant, about 2 minutes

- In a small jar with a lid, mix the oil, vinegar and mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss the spinach with dressing until evenly coated. Then divide among 4 plates.
- Core the apple and slice into matchsticks. Sprinkle 1/4 of the apple pieces on top of each salad portion. Follow with walnut pieces. Serve immediately.
Tschuss,
Elizabeth

Thursday, 17 June...Blah, Blah, Blah Day

Sometimes folks just go on and on about things that really doesn't amount to a hill of beans. You sort of go with it until you get some bad news, a loved one's just died, a child is missing, a husband has yet again beat the daylights out of the "love of his life".

I had decided that I wasn't going to the Farmers' Market today but realized it was probably just what I needed. I picked up some oatmeal raisin cookies from StoneGround Bakery (who ever said sugar is a natural high, is sooooo right!!).

I jumped at the opportunity to get a free 5 minute massage from Monica Of Excellence Salon & Spa (located at 114 South 9th St) and I feel ever so much better!!

Next on the list is flowers, $7 for a bunch that will light up your area for days to come.

Back at the shop I passed over a small piece of paper, trash really, but because I was so wrapped up in myself I ignored it. The third time going by I bent down and picked it up intending to throw it away. But it sort of looked familiar, red and white - a fortune perhaps??? So I unfolded it and read: Prepare today for the demands of tomorrow. Plan your move.

A sign from??? Everything happens for a reason, doesn't it? Sometimes we get it and other times we don't. We just have to be open to all the possibilities out there.
Today's Blah, Blah, Blah Day. Make today and every other day more than that.
Tschuss,
Elizabeth

Friday, 11 June...Hug Day

What a nice day I had yesterday! Thursday's Farmers' Market day down on Broadway so my Mom and I walked over and soaked up the sights and sounds of the market.

I picked up a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I keep forgetting to include a pic but promise to do so next week.

Our lunch was 4 potato latkes with sour cream. We had to wait while they finished cooking so the cook included applesauce. Who could imagine that just latkes could fill you up for lunch? But of course, isn't there always room for dessert? My Mom got a gingersnap cookie and I opted for a cheese danish from Grand Central. I've got to buy 2 of the cheese danish next time and TRY and save one for my tea in the morning.

My garden's lacking a few things so I picked up a parsley plant and a mixed salad plant (I think it's called mesculan). A little bit pricey but I know my money's going to the gardener that I paid and she can impart so much information.

Typical Western Washington weather being what it is, rain came pouring down later in the day and I saw something that made my heart sing!! A woman and child were walking down the sidewalk and a huge truck slowed down beside them. The passenger window rolled down, the driver leaned out with an umbrella, opened it and extended it out to the woman. Since I was in my house, I couldn't hear if words were exchanged but it wasn't necessary. This GENTLEMAN, saw a need, helped out and moved on his way. He didn't have to stop, he was nice and dry in his truck but in that instant he saw what he could do to help. This small act of kindness brought tears to my eyes. We can and do so many things out of pure kindness to others. Please remember this act when next you read about some ugly thing that another human being has done against society.

Today's Hug Day!!
Tschuss,
Elizabeth

Thursday, 3 June...National Rocky Road Day

I can't say that I like Rocky Road candy but I do like salmon and since Thursdays the Farmer's Market is open on Broadway I'm off to purchase some of the best salmon around from Rolf's Choice Alaskan Salmon. He gives tasting samples, I dare you to try and not be at least tempted to buy! I've decided to try one of his recipes:

Smoked Salmon Pasta
2 T. butter
olive oil
1 c. heavy cream
salt & pepper to taste
8 oz. smoked salmon (cut into 1" pieces)
1/2 c. chopped onion
zest & juice of 1 lemon
1 lb. cooked pasta (I'll use fettuccine) save a bit of the pasta water
1/2 c. chopped parsley

It's a rare recipe that I don't add garlic, so I'll saute 2-3 cloves of chopped garlic with the onion.

Combine a little olive oil with the butter in a pan. Saute garlic & onion until soft. Stir in cream, lemon zest & juice. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook 4-5 minutes on medium-low heat until slightly thickened, add salmon. Lightly stir to mix. Add the cooked pasta. If it's too thick add some of the pasta water. Add the chopped parsley.

A simple salad, wine and bread and this dish is ready to serve 4-6.
Tschuss,
Elizabeth

Thursday, 27 May...National Sunscreen Day

It maybe a bit premature for sunscreen but it's a nice day in Tacoma, the sun's shining AND the Farmer's Market is open on Broadway!

Today I picked up fresh spinach for dinner and decided to fix -
Bay Scallops with Spinach.

2 lbs. of fresh spinach,stemmed & washed
1 lb. bay scallops
3 large cloves of garlic
1/4 cup of white wine
2 T. fresh lemon juice
2 t. olive oil
2 t. salt
1 t. of grated lemon zest
freshly ground pepper to taste

- Heat 1 T. of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat
- Add the garlic & lemon zest, cook for 20 seconds, stirring continuously
- Add the spinach, toss until wilted
- Drain off the liquid, season with 1 t. of salt & pepper. Keep warm
- Heat the remaining 1 t. olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the scallops, saute for 1 minute or until just cooked through.
- Remove the scallops, add the lemon juice and wine.
- Cook, scraping the bottom of the pan.
- Remove from the heat, toss in the scallops, season with the remaining salt and pepper.
- Serve by placing a mound of spinach in the middle of a plate and surround with scallops.

A loaf of bread (there are several bakeries at the market) and a nice bottle of wine (I recommend Abby's on Broadway - inside Sanford & Son Antiques)and you have a meal worthy of bragging about!
Tschuss,
Elizabeth

Thursday 15 April - High Five Day

This is a nod to the things Moms do for their children, no matter how old they are! My daughter just had a baby. I'm sure all of you remember the food cravings you had while pregnant. One of my daughters' became cupcakes. She and her husband have transferred across country to TN and they don't have one of those cute cupcake places. However Mom lives in Tacoma and we do. Ring, ring of the phone: Mom, when you come out here, would you bring some cupcakes from Hello Cupcakes? Of course, the answer is, no problem.

In hindsight perhaps I shouldn't have been so hasty! Here follows my tale of taking cupcakes from Tacoma, WA to Clarksville, TN.

I had to park 3 streets up and walk down to Hello Cupcakes. Worth it though, Hello Cupcakes is a delight to the senses. It's cute, warm and inviting. Luckily my daughter had been on the website and had an idea of what she wanted. A quick phone call and I'd ordered and picked up 1/2 dozen. The cupcakes are cushioned in its own little round slot to ensure only the slightest of movement and then enclosed in a pink box, announcing to the world, "Sweets Inside".

Not so fast!! On the way back to the car, a bicyclist whizzed past me and in my effort to save the cupcakes, I fell! How are the cupcakes, is my first thought not have I broken anything! Luckily, the cupcakes are OK and I haven't broken anything but my pride. Wouldn't that have been something, a trip to the hospital hours before leaving for TN!

My suitcase is packed and I'm on my way to the airport. My ankles throbbing but I'm determined to ignore it. Suddenly I have a thought, what if TSA decrees I can't take the cupcakes thru security!?? It's a bit late to have that thought, so I'm going to pull up my big girl panties, suffer the consequences if it happens and eat 6 cupcakes before getting on the plane!

Going thru security for the first time in years, the buzzer goes off. Ma'am, step over here, take off your belt and necklace and come back thru. OK, all done and clear. Time to put my shoes and jacket back on, laptop in my bag and most important, pickup my cupcakes. I spoke too soon!!! There are 2 TSA women standing in front of my things. Ma'am there's a problem, the cupcake frosting can't go thru security. It's amazing how fast I forgot the big girl panty thing...I rolled my eyes and thought, you have got to be kidding me, what scrape off the icing! I opened my mouth to complain and they burst out laughing!! We're kidding, the cupcakes look so good and we're both on diets. Who are they for?? Laughs and hugs and I'm on my way.

All airports are not created equal. Some have way too many escalators. Ever try to get on one with a tote bag on your shoulder, rolling suitcase and a box of cupcakes? Not so easy. Thank you to whoever invented elevators.

I made it to my daughter's home, cupcakes in hand. My grandson is adorable, my daughter and son-in-law are tired but healthy. The cupcakes are pronounced divine. High Five to Hello Cupcake on Pacific Ave!

Facebook | Anew Thyme

Facebook | Anew Thyme