Cheese Pizza Day

 

We have an amazing crop of Roma tomatoes from just one pot. That plant was such a pitiful, wilted looking thing all summer, so I'm surprised. 

Having a beautiful bowl of ripe tomatoes on the counter sure spoils the cook. Tonight I'll make a plain Margherita pizza, simple and good.

Not so simple are these babies, an entire afternoon project. John was happy because I outdid myself and made two batches this summer, one from Safeway Hatch peppers, and this one yesterday from our own Anaheim plant. Homemade chili rellenos are a ton of work, but so worth it-- like eggplant parm. 

Our potted plant only produced 5 peppers. Good grief, don't cost average that! So after all the bother (just the plant start cost $5 at Home Depot) I had to do something special with them. Anyway, next year we'll stick to tomatoes, since we can get perfect Hatch peppers at the grocery store for a dollar a pound sometimes. (Food as usual seems to be the main news around here.)

The highlight this week was a lovely walk with a dear old friend at the Seattle Arboretum. I haven't been up there for years, and forgot how exquisite it is, smack dab in the city, right next to the UW and all the construction chaos of freeway 520, which has been going on for decades. There would be garden pictures, except I was too busy yakking.

One hundred years

 

Our Dad would have been 100 years old today. What an amazing 99th party birthday in Las Vegas last year. It seems like yesterday. We miss him dearly, but blessed with a lifetime of beautiful memories.

As they say "age is a work of art, but youth is a gift of nature."

And here is nature on full display this weekend at Lake Chelan. Nova and her strapping young friends spent the day on a motorboat. Hard to believe these kids are 15 going on 16. The healthy Methow lifestyle.

 

Meet Bruun Idun

 

This big girl is one of six hidden trolls in the Northwest, part of the "Way of the Bird King" project. All the trolls were created by Danish recycle artist, Thomas Dambo. 

We got out early to see her yesterday morning before the crowds hit Lincoln Park. This morning is cloudy, but it was a beautiful weekend in Seattle, on a holiday when it usually rains. 

Today might be Labor Day, but my hardworking gardener/handyman Jeiser is coming to trim the laurel hedge.

Labor Day Weekend

 

"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." So said, Aristotle. 

I like something colorful in the shady area by the back steps, and these impatiens turned out nice. I gave them a couple hits of Miracle Grow fertilizer and maybe that did the trick.

After our last almost obscene plum harvest, not a single fruit on the poor tree this year, as it was pruned within an inch of its life. Our neighbor shared these yesterday, thank you W! She uses hers to brew a powerful and interesting plum liqueur, ready about Christmastime.

Maybe a plum cake for us-- I don't care to trash out my new range yet with canning mess.

Speaking of which, cooking is suddenly brighter and easier. Not to mention, more fun. This stir fry came together in half the time and tasted better. It's been over 10 years since I cooked on a real quality range. 

I had a Viking Range once, and top-of-the line in its time. It had a scary infrared broiler and the burners got powerfully hot, but basically just a rough fire machine, lacking the refinement of LG. 

Stuffed with electronics, time will tell if the LG holds up to heavy use.

Enjoy your holiday weekend.  We are sticking close to home.

 

Woo hoo

 

It almost feels like a new kitchen!  Our previous stoves had backs attached, so this is a nicer look. Albert Lee Appliance did a good job on delivery and installation. It's an LG duel fuel range with gas burners and electric oven. Two years ago, we had the electricians put in a 220v outlet for this very purpose. Goodbye, nasty gas oven.

I'm really thrilled with the strong hood lighting, because it brightens not only the burners but also this little piece of counter space where I do all my prep work. How many massive holiday dinners have I prepared right there? So, still a pokey old kitchen, but a big improvement.

We've already put it to work:

Chicken enchiladas last night and peach pie this morning...

Patty pan and pickles

Along with melon, peaches and corn, I bought some big beautiful patty pan squash at Lone Pine. John sliced them horizontally for a "Squash Parmesan" recipe.

 

Summer squash, when it gets large, can be seedy and watery, but these were perfect. Frankly, I liked it as much or better than eggplant parm.

All the local produce in the Valley this week was amazing. It is peak season for vegetables. Many people have huge gardens and they're happy to share the bounty. I made the tomato sandwich of my dreams. 

Karen gave me these cucumbers for fridge pickles, also a pint of precious honey from Bruce's backyard hives. So generous. 

Well, today is a big day. Our new range and hood are scheduled for installation this afternoon. They can take the old grease splattered ones with them!