Adventures in Cooking

We did some experimenting with food recently by making dolma with the grape leaves from the arbor and smoking fish. Grandad gave us a smoker that someone near him was getting rid of and it was exciting to try that out. It smelled so good while it was cooking. 

The fish and dolma both turned out well; although they could use a little work still. But it was fun to try some things that were different.

Summer Harvesting

 The tomatoes and apples are both in full swing now and we have tons of fruit. This, of course, is quite exciting, but also overwhelming to have both ripe at once. We are undaunted though and have been picking, eating, and canning all kinds of goodness.

Visit with the Nickells

Joshua and I headed over to Coos Bay last weekend to visit the Nickells on Sunday. Isaac, Heather, and the kids were up visiting Dennis and Diana, and we were happy to join in on the fun.

The boys found a fuzzy little friend.

 Fishing at the river by the house.

 Of course, Heather and I had to pick some blackberries.

 Then we made jam.

 We made two batches, which gave us seven pints of jam, plus smashed and measured berries for another batch so I could take them home and make jam again.

Isaac, Heather, and I went on an adventure to find some skewers to use for roasting hot dogs. We thought the bamboo would be a good choice.

 Joshua played football with the boys.

 Our bamboo skewers worked well for roasting hot dogs and we also had delicious corn on the cob grilled over the fire plus blueberry peach cobbler for dessert. It was a great time to visit with everyone and enjoy some time in the country; we wished we could have stayed longer, but we had to leave after dinner to get back for work the next morning.

Camping at Humbug Mountain

 Joshua and I met up with Bethany and Laura at Humbug Mountain State Park this week for a camping trip. We headed up after I got off work Wednesday and arrived around dinner time, then left Friday after an early dinner. It was a nice campground and a lot of fun to spend time with Bethany and Laura, particularly since we hadn't gotten to see them earlier in the summer when we were in California. 

The campground had beach access, so Thursday morning we walked over to look around. It was a beautiful beach and we were some of just a few people on it. 

There was a river that emptied into the ocean and split into lots of little streams as it ran down the sand. 

 It was low tide and we were able to find some sea anemones, starfish, and lots of muscles.

 It was great to be at the beach on a day that was warm enough to want to take off your shoes, roll up your pants, and walk in the water.

After lunch we went on a blackberry picking adventure.

 About to go through the tunnel.

Joshua and I were in charge of the meals, so of course we needed to have breakfast burritos.

Yum!

 It was also great to be able to have a fire both nights and Friday morning.

 After eating breakfast burritos, we headed up the Humbug Mountain Trail, which was about 6 miles round trip. It was a really pretty trail through the forest with lots of ferns and trees.

 There were some nice spots where we could see the ocean.

 Unfortunately, this was the top of the mountain. Yes, you can see the ocean through the trees, but it was a disappointing view. And there wasn't even a bench anymore. Good thing we enjoyed the rest of the hike and had coconut peanut butter bites to snack on at the top.

Back at our campsite, we had an early dinner then Joshua and I had to head back to the valley. I was so glad that the camping trip had worked out despite busy summer schedules and last minute planning. It was a very enjoyable time.

Tomatoes (Finally!)

We had multiple green tomatoes on all of our plants before we left for California in June and I kept thinking they were going to be getting ripe any day. They stayed green for a long time though and most of them still are green, but Friday evening I found these four beauties tucked inside a couple of the plants. I was so excited and it was just the thing to pick up my spirits after a busy and tiring day in 100+ degree weather with no air conditioning.

We enjoyed two of them with some homegrown cucumber, hummus, and pita bread for dinner.

Visit with Ben and Rachel

 Joshua and I headed north yesterday to visit Ben and Rachel and their girls. It had been longer than I realized since we last saw them and it was wonderful to spend time together again and eat breakfast burritos. I didn't take any pictures while we were there, so here is a picture of Rachel and I on a hike with Joshua, Michelle, and Phil during the summer of 2006 when we met Rachel and she and I were roommates. Good times, then and now.