JBug's Kitchen Antics

We're Back

The holiday's over and the journey successfully completed, car unloaded, bags unpacked, laundry started and I'm at the point it's all a dream. We arrived back in Tucson yesterday just ahead of a monster monsoon storm with the accompanying high heat, strong winds and pounding rain. It really brought to mind the significant difference between the Oregon coast and the Arizona desert - other than the obvious of course.

Ona Beach, Oregon's normally cool, often foggy summer mornings are but a distant memory this morning as we (fur boys and moi) endured a hot, muggy, buggy and dirty morning walk. They weren't very impressed and neither am I, especially after our quick trip to the Veterinarian's last night. You see, the other difference between Oregon and Arizona is this:

Pacific Tree Frog - sweet, pretty, often green, very tiny, totally innocuous and according to Wiki, the only frogs that go "ribit". We took this photo of it sitting on the gas barbecue in the back yard at Rose Cottage. Can you believe how tiny it is?  That's a regular ballpoint pen in the foreground. 

Sonoran Desert Toad - ugly, brown, warty, about the size of a baseball, poisonous and according to the Arizona Desert Museum, the toxins are strong enough to kill a full grown dog. According to Firefly Forest,"Dogs are at especial risk from Sonoran Desert Toads and can quickly exhibit potentially fatal symptoms of toad poisoning (excessive salivation or foaming at the mouth, head shaking, red or irritated gums, drunken gait, confusion, weakness or complete collapse, heart arrhythmia, vomiting, diarrhea, and pawing at the mouth). Seizures and death can occur in dogs within 30 minutes from a Sonoran Desert Toad poisoning. "

Finnigan decided to check one out on our before bedtime walk which caused some quick action and ended our month's vacation with a big bang! We washed his mouth out with water several times then took him to the Veterinarian's for a check up.

Thankfully he's fine, but he's ready to pack his toys, grab his favorite plastic bone and high tail it back to Oregon, pdq. Smart dog, eh? 

Unfortunately a  trip north isn't in the cards for us today because we've way too many other things on our list to do including but not limited to restocking the pantry so we can get back to our normal every day post on this site. 

Thanks for your patience everyone! See ya' tomorrow. It's been a great vacation but the party's officially over!

Dear Auntie Gert

Just a note to let you know we arrived at the beach without mishap and have been so busy relaxing, I haven’t had time to drop you a line. I ‘ve been waiting (and waiting) for a rainy day so I’d get caught up on my correspondence but so far we’ve had nothing but clear and beautiful sunny days with temps in the mid 60’s. Cross your fingers along with your knitting needles OK – I’d love a storm to hit and sock us in for a few days so I’ve an excuse to try that cinnamon bun recipe you sent me. I just know we’re going to love ‘em.

You must be wondering how the boys are. Max and Finnigan are both catching a few zzz’s at the moment because they’re a little worn out.  As you know, the beach trips are old hat to Max, but it’s Finn’s first trip and he’s  mesmerized by the waves, loves to try and catch sandpipers and has already been initiated into the joys of racing through tide pools at full bore. Wish you could have seen his face when he came through one and out the other side. They love taking walks in the neighborhood and neither fur kid’s complaining over parking their little butts in the grass to poop either – I hope my saying that hasn’t made you blush. Talk about doggie heaven!

Big Guy sends his love. He’s been clamming a couple of times, successfully of course, so we’ve already enjoyed a huge pot of Blush Clam Chowder from some cockles and gaper clams, and have some meat in the freezer for other clammy things in the near future.  He’s hoping for some success in digging Razor Clams during the next minus tide and plans on trying his hand at surf fishing as well. He’s in hog heaven.

He cooked up some bacon, eggs and biscuits on the gas barbecue this morning for breakfast which is a good thing because I haven’t exactly spent much time cooking myself as you’ve likely gathered.

After breakfast, we hit the Farmer’s Market in Newport and what you see is just a small sample of the glorious fresh locally grown produce we found there so I promise to get off my lazy butt and get cookin’.  We darn near bought the place out, didn’t we.

I’ve something special in mind for that gorgeous little cabbage you see hiding in the bowl, and I’m planning on making some of your favorite creamy dilled potatoes to go with tonight’s braised pork. Of course, I’ll have to make a berry pie or two though I won’t be making anything with rhubarb  if the rhubarb we saw’s any example. You’d no doubt have a hissy fit as it was green as grass so I didn’t buy any. I mean, who wants a green pie unless it’s a green tomato pie. Now there’s an idea!

Well my dear Auntie, I must fly. It’s almost time for our afternoon nap and heaven knows I wouldn’t want to miss it and face the chance of wearing myself out during the first week of vacation. We think of you often.  Hugs from Bug 'n the Boys! 

 

Happiness Is...

Happiness means different things to different people but I know there's no happier place for us than here on the Oregon coast. Our days are filled plum full with blissful moments and lots of laughter.

Here's a few examples:

There's beauty everywhere you look - here's the Waldport Bridge from across the bay. The Big Guy's clammin' honey hole is under this bridge somewhere (he isn't sayin' exactly where).

Happiness for us is not having to cross a sand bunker to get to the door (this is not our cottage).

Happiness in this case is having a bobcat to clear that sand.

Happiness is... a trip to the farmers' market for fresh picked beets to roast and lettuce for salad, and

...a perfectly grilled steak for Sunday dinner

The ultimate happiness is...

sharing it all with the ones you love. This is our HOT sunny kitchen at 8:15 at night while we wait for the sun to go down.

 

 

Life is Cool

We landed in Redding, California yesterday afternoon at 2 bells after leaving Indio at 4:00 am. Hey, there wasn't any traffic at all and the Grapevine burped us out into the valley at the bewitching hour of 7 am. The only thing that kept us from leaving Indio an hour earlier was the bars had just closed and there were lots of goofuss' on the road. What can I say - we didn't sleep much Friday night.

Now here we are having driven through what I think of as some of the most incredible country including the San Fernando, San Joaquin and the Sacramento Vallies. Food can be seen as far as the eye can see - from onions, garlic, fields of peppers, tomatoes and potatoes to apricots and olives - and that's just what's ready and visable from I-5 north. I'm sure there's plenty of stuff I missed.

We are amazed, absolutely amazed how much cooler it feels here in Northern California but you could have knocked me over with a feather when I heard it was 92 degrees. Imagine feeling "cool" when it's a mere 18 degrees cooler than what we left in Tucson. Should I have packed our woolies for the coast? How will we survive with temperatures in the 60's? Nooo problemo.

Oh, about dinner - we ordered our usual feast from Cattlemen's Restuarant which lucky enough happens to be right next door to the La  Quinta, our home for the night.

 

 

What you see is a Cattlemen's dinner for one we divided between us - a rack of baby back ribs, baked potato, beans, salad and tumbleweed onions. If you're wondering about the fancy tablecloth, napkins, and dinnerware...we bring those with us. Other than bragging some, what can I say except that it was mighty wonderful but what are we going to do with the leftovers.

How about a doggie bag?

 

 

Chicken On The Way

It's funny how memories can inspire us isn't it? There used to be a take out place in Calgary called "Chicken on the Way" and when I'd drive by the place after a long...and I mean long day's work, the aroma coming from it would darn near drive me insane.

That was my inspiration for our picnic dinner last night. You see we're in Indio, California - home of date palms, a casino, and intense heat. It's the heat coupled with a little Schnauzer dog that prevents us from hitting resturants on our way north so I pack darn near all the meals we're going to need on our 3 day journey. As you can see from the picture, we're hardly deprived.

Last night's menu - a few crudites, roasted potato salad with sweet onion, celery, pickles and grainy mustard along with some crispy Shake N Bake chicken - yup that's right. I confess...I used Shake N Bake, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Lazy eh? By the way, thank goodness for ice and a great cooler or we'd never chance a meal like this one when it's this hot. I mean who wants unexpected guests like Uncle Sam and Aunt Ella (salmonella) so we're careful. Very careful.

As for today's agenda. We're driving through the entire length of the Central Valley from Indio to Redding - that's a mere 670 miles so get gone time's way before the crack of dawn so we can get through Los Angeles before the birds are up and hit the freeway.

Just so you know, California's Central Valley is made up of the San Joaquin in the south starting at Bakersfield and runs 500 miles all the way to Redding which is at the north end of the Sacramento Valley. Believe it or not, the Central Valley is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world as according to Wiki "on less than 1 percent of the total farmland in the United States, the Central Valley produces 8 percent of the nation's agricultural output...It's agricultural productivity relies on irrigation from both surface water diversions and groundwater pumping from wells. About one-sixth of the irrigated land in the U.S. is in the Central Valley."

It's a beautiful, glorious drive and I love every second of it, not just because it's full of living things but also because for once in my life I'm not "directionally challenged". I know we're heading north!

Home again home again jiggity jigg

We're back from our adventure on the Olympic Peninsula and I promise I'll tell you about it next week after I get our pictures in order. One thing's for certain; the Pacific Northwest has to be among the most beautiful places on earth no exaggeration but you knew I was going to say that. It's no secret that I love the place.

All signs of spring are in full force with cherry trees in blossom, crocuses blooming and the air soft and sweet smelling. Quite honestly the sight and sound of robins made me cry and the storm we witnessed on Friday night was absolutely spectacular. More on that later.

Course it's spring here too of a sort. We found our Lady Banks rose in bloom when we returned and there are blossoms coming on most of our fruit trees although it looks like we've lost our favorite lime to the severe cold we enjoyed a few weeks ago. The ornamental plum trees in the side yard are blooming too and the dandelions have tapped deep into the gravel and stone. Hey I'm not complaining. After all, they are GREEN and they have to grow somewhere!

Max survived his vacation with Robin at the Pampered Pooch seizure free. It's obvious she spoiled the little guy rotten and I'm thinking she was far too generous in her marking on his report card - a passing grade for obedience. Uh - not so much. Georgie, our outside ferral feline, kept checking in on us all night by climbing the screen door and crying for attention. When I say all night I mean ALL NIGHT. So yes, things are back to normal. I had more sleep in the 4 nights we were gone than I'd had in a month and last night's interruptions mean the deprivation has begun once again. Home again, home again - oh sorry. I already said that.

So what does one have for dinner when you've been away and the cupboard is almost bare? Well, a quick run to our local Albertson's yielded two beautiful boneless ribeye's and along with the potatoes and salad fixin's we already had in house, we were more than sufficiently suffuncified. Doesn't that big guy grill the most incredible steak?

So listen! What did you have for dinner last night? I'm in need of some inspiration.

 

 

Experimenting with retirement

I know I’ve said this all before but yesterday went by in a flash. We worked out, had a huge breakfast cooked by the big guy, then hit Yachats Library to return some books followed by a coffee at the Green Salmon. Hey – they make absolutely the best coffee on the coast never mind their baked goods, but we were so full from breakfast not even the Maple Walnut Danish looked particularly enticing.

After a leisurely hour spent people watching, we took a long walk on the beach at Governor Patterson Park just South of Waldport. Although the usual morning clouds made it kind of a moody, windy walk not even Max could complain about overcrowding. It is absolutely glorious! Yes that's the Maxer dawg and yours truly. We love this uncrowded place and dream of a house overlooking this beach, but alas even with the economic downturn, we'd have to rob a trillion banks to afford it. The good news is we can all use the beach for free! Bonus eh!

As for dinner, I’ve nothing to report because we didn’t have one – we ate a late lunch of chili dogs, chips and salsa after our two hour nap and we weren’t hungry for dinner.  Even people that live to eat have to draw the line sometimes.

 

Big Beautiful Prawns

Yesterday was a busy day for the beach. We’ve spent so much time relaxing that it’s hard to get motivated to do anything, but we did go to the Flounder for breakfast followed by grocery shopping. After the chores were taken care of we headed out for a long walk on the beach we’ve haunted in the past that’s half way between Waldport and Yachats. As you can see it was coated in a misty shroud which has been the case on the coast the past couple of days.

You see when it’s warm in the valley as it has been, it is usually misty and cloudy on the coast – but cool and after all that’s what we come here for. Personally I love the weather. It’s never boring and absolutely beautiful whether it’s clouded over, covered in fog or basking in sunshine.

It’s amazing how much the coastline changes from year to year. Signs of a very stormy winter are evident as there’s been a significant amount of erosion and the beach as we knew it is just not the same. The big guy and I talk all the time about the merits of having a home right on the ocean or one farther away but with a view and quite honestly he’s winning the argument right now. I’d hate to have a gorgeous place that disappears into the ocean because the cliff it sits on is being undermined and that happens more often than you think in this man’s country.

Anyway after our long walk we headed to Yachats and their annual Lions Club fish fry for lunch followed by a nap in our cozy little abode. As you can see, there’s no shortage of food at the fish fry and the pies are produced by the local ladies and come in every flavor you can imagine. I always have to have a piece of mixed berry and this one had everything you’d wish for in a berry pie including blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries and even some rhubarb. The big guy chose a piece of peanut pie that had a filling much like pecan pie but topped in peanuts. He said it tasted just like peanut brittle and enjoyed every crumb.

Dinner last night was later and included a crisp salad along with prawns cooked in garlic, butter and lemon juice served with a little loaf of French bread courtesy of Ray’s Supermarket. Delicious and pleasantly light it was a fitting end to our busy day.

So what’s up today? As I write this, the big guy’s out on another foraging trip. You see there’s a minus tide which means easy access to the sea’s bounty and it’s likely he’ll come home with his quota of clams or even some crab. Plans today include freshening up the cottage and getting ready for some house guests. You see this coming week is our entertaining week – tomorrow the big guy’s hunting partner John arrives for a few days followed by some other Oregon friends who visit every year when we’re on the coast. Needless to say there’s likely to be a lot more cooking going on than there has been the last few weeks so stay tuned.

Nuthin's Cookin'

Not much going on in this house though I should have taken pictures of the massive bunch of biscuits with creamy sausage gravy I cooked up for breakfast yesterday. After eating all of that, we weren’t hungry the rest of the day so the cook got another day off from the kitchen and last night we settled for sandwiches made from the leftover turkey meatloaf. They weren’t pretty enough to take pictures of – so here’s one that’ll just have to do.

Can you tell where the Maxer Dawg’s eyebrows end and the big guy’s mustache begins? MMM, it might be true after all that people resemble their pets… LOL

The Salty Dawg

Yesterday was a wonderful day off from the kitchen. The big guy came home with a bunch of clams from his early morning trip to Waldport Bay, then he cooked me breakfast AND lunch and then took me out for dinner. So what did I contribute to the day – just my sunny personality and not much else.  He even let me beat him at dominoes and believe you me I’m not a person that often wins “bored” games.  I guess it just must have been my day.

 

The Salty Dawg’s been a Waldport fixture for many years and something has to be said for a place that’s survived a multitude of economic ups and downs. While the big guy’s wanted to try it out ever since we’ve been coming to the beach, it’s taken 4 years for us to get there. You see we did go in one day but I had my snob suit on and didn’t like the looks of it. Well was I stupid!  The atmosphere is loud, boisterous and unpretentious, the view of Alsea Bay is second to none, the people are unbelievably friendly and the food is wonderful. What more can you ask for? I mean if you want a 5 course meal cooked by a renowned French chef, then you’re in the wrong place.

As you can see from the pics we kinda’ dug into dinner before we remembered to take pictures.  The big guy had calamari and clam strips with chips and coleslaw. Both the calamari and the clam strips were tender and flavorful, coated in a light beer batter. Conversation was at a minimum so you can assume they must have been fabulous.

I ordered the fish and chips and believe you me I was certainly not disappointed. The fish was breaded in panko and deep fried to a crisp golden finish on the outside and moist and flakey on the inside. The fries – well if I’d closed my eyes and heard a British accent, I could swear I was on the south coast of jolly old enjoying a mess’ a chips. Served with malt vinegar they were absolutely addictive. The slaw was no slouch either – in fact I’d say the big guy and I can’t wait to get back there to try out some of their other items. The people in the booth behind us were regulars and just happened to be from Albuquerque. While she had ordered some rather beautifully fried chicken (or as they call it here “broasted”), he was enjoying great looking Mexican food. What does that tell ya when a New Mexico native orders Mexican food in Oregon? It’s gotta’ be good right?

 

 

We made it!

We rented a car yesterday and hit the beach about 1:00 almost exactly 24 hours late – talk about a day late and a dollar short. But fate has a way of putting things into perspective for us – fate or a higher being. On the road to the coast we came across an accident that had happened moments before we got there – an overturned SUV and it made us realize just how lucky we are. So we’re done with moaning the blues and ready to just get on with our month at the beach.

Oh one other thing our little “detour” has taught us how incredibly kind and friendly the people of Oregon are. Without exception, from the tow truck drivers to the Assistant Manager at hotel to the housekeeping staff to the Service Department at Chrysler Jeep in Roseburg, they’ve done everything in their power to make our little adventure here as painless as possible.

We’re all unpacked, just had breakfast and the big guy’s at the clamming beds as we speak. He’s been dreaming about that for the last year.  Max is taking a nap and I’m sitting here planning exactly what weird and wonderful things are going to come to you from this lovely bright little kitchen; however I have to admit it’s going to take me a while. It’s a beautiful sunny morning and I can catch a view of the ocean and Waldport bay from where I’m sitting. The window’s open, I can hear the surf, the birds are singing and I’m spending a lot of time just staring. Oh dear – poor you.

As for dinner last night - the big guy cooked – chicken wings courtesy of Foster Farms of the extra spicy buffalo variety and left over vegetables and dip from the journey here. It was lovely. It wasn’t long after our early dinner that we were in bed sawing logs. Amazing how incredibly well one sleeps at the beach in 50 something degree temperatures under a down duvet with a snoring dog curled up next to ya. Almost sounds like I might be due for a nap.

The big guy’s heading back to Roseburg (3 hour drive) later today to pick up our poor sorry vehicle and then we’ll put this all behind us for good. Can’t tell you how wonderful it is to be here. It really is heaven! TTFN

We haven't arrived

Well people, the good news is we're together, we're healthy, we're on vacation and we're in Oregon. The bad news is we're not in Waldport yet.

We stopped to get gas in Sutherlin just before we turned off I-5 to head to the beaches and the Jeep took it's last breath and died. Yup, deader n' a mackerel. So we called AAA, were towed to the Microtel Inn across the freeway and here we sit. We'll call AAA for a re-tow tomorrow morning and be at the Jeep Dealership in Roseburg by the time they open their doors at 7:30. Hopefully the mechanic's in a good mood and the Service Manager takes pity on us. Darn sure wish we hadn't eaten all those cookies. A little bribery might have come in handy.

Anyway you know there are worse places to be than in the Microtel in Sutherlin, Oregon. It's a beautiful warm sunny day - I said warm - temperature's in the mid 70's. There's lots of birds singing, bees buzzing and grass for Max to play in. There's trees outside the window that are green with HUGE leaves and not one spikey thorn to be found.

I'd say we're darn lucky. The only thing is I still haven't figured out how to download pics into my new laptop but you know what? I now have a whole day to figure it out. 

Cheers sportsfans. See you at the beach.

Almost There!

Yesterday was the monster travel day, but oh what a beautiful drive. From Indio, we motored the full length of the Central Valley in California all the way to Redding - we're talkin' 670 miles, give or take a few. Now that's a day on the road!

The only issue - get gone time was 2:59 AM - we ditched the idea of spending time in San Bernardino to fix the Jeep and figured we were best taking a chance on getting to Redding in one piece. Oh the big guy's not a big gambler though I guess you'd never know that from this decision but we breezed through LA, made it up and over the Grapevine and got to Redding 59 minutes before we were supposed to. So who's anal? 

California's Central Valley is made up of the San Joaquin in the south starting at Bakersfield and runs 500 miles all the way to Redding which is at the north end of the Sacramento Valley. Believe it or not, the Central Valley is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world as according to Wiki "on less than 1 percent of the total farmland in the United States, the Central Valley produces 8 percent of the nation's agricultural output...It's agricultural productivity relies on irrigation from both surface water diversions and groundwater pumping from wells. About one-sixth of the irrigated land in the U.S. is in the Central Valley."

Quite honestly, it is absolutely beautiful and almost my favorite part of the whole trip...my absolute favorite is when we cross the California/Oregon border but that'll be later today. Now that always makes me cry! Anyway everything and anything's grown in the Valley from tomatoes seen harvested by huge semi-loads, to every kind of fruit known to man, nuts, cotton - you name it. The best part is that from I-5 you can see the valley unfold in front of your very eyes - at least I can. The big guy does ALL the driving and I do ALL the gawking.

Actually the trip really appeals to one other sense as we also pass some huge cattle feed lots and dairy farms along the way. In fact, there's one section that's more than a few miles and it's impossible to hold your breath long enough...it really does stink! I'm of the opinion that the California dairy "Happy Cows" ad campaign is false advertising. I mean how can they be happy cows if they've never been put out to pasture, or eaten clover, or got into the mint patch, or got stuck in the watering hole? Almost makes me want to quit buying dairy products but that would be over reacting. I couldn't possibly in a million trillion years give up ice cream!

When we're in Redding we stay at the most awesome place, the La Quinta - pool side courtyard room, babes, woofs, home grown martini's...good place to stay. Pictures will be forthcoming. I can't get the darn thing to work. Catch ya later. I promise!

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

Bet you're wondering what two people and a schnauzer dog do for grub when they're on the road, right? High temperatures make it impossible to stop at a restaurant while we're traveling because we can't leave our little woof in the car and not being fans of the typical fast food restaurants that line the freeway, I pack most of our meals while we're on the road.

We left Tucson yesterday early afternoon to drive to Indio where we stayed the night which meant we had not one but two meals to think about. Hey being a passenger's a lot of work and I get hungry! Lunch was what we call a "snacker" lunch, crackers, cheese, vegetables and dip and smoked sausage or as the big guy calls it "donkey dick" ...now that's gonna' get me some weird traffic isn't it?

 

The only problem was as soon as we pulled out the food and started in on it, the Maxer decided he was car sick. If you don't think that didn't involve some fancy footwork!

Dinner had to be something we could eat on the fly. Last year I made pita sandwiches but personally I thought they were rather dry and tasteless, so thought I'd make a take on the stromboli we've had in the past only as hand pie sized Calzones. Now the stromboli was excellent cold and the Italian sausage, roasted red pepper and triple cheese calzones were too, maybe even better and very easy to eat.

I would have loved a nice cold apple as dessert or even some grapes or a nice cold anything actually because about 70 miles outside of Indio the AC went out on the Jeep. Now it is 107 in the shade and with the opposite of wind chill, it's a heck of a lot hotter. We'll be stopping in San Bernardino to see if the Jeep dealer there will fix our problem, otherwise it's gonna be a long hot haul to Redding.

So that's about it for our first day on the road. I figure that we were about due because in 4 years, this is our first issue.  Pray people or we'll be spending our first full day of vacation in San Bernardino.

By the way, we've eaten our limit of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies instead of fruit. Isn't that a bummer?  Of course we also have some snack food to keep our energy up - nuts and gorp for the big guy, chips for me and zucchini and romaine lettuce for Max. He loves the stuff!

By the way just so you know, we don't STOP to eat ...we just keep driving. Heaven forbid we should stop when the big guy's in his driving box but on the other hand who wants to when it is 111 in the shade. Saying all of that, thankfully they've finally re-opened one of the rest stops in Arid zona that I can attest to. Yes, can you imagine? Somebody figured it made sense to close the darn things down to save the State some money. Course I always figured the call of nature much like death and taxes is a given. After all when you gotta go, ya' gotta go. I think they kinda' "pissed" away the opportunity to make some extra scratch - I mean I'd pay a buck to go if I had to. Wouldn't you?

Grand - just perfectly grand

When you hear the word "grand" what do you think of? Something that's worth a $1,000? Maybe you're hungry and think automatically about Pillsbury's big biscuits. What about a piano? Well, personally I think of the Grand Canyon.

 

I have a confession to make - we went to see it this weekend. Bet you didn't even know we were gone, did ya? Yes, the big guy loaded his "woof" and his "wiff" into the Jeep on Friday morning and off we went on a mini vacation/adventure. It was lovely!  Lovely to have some time together away from the every day routine; lovely to see scenery other than cactus; lovely not to have to cook, worry about what to cook or clean up after. Yes, it was all just lovely!

We stayed at a wonderful hotel in Flagstaff called the Drury Inn right across from Northern Arizona University. It's a wonderful place - peaceful, quiet, great service and yes, they even welcome 4 legged guests. We walked the University grounds, soaked in the sights, smells and sounds of Flagstaff and Max even got to play in the snow (what was left of it). I think he really thought it was just another kind of beach sand. Ha. We honestly fell in love with Flagstaff - the topography was so familiar we could have been in Sisters or Bend, Oregon. I can now say I've found the first place in Arizona I could live! Only trouble is it is 200 miles north of where we do live.

 

The Grand Canyon is absolutely magnificent - breathtaking. The colors are incredible and the expanse of the view amazing. We drove the South Rim, stopped everywhere we could and the big guy even proved that you can have Starbucks anywhere! He made a pot of fresh coffee with our Starbucks french press and we enjoyed the view of the canyon at the same time. Now how many people can say they did that? And yes, that's my Eastern Oregon cowboy in the pic on the bottom right and behind him is the incredible vista we enjoyed over our coffee (and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies too). Honestly, it was the best cup o' joe I've had in my entire life and I didn't even have to tip the waiter (much)!

On the way back yesterday we drove through Sedona and checked out the red rocks.While the scenery is incredibly beautiful and the town itself looks very affluent, my biggest memories will be of the trillion or so traffic circles you have to navigate to get outa' this tourist mecca. Ewww!

Now I know you're dying to ask what/where we ate while we were gone. Well, I won't go into the details too much. Suffice it to say we did just fine in that department. I do need to admit we did check out Salsa Brava, a restaurant reviewed by Guy Fieri in Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. You know what? He was right! The food is incredible as you can see from the picture. This was the meal selection for dinner on our second visit. The first visit we were too busy eating to take pictures.LOL

 

We picked up John Conley's cookbook and I'll be cooking from it very soon. In the meantime, if you've a chance, order it on-line at his web site. It is well worth the investment.

So that's it. Our weekend adventure is over and it's Monday again. I only have one problem. The Maxer dawg's wondering where we're going next!

 

Caribbean Cooking 101

See what happens when the big guy brings home two new cookbooks?  As you know, my world traveler just got back from a quick business trip to St. Croix of the US Virgin Islands. Located in the Caribbean Sea approximately 90 miles east of Puerto Rico, the territory is made up of 4 main islands, Saint Thomas, Saint John, Saint Croix and Water Island along with several dozen smaller islands. The US Virgin Islands are 4 of the more than 7,000 Caribbean islands that run in a chain over 2,500 miles long from the tip of Florida to the north of Venezuela.

Pictured below are some aerial views of St. Thomas taken by the big guy on his way back to St. Croix.

Tourism is the main source of income in St. Croix and of course rum distilling, although other forms of manufacturing are present as well. Believe me unless you've tasted Caribbean rum, you ain't had nothin' yet. It's guaranteed to convert a non rum embiber to a lush overnight.

Caribbean cuisine is a genuine melting pot of styles and flavors influenced by a variety of cultures including Amerindian, European (Hispanics, French, British and Dutch), as well as African, Asian and Indian. Each island has its specialty and a unique version of hot and spicy flavors - hot from various peppers and spicy from ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, tumeric and cinnamon which are all grown right on the islands.

During his tour of St. Croix with Dennis Brow the big guy was invited to Dennis' sister Janet's home for lunch. She cooked up an amazing feast of turkey wings with rice and salad. I'm major peeved that man of mine neglected to get the recipe, never mind that I wasn't there to make sure he didn't eat her out of house and home. Janet, if you see this can you give us the recipe? That way the big guy can get out of the dog house he's currently sharing with the Maxer.

Buckle your seat belts, bring along your appetite and join us on a week's adventure as we sample the flavors of the Caribbean. No passport required.

Home is home

It's true isn't it? Home is home no matter where it is. We're back in Tucson to triple digit temperatures, a dusty house and a mess in the back yard. Seems there was a major wind storm while we were gone so I just spent an hour doing a little sweeping which hardly made a dent in it.  It's going to take a lot more work than I'm going to give it at the moment. Oh mustn't forget the cat. To say she was happy to see us is a definite understatement. She's looking really good from the spoiling she got while we were gone, though obviously turned our back yard into the killing fields cause there's signs everywhere. Get my drift?

The trip back was a lot quieter than the trip up and uneventful except for the turkey in LA who changed lanes without shoulder checking and almost made confetti out of us. The big guy handled the situation very well in avoiding a collision and all that was left for me to do was bang on my window, make gestures no woman should ever admit to, and yell something to the tune of "donkey butt". However, we made it and we still love each other. How's that for a good marriage?

As for dinner, what do you have when you've been travelling for 3 days and gorging yourself on everything under the sun for the 25 days before that? Well, you beg the big guy to throw a chicken on the barby and make a big salad. I didn't but I could have. This is one of his past efforts from pre-blogging days. Impressive isn't it? Those are kumquats from our trees that I preserved in simple syrup, and they are dynamite on grilled chicken. I'm pretty sure I've bragged about them before.

So what did we really have? Left over lunch from our travel cooler, martini's for the big guy, a margarita for me and A LOT of water.

Clamming 101

I learned something on this vacation. Gathering gaper clams is not for the faint hearted. It takes a little patience and a lot of stubborn to bring home this kind of bacon, a lesson I got first hand when I went clamming with the big guy on Wednesday.

Now picture this. It is 6:00 am, the tide is out and I mean really out and the gaper clams are beckoning. The big guy in his waders, with shovels, sticks and pails and me with the dog and a camera walk out fifty feet or so onto the beach. The sand is not packed and pristine white like it usually is. Oh no. There are puddles of muck, and pools of beachy quick sand just waiting to grab your shoe, and your dog. But the big guy's on a mission. He's in his "clamming box". Does he notice the dog disappear into a deep hole? Does he notice his pansy wife up to her ankles in muck? Does he even notice the smell?  Not him. He's going clamming.

So now, we're out about fifty feet from the waterline and the lesson begins. First ya' gotta spot 'em. You look for a hole, or indentation in the sand about 2 inches across. The bigger the hole, the bigger the clam. The big guy sticks his bamboo stick into the hole and feels for the clam, then digs to one side of the stick. He places a bucket that has the bottom removed into the hole he's dug, and takes all the stinky guck out of the bucket to reach the clam.

 

 

Now these clams are buried really deep ...so deep, he's often up to his armpit feeling around for the clam so he can pull him out. Pull him out, not dig him out. The sand is the consistency of wet cement and there's quite a resistance - in fact, I saw the big guys feet leave the ground on many occasions as he tried to get enough leverage to pull the prize out of the hole. As you can see from the picture, his face is pretty close to the sand - imagine the "Eau de Stinko" from that level? Yikes. Talk about kissing Neptune's butt. 

Finally he pulls the gaper out. Success at last! Three hours later we head home with 12 of these guys (the limit). I wish I could have shown you a picture of the "mine field" the big guy left behind on the beach, but of course, true to Murphy's Law, the battery ran out on the camera. For every successful clam the big guy dug up, there were at least 2 holes dug where the clam was too deep for my man to reach it. And while the clams are plentiful, it's a real crap shoot that you'll end up getting any of them.  

 

It was a lot of fun though, I really must give one word of advice. For heavens sake, wear boots and as for white socks....GET A GRIP!

The Flounder Inn - it's a tavern

Wonder of wonders - I met Attilla the Honey yesterday. I've mentioned before how friendly the people of this area are, but unfortunately yesterday I found the exception. I guess there has to be one doesn't there?

 

We had dinner last night at the Flounder Inn. It's our new "go to" place and quite the neighborhood gathering hole. The food is fabulous and we've been there several times for breakfast and lunch, but this was our first dinner trip. Attilla was the bartender/waitress. I'll leave it at that so I don't get sued for defamation or some such thing! Thankfully the cook was in a good mood. We enjoyed "Broasted Chicken" with JoJo potatoes. I have no idea what broasted is as it looked deep fried to me, but it sure was good. Sorry for the blurry pic. That's what beer does to the photographer.

Yesterday was cleaning day as we try to leave our little rental as perfect as possible for the next people to enjoy. After loading the Jeep and a gas stop, we're heading to the Flounder for our final coastal breaky, then on the road south. The morning and afternoon people at the Flounder have been very friendly and provided us with excellent service. It's been a fabulous stay "at our Yachats destination, but the journey continues"...that's a quote from the big guy. Wonder how long it'll take him to get into his driving box.

Gone Fishing!

Back tomorrow to close out the vacation.

A day away from the kitchen

Yesterday we went to visit friends in Lincoln City and enjoyed afternoon Tapas followed by a fabulous grilled salmon.

Tapas originates in Spain and actually means small plates involving a variety of appetizers and munchies. Lynn our hostess put together an incredible tray of goodies including marinated shrimp, salsas with chips, a selection of cheeses like wasabi cheddar, hot pepper colby (I think), a lovely soft creamy brie, as well as an assortment of pickles, olives and pickled asparagus. Sorry we didn't take pictures, but we sure should have because the tray full of choices was truly beautiful. 

After a windy walk through the streets of Lincoln City, Paul and Lynn served a flavorful grilled salmon, marinated in a magic jerk marinate - magic because I surely can't get the big guy to eat salmon but he really enjoyed this one. Be sure, I'll be asking for this recipe to pass along to you. Along side a casserole of tortellini in a tomato sauce, a lovely fresh salad and hot buttery challah, never mind great conversation, dinner was absolutely delicious. What can I say - I'm kind of running out of adjectives to describe perfection. Desert was a slice of rich chocolate raspberry torte with ice cream - a celebration of our host's birthday.  It was a really wonderful evening!

The drive home in the setting sun was peaceful and beautiful. What more is there that you haven't heard before - this place is truly amazing -friendly people, beautiful gardens, incredible scenery and the ever changing Pacific. It all grabs your heart and holds on tight.

Now, should I use threats, a bomb or yell BREAKFAST to get the boys off the sofa?

It's possible

Yesterday was possibly the 18th most relaxing day I've had since we've been here. After getting the cabin somewhat in order for our upcoming visitors, taking a quick run into Walport for more groceries, and whipping up a peanut butter pie (recipes & pics later), I spent the balance of the day stretched out on the sofa in the sunroom with the dog on my feet and a book in my hands. It was lovely. The big guy passed the day at the dining room table, on his computer. He's getting everything ready for the new class he'll be teaching. I figured we've done pretty well that he hasn't had his head buried in his books before now. That means this "vacation" has been a good one.

Last night's dinner was a crisp salad on local greens, cucumber, tomato, onion and cheese topped with a grilled burger and a crown of bacon and grilled onions. The big guy cooked the burger and toppings and I made the salad -a joint effort enjoyed by both of us. Low carb it was, though certainly not calorie free. Hey we're trying to be good but it's happening in stages. We'd better do something or we'll need seatbelt extenders in the Jeep for the trip home.

Now about the visitors - I was told not to fuss. Ya, right. I've got the aforementioned peanut butter pie, a pan of cinnamon buns, 4 pounds of shrimp for cajun shrimp, a very large sourdough bread, 2 pork tenderloins to serve with salsa made from 2 fresh mangos, a peach, a red onion and 2 serrano chiles, 12 - yes that's right 12 fresh corn on the cob, and a partridge in a pear tree. Trouble is the visitors aren't coming today - "maybe tomorrow".

It's possible I'm an idiot.

A trip up the Oregon Coast & lunch at Mo's

What an incredible day we had yesterday. I can't stress enough that the pictures do no justice to the actual. Honestly. It is all so incredibly beautiful it takes your breath away - and no I am not being paid by the Oregon State Tourism Department.

We left Yachats yesterday morning at 7:20 and made it as far as Newport before stopping for breakfast at the Pig N Pancake (sour dough pancakes for the big guy & a blueberry waffle for me), then we continued north on Hwy 101 to Depoe Bay.  Pictured below is the harbor at Depoe Bay.

 

The following is taken directly from Depoe Bay's Chamber of Commerce website - "Carved and shaped by powerful natural forces, Depoe Bay is the site of the world’s smallest navigable harbor. Waves run beneath lava beds creating spouting geysers up to 60 feet into the air. Sea caves line our scenic rocky shoreline. " The picture below shows just how narrow the entrance to the harbor is. In fact, we watched 2 boats enter it and were amazed at how fast they had to come in so they could maintain control of the steering. It's kind of like shooting a dart and hitting the bullseye.

 

Continuing north on Hwy 101 we stopped to visit friends in Lincoln City for a few minutes, then drove through Tillamook, home of Tillamook Cheese Factory and of course Tillamook Icecream. This is dairy country and amazingly beautiful. Talk about happy cows!

We arrived at Hug Point just after noon to find our once quiet peaceful spot, overrun with people. Oh well, guess you can't keep things a secret forever. Pictured below, we're looking south down the beach toward Arch Cape and although I complained about there being alot of people, you can see from the size of the beach that you'd never know it. 

 

The picture below is of the waterfall where the big guy and I were married. There's caves carved into the rocks from the waves - it's low tide right now, so easily accessible, and it is so beautiful. This beach is best used during low tide - which is something we considered when we picked our "hitchin' time" (sunset Sept. 13,2000). It was a beautiful windless night, unlike yesterday I might add. The wind was a blowin' and this desert rat was freezing, even in my fleece. What a pansey!

The bottom picture is of a road that was blasted into the rocks and if you look closely, you can see the wagon wheel marks embedded in the rock. The road was used to move freight from Cannon Beach to Tillamook in the old days, long before Hwy 101 was built.

 

 

 

After our walk on the beach at Hug Point we hit Mo's in Cannon Beach for lunch. Mo's is known for their clam chowder and oyster stew. Personally, we both thought our clam chowder was much better, but hey that's a matter of taste. We doctored our bowls up with tons of hot sauce as you can see. I can't comment on the oyster stew since I haven't made it...nor tried it. Some day I'll have to do that. I mean, GMan was right that I'd like clam strips so he's probably right about my liking oysters - and we all know how much guys like to be right! We'll see. Mo's Restaurant in Cannon Beach is within view of Haystack Rock - pictured below our chowder bowls. Some of the beaches in Oregon are blessed with huge rock outcroppings - Arch Cape and Oceanside to name just a few others.

 

 

Below is the view south on Hwy 101, down the beach toward Manzanita and Tillamook Bay. As you can see, there are miles and miles of pristine beaches, noticably abscent of garbage. People take alot of pride here in the beauty of the state and it shows. It is incredibly CLEAN.

 

By the time we got home to Yachats last night we were all dragging our keesters, so dinner was the farthest thing from our minds. I whipped up some egg salad on english muffins and we polished off the rest of the artichoke dip. Nothing fancy, just grub.

 

Today will be spent getting our little cabin cleaned up and doing some reading, I hope. We've friends arriving tomorrow for an overnight visit, so there'll be a few more antics in JBug's kitchen. I'm feeling a tad sad today because we've only 9 days left before we head back to Arid zona. Oh darn. 

Finally, we're rid of those darn potatoes

We're heading off to Hug Point today,100 miles north up the coast on Highway 101. It is a beautiful drive and an even more beautiful destination. The big guy and I were married there almost 9 years ago, so it holds special meaning to us. I promise to have lots of pictures to show you tomorrow. 

Yesterday was filled with real life chores - like laundry, but we made quick work of it at the Waldport laundramat. Of course that was after breakfast at the Flounder Inn - hey our goal to never miss a meal is still intact. After we dropped the laundry at home, we took a long drive up the Yachats River and came out on the Alsea River. It was a beautiful drive as you can see. The scenery around here is amazing and hard to describe adequately, although I know I've tried, I don't think I've been able to do it justice. It's like all of the perfect things that were created ended up in one place.  Do you remember singing "He's got the whole world in his hands" in Sunday school? That's what I think of whenever we're here. The flowers are brighter, the trees are bigger, the grass is greener, the birds more plentiful and they sing louder, although they're suspiciously quiet this morning...well you get the picture, don't you?

We went by this little suspension bridge across one of the rivers feeding the Yachats River. There was a house built on the other side this was the "path" to the door. Imagine carting your groceries across this to get home? Course I would think of that, wouldn't I.

Just down the road was this perfect little waterfall. We saw lots of deer, rabbits, and of course berries of every description. There were wildflowers everywhere too. We also fell in love with the Tidewater area, which is a community built along the Alsea River, and we'll be heading back up there to seriously check it out before we leave to go back to Tucson. Isn't planning the next adventure FUN? Hey the big guy and I are both Type A personalities - we believe in planning in advance. WAY in advance!

I know I'm getting really long winded and I've got to wrap this up so we can head out. GMan's already in the shower and he's likely to get a might impatient with me if I don't speed it up a bit.

 

Lunch yesterday was the "perfect" burger at the Drift Inn in Yachats. I think I mentioned earlier there are certain places to go for particular menu items in Yachats and for sure, the Drift's burger is the best. Filled with jack cheese, green chile, onions (the big guy had avacado on his as well as bacon and pineapple), and good quality beef, this burger is one of the best restaurant burger's we've ever enjoyed. Notice I said restaurant burgers - personally I'm very partial to the big guy's efforts in the burger department. Oh, I didn't mention the fries did I. They are super crisp, super fresh and covered in fresh cracked pepper. Amazing, just amazing!

Last night's dinner was a later one than usual and although neither of us thought we were really that hungry after having a huge lunch, we managed. So much for cold chicken for lunch today! The big guy grilled the chicken drumsticks on the barbecue and made his special barbecue sauce to go on them. (Sorry, he doesn't share the recipe - not even with me).We also had some roasted beets that we just had to get out of the fridge and holy cow, they were sure good.

 

I needed to clear out the freezer and so made a casserole out of the hash browns hanging around in there - you know the one with 1 cup of sour cream, 1 can of mushroom soup, 2/3 cup milk, 1 chopped onion, and 1-1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese with 2 pounds of frozen hashbrowns. Cooked for an hour at 350, we'll be eating the leftovers for quite a while. It could have used some green chile too, but I'd used what I had already in an artichoke dip, so the potatoes were kind of naked, at least to us spice lovers. Oh well, we ate them anyway and they were still delish. It's hard to go wrong with all that FAT, isn't it?

The cholesteral police are threatening to throw us in the "hooscow", so I suppose we'd better start behaving at some point. Oh, what the heck. Maybe tomorrow. Gotta' roll! See ya'.

Rainy day Sunday's always make me glad

Yippee, it's raining -a soft gentle rain the like that we haven't seen since this time last year. We love the rainy days at the beach. For one thing it's much cooler so our little loft bedroom is a cozy place to sleep. Another reason is that it's an excuse to just hunker in, read a good book and plan for the next nap. Sounds like a perfect Sunday, doesn't it?

Jeff and Giana just left and the laughter is still echoing in our little cabin. How much fun can two people be?  We went to the Yachats Fish Fry yesterday for lunch, a village feast enjoyed by everyone courtesy of the local Lions Club. I can't help but marvel at how friendly everyone is here and how welcome they make us feel.

As you can see, the food was wonderful, the fish plentiful and perfectly cooked, light and moist. The beans tasted of smoke and molasses and the slaw was fresh and crisp. I'd swear that bread was home made too. There was even Rogue River beer - Deadman and Hazelnut (Deadman was best - dark and rich).

The music was good too by a singer/guitar picker that looked like Glen Yarborough and sounded even better. He played everything from Greensleaves to Country Roads and his voice was a perfect fit for the place and time. For you youngsters reading this blog, google Glen Yarborough for more information - and yes, I know we're old but we can still boogy!

 

There was pie for dessert - two kinds out of a choice pecan, apple, apple crumble, dutch apple, blackberry, blueberry, rhubarb of every description, peach - and that's just to name a few. We sent the guys to the pie table to make their choices and they came back with pieces of blackberry, dutch apple and rhubarb/raspberry/strawberry/pineapple -  wow, was that GOOD! I can never pass up blackberry pie either, especially when in Oregon and I wasn't disappointed. The pie maker sure knew how to make a flakey pastry - with lard for sure. It's proof you don't have to use anything fancy to make a GREAT pie. I think  this person had made a couple of thousand in her lifetime - it was perfection!

After leaving the feast we hit the beach for a long walk to work off some calories. Believe it or not, though a cool, cloudy day, it was really warm on the beach - shirtsleeve weather, even to this desert rat. Then home to libations, a big pot of clam chowder for dinner and an early night. (See index under Soups & Stews)

It was quite the day and a really fun weekend. As for today, we're going to see what's in the "nothing box".

Dungeness Crab - another gift from the sea

Hey when you're only at the beach for one month out of a whole year, you've got to take advantage of all of Neptune's wares. Dungeness crab is native to the Pacific Northwest and can be found from Alaska to California. It is incredibly sweet, mild flavored and a perfect treat. Although GMan and I are also recent converts to king crab, dungeness is still the crab of choice when we're feeling like a splurge. In fact, our first picnic together and the very first time I'd ever had fresh crab, was at Short Sands Beach south of Arch Cape on the Oregon Coast. We had crab, bread and wine. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven, and you know what? I was right!

Yesterday, we took advantage of the seafood tent sale at Ray's Market in Waldport and lucky for us, it didn't require that we change into our Bonnie and Clyde alter egos before we went shopping. What a sale! Great deals on dover sole, fresh wild halibut, yellowfin tuna and most important, dungeness crab. At $5.99 a pound, we couldn't pass it up.

SInce our weekend guests didn't check in until close to day's end and were only looking for libation when they got here, we decided to keep dinner simple and easy. Bread, butter, white wine and crab were all that was required, and what a feast it was.

Today, we're building special memories. Jeff and the big guy go back all the way to when they were four year old ankle biters living on the creek in Pendleton. It amazes me that a friendship can last as long as theirs has and honestly, when they get together it's like there's been no time in between. Giana, Jeff's lovely wife and I both love listening to their stories, but the best part of all is the laughter that comes with the memories. It is priceless!

After breakfast and pots and pots of coffee, we're off to walk the beach then enjoy lunch at the annual Yachats fish fry. It used to be smelts, but this year they've changed the menu to fish, chips, slaw, beer, wine and fabulous pies made by the local ladies.

Can't wait. Wonder what the peasants are doing today. One more thing...Linda...I bet I beat 'cha. Neener, neener, neener! LOL

No Cookin' At the Beach - Food Free Zone

Well, not really a food free zone. We just took it easy in the grub department yesterday because we really overdid it on Wednesday. We had grilled ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch and munchies for dinner, so there's won't be any fancy food pictures or recipes today. Plus, this is going to be short - ha. Imagine me having nothing to say!

Max blew the theory about no seizures in Oregon, as he woke us up at 4:40 this morning with a bruiser. He's doped up and sleeping it off as we speak. At least his timing was good, and so far he's only had one shakey shake. I mean, we're usually up at 5:00 anyway. The big guy's snoozing with him on the sofa right now. No clamming for him this morning either, because his right hand and arm's so sore, he may have to take up using the left. Yesterday's haul was 8 gaper clams - seems sufficient to me! The gaper twins have disbanded. John's gone home and today the guest room gets turned over for more friends arriving tonight. What can I say? I always wanted to have a bed and breakfast, so we're just practicing for the real thing!

We took a drive up the Alsea River out of Walport yesterday and forgot the camera. Again! It is so incredibly beautiful here with the mountains, the sea, the rivers and green. The big guy maintains that everything's bigger in Oregon and he's not kidding. The evergreens are massive, roses, fucshia, honeysuckle, hydrangea all in every color of the rainbow and healthier than you can imagine. Yes Katharine, even the calla lilies are in blossom. There's every kind of tree known to man and some unknowns too. The size of the Sitka Spruce takes your breath away. It's kind of hard to hug a tree when it's so big you could drive a truck through it.  

 

There's fruit trees everywhere too. It would take an idiot to starve on the Oregon Coast. I mean the berries alone would keep you going, never mind the seafood, and for sure you'd never get sick of anything because of the variety of choices. It's heaven and I hate it. Can you tell?

Well, gotta' run for now. I've got things to do and places to go, but we'll see you tomorrow. Different time...same place. 

Fish & Chips, Clam Strips & Expanding Hips

Yikes - yesterday was one of those should'a days. Should'a' had salad for lunch instead of fish and chips...should'a believed my guy when he said I'd like the clam strips...should'a packed some antacid pills. Oh boy, what a day.

The gaper twins came back from their trip to Newport not as happy as they'd been the past couple of days. Apparantly clamming there is not as sweet smelling nor as easy as it is in Walport (as if it's easy anyway) and neither was it as successful. Ya could'a fooled me. Looked like their bags were full of something! Anyway, by the time they got their catch cooked and cleaned up, and cleaned themselves up, and tackled the 24 gapers waiting outside in the cooler to be cleaned, the day had flown by and it was after 2 bells. As there's only room in the kitchen for one cook at a time, John was kind enough to take us all to lunch.

Now this is the third time we've spent a July in Yachats, so we're familiar with the best places to go for certain menu items. I mean there's no doubt the best bakery is the Green Salmon, The Drift Inn has the best burgers and the Blue Whale is the place to go for fish and chips. The proof is in the picture, is it not?

I was being good (insert sarcasm). I had the small order which is $1.00 less and has two, not three pieces of pollack, nicely coated and so hot you gotta nibble on chips until the whole thing cools enough to eat. Don't ask me what they put in the batter, but it's light and perfectly crisp. The fish is moist, mild flavored and fresh...I mean really fresh, and the quantity...well! Notice I stressed that I'd ordered the SMALL order. I ate every morsel of it and when we left the restaurant, I could have stood in for the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Honest!

After such a late lunch, it was home to put a cheater pumpkin cake in the oven, then nap time. Yeah, nap time. DId I walk off that huge lunch - no siree, just stretched out on the couch and tried to fit my snores in with the trio already making strange sounds (GMan, John & Max). After the nap it was libation time, then dinner. Oh yeah...dinner!

The big guy was right when he said he'd be surprised if I didn't like the clam strips, but man, I tell you, prepping these babies is a real job. I watched him do bit of it, but there are some things just better kept a secret and this could make one a might squeamish! First the clams have to soak in ice water about 8 hours, then the shell comes off and the guck gets cleaned out, then the brown skin gets scraped off the long "neck", more guck is cleaned off, then they're rinsed, cut, rinsed again, pounded, coated and fried. No wonder the darn things are so expensive in the store. GMan coated the strips in flour, then an egg wash which included some hot sauce, followed by a dunk in a mixture of flour and corn meal. He fried them in corn oil outside on the burner attached to the barbecue. Dusted with a little coarse salt and some lemon pepper, they were indescribable.

I mean, I so didn't want to like them, but how can you not like something that is so tender, mild flavored and crispy? These clam strips were like the absolute best calamari I had ever tasted, only better cause they were CLAMS and very, very tender. Who'da thunk it?  He served them with more of those sweet potato chips - hey they're addictive.

Dessert, as if we needed it, was what I call a cheater pumpkin cake. It takes about 5 minutes to throw together, an hour in the oven, a couple to cool and man, you've got something that looks like a cake, but tastes just like pumpkin pie. It is just plumb good. This recipe is from the Wall Drug & Cafe Cookbook from South Dakota. Download Pumpkin Pie Cake It's a little regional collection of recipes compiled by friends, relatives and employees of Wall Drug Store and it is loaded with wonderful little jewels.

Other than refusing to eat a darn thing (yeah, we'll see how long that lasts), who knows what today is going to bring. The guys have already left to hit the clamming beds again. It's early and the sun's not out yet, though the birds are. The sun didn't come out yesterday until late afternoon - it was one of those misty, rainy, grey perfect beach days. I love it here, even when it rains, and of course, it's cool. It's fun to brag about the weather here when it is heading for 108 in Tucson and 112 is just around the corner. Cruel, aren't I? Sorry Tucson.

Clamming at 3:00 AM - is he crazy?

Yup, it is just after 3 bells and Elvis has left the building. The big guy just pulled out of the driveway, heading towards his favorite clamming bed in Waldport. You see, there's a zero tide which makes for exceptional cockles raking and he's been looking forward to this adventure for the past year. Guess what's for dinner tonight? I hope!

We had a glorious day yesterday. We left the cabin at 9:30 and headed out to explore places we'd never been before. On the way, we stopped to take pics for you of Newport's harbor and the bridge.

Then we drove toward Toledo, stopping at the oyster farms to watch them seeding a bunch of newbies. Obviously we'll be back there again to get some big guys.

I've claimed in the past that I'm not an oyster fan, but I'm sure looking forward to coating some in panko and FRYING them up. Yup...how can you not like anything fried. Never made an oyster stew either - now there's another possibility. My first oyster was of the raw variety and it left me feeling a might seedy.

It is impossible to adequately describe the beauty of this place. The miles of white sand beaches, the crashing waves, the cresting whitewater, clear blue sky. If you have no imagination, the Oregon coast will give you one. If you're in need of peace, you'll surely find it here; if it's religion you're looking for, God's hand is everywhere. In other words, heaven is this place. The picture below is of Boiler Bay, just outside of Depoe Bay. There's a resident whale that lives here though we didn't spot him today.

We drove along the Siletz River, checking out ForSale signs. Hey we can dream can't we? What a beautiful spot in the universe this is - just far enough from the busy coast, but not so far that you can't enjoy the beaches. There's farm land, open fields and cows and of course, the river. There's logging in this area too. I think it is a blight on the landscape, but the big guy says not. The areas that have been clear cut are covered, and I mean covered in wild flowers that deer and elk feed on, making this a hunter's paradise. Yeah, I'm married to a "killer", but thankfully in the 9 years we've been married, he's only come home with one javelina. Now, isn't that luck? 

We stopped at Beverly Beach for a picnic of charcoal grilled hotdogs & chips..doesn't that look like a feast for a king? Unfortunately the picnic area is quite a distance from the beach, so we didn't get pics of the beach. It is amazing though and we'll be sure to take some soon so you can see it.

The dogs were so good that dinner last night consisted of crackers and cheese. Hey we're not total gluttons. Before I forget, I've got to tell you about GMan's barbecue box. One time we decided to head up to Mount Lemmon for a picnic, but the only problem was, we couldn't get the darn fire started. Consequently, the big guy came home and made up a barbecue box in a large tupperware storage bin. He's got charcoal, newspaper, a chimney for starting the charcoal, the ever important "flicker dicker", as well as grates, utensils, plates, pots - you name it. He's also got a little gas barbecue in there, along with a propane cylinder too - just in case there's ever a fire pit shortage. He is PREPARED!

We had a glorious day in paradise under the clear blue sky. There's another one predicted for today, but we'll get to that later. Right now the birds are starting to signal the new day and the big guy should be home soon with his loot, so I'd better get another pot of coffee on and breakfast started. Catch ya' all later!