This month “In My Kitchen” also known as IMK returns after a summer hiatus. We are glad to have Maureen back with us as our host, the community has missed her. This post is linked with Maureen The Orgasmic Chef and is part of a round-the-world look at what has been happening in our kitchens in August.

I must admit that for me, the answer in “not much”.  Summer is here and the living is easy, and I am not interested in spending hours in the kitchen. Summer for me means salads and grilled things, not complicated recipes. I reserve those for winter when warming dishes and long simmering braises are more the norm. That being said, there are a few new things in the pantry and wine cellar. August is the time for our annual trek to Ashland in Oregon for the Shakespeare Festival. We had some time to do shopping (which always means food) and wine tasting.

Bee nectar vinegar

This balsamic and honey mixture is wonderful drizzled over roast vegetables.

This treat is a sweet balsamic in a fish egg sized package. They look like caviar and are incredible on a tomato and cucumber salad, little bursts of sweet and sourness.

Sweet and sour

A summer simple salad of sliced dry farmed Early Girl tomatoes, cucumbers from my own garden, avocado, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garnished with toasted pine nuts and sweet/sour granules.

Tomato, cucumber and avocado salad

Who needs more than a salad like this, some fresh cheese, and crisp bread? Add a bottle of rose or crisp white wine and it will be heaven or the world’s most perfect picnic.

A trip to Ashland would not be complete with out a visit to Ledger David.

Ledger David

A few antics after an afternoon of wine tasting.

Ledger David

We purchased a few bottles, of course.

And, we have been spending as much time as possible in our new kitchen on the California north coast, the cabin in Fort Bragg. Long walks have tired out the “mighty sisters”, Casey and Quinn, and are preparing us for this month’s hike coast-to-coast in Ireland. We leave this weekend. Yes, training has been taking a lot of my spare time and diminished much of my creative time for cooking although not my appetite.

High surf at Seaside Beach

Tired Casey

Quinn doesn’t look much fresher

So, I won’t be posting much on this blog for a few weeks while we away. I will be back in late September or early October with travel stories to tell and pictures of food along the way. Stay tuned and please, gentle readers, don’t leave. I’m excited about the creativity that will be sparked by my travels.