I have been absent these last couple of months. Why, you might ask? The election threw me a punch. There is no other way to put it. I have yet to be able to read most newspaper headlines, and somehow, posting has also been affected.
I’ve been cooking and buying cookbooks—they are both refuges. I have also taken up embroidery. It keeps my hands busy when I have difficulty settling. Are any of you feeling the same way?
Friends have a cabin on Donner Lake, and we visited them in early October. Wendy is a wonderful crafter; she makes quilts (of which I have several) and other needlework. She introduced me to cozyblue, and I was hooked. It should be in my DNA because my parents, Grandmother, Great Aunt, and Uncle were artists. I do it for the relaxation and meditative aspects and am a beginner.
We ended up with lots of tomatoes from the garden, but they never ripened.
Green Tomatoes
So when life presents you with green tomatoes, you pickle and make chutney.
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- Green Tomato Chutney
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- Pickled Green Tomatoes
We have not tasted the pickled tomatoes, but the chutney is terrific. I tried three different recipes, and they are all excellent. Next year, I may not even bother trying to get ripe tomatoes.
There have been some stellar meals over the past couple of months…
Chicken ricotta meatballs with ravioli and salad
Pasta Puttanesca
Pasta Puttanesca for my husband’s birthday meal.
Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate Seeds
The kale was harvested from the garden.
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- Carrots from the Garden
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- Salad of Roast Vegetables – Carrots and Cauliflower
Roast Cauliflower Salad with Pinenuts and Dates
Mexican Pizza with Black Beans and Mango Salsa
Crispy Oven Roasted Gnocchi Salad with Butternut Squash, kale, and Feta
In My Kitchen, I have some new cookbooks. I read them like novels and love trying new flavors. My birthday is in October, and cookbooks are fabulous presents. Sometimes they are to me, from me, love me.
We have also had some doggie adventures. Ollie visited with his owner, and we took a walk in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens when the dahlias were in full bloom. It’s a very dog-friendly place.
Shanna and friend Ollie at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
At Donner Lake, we hiked a lot with the dogs. Quinn was completely tuckered out. Here she is trying to fit into Ollie’s bed.
Quinn, after a long day of hiking in the Lake Tahoe area
Shanna at Donner Lake, showing off
Shanna just wanted to stretch out.
Next, we visited Utah for more visits with friends and their dog.
Inyo and Shanna in Utah
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday. Thank you for visiting. And your comments make me happy.
OH MY GOSH LIZ THOSE EMBROIDERIES ARE SIMPLY AMAZING! I can see your progress in each panel, so lovely! I’m so happy to have ignited your crafting life in these challenging times. Can’t wait to see what the French General does to continue that stitchy progress of yours in the spring! Bravo! 👏🏻♥️
Thank you so much for introducing me to cozyblue Wendy. The embroidery has been very calming, and I’ve loved stitching. I signed up for their monthly club. So, you have definitely ignited the fire.
Those recipes…drooling.
Thank you Jean.
You might be a beginner at embroidery, but those are some gorgeous patterns. Keep it up! The dogs are beautiful, and they obviously have a great life.
They add immeasurable to our own lives as well. Thank you for visiting.
The meals you have been preparing with veggies from your garden look wonderful.
Thank you Karen
Happy New Year Karen and thank you.
how cute are shanna and ollie? gorgeous. Love Nagi’s new cookbook, and love roast cauli! That pizza looks so tasty too. such a lot of chutney; good on you. Have a great festive season. My word it is coming quickly.
cheers
sherry (and thanks for being part of IMK this year too!)
I love chutney and it’s not as commonly used here in the U.S. My mother used to make huge batches of mango chutney.
The election was a terrible event, and things are about to go even more badly now. My approach is to find other focal points to write about. I keep saying I’m not going to read the news but I can’t stop; however, I don’t write about it. You seem to have found some wonderful escapes … good luck with keeping on with them.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Well, I read the headlines and remind myself that papers are in the business of selling advertising. Meanwhile I think it’s healthy to concentrate on those we love, our neighbors, and community.