We have always loved kombucha and luckily for us our cousin, Christina, started brewing it. All you need is a friend and their extra scoby to start brewing your batch. We found it easiest to start with a 4 quart glass jar since it gives you enough to really enjoy after all the time you put into it. Note: All supplies can be purchased at a brewing supply store. If in Portland, FH Steinbart. Pop the bottle and enjoy it!…
We were packed and ready for a camping weekend when a curve ball was thrown at us. The plan was Mike would pick me up at 4pm and we’d leave town. Mike called a little before 4pm saying I needed to take a Lyft and meet him at the vet ASAP. That morning Wiley was throwing up for a few hours and by the afternoon it had not slowed down. While at the vet he was given an injection to…
This winter has been the most challenging since moving to Portland. The weather has been contributing to our slow start to this years adventuring. We were greeted with an ice storm early December which was followed a month later with a snow storm that dumped ten inches of snow in Portland. The city shut down for a week with temperatures hovering between 20 - 32 degrees. It’s rare to find a shoveled sidewalk since most people don't own a shovel for…
Rainy weekends make baking homemade bread a delightful treat! One of my favorites is grilled cheese sandwiches made with fresh baked bread and served with hot tomato soup. We usually jazz up our grilled cheese sandwiches with bacon and avocado. 3 cups all purpose flour 1 3/4 tsp Kosher salt 1/2 tsp active dry yeast 1 1/2 cups water room temperature 1. Mix flour, salt and yeast in a big bowl. Using a wooden spoon add water to the bowl and mix until…
This is tasty holiday crowd pleaser for those crazy lactose intolerant relatives, yes this is me. It's one of my favorite creations by my dearest sister-in-law, Jocelyn Woods. Serving size: 4 1/4 c green onion 1/2 c golden raisins 1/3 c diced dates 3/4 c cranberries 1/3 c sliced figs 1/2 c sliced apricots 1/2 lemon (zest and juice) 1 small clove garlic 1 T fresh thyme 1/4 c honey 1/4 c olive oil 1/4 c canola/vegetable oil salt and pepper 1.
Weihnachtsstollen is a traditional German fruit bread that has become one of my favorite Christmas traditions. The Wisconsin Electric Power Company would publish an annual holiday cookbook. This recipe was from their 1966 edition. Stollen dates back to the 14th century when Germans baked loaves at Christmas to honor princes and church dignitaries, and to sell at fairs and festivals for holiday celebrations. It can be enjoyed at anytime of day! Soften active dry yeast in warm water or compressed yeast in…
This recipe is from a dear friend, Brad Thomas. It is a great appetizer for any occasion. It's so good even the kids will beg more. Typically for a smaller gathering we'll half the recipe below. Cut the cucumber into long strips and dice into ¼” pieces. Place in a medium mixing bowl. Add the dill, green onions and garlic. Toss with olive oil until saturated. Add the juice from 1 lemon and about 1 tsp. of lemon zest. Add the…
Every year we go on a long weekend vacation with Mike’s family and this past summer was particularly special since it was Mike’s parents 50th wedding anniversary. I had a mission to find the family a memorable experience. My searches guided me to a 70' Monte Fino Yacht named OASIS in Seattle, WA. This was my first trip to Seattle and having spent our evenings from a boat was the best way to experience the beautiful city. From OASIS’s top deck…