I’ve joined NaNoWriMo this year with goal of completing the task during the onset of many gray days in Seattle, a sort of pick-me-up as I go along while the season gnaws at my will. 50,000 words in November. A new novel, approximately 200 pages, and, for me, it is the first draft of one … More Let’s Call It Southwestern Gratin
A funny thing happened. Unbeknownst to me, two days ago Mark went to one of the neighbors and asked for a favor, if she would send out a block-wide email for him as his phone was then missing. As a member of the block, I got a copy and read it late last night when … More Toasted Coconut Party Cake et plus
I was looking for a recipe in the bread sections of some cookbooks when the words “Crusty Onion Popovers” caught my eye. My daughter likes onion and when I find a recipe featuring them, I might have a go, and so I did. The recipe included onion salt, which I omitted, and I substituted a … More Preparing for Pumpkin Carving Party with Crusty Onion Popovers
In 1969, while a nanny, I took a night extension class at Bainbridge Island High School with the late Bob McAllister who was to become a local icon teaching, writing and bringing play production to a superb level. Surprisingly, it changed my culinary life but had nothing to do with food. The class was World … More Thank you, Bob McAllister, for Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls
When I went to deliver a double-slice of the (Heavenly) Roasted Coconut Cake* a couple days ago, my neighbors were preparing a brown rice version of lasagna. The word “Lasagna” worked its way into my to-do list, especially as I had a cup of leftover turkey pepperoni red sauce and a cup of cottage cheese … More Lasagna One Time, Strange flower
I was going to take a pretty photograph of last night’s Dinner for Daughter, but she was very hungry so it was a one-shot-and-dig-in. Looking at the photo later, I said, “Nah, too dark,” but then I saw the blue bits and changed my mind since I’d been outside earlier shooting gardens and got the next … More Blue Light, Blue Sky Long Meal Friday
Years ago at an annual November arts and crafts show in Edmonds, I had my first buttery, cheesy, crispy square and knew they’d enter my appetizer menu, especially after I bought the cookbook which included the recipe. What made the show special for me and why I went again every year thereafter was the appetizers, … More Hot & Cheesy Sourdough Squares
We’re having a Winter Social on Sunday afternoon in the neighborhood, an annual event for many and a first for me on my one year anniversary of the move to Seattle. I attended the Seattle Night Out* block party last August, took along three items and met some neighbors new to me. The upcoming Social … More Vanilla Snicks with Lavender Caramel Accents
I hosted a small, casual luncheon birthday party on Sunday for Mark’s 65th. I made hot, soft sourdough garlic bread with Montana Starter #1 served with a dipperful of Tomato Khanooj. Eggplant is roasted. Red sauce is made. The two are chopped to bits in a food processor, the same as baba khanooj, only different. … More Tomato Khanooj or Eggplant Parm Dip
A special visitor from London was hungry for home-cooking and home atmosphere on a jam-packed business itinerary at our local, gigantic online retailer of everything imaginable to humans, animals and robots. It featured meetings including business breakfasts, networking lunches and evening dinners/drinks with more business people. I asked my daughter to find out what our … More Chipotle Beef Shepherd’s Pie with Sharp Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Ms Chef in Seattle 