The Garden Grows

Looks like we may have finally hit on the right combination of organic material-- mulched maple leaves, coffee grounds, etc. The last few years our zucchini and tomatoes were very disapointing. This year, we already have some small zucchs and the tomatoes look pretty healthy. Mmmmmm.

Breakfast with the Sharks

Father's Day present from Bonnie: Breakfast with the Sharks in the private viewing room at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. We left home at 5:30 am to get there on time but it was worth it. A great breakfast and discussion, then hand feeding of the sharks just outside our viewing window (not the one in this photo- we were at a large picture window off to the left in the photo).

Fact: sharks in the tank get fed 5 times per week, which is too much, they claim. These sharks get fat and lazy. Sharks in the wild eat less often and exhibit a more agressive behavior.

After breakfast we cruised down the coast taking in the sights until we got to Reedsport where we bought some flowers for the family cemetery plots, then we followed the Umpqua river up to Coles Valley where my father, mother, and brother are buried.

Happy father's day Lee Anderson!
--- Mike

Graduation Day

Congratula-tions Steven Joseph Day, Jr.

Our grandson graduated from High School today -- Ideas was the name of his school, a small classroom project with about 60 students made up from the bigger North Eugene High School. He earned his diploma and a Certificate of Initial Mastery. His fellow students let out a nice cheer when his name was called.

Onward, Upward!

Shameless Night

Friday, June 5th was our "grand opening" first public performance of No Shame! We held it at the Atrium, in cooperation with the City of Eugene. About 50-60 people showed up.

After 7 months of meetings, planning, script writing, prop building, promotion, etc. we finally went from a simple idea to something real. We did it! I am quite proud of all the folks who worked so hard to make this happen.

I posted my first public performance script on the link to Mike's Stories.

Grilled Crostini and Radishes

We were inspired by the Obama's vegetable garden at the White House so before we left for our big road trip we planted one in our front yard. It is a 6 foot octagonal made out of cedar and in it we have four tomato plants, two hot peppers, two zucchini, a few lettuce beds and the remains of our French breakfast radishes which we put in just before leaving April 23rd. Since we have been home, I pull radishes every day and have given them away to neighbors.......while cleaning out a drawer in the kitchen I find this recipe card from a grocery store that features the radish.

Good stuff, I thought so will share this recipe.

2 tbsp. xtra virgin olive oil

2 tsp. chopped fresh chives

6 slices of 7 grain bread

2 tsp coarse sea salt

1/2 (5.2 oz) pkg herbed spreadable cheese

4-6 radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced

1. In small bowl, combine oil and chives then evenly brush mixture on slices of bread, sprinkle with sea salt.

2. Place bread slices on grill for about 30 seconds on each side.

3. Remove bread slices and cut in half diagonally.......spread evenly with herbed cheese and top with thin layer of radishes.......The French breakfast ones are long and have both red and white but just red radishes are also fine. Sprinkle with additional sea salt and chives, if desired.

We would see the French breakfast radishes at the Farmer's Markets in France and they were served to us by Valerie's family. They put butter on them and dipped in salt........they do love all the exotic salts in France.

Bienvenue Juin

June has arrived in the Willamette Valley bringing not only tree and grass pollen but also gorgeous flowers. We got home in time for the rhodies, azaelas and iris and now we are enjoying roses, California poppies and soon the lavendar will bloom.
Traveling across the country was enriching. Cuisines changed as often as the scenery. Returning to my Midwest roots, I quickly remembered the farm culture. Ranging from fresh picked morel mushrooms plucked from nearby woods to end up in my Mother's frying pan.......yes, I said fried.....that is the main term in Midwest cooking. They fry catfish like nowhere else except the deep South..........needless to say........I eat it as much as I can when I am back there as it doesn't exist here in the Northwest. Pork and beef round out the food offerings and are served with many side dishes. They are also fond of desserts and one was offered with every supper.....yes, the evening meal is not dinner.
While cruising those vast stretches of highways across the plains we discovered the hunting culture and they certainly love their beef and their bbq.
We noticed a national awareness to eating local and in season and they love their farmer's markets and support them big time like we do in Eugene. We also saw many vegetable gardens and that triggered a memory of taking a salt shaker to the tomato patch on a hot Illinois Summer day in August and picking a red one right from the vine, smothering it in salt and then pure bliss.
I welcome June in Oregon which means trips to Saturday Market, strawberry festivals, Summer Solstice, MidSummer's Night Eve, painting toenails red and tending to my herb garden of basil, French Tarragon, Chives, Lemon Balm, Mint and my gorgeous Rosemary bush.
Here's to the kick off month for Summer and many sunny and lovely days outdoors. Salute'