A Multicultural Dinner ~ Chinese, Mexican, Swedish, Norwegian, Romanian! In fact, The Pretty Much the Whole Damn World Was Represented!

My entire peony "crop."

So, Eme (our Chinese exchange student who now works at Microsoft) brought her mother (who is visiting from China) to dinner this evening.

Kim (who is staying with me) is a visiting nurse and pretty much did the whole dinner. Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Guacamole. I did the black bean salsa with blue and yellow corn chips. We started with a nice bottle of wine and finished with a couple of bottles of three buck chuck Shiraz.

A lot of the world was represented. Chuck and his girlfriend Dana who is Canadian by way of Romania. I'm Norwegian, Scot and a little German. And, over dinner we found out that Kim's great-grandfather was Chinese. Whaaaaaat!

God, I love having dinner with friends. Conversation around the table is fascinating. Eme's mother is a charge nurse in China. So, through Eme's translation her mother and Kim got to swap stories which is how we found out that Kim's great-grandfather was Chinese and the towns people in their Mexican town didn't like him running around with Kim's soon to be great-grandmother. Utterly compelling story which ended in a lynching. Oh, dear God. Another reminder ~ everyone has an astonishing story.

The beginnings of Spanish rice

Anyway, it was wonderful.

After cleaning up the kitchen and loading the dishwasher, I started brining the wild salmon to get them in the smoker this weekend. Talk about pioneer woman.

A really, really nice day.

Homemade Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Black Bean Salsa, Guacamole ~ Oh! Yum.

Kim's homemade guacamole

Enchiladas? You're going to need these.

Black Bean Salsa in papier mache bowl

Day 52 Everyday Grateful ~

Such a gorgeous sunny day. Warm, still, bright.

Friends over for dinner.

Happy!

Stone Soup, Redux ~ What to Do With an Entire Head of Celery

I love celery.

What I don't love is buying an entire head and not really knowing what to do with it once I've used a couple of stocks in the dish I'm making. And, the next time you notice it, it's a limp, bitter mess.

Not attractive.

While I appreciate celery stuffed with peanut butter or cream cheese or somesuch, I'm just not interested in fussing with it.

It's been a kindah rainy, dreary day. Almost cold. The perfect soup weather . . .

"Mmmm, what to make? " I thought as I stood in front of my opened refrigerator. As I've mentioned before, I'm sort of famous (or infamous, if you will) for having a refrigerator full of nothing but condiments. Not a single meal (except my fresh bagel, cream cheese, capers, smoked salmon, sliced tomato standard) to be had.

And, then I spied it ~ a full head of celery I'd bought this weekend. Fresh, crisp, nice. Celery soup! Oh, yes! That's just what I'll make.

I sauteed an onion with a couple of cloves of garlic. Added some fresh stock. Coarse chopped the entire head of celery including the few leaves and threw in a cup of rice. Set it to simmer.

When everything was tender, the chopped celery was a little too aggressive looking so I sieved out the broth and threw the solids into the Cuisinart. Re-added the broth and stirred in some half and half, freshly ground pepper, some salt and freshly ground coriander seeds from my friend Byron's astonishing garden.

At the table, I had the last of the smoky BBQ'd fresh wild salmon to crumble over the soup. How's this for a visual? Steaming Celadon green soup with bright red salmon broken over the top. Oh, yes!

Niiiiiiiiiiiice!

Was it a big damn deal? No. But, it was fresh, fragrant, hearty, toothsome and a lovely way to end the day. 

 

 

Day 50 Everyday Grateful ~

Rainy, blustery day. Friends for dinner.

Logan is coming to town tomorrow!

Happy!

Gentle Reminder: Life is Short ~ Use the Good China!

Yesterday, I had a meeting with a friend. We chatted about this and that. She mentioned she had sold her family silver "because I never use it and it was just collecting dust."

I've really been pondering that. Not so much the selling the silver but the "saving things for good" aspect of the conversation. I can think of lots of reasons in this economy to sell things of value to eke out another day, another week or another month. That's not what I'm talking about here.

I was thinking about "saving things for good" while I was ironing napkins this weekend (I know, I know, crazy woman). I love cloth napkins. I never buy paper napkins. While they aren't terribly expensive, they seem like a profound waste of resources. Cloth napkins seem like a small luxury and are used for years over and over again. 

When I was getting things out to make interesting tableaux for "French Toast," I was reminded again of the importance of treating ourselves, treating our families and treating our friends. I mean, really, no one is getting out of here alive. What better place to spend your resources, fortune and attention on than those you love?

Today, especially, I was thinking of my friend Sally who is so worried about her daughter. She absolutely spends her resources, fortune and attention on her beloved daughter. There's a good lesson there.

I was thinking that treating those you love like they are special actually becomes a habit.

I love it when the boys come home and we work together to get a meal ready. When it's time to set the table, they go automatically to the buffet and the stack of ironed napkins. They know the ironed napkins are there for them to use ~ we're not saving them for some nebulous time and guest in the future.

Occasionally, as we're pulling out the freshly ironed napkins, someone will demur. Then we have to go into the whole damn pageant of "don't make me move my neck! Use the blasted napkin. We're not putting on the dog. We use these every day. (ehem) So . . . enjoy!"

Probably not such a good idea that people feel they have to take a napkin 'cuz they're sure their life is in danger. We may have to reevaluate our response. In the interim ~

A gentle reminder ~

Life is short ~ use the good china!

Copper River Salmon BBQ ~ First of the Year!

So, Kim is new to Seattle. Since she arrived last week, she's been hearing about this mysterious food ~ Copper River Salmon. Not only has she heard about Copper River salmon from me but, also from friends at work. Kim's a foodie, so it makes sense that she  is adventurous about eating. But, Copper River? It's a mystery!

This evening, she came home from work with a shopping bag from Whole Foods. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and asked if I had had dinner yet. "No," sez I.

"I bought some Copper River salmon for dinner. Would you care to join me?" she said.

"Wow, that would be great. I'll be right down."

"I don't know how to cook the salmon. Shall I bake it in the oven?"

"Oh, no! It's BBQ, baby. I'll start soaking the cedar plank, make the marinade and start the wood for the BBQ."

Usually when I BBQ salmon, I have lots of time to get the cedar plank soaked; make sure the wood has burned down to red coals, but tonight, it was a bit of a rush. More flame than usual. But, the Copper River King was wonderful. Moist and flavorful!

And, best of all, it was Kim's first taste of this very elegant fish.

She was in charge of the green Caesar salad, the Greek salad and the brown rice. I was in charge of the Copper River and keeping the flames from devouring this succulent morsel.

Kim brought a nice white wine ~ Kim Crawford Marlbourough Sauvignon Blanc. Crisp and fragrant.

Ramses enjoys the evenings when I BBQ salmon. He waits patiently for the skin.

All and all, perfect! Much laughing. Much talking, and, a lovely way to start the weekend.

Day 41 Everyday Grateful ~

Drizzly, lots of small projects

completed or fully in the works.

First Copper River Salmon of the Season!

Lovely.

Mother's Day ~ Lessons and Insights

Mother's Day ~ the boys are out of town. The Bear called from Milan for a 45 minute chat. Talked with my little granddaughter; heard that the Dracula pop-up book I bought her a couple of years ago is her favourite bedtime story! Yikes. It's got a middle page of a gnashing, very terrifying wolf who pops out 6" when you open the book flat. And, the more you flex the covers, the more he snaps his jaws! When I bought it, I thought it was fantastic . . . but, then I was worried about its being too scary for the grands. Who knew!

Logan called from Portland. He's getting ready to come to town for Rent this summer. Both the boys will be here in August along with my lovely daughter-in-law and the grands. My daughter-in-law spent the weekend in Paris with a group of friends she met in her ex-pat mothers' group in Milan. Paris in May. Niiiice! The Bear said, it's like flying from Seattle to Portland ~ $40. I had to remind him, it's nothing like flying to Portland. For $40, it's cheaper to fly to Paris than to stay in Milan!

Oh, this wonderful generation of children.

I was thinking of my mother and my friends who are mothers; all the things I've learned from these wonderful women in my life.

My mother was S*M*A*R*T, she was extremely well-read, inquisitive, discerning, supportive, had an eye for detail and was a total man magnet.

My friend Barb is S*M*A*R*T, a true and generous friend. Has a perfect sense of what she calls being a goalie. When I run a problem past her, she gives me insight into how to avoid disaster from the start. I learned how to prepare a complete meal from her. She's extemely well-read, interested in philosophy and why people do things. She has a full-body laugh, a full-body hug and a ready smile. And, she's a total man magnet!

My friend Audrey is  S*M*A*R*T. She has saved my bacon more than once. She is generous. She does things I admire and have never done ~ a book club, an art workshop in France, for instance. She on a continual search for her path to art. She lives her values, has a darling sense of humour and, is a total man magnet.

I'm sensing a pattern.

My friend, Marylou, my friend, Mary, my friend, Susan, my friend, Marie, my friend, Sally ~ all S*M*A*R*T women of substance, generous with their time and energy. Women who live their values; lead full and interesting lives and are life-long learners. Inspirational all. Women who have raised accomplished children, overcome very difficult events with grace and optimism.

What a great Mother's Day ~ all things I needed to remember.

Day 31 Everyday Grateful ~

Talked with Barb about when to cut her daffodils.

Sent the photos of braiding the leaves

until they dry. I was reminded of the

little blue plants that have

naturalised in my yard. I love them!

I wait until they are completely through

flowering before I cut the grass

 in the lower garden. I have this romantic notion

 it looks like a Little Woodland Glen

and not a complete mess! 

So much of life is perception.

Sheets hanging in the sun to dry.

Sunny

Happy

God, this girl can cook!

So, Ramses and I spent yesterday afternoon and evening with my friend, Barb ~ she of the tour de force meals complete with the menu posted on the refrigerator.






Ramses loves going over to his Auntie Barb and Uncle Rico's lake front house. He's crazy nuts about them both. During my campaign for Congress, I was on my way to the airport to go to a fundraiser in San Francisco or Washington, DC or New York or somesuch, when I got this total wave of worry. What will happen to Ramses if my plane crashes? Who will take care of him? The boys are not set up for this enormous hound. Will Ramses go to the pound? I was panic stricken. I immediately called Barb.

"If I die in a plane crash, please don't let Ramses go to the pound?"

"Jeez, Heid, you're not going to die in a plane crash! But, should you drop the hell dead, Ramses will come live with me. So, stop worrying. Go get on the plane. Go smile and raise some dough."

Great friends are so wonderful.

So, I got an email from Barb on Friday:

Hey Heid ~

It's a big eatin' day. Come over tomorrow so we can feast.

How about 3-ish?

Going to be sunny they say. Do we dare believe?

xoxoxo

B

Seared snapper tacos. Shrimp Fajitas. Pulled pork tacos.

Guacamole with fresh chips. Refried black beans.

Spanish Rice. A couple of different grated cheeses.

Fresh sliced limes. 

 Everything fresh. Everything homemade. Everything delicious!

And, feast we did. And, Ramses sneaked out

of the gate for a swim in the lake.

The perfect day for everyone ~

especially the 126# wet dog!

Day 25 Everyday Grateful ~ Andrea Marcovicci on the stereo,

clean sheets on the beds, sunny beautiful day. Thankful.

http://www.andreamarcovicci.com/

The Joys of Stone Soup

Last year, we had a Chinese exchange student stay for the year. It's wonderful to see the world through the eyes of someone who is seeing America for the first time.

Over the past year, his mother and I have become friends. We've spoken on the phone many times. Her written English is practically perfect. Her spoken English is accented, but when she follows up our phone calls with an email, I see that her spoken English is perfect as well.

Of course, the main thing to keep in mind is that her English is a hell of a lot better than my Chinese!

As a surprise, I learned she was going to be in Seattle yesterday. She will be here for a few days, then she and her son are going to travel in the US on the way back to China.

Tonight, she is slumbering over.

To celebrate her visit, I invited a group of friends over for "Stone Soup." What is Stone Soup? It's whatever you have in the refrigerator and/or pantry. Because I hadn't been to the store this week, that is really all I had to offer.

My Stone Soup consisted of the following: I had one very large head of cauliflower, some onions, some garlic, some Parmesan cheese, a small container of artichokes and a bag of potatoes on the back porch. In other words ~ Stone Soup.

Oh, dear, it was wonderful! I sauteed the onions and garlic in olive oil, steamed the cauliflower, put it and the onions and garlic through the Cuisinart, threw it all back into the large pot with veggie broth, then grated some potatoes with their peels, added some freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and voila! Delicious! Actually, really delicious.

My next door neighbor brought over a sourdough baguette. I put it in the oven at 150 degrees to warm. I had a bottle of red truly vin ordinaire. And, of course, my smoked wild salmon to crumble over the Stone Soup.

It was so wonderful.

Cat Stevens was on the speakers in the dining room. The Stone Soup was fresh and hot and flavorful. Who knew?

The company was sparkling and the conversation with animated. Everyone had a glass of red wine. Much laughing and talking and visiting. Toasts all around. Completely convivial. And, very international. How great is that?

At Your Fingertips ~ Luxury for the Everyday

Maybe you are like me: you have darling things you've bought on trips when they caught your eye. They come home to live with you and often don't see the light of day ever again.

Many years ago, I made the commitment to use what I have ~ maybe not in the way it was originally intended but, if I liked it enough to buy it, I really want to make good use of it.

I'm soooo not interested in providing job security for dust. Just what we busy people don't need ~ more work.

Several years ago, I found this astonishing camel at a church bazaar. it's heavier than hell. I have no idea what it was originally for. It appears to have a place for something carved into its saddle. I think I paid $10 for it. When I got it home, I found a glass bowl (probably candy bowl missing its lid.) Sheesh, talk about a perfect fit! I filled the bowl with q-tips and the darling camel kneels in the family bath ready to be of service.

One of the things I am a sucker for is the small silver urns from the 30's and 40's when everyone smoked and it was considered polite to have a container of cigarettes on your coffee table for guests or at each plate for coffee and cigarettes after dinner. Creeps me out just thinking about it. But, it wasn't the fault of the little urns that they were used for that job.

I've given mine new jobs. In my bathroom, I use one to hold my q-tips. It looks pretty, clean and happy. Certainly happier than when it was forced into tobacco servitude.

Because I've got the world's smallest bathroom, storage is a problem, so, for things that need to stay out, I try to find nice solutions. I found the mouthwash dispenser in the scratch and dent table for $4 (though I didn't find either dents or scratches.) I had the one-off handsome liqueur glass. Perfect little combo.

As I may have mentioned, I don't worry about whether my silverware is polished. I use it and enjoy it every day. Sure, if President Obama were coming over for coffee and a chat, I'd stay up half the night shining the silver, but since that is not likely, I don't sweat it. I'd rather treat myself nicely every day by using it than by cursing it on holidays when I feel compelled either not to use it because it's tarnished or work for hours shining it. With that as an attitude, no wonder people think silver is not worth the hassle.

Lately, I've been having friends over on a more regular basis. It was feeling a little cloistered around here ~ and, not in a good way. After dinner, I like to serve coffee and tea as we sit around the table and visit.

Again, my little silver urns come into play. None of them match but they are so spunky and friendly ~ who cares? I predict there isn't a second hand store in the US that doesn't have at least one. They are very reasonably priced; available in silver and silver plate. For my coffee service, I like to provide raw sugar crystals and sweetener for my guests (yes, I do think artificial sweeteners are poison, but . . .) The darling creamer was also second-hand. All these things on a tray with a French press full of freshly ground coffee add an element of luxury to an everyday occasion.

Day 10 Everyday Grateful ~ a lovely sunny day made more wonderful

because my Logan is in town for an audition. Heaven!

Easter Sunday Brunch

My friend, Barb and I spend most holidays together. I spent Sunday with her to celebrate Easter. The first thing you should know is she is my best friend. I've known her for forty years. Holy Cow! That sounds like forever.

The other thing you should know is she isn't just a great cook (which she is), she an inspired gourmand. From planning the menu to shopping to preparation to presentation, this girl can jetté and pirouette around the kitchen like nobody's business. Everything she touches turns to culinary gold.

If you were lucky enough to dine at Barb and Rico's lakeside cottage, the first thing you would notice is that the kitchen is the center of their home. And, posted on the front of the refrigerator is the menu for the evening. I mean, really, how cool is that!





This is what we had on Sunday ~

Easter 2012

Appetizers

Triple Crème cheese with honey and crackers

Sushi with horseradish

Green olive tapenade, cream cheese and French bread 

Assorted marinated olives, mushrooms

Salad  Course

 Mixed lettuces, baby heirloom tomatoes,

Crumbled blue cheese ~ Jicama and egg

Homemade Salad Dressings

Honey Mustard Dressing ~ House Balsamic Dressing

 Entrée

 

Teriyaki salmon fillet    Standing Pork Rack

Mashed potatoes and cauliflower ~  Roasted asparagus

Yams whipped with maple syrup and shallots

Artichokes, grilled with aioli and pesto

Applesauce     Pork Gravy

Dessert

Pound cake deluxe with sliced strawberries,

whipped cream and custard in chilled glasses

Drizzled with semi-sweet chocolate

 

Drinks

Gin and tonic with limes

Gin and juice with oranges

Screwdriver ~ Bloody Mary ~ Whiskey Sour

Sparkling ciders

The entrées were wonderful. I don't eat meat but the standing pork rack looked wonderful. The salmon fillet was fantastic. And, oh so beautifully presented. I know, I know ~ there are no photos of the entrée. We were too busy eating, laughing and talking to stop for pictures.

Look at Barb's use of the darling orphan tea cup saucers for the butter. This is a fun and fanciful way to include a lonely saucer missing its cup in the festivities.

If you look closely at the brie, you will notice what looks like honey has been drizzled over it. Don't get scared! Barb and I learned about drizzling honey on brie from The Bear. Barb is Logan and The Bear's godmother. The Bear had just returned from spending the year in Florence when Barb and I traveled to Boston to see the boys. Before dinner, we had DOC Prosecco, brie and a baguette. After The Bear set the cheese board down on the coffee table, he drizzled raw honey over the brie. I have to say ~ my eyebrow nearly flew off the top of my head. And, then we tasted it. Heaven! Try it ~ it's so simple and delicious you may never eat brie plain again.

 

Also, the other thing I do want to mention is Barb is famous for her "tiny triples." Don't even think of signing anything after she hands you a drink.

When we come over to eat at Barb's, we know we will be bringing our appetites and our sense of adventure. Every meal she prepares is brilliant! And, when it is over, we will have spent an evening we will talk about for years.

Day 5 Everyday Grateful ~ dinner with those that I love.

Spring in Seattle

What a lovely morning. I'm getting ready to go my friend, Barb's house for Easter brunch, but I just had to take a walk in the garden again this morning.

Last fall, when I bought forty pounds (or, was it eighty? I forget. Anyway, it was a lot!) of King Alfred daffodils, I imagined how wonderful the pots would look in the spring. As I've said before, planting bulbs shows faith in the future.

Now, we are seeing the results of that crazy idea. It's a daffodil riot outside. And, best of all they are just starting to open their heads. I love the way they respond to the sigh of the wind as it moves through the garden. 

Atmospheric. Transcendent. Hopeful. Beautiful.

My friend, Karen's husband Ron came by yesterday. He's the pressure washing king. He got all the Seattle winter moss and slime off the back deck. We are now ready for breakfast and dinner over looking the back yard.












I love this time of year. Each day, we are gathering light. The ground is warming. The energy of returning life is everywhere.

This next week, let's chat about garden art.

Happy Easter

Day 4 Everyday Grateful ~ a long, laugh-filled phone call

from The Bear.

The Impromptu Dinner Party

The first of last week, a client of mine came over to approve some handmade tile for a project. As we were chatting to coordinate the visit, I invited her to dinner.

"You are coming a long way. Please stay for dinner. It will be no big deal ~ homemade macaroni and cheese, Caesar salad, a baguette and some red wine."

As we lingered over dinner, she mentioned that her birthday was next week; that she was not looking forward to it and could she spend it with me.

"Absolutely," I said. "Let me work out the details and we'll set it up." In the interim, a friend of a friend sent me an email ~ Heidi – why am I only now discovering your blog? It’s fabulous and I’m subscribed so I can get all your decorating secrets. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the kitchen cabinet fix up! Someday I want you to invite me to come see your house so I can copy all your brilliant ideas.  XOXO  Liz

All week long as I met with friends and close colleagues, I invited them to come for dinner. I invited Byron on the way back from the Elwha Dam removal documentary. I called my friend, Audrey, on Bainbridge to see if she was going to be in town. Then, Karen and her husband, Ron. In my brain, it started out as four and, as the week wore on, it ended up with eight.

What to fix? Comfort food. It's been raining like hell all week. Beyond drizzle. As I watched the rain sheet down the windows, I thought ~ potato soup with celery and artichokes with maybe some freshly smoked salmon crumbled on it, some crusty bread, some brie, wine.

I went to the store and bought a whole wild-caught Sockeye salmon, had it filleted, brought it home and grilled it on a cedar plank. Pink and smoky. Oh, yum! The potato soup was easy. While I don't consider myself such a red-hot cook, I do have lovely dishes and they just don't get out enough. So, I brought out the demitasse, the liqueur glasses, the Majolica cabbage soup tureen, the linen napkins ~ the whole shootin' match.

Byron brought an apple strudel pie just warm out of his oven. Laura brought a wonderful chocolate number and a couple of quarts of nice ice cream. Everyone brought a nice bottle of wine. And, we celebrated not just one but two birthdays ~ Laura, my client and Audrey, my dear friend.

At the end of my shopping trip, I had stopped at the store and bought everyone a lottery ticket and tucked it under each plate. Much hilarity ensued. We might be dining with a multimillionaire. What would you do with the money?

The impromptu dinner party? A group of strangers met for dinner and left as friends. At the end of the evening, we were discussing a monthly dinner party. I've always wanted to do that. I'll keep you posted.