Pots and Pins

Herb Marinade for Chicken, Pork and Fish...Truly Delish!

Once upon a time a brilliant yet humble couple, suffering through life with champagne tastes on a beer budget, decided to replace the old carpet in their castle.  A big decision for sure.  Discussions were held almost nightly, until an agreeable outcome was reached.  (Translation: HE didn't want new carpet, I did, I won, it's good to be me!)  Furniture was moved, old carpet ripped out, new, industrial-strength-yet-classic-carpet was installed...but it was crooked.  Yes, crooked.  There was an issue with the carpet itself and the pattern on the carpet, if followed, say, down the hallway, would lead one right into the wall.  Phone calls were made and the carpet will be replaced, gratis.  During this same time period, this fabulous couple suffered a debilitating loss when their FIVE YEAR OLD refrigerator died.  Dead as a door nail, that's as dead as one can get.  (Old refrigerator pictured at top.)  A new refrigerator was purchased, delivered and hooked up...only it made a terrible noise, which was heard the moment the delivery men pulled out of the driveway.  Phone calls were made and a promise to fix or exchange was issued.  Two life-changing issues in the span of one week!  Could this be the beginning of the end?  Will they recover sufficiently to resume their normal, carefree life?  Has Karma decided it's time to move in with Pandora and her box in tow?  Stay tuned!

 

Let's talk marinade, shall we?  This one is a keeper - easy to make and the results are amazing.  My little herb garden on my deck is going crazy right now and it's so fun to walk outside and pick fresh herbs!!  This marinade uses every fresh herb I have...oregano, parsley, thyme, rosemary, purple basil, mint, pineapple sage, sweet dill...and you can use whatever you have, too!

  

 

Fresh lemon juice, olive oil and Dijon mustard make up the rest of this marinade...now all you need to do is add a pork tenderloin, or chicken or fish - let marinate for three to four hours and you'll be in for a treat!

Herb Marinade for Chicken, Pork or Fish - Pots and Pins

3/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 lemon, zested

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons of fresh herbs:  Use approximately 1 to 2 teaspoons of 6 or 7 fresh herbs, I used rosemary, thyme, mint, dill, pineapple sage, oregano and parsley.  You could use all of them or any combination of them - your choice!  Don't be afraid to mix them up - you won't get a huge bite of any one herb but a nice medley in your mouth!

Combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon and olive oil in medium bowl and whisk well.  Stir in the fresh herbs, salt and pepper.  Carefully pour into a gallon-size Zip-Lock style bag and add pork tenderloin, chicken or fish.  Squeeze out the air, seal bag and marinate in refrigerator for at least 3 hours or longer, overnight it okay.  Remove pork/chicken/fish from bag, leaving the herbs that cling to the pork/chicken/fish in place; discard marinade and cook, bake, broil or grill however you want.  This marinade is a winner - try it and see!

 

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Garden of Weedin'...

Against my better judgement, I'm going to show you something that drives the mister crazy.  He's not a fan of crappola...and, as you know, I am.  If I had my way my entire yard would be filled with reclaimed tractor parts, odd tires, bikes and make-shift bird baths from old pots and pans.  But as hard as I try to crap the place up, the mister tries just as hard to de-crap and up until a few weeks ago everything was fine.  I would bring home a piece of "art" and he would growl and I would ignore him and it would be business as usual.  But now, NOW, the mister has given me an ultimatum...if I don't bring home any more "art" then he won't get rid of what's already there.  My latest acquisition, appropriately named Art, seems to have pushed the mister over the edge.  But Art just tickles me to pieces and while I knew the mister would not greet Art warmly, I was relatively certain the mister would at the very least find Art, well, to be art...ummmm, not so much!

Now really, how can one look upon Art and not see art and not smile?!?  He's magnificent, no?  Art is made with electrical bits and bobs, but that's neither here nor there, because Art is, without a doubt, a one-of-a-kind-sculpture...anyone can see that, right?  And he is absolutely perfect in my little view spot!  I'm sure the mister will grow to love him...cough, cough!

 

 

 

 

 

I love Art so much that it's hard for me to be objective...maybe it wasn't Art who tipped the scales, maybe the red chandelier hanging from the cherry tree put the mister over the top?  I'm sure it wasn't the birdhouse on the old stump because that's been there a while and he's never said anything about it.  He didn't exactly warm up to the pot rack hanging from the apple tree where the odd kitchen utensils dangle, but then again, he never said a word...perhaps he was stunned by it's creative beauty?!?

 

 

 

 

 

The croquet mallets didn't even get a raised eyebrow when I pounded them into the dirt and I truly think the mister likes the piece of drift wood I hauled home from Lake Chelan.  The old wood chair, discarded from a friend's cabin, and carefully placed in a special spot, well, that did get an eyebrow raise...but that was all...so I figured the mister had a tick/twitch and I ignored him.

The mister has never said a word about the wooden leaf nailed onto the tree trunk - a gift from a dear friend - and he didn't seem to mind when I brought home the big metal, yellow flower and pounded that into the ground...which, as I like to point out to him, is the only flower that blooms all year long!

The birdbath that sits precariously on an old stump sometimes falls when the wind blows and the mister has whined about that, but never has he said it had to go...although he did complain about the pots in the view spot, saying they need replacing, and I'll get to that, but the silver garden "orb" (another gift from a dear friend) has never bothered him, even when a neighborhood child used to come and pee on it!  And now, now that Art has taken up residency, the mister draws a line in the dirt.  No more crap.  I don't know what crap-withdrawal feels like...I suppose I'm going to find out...OR...maybe the mister will come to his senses and see just how unreasonable he is being...it's either that or crap rehab for me!  Wish me luck!

Spinach, Quinoa and Artichoke Salad...

It is wedding season!!  Things are getting kind of crazeeee around here!  Last week I helped with a wedding shower - my friend Linda had it in her back yard and like all outdoor events in Seattle, you have to have a rain plan.  The weather didn't look promising but the day of the shower the rain held off...until right before it was to start!!  Fortunately, Linda's husband is a MacGyver kind of guy - and he had already planned for rain by rigging up a white tarp over the outdoor patio...

The temp was probably in the 60's but the natives arrived with jackets and we even had quilts for them too wrap up in if they got cold...it was memorable, to say the least!  Linda did a great job with the decorating - even down to the cute little diamond ring napkin holders!  I did the flowers on the tables and helped with the food and I think everyone had a great time - especially the bride!  Olivia received wonderful, over-the-top gifts!!  She's a lucky girl to have so much support!  The banner Linda made says, "I found him at Walmart" because that's where Olivia met her future husband!!

 

 

 

 

This salad was served at the shower - it's refreshing and different and the dressing is made from a jar of marinated (in oil) artichoke hearts that are put in the blender!  Could not be easier than that!  You do have to cook the quinoa, but that takes all of about 15 minutes and once it's done everything is tossed in a large bowl together and the dressing is poured on.  This is one salad that will keep after the dressing is on because spinach holds dressing better than lettuce and when the spinach does start to wilt, it still tastes great!  This recipe can be doubled and tripled to feed a crowd.

Blending the marinated artichoke hearts creates a creamy dressing - I add a bit more salt, peppper and sometimes some red pepper flakes.  This also makes a great "sauce" on top of pasta with a little shredded Parmesan cheese!

Aaaaaaand...this is a pretty healthy salad!  Spinach, quinoa, parsley and artichoke hearts (packed in water) make for a great side to any summer-time entree - if you add grilled chicken you've got yourself a meal - one that won't tip the scales, too!

Spinach, Quinoa and Artichoke Salad - Pots and Pins

 1/2 cup quinoa

1 cup chicken broth

1 can (14 oz.) quartered artichoke hearts in water, drained

1 jar (24 oz.) marinated quartered artichoke hearts (You will only use 1 cup of this for the dressing.  I use the Bonta di Viru brand)

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar (you can add more vinegar depending on your taste buds)

1 bunch Italian parsley, chopped

2 green onions

zest from one lemon

1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced

3 cups fresh spinach (tightly packed)

red pepper flakes, to taste, optional  (If I made this artichoke dressing for the salad I do not add the red pepper flakes, but when I made the dressing to serve with pasta I add them - but you do what you want!)

Combine the chicken broth and the quinoa in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer and cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until all of the broth is absorbed.  Remove from heat and allow to cool. 

Put 1 cup of the marinated artichoke hearts (hearts and oil) in the blender; add red wine vinegar and process till smoth. (You can reserve the rest of the marinated artichokes hearts and oil for another use or drain the artichokes and add them to the salad.) 

In a large bowl combine the spinach, parsley, green onion, lemon zest and thyme.  Add the quartered artichoke hearts (those packed in water and you can add any remaining from the marinated artichokes if desired.)  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Toss in the cooled quinoa.  Pour the blended artichoke dressing over the spinach mixture and toss to combine.   Serves 6 to 8.

 

Double Crocheted Baby Blankets...

I have a good supply of crochet hooks and knitting needles - probably over 100.  I've tried knitting many times, and the results are always the same...10 fingers and 2 knitting needles is just one too many.  I end up tossing the knitting aside for crochet - one is much easier than two, no?  In fact, this is the only scenario I can think of where more is too much.  Crochet-ing and I have tried to be friends in the past and it's never really worked - of course I blame Crochet.  But recently I was told that it IS possible to do a simple crochet stitch and make something remarkable...let me show you Gretchen's double-Crocheted baby blankets...

Ummmm, I don't think this is a double crochet but I'm starting with it because I love it so much - how sweet it is!  Can't you just picture a roly-poly baby wrapped up in this?!?

Can you see the hearts?  Another of Gretchen's sweet blankets...she said this was easy, too!  She almost has me convinced!  I'm going to let Crochet back into my life, I think it's time for a reunion...

Gretchen did not say this one was easy or if she did I immediately discounted her because just look at that detail!  I think this is the blanket she made for her niece who is expecting her first baby.  It's just so pretty.  Both of my grands love crocheted blankets - my Max dragged a giant queen size crocheted blanket around with him every where he went for years!   His other grandma made it...I made him quilts but he liked the crocheted blanket...go figure!

Gretchen said I just have to count...and I can do that!  At least I know I can count to 10, after that I'm not so sure!  It's lacy and so soft - Gretchen uses super soft yarn - I'm really thinking I can do this!

Gretchen also said it takes her a couple of evenings to make one of these - about 10 hours or so.  That's 10 hours of sitting in front of the TV counting...right up my alley!!  Especially since we have a summer of TV catch-up to do...Breaking Bad, 24, House of Cards...all the shows that everyone tells us we should watch but don't have time for - now we do!

Gretchen and I are new BFF's...I met her just recently and instantly fell in love with her sweet spirit, kind heart and her amazing voice - she talks in a lilt...her words just rolled off her tongue and were rather infectious - I couldn't help but smile while I listened to her.  To Gretchen:  Thanks for the inspiration!!  I'm going to give this a go...at best I'll end up with a sweet little blanket and at worst, I'll have myself a kanniption fit while I de-tangle yarn from my body and throw yet another crochet hook into the trash!

Can you see the deer?  They were daily visitors at the luxury resort I was lucky enough to stay in on Lake Pend Orielle in Sandpoint, Idaho!  Just a little slice of Heaven...a long weekend cooking retreat with great food, great friends and a fabulous view.  Thank you Becky for your generosity and the great memories!

 

First World Problems...

I've been going through email withdrawals...it's been two days since my email was taken over/hacked and two days since I've not been able to send and receive!  Two days!!!  Most of my email contact list received an email from "me" saying I was in the Philippines and was stranded and I needed money immediately!  And really, that was not entirely false...while I didn't send the email and I wasn't in the Philippines, I can always use money!! 

Without being overly dramatic, because you know, that's just not me (!)...my friend who is a retired FBI AGENT was one of the recipients who received this plea for $$$ and while I was laughing it off he called to tell me this was serious!!   He advised me to contact a friend who works for Microsoft, so I did, because if an FBI agent tells me to do something I do it, I do not want to be water-boarded or sent to Guantanamo... I contacted my friend at Microsoft and he has been "on the case" but as of today he's been unable to help me...so...drumroll...yet another friend who works with SECURITY for Microsoft (it's good to have smart friends in high places!) has now jumped into the fray to try to save me from another day without email!  And this friend told me not to use my computer because it may have been compromised!  Compromised!!!  I just want to wring my hands and beat my head against the wall!!  Okay, now I AM being overly dramatic because the mister just informed me if my computer has to be wiped clean it will cost us $$$$ to reload the software!    

I'm using the mister's computer to send this quick report - since I knew you would want to know and because I can't use my computer nor can I pretend to be busy at my desk (sending hilarious jokes via email) so if this email situation isn't resolved soon my jig will be up and the mister will know I do NOTHING all day!!! 

 

Quilt Group Friday...

Gosh kids, it's pretty obvious that it's summer with the lack of posts around here!  I will try to do better, now that the sun has ducked behind the clouds for a while, I just might be able to get back on top of things!  I've been crazy busy and I've been out of town with another escape on the horizon...just stopping home long enough to do some laundry, or so it seems!  The mister is not one bit happy about my comings and goings, he even lost 5 pounds while I was gone last week...FIVE pounds!  Of course, I found those five pounds so now I'm forcing myself back to Zumba - which I hate - tribal music, jumping up and down and sweat do not make me happy...but getting on that damn scale is worse than Zumba!  I'll tell you what does make me happy - quilts - especially the ones from our last meeting!

 

What do these colors remind you of?  I love aqua and red, they remind me of cotton candy...this is Lori's quilt - it's little 9-patches with sashing - simple, sweet and oh so cute!

This is another Lori creation.  I think she made this from fabric left over from another quilt - pretty colors, especially the border fabric!

Kareena made these banners and they are unlike any banners I have ever made and I've made a ton!  They are perfect triangles sewn RST, then turned, RSO, pressed and attached to trim...very professional!  I usually just cut fabric with pinking shears and call it good! 

This is Kareena's quilt bag - it's beautifully done!  You don't see any raw-edge seems anywhere on this bag - it's like magic, they all disappeared into the lining! 

Terry made this sweet paper doll quilt...but it's not just a quilt, it's an action quilt!  Those paper dolls come with clothes so her grand-daughter can play with this quilt while she's sitting under it!

 

 

 

 

Terry sewed a pocket on the back of the quilt to hold all of the clothes - isn't that so fun?  I will have to make one for my little Elsa - she would love it!

Helen made this quilt and Terry quilted it.  Terry said she had to stop and start at each circle - so it took her a long time to quilt this.  The circle quilting really added to this quilt, which was so beautifull pieced - I've never seen such straight Courthouse Steps in MY sewing room!

Helen must sew in her sleep to be able to produce so many quilts in a month!  This top is another one of her CCC...Creative Color Creations...it's SO DANG HAPPY I can't look at it without smiling!  Helen bought the entire bolt of polka-dot fabric so we might even see more quilts with it - which would be more than alright with me!

Jenny showed us her baby blocks quilt - I have always loved this pattern!  If you stare at it long enough you'll see movement or maybe that's just me.  I love this little quilt!  Jenny also hosted us for our meeting and it was so fun to be in her beautiful home - thanks Jenny!

This is one of Jenny's projects - she purchased an old cabinet door, painted it with chalkboard paint, added some bling and turned it into a very fun chalkboard!  Nicely done Jenny!

Neva brought in this quilt top; I think she said she started it a long time ago.  It's always good to get a UFO finished - I've lost count of how many I have...good for Neva for getting this one out of the pile!  This top reminds me of girls camp when I was a kid - I think I had something similar at the time - or else my bunkmate did...but it would be a great camp quilt!

Denise finished her heart quilt - I love how it's quilted - simple lines that don't detract from the pattern.  I still want to make one of these for myself...I was hoping to have one done in red, white and blue for the 4th of July...maybe next year!

 

 

Denise brought her her latest project, Quilling!  These pictures just don't do them justice - really, really tiny paper rolled into pretty things - looks like a lot of work to me but Denise assured us it was easy...riiiiiiiiiiiiight!

This is Jenny's chicken coop in her back yard.  I had to take a picture of it for you and all of the "girls" came up to the front to pose for me!  I love that Jenny has a Bear Paw quilt pattern stenciled on the coop, seeing how she lives in bear territory and she's a quilter, it's very appropriate!

Time for me to get busy and finish something around here...I'm SO close to having two tops done...just need a little less talk and a lot more action...ummm, that's what HE said!

 

Three Onion Relish...

It's been another week of playing tour guide...my sister and her tribe came to visit and since they had never been here before, we were off to the Space Needle, the Ballard Locks, the Monorail, Pike Place Market, the Gum Wall, the beach and the Fremont Troll...

Isaac, Sam and Nick loved the Troll but I advised them not to touch it because while it looks like the Troll has been crying, which you can't see in this pic, I'm pretty sure those weren't tears.  All Trolls have a foul smell, that just goes with being a Troll but this one has a distinct urine scent!

 

 

 

 

 

After seeing the Troll nothing could really impress three teenage boys as much, but I tried by pointing out my little herb garden, which only got a snicker, but then I showed them my TOMATO!!!  Yes, folks, while that isn't Headline News in other parts of the country, having ONE tomato on just one of my four plants in the first part of June is nothing short of miraculous!  It just might be ripe by July!!!  After 21 years of trying to grow tomatoes and only getting green ones by September, this is truly impressive...although not one of my nephews thought so...not even a high-five!  The fine art of growing tomatoes in the Northwest is wasted on the youth.

 

 

 

 

 

What does one do with Onion Relish?  Well, let me tell you!  It's fabulous on any kind of Mexican food...and it's great with pork, chicken or fish.  If you're not going to be kissing anyone, it's also just great as a dip with chips!  It's easy to make and has such a great flavor - it will surprise you with it's delicious versatility!

Three different kinds of onions plus a few more ingredients all go into the food processor to be pulsed into submission and then some shredded Parmesan cheese is added in, making this a truly unique and yummy relish...this simple relish will put the WOW into your next BBQ, even if you're just serving up some dogs.

Three Onion Relish - Pots and Pins

1 can (3.5 oz.) diced mild green chiles

1/4 large green pepper

6 green onions, white and half of the green stems

1/2 large white onion, cut into large pieces

1 large red onion, cut into large pieces

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

juice from 1/2 of lime

2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Put all ingredients except Parmesan cheese in food processor and process until onion is in very small pieces.  Remove to a bowl and stir in Parmesan cheese.  Serve with chips, on fish, chicken or pork and with all Mexican dishes.  Makes about 2 1/2 cups.  Will keep in refrigerator for up to one week.