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Sunday, March 21, 2010

A Sunday morning walk over the Lake Hodges Bridge

Having talked about it for over a year, this morning we walked across the Lake Hodges Bridge. Where to park was our first problem. We parked on West Bernardo Drive by the retirement home and walked on a sandy path next to the street. The path slopes downward and only allows one person behind the other.
Click on the link above to read about the construction.
The West side of the lake finally has water again after many years of drought.
After the rain, the wildflowers and weeds are abundant.
Looking west toward Del Dios.
Walking under I-15.
I decided to walk back towards the East - Via Rancho Parkway, much easier. Many folks with strollers and bikes come that way. Yes, Armin picked me up!

Lunch on the patio - first day of Spring

Warm weather, barbecue - what could be better?

I saw a recipe for two in the Char-Broil's Everybody Grills! book: 

Grilled Chicken Skewers with Grilled Caesar Salad.
 
With a few changes, here are the recipes:

2 - 4oz boneless skinless chicken breasts (we had enough chicken for the next day)
1 cup BBQ sauce of your choice
2 whole heads of romaine lettuce (we used one)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil (used less)
1/2 cup shallot, minced (used less)
1/2 cup fresh garlic, minced (used less)
salt and pepper
Bamboo skewers soaked in white wine for 1 hour (didn't use)
1 prepared log herbed polenta (made our own, recipe follows)
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1 jar of your favorite Caesar salad dressing

Cut the chicken breasts lengthwise into four equal slices. Place chicken in a plastic bag with the BBQ sauce; seal and marinate for 1-2 hours or overnight. 
Cut the romaine heads in half lengthwise. Drizzle olive oil over both sides. Spread the shallot, garlic, salt pepper over the cut side of the heads, set aside.
Preheat grill to high. Place chicken on skewers (or not) and grill until the meat reaches 165ยบ. Slice the polenta into slices, grill 5 - 8 minutes on each side.
To make the balsamic reduction, place vinegar in a pan over medium heat and cook until it reduces in syrup. Cool and reserve.
Grill the romaine lettuce on both sides for 2-3 minutes until just wilted. Remove, slice lengthwise, then roughly chop.
Toss lettuce very lightly with Caesar dressing. Place salad, chicken and polenta on plates, drizzle with balsamic reduction. YUM!

We had the same meal today, sitting outside again, enjoying the weather after a walk over the Lake Hodges Bridge.

For the polenta I used this recipe Grilled Herb Polenta step 1 - 4, putting the polenta in the fridge, since I didn't plan this until Saturday morning.


Saturday, March 20, 2010

Madeiran Cranesbill - Geranium maderense - getting ready to bloom

We saw this plant for the first in Cambria at a house we rented. Well, the kids rented for us for our anniversary and friends also came along. A GREAT weekend!

We took a tiny seedling and planted it and we have had this plant ever since. About six plants are scattered around the yard, three are in a planter box on the patio and one of them has buds.
I'll post more photos when the buds open up.
Today, March 25th a few more blossoms opened

First Day of Spring - a walk in the back yard

A perfect day - here are the flowers and trees that are blooming right now.

 
The miniture apple tree has tiny apples!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Four hats finished

This is my favorite hat pattern right now. "Brandon Hat" from MinKnit.
The yarn is worsted weight from donations I received.




by  Rebecca Krolikowski also made for charity from donated yarn.













This pattern is called "Imogene" designed by Catherine Lindsay.
 

I made it for Barb for the 2010 March Hat exchange from the yahoo group "At My House".

Thursday, March 11, 2010

A walk on Torrey Pines State Beach

Today is my sisters birthday and we met at Tony's Jacal in Solana Beach. After lunch we drove to Torrey Pines State Beach. A lovely day for a walk on the beach.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Food and Movies - what is your favorite?

On March 3, 2010 I listened to kpbs.org "These Days" with Maureen Cavanaugh,
Beth Accomando, KPBS Film Critic, Caron Golden, author of San Diego Foodstuff
Rebecca Webb, film curator for ArtPower! at UCSD talking about movies and food.

These are some the movies they discussed.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Houseparty with Sandwich Thins was a success!

We had the houseparty on Sunday. Thirteen guests ate sandwiches made with the tasty Sandwich Thins from Oroweat/Arnolds.

Welcome sign on the front door.
 
 
Four varieties of Sandwich Thins
 
 
Our guests
 
 
YUM!
 
 
More guests
 
Gloria and Marge enjoying their sandwiches.
 
Our neighbors
 
Lettuce, Ryan's Cabbage Salad, Grape Tomato Bruschetta and fresh mozzarella, carrot salad, homegrown tomatoes from Kathleen's garden, provolone cheese 
  
Dessert: Lemon cookies, Boston Pie cupcakes, cherry cheesecake bars, chewy chocolate cake

 
Cold cuts: black forest ham, Alpino salami, roasted turkey breast

 
Sandwich Thins: White Whole Wheat, Multi-Grain, 100% Whole Wheat, Honey Wheat
  
Mushroom Pizza: sauteed mushrooms, ricotta cheese with sundried tomato spread, spinach leaves

 
Reuben Sandwiches: 1000 Island dressing, corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese

Click on the houseparty link to win a party at your house!