Backyard Grilling

So at 103 degrees, I just had to fire up the grill this Sunday. Great to have fresh grilled vegetables, again. Potatoes, summer squash and zucchini. And then there was Lamb Steaks marinated in olive oil, fresh herbs - Greek oregano, rosemary and garlic. Great to have these herbs in the backyard, too. Plus a fresh green salad - lettuce and onions from the garden - and tomatoes (not from the garden - yet) with an olive oil and basil dressing. Just a great dinner.

Four days left for Robin to work, then her "Independance Day"! She bought an adult tricycle. A really nice one. She said I would now have to get a bike. I did order one just like her's, but blue. Her's is red. I will post photos of her bike when it gets a little cooler. That's our weekend. Hope you enjoyed yours.

Robin's Retirement Photos

OK, so Robin doesn't really retire until July 4th - her "Independence Day"! And after 46 years as an RN, she deserves it. St Luke's wanted some photos to include in her Retirement Announcement. Here are four of them and, personally, I like #3 and #4 best. She is really in her medium - in the wine cellar and holding two wonderful wines. The Swan is from 1972 and the Rockin' R's is from 2006. I guess a sub-comment would be, "Empty the wine cellar"! That'll happen!

OK. I have added some photos to this slide show. Her last day leaving the house and her office building. Nice Idaho blue skies and 103 degrees!

Wilson Update

I received this from Marge about 10 minutes ago.

"Hi Bob…
Actually, we got some good news this morning…Wilson was discharged from the hospital! He had gone in on Thursday. They took a chest x-ray this morning and it was clear. However, he needs to go back to the lung doctor in 2 days and as all the doctors said they will be “watching him like a hawk”! So that is good news. He will take some time to recover…not a speedy thing. He will also have to decide when to resume the chemo…he goes to that doctor on Thursday.
Thanks for you new email address…the one I had bounced back, but at least the one went through to Robin.
Take care and we will keep you updated,"

Our garden

I know, some of you are gone. But here are some photos of our garden. I just picked lettuce and onions. We had fresh steamed with garlic spinach over the weekend. I finally found some Silver Queen corn seed and there is a row and a half of it. 180 day growing time - I hope it makes it. The other corn is Jubilee and Bodacious, a yellow corn and very popular around here. Artichokes - I have never grown them. We'll see how they do. I will probably vacuum freeze some beans. And of course, there are always herbs - Rosemary, basil (several types), thyme (several types), cilantro, parsley, French tarragon and Greek oregano. Pick the basil just before the first frost and vacuum freeze it. The tarragon, parsley, rosemary and oregano will be back next year.

KBSU (NPR) Radio Fundraiser

On Friday night, June 20, we had the pleasure of attending a fund raiser for our local NPR radio station, KBSU. What a delightful event! Great food provided by Life's Kitchen. Smoked Trout, Sauteed Morel Mushrooms, Kobe Beef, Roasted Tomatoes and Cheese, grilled Lamb Sausages and Chocolates. And then some really good wines. 2006 Viognier from Cinder Winery, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from Fraser Vineyards, 2005 Cabernet and Shirah blend (just released) from Bitner Vineyards and a 2005 Chardonnay Reserve from Sawtooth Winery.

The highlight of the evening was meeting Lynne Rossetto Kasper of The Splendid Table and having her sign her book, How To Eat Supper. She is a delightful person and extremely interesting to talk with. She was amazed at Idaho wines and foods. A great salute to KBSU for this event, an enjoyable evening.

Pulled Pork!

So friends of ours, who own the Idaho Hotel in Silver City, asked me to do some Pulled Pork and enough to serve 40 people - 40 hungry people! So I accepted. The two Boston Butt roasts started out at 21.5 pounds. 12 hours later, the above photos were taken. And I must say, this is not the first pulled meat I have done in the Bradley Smoker, but it is probably the best so far! Tender, juicy, smoky and with the marinade I use - Meg has the recipe - awesome! Now you know, one can not prepare something like this for so many people, so Robin and I had to sample. I served a Pulled Pork sandwich with a slice of fresh pineapple and a Roasted Vegetable and Grain dish, eaten cold. It was awesome and if Jerri doesn't arrive soon to pick it up, well ..................

Louis Grad

Louis Graduation

Does this work - I don't know how I posted the crabs!

Father's Day Outing

What a great day! Warm southern breezes, full sun and great company, great wine (2006 Petite Verdot is awesome!) and great food - Mui did it again with her Thai food! It is always a treat for us to go to Indian Creek Winery for their Father's Day picnic and Open House.

The Boise Valley

OK. So Buddy and I drove up to Bogus Basin - 15 minutes from home and 5000 foot climb. No snow! Tried out my new telephoto lens. You get to see the Boise Valley, or known around here as the Treasure Valley. Probably need to get a haze filter.