Making memories...

Some occasions are a must-do.

Attending my grandaughter's baptism is a perfect example. I don't often have opportunity to be with Pat and Tonya and the kids. They are only four hours away, depending on which route I take - the coast run takes a little longer, there are traditional stops that have to be made...

While I only spent less than 24 hours with them, it's the quality, not the quantity, right?

Stephen's sense of humor is a big as he is now! Elyse is just as cute and fun as she was as a two-year old. She can tease as well as her brother. And plays a wicked game of Cribbage...

Before heading home, I took a few extra hours to travel to Puyallup to visit my mother-in-law, Evelyn. She is 90 years old, and recently moved into a group home after being a widow and living all on her own for over 30 years. I hadn't seen her since Dennis died, so we were both happy to have some time with each other.

And aren't we grateful for cameras?!

Today was THE day!!

I am NOT a morning person. It takes something reallllllly special to turf me out of the blankets before about 7:30 am. So when I tell you that I was up at 3:45 AM, you have to ask, "What was the occasion??"


Here's a hint:

Chris invited Mom and me to go fishing. When it's SPRING CHINOOK, we never say, "Nope, too early for me..." See that fog? Did you notice, the security light in the first photo was STILL ON?? Fishing with Chris means you're on the river at daylight.

This was "free fishing, crabbing and clamming" weekend, no one had to buy a license or tag, from kids to seniors. Yeehaw! AND SUNSHINE WAS IN THE WEATHERCAST!!! The only thing that kept Portland from being totally abandoned was the Rose Parade held there today. Portland is about .25" from the wettest June since records have been kept. Yeah, they were heading for the coast, alright, and most of them were pulling boats.

We put in at Memloose, where two rivers empty into the bay. Fish heaven! Mom was so excited, she was all ready with clothes, snacks, boots, hat, gloves, scarf, hankie, before dinner the night before. And probably didn't sleep a wink... She's waited all season for the chance to get in the boat with Chris one more time.

This launch is the last photo I took, before putting my camera in the car, and climbing into the boat. I knew I would have regrets, the river and bay are beautiful - but I also didn't want to chance any salt air damage. Or drop it in the water if we happened to hook up with one of those fiesty Chinook. It's VERY EXCITING in the boat when that happens - a fish on the line is like watching the Kentucky Derby - high adrenaline!

I think Chris could put that boat in the water at this ramp blindfolded.

As we trolled the stretch back and forth along with a dozen or more other boats (it was actually a light day, at times you can walk across the water on boats!), we reveled in watching the sun emerge from rosy fog banks. We saw terns catch fish, watched an adult Bald Eagle swoop down to the water about 100' from us. Another Eagle flew overhead, only about 75 feet above us, carrying a trophy back to a nest up on the ridge close by. Warm sun on our back, fresh sea air, fun stories and swapping notes with other fishermen (they all know Chris, remember...), beautiful birds singing their hearts out to the lovely day. What a day to be out on the water!

I had to abandon ship at 10:15, to take my shift for the Master Gardener's booth at the Tillamook Farmer's Market. As I left, my final glimpse of the boat was the gang having a knosh and leg stretch before heading back out for more fishing. Lucky bums.

But I had so much fun at the Farmer's Market, I didn't mind. Too much. It was the first day of the market season, and what a day it was! Lots and lots of people, everyone having such a good time on a summy day - a real celebration.

I got to answer quite a few questions, and just enjoyed visiting with folks stopping by. I'm holding one of our "ladybug" rocks that we used for paperweights on our handouts - it get's breezy when the tide turns, you can always tell.

We have three Master Gardener's manning the booth, and we usually are busy with several people at once. People are very appreciative, when we can answer a question for them, or ID a plant. One lady was so thrilled about her tree being identified, she gave my partner, Evelyn, a big hug! It's a fun way to spend a few hours - especially when it's SUNSHINING!! (Yes, it's been awhile - can you tell?)

Country western music was the live band this time, we really enjoyed the yodeling and old songs. Quite a few vendors, like the Strawberry Ladies, and the bakery stall by us, sold out by noon. The smells of Kettle corn, hamburgers grilling, fresh bread, crepes...it was better than the fair!

When I finished taking down the booth and helping my partner pack stuff back to the office, I finally had time to check my phone. When I saw I had a message, I just KNEW. I KNEW it. Someone in that red boat had caught a salmon.

And I was right.

At about 1:15, just when they had decided to call it a day, a cooperative fish came along. Mom lives for fishing for salmon...this one will keep her happy the rest of the year!

I caught up with her at Chris', where they already had the fish cleaned and packaged. Ain't that purty?!

It was a long day, by the time we got home at 5:00. But what a day it was!

Gourmet Gazpacho

Usually Gazpacho is served well-chilled, as a cooling summer soup. Well, it's SUPPOSED to be summer, according to the calendar. I should have invited the weatherman to lunch today, this is what we had:

That Spring Chinook fillet that Chris shared with us was baked at a gentle 350 degrees, with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, sprinkled with dill, lightly seasoned with a bit of garlic powder, sea salt and fresh ground pepper. We managed to not eat the WHOLE THING for dinner , so we could enjoy it later, cold. There is no such thing as Spring Chinook left-overs, unless you duct-tape your mouth!

So for lunch today, I made Gazpacho, to complement the cold salmon. (There are a jillion recipes for Gazpacho, this one is super simple. You can jazz it up with cayenne, salt, etc., but it really doesn't need it. Try it first, before you start doctoring.)

Another thing that really "goes" with salmon, is cucumbers...thinly sliced, please.

This was my bowl, with avocado - which Mom doesn't care for. We're all about catering to taste buds, here.

Here's the recipe, so you can practice up, in case summer really does arrive:

Gazpacho (serves 2-4; adjust accordingly - I used about 1/3, for us)

In a blender (love my Vita-Mix!), blend smooth:

5 large ripe tomatoes, cut into smallish chunks (I used 2 nice size Roma)

1/4 c. olive oil

2 garlic cloves

1-2 T. honey or agave

1/4 c. fresh squeezed lemon juice

about 1 c. fresh basil leaves ( about 1 bunch, from the supermarket)

about 1/4 c. water, or more if you want a thinner soup

Blend smooth. Pour into serving bowls. Add:

chopped avocado, diced red and yellow bell pepper, diced celery, minced onion or chives, diced cucumber

It's very tasty and refreshing, at room temperature. Chilled, it's divine. If the sun's shining.

May the Force be with us - summer's gotta happen SOMETIME...

That's a fishy grin...

When my brother Chris tooled into the drive mid-morning with his boat tagging along, I knew he had come to do some bragging. Wearing his "caught a fish" grin, he detailed the morning catch out on the Tillamook bar. He is obscenely lucky - and I must add, talented - with his fishing. Always has been, ever since he pulled his first little trout out of the creek in the park by our house.
Now he has "big boy" toys and poles and all the savvy that makes him a fish magnet. He wasn't parked more than 5 minutes when a guy who had been passing by out on the main street wheeled around and came to see what Chris had caught. As soon as that guy drove on, here comes another one, from up the street. EVERYONE seems to know Chris, between his many years of being an electrician in the area, and his fishing escapades. Boy, does he have stories to tell!

These two beauties, our very favorite salmon - which are SPRING CHINOOK - very quickly turned into this....

on our dinner plates! One thing about Chris and his fishing passion that has always amused - and gratified - us: he doesn't care to EAT fish! So he gives a lot away, he smokes a lot (and gives it away), and keeps right on fishing!

I grabbed some of our fresh crisp garden greens from the fridge, pulled some little 'maters off the Red Robin tomato plant that lives in the dining room, tossed on some peas I had just picked from the garden, and we had dinner fit for a king.

Ummm. Make that two queens.

The KING doesn't really like to eat fish...