A Girl Has Got to Eat

I like to eat. I like to cook too, which goes well with liking to eat. I have never really told you how I go about eating/making my weekly dinners though. I have quite a system.

Every weekend I make a menu on a self created calendar. I put what days I will be home on time and what days I will be late. Usually on the late days I will use my freaking awesome 70's crock pot (mah and pah's wedding gift?) and Mr Peps will have a meal waiting so he doesn't have to wait and eat until 8pm. I do all my grocery shopping on the weekend and get everything I will need for my weekly plan.

I really like to plan.

Anywho, here is an example of what we will be eating this week:

 Monday (home at 7:45) - Crockpot mashed potatoes, peas, and steak
Tuesday (home at 8:45) - Crockpot Chili 
Wednesday - Mushroom Somethingorother with Rice
Thursday (home at 7:45) - Crockpot Taco Soup with Chips
Friday - Potato Salad and Arepas

Mind you, I use the recipes listed above but I change the ingredients to either a) use in season b) not be from a can, eg. beans c) make gluten free or vegetarian.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and the potato salad Friday will all be new recipes so hopefully they taste good. For me, winter is all about trying new recipes. Sometimes Mr Peps isn't too impressed with my new experiments. Whatever, he can always eat a peanut butter and grape jelly sammich.

Bukowski Bukaroo Bonsai Dew Drops in the Morning

Just seconds ago, my annoying loving puppers was sticking his head in my lap as I checked facebook. He was saying (in a Cockney accent because he is an English Pointer but not civilized enough to have a regular English accent), "I'm so bored. Give meh food, love, o' take meh to the bloody dog park gov'na." I said back to him, "Buky, it's really raining outside and I'm sorry but we will not be going to the dog park." Then I gave him a little love as he already ate breakfast.

I then realized that Buk hasn't really gotten much attention on this here blog. His cuddly brothers have gotten more attention because, well, they usually are more precious and cute. I mean look at what this dog looks like sometimes.

Anywho, Buky is a whopping six years old now and he is starting to turn white in his once bright orange spots. He is still incredibly energetic though and will out run anyone at the dog park. Most people ask how old he is thinking I'll say 9 months. He can be a little out of control sometimes. But, even with his bounding around and limbs flying every which way, I get told that he is a beautiful dog at least once when we go places. He really is.

While he still can't control himself at the park, Buk has calmed down a lot at home. He can lay down and be chill most of the day. We don't usually have to worry about him chewing up shit anymore. Now he just gets into the crap the cats get into first and he finishes up the job.

Buk is loving and cuddly and wants to be on the bed all.the.time. But, he can't because he sheds his white hair like a polar bear in Hawaii (I don't know, I just made that up. I'm sure those bears totally shed in Hawaii). I also am incredibly allergic to Buk. When he licks my arm (he doesn't lick faces, thank goodness), I instantly break out in hives. But, it's hard not to let him lick because he is being so loving.

But, there are some bad habits that Bukaroo has too. I won't discuss them because they are actually really gross. Let's just say that when Buk gets bored, he likes to entertain himself.

Mr Peps and I have talked about getting Buk a sister or brother but that probably won't happen until he is older and we are really in need of a replacement dog. We want Buk to teach a new puppy about the ways of our household. He already did a pretty good job with his younger cousin. But, no dog will ever replace Buky for real. He is a goofy, loving boy in his own way and he will always be our first doggie and Mr Pepperworth's first best friend.

Plus, no dog will ever be as silly as this....

And yes, the title is Buk's real name. It has to be fancy for when he is entered into the dog shows.

You Know...

You know you are a farmer, or are married to one, when:

1. When you hear the word "deer" or "dear", you think of "deere". As in John. But then you always think of how crappy John really is, or at least that "Kubota" or "Farmall" are really better. Because, that is what your husband says.

2. You want a vacation so you don't have to weed for a week.

3. You find yourself whistling "Field of Opportunity" while watering the flowers.

4. You LOVE summer but by Septemeber 15, you just want it to snow. Or, at least be Thanksgiving and then snow the next weekend.

5. You keep any stray animal that wonders into your yard, whether it be a cat or a rooster. But you are really hoping a goat will wonder in.

6. You  know the difference between fermented and pickled food and your pantry smells like farts because of all the fermenting veggies. (This also makes you a hippy.)

7. You don't have any TV stations because a) you wouldn't have time to watch them and b) you can't afford it because you own 2 tractors, a riding lawn mower, a rototiller, and a "farm" truck that is about to die.

8. Your husband owns a banjo he doesn't know how to play. And a mandolin.

9. Going into town and back is an hours worth of driving.

10. You own carharrt pants, shorts, capris, shoes, jackets, sweatshirts, t-shirts, underwear, gloves, socks, hats, high heels and so on and so forth. But really, you aren't proud of that because rednecks have really started to make carharrts a fashion thing and that obsession with the confederate flag is really ruining the brand.

Party Invitation

I’m throwing a party. It’s a pity party. Anyone is willing to join. I know you all have thrown one or joined one before.

But, this is possibly the worst week I have had in a long time. I mean, I love my life, I have it real good but sometimes things happen that make me so happy it is Friday and happy that I don’t have shit to do on the weekend. Let me explain a little but I promise not to bore you with all the juicy details.

The week started off badly with my Gramma dying. She had Alzheimer’s and it was definitely her time to go. But, it made me feel guilty for not seeing her in a long time. I mean, even if she was still alive, I probably wouldn’t have gone to see her but I never did have a final time visiting her thinking I won’t see her again. So, that is what I was feeling. Again, not super sad just the realization that people die and that sucks.

Then I had some meetings that I would rather not have had to deal with EVER in my life and the fallout from those meeting conversations is still on going so didn’t go away.

Plus, I felt like I was bitching about things all week - I mean, hello, what is going on now? - but I just really wanted to bitch. I don’t do it too often, or at least I try not to (husbands don’t count), so when I feel like I am doing it constantly, it makes me feel tired and like a badish person.

And, there were some other tid bits here and there.

And, I feel fat. Everyone does sometimes. I know.

BUT….I have to say that my family and friends have been so supportive and awesome. If it weren’t for my family, co-workers, job, and friends, I probably wouldn’t have made it through the week. (And, let’s be honest, my old Nsync cd helped too.)

I spent last weekend with family and old friends and it was so superb. Plus, my co-workers are so great. I am not just saying this because my boss, whom I love dearly, reads my blog. I honest to goodness love my job. Even if I feel stressed there (which I didn’t this week) it is a fun stress and one I like sometimes because I am accomplishing something important. Usually. I just really love my place of work. Which is good, I spend most of my time there.

And, I didn’t struggle with what to wear to work any day this week which is a feat in and of itself!

So, there was some good with the bad but really the bad won this week and this glass of wine I am downing is pretty fucking good.

And, I just made ratatouille for the first time this year. It’s probably one of my favorite dishes.

In closing, fuck you week. I am bouts to eat ratatouille made from scratch out of all the veggies in my garden.

I feel better already. I don’t think it is just the wine talking. Thanks for coming to my par-tay.

Grampa, Sissy, Me, and Gramma. May they rest in peace and sing with the angels.

Stuffeda Peppa

This summer has been pretty crappy for farmers here is good ole NW WA. Our tomatoes are far behind last year which means I will be trying out many green tomato recipes! Our melons are pretty far behind too which means I won't be stuffing my face with fresh cantaloupe 24/7. But, for some reason, the bell peppers are growing super duper well. That is a good thing for me because I effing love stuffed peppers! We have been eating them pretty regularly here. They are easy to make, can be made ahead of time, and are so good! If you would like to enjoy some, go ahead and make them for dinner this week. If you can't get them from a local farmer (or your very own garden), go ahead and buy them from the store. You can use any color you want, we just only happen to have green....because it isn't hot enough to turn them red. 

Stuffed Peppers

created by FVW

feeds 2 (for main dish) or 4 (as a side dish)

INGREDIENTS

4 bell peppers

3/4c brown rice, cooked

1T olive oil/butter

1/2 onion, diced

1 small tomato, diced

1/2c cheese, grate

1/2t salt

METHOD

1. Remember your rice must be cooked, so you may want to do that first. Preheat the oven to 350 while you are at it too.

2. Roast the peppers. If you have a gas stove, this works super well, just place the peppers on the open flames and turn as each side blackens. If you have an electric stove, I think you will need to use the broiler in your oven (just make sure you use the shelf closest to the broiler). Remember to turn the peppers when they blacken. The entire pepper won't turn black but big spots will.

3. Put the blackened pepper in the plastic bag and let sit for 10 minutes.

4. While the peppers are sitting, go ahead and put your oil in a sauté pan. Sauté your onions for about 5 minutes or until soft.

5. Put the rice, cooked onion, tomato, cheese, and salt in a mixing bowl. Mix them all up.

6. Take your bell peppers out of the bag. Use the edge of a knife to scrap off the blackened areas of the peppers. If you don't get it all off, that isn't a big deal. Just do the best you can.

7. Cut the top off your peppers and take out the seeds.

8. Stuff each pepper with the rice mixture. Place them each in an oven pan, I use a small one.

9. If there is leftover rice-mix, go ahead and put it on the top of all the peppers in the pan.

10. Cover with tin foil. If you are making this in advance of your meal, go ahead and cover with the foil and stick in the fridge. When you are ready to eat them, pop them in the oven for the amount of time below.

11. Bake for 20 minutes.

12. After 15 minutes, take off the foil and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes. After that, they're ready!

Enjoy!

The OP (Olympic Peninsula)

Gosh darnit! It is September and I just noticed that I only made one post, ONE POST, in August. Last year, I made five. I am sorry to have kept you from my good-for-nothing  witty, insightful, informative words.
What was I doing you wonder? Well, honestly, it was a lot of vacation. You may know that every summer I complain about not going camping but this year we finally made the time. First, we took a family vacay to Sun Lakes, like usual, and then we took a week long camping road trip along the Olympic Peninsula.

Mr Pepperworth and I have been talking about taking a Washington Olympic Peninsula trip for years. (That and a bike trip of the San Juans, the latter of which we still have not done.) Well, we finally did it and we took the Vanagon! It was actually very handy to have so much room and to sleep in the van on the queen size "bed". We had a great time, saw some amazing things, and we will definitely be going back, hopefully multiple times in our lifetime.

Here are some things that we did:

Day 1: We took the Port Townsend ferry and drove to Dungeness Spit in Sequim. It was a county park and costs $20/night which is a bit much, if you ask me but the view was beautiful. We did the Spit hike walk for about 2 miles. The 5 mile hike (one way) to the end of the spit didn't sound that fun really. When you have seen one mile of the spit/beach, you've seen it all.

The bluff at the end of a short trail from our site

Day 2: Drove to get our bear canister at the Port Angeles Ranger Station and then got our Recreation Pass from the Makah Tribe so we could do an overnight hike to Shi Shi Beach. The hike was only 4 miles and was perfect! Shi Shi Beach was very nice and had some pretty cool camping pits. There was a lot of garbage on the beach though. Some of it was even from Japan and Russia. So, that was slightly depressing. The sunset was beautiful though, unless you think about it as population. I didn't at the time.

The said plastic garbage pile.

Looking at the Point of Arcs from the north end of Shi Shi

Day 3: We hiked out and went to Cape Flattery on the Northwestern tip of WA. It was super cool. The water was a great color and there were puffins. Puffins are funny. Then, we changed our plans and instead of going to La Push and then to the Hoh Rain Forest, we went to Lake Ozette. I am so glad we did, it was so wonderful. It is a huge lake about 3 miles from the ocean. It seems like it is an alpine lake though because of the trees and the quite setting. There are no boats on the lake and a campground that has 15 spots. The lake was even warm enough to swim in 70ish weather.

Cape Flattery. (Somehow we didn't get a picture of the lake)

Day 4: We stayed at Lake Ozette another night. We went for a 3.3 mile hike to Cape Alava that was very nice. It had a boardwalk and the beach was rocky, a type we hadn't seen yet. We decided to run all the way back though and my van keys fell out of my bag. After about an hour we got into the van with some Ranger help. Ranger Dragon (seriously) got some blueberries and beans for his kindness.

That hill in the background is the western-most point in the lower 48.

Day 5: Drove to La Push and had lunch at Beach 1. Then we got a campsite at Mora campground. It was shaded and cold in the campsite. Honestly, we weren't really that impressed. (When we weren't at the beach, we mostly spied on the other campers who provided enough entertainment.) In the afternoon, we went to Rialto Beach for some sun where I was the only person laying on a towel in my bathing suit. I was slightly embarrassed but at least I wasn't wearing long sleeves, long pants and a back pack. I was relaxing!

Beach 1

Washington sun bathing

The van and I at Mora

Day 6: We were headed back towards Port Townsend to camp around the Elwah River but as we were about half way there, I proposed the idea of just driving all the way home. We had a good trip, a lot of fun and it would be nice to get home and tend to the house/garden. Mr Peps was all up for the idea so we headed home. Stanley and Simon were very glad we decided to come home early!

Heading home. Lake Crescent in the background.

The boys in the van as soon as we got home.

So, if you ever want to take a Olympic Peninsula trip, I recommend it. Dare I say the WA coast is just as good, if not better, than the Oregon coast?! I do dare say it, and I just did.

Subie

You probably know that I have a Subaru. I am a damn hippy with a damn Subaru. And I fucking love that car.

Actually, before I start talking about how much I love my hell-on-wheels, I have to give a quick shout out to my first car, the Corolla. The gold Corolla is still running but is back at home with Ma and Pah finishing out his days. He has over 250,000 miles. He took Mr Pepperworth and I on many adventures that no Toyota should ever have to endure. Corolla drove up mountain sides and did it like it was a 4 wheel drive jeep. He was the best!

But, now I have to talk up my Subaru. (I don't have children. I get to post about cars, pets, and being tired from getting 10 hours of sleep all I want!)

So, the Subie joined us in 2006. She is a manual Outback, which is hard to find but nice to drive! Last year, we had to make a choice to either get rid of her or put in a shit ton of money and save her in hopes she will last at least 10 more years. Needless to say, we put the money in and so far so good.

Just this past week, Subs hit 150,000. This was on a trip from pretty much Canada to Portland to Spokane and back to Canada. I may be exaggerating a bit but still, that is what it ALMOST was and what it definitely felt like. She did good on the trip. She passed many cars (only once having to slam on the brakes because the pass was ill advised and only once having to turn off the AC because she was starting to overheat a bit) and had no problems. It is so nice to have a reliable car!

I also found out about this last week. If you own a Subaru, you can get these awesome badges for your car to let people know you are a total geek. Apparently, it is super popular down in other hippie places (Colorado) but I have never seen them up here. My friend and I ordered some for our cars so we are going to start the Washington trend. Mark my words, I am totally a trendsetter.

Now, while I talk about how awesome the pink Subie is, I have to tell you that we will be testing the Vanagon's reliability at some point. It will be interesting but hopefully he will be just as good and last many a miles. Oh god, please!

Don't mind the awesome picture of me. You are supposed to be eyeing the Subs.

So, if you need to purchase a car, may I recommend a Subie? Or, if you don't want people to think you are a hippy lesbian, go with a Corolla, then you are just a nerd.