M+B=E2O2

2012-01-17T20:41:51-08:00

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From the Crusing Log

2010-09-11T11:17:28-07:00

Date: 9/4/10- 9/6/10

Cruise from: Ventura Harbor

Cruise to: Coches Prietos, Santa Cruz Island

Weather/Sea Conditions: Very foggy heading out, cleared up 1-2 miles out, 2-4 ft swell, windy. Overcast, flat & no wind upon our return

1st cruise with club

7:15am

Left the dock & couldn't see the other side of the harbor. Should be interesting
Oh Crap! The bow light is not working. Better call G-Baum & see what might be going on.
Checked it all out, not the fuse- light bulb maybe? Don't have the right size screwdriver to check.
Visibility is CRAP! Thank God for GPS & good friends with radar!

8:00 am

What's this? Is that the sky? Why yes it is! 1 mile out (or so) and we cleared the pea soup.
Good breeze. Have the main up averaging 6.3 knots
It's a little cool with the wind & occasional spray. Wouldn't mind a dodger right now.
Made it through the NB shipping lane with no ships or fog. Yay!
OH NO!!! Our American flag jumped ship!! :-(
Hmmm looks like a SB ship heading our way.
It's getting bigger, yet still looks to be in the same place.....
....5minutes later.... Yup, definitely getting bigger. Time to change course a bit and pass behind it.
This guy is hauling ass!
Whew! Done with the SB shipping land now!
It is pretty dang windy. 15-20 knots at least.

11:00am

Yay! We are in the lee of the island. Flat & no wind. Time to drop the main.
I can see Albert's (cove)! Almost to our destination.

12:20pm

Wow, Coches is crowded. Where will we fit?
After discussion with a few other boaters via Andy C. we pick our spot & drop anchor.
A huge thanks to Andy for setting our stern not once, but twice!!

2:30 pm

We are holding tight- time to hit the beach. Ben swam in, we took Clifford. First load, kids, then I head back for all of our stuff
There are 500 gazillion yellow jackets!! Yikes!
Quite a crowd on the beach! Plenty of kids to play with.
The stand up paddle board is the hot ticket item!

4pm

Cocktails & munchies on the beach. Thankfully the bees are thinning out. Maybe only 100 gazillion now. :-)
So far we are up to about 5 kids stung. :-( Glad we brought the Benadryl

6:30pm

Guess it's time to go back to the boat. Hot dogs here we come!

8:30

Light's out for Ben! We are rolling around a bit so he's feeling a little green. Kids & I sat on deck for a bit & marveled at the milky way and all of the millions of stars out.

1:30am

Everyone woke up for a potty break. Everyone. Still rolling about, but our anchors are holding strong.

7:00am

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!!
Ben & Ryan C. left for their hike/run/workout. They went up two peaks.

9:00 am

Kids all up. Ben is back- with a sprained ankle :-( Guess he'll have to lounge on the beach all day.

10:30

Heidi G & I set out on a morning hike. Great conversation & a great workout. Just hot enough to sweat, but not enough to be too hot.

12:00pm

Gammy, Gampy, Marlo,Paublo & Romeo made the crossing in the Century. Came back from our hike to see the blue boat tied to our boat.
The water felt good after our hike. Cold, but with a spring suit not bad.

4pm

Kids have not left the water all day. G&G left for home.
Cocktails and munchies on the beach again. The bees are CrAzY! More kids stung today.

6:30 pm

Finally heading back to boat. It's funny how quickly the beach empties once the sun goes behind the island.
Skipped BBQing tonight & heated up some pasta that I had made at home. Warmed up the cabin nicely too.
Fog rolled in, not very heavy but makes for a chilly evening. No stars to see tonight. :-(

1:30am

Wind kicked up a bit & the swell direction seems to have changed slightly. Rock & roll baby!

2:00 am

Didn't like the way we were swinging in front of Ivan C. We adjusted our lines a bit. All better!

6am

Time to get moving. Hoping to head out by 7 am.
Dang our anchors were set tight!! We rock!!! They were really hard to pull up!

7-11 am

Calm flat seas, no wind, gray skies. Visibility is over 5 miles so we feel good going through the shipping lanes.
Several dolphin sighting along the way. None came to play though :-( they seemed to be feeding.
Olivia was the last to wake up- around 10:45!!

11:15 am

We are almost back to the harbor. 1:20 to go
Looking forward to a hot shower!!!

12:45

We made it!!! Time to offload everything and go home!

What a great weekend!!!! Our first solo cruise was a complete success!!!!

Tikka Masala

2010-09-11T09:57:49-07:00

Several weeks ago I decided I wanted to try to make one of my favorite Indian dishes- Chicken Tikka Masala. Only problem was that I decided to make this on the first Friday of Lent. So I thought I would take this dish that I'd never made and change the main ingredient-instead of chicken I used shrimp. I've made it twice since, once again on a Lenten Friday with shrimp then I made it again but finally with chicken.

The first go around I used a recipe on http://allrecipes.com. Since I'd never made anything like it and I was going to use shrimp instead of chicken I followed the rest of the recipe exactly as written. We were having friends over (Nice of me to test never before tried recipes out on friends huh?) so I doubled the recipe as well. All and all it was pretty good, especially if you were congested and needed to clear you sinuses! The original recipe called for 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper. I have never used cayenne pepper so I doubled it. whoa nellie! It was so hot! Both Ben and our friend G loved it. G took the leftover sauce home with him as a matter of fact. I was able to eat it, but not really enjoy it. I love hot, but not that hot!

A couple weeks later I tried again. This go around was for another dinner party and added another two guinea pigs friends to try my second attempt. This time I added a spice or two and I cut the cayenne waaaaaay down. Ben, G & new guest M added the cayenne to their own plates to up the heat, I think the rest of us agreed that it was darn near perfect with out it though. There was enough of a kick to taste it, but I didn't have to blow my nose throughout the meal.

I was really excited to finally get it together and use chicken. I love shrimp, but I hate peeling and de-veining those suckers. This time I was making it for my mom, two of her two sisters & my cousin who were in town for the weekend. Those gals are Polish through and through and not really into the heat, so for this round I only gave the cayenne jar a shake or two in the sauce. I also tripled the recipe and portioned out a bit for my cousin who is vegetarian. For her bit I had bought extra firm tofu to use.
The general consensus was that it was quite yummy- Yay! I absolutely love it and am so excited to make it again.

Here is the recipe I came up with- mostly as found on the allrecipes.com site. I doubled & tripled this though. I cook for 6 minimum around here and more often than not I have a few extras around the table.

Ingredients:

marinade:

1 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (only if you love it HOT!) 1/4 teaspoon is what I used the 2nd time
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
4 teaspoons salt (or to taste- I used kosher)
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces OR 2 lbs of shrimp, peeled, de-veined and tails removed OR extra firm tofu

sauce:

1 tablespoon butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper finely chopped
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
3 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

In a large bowl combine yogurt, lemon juice, and all the spices from the marinade list-cumin, cinnamon cayenne, black pepper, turmeric, salt & ginger. Stir in your meat- chicken, shrimp or tofu. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour- I had my stuff marinating all day.
If you are making chicken or tofu- you can use your grill to cook it. If you want you can skewer the chicken, I just threw it on some veggie grill sheets that I have to keep the meat from falling through. You want to cook th chicken until the juices run clear- 10-15 minutes or so.
Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and jalapeno for 1 minute. season with the sauce spices -cumin, paprika, turmeric and salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken/tofu and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving plater and add fresh cilantro on top

For shrimp:

Instead of grilling the shrimp I just dumped the entire bowl of marinade and shrimp into the sauce once it had thickened. I then cooked the shrimp in the sauce (a little less than 10 min I think- the shrimp should be pink).

All this was served with brown rice that had been seasoned with onions, garlic and turmeric and I added frozen peas once the rice had finished cooking (the hot rice will defrost and cook the peas in a few minutes). Add some warm Naan bread and you've got yourself a delish meal!

Grilled marinated chicken

Simmering in the sauce

The finished plate :-)

Tikka Masala

2010-03-30T00:32:00-07:00

Ingredients:

marinade:

1 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (only if you love it HOT!) 1/4 teaspoon is what I used the 2nd time
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
4 teaspoons salt (or to taste- I used kosher)
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces OR 2 lbs of shrimp, peeled, de-veined and tails removed OR extra firm tofu

sauce:

1 tablespoon butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper finely chopped
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
3 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

In a large bowl combine yogurt, lemon juice, and all the spices from the marinade list-cumin, cinnamon cayenne, black pepper, turmeric, salt & ginger. Stir in your meat- chicken, shrimp or tofu. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour- I had my stuff marinating all day.
If you are making chicken or tofu- you can use your grill to cook it. If you want you can skewer the chicken, I just threw it on some veggie grill sheets that I have to keep the meat from falling through. You want to cook th chicken until the juices run clear- 10-15 minutes or so.
Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and jalapeno for 1 minute. season with the sauce spices -cumin, paprika, turmeric and salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken/tofu and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving plater and add fresh cilantro on top

For shrimp:

Grilled marinated chicken

Simmering in the sauce

The finished plate :-)

It Starts With a Sprinkle

2010-01-27T07:12:00-08:00

When you are young, life tends to be sprinkled with death. Up until my 20's I had a light sprinkle. The deaths of 3 grandparents & the death of my dog stand out. I also remember my neighbors friend was hit by a car while riding his bike in the fog, I didn't know him but I can tell you that I have never gone by the bridge over Blackburn Road with out thinking of that boy and his dad. (Who was the police officer called to the accident unknowingly!!) In my 20's I experienced my first death of a friend & fellow lifeguard. He was driving home from Santa Barbara to east Ventura in the wee morning hours and just blocks from home he fell asleep. There's another haunted place for me for sure. Ben's grandfather died when I was 28, I had only briefly met him, he waited to meet Emma before leaving us. Two years prior I also lost an uncle.

It would seem that it was my 30's where the sprinkles got a little heavier, more like a light rain. In the first half of my 30's my last remaining grandparent passed away. I lost three more uncles as well. I lost my beloved Bungee, a dog who saw me all the way through college, marriage and the births of all 4 kids. I never knew I'd feel such pain over losing him.

Recently I had the honor of doing one of the readings for my friends mom's funeral Mass. It was quite likely one of the most difficult things I have done in recent memory. Once back in my seat I saw her daughter, my friend, give a most beautiful eulogy with strength, with her heart and with so much poise I could not help but admire her. When I asked her later just *how* did she do it? Was it all that time in the theater department? Her answer was that her mom was right there with her- by her side, giving her that strength. This is what I hope and pray for others as I hear of tragic losses. That their loved ones stand beside and give them strength. I've seen it happen, I know they can.

I always thought that my peers, my friends, my classmates from high school would live on for many many years. I guess that is the expectation and hope for everyone really. In the last few months, two young men that I used to know, that I used to see in classes, swim on the swim team with or just hang out and chat with at lunch have died. It just seems so wrong.

Esau died first. Cancer took him. I haven't seen him since graduation. What I remember about him is that he smiled more than he frowned, he laughed often and was always kind. He was a gentle giant of sorts. I can't imagine anyone who met him, not liking him.

Just this last Saturday Greg died. He was surfing- something I would bet he did more days than he didn't. I swam with Greg through high school. I did stats for the water polo team that he played on as well. What I remember about Greg was that he had a general shyness about him- until he was with all the guys. There he was goofy and funny and laughed a lot. He sure was not shy with them. My sophomore year there was a group of us who went to prom together.

Seven swimmers and one runner. :-) I went with Greg. Poor guy had to wear a white tux! You'd think I could have found a dress that didn't require white! (and that wasn't straight out of Cinderella!!) I think he pulled it off just fine though.

Don't we look so young!

Anyway the fact that I have not seen or talked to these two guys in 20 years did not take away the impact their deaths had on me. There is still a terrific sense of loss felt.

I think of their families~ moms, dads, brothers, sisters, kids (oh my gosh the kids) and their spouses. I think of the friends who have stayed in touch and been a part of their lives over the years. It is pretty painful to think of this, whether you know the person or not, you imagine you know how any one of those people are feeling, but I know I don't. There is still a sense of personal loss however. A pain felt that floats in and out of my thoughts.

I have 4 years of high school memories. Those have now become precious moments in time that have taken on a new meaning. Knowing that there will be no chance meeting around town, no new friend requests or new messages on facebook, no chance of seeing them at the 20 year reunion. No chance to hear them brag about their kids, no chance to tell them about mine, no chance for any new memories. Yes, there is definitely a loss felt.

Death is a part of life. Something we all have to figure out somehow. As painful as each death is, it is not the kind of thing you ever hope to get used to. It is going to happen more often now, it just does. Those sprinkels have already turned into a bit of a light rain.

Stuffed Cabbage - My Way

2010-01-24T15:11:10-08:00

I usually use ground turkey and some sort of sausage, Jimmy Dean regular or the Italian seasoning. Generally I use 2 packages of turkey, which is usually close to 3 lbs. of the ground turkey and the sausage is the 1 pound size. Mush that all together with a cup of rice. Traditionally I have used white rice, but the last two times I used brown. It has to cook a bit longer but turns out fantastic. My mom always made this with ground beef- we've just tried to make it a bit healthier. (except for the sausage- but I just can't let go of that!) I also add a good pinch of kosher salt and a bit of pepper. I would feel free to add any favorite herbs or spices to the meat/rice mixture. Normally I add a chopped onion, but I didn't have any so I went with a few cloves of garlic. Because I can get weirded out about touching ground meat, I used a food processor or mixer to mush it all together.

While you are getting the meat rice thing going, get a large pot of water (a large stock pot works great) boiling. Once it is boiling put the whole heat of cabbage into the pot.

Can I please just point out how *green* this cabbage is! I got it at the farmers market- fresh, organic and sooooo lovely green!

As each leaf softens and turns bright green you slice it off at the base. I usually use tongs to hold the cabbage.

You can actually cut "ahead" and leave the leaves in the water. You can tell when they are done by color and softness.

The mark of an organic food.... buggy holes! But look at the GREEN!

As each leaf comes off you fill it with the meat mix and then wrap it up like a burrito.

In another large pot- I use a big cast iron thing- put a can of stewed tomatoes*. Then start adding your rolls.

Just fill up the pot, I usually add at least one more can of stewed tomatoes after the first layer of rolls.

With this particular batch, since I did not use canned tomatoes, and my tomatoes were stewing as I was rolling, I just filled up the pot with rolls then dumped the tomatoes once I was about half done. I used the whole cabbage, making the rolls smaller and smaller, then putting any leftover leaves in loosely, I love the cabbage.

Once your pot is full, use the cabbage water to just cover the rolls. Cook semi covered for about an hour. That is when I do my first check I think, then add time as needed. With the brown rice it was definitely not done at the 1 hour mark. Since I needed to leave, I turned the heat off and left it covered on the stove. When I came back 2 hours later- YUM! It was fully cooked and the flavor had just saturated the meat.

That is it in a nutshell. Feel free to ask any questions and if you make it differently I'd love to know how.

*I made my own stewed tomatoes for the first time, and plan on doing this forever more! These were farmers market fresh tomatoes and it was soooooo easy and yummy! I can only imagine how good my fresh summer tomatoes will be!

2010-01-23T13:25:52-08:00

Our yummy lunch and dinner today! (I'm going to post the recipe to this later!) Stuffed cabbage made with fresh organic cabbage & homemade stewed tomatoes. mmmmmmmm!

New Banner!

2010-01-20T15:25:15-08:00

Finally got a new banner made for my blog. I bought the paper and elements from Microferk Designs- she is an amazing designer, I have many of her kits. There is a link to her store at the bottom of my blog! Thanks Miki!