Category: Food

Truly grateful

Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S. Our northerly neighbors in Canada celebrate on the second Monday in October, graciously leaving a few extra turkeys for this part of North America in November.

I’m mindful this year that there’s much I’m grateful for. I’ll spare you the details. But I hope that you too have blessings that you can count, whether today is your Thanksgiving or simply another day on the calendar. Gratitude often paves the way for more reasons to be thankful. May your road ahead be paved with thanks.

Yum!

Pane d’Amore Bakery moved into their new downtown store a month or two ago. I’m happy to report that the offerings are as good as ever.

We wandered in on a recent Saturday looking for a carb fix. In addition to a tasty selection of breads, they also offer breakfast pastries, focaccia, and a small selection of gourmet items.

Here’s the store’s new exterior.

Pane d’Amore is located just over the fence…from Over the Fence. And in case this gives you ideas, I’ll warn you now: Sorry! They’re closed on Sundays.

Mushroom season

We’ve had enough rain this fall that conditions are perfect for mushrooms. They seem to be everywhere: fairy circles on damp lawns, popping up in the garden, and everywhere in the forest duff. Here are some of the many different varieties I found on a recent walk.

The local mushroom society had an educational show last Saturday. They’re always well attended. Displays show common mushrooms from this area and poisonous varieties are shown alongside non-poisonous ones. An expert can tell the difference. There were enough examples to convince me I’m a long way from knowing enough to choose.

Fisherman’s memorial

This is a memorial in Gig Harbor to local fishermen who were lost at sea. It’s one of those dangerous professions people don’t always think about as they enjoy a salmon dinner.

I’m grateful someone’s willing to do it, someone who loves the sea, is willing to work hard, and not only risk their life but their fortunes to harvest food. And I’m really, really grateful my husband got that out of his system before I met him.

Theme Day: Details

Today is Theme Day for City Daily Photo bloggers and today’s theme is “details.”

Looking for ripe apples on our little tree I discovered this apple had become a hub for wasps looking for a quick meal.

It was fascinating to watch how many wasps could fit into the cavity inside the apple. Then I noticed that wasps were coming and going from apples all over the tree. Did they take advantage of openings pecked by birds, or did they manage to work their way through apple skins on their own? Once I noticed all the activity I was struck with how the tree was filled with the sound of wasps carving their way through apples.

One of my favorite quotes, from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, is “God is in the details.”

Click here to see how other City Daily Photo bloggers have interpreted today’s theme.

The Farmer’s Market

Summer months bring out the Sequim Farmer’s Market, an event held on Saturday’s downtown.

I was truly spoiled by farmer’s markets in California. Bigger metropolitan areas create a worthwhile demand for producers to truck their goods to these markets and California’s long growing season favors production. It’s not so bountiful and diverse in Sequim’s little corner of the world. Our local organic producer, Nash Huber, is the market’s “anchor” producer. There doesn’t seem to be too much other fresh produce at the market. Which isn’t to say it’s not available around here. It simply doesn’t make it to the Farmer’s Market.

I’ve read that the market is working to broaden their offerings and I know it’s not an easy proposition for a producer to spend a day sitting as a vendor at the market. In the meantime, there are plenty of tempting crafts and goodies to keep people coming back.

Green thumb

This is the second year I’ve grown leeks. As with garlic, I’m hooked.

I do like gardening, growing things. But I love planning a meal, then trotting out to the garden to dig up and harvest something that will be on the dinner menu that evening. And it seems I love it more with every meal. These leeks became a big batch of potato leek soup. The next ones joined a seafood chowder. In all modesty, they were delicious.