she never looked better...

More pics from the Cubs post-season rally in downtown Chicago today... wish I could have been there !!

come on and tell me, who are you ?

Who who ? Who who ?

I added this ClustrMaps feature a while ago as I was curious how far our blog roamed. The red dots have become widespread - there are hits in Africa, Australia, all over Europe. So to our international readers, how do you do ? How about a greeting back at us in your native tongue. How did you find us - by accident or by a link somewhere ? No matter how it happened, thanks for stopping by !

I received some sad news from a friend of mine this morning. An old college buddy passed away last week in Houston from skin cancer. He was only 38. Tears were mixed with laughter as I thought about Cary after hearing the news - all the fond memories I have of the times we've spent with him made me smile. He was just one of those people you enjoyed being around. A truly good person. My heart goes out to his family and friends.


I've reached an age when it's no longer just parents and grandparents who are passing, but friends now also. Too much of a reality check for me today. Rest in peace, my friend.

Information about skin cancer:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/What_You_Need_To_Know_About_Skin_Cancer
http://www.medicinenet.com/skin_cancer/article.htm
http://www.skincancer.org/content/view/317/78/
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/LRN/LRN_0.asp?dt=51
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-cancer/DS00190

sun (oven) dried tomatoes ...

Trying to come up with new uses for my tomatoes has been fun - and many thanks to those of you who sent recipe ideas my way. I thought I would attempt oven-drying some of the cherry tomatoes to see if I could get anything resembling a sun-dried.

First I halved the tomatoes and scooped out the seeds/juice with a melon baller. Some were a bit green at the edges, but that didn't seem to be a problem.

I tossed them in olive oil and placed them cut-side up on some parchment paper. I sprinkled sea salt and black pepper on them.

I baked them at 250 degrees for about an hour and a half.

Taaaaadaaaaaaa....


They taste REALLY good.

And I promise this is my last post about tomatoes for the season. Truly.

12 years ago today ...

Happy Anniversary to us !

holy f&ckin' cow !

Tribune Photo by Jim Prisching / September 20, 2008

Chicago Cubs clinch National League Central Division title !

yellow tomatoes ROCK...

My good friend, mangopowergirl, writes one of the best food blogs out there. Her photography is fantastic too. She's been a recipient of my seemingly endless tomato abundance and from them, has created some great dishes (and photos). I'm just happy they are going to such good use !

Anti-Palin rally in Alaska one of the largest in state history...

from the Anchorage Daily News:

Hundreds of people protesting the policies of Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin lined a busy street on Saturday, waving signs and chanting, "Obama!"

The protest came about two hours after Palin delivered a rousing speech at Anchorage's new convention center before leaving the state to return to the campaign trail.

The protesters, including supporters of presidential candidate Barack Obama and those who don't agree with Palin's positions on abortion, polar bears, Iraq and other issues, lined one side of the street near the Loussac Library.

A much smaller number of mostly pro-Palin supporters were on the other side of the street, chanting, "Sarah! Sarah!"

LOVE IT !!! Wish I could personally thank those 1500 people. More photos here and here:

Captain Phil and his brew...

Dan and I went to the West Seattle Thriftway this morning to meet Captain Phil from one of our favorite shows, Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch. He was there to promote his new coffee, Deadliest Brew - "gourmet coffee for the working man". And what a bonus - his son Jake was also there. Anyone else a fan of the show ?

Dan's Mt Baker Hike

Dan and his friend Tom went on a "last weekend of the summer" hike to the south side of Mount Baker. It was a beautiful day to be out... "

we'll never forget...

holy gazpacho...

...they're coming out of our ears. And they are SO good. The little orange ones (Sungolds) are the sweetest things ever. We gave a big container to our neighbors - their daughter sat on the front porch and ate them like bon-bons. I'm very happy with the harvest this year.

Any tomato recipes you wish to share ??

compliments of David Horsey...

I remain speechless as this person - given specific devastating outcomes and subsequent chain of events - could actually be the leader of this country. It's a nauseating reality.

cautiously optimistic...

The Cubbies have been in a bit of a slump in the past 10 games - although we're still 4 games up on the Brewers as of today. I summon a bit of Harry Caray as I dream of an upcoming World Series slot...

like watching a train wreck...

...and I can't stop. I'm talking about NBC's show "America's Got Talent". I've been engrossed all week. Mainly because we don't have cable in the bedroom and we're forced to watch any network that will come in through the ol' rabbit ears. I normally hate these type of reality shows. What's with this one ?? I'm not that fond of any of the judges and think Jerry Springer is a joke. All I know is that I voted 10 times last night for this act:

Anyone else sucked into this madness ???

Happy Labor Day !

I've always seen Labor Day weekend as an unofficial end to summer, not giving much thought to what the holiday really celebrated. All I knew is that it meant a non-labor day for me. With the help of my friend google, here's what I learned. And some more...

Ironically, Dan is working today. A double shift, no less. Truly a labor day for him ! Hope your day is non-laborious.