Lazy Days of Summer

Today it is about 80 degrees, and one just wants to sit and soak up the sunshine. It is supposed to be the same tomorrow, and reasonable for the rest of the week.

We were home about four days when I decided to drive to Spokane to spend a few days with sister-in-law Lois. We spent 2 nights at the cabin on Lake Sacheen. She and Jerry have decided they are going to sell it, and I am going to miss it. We would consider buying it, except they have never been able to get approval for a septic system, and a sewer system is probably in the distant future. They use an electric toilet which is an interesting contraption, and very ecologically sound, but it has its limitations. Their property is in a little bay, and Lake Sacheen is very quiet since it is small, and there are no resorts or camps located on it.

I had dinner on Friday night with Mike, Mary, and Joel. Mike and Mary are going to Iowa on Wednesday to visit with a newly-found half-sister of Mike's, and her family. I'm sure it will be a great trip, and I am anxious to hear about it.

I took the long way home on Saturday so I drove about 450 miles instead of 300. I chose to drive from Spokane to Colfax to visit Pat's grave, and the graves of my ancestors. It was a lovely sunny day, and the rolling green wheat fields of the Palouse were at their finest. In leaving Colfax, I headed west toward the towns of Washtucna and Kahlotus, both of which are way past their prime, and just about qualify for ghost towns. My route took me through the Tri-cities, so a stop at Barnard Griffin tasting room was in order. It took me a total of ten hours to get back to Steilacoom.

Craig came for dinner yesterday for Father's Day, and Brian, Keith, and Colleen called. Colleen had attended an international teaching hiring fair in Philadelphia over the week end. Now she is in Colorado, and will be home next Sunday. Keith and Janet have been luxurating in the glory of having their home to themselves again after the departure of all the relatives. Brian has been doing some scuba diving on Guam, and toured the island last week end. The prior week, he was flown out to a carrier to meet and greet the folks who run that show.

We have no plans for the next week or two besides trying to keep up with the weeds outside. I have some projects that could use my attention, but I'm not moving very fast in that direction.

Speaking of the Father's Day dinner......here is the best-ever recipe for beef shish kabobs on the grill. The general idea is from Cooks Illlustrated and Brian and Sheila served this after his change of command last April.

Beef blade roast, cubed (don't be tempted to buy anything expensive)
minced cloves of garlic - about 2 or 3 cloves
olive oil - about 1/2 cup
fresh lemon juice - 1 lemon's worth
Salt and Pepper

Combine all in a Zip-lock bag for anywhere from one hour to one day. Thread on skewers with various vegetables such as mushroom, bell pepper, and onion. I also used fresh cubed pineapple.

The fat in the meat plus the marinade combine to make it very tender and flavorful.

Ciao