Water water everywhere…
Yesterday The Chestnut and I were at the Horsey Girl's for an afternoon swim, when HG said, 'hey, I was going to take the kids to a waterpark tomorrow. Want to come?' I instantly had visions of all of us laughing with joy as we flew down twisting slides, and I said yes. I didn't notice The Chestnut looking at me with abject horror on her face.
I also didn't remember the hell of Great Wolf Lodge.
So I looked at The Chestnut. 'You're coming too.' She tried to fight, claiming Bikram Yoga as an excuse, but I wasn't having any of it. If I'm going to go through misery today, I'm going to drag those closest to me into it as well.
The three of us are taking our combined army of Smalls and Mediums to a waterpark in Fishkill, New York. Just as as aside, where does a town like Fishkill get its name from, and more importantly, why? Why would anyone name a town Fishkill? Even thinking about the name makes my nostrils clench in defence.
Luckily, I have to be home by six. I say luckily, because an afternoon in a waterpark is more than enough for any normal human being.
But secretly I am thrilled we are doing this. My kids have been in day camp for most of the summer, and our final week of vacation is time for some fun stuff with Mummy. Other plans for the week include fruit picking at local farms, kayaking at Longshore, and barbeques at the beach.
Speaking of fruit picking, my garden is doing exceptionally well, and the deer have left it alone these past few weeks. The edamame are growing, we have been eating kohl rabi, zucchini and beets. I also have nine cucumbers in my fridge, and am rather dismayed that there are five more that look like they'll be ready to pick any second now. What's a girl supposed to do with nine cucumbers? Keep it clean, please. I will post recipes shortly for cold cucumber soups and cucumber and dill salad, but I've run out of inspiration and would welcome any fabulous recipes...


Cucumbers? How about tabouleh with cucumbers, seasonal vegetables and fresh mint? Or try cucumber salad with chillies and poppy seeds - makes a great side dish for bbq and looks sensational!
Cucumbers? How about tabouleh with cucumbers, seasonal vegetables and fresh mint? Or try cucumber salad with chillies and poppy seeds - makes a great side dish for bbq and looks sensational!
..oh, and good luck in the Fish place
..oh, and good luck in the Fish place
Jane! You're going to be 45 minutes from me! Unfortunately, my own "small" is only 2 1/2 weeks old and too "small" for a water park.
Jane! You're going to be 45 minutes from me! Unfortunately, my own "small" is only 2 1/2 weeks old and too "small" for a water park.
A simple cucumber salad uses lots of cucumbers and gets eaten very quickly. Easily doubles. Nice complement to summer lunch or dinner.
2/3 c cider vinegar
2/3 c water
3 tbs sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Sliced onion, if desired
4 cucumbers, skinned & sliced
--Mix first 5 ingredients in storage container (like corningware.)
--Add sliced cucumbers (and onions)
--Chill 2 hours.
--Serve cold. Drain if you wish.
A simple cucumber salad uses lots of cucumbers and gets eaten very quickly. Easily doubles. Nice complement to summer lunch or dinner.
2/3 c cider vinegar
2/3 c water
3 tbs sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Sliced onion, if desired
4 cucumbers, skinned & sliced
--Mix first 5 ingredients in storage container (like corningware.)
--Add sliced cucumbers (and onions)
--Chill 2 hours.
--Serve cold. Drain if you wish.
Hello from your dinner companion in Vail! I have missed your blog and was so happy to have you back! You help inspire me for my own weekly column. Might I suggest, for your cucumber dilema, chunks of cucumber and watermelon, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped mint or basil (whichever will compliment the rest of your meal best, or just follow your whim) tossed with a little balsamic vinegar, EVOO, salt and pepper. For us non-Vegans, I add some crumbled feta! Delish! Enjoy!
Hello from your dinner companion in Vail! I have missed your blog and was so happy to have you back! You help inspire me for my own weekly column. Might I suggest, for your cucumber dilema, chunks of cucumber and watermelon, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped mint or basil (whichever will compliment the rest of your meal best, or just follow your whim) tossed with a little balsamic vinegar, EVOO, salt and pepper. For us non-Vegans, I add some crumbled feta! Delish! Enjoy!
Sorry, no cucumber recipes here, but I just love cucumbers and hummus! It's so much healthier than using pita bread or some other processed food for hummus dipping...Glad you're back Jane!
Sorry, no cucumber recipes here, but I just love cucumbers and hummus! It's so much healthier than using pita bread or some other processed food for hummus dipping...Glad you're back Jane!
Sweet and Sour Asian Style Cucumber Salad
3 large cucumbers
1 tomato
1 Onion
1 chilli (optional)
Dressing:
1/4 cup of white vinegar
1/4 cup of oil
1/2 teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoons of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of garlic (fresh or powder)
Instructions
Peel and thinly slice the cucumbers and onion. Chope the tomato. Seed and thinly slice the chilli. Put the cucumber slices in a shallow bowl, arrange the onion and tomato slices on top and sprinkle with the chilli. Combine all the dressing ingredients, pour over and refrigerate a few hours or overnight if possible to allow flavors to blend.
Sweet and Sour Asian Style Cucumber Salad
3 large cucumbers
1 tomato
1 Onion
1 chilli (optional)
Dressing:
1/4 cup of white vinegar
1/4 cup of oil
1/2 teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoons of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of garlic (fresh or powder)
Instructions
Peel and thinly slice the cucumbers and onion. Chope the tomato. Seed and thinly slice the chilli. Put the cucumber slices in a shallow bowl, arrange the onion and tomato slices on top and sprinkle with the chilli. Combine all the dressing ingredients, pour over and refrigerate a few hours or overnight if possible to allow flavors to blend.
Cucumber Dressing
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup chopped, seeded cucumber
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dill
1 tbsp. lemon juice
Mix all ingredients together in bowl. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Serve warm as an accompaniment to fish or vegetables.
This is delicious over salmon, or over some fresh steamed veggies!
Cucumber Dressing
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup chopped, seeded cucumber
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dill
1 tbsp. lemon juice
Mix all ingredients together in bowl. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Serve warm as an accompaniment to fish or vegetables.
This is delicious over salmon, or over some fresh steamed veggies!
Hello, Jane!
D. D. Scott here!
Edamame...one of my favorite foods. Never thought of growing it in my own garden. Will do that next year. Thanks for the idea!
Waterparks and beach barbecues sound like a fun way to wrap-up your summer.
Here's a waterpark tidbit for you: watch out for the huge, high-in-the-sky then gigantic drop-off to Hades waterslides...bathing suits tend to disappear on these beasts!...Not that I'd know this from one particularly horrifying experience...just saying for the common good...
Sexy, Sassy, Smart Summer Wrap-Up Wishes --- D. D. Scott
http://www.DDScott.com
http://twitter.com/ddscottromcom
Hello, Jane!
D. D. Scott here!
Edamame...one of my favorite foods. Never thought of growing it in my own garden. Will do that next year. Thanks for the idea!
Waterparks and beach barbecues sound like a fun way to wrap-up your summer.
Here's a waterpark tidbit for you: watch out for the huge, high-in-the-sky then gigantic drop-off to Hades waterslides...bathing suits tend to disappear on these beasts!...Not that I'd know this from one particularly horrifying experience...just saying for the common good...
Sexy, Sassy, Smart Summer Wrap-Up Wishes --- D. D. Scott
http://www.DDScott.com
http://twitter.com/ddscottromcom
How about cucumber in Pimm’s cocktail? I posted the recipe today. Good to have you back in the blogosphere. I’m enjoying these last days of summer with the kids too – the beach trips and ice cream runs especially. Preseason soccer I could do without.
How about cucumber in Pimm’s cocktail? I posted the recipe today. Good to have you back in the blogosphere. I’m enjoying these last days of summer with the kids too – the beach trips and ice cream runs especially. Preseason soccer I could do without.
I've been enjoying the Pioneer Woman's new site - TastyKitchen.com - as a great new source of recipes. I too find myself with searching for ways to use up the bounty of our garden in new ways. This is definitely my new favorite recipe site. Hope you enjoy it also.
I've been enjoying the Pioneer Woman's new site - TastyKitchen.com - as a great new source of recipes. I too find myself with searching for ways to use up the bounty of our garden in new ways. This is definitely my new favorite recipe site. Hope you enjoy it also.
This is a REALLY yummy treat and SUPER easy... Mix a packet of ranch dressing seasoning with a block of cream cheese. Slice up a loaf of french bread- spread ranch/cream cheese spread lightly on each slice- and top with a slice of cucumber! Done. Such an easy and fresh snack!!
This is a REALLY yummy treat and SUPER easy... Mix a packet of ranch dressing seasoning with a block of cream cheese. Slice up a loaf of french bread- spread ranch/cream cheese spread lightly on each slice- and top with a slice of cucumber! Done. Such an easy and fresh snack!!