Here we go again

Day #127

Remember how much I hate running? And remember how I got talked into running the Harvest Fair 5K last year on my birthday and triumphantly finished 1st in my division? And then I announced that I was a retired running champion and never, ever had to run again?

Well, I guess I'm a masochist, because I'm doing it again. Signed up today.

That gives me 2-1/2 weeks to train, plenty of time. This year it's happening the day before my birthday, not actually on my birthday.

Certified

Days 125 and 126

This is what I was doing last Friday night and all day Saturday. My eyes were glazing over by the time we were done.

(Does anybody else think "insane" when they hear the word "certified"?)

State of the Garden Address

My garden this summer is definitely not up to par. For one thing, we're letting the ground lie fallow this year and I did all my planting in containers. A bigger factor than that, however, is the crappy weather we've had. In the 26 years we've lived in Santa Rosa, CA, we've never had this little sun.

Last year at this time I was dealing with mountains of zucchini and crookneck squash. This year, we haven't even grown enough to eat our fill, let alone sneak it onto the neighbors' porches.

So, I was thrilled when Rob did some weeding and uncovered a volunteer:

We just got our first veggie off of it yesterday, and it appears to be a weird hybrid of a zephyr squash and a zucchini:

Don't know what it was, but it tasted as good as any other summer squash.

The tomatoes took their sweet old time, but now they're the only thing we're getting in excess:

Ever heard of growing pumpkins in a container? Me neither, but I'm doing it. I found out about these containers called Smart Pots that are apparently the #1 choice of pot growers everywhere because of their high-yield results due to air-pruning. This is a 25-gallon Smart-Pot, and here are the two pumpkins growing on it:

I can't remember what variety I planted but it was a type that's not supposed to get very big, since I really wasn't sure if even small ones would grow very well.

Scallop Meal #2

Day 124

For the 2nd pound of scallops from Anderson Seafoods, I wrapped the scallops in bacon and stuck them under the broiler, served with a side of sauteed zucchini and cashews.

So easy and so good.

At another meal, Rob and I ate the prepared meal of Szechwan Shrimp. The shrimp itself was fantastic, but I was not crazy about the sauce and veggies that it came with; Rob polished that off for me.

Curried Scallop Soup

Day #123

I got really lucky last week and won a $150 gift certificate for Anderson Seafoods from Averie's blog. I ordered two 8-oz albacore steaks, a pre-made szechwan shrimp meal, and 4 pounds of premium scallops. I love scallops, but haven't had them for years because they're so pricey. They arrived frozen in the mail the day after I ordered them.

Today I made Curried Coconut Milk Soup with one pound of the scallops:

Very easy. Sauteed thin strips of red bell pepper, carrots and the scallops for 3 minutes, added curry powder, salt and chives, then added a can of light coconut milk and heated. Mmm, mmm good!

Something you don't see everyday

Day 122

ME in a DRESS? Definitely a routine-breaker.

It was dollar day at the thrift store, so I figured what the heck. If we ever get a hot summer day, this will be comfy for standing behind the welcome desk at the Y.

Downtown Cattle Drive

Day 121

In conjunction with our county fair, the organizers did something new this year: Driving a herd of cattle from the downtown courthouse square to the fair-grounds a couple miles away. Because of work I didn't have time to walk all the way, but it started a few blocks away from our house, so I had to go. My husband and I even made it onto the front page of the local paper the next day; we were two tiny little ant specks in the crowd, but definitely recognizable with a good magnifying glass.