What’s for dinner?

Thanks to a blog I enjoy (A Way to Garden), which is featuring Thursday recipes from the garden, I thought I’d share my favorite way to enjoy those farmer’s market finds (or maybe your own garden’s bounty). The recipe is flexible and forgiving — Mike didn’t know he liked squash until I made this. (Kudos to Joanne in Vermont for serving it almost 30 years ago. Loved it then, love it now.)

Colorful Summer Sauté
(Serves 2 hungry people or 4 as a side)

1 Zucchini
1 Yellow Squash (or more if zuc is big)
2 Tomatoes
4 oz. Mozzarella Cheese (or as much as you like)
2 TBS fresh chopped Basil & Oregano (or 1 tsp each dried), or to taste
1 tsp chopped fresh Garlic, or to taste
Fresh ground Pepper, to taste
Olive Oil (and butter if desired)

Chop zucchini, squash, and tomatoes in fairly large (still bite-size) chunks.

Chop the fresh herbs and garlic.

Cube mozzarella (about 1″). (Shredded mozz or parmesan also works, but isn’t as fun as encountering a chunk of warm mozzarella.)

Heat a couple tablespoons of olive oil (add some butter for extra richness if you like) and the chopped garlic in a large sauté pan.

Add the chopped zucchini and squash. Sauté until soft. (Can cover pan if you like more liquid, or leave open for browner, crisper results.)

Add the chopped tomatoes and cook just until heated. Stir in the chopped herbs and ground pepper.

Just before serving, add the cheese and heat briefly until softened and melty.

Great as a side (or the whole meal!).

When baking, follow directions.
When cooking, go by your own taste.
                                 ~ Laiko Bahrs

“OK Rusty’s in the club!”

Larson fans anyone? This was the caption for a Gary Larson cartoon of a group of dogs, one of which (Rusty) had just dashed across the street in front of cars to join the others. (Again, who can explain what the brain chooses to retain? This I remember; the name of that client contact I worked with last month, not a clue.)

Anyhoo — I do now feel like I’m in a not-so-elite club for the first time. Why? I sprained my ankle on Saturday. Just stepped down off the deck like I have a million times, landed funny on the stepping stone below, and down I went. I heard the crack so feared the worse, but, nothing broken, not too much pain — only lots of swelling and lovely shades of blue of purple.

But, it was a first. I’ve never hurt myself like that before. Never had to gingerly peel off my shoe and sock and hope no bone was sticking through. Never experienced the injured body at work — instant swelling, a little light-headedness, a little nausea. Never made the requisite trip to the ER for X rays.

But now, now I’m wearing my “air splint” like a badge of honor. “Oh, it’s just a sprain,” I say, as if I’ve been through this many times. “Lots of swelling and black & blue,” I smile as I lift my foot to show people. Inevitably I hear about their own experiences with ankle sprains and strains. I nod knowingly.

Yep, I’m in the club! I’m just hoping it’s a lifetime membership — no regular dues required.

Ah-oh, I only treat left ankles…
                         ~ My ER doctor

Well, this is fun…

I misinterpreted something I read on a blog I follow and it led me to google (I supposed that’s a legitimate verb now) Writing by Ear to see where it would appear on the list (if it would at all).

I was pleasantly suprised — shocked really — to see it come up first. Especially when you consider that googling my name results in only an 18th place mention (associated with my professional site for my business; some young whippersnapper with my name comes up before me!), while googling my business name itself ranks only a lowly 73rd place.

I think I remember reading that your Google placement can be increased by how often you update your site, so I imagine that’s why the blogs get noticed first (and, ummmm, I haven’t changed my business site since I switched the copyright date to 2008 in January — not too business savvy, huh.)

Anyway, this was a happy little discovery and quite appropriate for my (drum roll) 100th post.

Have you googled yourself…? Not only will you not go blind, you may be surprised at what you find.

 Remember my name
Fame
I’m gonna live forever
I’m gonna learn how to fly
High
I feel it coming together
People will see me and cry
Fame
I’m gonna make it to heaven
Light up the sky like a flame
Fame
I’m gonna live forever
Baby remember my name
Remember
Remember
Remember
Remember
Remember
Remember
Remember
Remember

~ Fame
Immortalized b
y Irene Cara
Written by D. Pitchford and M. Gore

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