27 June 2010

CSA Delivery #7 - Piles o' potatoes!

I can't believe how the time is flying by - we're on week #7 of our veggie deliveries already! Nearly two months have passed since we've started. 

And a hot two months they've been! With temperatures hitting the high 90's and nearly 100 every day, the tomatoes are really coming in! But not so much for some of the other veggies!

This week's box includes fingerling potatoes, cucumbers, onions and tomatoes!



I'm sure some salads are in our near future. And tomato sandwiches for my and my daughter. Not quite sure about the potatoes yet - but perhaps we'll have "breakfast for dinner" complete with hash browns. Sounds good to me!

26 June 2010

Pagash! or is it Pogosh? or... Pogash? or.... ok, it tastes good anyways!

Seeing that great head of green cabbage in last week's CSA delivery, I knew just what I wanted to do! Pagash!

Ok, I really don't know how to spell it... Google suggests that's the best spelling, so I'm going with it. But, it doesn't really matter how badly I misspell it. Its the taste that counts!

Pagash is incredibly simple, and something that comes from my Slovak roots. Its a dish that my Italian-Hungarian mom has made for years for my Slovak dad. No one can top her perfection of it. A golden brown bread, stuffed inside with sauteed cabbage or onions OR, as my kids prefer, a cheddar cheesy mashed potato. Yup, don't make fun of it until you try it!

The steps really are simple - and since I was pressed for time I made it even simpler: frozen bread dough.

The first order of business is to chop the head of cabbage along with an onion and toss it into the frying pan with a little butter (substitute in our house) and olive oil. Add some salt and pepper. Saute away!


Next up, we'll roll out some bread dough, and place it in a baking pan. Be sure to leave enough dough out to tuck back over for the top!


And into the 350 degree oven for about 20 to 30 minutes... near the end melt a little butter on top for a golden color... that's it!


Ok, I lied.. that's not it... Then you EAT it. And go back for seconds. Maybe thirds. mmmmm.


Anybody brave enough to try it with me?

25 June 2010

And when I was bad, I was bad... Dajio on Ocracoke

Well, I was good on Ocracoke - and you've seen the proof. I ran. I exercised. I swam and I even attempted to surf....

But, of course, that's only because I HAD to do that... because when I was bad, I was BAD. With food. Seriously, how can you have a true vacation and not have Food. With a capital F. And since I wanted a real vacation, I jumped in with both hands... and forks...

While most days started with a trip to the Ocracoke Coffee Co. for incredibly good coffee drinks and asiago bagels, occasionally we splurged and tried the coffee cake (yum) or a cinnamon roll.... to get just enough sugar to keep us going until lunch!

BUT, I had to make a break from our regular routine... I had read about a Creme Brulee French Toast at Dajio in the months before our vacation, and I knew I just had to try it. So, on a day that they kids were up early and off to Surf Camp, Josh and I headed over...

The outdoor patio is beautiful, and that's where we chose to have our breakfast (ok, both our breakfasts, but I'll get to that). Frequent island visitors may notice the pelican atop the wall - a tribute to the former Pelican restaurant which preceded Dajio in this location.



Breakfast - Creme Brulee French Toast, Potatoes & Cheese, and a Sweet Potato Biscuit!


And nearly gone...


And, YES, it was that good! The vanilla flavor was incredible and spread throughout the dense french toast. It was perfectly cooked all the way though - which is a huge pet peeve of mine with regular french toast - any gooey, uncooked egg in the middle of a piece of toast is a huge downer for me. Not downfall here! And the sweet potato biscuit! YUM - flaky, light, and just slightly sweet. Definitely worth every butter-laden calorie (its sweet potato though - it MUST be good for me, right??). The only small disappointment were the potatoes... not quite hot, not quite as flavorful as I hoped they'd be. They LOOKED great - a mix of purple and white potatoes blanketed in a cheddar cheese... unfortunately it was a SOUTHERN cheddar.. which means orange, nearly flavorless cheese. Give me Vermont Cheddar any day...by the pound.

However lackluster the potatoes were, the French Toast was worth a revisit! So, on our last day, before heading for the long ride home, we stopped by to let the kids try it out. This time it was an order of three French Toast and one Apple Pancakes. The verdict again: YUM - but hubby says go for the French Toast over the pancakes even though those were great too!

All four of us loved this breakfast - Go try it! Hopefully you will too!

24 June 2010

Running on Ocracoke...

Or otherwise known as: Yes, the torture must continue, even on vacation!

I did it! I pretty much surprised myself, but I managed to keep somewhat of a workout routine while on vacation at Ocracoke! Its incredibly surprising, since once I get to the island I don't usually feel like doing much - just relaxing, reading and eating!

But, in addition to a couple of early morning Centergy sessions (a great mix of yoga and pilates - you should check and see if a gym near you has it!), I managed to get in two shorter runs: 2.75 miles and 2.1 miles. I really enjoy the shorter runs - much more than 3 or 4 miles, and my mind starts to wander to other things I could be doing - working, cleaning... anything BUT running!

Here are the two routes I experimented with, captured with iTrail (yikes, no AT & T service on the island still, but happily the app still worked, thank you GPS!)

The first route was the longer of the two, taking me past the lighthouse, around the loop towards Springers Point, down Howard Street (very shelly!) and back out the Ferry Docks - and I loved running past all the boats, including a visiting NOAA one - call me a weather nerd! Wish those boats were part of my every day runs!


View iTrail - Ocracoke #1 - running - 07/06/2010 06:57:44 in a larger map

For a little variety I mixed it up, heading out past the Ocracoke Coffee Shop, current fire department location, and back through the village...


View iTrail - Ocracoke 2 - running - 11/06/2010 07:21:55 in a larger map

So there you are - proof positive that I really TRIED to work off all those calories from the Ocracoke Coffee Shop, Fig Tree Bakery, Dajio, Howards, SMX, and the Back Porch! Oh, and the Flying Melon Cafe too!!

23 June 2010

And... we're back from Ocracoke!

Its hard to believe, but we've already been home for a week! Our annual Ocracoke vacation has ended all too soon (again!).

BUT - it was an incredible vacation! Somehow each year just seems to top the last, and leave us wanting more and more time on the island.

I can't wait to tell you all about the incredible sunsets, the fun time had by all on the water, surfing (or, well, in the adult's cases trying to surf!), the food and the family! I even managed to squeeze in a bit of exercise - running AND centergy to work off the incredible Dajio breakfasts! The weather was beautiful and the travels uneventful - just the way I like it!

Stay tuned for some upcoming posts all about the island and the trip over. Maybe I'll even steal a photo or two from hubby's new hobby: kite photography!

18 June 2010

CSA Delivery #6 - The Bounty is increasing!

No - you're not crazy! I skipped two CSA delivery posts. BUT, with good reason - I was off gallivanting around the North Carolina beaches. Being pampered by those great chefs rather than cooking myself!

While I was gone two great folks enjoyed my veggies - I had asked the great folks at Limestone Farms to give my share away to whoever asked or looked interested in the CSA.  I'm so glad you all enjoyed the veggies, and was thrilled to see the comments you both left on my blog! Thanks for stopping by to let me know you enjoyed them!

So, now, on to this great bunch of veggies! If you're like me at all, going on vacation is great. You get to try great new food places (like Dajio! YUM!!) but, after a bit, you may get just a little tired of eating out... so its nice to come home to a big, fresh box of veggies! That I get to cook up just about anyway I can imagine!

This week's box held cucumbers, corn, zucchini, yellow squash, radish greens, turnips, cabbage, apples and lettuce! 


In my crystal (chef's) ball, I can see some great dishes cooking up: pagash, apple pie, corn on the cob and a squash pie. Can't wait to get cooking!

12 June 2010

What I'm doing now... Ocracoke edition

Well, since I'm off enjoying myself, I thought I might bring y'all along for a virtual ride! And to do that, I'm going to be posting photos of what I might be doing now...

Sadly, its time to go. The jeep is packed (again), tears have been shed, and we've said our goodbyes to the sand and surf once again...

Time to board the boat back to civilization... back to the "real world"... to say goodbye to these friends we've found...


Farewell, Ocracoke... until we meet again! AND we will!

PS. Thanks hubby for the photo!

11 June 2010

What I'm doing now... Ocracoke edition

Well, since I'm off enjoying myself, I thought I might bring y'all along for a virtual ride! And to do that, I'm going to be posting photos of what I might be doing now...

Would you believe its nearly time to return to the real world? NOO! Don't make me!

But, if I have to go... maybe I'll have the same beautiful send-off as last year. A spectacular storm. An incredible rainbow to shower good luck on us for another year...

10 June 2010

What I'm doing now... Ocracoke edition

Well, since I'm off enjoying myself, I thought I might bring y'all along for a virtual ride! And to do that, I'm going to be posting photos of what I might be doing now...

I'd sure to be scolded if I don't post about our favorite lunch and dinner spot! I'm sure we'll be here a half-dozen time in one short week! SmacNally's at the Anchorage Marina...

Hubby is already craving a Cowboy Burger - I don't think I can count how many times he's asked for one already this week! Not sure what this vegetarian is going to eat here.. but, I'm sure I'll figure something out!

09 June 2010

What I'm doing now... Ocracoke edition

Well, since I'm off enjoying myself, I thought I might bring y'all along for a virtual ride! And to do that, I'm going to be posting photos of what I might be doing now...

I'm guessing (well, hoping really, that today was the PERFECT beach day - yes, again). And that dusk finds us relaxing on the back porch, enjoying the final moments of sunset. Maybe we'll even catch a glimpse of kayakers returning safely to harbor ...


PS. Yup, you guessed it. Hubby did it!

08 June 2010

What I'm doing now... Ocracoke edition

Well, since I'm off enjoying myself, I thought I might bring y'all along for a virtual ride! And to do that, I'm going to be posting photos of what I might be doing now...

The sound is so calm and serene... sitting on the dock, above the water can be so solitary.. but so soul-soothing too!


PS. And again, I owe thanks to my hubby for capturing this great moment (and perspective!)! Great eye!

07 June 2010

What I'm doing now... Ocracoke edition

Well, since I'm off enjoying myself, I thought I might bring y'all along for a virtual ride! And to do that, I'm going to be posting photos of what I might be doing now...

Hopefully the weather is holding steady ... and its a perfect beach day on Ocracoke. Maybe I'm right here, right now!


PS. Thanks to my Hubby for this great shot!

06 June 2010

What I'm doing now... Ocracoke edition

Well, since I'm off enjoying myself, I thought I might bring y'all along for a virtual ride! And to do that, I'm going to be posting photos of what I might be doing now...

If all has gone well, this might just be where I'm at RIGHT NOW! So pick up a cup of joe, and enjoy the view... Just like I might be doing on the back porch...

05 June 2010

What I'm doing now... Outer Banks edition

Well, since I'm off enjoying myself, I thought I might bring y'all along for a virtual ride! And to do that, I'm going to be posting photos of what I might be doing now... That's right, its highly likely that I'm enjoying myself in this very spot, right now!

Arrival day at the Outer Banks will find us up by Nags Head, Jockey's Ridge, Bodie Island Lighthouse and Hatteras...

Maybe right at this very moment, we are atop Jockey's Ridge- in awe of the swirling sand, the sweeping view... and ducking our heads against the wind and sand-blasting :)

03 June 2010

Ocracoke or Bust!

Yup, that's right! The time is almost here. You know what I mean... the time when the clock seems to slow to half-time.... each second ticking by slower than the last....

That's because I'm a short-timer now! Just a day of work to finish up, and a jeep to pack tonight. Then, its VACATION TIME! Its time to see THIS view again!


And it can't get here too soon!

In some ways, its so hard to believe its already here. My daughter has finished school for the year. My son will done in 4 short hours. They are growing up. Each year, time flies by so much more quickly. The school year is passing in the blink of an eye. Each photograph snapped of the kids shows how fast they are changing. Sigh.

And, in other ways, I can't believe vacation taking SOOOO LONG to get here. I mean, really. We've been looking forward to it for a whole year. 365 days. We've been planning this trip, from the last moments of last years trip! We even reserved our beach house before we checked out last year! And all the preparations. My mother-in-law and I have been emailing back and forth about what to bring. My husband and I have been debating just how much we can cram into the jeep for another trip. And its almost here. This last day is going to take forever! I'm itching to get on the road!

But, we're ready. House-sitter- Check. Dog-sitter: Check. Packing: Check. Confirmation papers printed: Check. Surf Camp reserved: Check. Paddle Board reserved: Check.

Now, there's nothing to do but the waiting! Come on clock! Tick already!

02 June 2010

Dinner: Impossible ... Disney style! TONIGHT!

Don't forget to set those DVR's to record the new Dinner:Impossible tonight! That's right, its the premiere of the episode that was recorded in February during the volunteer events and Disney Social Media Moms Conference.

photo courtesy of Suzannah @ zannaland.com
And just to get you excited here are some posts to read up on while you are waiting!

From Zannaland.com, fellow Moms Panelist Suzannah details how we both were fortunate enough to chat with Chef Robert in World Showcase in this great writeup!

A post from my perspective: Chef Robert is pretty darn awesome!

And a roundup of all the great food the Dinner: Impossible crew prepared for us- including vegetarian options - on the DisneyFoodBlog!

Tonight! 10pm on Food Network! Be there or be square! I know I'll be up late watching - with the whole family! Wouldn't miss it!

Be sure to check out the show's synopsis on FoodNetwork.com too! Although, these recipes make me think that there were some special dishes I didn't see! Things like: French Onion Soup?? Chocolate Fingers? Mozzarella, Raspberry & Gooseberry salad? Flank Steak with Brie Fondue?? Anyone else see these?

And replays of this episode will air at:
  • Jun 03, 2010
    1:00 AM ET/PT
  • Jun 05, 2010
    4:00 PM ET/PT