Here’s the July bits n’ bobs.
Watermelon
I bought a watermelon because the algorithm has been feeding me all kinds of ways to pick out a good watermelon. I saw one, imparted all of my residual online learnings & felt good about it. Made a joke with the cashier about not putting it in the paper bag where my other items were, because if the bag were to break, that would just be chaotic tragedy.
On my way out of the store I dropped the watermelon out of my hands (fumbled a bit on the way down) splat on the pavement. Can’t believe I called that one on my own.
It only partially cracked, right down the middle. It came home. It’s one of those delicious ones.
In addition to my new watermelon selecting skills, I’ve also recently learned how to and highly intended to make pickled watermelon rind as well as watermelon kimchi.
We have consecutively been consuming watermelon for three days straight in all varieties of form.
In it’s natural form
Watermelon + Mezcal Margaritas
Smoothies
& the see below *let me change your life moment but I’m not taking credit for this idea*
Watermelon + Furriake seasoning
I know I saw this somewhere, but for the life of me I can’t recall where, because I know I wouldn’t have thought this one up on my own. But holy heck it’s so good I wish I had. I’d be a genius.
Get your furikake seasoning anywhere, but Trader Joe’s has it for like $2.99? Next round I’ll for sure go to the Asian markets and try another variety/brand. Go buy a watermelon, go home, cut it up & dump furikake seasoning on your bowl of watermelon. Your brain will just know. The watermelon gets all lovely and covered with the seasoning & there’s some like excess juices that make everything all meld together lovingly. I think I was ready for a moment other than “watermelon, basil & feta… etc.” There’s always a place + time for that, but this is a keeper.
*Note: you definitely DO need to like seaweed to appreciate this
Gazpacho.
Gazpacho. Gaspacho. Gazpacho.
I can’t stop. I’m on my 3rd, soon to be 4th batch this week. It’s just… the only thing I want right now. The thing I look forward to. Or, really I think I forget about it’s joys in the winter but as soon as we have 5+ days over 78 degrees… it’s all I can think about.
There’s A LOT of recipes out there. You can’t go wrong. Gazpacho is 100% preference in my option. Strain or don’t strain (don’t strain). Red onion or Green onion (either? both?). bread or no bread (sure, but cashews?) add a hot pepper? some beets? Sure.
With tomato season upon us, the most special time of the year - just thinking about it leaves me feeling contentedly joyful.
Sourdough Discard Crackers
In case you couldn’t stop thinking about those sourdough crackers I’ve been sharing for the last 3 months, that I never really gave you the recipe for - alas, you can now start making crackers.
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye hard.”
- Winnie The Pooh
This biggest bit n’ bob is recently loosing our dear sweet 16yr old lady beagle, Lucy.
When I started to share the news, saying “we lost Lucy” felt just odd. We didn’t loose her (we have before, few times), we knew exactly where she was. She was right there with us at a vet in Modesto, CA. Once she was gone, we hadn’t lost her - her tiny 14 lb beagle body was right in front of me. I still now, distinctively expect to hear her little clickity-clackity paws come down the hallway and to pop her head around the corner. She’s not lost. She was never lost. But she’s not here.
The other common thing to say when you loose a pet is, “we had to put Lucy down”. Which, I couldn’t bring myself to say or express to anyone. Our sweet lil’ old lady friend was not ‘put down’, she was just down for the count.
I like to think I did right by her. There’s a special place in my heart remembering the first time she ever really looked at me like she trusted me, she knew I had her back.
She was my friend. The joys I never knew, never would have looked for, never could possibly imagine - I am so grateful for.
Also, girlfriend got a pretty good showing of cards & love. She did alright.
(Thank you everyone who sent cards & love)
Anyway, stay tuned.
Cheers,
Justine