Frankie's Garden ~: February 2012

Welcome to my world...

Let me begin by telling you I’m not a nutritionist, dietician, or Cordon Bleu Chef. I’ve never even worked in a restaurant. What I am is a wife of over 30 years, a mother, and a grandmother who loves to cook. I have, at times, needed to use all “101 Ways to Cook Hamburger”, made tuna casserole and split pea soup until my husband begged for mercy…and had fun doing it.

As times and finances improved, so did my repertoire. I had the freedom to try more exotic fare, like pork chops. By the time the kids were in high school, I had progressed as far as shrimp and crab. Now the kids are all grown up, it’s just the two of us, and I’ve had to re-learn to cook yet again. Of course, trying new foods and new recipes is part of the fun. My motto is “I’ve never met a recipe I didn’t change.”

That’s what this blog is about, sharing recipes, stories and memories. So, enjoy your food, enjoy your life. And most importantly, don’t forget to have fun, playing with your food.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

My Favorite Things About Orcas Island

We all know there's no place like home, but every place has something we DON'T like, be it the traffic, the noise, or the price of gas. Today, instead of fussing about anything, I decided to focus on the positive, and list the things I LIKE, and miss, about the island. Fellow Orcasians, feel free to ad to the list! These are in no particular order, just as they came into my head.

The checkers at the Market know my name, and I know theirs.

The view as you drive into Deer Harbor.

The Olga Christmas tree.

Buck Bay shellfish and Judd Cove oysters.

Fourth of July in Eastsound.

"Our" resident herd of deer.

The drive from Eastsound to Olga.

Viking football.

The view across Obstruction Pass to Anacortes.

Christmas lights in Eastsound.

Trumpeter swans visiting Cascade Lake in December.

Crow Valley in the morning, under a blanket of fog.

Crow Valley