Cozy beside the flicker of flames

Mum, you expressed concern that Simon might need persuasion to make use of this due to the electricity consumption. Rest assured, no inducement neccessary.

Nothing is more cozy than a fire.

Thank you!

Fall's Arrival

 

Colors above the Y

Fall is coming and our garden is beginning to fade. The tomatoes got a plant virus of some kind and began fading about a month and a half ago.

 Changing colors on the trees met with snow during the first week of October.

 Brrr.. bitterly cold...Fortunately the snow in the mountain tops melted and we got several more warm-ish and pleasant weeks of fall.

We drove around the alpine loop to see the colors changing.

 And then a couple weeks later took a hike up Battle Creek Canyon.

I'm loving fall!

Kitchen Mandoline Slicers: Wolfgang Puck v. Oxo

     Shortly after we married, we purchased a cheap $10 mandoline (slicer) from Bed Bath and Beyond with a gift card (Progressive Mandoline).  It cut pretty well and we were quite pleased with our purchase, but over the last year the teeth on the julian slicing piece have broken through the bottom and no longer works well. It was very versatile.

     We decided it was about time to replace our original purchase and this time decided to look at something a little more durable and of a better quality. After our research online and looking around at different models we narrowed it down to the:

 Oxo Good Grips V-blade mandoline slicer and the Wolfgang Puck stainless steel mandoline

     Every mandoline review, regardless of brand, said it was a dangerous kitchen implement--so we disregarded all those comments--besides, sharp is how we need the mandoline. 

     We've been pleased with our other Oxo products:

               Silicone turner

               and the smooth edge can opener.

     However, people who reviewed the mandoline online said that it did not live up to other Oxo products.

     The Oxo mandoline seemed to store all the blades pretty well underneath (this helps to keep it tidy...but might also get them dirty with use) and seemed simple to adjust and the non-slip feet and angle seemed sturdy. We also thought an angled blade might work best.

     In considering the Wolfgang Puck mandoline...it seem the stainless steel would be easier to clean and the blades came with a separate storage case which was convenient. It seemed to also have a fairly sturdy base to prop itself up. I watched videos online and it cut very well.

Retail price:
  Wolfgang: $50
  Oxo: $40

*Other considerations:
     We had a coupon for 20% off a single item at Bed Bath and Beyond (Oxo)
     We have a $65 gift card to  Dillards (Wolfgang)

     Ultimately, they both seemed about equal--the Oxo was a little cheaper, but we'd be paying $34. Initially I wanted to give it to him for Christmas, but since our current Mandoline is in its death throes, and Simon uses it almost every time he cooks, I thought it might be better to acquire before Christmas. I wanted his opinion and therefore could not surprise him. After we narrowed it down he told me to decide. I considered more and decided to use the gift card. I bought it and wrapped it in Christmas paper and told Simon to open his present when he came home. He wanted to know what it was but said he could wait till Christmas. I didn't want him to not like it and be unable to return it in a couple months if he'd really wanted the other. He wanted to know why he should open it and knew he'd like whatever I got for him and so didn't want to open it. I knew he'd figure it out when he kept asking about what mandoline we should get over the next several days and it wouldn't be a surprise anyway if I saved it till Christmas.

     We went on a hike up Battle Creek Canyon, where we got engaged a year and a half ago. We stopped by the grocery store on the way home and got some fruit. As we wandered through the store I saw cheap hash-browns and we grabbed the bag for $0.88 and I absent mindedly commented, 'oh, but we can make these now.' (since our julienne blade is broken on our mandoline).

     About 20 seconds later Simon exclaims "I know what it is!!!" I was confused. He prodded, "Think about what you just said----What's changed so that we can now make hashbrowns!!!!"


     He said I could save it till Christmas. I really wanted to know if it was the one he'd want and I rehearsed the pros and cons I'd thought about for each and when we arrived home I had him open it.

     It was the Wolfgang Puck.  He was sooo excited and immediately decided to put it to use.  We slipped the blades in the side slot and adjusted the height. They didn't seem to slide in all the way, but it seemed good. He picked up a potato and--- it wouldn't cut it. Online some people had complained about dull blades but we thought that was the fluke for theirs. We tried a carrot...with the same result. Instead of a flat blade, the blade was serrated. Serrated knifes make a nice cut when you pull across but not quite as good when you go straight into a food.

     We cleaned up the mandoline and washed it and shined the steel and put it back in the box to return. Two manufacturing defects: the juliene blades not fitting in right...and all the blades not being sharp enough to cut. Simon returned it and we once again have $65 on our gift card.

     Yesterday I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and picked up the V-blade Oxo mandoline. Simon was excited to try this one. It adjusted easily and sliced potatoes wonderfully. The julienne aren't exceptional, but do cut.

     Perhaps  our Wolfgang Puck mandoline problems were a fluke. Simon is very happy with the Oxo.

Our pickle with Pickles

Simon and I spent Friday night date night this week, making pickles. We canned 6 jars of pickles (see horrockshm.blogspot.com for the recipe) and tried a new refridgerator pickle recipe (2 jars). Our canning method to get the jars to seal consists of putting them in our few pots and covering the top of the jars with a lid (which leaves a gap between the pan and lid). Not quite 'pressure' canning, but the lids seal and the pickles last.

Harvest

We have been eating cukes, green peppers, tomatoes and green beans. This has been such a fun adventure.

'dislike' security

Now I understand the importance of airport security....but I think they go a bit overboard. I remember the time when my grandparents would greet us right at the gate. Those times are long past.

Even then I would get searched regularly--the only one in my family who seemed to get searched in those days.

Today I've had the not so fun airport adventures. I really dislike security, period.

Salt Lake airport fortunately let me mail my unintended illegal item (ie my pocketknife that had hidden in the bottom of my backpack). But I had to buy an envelope for $1 and then a book of stamps $9...and put on about 6 stamps hoping that's about right and saving the other stamps for later.

In the Spokane airport, I had to exit security to get to the proper terminal to catch my connecting flight to Seattle...and there, upon reentry, my bag got caught for having 'explosive residue.' So, not only did they empty my entire bag after the bomb swab, but they gave me a very thorough pat-down (noted by the man and girl who sat next to me on the plane in Seattle--they commented on it). And then they test the gloves that patted me down for explosive residue. Am I really THAT suspicious a character?

The Singer sings again!

I had a quilt project I wanted to start and I really did not want to sew all the squares by hand. I was telling my mom about my dilemma and she said Grandma Bateman might still have her Singer. She asked and Grandma said I could use it. She had it tuned up a couple years ago and hadn't used it since. Quite excited by the prospect, I accepted the offer.

Lo and behold, when the machine arrived the next week with Uncle Lynn and Aunt Kristi from St. George, a beautifully crafted antique singer.

I am thrilled beyond expression and am looking forward to beginning my project in earnest.

I love my grandma!