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!

Washington: Anniversary and Family Reunion

Simon and I decided to make a leisurely trip to the Merrill Family reunion. We left on Saturday afternoon, after Simon got off work and drove to Boise. The following morning we went to church with my cousin Janese and Carlos. It was fun to see them and Kaylee and Orden.

We drove from Boise, ID to Washington. We have a car power adapter that we used to put our rice cooker on 'warm'. It didn't have enough power to cook rice, but if we cooked it in our hotel, we could take it with us. It was pleasant to eat real food while on the road.

We stopped near Grandview Washington Sunday evening and visited with Simon's old mission President and his wife--the Thornocks. They live right on the Yakima river--beautiful country! They have only been home a couple weeks at most from West Virginia. They were so kind and fed us dinner--very nice after hours of driving. I even got a bread recipe from President Thornock's dad.

We drove a little past Yakima, WA (about 6 hours from Boise), and stayed at the Apple Country Inn Bed and Breakfast (http://applecountryinnbb.com/index.html). Situated among orchards, this spot was very peaceful, particularly contrasted to Provo road noise, and Boise's freeway noise. We decided to use our time off from work to celebrate our anniversary. The accommodations were quite comfortable. The owners of the Bed and Breakfast knew we were celebrating our anniversary and left us a rose in our room and a bottle of Martinellis. Very sweet-

In the morning she made us the most delicious breakfast--quiche served next to sausage,  a pitcher of orange juice and a fruit smoothie on the side. She served us outside in an arbor. There was even a dog for Simon, which he loved. It was so relaxing we didn't want to leave.

We left mid-morning for the peninsula. We drove another 5-6 hours until we reached Fort Worden, which is right next to Port Townsend.

 

Crossing the Tacoma Narrows bridge

Fort Worden

We stayed in the old officer's housing. They were spacious--which made it nice for visiting.

Tuesday was family picture day. My dad's family--parents (grandma and grandpa Merrill) siblings (my aunts and uncles), children (my siblings and cousins), and even some of my cousins children (great grandchildren) posed--they'll have to photoshop in the few missing cousins.

 After the multi-generational picture, my family took family pictures--we took a bunch of fun pictures with the camera on the tripod--Brian set it up and cousin Sarah Merrill pushed the button.

We even did jumping pictures. Those take a while to get right...it's hard to jump at exactly the same time.

 Brian took a lot of photos after the official picture taking ended.

We had fun wading along the beach almost every day...but I never went in very far because the water was bitterly cold (Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca are far from warm).

 Brian edited this photo he took. Since it's already on facebook, I may as well post it here. It is a very artistic photo--particularly with his editing.

The lighthouse

On Wednesday (t-shirt day), we wore our family reunion shirts. It is kind of fun to identify at a glance who is family by glancing around to find shirts that match.

The shirts fit our surroundings quite well--especially as we  explored the bunkers.

 Thursday morning we left at 7:30 AM. We took the ferry at Kingston over to Seattle. There was fog across Puget Sound. The ferry used a fog horn...it gives a whole new meaning to the term fog horn.

Not sure if taking the ferry saved any time or not as we ran into Seattle traffic--and a closed Interstate--I-90 was closed because the Blue Angels were practicing for a Seattle festival. On the plus side we got to see some Blue Angels' maneuvering from our vantage point on a road a little further northward. 

We once again ate rice, but this time we had left-over chicken and ribs to eat alongside. My parents gave us left-overs, which dramatically improved our eating and saved us time from food stops. We only stopped for restrooms, and filling the car with gas.

We drove and drove and drove--17 hours? to make it back to Provo Thursday for work on Friday. We ran into an incredible lightning storm which lasted for 4-5 hours of our drive (southern Idaho to northern Utah). I took some videos of the constant bolts...and deleted them when I downloaded them--I tried downloading. I took them with my smaller Panasonic camera which takes the same sized card as my Canon.  I tried downloading them from my Canon because it loads faster. But it downloaded as a picture...and then I deleted before I knew they didn't download as video. I'm rather disappointed by that mishaps.

We arrived in Provo at 2 a.m. and went straight to bed. The following morning Simon had work at 8 a.m. and I worked from 8:45-6:15. We crashed about 9 p.m. Friday night exhausted.

How does your garden grow?.....with green bells and red shells and cucs and beans in a row

July 13: Our beautiful garden

 July 14: Zucs still growing

zuc and cuc

cucs

 zuc male flowers

For some reason the zuc female flowers were not maturing and were turning brown and falling off before ever blossoming.

July 17 Our first cuc is almost an edible size

Tiny little cucs beneath their flowers

 Our tomatoes have certainly grown!

Look at our cute bell pepper.

And some really tiny ones beginning to form.

Our tomato plants still flowering wonderfully. The plant smells so good!

Zuc plants getting larger.

July 20

We harvested our cuc

Aug 5

After returning from our family reunion (and thanks to Katie and Kyle for watering our garden) we ate our first bell pepper with some garden tomatoes and garden lettuce (which was surprisingly less bitter than it was a couple weeks ago--it has cooled down a bit).

Aug 6

Zucs continuing to grow.

 And it looks like there may even be zucs forming behind female flowers (maybe we'll get some zucs after all!)

And we've come back to more cucs growing.

 And yet more forming!

Our lovely little cuc vine has grown.

And we even have a few self-starting sunflowers!

 

One of our bell peppers got sunburnt a couple weeks ago on a particularly dry day. These two are getting quite sizable!

 And we have quite a few more bell peppers forming!

 

 Our tomatoes are ripening :-) Yum! I love fresh tomatoes!

We have quite a bit of basil too! Probably a bit too much :-) I should make some pesto sauce.

The zuc plants look pretty in the sun.

 

 We certainly have a beautiful garden plot.

(Someone weeded while we were gone-- It was really thoughtful...but they pulled up my vinca and other intentionally planted greenery...which was entrenched amid weeds.)