A Mouse in the Pantry

It's already July!
Summer has swept across the faces of children everywhere and like it or not, summer excursions will be over within the blink of an eye.

Leave to Marin county residents to take the "rustic" out of a summer getaway and wrap up summer with a sinfully easy pre-made treat. Yes folks this is non-other than a homemade and gourmet tailored s'more - to go!

In the catering business you are bound to run into just about every kind of request, but sometimes you have to stop and pause - "S'mores?"

Huh? I guess it might just be me, but I always thought half the fun of s'mores was making them. Never mind, we aim to please and at a recent oyster filled BBQ, individual s'mores, pre-roasted and wrapped in gold foil (of course) were on the menu for that days tasty sweet treat.

These little gems were delivered without a server to help them along. Hopefully someone thought to give them a quick re-warming in the coals so that all that chocolate could drip lusciously onto the pristine fingers of those party goers.

Ants in my "pans"

This has been a record dry year in California. Plants and lawns are struggling to survive, swimming pools are swamped, and even the everyday garden ant is seeking refuge where possible.
As someone who lives in her kitchen sometimes, the threat of ants can be overwhelming.
As I turned on my handy lap-top two days ago, ready to set about blogging (of course) I noticed a gentle little tickle on my hand.
"Hmm.. an ant," I thought, "What's he doing here?"
I proceeded to type, catching up on overnight emails, considering what tasty food to blog about here. Another tickle, just a slight one.
"Oh, another ant?" I pondered this second visitor and promptly lifted my computer, hoping they weren't all over my dining room table. No, no ants on the table, phew!
I typed on for a minute, wondering if the kitchen had ants, after all, two were on my hand, maybe they followed me from the stove?
I looked around, not too bad!
"What's that!!!" I screeched as my liquid computer screen seemed to come to life.
"Is that...is that...is that really a colony of ants crawling across my blogging screen?"
And it was. Yes, as disgusting as that is, dozens of ants were literally erupting from between the keys on my computer and scurrying back and forth, all over. "ewww......." as a good pal pointed out.
Oh come on, tell me you've never enjoyed a little treat whilst tip-tapping away at the computer? Are you so perfect? Well I am sure your children have never eaten in the car either (weirdo!).
Too bad for the ants though, as this aged lap top gets awfully hot within very little time. They were forced to move on a rapid pace (set safely on the porch).
 And, on the bright side, maybe my computer is just a little cleaner inside? Maybe.

Enough Already!

California continues to be ravaged by firs this week.  From the southern Santa Barbara coastal areas to the northern reaches of this sunny and heat soaked state, Mother Nature has taken out her anger and decided to take back her land - by force.

It is one thing to sit and watch from the comfort of my suburban kitchen, as other areas go literally up in flames. "Oh it's awful," you hear yourself say as you watch the evening news, stirring a pot of jam. But really, have I been personally affected? No, not until today.

Many of my readers may know how dear and near I hold Camp Okizu to my heart.  A summer camp for children with cancer and perhaps most importantly their siblings, it is a place of over abounding joy year after year.

For decades camp found home where they could. A non-profit and free camp, they borrowed from the girl scouts, and other rustic locales. Until 8 years ago when they had raised enough money, and with the help of California's P.G & E, purchased land (with three lovely lakes) just north of Oroville in Berry Creek. 

It was a dream come true. A classic summertime camp sprang forth with enough room now for as many children as wanted to come.

Yesterday, 150 of those children were evacuated as the Butte county fires have moved within 2 miles of our beautiful camp and too close to feel safe.

Enough already. These are kids who need a break from the stress of everyday life. Camp needs a break. I'm praying for rain (but not holding my breath). Fire is one of Mother Nature's ways of helping the land thrive, I wish though, just this once, that she might give us a free pass.

Here is to hoping that all of these children return home safe and sound, and that camp too is safe and sound for next years summer!

Plum Crazy!

I am the recipient of not one friends but, three friends beautiful and might I add delicious plums this week.  The last batch was delivered to my door step in the heat while I was away, and I think they may have acquired quite the sugar content levels while cooking on the front step.

What does all this mean? Jam, and lots of it.

Yes the thermometer is due to reach the triple digits today, and yes, we have recently been invaded by an army of uninvited ants which we are furiously relocating,  but the plums are calling.
Look for more coming soon from the sticky, hot and just plain crazy Courtway kitchen.

Underwood Bar & Bistro, Graton

Though Petaluma does serve up it's fair share of seductive eateries, sometimes an adventure is in order for a Wine Country feast fit for a king, or a Queen, as the case may be.

The tiny hamlet of Graton, sits along hwy 116 just north of Sebastapol unsuspectingly serving up a dining hot spot along it's narrow main street.

The Underwood Bar and Bistro, 9113 Graton Road, is a safari like outpost in Sonoma's far reaches.  With a retro 1930's atmosphere at the bar and lux leather booths beckoning quieter diners to the far corners, nothing but the prickly service is worth passing up.

Hosting a menu of Tapas and Small plates, clearly the bar is a must-do for locals and tourists.  In fact it's rumored that the Underwood is quite the meeting place on a weekend evening. A good place for exotic cocktails and plenty of food, one could dwindle away hours sipping and flirting the bar and it's visitors.

Like I said, our server was far too sour for my tastes, but as it was a birthday celebration, we tried to carry on without her scumming up our dinner. 

I took in the Roasted Beets with endive, walnuts and feta (and I was wearing a white shirt, $8.5). The Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onion Tart ($11.5) another shared treat, and the Pizzetta with Serrano Ham, arugala, Manchego Cheese and egg ($11.5) - a bit too reminiscent of an American breakfast but intriguing all the same.

Specials ranged from Coriander Crusted Dayboat Scallops with pork fried rice ($24.5) to the Madras Curry Chicken & Basmati Rice Soup, full of cilantro and lemon zest ($6.5).

All in all, a not too out of the way trip (if you carpool) for a fun evening in a off the beaten path hideaway. Similar but smaller than the Buckeye Roadhouse in Main County, this masculine eatery will surely be visited again soon.
* When we go back you can bet we will go through all the necessary arrangements to avoid the not so happy with her job waitress who almost had us up and out in a hurry. Honestly, at $24 a plate, a smile is an expected accompaniment.

Underwood Bar & Bistro 9113 Graton Road, Graton.

(707) 823-7023

Cherry Oatmeal?

During our most recent camping trip, I couldn't resist the urge to try on some "fancy" with a bowl full of Petaluma Cherries transported directly to the mountains in our trusty cooler.

Attempting to keep things dairy-free friendly for a fellow camper, and the packing list short, I went for an impromptu cherry cobbler in the  fabulous iron dutch oven .

A little sugar, a few sliced peaches with the cherries, a a mix of flour, oatmeal, cinnamon and a touch of oil on top, and these cherries looked fit to be consumed.  While cooking up the rest of dinner, I let the cherries bubble over the hot coals with a few thrown on the lid for extra heat as well.

In the end, what appeared to be a crumble had the moist and gooey texture of, well, oatmeal. Yes, it was the best cheery oatmeal we had had, but not quite crumble quality.

Oh well, here's to experimentation. Note to self: Fewer oats next time I'm trying to cook in the great outdoors and a little more heat for a crunchy crispy top. Cherry oatmeal may be on our new morning favorite lists and it was doable as dessert (followed up by s'mores of course).

Tree Huggers

There is something alluring about trees.

They shade us, protect us, provide us with fuel, materials and life,and they are somehow tolerant of us despite our sometimes very bad behavior. Trees continue to stand, tall and strong, through years of evolution and human ignorance.

But they are not indestructible. Trees, though thick skinned are sensitive to the same impacts we as humans have forced upon the earth's smaller species.  Trees are tuff, but not that tuff. 

Calaveras Big Trees State Park is dedicated to the notion that the trees need us, just as much as we need them.  The northern most grove of Giant Sequoias, Calaveras is in the process of recovering from a major human misunderstanding of what trees are actually for.

Who wouldn't be amazed by these mammoths of the forest? Adventurers in  the midst of a gold rush over 150 ears ago came upon the Giant Sequoias by accident. The story goes that while bear hunting, one single man found a tree - the Discovery Tree, and was mesmerized.  He promptly ran to town spreading the word - no one believed him. So he took them back, to see the tree, and the rest history.  It took twenty men, four days to cut her down, but they did  it - man conquers all. When the Discovery Tree's rings were counted she weighed in at over 1,300 years old. 1,300 years!

Soon after, word spread of the giant trees around the world, but not everyone believed. Time for another tree to give of itself.  The Mother of the Forrest was sacrificed so that her bark could be shown in cities around the globe. Like removing our own skin, she didn't stand a chance.  Today, 120 years later, she still stands, naked and screaming in protest from the upper reaches of the woods. (She is a mother after all).

And then there is us, this generation, the tipping point.  We are now just visitors hopefully only gently walking among these unimaginable giants. Hugging trees just to see that even the largest of men cannot reach their arms that wide. These trees need a lot of hugs, and some unsuppressed wildfires and a little privacy to continue a healthy life.

Tucked to the side of this grove we camped among their companions, Sugar Pines, Yews, and Bristly Ponderosas.  We laughed along side the campfire, sang with each other at a ranger lead old fashioned Hootenanny, and thought about our impact as we left this magical place clean and natural for the next group of visitors to come and learn.

We didn't head to Calaveras with preservation at the forefront of our minds, but we left with a renewed appreciation for what one can endure. These trees are living proof of endurance and of sensitivity.

Be kind to those around you, human and not, without them we are each left a little more naked and exposed.

With the fires raging along California's coasts and inland areas, the Courtway's are venturing off for a bit. Hoping the Giant Sequoias of the North Eastern Sierras will hold out for a weekend of camp cooking, easy hiking and chats around the campfire (a low one, extinguished well after each evening).

Last year camping brought out the baker in me, crafting a homemade apple pie from scratch. This year with the help of some lovely Petaluma Cherries passed my way, it's cobbler in the dutch oven for all to enjoy.

Wish us luck ducking the haze and look forward to tales from the mountains of Calaveras Big Trees - Gold Country.

La Dolce Vita celebrates Camp Okizu

On June 28th our local wine tasting hot spot La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge, will host photographer Courtney Dawn and Flowers Winery, for an evening of fund-raising for a very important local charity.

Camp Okizu is the summer home for hundreds of children whose lives have been touched by cancer. Some survivors, some siblings, all of them kids looking for a good time flock to the Northern hills just outside of Oroville for a week of outdoor play, sleep and camaraderie. 

As a longtime Camp Okizu supporter and counselor I can attest to what a truly magical place it is.  Children from all walks of life are treated to all the comforts of home (minus Mom and Dad of course).  The best part for these families, many of whom have been stretched to their financial limits with expensive medical treatments  and childcare of their other children - this camp is 100% free to all who attend.

Because camp doesn't cost a thing, Okizu depends on outside support and donations. 
La Dolce Vita is a fine example of what a small local business can do. Opening their doors on June 28th from 5:30 to 10:30pm for a friendly wine sipping with Flowers Winery and the artwork of cancer survivor Courtney Dawn.

Camp Okizu let's children be children, often during a time in their lives that has forced them to be very adult. Support camp, and one of your local businesses too, by stopping in to La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge on the 28th for a sip and a small donation to a huge cause.

*This blog post is dedicated to two very important people in my Okizu life.  My camper Monica Zupp and friend Allen "Pop-Eye" Goldberg, were lost this month. Our memories of you will forever light the starry night skies above camp.

La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge
151 Petaluma Blvd. South (in the new Theater Square)
(707)763-6363

Sun Tea Afternoon

As California’s summer temperatures soared for yet another couple of days we were faced with not even considering a meal or treat from the oven or stove. Even a well deserved belated birthday cake had to be put on temporary hold.

 

Left with too much time on his hands, my anxious five year old was looking for entertainment of the cooking variety and was not easily distracted by coloring pencils, dress up boxes, or even the ever alluring slip-n-slide.

To the kitchen he went, again and again, despite Mom’s constant “No” to the local heat source.

“How about Tea Mom? Tea is healthy and it is so nice, and I am so thirsty!” He pleaded one last time.

Tea? What a great idea youngster.

So, without even a second look at the tea pot we set about an afternoon of making freshly brewed Sun Tea.

You can’t even imagine the surprise when the scientifically minded tot found that harnessing the sun was in his hands. A large glass jar, a mish-mash of teas, and some warm weather (ahem…106 degrees on the thermometer). Within just under an hour our cool water had turned amber brown and was nearly as hot as a pot off the stove.  With just a touch of honey and a glass full of ice, this treat was well in order for the sweltering afternoon.

It’s easy as a mom to be overwhelmed by the daily grind, potential messes, and expectations of a child’s day. Sometimes though, a little thinking outside of the box (and the stove) can hydrate even the thirstiest minds.

Sun Tea

 

A large jar or glass pitcher (we all know plastic isn’t so safe anymore)

A variety of teas or your favorite ice tea bag. We used 4 mints, 2 pomegranate and 1 lemon ginger (because that’s what we had)

2 tablespoons honey

A bit of time on a hot day

 

Place tea bags in large jar and fill with cool water.  Set covered in a sunny location for 1 to 5 hours (depending on temperatures).

 

After brewing add honey and stir. Serve over ice.