How often must I remind myself to not be cocky? Here’s how my personality rolls:
1. Bad stuff happens.
2. Make a plan. Solve that stuff.
3. Move on.
It’s my 1-2-3 approach to Life. Unfortunately it’s never worked particularly as I’d hoped. It’s not the Black and White that’s the problem, there’s all that messy Gray stepping in to clog the process.
Q: Can you identify this darling bird? A: It’s a Black-billed Magpie, a youngster.
Which brings me to June. Michael died three years ago this Sunday, June 28th. Since then, we will all agree, I’ve woven together a wonderful life. Many people who lose spouses, loved ones or partners are not able to do that. For me, really bad stuff happened ending in a sad, unsolvable result. Truthfully, I was then so weary of being brave, part of me wanted to give up. But after my family and countless friends had huddled up and lent support for ten lengthy years, I felt an obligation to find my own Way.
Pistachio Dukka, a traditional Egyptian combination of nuts, seeds and spices, is served with rustic bread and olive oil.
Which brings me to this pesky month of June. In the past three years I’ve begun to happily handle his birthdays, our anniversaries (29) and special occasions. Each of those carry joyful memories that only make me smile. So I do. June 28th, not so easy. I’ve been unable to pull up anything to cause me comfort. Regrettably it’s always a time I feel unsettled and a bubble-off. Hate that.
A bull moose, recently seen at a nearby perserve. Note the family in the nearby pond. Tom Bernard iPhoto
I charged into this month brimming with confidence, determined not to cause my friends or family angst. No whining. This was my pain to conquer. Or, not. Mother Nature and I would be best friends. That’s where I could expend my energy. There was still food to be made and blog posts to be written. I vowed to do it all with a smile on my face, a joyful heart and eight hours of sleep every night. (You jest. It’s important, my friends.) Realizing it’s the anticipation more than the day itself that seems bothersome, I soldiered forth.
New Potato Salad “Tartare” with “soft” hard-boiled eggs, capers, gherkins and fresh herbs.
So, how’d I do. About 65%. Grade B-minus. Let’s call that a win. To honor Michael and for our Cottage Cooking Club this month, I made four mouth-watering recipes from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Veg cookbook. Michael would consider this a dubious tribute. He lived happily on meat, potatoes, Oreos and Hagen-dazs. That I am cooking through Hugh’s book with the Cottage Cooking Club, a group of international food bloggers, would give him pause.
Mama Bluebird is patiently awaiting birth. She was calm during a weekly bluebird box check.
This month I made Tomatoes with Herbs and Goat Cheese, Quick Couscous Salad with Peppers and Feta, New Potato Salad Tartare and Pistachio Dukka. As usual with Hugh’s recipes, all were unique and delicious. I’ve posted the dukkah recipe below and will send others upon request.
Quick Couscous Salad with Peppers and Feta is perfect to have for lunch, take on a picnic, or share at a potluck supper.
For lunch, I shared the tomato and new potato salads with The Gant’s front office staff. I received two complaints, “not enough” and “day off”. Taken as compliments. The couscous salad traveled to the authors’ picnic potluck on the opening evening of Aspen Summer Words 2015 festival. Not one to name drop, I might mention authors Richard Russo and Andre Dubus both enjoyed my salad. Empty plates. Pistachio Dukka, a twist on the traditional Egyptian combo of nuts, seeds and spices, is a tasty blockbuster and will be my summer hostess gift.
Tomatoes with Herbs and Goat Cheese, a quick and easy salad to be served with cherry, grape, or various heritage tomatoes.
Enjoy these flavorful, healthy dishes and also Mother Nature’s healing photo contributions to my June life. Hooray and Welcome, July!
My first patrol of the 2015 season. (For those of you who’ve remarked you’d pay big money to see me in my USFS uniform, you have my address. )
PISTACHIO DUKKA by Hugh-Fearnley-Whittingstall, River Cottage Veg
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup shelled, unsalted pistachios
cumin seeds, 1 tbsp
coriander seeds, 1 tbsp
sesame seeds, 3 tbsp
dried chilli flakes, 1 tsp
fresh mint leaves, a small handful (A MUST!)
flaky sea salt, 1 tsp (I used Maldon)
bread and olive oil, to serve
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Scatter the pistachios on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 5 minutes until they are just starting to turn golden. Chop coarsely
3. Dry-fry the cumin and coriander seeds in a frying pan over medium-heat until they release their aroma (about a minute). Transfer to a mini-food processor or mortar and mix together until broken up but not fine. Lightly toast sesame seeds for another minute.
4. Mix everything together. Add chile flakes, chopped mint and salt.
5. Taste to see if mixture needs more salt before serving with crusty artisan bread and olive oil, for dipping.
The dukka will keep for two weeks at room temperature in a screw-top jar. Also try scattering it over grilled veggies, a simple lettuce salad or on “soft hard-boiled” eggs.
Swallows sometimes “borrow” the bluebird boxes to make their own beautiful nests.
The Cottage Cooking Club is an international online cooking group cooking and learning our way through Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Veg cookbook. The Club, led by The Kitchen Lioness, is ‘meant to be a project aimed at incorporating more vegetable dishes into our everyday cooking, learning about less known, forgotten or heritage vegetables, trying out new ways to prepare tasty and healthy dishes, and sharing them with family and friends.’
This Great Blue Heron is more interested in an unsuspecting fish than in my couscous salad.
Love your posts, Mary! Lookin mighty fine in your uniform!!!
Hey Sexy, that uniform is “you”. I love all those recipes, looks absolutely inviting for the summer season.
My thoughts are with you this weekend, hang in there Mary, you can do it.
Love all your recipes. I am slowly getting back to cooking from vacation. Thanks again for helping me out. I will send a link to some pictures soon. Take care and my thoughts are with you this weekend.
Sending hugs and good thoughts your way this week!
Love your picks for the CCC…The Pistachio Dukka sounds quite interesting. Will have to give it a try.
Loved the potato salad!
I really enjoy your wild life photos. The photo of the Black-Billed Magpie is beautiful!
VERY excited to try the Pistachio Dukka. I am a vegan and this would be perfect for me. Ditto for some for the other recipes minus the cheese. Thanks, Mary!
You look wonderful Mary and I know your bright cheery smile warms the hearts of family and friends. I would give you much higher than a B minus!
You do look smashing in that uniform. It is hot as hell in Basalt so eating salads is the way to go. I have the Cottage cookbook so I am all set to try these dishes.
And you have ALMOST survived June which has ended on a beautiful note with the two great decisions by the SCOTUS.
Hugs, Rocks
You, Mary, are a real trooper and an amazing person. Sending warm thoughts your way. Love the uniform, and all the wildlife photos. I too made the couscous salad – so good! Was hoping to make the other dishes you made, but time was not my friend this month. (((Hugs))) to you.
I came by and was entertained, as usual
great pictures of nature,
food, activities and uniformed personnel!
I came by and join you in your celebration
of life – past, present and most so
of ample possibility from life itself
I came by and was envious!
of Andre Dubus! (not yet ~ Richard Russo!)
and if you had said Mark Haddon – I die!
– nope not possible – MH is across the pond
(just almost le fin reading The Red House!)
I came by and am truly inspired by you!
Wishing you the joy of happy memories
the tug of a wee pain in the corners of heart and mind
and most of all – Happiness!
A fan from Malaysia!
Soldier on, my friend! July is almost here. Am off today to buy The Cottage Cookbook at the Cottage Bookstore in Glen Arbor..bet they have it! With all the farmers markets, one each day in the five villages of our Leelanau Peninsula we’re inundated with fresh veggies and later fruit in the summer. What better time to try a new cookbook!
Oops, River Cottage Veg cookbook. I’d better get the name right if I expect to find it!
Oh, Mary. Big electronic hugs going to you today on the sad anniversary day you lost that great guy, Michael. Cannot believe how long it has been since you began your single life. In the midst of any sorrow today, you should have been experiencing gratitude for your own health, brains, talent, perseverance and wonderful good-looks in your USFS uniform! So many people love you…me too!
All of the dishes you made look terrific, Mary, particularly the two salads. It’s so bright and cheerful looking, I’ll have to give the couscous salad a try, . I’m sorry to hear about this very sad anniversary. Sending positive thoughts your way…..
Oh how I do admire you Mary and the unique ways in which you have embraced life, I cannot think of a more apropos title than what you chose for your blog- it is so you- and by the way you do indeed look fab in that ranger uniform! There are times when you write about Michael that I almost feel he is present with us at the Cottage Cooking Club, I am sorry for your loss, and the struggles and challenges you meet along the journey, but yet, you meet them in such extraordinary ways. I am grateful for the inspiration that I feel from you when I read your Posts. Your recipes of the month each look splendid. And I think I shall make the potato salad today for I do believe I am the only one thus far upon my reading who has not prepared it. What a lovely idea using the Pistachio Dukka for hostess gifts over the summer, thoughtful. Have a good week ahead and see you soon! Sending Big Hugs your way!
Hi Mary, this is a test should you see it as I just wrote you a long comment that does not appear to have gone through.
Sending big hugs from The Empire State.
Life never seems to allow us to stick to any plan, doesn’t it? And there are times when I REALLY hate gray. Just saying…
XOXO
Hi Mary, I’m sorry June is such a sad month, you seem like a strong and wonderful woman. I also prefer black and white too…..such is life I guess. Love all your animal photos. I enjoyed the potato salad very much especially the fact there was no mayo. Your eggs look perfectly done, much like the cookbook suggested, mine were a little over done. Will have to try the dukka…..
You look great in your uniform, Take care, Cheri
Oh, Mary! I love the photos of the bluebird and, of course, you in your uniform! By the way, I’ve been thinking of you this past weekend: Smoky the Bear was at our little parade and I told Alaia all about him (again) and pulled out one of the stickers you’d sent back in December. Huge smiles.
Now, for June. I’m sorry that it’s a rough time, particularly this last Sunday. It sounds like even though it’s a bit uneven of a day for you, that you make up for it on all the other days. I think you get to have a day to be a bit off and thinking of what was and what is now.
In any case, all the dishes look lovely and you convinced me to make the dukka yesterday during a break. It _is_ fantastic…not that I doubted you. 😉
Dear Mary, don´you look fabulous in that uniform – you know that I never, ever sad that to anyone I know or met in my life. It does suit you so well. I do hope that life will be treating you more kindly in the month of July and that things will be easier, more manageable for you. You know that we thought about you, we always do.
Your food looks fabulous and fresh and seasonal – the Dukka looks different from mine as you added the mint, what a delicious surprise of a recipe. The tomatoes and herbs are always a delight, the Couscous salad is so very pretty in that bowl and the Potato Salad is always such a huge hit – yours looks so enticing, isn´t it a nice dressing with just the right tang from the gherkins and the capers?!
Thank you for being such a good sport this month – I appreciate that despite this being June, you took the time and had the energy to post!
Sending much love your way and “see” you very soon, dear friend,
Andrea – anything you need…just let me know, please…
Mary, my friend, have I told you that I want to be you when I grow up (or Nana). The grace and humor you bring to everything you do, including getting through a tough month, are truly inspiring. I’m glad that cooking and sharing help smooth the rough edges. You’ve sold me on the pistachio dukka. I saw your comment somewhere about trying it out of a jar from Trader Joe’s. That’s been my only experience so far. I will try to make it this weekend, and think of you. xo
I so admire your strength and courage to just keep going. I’m glad you got through June with a B-. I’d definitely call that a win. On to July! Your hosts will be so lucky to have you this summer. That dukka really was delicious.
hi Mary!
You do look great in your uniform, love your belt 😉
Your blog is an inspiration …for your prolific cooking, photography and general positive vibes throughout!
I like the Cottage Cooking recipes..love my veggies and all the great flavors!
We enjoy salads, especially with all the wonderful Summer produce and will be trying the couscous and tomato salads, thanks for all you share xxooxx Patty
Hi Mary – I can only imagine how difficult those anniversaries must be. I know that I’ve said before that I appreciate your openness, but I wonder if I’ve told you why. I see too often in society, and particularly among women, we are told to be brave and to put a smile on our faces, even when we don’t feel happy. I’m not a doctor, but it can’t be healthy for the ones pretending to be happy, but my point is actually from the other side, for those of us witnessing this act. Because we see how “stong” the one suffering was and see what praise that person gets for dusting herself off and carrying on as if nothing had happened. And then, when we ourselves encounter a loss which is not so easy to dust off, we suffer even more and feel guilty because we are not as “stong” as so-and-so, and the cycle continues.
I know that I’m not doing a very good job of articulating my point, but hopefully you understand. This is why I always say, thank you for being open! Thank you for sharing your journey of loss and not covering it up under a fake smile. Your act of courage is helping all of us who have experienced loss and will experience loss in the future. God forbid, but if and when I have to live through something similar, I will not feel so alone or abnormal if I feel the loss heavily. I will not feel so guilty for not being “stong enough” to cover it up.
So again, thank you! I hope that the knowledge that you are helping others offers you some small comfort. I also hope that July is treating you better than June did.