Temperatures rise so high in July that sometimes
being indoors is unbearable. Fans and air conditioner sales soar in Seattle
with the first 85F day. A couple good tips for conserving “the cool” are to
keep your blinds and windows closed during the day and, when the temperature
dips in the evening, open up the windows and/or doors to create a cross breeze
through the interior spaces. If you're looking to take a quick local dip, Lake
Washington has many parks and beaches to accommodate relaxation and cooling
off. Even Nico made a trip to the lake!
Nico out for a swim!
Cold salads are usually all I crave during the hot
weather. I created a spin-off recipe from the Barefoot Contessa At Home book and changed a few of the key
ingredients to create more of a Mediterranean salad.
Tomato, Artichoke & Orzo Salad
– Serves 6
·
kosher salt
·
good olive oil
·
¾ pound orzo pasta
·
½ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
·
freshly ground black pepper
·
8 oz pitted kalamata olives, cut into halves
·
2 cans of artichoke hearts, cut into quarters
·
2 pints of cherry tomatoes, cut into halves
(orange have a great sweet flavor)
·
½ cup minced scallions
·
½ cup chopped fresh dill (in season now!)
·
1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
·
1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and
medium diced
·
½ cup small-diced onion
·
¾ pound good feta cheese, large-diced
Fill large pot with water, add 1
Tablespoon salt and a splash of oil, and bring the water to a boil. Add the orzo
pasta and simmer for 9-11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s cooked al
dente.
Drain and pour into bowl. Whish
together the lemon juice, ½ cup of olive oil, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 1
teaspoon pepper. Pour over hot pasta and stir well. Add dill, parsley,
cucumber, onion, artichokes, olives, tomatoes, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon
pepper. Toss well. Add the feta and stir carefully. Set aside at room
temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend, or refrigerate overnight.
If refrigerated, taste again for seasonings and bring back up to room
temperature before serving.
I’ve made this salad 3 times for Lake Union Rotary
events and it has always been a hit, meaning that there are no left-overs!
Lake
Union Rotary was also a vendor at this year’s Bite of Seattle, educating
crowds about exactly what Lake Union Rotary is
all about and teaching kids of all ages how to tie different sailing knots.
I’ve been an official Rotary member for about a year now and have met wonderful
people and helped out at many of the worthwhile events that Lake
Union Rotary puts hosts. Our meeting place is located next to the Center for Wooden Boats, which is a great place to learn everything
you might want to know about sailing and wooden boats and the instruction is
always free!
Speaking of sailing and ships, Seattle Seafair Fleet Week
is just winding down and what a whirlwind of people and events it was. I know
not everyone is a fan of The Blue Angels flying overhead, but we enjoy their entertaining patriotism as
they soar, dive, and spin with amazing displays of teamwork. The parade of
boats around Elliot Bay is also fun to watch and some of the ships docked are
open to free tours. Fleet Week has been a tradition since 1950 to honor the men
and women in the military with this premier summer festival.
Seattle summers are magical for visitors from out
of town. The weather, though warm, is still mild compared to many places around
the US. If you’re expecting out of town guests, plan ahead to make their visit
fun and welcoming.
Here are a few timely tips:
1. Make a list
of possible events or things that you think your guests would like to do. Avoid
a daily agenda where they are subjected to a schedule. Keep it casual.
2. Stock the
fridge with food and drink your guests enjoys. This will also save time and
prevent you from having to run to the store while they are in town. Less
shopping means more visiting.
3. Provide
toiletries. Your home, filled with guests, is somewhat like a mini hotel, and
guests are bound to forget at least one item like a toothbrush or lotion. Bringing
along all the potions and lotions of daily life makes for a heavier suitcase. I
always tell my niece, “Don’t bother with shampoo, etc. I’ve got it all.” Also, this gives your guests a chance to try a new
product or brand of something.
4. Having
spare keys made takes the stress of having to rush home and attend to your
guests. Usually while guests are in town, we still have to work. A key for their personal
use means more freedom to come and go when they please.
5. Let guests
help out. Small tasks like helping make dinner or taking sheets off the bed for
washing makes them feel more relaxed. Also, it takes the pressure off you with the addition of daily tasks. If they
ask “can I do anything” take them up on it.
