We promise this isn’t turning into a doggie blog, but I had to post these photos of Svetlana and her recent birthday present – a (still unnamed) mini-dachshund puppy. I’ve been dreaming of having a little snuggle dog just like this. I didn’t know they came as blondes too!
One happy girl and a lucky pup!
I met Svetlana in May 2010 when she moved into a rental house in Deer Harbor that Teri and I manage. She and Seth had driven cross-country from Philadelphia to Orcas to try out a 360° change in lifestyle. As it turns out, it suits them perfectly. They’ve made lots of friends and enjoy easy access to kayaking and other outdoor activities. Every time I see her she looks so happy. And now she has one more reason to smile!
She was wiggling so much I couldn't keep her in the frame!
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Saturday marked our 13th annual Summer Solstice Parade in Eastsound. Colorful characters strutted their stuff in an ‘Around the World’ theme, brightening the overcast day:
It’s that time of year to start planning your summer barbeques. This zesty, melt-in-your mouth ravioli is one of my favorites — so easy to make and sure to impress! Using last year’s leftover dungeness crab, I make a big batch of ravioli and freeze them individually on a baking sheet before freezing them in a ziplock. To reheat I just throw them into a pot of boiling water for 3-5 minutes. As a variation to the crab filling I also use fresh spinach (see below).
Ingredients
Ravioli:
So much easier to make than it looks! The secret? Frozen wonton wrappers!
All-purpose flour, for baking sheet
90 wonton wrappers (two 12 oz. packages)
1 large egg, lightly beaten, for egg wash
Coarse salt
Crab Filling:
1 cup ricotta cheese (8 oz.)
1 cup lump crabmeat (8 oz.)
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (this varies every time-depending on my mood)
Lemon Sauce for Crab Filling:
1 stick of butter (yep, the real thing)
2 tsp. lemon peel, grated
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Make filling: mix together ricotta, crabmeat, ½ tsp. salt, red pepper flakes.
Make the Ravioli: Lightly flour a baking sheet. Working in batches, arrange 4-6 wonton wrappers on a work surface; keep remaining wrappers covered with a damp paper towel. Brush wonton with egg wash. Mound 1 tsp crab filling in the middle of each wonton and top with another wonton. Press edges down all around wonton in a circular shape to seal. Cut out circles using a 2 ¼ -inch cookies cutter; transfer to baking sheet. Ravioli can be covered with plastic wrap and placed in refrigerator (up to 1 hour).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (add a dollop of olive oil), working in batches, cook ravioli until they rise to the top, 2 to 3 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the sauce: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Melt 4 Tbsp butter, and heat until just bubbly and frothy. Transfer ravioli to skillet using a slotted spoon, along with about 2 Tbsp cooking liquid. Add 1 tsp grated lemon peel and 1 tsp lemon juice. Transfer to plates.
Garnish: chopped fresh chervil, chives, or green onion
Serving size: 4-5 ravioli per person
Alternate Spinach Filling:
1 package frozen spinach (thawed and drained) or fresh (cooked, cooled and drained)
1 c. ricotta cheese, ½ c. grated parmesan cheese. Mix well.
Tomato Sauce for Spinach Filling (can also use the Lemon Sauce):
Sauté chopped onion in ¼ c. olive oil, add chopped tomatoes, bring to a boil, salt and pepper to taste.
Place large spoon full of tomato sauce onto individual plates, top with ravioli.
If you’ve got an easy “go to” summer recipe to share, I’d love to hear it!
Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
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Ask anyone and they will tell you I am not a “dog person.” So when my son moved into our guest house (as a paying tenant:) and brought with him two pit bulls as roommates, I knew this would challenge me on many levels!
What I’ve learned is you can teach an old dog a new trick – having gotten to know these pups, I’ve grown to adore them and their different personalities!
Sage plowing through the snow on Mt. Baker. He has summited Mt. Herman 8 times -- a real outdoorsman!
Sage is an American Staffordshire Terrier and really is just a big 10-year-old boy. He loves to play and bounce off the walls and has to be right in the middle of everything. He bounces through the tall grass like a gazelle. He’s very loving and has a real connection to his “human” side.
Kai’a is a Bluenose American Pit bull Terrier and wears the pants in the family. She’s serious and focused, gentle and has love in her eyes. She’s stockier than Sage, so while Sage is bouncing through the grass, Kai’a is just plowing through, leaving a wide trail behind her.
The most beautiful pups you ever did see. I watched instinct take hold and witnessed the amazing process of birth and Kai’a becoming a mom.
Recently Kai’a gave us a gift – 11 puppies! Now I’m not only learning about “dog love” but also about breeding. These pups were bred for color, markings, and lineage. All will be sold as pets with contractual agreements that they will never be over bred or trained to fight, and that they will be raised on natural foods with natural exercise — no steroids or weight pulling.
We’ll have a busy 10 weeks bonding and socializing with these pups. It will be hard to let them go. Yes, me, the “non dog lover,” will miss each and every one of these soft bundles of energy!
Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
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Tiny Indian Island in Eastsound, not to be confused with the Port Townsend island with the same name
It started at breakfast with friends at the Outlook Inn in Eastsound. The tide was low and the sun was shining in Fishing Bay across Main Street. The conversation turned to curious lore of the tiny island in view. Indian Island, as it is known today, was once called “Jap Island” (not just to us old-timers, but also to the US Bureau of Land Management!). Talk about politically incorrect! Before our time it was known as Victory Island. And at some point there were rumors of mining activity there. So what was the real story?
The title examiner in me (past life) began to go to work. A quick visit to harass my favorite title officer, Teri Nigretto, got me up to speed (her family has been here forever.) Apparently “Jap Island” got its name because a Japanese man use to live there in small cabin.
Teri and I then did an actual title search and found a deed recorded in 1981 for an Official Mining Claim by the Uptown Low Down Mining Company!
Deed recorded in 1981 by the Uptown Low Down Mining Company
None of the names were familiar and we’d never heard of anything precious being found there other than marine life. We concluded this must’ve been a group of good ole boys imbibing in some spirits when they looked out the window and had an idea to stake a claim. Whether they were serious about their endeavor or just having fun remains a mystery, but I did find proof that my breakfast partners weren’t full of hoo-ha!!
This may not answer all my questions about Indian Island, but now I’ve got a new nugget to toss out at the breakfast table. 🙂
Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
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Last Saturday while Sandi was looking after “Angel” the baby hummer, I was on my way toThe Bite of Orcas to benefit Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. But by the time I got to the Farmer’s Market at the Village Green, the line for tickets to the Bite was too long for my rumbling tummy. Hungry from a morning of showing property, I decided to head to my favorite regular vendors to start grazing.
Rob Kirby of Local Goods cooking up oysters
First course: Rob Kirby and Local Goods. I downed 3 yummy oysters and bought the week’s worth of organic coffee.
John Steward of Maple Rock Farm
Second course: Veggies and growing advice from John Steward of Maple Rock Farms. He’s always good for a conversation and will gladly add you to his list for weekly delivery of fresh produce.
Pizza Trailer - what a cool idea!
Main course: Delicious pizza from a new vendor sporting the coolest pizza oven built out of a repurposed trailer! I didn’t get a chance to get the story, but I now have a great excuse for returning – to make a new friend and enjoy more pie!!!!
I was happy to see the familiar flash of local color from Flo, the Queen of tie-dye. She’s inspired many of us to get in touch with our inner hippie. I would love to get hold of her technique!!
Cute boy and his horse from the pet parade
My favorite joy of the day — seeing the youngest cowboy and his horse from the Pet Parade. We’re lucky to have an active 4-H club -one of many activities for our island youth.
I’m so excited that the Saturday Market season has started. Even when there aren’t extra events like the Pet Parade and Bite of Orcas, I can always count on good nibbles, old friends and advice about which veggie to plant now or throw in that night’s dinner plan.
See you at the Market!!!
Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty – we’ll help you find your way home.
