Oh, What a Night!

I would like to take a moment to thank my parents for a wonderful

wedding reception.

On Sunday, September 7 John & Jodie Wood held a beautiful reception for Steve & I at Maxwell Silverman's Toolhouse Restaurant. After surprising our families with a casual wedding in July (see Party Planning: Columbian Military Style ), they gave us the gift of a elegant cocktail party. We entertain 80 of our closest family & friends on a gorgeous night early September. It was a festive way to close out an incredible summer.

Photos by Greg Shevchuk
Cake by Lyn Kaminski

Party Planning: Columbian Military Style

On July 2, 2008 FARC guerillas were led into a ruse by the Columbian military to free former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 3 American contractors.

They never saw it coming.

On July 3, 2008 Steven Espach & Jennifer Wood held an BBQ/Fireworks party. After dinner guests were informed a wedding would take place.

They never saw it coming.

Steven & Jennifer Espach

July 3, 2008

Pickles!

This summer, when your garden has produced the produce that you gardened, you may be looking for recipes for all that good vegetation. Here is a great pickle recipe I got from my Nana.

Half Sour Pickles

1 dozen small pickling cukes (6 or 7 if they are larger)

1/2 gallon of water

3 stalks fresh dill

3/4 cup white vinegar 1 tsp garlic, minced

1/2 cup Kosher or Sea Salt 5 or 6 peppercorns

fistful of pickling spice (seriously, that's what the recipe says, fistful)

1/2 onion, cut into chunks

Bring the water to a boil and set aside to cool. Dissolve salt in vinegar with some of the hot water.

Wash & pack cukes in a container that has a lid.

Add spices, dill & garlic.

When the water is cool, pour water/salt mixture over cukes, then pour remaining water in. (Warm water will cause cukes to get soft. Make sure water has cooled.)

Cover & refrigerate. Ready to eat in 3 - 7 days. Depends on your taste.

Next time: What the Hell Am I Gonna Do With All These Tomatoes?

East Meets on West

As some of you may know, we divide our time (in the warmer months) between our home on the Eastside of Worcester & the Westside. Last year, after making some great new friends at EYC (Espress Yourself Coffee, 2C Richmond Ave), we celebrated the end of summer with dinner at Westside Steak & BBQ (2A Richmond Ave). This year we started the summer off with the same idea. On June 1 we gathered with friends for an evening of BBQ, beer & music. Luckily, one of the attendees is a fabulous photographer and captured the event. The rest of the pix can be seen at http://gallery.mac.com/sespach#100009

If you are interested in joining the next dinner, look for us at the end of summer. Or look for us on any given day or night at EYC.

Westside Steak & BBQ won Best BBQ in Worcester Magazine Best Of 2008. They also were runner-up in the Best Ribs & Best Wings categories.

Photos by Greg Shevchuk

Louise & Jen Wood's Summer Sweet Tea

This sweet tea recipe was created by Louise Wood (my friend's mom, no relation). I have tweaked it in the last few years. We drink this all summer at our house.

Summer Sweet Tea

3 tea bags (any black tea will do.

we use Red Rose cuz you get a little animal figurine in every box.)

2 or 3 stalks of fresh mint

2 or 3 stalks of fresh lemon balm

boiling water

3 TBSP sugar

I use a 2 1/4 qt pitcher (anything smaller & you may want to use less tea bags & herbs).

Pour water over tea bags & herbs.

Steep for 15 mins.

Remove tea bags & herbs.

Add 3 TBSP sugar.

I usually let it cool for another 15 or 20 mins before putting it in fridge.

Give it a couple of hours to chill &

Enjoy

If you do not have fresh mint or lemon balm you can omit them, it's delicious without them.

If you would like fresh mint or lemon balm, please let me know.

If you have ever planted mint in your garden, then you know how much one can have.

Mint is like that friend you have that comes around so much that your other friends start coming around less often. You don't want to get rid of them, you just need some breathing room.

You must stay on top of trimming or it will kill you in your sleep.

35 Going on 9

In the last week I have rediscovered 2 things from my childhood. First, I found my favorite book on EBay. It is the tale of King Pilaf, of Mulligatawny, in search of a queen who can bake gingerbread. He finds Princess Calliope who also has some marriage requirements. She is in search of a husband who can play the slide trombone. It is based on a German folktale. I would take this book out every time my Mom & I went to the library.

I was a weird kid.

Second, I found a cartoon on YouTube that no one seems to remember. So I thought.
These are The Barbapapas. I think they were on really early on Saturday or Sunday.
I don't remember much about them. They seem to be a family of blobs. They are each a different color.

A Knitter's Sigh of Relief