Deep Creek

Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country by Pam Houston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I got this book because Pam Houston is speaking at the Stories on Stage event soon here in Sacramento. Then I found out she is a writing professor at nearby UC Davis. And then I found out she is a highlight of a writers' conference in Grass Valley in the hills soon. I signed up for both events and finished the book yesterday. I've got to admit I skipped a few pages, but when I finished I certainly love Houston. She simply states some troubling family issues and swiftly skims her love life. It's all as if she means it anyway. What her writing means most is that she loves her Colorado acreage and animals, and by the end you kind of do too.


View all my reviews

The Grail: A Year Ambling & Shambling Through an Oregon Vineyard in Pursuit of the Best Pinot Noir Wine in the Whole Wild World by Brian  Doyle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I got more spirit here than at church. Brian Doyle doesn’t preach about wine or anything else, but reading this connected me to deep mystery and kindness. And to learning about how pinot noir is made. (less)


View all my reviews

Delicious days: week 2

Delicious and simple

Saturday

Chicken

I've made this before and should make it often. It's easy, delicious.

Buy chicken breasts with bread crumbs and Parmesan already on them. Brown in olive oil. Pour some good Italian sauce from the store over them. Cook over low-medium heat until the pink center is gone. 10-15 minutes. Serve with noodles and spinach sauteéd with garlic and olive oil.

Sunday

I forget!

Monday

Salmon

I made salmon from week #1. It's great -- want to be able to make it by heart. It's fine. I had it with stir-fried rice: olive oil, one red pepper (from Costco today), two green onions, chopped. First sauté pepper until soft. Then add green onions. Then rice and a cube of NYTimes special green sauce. My favorite stir-fry so far. Could eat it once a week.

Tuesday

Chicken and polenta

Leftovers 

I cut the leftover chicken breast from Saturday into bite-sized pieces and mixed this with leftover polenta. Topped it with Parmesan and, since I had some cream in the refrigerator, poured some cream over. Cover with foil and warm in 350 oven.  With frozen spinach.