Yum

Vegetable spread:

2 eggplants, peeled, cut into 1" cubes
2 red peppers, cut into 1" squares
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. dried red pepper (the kind sprinkled on pizza)
1 can diced tomatoes

toss together, put into the oven for an hour, stir occasionally, at 375'

(line your dish with Release foil, you will thank me when it's clean-up time)

Even people who think they don't like eggplant should give this a try! It's one of the "heart healthy" dishes recommended by the Mayo Clinic.

450 Gs

We will not be moving into this pricey gem.

Groceries

I need to go grocery shopping.
We've been so focused on the house, and the cleaning up after the work was done, that I've eaten all my fresh vegetables without restocking the cooler. Three potatoes, some lettuce, strawberries. That's it.
We have one grocery store that's like an indoor market, loaded with fresh, good produce. They offer unusual items also, mostly known in Central America. I try to pick out something unknown to me. Sometimes it's hard to figure out how to prepare an item. Sometimes I get lucky, if another shopper is willing to share their know-how.
Many items are offered to the Asian population. There are several Hmong workers at the store, who are willing educate me.
As the population's palate has become more sophisticated, so has the store's selection of cheeses, breads (I usually make my own, though) and good quality wine, at reasonable cost.
Before I get too hungry I will make my way to that store.

Kitchen Updating

It's done!
The kitchen looks fresh, clean, personalized. We had rebuild the back splash and after yesterday's counter installation I adhered the tiles. We had laid them out to determine the pattern, which I followed closely. I am so happy that I was able to use the six tiles I picked up in Spain, years ago. The pictures were taken before the grout was put on. The magnetic knife holder and the two spice racks are from, yes, IKEA.
So, how do you like it?

Tomatoes and Dogs, and Everything

Everyone remembers my frustration the last couple of years when growing tomatoes had become a real challenge. In itself growing tomatoes it fairly easy: Soil, water, some fertilizer. Add the dogs to the mix and it becomes a huge challenge.
They won, and I'll be growing the tomatoes by the side of the driveway, outside of the property fence. The plants will be hidden from the street by the four toters and a four foot wooden fence. Far enough from the car's exhausts and watered by the automatic system. We planted four plants today, and I might add yellow tomatoes later. I had to cut back the Rosemary bush for the water to reach.
Not only is it nice to step out and get some fresh vegetable, but not to having to drive to the store for it is even better. Thinking further, how much energy did it take for that food to get to the store? Therefore growing a bit of produce seems only reasonable and I hope to be a contributor to our environmental (-mental) health.
Some other time I will expound on the virtue of recycling.
Plant your tomatoes!

Another One

I no longer like that it's become so quiet on this street. After a midnight break-in in one house, another empty house was hit two nights ago.
Attempts were made to get into the house, without success. The screen doors were damaged.
A friend of the owner had been cutting the grass the day before. He took the blade off of the mower to sharpen it. You guessed it, the robbers took the blade-less mower.
I noticed that the friend, Danny, hid his PU around back last night, and most likely spent the night in an attempt the catch the thief. Danny (not his real name) is a tall, large man, sure to frighten a young opportunist.
The sheriff's deputy alerted all the neighbors to be extra vigilant. Let' hope we can put a stop to the night time visits.

Next..