Old Photo Friday: Happy Birthday Mom!

Date: May 1965
Location: My Mom's Bridal Shower
Who: The Bride to Be
What: I believe that Mom's shower was held at the home of Dorothy Ross in Eugene. Look how stylish my Mom was (and still is). I love the hair and the dress. You still got it going on, Mom!

My Mom's birthday was August 6th! So in her honor, enjoy!

Recipe of the Week: Steak Pita Sandwich

I love pita bread and I have no idea why I don't keep it around the house more often. It's great for all kinds of sandwiches. I found this recipe a few weeks ago and since we eat a lot of flank steak, I thought this might make a nice leftover lunch meal.

Enjoy!

Stacy

STEAK PITA SANDWICH

SERVES 4

Ingredients:
2 8-ounce containers fat-free plain yogurt
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pound flank steak
Salt
Pepper
4 pita rounds, halved
2 cups salad greens
12 cherry tomatoes, sliced

Directions:

1. Mix yogurt in a bowl with minced garlic, parsley and oregano until well blended; set aside.
2. Rub steak on both sides with salt and pepper. Cook steak in a non-stick skillet or over a hot BBQ for about 6 minutes on each side for medium doneness; let it rest 5 minutes before cutting into thin slices.
3. Stuff each pita pocket with a quarter of the dressing and steak, as well as 1/2 cup salad greens and several sliced cherry tomatoes.

4. Drizzle additional yogurt dressing over top.

Saturday Night at the M's Game

Brian and I went to Safeco Field on Saturday night just the two of us. Our friends Rob and Kelly couldn't join us so Brian and I enjoyed "date night" at the park. I hope their little doggie is feeling better!

Is there anything more perfect than a summer evening at a baseball game?

It was a beautiful day - spent with my sweetheart.....perfect!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Friends

Brian and I stopped by the airport to see friends Russ and Sue and their two kids Matt and James who were on their way home to Denver after spending 10 days sailing in the San Juans with family.

It was nice to catch up with them (we have not seen them since our September 2006 trip to Denver) and we even got an invite to Denver.

Brian and Russ met in Grand Junction, CO at Mesa State College over 25 years ago. I know it means a lot to Brian to catch up with Russ and his family whenever he can.

Enjoy!
Stacy

Menu Plan Monday!

Can you believe it's AUGUST!? Wow - the summer is going by quickly. Plenty of time left to grill and enjoy some time outside. It's also not to late to trim down a bit and keep up a healthy diet. The ladies of Rebecca Lane are constantly trying to find light and healthy recipes. Please post a comment if you have a favorite light and easy meal to share.

Here is our menu for this week. Don't forget to check out more ideas from Laura and all her menu planning friends!

Monday: Chicken and Mango Spinach Salad and Texas Toast

Tuesday: Garlic Cream Shrimp with Rigatoni

Wednesday: Ginger-Plum Chicken Thighs with Jasmine Rice

Thursday: Mediterranean Fish Fillets with a Big Garden Salad

Enjoy!

Stacy

Greenway Concert in the Park

Sandra and I walked over to the "greenbelt" on Thursday night for the Tualatin Valley Park and Recreation Center's summer concert series at Greenway/Fanno Creek Park.

It was a perfect night for a picnic dinner and some great Alt Country/Bluegrass/Rock-a-billy music from my new favorite band - Freak Mountain Ramblers.


Picnic menu:
Organic Salami
Grapes
2 year aged Wisconsin Cheddar
Herb and Garlic Goat Cheese
Crackers
Fresh French Bread
Caprese Salad
Antipasta Pasta Salad
Lemon Bars

Sandra and I loved watching all the people, kids - singing and dancing. It was quite the turn-out.

I enjoyed watching the clouds roll in....the sky was so blue. What a nice summer evening!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Old Photo Friday: Bookworm Pop

Date: April 1965 - That's what is on the photo
Location: Eugene?
Who: My Pop, age 22
What: Going to school

Perhaps my Pop can shed some light on this photo (leave comments below, Pop). I think this was right before my parents got married (May 1965) and my Pop was going to school, prior to getting a job with Weyhaeuser.

Enjoy!

Stace

Recipe of the Week: Mediterranean Fish Fillets in Foil Packets

A while back I blogged about how easy it is to put together meals in tin foil packets. You can create some really yummy meals that are easy to prepare, freeze and either bake in the oven or grill.

This week's ROTW is on next week's MPM.

Enjoy!

Stacy

Mediterranean Fish Fillets in Packets

Ingredients:

8 oz snapper fillet - two 4 oz fillets (you could also use sole, halibut or sea bass)

1/3 cup white wine

1/4 diced red onion

6 medium cherry tomatoes, quartered

4 large black olives, pitted and halved

1/2 cup canned artichoke hearts, without oil, drained and quartered

1 medium garlic clove, chopped

2 tsp fresh lemon juice

2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried thyme

Salt

Pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat grill or oven to 450F

2. Tear off a 12 inch long piece of aluminum foil and place it on a work surface. Place one fish fillet in the center of the foil.

3. Pour half wine over fish; top fish with half of the onion, tomatoes, olives, artichoke hearts and garlic. Add half the lemon juice, herbs and salt and pepper.

4. Bring the two sides of the foil together over the fillet; fold and crimp closed. Make sure the packet is completely sealed with no leaks or holes.

5. Transfer to the grill or a large baking sheet if using the oven. Cook until done, about 15 minutes.

6. When serving, open carefully to avoid a burn from the steam inside.

Serves 2; excellent with rice

Image from Google

Relay for Life in Eugene

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length.

Co-Captains - Phyllis and Nan

Relay For Life began in Tacoma, Washington in the mid-1980s by Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon who wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and to show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed – running marathons.

In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He ran for more than 83 miles. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course. Throughout the night, friends donated $25 to run or walk with Dr. Klatt for 30 minutes. His efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer.

While circling the track those 24 hours, Dr. Klatt thought about how others could take part in his mission to fight cancer. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Over the next few months, he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event, known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.

Pirates Sandra and Stacy

Pirates Nan and Sandra

What it has taught me is that.....one person can make a difference. It was an awesome opportunity for me to participate for the second year in a row.

Survivor Lap - More and more each year!

Our Survivor friends - Phyllis, Sandy and Colleen

The most moving experience is the Luminaria ceremony held at dusk. I made one in Karen's memory and found one that someone had done for my Dad's friend, Roy Hill.



The Relay for Life in Eugene has now become one of the largest in the country and is held the last Friday of every July.


This year's theme......"Make A Million" inspired our team to put together a pirate ship along with pirate costumes for all the walkers. We all had a great time and raised almost $9500 (I personally raised $485).




I feel honored to have participated. Thanks to all who helped.


Enjoy!
Stacy

Menu Plan Monday!

It's summer time in the NW! A perfect time to fire up the grill (notice the all-grill menu). I'll be cooking ribs on Sunday afternoon (I can't wait) - they are my summer favorite! Here is the menu for Rebecca Lane for this week. Check out more great menu plans HERE

Enjoy!
Stacy

Sunday: BBQ Pork Ribs, cole slaw and corn on the cob
Monday: Grilled halibut w/herb mayo along side green beans and brown rice*
Tuesday: Grilled Cuban Chicken with Black Bean/Mango Salsa
Wednesday: Orange-Thyme Grilled Shrimp (thanks Rookie-Cookie) with jasmine rice
Thursday: Greenway Concert in the park (perhaps a picnic-style dinner from this place)

Grilled halibut w/herb mayo

Ingredients
1/4 cup mayo (fat free works fine)
1/4 cup plain yogurt (fat free works fine)
1tsp oregano, chopped (fresh if possible)
1tsp tarragon, chopped (fresh if possible)
1 big squeeze of fresh lemon juice (half lemon)
Salt
Pepper
1 1/2 lb fish (you can use tuna, swordfish or halibut), 4 6-oz steaks, if possible
cooking spray

Instructions:
1. Prepare grill
2. Combine mayo, yogurt, herbs and lemon juice in a small bowl, Cover and chill.
3. Sprinkle salt and pepper on fish and place on a hot grill; grill 3 minutes a side (depending on thickness)
4. To serve, top steaks with herb mayo

Old Photo Friday: Best Friends

Date: Summer 1973/74
Location: On the road to Reno, NV (my best guess)
Who: Virginia (my gram) and her best friend Dorothy Ross
What: Two friends on one of their many road trips

I still remember the sound of Dorothy's voice. She was such a fixture in my life in the early 70's. She was my "playmate" and would be at my grandma's house in Eugene all the time. They bowled together, played cards together, drank screwdrivers together, gambled together and travelled to Reno frequently. They were best friends.

Dorothy will be one of the many people I think about today as I walk in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at LCC in Eugene, Oregon.

Enjoy!

Stace

Recipe of the Week: Stuffed Tomatoes with Rice

Stuffed Tomatoes with Rice

Sometimes when it is too hot to cook, it's nice to have an easy meal to prepare. This is the time of year when you can find some really large, sweet tomatoes - just ready to be stuffed.

Enjoy!

Stacy

INGREDIENTS:
6 large tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1 cup chopped onion
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded, chopped
3 cups cooked rice (about 1 cup raw long-grain rice)
6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp, crumbled (okay to use microwave bacon)
salt and pepper, to taste
soft buttered bread crumbs
3/4 cup shredded Mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese

PREPARATION:
1. Cut off top of tomatoes and scrape pulp out of inside, leaving a firm shell. Add pulp to skillet with the bell pepper, zucchini, onion and jalapeno pepper. Cook covered over low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Add cooked rice and bacon and season to taste.

3. Stuff this back into the tomatoes and sprinkle with bread crumbs and shredded cheese.

4. Place tomatoes in a casserole or baking dish with about 1/4 cup of water to keep from sticking. Cook in oven at 425° for 15 to 20 minutes or until tomatoes are tender.

Serves 6. Keeps 2-3 days refrigerated (great cold served for lunch)

Images courtesy of Google

Summer Evening in Canby

I finally got to take Brian down to Canby for a BBQ at the Hygelund's last night.

Brian "snapping" beans and helping with the farmhouse dinner

Debi's famous farm fresh veggie ragu

Since Brian is rarely in town during the week and our weekends are so chaotic, it was a real treat to take him to Canby and show him the farm.

Debbie's garden is incredible.

Her flowers are always so beautiful. She mentioned the cold weather early in the season has made it hard for some of her flowers to take off. Everything still looked wonderful. Brian was really impressed.

They still have the chicken coop! And I brought home a dozen fresh farm eggs!

The weather was pleasant.
Noel Hygelund - 12 (13 in September)

Life on the farm is good!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Sonja's Baby Shower

Sonja and Laura

We celebrated the anticipated arrival of Maile Marie with a baby shower this past Saturday.

Sonja's matron of honor and childhood friend, Amy hosted the event at her home in Bellevue.

View of Lake Samammish from Amy's back deck

There were lots of close friends and family, great food (wonderful cake) and tons of neat gifts Maile (and Mom and Dad) will put to good use.

Cake made by friend, Ann (a pastry chef)

Enjoy!
Stacy

Menu Plan Monday

Happy Monday! It's been a busy July and so hard to believe that it is half over. Summer is quickly moving along.

I am so excited to be a part of the Eugene, Oregon Relay for Life held on Friday/Saturday, July 25th and 26th. Check out this site for more information.

It will be another short week......so I've packed a few good meals into the menu. Brian will be in town Sunday-Tuesday so one more mouth to feed at Rebecca Lane!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Sunday: Brian and I arrive via Amtrak at 6PM. Let's grab a burger HERE
Monday: Parmesan Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce with a BIG Garden Salad
Tuesday: Dinner at the farm in Candy with these crazy people
Wednesday: Rigatoni with Creamy Sausage Sauce

Old Photo Friday: Happy Birthday Rosemary

Date: January 2001
Location: Lake Tahoe, California
Who: Rosemary and Pop
What: Sandra turned 40 on January 5th and the family took her on a surprise trip to Lake Tahoe for a long weekend.

It's Rosemary's birthday on Monday, so in her honor....enjoy!

Stace

Pop's Visit

My Pop came to visit Monday and Tuesday. He drove up from Eugene to spend a few days with the ladies of Rebecca Lane and to help us replace some boards in our deck.

In return he got a couple of great meals and all the wine he could drink!

It was also nice to watch the all-star game with him.

Thanks for the visit Pop!

Enjoy!
Stacy