Zucchini, for the Win

We've reached a stage where I'm trying to think of things we need to know from Kevin's mom before her memory totally goes or she passes.  Thus the urgency to get the picture project finished and photos given to the cousins.  We've also kind of purposefully having her tell stories so that history gets passed along.

This is inconsequential in the grand scheme of things but her fried zucchini recipe was one of those things.  She's the only one in the family who makes them.  Things like this are what get forgotten until it's too late.  Sure, we can look recipes up online but they're just not the same.  Of course the recipe hasn't been written down because she's been making them for over fifty years.

So, the other evening Kevin told me that his mom had made fried zucchini and he was going over to get some.  I told him I would come along because we really needed to get a recipe from her.

First off,  the parents react like I've just learned to tie my shoes when it comes to learning something new to cook, it's not condescending but actually kind of endearing.  So when the opportunity arose to actually teach me something,  the heavens opened.

Of course, she has a specific dish that she makes the batter in.  It's probably a hundred years old and was Kevin's grandmas "every day" dish.  It looks a hundred years old.  Next came how to make the batter.  It's simple: 1/2 cup flour, two eggs, a little milk, whisk (I just had to make the gesture of "whisking" to remind myself what that word was...so not a cooker...sigh)  It should be about the consistency of pancake batter.

Thinly slice the zucchini and dip in batter.  Tap it gently but not too gently.  As I learned, there is a balance of too thick and too thin.  Kevin said "Mom said to just give it a little tap, tap, tap" to which I responded "Just a tap, a little tappity tap tap tap"  (extra points if you get the Happy Gilmore reference, otherwise I just wasted your time.)

This is where I say that I don't fry anything.  I hate frying. Hate. It. I hate the popping of the grease, the mess, the smell, the fact that I have to stand there the whole time, everything.  Hate it.  So, I have to squelch everything that I am in order to do this.

Prep was easy because she sent me with batter in the hundred year old dish.  She actually laughed in an exasperated fashion when I said I didn't have flour.  (in case the batter needed thickening)  I sliced everything up and off we were.

First few had too thick of batter. The next few were almost perfect but I forgot salt and pepper.  The last bit was not as good as mom's but getting there.  Kevin called it a success, so that's all that really matters.

Of course, I posted my "victory" on facebook because that's what you do now. I was surprised at just how positive everyone was. I don't know why, I just was.

Feeling perhaps over-confident, I tried again two nights ago.  I already had fish baking in the oven so I thought I could get it done easily enough.  Dude, I was so wrong. So. Wrong.

Like always, I underestimated my time.  The fish ended up being over-done.  I forgot to start the rice and chaos ensued.  I took the fish out and set it on a burner and moved on, forgetting that the burner was hot.  Not only did the fish begin to literally fry, the pan BROKE when I took it off.

This is why I don't cook.

But the zucchini was so good, Kevin took his mother a small plate of them so I guess I win.

What I'm Doing Over Summer Vacation

Soo...Let's update, shall we?

New job is better, I'm doing what I've been hired for and funny how that makes all the difference.  I'm still unsure about my job-share partner, but I hope that it can be resolved with time.  I guess I can define it as "You're not the boss of me and I'm good at my job so step off."  

I love who I work with, many of whom I know from when I worked at the school.  They're a funny group and there doesn't appear to be the drama that comes when so many women work together. So, I would say it's mostly good. Oh, and I have the last week of August off because my new work follows the school district calendar.  So, yeah!

Kevin's mom.  She's a tough old bird, let me tell you.  She's off her oxygen mostly and is able to get around a bit.  Like before, our struggle with them accepting help of any kind. Someone to help with chores = No, Meals on Wheels = No, so that's *fun*.  His dad still struggles with getting her meds correct, which makes us all mental.  But you know, what? we thought she was dead a few months ago so we'll focus on that.

Gardening...I have become Suzy Gardener.  I would have never figured this in my life, like ever.  But here I am with a little corner flower garden and a growing rock garden.  I'm actually getting excited about seeing it next year.  I'm going to be disappointed if, for some reason, this doesn't turn out well.

Next up, I'm considering planting a little garden.  I am considering tomatoes (even though Kevin isn't a fan), peppers, peas, carrots, and green onions.  Key word in this is "considering".  I think vegetable are going to be a little more of a commitment than watering and weeding a flower garden.  We'll see, I'm just feeling all cocky right now. 

I had the opportunity to ask the science professor (I can't remember his specialty...geology, I think?) about the NYT article stating that the entire West Coast being washed away when the Big One comes.  He scoffed. Outright scoffed. So, if that's any consolation to you.  He stated that we've already sustained a big quake and there was  a little damage and no loss of life or injury.  I hadn't thought about that.  Also, LA has already sustained two large quakes and are the better for it. He agreed with me that the statement that No One is Prepared was an incorrect blanket statement. 

One good thing is that the state suddenly was given a grant to work further on an early warning system.  I'm sure if someone was asked, they would state it was a coincidence, but I'm skeptical that it was.

Did I tell you that Kevin's brother backed into his old truck?  Kevin's Toyota, that used to be my Toyota.  Insurance paid to fix the front bumper, fender, and light.  If you've read this space for a long time, you'll remember that I rolled this truck in 2007 and we had it fixed then.  But they only had to paint one side of it so "luckily" he hit the old paint side.  Kevin's childhood friend owns a body shop so he offered to paint the "old" side for a little extra something-something.  Now we have a nearly like-new truck with 410,000 miles on it.  We are planning on being a Toyota commercial eventually.

We haven't been racing this summer because there is just too much going on around here.  We might go in the Fall but we'll see.  Funny thing is that we've been enjoying our Summer at home so much. Much more than I think either of us realized we would.  When we would normally be gone for multiple weekends, we have time at home.  Kevin hasn't had to work Saturdays this summer as well, so we just are having a really good summer.

That's what's happening here.  Mostly good news!  That's a nice change.