Tomato Tart

Fresh Tomato Tart

Basic pastry dough

8 oz. Mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 T. Chopped fresh basil

3-4 Large ripe tomatoes, in 1/4-1/2" slices

1/2 t. Salt

1/4 c. Extra virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 10" loose-bottom tart pan with pastry dough. Spread bottom with cheese and sprinkle with basil.

Cover with tomato slices, arranging to cover as evenly as possible. Sprinkle tomatoes with salt and drizzle with olive oil. Bake 30 to 40 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil. Slice in wedges and serve warm or at room temperature.

Water Sports

The best part of having an empty nest is when the kids come home to visit. Our son, Dave, arrived last Friday from Philadelphia. It was great to spend time with him before the girls and our son-in-law got home late Saturday night. (Katie, our youngest, flew into Chicago from Boston, and Anne and Jason picked her up.) We had everyone together for only one short day.

Hmm...what to do?

We decided to rent a pontoon boat on Sunday afternoon. We cruised around White Lake, enjoying the sunshine and all-around gorgeous weather. We did a little swimming off the boat after the kids went tubing. Anne and Jason left to go back to Chesterton, Indiana after we got back to shore.

Unfortunately, Dave's visit came to an end on Monday. We got him to the airport Monday afternoon and Katie was left with the old folks. We spent time at the beach on Tuesday. (The guy with the boombox was quite entertaining as he got into the techno music he was listening to.)

Wednesday, we decided to go kayaking on the White River. We rented kayaks at the Happy Mohawk Canoe Livery. We had several options for trips. We chose the 3 hour paddle down stream. The bus would pick us up on the hour at the "trading post".

As we were making our way down the river, I started thinking about what kinds of things they would have at the trading post. I'm always up for a little shopping. I imagined snacks, of course, and maybe moccasins, beaded belts, and other leather crafts. I figured if we had to wait for the bus, we could do some browsing.

After 90 minutes of paddling, with blisters forming on my hands, I eagerly anticipated the trading post. My hopes would be up at every turn in the river, only to be dashed as we came around the bend. Finally, after two hours, we saw the sign. Also, as it was the top of the hour, the bus was there. Of course, that didn't leave much time for the trading post. The couple who was already there said they had just missed the bus from the last hour and had to wait for 55 minutes. I asked them if they went shopping in the trading post. They looked at me quizzically. Then I asked where the trading post was. The bus driver said there was a trading post at this spot years ago (circa 1800's), but it was gone now. I was so disappointed. This was false advertising. They had led us to believe we were going on a kayaking/shopping trip. So much for water sports.

Joy of Summer

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to go for a walk after dinner with my husband. We usually walk down to Lake Harbor Park and stroll down the old road along Mona Lake. We sit down on one of the benches (we have our favorite) for a while and watch the activity.

Last week, a bird repeatedly circled in the air and then dove from about twenty feet up into the water. He didn't seem to catch anything, hence, the reason he probably kept doing it.

There are usually people fishing amongst the walkers, bikers, and runners. When the weather is warm, there are lots of boats, jet skis, and kayaks on the water. If we have time, we take the woodsy path out to Lake Michigan and walk along the beach. It's about 3-5 miles round-trip. (Of course, I wear my handy pedometer.) As the days are getting shorter, I'm trying to savor it. If only I could stop the clock for a while.

Yummy Broccoli?

Okay, I know it sounds like an oxymoron, but this broccoli recipe is REALLY good. My husband even said after dinner, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but that was a great broccoli recipe." You'll just have to try it and see for yourself.

Garlic Broccoli

1 lb. fresh or frozen broccoli, chopped

2 t. dark sesame oil

2 t. canola oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 c. soy sauce

1 T. sugar

1 T. balsamic vinegar

1 T. water

Cook broccoli until crisp-tender. Keep warm.

Combine garlic, soy sauce, sugar, balsamic vinegar, and water in small bowl. Heat oils in small saucepan over medium heat or until hot. Remove from heat; add soy sauce mixture, stirring until sugar dissolves. Pour over broccoli, tossing to coat. Serve immediately.

Pleasures of Summer

One of my favorite things about summer is going to the local Farmers' Market. Saturdays are the best because there are more vendors and a gazillion people. I always run into people I know, including some of my patients. When I see them at the store, we tend to check out each others' cart. At the Farmers' Market, nobody has to be embarrassed about what they're buying, because most everything is healthy. My only problem is that I end up buying more than we can eat. Everything looks so good, but I'm only cooking for two.

Over the years, I've gotten to know some of the farmers. One guy always asks me about my children. I've shared my tomato tart recipe with his wife. (I'll do a post on it soon.) The best tomatoes at the market are grown by one of my patients' wives. You have to get there early because they go fast. (If her husband comes to rehab on Friday, I tell him how many I want and she saves them for me--a great perk.) Another farmer is in his 90's and still carries bushel baskets of apples to the customers cars. My favorite group to buy from does the most amazing display of their fruits and vegetables. They must have creative genes or else have taken a Farmer's marketing class.

Unfortunately, the market ends in November and we go back to anemic tomatoes. I wish we could get fresh produce all year round. But then I probably wouldn't appreciate it quite as much.

Cool Workout

Several years ago, while in Hawaii, the resort we were staying at offered a water jogging class, which piqued my interest. I assumed we would jog in waist deep water, but it was nothing like that. When I arrived at the meeting spot, the instructor had me (I was the only one who showed up) put on a flotation belt and we went out into the lagoon. We got into deep water over our heads and "jogged" back and forth through the water. She had me do different types of movement, like pumping my legs up and down, doing a cross-country skiing type motion, and scissor-type kicks. It was really fun and something totally different from my usual routine. A big bonus was staying cool while exercising in the water.

Once we got back home, I couldn't find anything similar in our area. My sweet and thoughtful husband surprised me with water jogging gear for my birthday.

Now every summer, I put on the radio and jog in our backyard pool. The music makes it fun and more energetic. It's a great adjunct to my workouts. Of course, after my workout is over, it's time to relax.

Thanks to my daughter, Anne, for being a good sport and posing for the pictures.

What a Hoot!

Saturday morning, my husband called to me from the study to come see something. He often does this and I'm not always impressed. It's usually something on the computer, like lions chasing down a baby cape buffalo and then an alligator nabbing one of the lions. But I have to say, this time I was awed.
Outside our window was an owl sitting plainly visible in a tree. At one point, he (I think it was a he) was sitting on the porch railing. He was there most of the morning. His neck mobility was amazing. (That's something I need to work on.) A few times he swooped down, but I didn't see if he caught anything (hmmm, strangely reminiscent of the lion video). I was so glad my husband shared it with me. Next time he calls for me to come see something, I'll more come eagerly.