I tend to go heavy on the lemon zest around here. Those of you who have been visiting for a while have likely noticed. Most of the time I use the corresponding lemon juice in ice water, sparkling water, or salad dressing. Nothing too exciting. But a number of you have asked if I do anything interesting with the stockpile of lemons they rightly assume I accumulate. So I thought I'd share this lemon anise slush recipe with you. Adapted from a recipe in an old issue (2004?) of Gourmet magazine, I make it on the nicest summer days here in San Francisco.

The thing that makes this special is the hint of unexpected anise flavor which pairs nicely with refreshing lemon. It's one variable I keep constant here. That said, there are a number of ways to approach this quencher. The original recipe calls for either water, or vodka (if you're not messing around) as the base. I tend to make this as a mid-day treat and find that water works great. Yogurt is an alternative if you're up for something creamier and more substantial. Or(!) a pilsner in place of the water takes its cue from a shandy, which I love. My sister makes me limoncello from her lemon tree (Heather, I'm running dangerously low!), and a small splash of that to finish things off here is lemon-kissed heaven. Optional, but if you happen to have some on hand, give it a try.

This is the sort of thing I make over and over, and tweak and make notes as I go. I have one more idea related to the anise seeds that I haven't had a chance to explore yet. I think I want to try to let the seeds sit in the 3/4 cup / 180ml vodka ahead of time (hours? overnight? couple days?). I think the seeds are alcohol-soluble, and might infuse the vodka nicely. Then proceed with the recipe as written. Don't fault me if I'm off the mark here :)...but let me know if you give it a try.

Continue reading Lemon Anise Slush...

Source: http://feeds.101cookbooks.com/~r/101Cookbooks/~3/r1afG1AhKhI/lemon-anise-slush-recipe.html

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Putting the sun behind the flowers is quite important - it makes the pedals glow and lets you keep the blue sky.

Tagged: flower underneath
From: August 2009

Source: http://www.johnharveyphoto.com/Life/08_2009/BrownEyedSusansUndershot.html

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I feel a road trip coming on this month, and I have a feeling it is going to involve camping in some far-flung locale.

Source: http://www.topix.com/outdoors/camping/2011/09/quit-worrying-about-what-others-think-and-just-serve-god?fromrss=1

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Camping Belle Montagne is now a participating Passport America Discount Campground. Highlights: Located on the Riviere du Loup. 121 grass sites. Can accommodate RVs up to 50' (50 f x 40 f), full hookups, 30 amp back-in sites, water, dump station, Wi-Fi, restooms and showers, laundry, phone, swimming pool, picnic area, propane, ice, ping-pong, pool table, kayak, water games, commodities, soccer, fishing, canoe, fire rings, volleyball, petanque, mountain foot path, children’s playground, lightened tennis court, clubhouse, game room, horseshoes, hiking, croquet, handicap accessible. Organized activities every weekend, see our website for details and promotion for weeks and months. Nearby: Horseback riding, great restaurant, and festivals. For the second year, we won the award for Excellence 2010 in Quebec in the category Camping: Our Builders of Today, field 101 to 200 sites! Located 15 miles from Louiseville and 30 miles from Trois Rivieres.

Source: http://www.passportamerica.com/campgrounds/qc/campingbellemontagne

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Lakeview MH And RV Park is now a participating Passport America Discount Campground. Highlights: Come join us for some summer fun. Just 1/2 miles from Lake Roosevelt and 4 miles from Banks Lake - great for fisherman and lake activities. 20 total RV sites, can accommodate RV's up to 60ft., full and partial hookups, 20/30/50 amp service, dump station, laundry facilities, restrooms and showers, picnic area, boating, fishing, basketball, and more!

Source: http://www.passportamerica.com/campgrounds/wa/lakeviewmhandrvpark

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Moody Beach Rv, An Encore Resort is now a participating Passport America Discount Campground. Highlights: Located on the southeast coast of Maine about ½ hour north of Portsmouth, NH and 1 mile from the ocean and beautiful sand beaches. Can accommodate RV's up to 42ft., full hook-ups, pull throughs, 30/50-amp, Cable TV, Wi-Fi, fire ring, picnic table, charcoal grill with a gravel surface. Heated outdoor pool and spa, country store, gift shop, fun friendly and helpful staff, laundry facilities, game room, playground, recreation room, horseshoes, pool table, basketball court, ping pong, shuffleboard courts, ballroom, BBQ/Picnic area, fire pits, bocce courts, jam sessions, kids activities, children's programs, activities center, lighted streets and 24 hours security. Nearby: beaches, beach fishing, sport fishing, boat rentals, dining cruises, golf, driving range, art festivals, and live entertainment. Area attractions: Desert of Maine in Freeport, L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools in Freeport, Nor'easter Deep Seas Fishing in Wells, and Palace Playland in Old Orchard Beach.

Source: http://www.passportamerica.com/campgrounds/me/moodybeachrvanencoreresort

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The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America?s national parks, is happy to announce the 2011 ?Egg-cellent Egg-venture? ? a virtual Easter Egg hunt through our national parks.

Source: hiking-trails.html

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July 2011

Take Advantage of the Long Weekend

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Sunday Afternoon at the Williams

It's been quite a while since we have visited James. He has grown up a lot since I last saw him!

Visiting people and staying overnight is quite a big ask - with a child, we have quite a bit of stuff (we are getting better) and we need to follow a schedual or the kid misses naps and everybody pays for it. My grandparents are getting on in years (roughly 90) so we were a bit worried about staying over.

My aunt Jenny was kind enough to organize a picnic so all of the family came to use for a visit. Nara did well with so many "kind of new" people.

Of course it's good to see everyone else as well. Seeing your extended family once a year at Christmas gets a little sad so it's worth the effort to get out.

There is lots to do in the Courtenay/Comox area. We decided to go for a walk on the breakwater because I remember a near by playground (Marina Park) was quite good. The boardwalk was good for a run around.

We also visited Kai Beach. We live fairly close to kits beach but we don't go very often. Kai beach was a little cool (we have had a cool summer) but still lots of fun to walk around a dig up shells.

For younger children, having a set of keys will often attract their attention and help make a good photo. Nara now seems mostly past that. The new trick is the "I'm going to get you!" game. A parent can do that off camera and Nara will focus on the parent and what is going on around her. It worked out well.

More...

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July 2011

Source: http://www.johnharveyphoto.com/Life/07_2011/index.html

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Tri City RV Park is no longer participating as a Passport America Discount Campground.

Source: http://www.passportamerica.com/campgrounds/or/tricityrvpark

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The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America?s national parks, is happy to announce the 2011 ?Egg-cellent Egg-venture? ? a virtual Easter Egg hunt through our national parks.

Source: hiking-trails.html

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