Smitten for Strawberries

Oregon strawberries.  The season is here.  Buy them now.  Buy them often.  They are perfect, sweet, and highly perishable.  So, we eat them as fast as possible.  Yesterday, we picked up two pints at the lovely produce stand in Tumalo.  They are gone.  So, we picked up a flat today.  Freezer jam, casual eating, freezing, whatever we can do with them within the next 24 hours.

I've baked several goodies with them.  A good excuse to try out the many recipes in this month's Bon Appetit magazine.

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam Biscuits

Homemade Shortcake

Emil's freezer jam

We already picked off four cups from here.  Yes, really.

In addition to working and climbing the Butte twice a day, we've explored several lakes.  We took out of town company on a tour of Elk Lake and Hosmer Lake last Monday.  Yesterday, we hiked around Suttle Lake.  Absolutely gorgeous! 

Elk Lake

Elk Lake Marina

Perfect launch at Hosmer Lake

Hosmer Lake

Emil took pics of Suttle Lake, so I don't have them handy to share.  We hiked around the lake (3.5 miles), and then relaxed on the deck at The Lodge at Suttle Lake.  http://thelodgeatsuttlelake.com/.  I came here (near this area) last weekend on a catering job, and we stopped in at their restaurant on the lake.  Menu looked nice, and we splurged on some fries.  We'll have to return for dinner.

Well, it's time to clean all those strawberries!   

Beautiful Bend, Oregon

Today was a perfect example of why we love Bend.  As Emil would say, "Reason #5068 why I love it here."

This morning, our uke group played at the Heaven Can Wait Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.  It was a gorgeous morning, and over 4,000 folks participated in the walk.  Pretty amazing!

About 15 ukers played the gig.

My pal, Debi.

This afternoon, we walked to the Les Schwab Amphitheater for the free Sunday Concert Series.  The walk there takes about 35 minutes, and we packed light with just a blanket and water bottles.  A nice breeze in the air, full sun, blue sky, and fresh air.  78 degrees.

Redwood Son was playing. Lots of families, a few food vendors, and people watching.

Us!

I can't wait to try stand up paddleboarding!

Deschutes River

Flag bridge at the Old Mill

Volleyball without a net.  Interesting.

I won't post the bikini volleyball pics.  Those are just for Tommy Boy to entice him to hurry and move here.  I'm ready to hit the breweries with him and take my place as wing man again. Counting the days...

Ramping up for a busy couple of weeks!  Looking forward to seeing family and friends in July.  This summer is going to fly on by!

Archery Fun

Our friend, Steve, invited us to an archery event in Sisters, near the Metolius River.  Fun, friendly people, picked up a traditional 45 pound draw weight for Emil.  My favorite event is a tie between the flying geese and owl suspended into the air or the milk jug competition.  Lots of pics to share, so sit back.

Stave Master - updated version of a traditional shave horse for shaping thin pieces of wood.

Two milk jugs full of water.  Shoot at your jug to let the water out.

I love his kilt!

Steve - what a super guy!

Nice workbench the bowyers used.

Bows made from Osage Orange.

To test your bow.

Flying geese and owl to try and hit.

Steve's homemade stand set up by his camper.

Target range.

Steve and Emil at the target range.

Kiddo event.  Shoot a balloon.  Win a prize.

Each match up used the same number of arrows.

She won!  His jug hit the ground first.

Emil will pick up some arrows and join the archery club.  I'll be his cheerleader.  Maybe I can knit him a quiver.  Ha!  What a fun, relaxing day!  We made it to Sisters Bakery just under the wire to pick up a snack.  Did I mention it was sunny and 73 degrees with a light wind?  Another typical, gorgeous Central Oregon day!

The Quiet American

Emil and I coordinated an ukulele workshop and show last week here in Bend. The Quiet American duo is Aaron and Nicole Keim, from Hood River, OR.  They are fantastic!  LOVE chatting with Nicole - she likes to laugh and have fun.  Check out their music:  http://quietamericanmusic.com/.

Love the washboard!

Group photo

They are super fun!

30 folks at the workshop

Tuning the banjo before the show!

A wonderful show!

I think my dad would really enjoy their music.  It's described as "old time folk music for modern times." Think Americana/Gospel.  Aaron and Nicole are headlining Ukulele University, the uke festival we're coordinating July 19-21.  Looking forward to another great event. http://ukeu.info/.

Hopefully, I won't forget my ukulele again.  Kind of hard to take the workshop when I leave it at home.  I did borrow one of their nice mya-moe ukes, but I was too nervous to use it the entire time!

On to other news:  I'm growing my hair out long again to donate it to Locks of Love.  I did this in 2002 when my brother, Tom, was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  Now that he has cancer again, I'll donate again.  Ten inches of hair is the minimum! 

Uke On!

I do the social media for our uke group, uke festival, and Emil's business, Road Trip Ukuleles.  Therefore, I post oodles of pics on Facebook.  Thought I would share some of them here as well. 

If you visit us, prepare to attend the Tuesday night uke jam with us.  Don't worry, we won't put you on the spot for an uke solo or singing.  Every week, approximately 60 people show up to sing, play uke, play other instruments, and socialize (mainly the reason I go).  It's great fun, and I look forward to it each week.

Yesterday, I did a radio interview to promote an upcoming workshop and show - Aaron and Nicole Keim of The Quiet American.  Fantastic duo from Hood River, OR.  Emil has met them several times already, and I'm a little nervous to meet them on Monday!  

Check out their music here:  http://quietamericanmusic.com/.  They are ending their tour here in Bend.  We'll feed them pizza from 10 Barrel, plenty of libations, and hang out before the event.  Emil will run the soundboard, and I'll work the door.  Come on by! 

More info at: www.bendukulelegroup.org.

Back to the pics.  Enjoy!

Our youngest members, all taller than me.

Group pic.  We'll be featured in Central OR magazine - July.

Singing and strumming away! I need a panoramic camera to capture everyone there.

Debi and Anya's kazoo solo during "San Francisco Bay Blues."

Adorable Jeff!  All instruments welcome.

Bucket bass and harmonica

I'm in the kids section of the group.

Helping to lead the group on Tuesday

Laughing our way through the play list I made for the night.

One of our most talented members, Twig!

Spark your interest?  It's an easy instrument to learn, only four strings, and very forgiving.  When you play with 60 people, no one can hear you mess up.  Perfect for us beginners.

Counting the days until The Quiet American show!  

Ripe Rhubarb

Today was the day to bake and do prep for the Aaron Keim concert on May 20.  It's approaching fast, and we want to be ready for it.  Check out his music:  http://quietamericanmusic.com/.

Back to the rhubarb.  It's in a huge bowl, washed, and cut.

 

Rhubarb Muffins

Adare Manor Scones

Mixed Berry and Rhubarb Cobbler

Not pictured:  Macadamia, Strawberry, and Rhubarb Bread.  Now safely packaged in the freezer for a hostess gift.   I also made a batch of Strawberry Rhubarb Jam. 

Unfortunately, all that baking resulted in only using half of the rhubarb pictured in the bowl.  I'll make a pie for guests on Wednesday and freeze the rest.  It's also time to pick more since the sunny weather encouraged growth the past few days.  I may have to leave some on everyone's porch in the middle of the night.

Recipe links:

http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2011/05/rhubarb-streusel-muffins/
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2013/05/adare-manor-scones
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2007/05/crumbling-crisp-convictions/
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2009/06/rhubarb-berry-jam/
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2007/03/some-south-in-your-mouth/