iCogitate

Blog Challenge & Recipie

rick — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:26:41 +0000

At Thanksgiving dinner I threw down a challenge for those family members with blog pages to update them if they had not written a current blog. I remember when many of us aquired blog pages on parmeter.net, and the regular writings were always of interest, no matter how mundane. It was a great way to get updated on family in between the major functions when we finally see each other. To my surprise, at least two of you have responded, which is great to see. So, after 16 months of non-bloggyness, I am finally writing again. It’s good to be back. I hope to read your blogs as well.

Anne requested on her blog, which she has so beautifully update, that I print the recipie for the Curried Acorn Squash dish that I made for Thanksgiving dinner. This seems to be a dish that most people respond favorably to. It has a mild curry taste, without the hot spicyness that some associate with curry, yet enough flavor and richness (from butter) to be satisfying. I got this recipie off the epicurious.com website, as I do most of my recipies. So, here it is:
Apple-Filled Acorn Squash rings with Curry Butter
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons butter
1 large onion,chopped
1-1/2 tablespoons curry butter
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, diced
2/3 cup appple juice
1/2 cup dried currants
8- 1 inch thick unpeeled acorn squash rings (from 2 medium seeded acorn squash)
Preparation:
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy skillet over medium heat. Add onion and saute’ until tender, about 12 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon curry powder, stir 1 minute. Add apples, apple juice, and currants. Saute’ until liquid evaporates, about 6 minutes. Season filling to taste with salt and pepper.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt 5 tablespoons butter in small skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon curry powder;stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer curry butter to bowl. Brush 2 large rimmed baking sheets with some curry butter. Arrange squash in single layer on sheets. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Scoop filling into center of rings. Drizzle remaining curry butter over squash and filling. Cover with foil. Bake squash rings until squash is tender when pierced with skewer, about 40 minutes. Using a spatula, transfer squash rings with filling to plates.
Cook’s notes: I alter the above recipie with some of the following: 5 spice (about 1/2 teaspoon), pumkin spice (a couple pinches), pears instead of or mixed with apples, apple cider instead of apple juice, dried cranberries instead of currents. I also place the curry butter in a shallow bowl and drench the rings like you would french toast. I always end up using more butter and curry. Bon Apetit’!

Our Totally Awesome Redwoods Vacation Part 1

rick — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 01:27:19 +0000

A month ago me and Tuyen took a few days to vacation in the Redwoods of Northern California. It was our first trip of just the two of us since Tuyen arrived here in the US. We had an awesome time, and really fit a lot into the time that we had.
My first surprise was how quick the drive was to Crescent City, CA. Going down I-5, you detour through Grants pass on Highway 199, which is basically a straight shot to Crescent City. I was expecting a long 7 or 8 hour drive, but the six hour drive was really quite pleasant. Highway 199 goes through some beautiful countryside in Southern Oregon and Northern California. Your first taste of the Redwoods comes as the Highway narrows near the Smith River and snakes through a part of the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. In places the edge of the road is literally against a huge redwood tree. It makes for a stunning entrance to the area. We arrived at our hotel in Crescent City, a mostly unremarkeable town for the area that it’s located. Our hotel was right across from the marina, so we went for a brief stroll in the silence of the evening coastal fog.
The next morning we stopped at the local Redwoods Tourism office. Since the Redwoods are a hodge-podge of National and State Parks and Conservation lands, the tourist offices are also a combined operation. From there we headed out for our Redwoods adventure. First stop was the Lady Bird Johnson grove, an easily accessable one mile loop of impressive Redwood trees. When you stand among these fat pillars reaching to the sky, you feel very small. Your neck is constantly craned up, trying in vain to see the tops of the trees. It feels almost Jurassic, like at any moment a dinosaur will emerge from behind the huge trees. It’s so quiet there, only the sounds of hikers. Tuyen noted the exceptionally clean air that we were breathing in.
As you probably know, Redwoods can reach a very old age, often around 500-700 but as old as 2000 years, and can grow as high as 360 feet. They require very special climatic conditions, constant moisture to fuel their huge growth and cool conditons. Instead of a giant tap root to anchor them and reach down for water, they develop a web of a root system just beneath the surface of the forest floor, absorbing the coastal rains and mists.

Tuyen at the hollow base of a living Redwood tree

Some of the trees were hollowed out at the base and had charred interiors, like they had burned, yet the tree was still alive and growing via the outer trunk. You can literally stroll through some of the bases of these trees.

Taking it all in

Our next stop was Fern Canyon on the coast. A dirt road leaves the highway and weaves through an impressive grove of Redwoods and Spruces on the way to the State Park entrance. The road is hardpack mud for several miles, a very smooth surface for a dirt road. For it’s importance as a tourist destination I don’t know why they have not paved it yet, but thankfully it was decent enough for the Cadillac to drive on. After several miles you get to the coast, where the state rangers charge you $8 to drive into the state park on a more questionable gravel road. I might add that virtually all the areas of the Redwood parks are free to the public. After paying the fee, the Ranger told us we would have to cross three streams before arriving at our destination, and that we should have no trouble. I was a little nervous about this, as I really have never done much stream crossing in the Cadillac. We went over three little trickles of water, and I thought, oh, no problem. Then we came upon the first real stream, one that the Ranger was talking about. It was about six inches deep, and the road dipped down to the stream that way that roads do when a stream cuts through them. With trepedation, I angled our big boat of a car trough the first stream. I was worried about high centering on the banks of the streams, but we got through them all, with some considerable caution.
Fern Canyon is a creek bed that has cut a path through the surrounding rock straight to beach. The trail basically goes up the creek, and getting wet is part of the experience. After consulting with a family coming back from the hike, we changed to shorts and sandals.

Fern Canyon

It’s a short hike up the canyon through a clear, cold stream, but the experience in etherial. The carpet of ferns lining the verticle walls is truly a spectacle to behold. The felling is like being in some sort of outdoor cathedral, almost like you are in some kind of holy space. I must not be the only one who feels this way, as we eventually passed by a group of people gathered in a circle holding hands and chanting peacefully. There were little colored bottles on the ground in front of them.
We stopped to have our picture taken by a guy with a very serious camera set-up, either a professional or a very serious amateur. He agreed to take our picture against a wall of ferns, but as we were hiking across the stream to our destination, he snapped this action picture of Tuyen and I that I just love. It’s even better than our smiling portrait, which actually came out a little dark. I didn’t know about the action picture until later when I was scrolling through all the pictures. What a nice surprise from a very talented stranger.

Tuyen and Rick in action

At the end of the canyon we hiked up and out, which reavealed an impressive view down into the canyon from above. This has to be one of my all-time favorite hikes.
We ended our Fern Canyon experience on the beach, collecting rocks of all different colors and patterns. Wow, what a great day!

Collecting Rocks

Surprise! Snow!

rick — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:54:12 +0000

Those of you who left town after the big family Christmas party had good timing. Yesterday afternoon the valley area received a surprise snowstorm with accumulations of 2″ to 5″, depending on where you live. We got at least 2″ here in the banana belt of Beaverton.

We were all planning to drive to Stumptown for Ingrid’s birthday, when to our surprise, the skies dumped a load of snow. I started watching the TV for reports on the road conditions. All the news crews immediately head for the Highway 26 overpass at Sylvan to witness the impending chaos. Conditions deteriorated quickly, as one TV crew filmed a Tri-Met bus, futally sliding backward down the Sylvan ramp. It looked like disaster in slow motion, but fortunately for them there was no accident. Others in the Portland area were not so lucky. What a mess it was.

Ingrid and Joyce were caught off-guard when they were out having tea, and had a long journey and a harrowing experience getting home. I’ll leave it to Ingrid to blog about the details. So many were in the same boat, just trying to get home from work. Apparently a lot of people just hung out in bars and restuarants downtown, waiting for the traffic and weather to recede.

Are we Oregonians the only ones to freak out when snow arrives so suddenly? What do they do in Minnesota, where it snows all the time? We watched a movie last night that was filmed in the middle of a nasty Minnesota winter. The snow piles up everywhere, but it looks so dry that it just blows off the road. Maybe they don’t have a Sylvan overpass like we do. Or maybe they just know how to drive in the snow. All I know is that snow here spells disaster every time. If you’re a kid, you love it, it means fun and no school. If you’re an adult, it means you can’t get home from work, and you have to take care of the kids because school is closed.

Living next to a park, it’s beautiful around here when it snows. The trees look so graceful draped in white, and it’s very quiet outside. It’s nice for a day or two, if I don’t have to go anywhere. After that, it becomes a nusiance. I have to start shoveling it, put the chains on the vehicles, etc. I could do without that much snow. Such a beautiful and frustrating thing, snow is. Maybe it’s nature’s way of telling us to slow down, stop, stay inside next to the fire, drink something warm, read a book.

Successful Parmeter Christmas

rick — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 23:17:36 +0000

With the weather cooperating and the stars aligning, virtually all in the Parmeter family gathered at Doug & Joyce’s rural home to celebrate Christmas. It was a chance for some first time meetings, with Ben & Suzy presenting new-born Claire, and Ryan bringing his toddler Raif. It was also a chance to greet newlyweds David and Carmel. It’s so nice to see our family growing and even nicer to get together.

Joyce showed off their slick new cooktop and oven, evident in the beautiful perfectly-browned Turkey that they served. As usual, the great food at this family event was upstaged by the comfortable social atmosphmere of a family that meets far too infrequently. It makes you long for more of these events.

Capping off the day was the gift exchange. The theme of bringing something that was made in the place where you live was, I thought, very successful. It makes for some great gifts. The white-elephant style rules made “stealing” OK, with the hot gift item being the Jubelale/Tillamook Cheese/Octoberfest Sausage bag. It think it was stolen twice. Everyone seemed quite happy with their gifts. Great idea Joyce!

Family Christmas Update from Joyce

rick — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:04:24 +0000

After much consideration…
On December 26th we will be serving a regular Christmas Turkey feast since we have a 28 pound turkey and a new convection oven. We will ask everyone else to bring something to help out plus dessert or goodie plate. I’ll make a Christmas punch and provide coffee and/or tea. Other beverages will have to be brought in if desired. We will be having stockings for the children and a made, grown, and produced in Oregon (or point of origin) gift exchange which should not exceed $ 20.00 for all who wish to participate. We’ll park our vehicles down in the field and will ask that you leave the space by the immediate entry open for Wilma. We’d love to have you here by noon. Stan wants to hike around getting cuttings and some of you might want to join him in that adventure.

Christmas Food Plan Assignments for dinner served at 1:00 PM

Doug,Joyce, Anne, Jacque: Turkey, Gravy, Dressing, Christmas punch, coffee & tea, large salad, Christmas goodie plate.

Kirstin & Jim: Potatoes, Christmas goodie plate or dessert, beverages as needed.

Ingrid & Brad: Large salad, Christmas goodie plate or dessert, beverages as needed.

Kendall: Fruit salad or plate, Christmas goodie plate or dessert, beverages as needed.

Stan & Nancy, David & Carmel: Christmas goodie plate or dessert,dinner rolls, beverages as needed.

Ben & Suzy: Christmas goodie plate or dessert, dinner rolls,beverages as needed.

Laura & Roger:Christmas goodie plate or dessert, dinner rolls, beverages as needed.

Jim,Aimee & Barney: Christmas goodie plate or dessert, butter (hopefully in a dish since I only have one), beverages as needed.

David & Connie, Carla: Christmas goodie plate or dessert, dinner rolls, beverages as needed.

Ryan & Britt: Christmas goodie plate or dessert, vegetable or fruit plate, beverages as needed.

Rick & Tuyen, Wilma: Christmas goodie plate or dessert, vegetable or fruit plate, beverages as needed.

Notes: Do not bother with a beverage if you are happy with coffee, tea, or punch.
You may define what a Christmas goodie plate is however you desire. Basically, I think of cookies,nuts, candies, crackers & cheese, jam, pickles, olives,etc.

Stocking stuffers will be needed for the following children: Amy, Emma and Dale Weddle;Lauren and Sonja Nusser; Claire Parmeter; Francis, Zephyr and Inez Werth; Jonah and Kai Cunningham; Gavin and Raif Parmeter.

Parmeter Family Christmas

rick — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:30:27 +0000

This year Doug and Joyce are offering to host the family Christmas dinner at their place in Sheridan. Joyce would like ideas from the family posted here on my blog page so we might get a consensus. She suggests that it be held on the Saturday(26th) or Sunday(27th) following Christmas day. Joyce has an idea for a gift (exchange?) made, grown, or produced in Oregon for under $ 20.00. For fairness, I would say those family members residing out of state be allowed to bring something produced in their state. Anyway, please post your comments here so we can plan for a joyous Christmas celebration together.
And speaking of holiday celebrations, I still have not heard from some of you Parmeters as to whether you will be attending our Thanksgiving celebration here in Beaverton. Please contact us soon if you have not done so, as we would like to know how many guests to prepare for.
OK everyone, weigh in with your comments!

Back after a few months, and another year older

rick — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:42:39 +0000

Yesterday (Wednesday) marked my 46th birthday. I’ve been a little under the weather lately, nursing along a mild sore throat/head cold thing, so celebrating was not really at the top of my list. Forty-six is shamefully close to that impending mark of 50, a turning point in one’s life, I guess. I don’t feel near 50, I barely feel 40. I was sort of hoping for my birthday to just slide by unnoticed. That didn’t happen, which in a way was nice. I got a phone call from a close friend who never forgets, and some nice e-mails from family. Thank you all.
Tuyen had talked about going out for dinner (Chinese buffet), but with my nose beginning to run, I felt it unwise eat out, especially at a buffet. One of my peeves is when people go out into public sick, wrecklessly sharing their viral bacteria with everyone. That decision was sealed when Tuyen was called to work to fill in for someone who was–sick. How poetic. All the better.
Not feeling like cooking and as an excuse for a downgraded fete, I got some Kentucky Fried Chicken. In hindsight, it’s not my favorite food, as I might have chosen something else since it was my birthday. It came to mind because it is Mom’s favorite, a meal she will devour, and it’s agreeable to us all. Mom and I dined with the Colonel, waiting for Tuyen to come home at 8:30 PM. To my surprise, Tuyen came home with a nice cake and one of those sentimental cards that nearly brought me to tears. What a nice surprise. I guess I would not be allowed to just slide by on my birthday.
So where have I been since June? I have been busy working. Since spring, it’s been continuous work. It seems odd in a time when so many others in my profession are out of work, but that is the fluid nature of my work. Jobs come as the people I know are ready for their project to go forward. This summer, I was completely consumed with Kendall and Kieth’s remodeled mid-century modern home. Situated in an ideal location, backed up to the top end of a park, south facing, this is a place to live for a lifetime. A great family home location. I was hired to craft their kitchen and master bath vanity. Everyone seems happy with how things turned out. Their kitchen is a place with lots of space and storage for their growing family and I hope will function well for all their future needs.
There is still work awaiting me, but for now I am slowing down for a little while, taking my time. All the things that I put aside are now being addressed: cleaning the shop, repairing tools, maintaining vehicles, preparing the house for winter. And getting over my cold.
Here is a summary of some other events in my life this summer/fall:
• Took Mom and Tuyen on a 2-1/2 day vacation to Crater Lake. Took in Crater Lake, Medford, Jacksonville, Applegate Valley, Grant’s Pass, Wildlife Safari, and Roseburg. Great trip. I’ll blog more on that later.
• Went to the Oregon State Fair. Tuyen and I took one of her girlfriends from PCC, a highschool student studying English Language. Her name is Que Anh, but sometimes we call her “little sister”. It was a great day of exhibits, junk food, music, and cheesy commericailism.
• Deceased: Richard William Parmeter. For those of you who remember cousin Rich, I was notified in September of his unfortunate passing. He died in his sleep at age 52, on July 16th. He had been living in Crescent City, CA with his son Richard Silas Parmeter, who attends college there. This was very upsetting to me as we were very close during my college years. I lost track of cousin Rich, and I feel like I should have done more to track him down and stay in touch. Yet another person I regret not making more time for, who has passed away too soon.
• It was a great year for tomatoes. We grew many different kinds, ate a lot of them fresh, canned some as tomato sauce. Also grew summer squash, bell peppers, green beans, lettuce, eggplant, cucumbers, and spinach, all with varying degrees of success.
• At the end of July, Tuyen earned her driver’s license. Hooray!!!
• Bought Tuyen her own laptop (Windows system) and installed wireless router.
Windows, ugh, don’t get me started.
Well, I think that brings us up to date. I do plan to elaborate on some of the above subjects later. Really. I hope. Before I get busy again.

Answer-Mystery of the Week

rick — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:22:26 +0000

OK, so this game didn’t turn out like I thought. I guess I was imagining some creative answers, like when Ohman draws up a political cartoon and leaves the word boxes blank for readers to fill in.
Laura guessed the real answer. I went to pick up Wilma at her daycare facility, where they often do crafts. She had painted this tiny wooden box. Obviously, someone else painted the “W” on top.
Me and my snide sense of humor, I looked at this thing and right away, thought “Hmm, this must be the box where George W. Bush keeps his brain”. The box could maybe hold one walnut, but I thought it would be more appropriate that it was empty. Maybe everyone is so glad to have a new president that they forgot the time when the letter “W” was synonymous with old Geo. W. Bush. Perhaps better that we forget those dark days and just think that “W” is for Wilma. Yeah!

Mystery of the Week

rick — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:15:10 +0000

What is this? Is there anything inside?

Remembering Si

rick — Sat, 02 May 2009 18:27:59 +0000

Silas Parmeter, 5/2/15-4/10/04,with Wilma

Remember this guy? The grand patriarch of the Parmeter family was born on this day (May 2nd) in 1915. He used to claim that he was born on May 1st, or May Day, back when May Day was big deal. That was until I actually looked at his birth certificate. Were he alive today, he would be celebrating his 94th birthday. He came of age in a time where horses were still a common form of transportation and was witness to the effects of the Great Depression and World War II. He was a proud and devoted father of five boys. Although sometimes blustery, he prided himself on being able to provide for his family. He loved his wife and family, had a sense of duty, strong moral and family values, and was a damn hard worker, all the while never forgetting that he was really #1. Before he passed on, he used to answer people’s query about how he was doing in this way: “My cup runneth over”. He was truly one who lived life’s full measure.

Si helped spawn a legacy of descendants, all decent hard working folk, none of which have served hard time. That calls for a celebration, or at least a recollection of some good memories. If you have an indelible memory of Si, or a funny story to share, post it here.