Mmm mmm tomato pie

Here is a delicious and super duper simple recipe I like to make in the summertime, when ripe heirloom tomatoes are plentiful. I like it so much I made two last weekend.

Gina's Summer Tomato Pie Recipe

My version! 

Pistachio at Sea: MythBusters Edition

All dogs can swim.  MYTH

Instinctively, a dog will paddle and try to swim, but not all dogs can. I'm not the dog whisperer here, but I like to think I know a thing or two about our furry four-legged friends, and a nervous dog in water will panic - I'm looking at you Pugsley.

Additionally, not all dogs were built for swimming, short legged, heavy-bodied breeds (see Pugs) are less buoyant and struggle to support themselves with their little legs. So, even if you have a dog who isn't terrified of the water, he or she might not necessarily be equipped for swimming.

But don't fear! There is an easy solution to keep you and your dog enjoying the water safely:

Doggy Life Jackets!

There are lots of options for all shapes and sizes. A good outdoors or sporting shop should carry at least a few varieties; we found ours at a specialty Kayaking store.

Here are Pugsley and Reggie modeling their very own PFDs:

 Suiting up!

 

Both pups have jackets with sturdy handles on top. I think this is a must if you're going to be using them while doing any kind of activity like kayaking or sailing, where the animal might fall overboard. I've had to use it to lift Pugsley out of the water more than once...

 

Are you a model?

 

Water safety is fun!

Reggie's jacket has this nifty little zipper pouch on the back, useful for storing an extra roll of doggy waste bags.

Just 2 pugs, having a good time, having a good time.

*Above photo credits Melody Chen

And here's a fun one of Westbrook and Reggie from 4th of July weekend on Catalina.

Peachy Sangria

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I like my wine. Last weekend I wanted something tasty and refreshing (and boozy) to serve to friends who were coming over for an afternoon hang. I found a delicious recipe for a White Peach Sangria and tweaked it a bit. Here ya go!

Ingredients:
1 - bottle of white wine (it's okay to go cheapo here, since you're adding in lots of other goodies-I use a $6 sauvingnon blanc)

1/2 cup -  peach schnapps (I use DeKuyper Peachtree-yums and they don't use high fructose corn syrup)

a couple tablespoons of sugar (just follow your tastebuds here-if you like it sweeter, add a little more, but as long as your fruit is ripe and sweet, you shouldn't need to add in too much)

2 - peaches, sliced

1 - orange, sliced thinly

1 - mango, sliced (and peeled duh)

2 - kiwi's, peeled and sliced (adds a nice pop of color)

Instructions:
- combine the wine and schnapps in a pitcher.
- add the sliced peach, orange, and mango
- add the sugar and stir gently
- chill it, serve it

* adding a splash of ginger ale onto the top just before serving makes for a super refreshing white sangria spritzer!

**one of the things I love about sangria is you can get creative with it, add/subtract any of the fruits for your personal faves (apples, raspberries or strawberries would all be delicious in this recipe)

***this recipe is heavy on the fruit, so you could definitely double the alcohol without increasing the fruit if you're making it for a bigger group

Sailing makes me sleepy

...well, not the sailing itself. More likely the Dramamine, sunshine and gentle rocking motion that goes along with it.

(*thanks for the photo Audrey)

"What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it."

-Sterling Hayden, "Wanderer"

Nautical Fashions

Here in Southern California the warm weather is just around the corner. Please, please, fingers crossed. And for anyone who says it's already here, No. 70 degrees does not count as summer weather. I want to sweat standing still, to not worry about having a damn cardigan handy should the sun pass behind a cloud.

I would like to soon be sporting any of these fun nautical-inspired fashions.

(side note: this was my first attempt at creating an "inspiration board" and I'm giving myself a little pat on the back for my efforts, thankyouverymuch)

Summer Sailing Jams

I recently was introduced to some new music from a band called Tennis (incidentally this came by way of a new friend in my sailing navigation class). The husband and wife duo's music was inspired by a sailing adventure they took upon graduation from college.  They sold their worldly possessions, bought a sailboat, and embarked on an extended trip along the Eastern Seaboard. After returning to land, they began to write and record songs based on their adventures . Their music is full of fun sailing references, but that is not why I love it. It's her sweet airy voice and the innocent pure sugary retro-pop goodness.

It's also just so romantic, no?

Anyways, I can't wait to be floating along or anchored off the Catalina shore this summer, sunning myself to these sweet tunes. (I'm not sure if the linked video is the official one, I think probably not, but I like it quite a bit all the same) Enjoy!