Garlic and chops.

Oh, how I love simple, flavorful meals. In all honesty, I can be damn lazy. On those days, a simple meal is always best, otherwise we head out for dinner. Most likely for Pho from our favorite place that happens to be only a few minutes from our house. And is next door to the frozen yogurt place we frequent. We actually stopped at both last night after I came home from a hellacious day at work. I believe my husband remarked at one point we spend more money at these two places then we do on our mortgage, but I couldn't hear him clearly. Too busy slurping noodles.

But I digress.

For dinner tonight

New York steaks with alder smoked sea salt. I found the sea salt in Oregon and brought a small container home with me. Given how delicious it's been with my morning eggs, I can safely say the steaks will be incredible.

On the side, baked sweet potato and salad with some tomatoes out of our garden, finally! Our cooler and cloudier than normal weather over the last month has likely delayed them. Hopefully the tomato ripening trend continues. Tonight's wine is Chateau Lorane's Pinot Gris.

Boards, Oregon, and a dessert to celebrate

This morning, I drove myself to a testing center and sat in front of a computer for an hour and twenty minutes to prove myself capable to practice as a midwife. 175 questions later, I walked out as a Certified Nurse Midwife, thank goodness for instant results! I don't know that I could have handled a longer wait, studying over the last two days especially has been nerve wracking.

For dinner tonight

Japanese eggplant, yellow zucchini and crimini mushrooms tossed with salt, fresh ground pepper and minced rosemary. Roasted at 425 for about 20 minutes. Eggplant and zucchini straight out of my garden.

Tomorrow I take my Midwifery Board exam. I have two recipes to be posted after all is said and done, including one with farm fresh Oregon produce.

A few things I've learned recently.

1. The dogs haven't been interested in digging in the garden, they were trying to clue my husband and I in to the fact something was paying us a visit.

2. Skunks like green tomatoes. And leaving scat on our driveway.

3. Skunks don't seem to like cayenne pepper, so the internet didn't lie to me.

4. I need more cayenne pepper.

5. My garden is otherwise doing fine:

My favorite things

Tuesday I had folks over for food, a keg and and watching a couple of newlyweds open wedding gifts.

It gave me a chance to fling my diet to the wind for a night and make some of my favorite foods that Weight Watchers thinks are high calorie. And they make me use up all my points for the day for like 2 bites. It makes me sad. Then I remember I've already lost a bit of my grad school weight and I stop bitching for a bit.