Saturday, June 6, 2015

Settling In


It was late in the afternoon when we arrived. My husband and I had been on the road two full days with the dogs, yes; we now have my mom’s dog Molly. She is a herder, barker and has quite the personality which is completely different from our chocolate lab Olive; who is very laid back. We’ve been traveling in our Prius stuffed to the brim for our 4 month stay in Oregon. We unloaded, fed the dogs and drove into town for a quick bite.


Next thing on the agenda was to check out the front yard and garden area. As you can see I had my work laid out for me. My next few days were very busy.


After I cleaned out and prepped the garden I planted 48 lettuce plants, some kale, edamame, beans and herbs. All I can say is that it feels wonderful to be working outdoors with my hands in the soil again.


Yesterday we drove up to the town of Newport and picked up our first whole salmon of the season....right off the boat. I decided to make Ina Garten’s fresh dill sauce after reading the rave reviews, recipe is here on-line. We baked the salmon at 425 degrees, following  the Kitchn's  "How to Cook Salmon in the Oven" and it was perfect.


Talk about a real treat! It's nice to be settling in.
Cheri Savory Spoon
Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

77 comments:

  1. Glad you are there, safe and sound. Your garden looks wonderful - all those fresh veggies! Enjoy, and I will keep you posted on the desert heat! ~ David

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    1. Hi David, always so nice to hear from you, yes please keep me posted. Take care....C

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  2. Wow, I'm envious! Not of your 2 day journey, though. And your garden looks great with those steps into it. Would've loved to have been there to help!

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    1. Thanks Johnny, 2 special little boys made those steps for me for Christmas one year, they are most favorite thing in the garden.

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  3. Your garden sounds wonderful, envious of all those fresh vegetables. Those dogs are too cute, very glad you had a safe trip and that you are home safe and sound.

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    1. Hi Suzanne, yes, it's good to be back, love spending the summers here. Take care.

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  4. Molly is gorgeous. And that garden looks amazing. Yes, you will have a busy time in the garden but it will be so worthwhile xx

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    1. Thanks Charlie, yes I agree, lettuce grows so well here and it is so tasty fresh out of the garden.

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  5. How lovely to be in the garden. Looking forward to hearing more about your 4 months.
    :-) Mandy xo

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    1. Thanks Mandy, I really enjoy our summers here in Oregon. Have a great Sunday.

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  6. So glad you made it to your home in Oregon. How lovely you are taking care of your mother's dog. While she sounds energetic, it must be nice to have a part of your mother with you. Enjoy your time. And the salmon! D

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    1. Thanks Dena, Molly does remind me of my mom, she has quite the personality.

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  7. Wow! It's gorgeous! Garden sounds wonderful!

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  8. Very rewarding work, Cheri!
    Love Ina's dill sauce. Super with any kind of fish.

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  9. yes, i'd say those 2 dogs are opposites. glad you could take in your mom's dog, though.

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    1. Hi Theresa, at least they get along very well, they are both girls.

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  10. 48 lettuces!! wow..I love your garden. The salmon with dill sauce looks splendid, Amy.

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    1. Thanks Angie, I'm a huge salad fiend in the summer. Take care!

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    2. Sorry, Cheri..I was reading too many blogs at the same time, please excuse me addressing you with the wrong name.

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  11. So glad you made it back to your happy place! 48 lettuce plants is pretty amazing. We're going to be overrun with tomatoes I believe but I'm not complaining! You did a great job in the garden - it looks great. The fur children are beautiful - hope the adjustment is going well. Fresh salmon - so jealous! It looks wonderful.

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    1. Hi Tricia, loved your tomato pie last year, in fact the day you posted your recipe I made the same thing for dinner that night. We can't seem to grow tomatoes here.

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  12. There is something inherently healing about working the soil...Or so I am told by friends who manage magnificent gardens. Bravo to you, Cheri, for growing your own veggies. Garden-to-plate dishes may be the new trend =) So glad you've included edamame....P.s. Trust your doggies will find balance and harmony in time. Doggies are much better than cats at that sort of thing.

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    1. Hi Kim, oh I agree it is so calming, sometimes I plan to go out just for an hour in the garden and end up being out there all day. Last year I grew fava beans with much success...... thought edamame would be fun to plant this year.

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  13. I'm so jealous ... Oregon and that fresh salmon! And the garden. Hopefully the new dog will take some "chill" lessons from Olive. Look forward to hearing all about your time in one of my favorite places ... Oregon.

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    1. Hi Lea Ann, Molly has not seemed to learn a thing from Olive but Olive has started to bark more. Anyway, it's nice to be here. Take care!

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  14. Oh thank you for the picture of the beach - sigh...beautiful! Your grounds look beautiful and working in the garden is like therapy isn't it? We had a beagle named Molly for many years. Miss her still. Best wishes for caring for your Molly. I have salmon in the freezer and dill in the garden so I may have to give your sauce a try : )

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    1. Hi Mindy, isn't the pacific northwest the best! Someday we hope to be here full time. Have a great week!

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  15. Glad that you're settling in well, Cheri.
    How nice ! a garden to plant some lettuce plants, kale, and herbs etc.
    Oh the salmon with fresh dill sauce, I know it's very fragrant. Have a great week ahead !

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    1. Thanks Karen, it always seems to take some time to get settled here as the yard can be quite overgrown but I enjoy the process. Hope you are having a good week.

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  16. Is that time of the year already? When Cheri moves to that amazing place while I'm still stuck in the city?
    Apparently it is!

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  17. Wow, time flies! So glad the journey went ok! My husband and I just got back from a trip to Oregon- we visited Crater Lake and then drove to the coast and up the coast from Bandon and then across to Portland. You have a gorgeous state :) We also had a small car we rented so I can really appreciate how tight it must have been!

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    1. Hi Phi, I wish I knew you were coming we live 1 mile away from the town of Yachats off the 101 highway, you drove right by our house. Email me next time, we will treat you for lunch or dinner.

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  18. Nice! Love the view and the garden. Looks like you've got good company with the dogs :)

    Julie & Alesah
    Gourmet Getaways xx

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    1. Great garden and I bet the salmon was delicious. I like the view in the first pic and the dogs are the best. Oregon has to be beautiful!

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    2. Thanks Julie and Alesah, I have my work cut out for me. Have a great week.

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    3. Hi Pam, Oregon really is beautiful, it is the complete opposite of Phoenix AZ, I feel like I have the best of both worlds, though it depends upon the season.

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  19. What a wonderful place to spend the summer and I love your garden! I the first photo the view from your house there? It's beautiful!

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    1. Hi Susan, no it's actually down the road from us, we are across the street from the 101 hwy, then there is the basalt rock and the ocean. Have a great week!

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  20. What a beautiful place to spend you summer! I hope you have a wonderful four months, and I cannot wait to see what you make with all those delicious veggies you planted in the garden. What a perfect escape.

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    1. Thanks Amy, this summer I do kinda feel like I am escaping, love working outside with the soil and plants.

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  21. A dreamlike place. So peaceful. Perfect for spending some quality time during the summer... Delicious meal too.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  22. Hope you continue to settle in and enjoy a relaxing summer. Love seeing your garden and all the fresh and delicious meals you prepare.

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    1. Thanks Monica, we are having quite the summer, always so much to do.

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  23. Salmon fresh off the boat? Lucky, lucky you! I love salmon season, and salmon from Oregon, Washington, and Alaska is the best! Fun post -- thanks.

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  24. Oh my, you are a busy girl, Cheri! Your garden is going to be fabulous I'm sure and two dogs will certainly keep you active as well, lol.
    Fresh salmon is heavenly and I've caught it many times from my own boat. I don't think there's anything better.
    Have a great week :)

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    1. Thanks Robyn, you are so lucky I love the pacific north west and you get to live here all the time. Take care!

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  25. It looks beautiful and I know you're so looking forward to the time there. Your salmon looks and sounds delightful. I'm sure that buying it fresh off the boat has to be incredible!

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    1. Thanks Chris, it sure does. Salmon is also my favorite of them all.

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  26. It looks beautiful and I know you're so looking forward to the time there. Your salmon looks and sounds delightful. I'm sure that buying it fresh off the boat has to be incredible!

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  27. I've been absent here for awhile, and I've missed checking in with your life. I've thought about your mom so much over the past few months. It's lovely to me how we can connect with someone and their lives without actually meeting. I've gone back through a few posts and see that she's passed. I'm so sorry, and am also so happy that you were able to spend those last months with her. I'm sure that meant a lot to both of you. And now, the ocean and Pacific Northwest is a beautiful place for healing. Especially when we plant a garden that will nourish ourselves. Best wishes to you and your family. Oh! And I used to have a herder. What a barker she was too. It's genetic, hard-wiring, that can't really be broken. It's how they herd the sheep of course, but they eventually grow out of it a little. But in my case, never completely. Our new puppy whines a lot. I'm not sure which is worse.... :-)

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    1. Thanks Susan, so nice to hear from you, yes I feel very fortunate that I was able to spend that time with my mom...she was a very special person. The last few years we have been fortunate enough to spend our summers here, especially nice this year to have some quiet time.

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  28. So glad to hear you're getting settled in for the summer!

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  29. What beautiful place and lovely pictures Cheri:))

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  30. Looks like you'e making yourself a home. All that work is worth it for a great garden!

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  31. I remember your trip last year.
    I am so sorry I do not get your posts:(

    I too love to work in the garden..I was away since Monday and cannot wait till tomorrow;)

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    1. Hi Monique, not sure why you can't receive my post but there are a couple of websites that I have the same trouble with, not sure what the problem is. Love all your flower pictures on your site, always so pretty.

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  32. That garden looks wonderful, and your trip to Oregon sounds so fun. Hope you have a great time!

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    1. Thanks Marcie, it is much cooler here than in AZ somedays 40 to 50 degrees!!!!!

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  33. That garden looks wonderful, and your trip to Oregon sounds so fun. Hope you have a great time!

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  34. What a beautiful place! I love your garden. I am missing mine this year. We had to turn it back into yard in preparation for moving next year. Thanks for sharing the photos of your place and so glad you are enjoying a nice cool summer!

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    1. Hi Shari, ho-pe you sell your home in good timing.....seems like the market has really stepped up. Thanks for stopping by.

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  35. What a beautiful place! I love your garden. I am missing mine this year. We had to turn it back into yard in preparation for moving next year. Thanks for sharing the photos of your place and so glad you are enjoying a nice cool summer!

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    1. Hi Shari, hope you sell your home okay....seems like the market has really picked up. Take care!!!!!!

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