“Vegging Out”

Hi again and welcome back to “Bring Joy to the Table.”

This summer John and I are enjoying and thankful for the comfort and pleasures of home. We are “vegging out” by harvesting our first tomatoes, eating Peter Pan squash, and looking forward to cooking our first spaghetti squash tonight with homemade pesto from the basil growing in our garden.

John is busy making sauerkraut from our very own cabbage, using a jar specific to the task that I bought from Farm Steady (farmsteady.com). Farm Steady has many products and videos about how to make various kinds of fermented foods, as well as baked goods. I just bought a bagel making kit from them; that should be interesting!

We are also vegging out in regards to travel. Last week, we did drive a big forty minutes to Gayle’s Bakery in Capitola where we had pre-ordered a large round of crusty whole wheat sour dough bread, biscotti, and almond croissants. Health food!

And rather than making our favorite jaunt to Sun Valley to listen to the wonderful free outdoor concerts, the concerts are coming to us, virtually.

We have already watched three broadcasts. One evening included being welcomed into the family home of a French horn player and his violinist wife as they and their children were making French Onion soup (recipe on-line). Last night’s performance was a trio playing Beethoven from a venue in St. Louis.

In the past, we, along with hundreds of other folks, would pack our picnic dinner and blanket and appropriate beverage, and head up to the lawn behind the Pavilion where the performances took place.

This summer, people in Sun Valley can still reserve spaces on the lawn in front of two large screens. We, on the other hand, are at home enjoying the concerts in front of our own television screen with food and cocktails in hand.

The concerts are available on-line for all, should you wish to take a peek. They begin at 6:30 sharp, Mountain time. You can see the musical selections at svmusicfestival.org. This Monday’s concert will hail from the East Coast and will feature Broadway stars, including Audra McDonald.

So there you have it. Our vegging out summer is providing us with the comforts of home, many edible perks from our garden, and talented musicians right in our living room, well, kind of.

‘Til next time, may you be healthy, safe, and comfy wherever and however you are living life right now.

P.S. For the next part of this blogging adventure, I will be changing from posting every Saturday to every other Saturday, with an additional pop-up post now and then when I just have to share. Thanks for being a part of this joy community!