Happy Holiday Weekend

If you're in the U.S. like we are, this weekend might find you celebrating the "official beginning of summer" by picnicking, camping, or BBQ-ing.

It may also find you remembering friends or family who served our country.

Wherever you are, whatever you do, I hope it's a relaxing, special weekend.

Although tomorrow is the actual "Holiday", we celebrated today with a bunch of friends, a backyard party, a bonfire and picnic.
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I just have to show you - Here's my summer splurge... a sweet little patio firepit!
I'd been wanting one forever and finally found it on sale!!
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We couldn't wait to try it out, but first of all - here's a picture of it all new and clean!
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The menu was almost all vegan, even if the guests weren't. (OK, the kids had S'mores with evil mashmallows and Hershey bars... send in the vegan police!) , but every single thing was gobbled right down, with lots of second and third helpings...

First off, we lit the fire pit and let the coals burn down nice and hot, it was just the perfect size, especially since I have no desire to have a big ol' bar-be-que thing taking up space on my patio.
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We roasted corn (still in the husk) and veggie hot dogs on sticks (Lightlife, Loma Linda Big Franks and Field Roast Sausages, take your pick).

Along with food from the fire, (isn't this a just a classic picnic combo?) I made "Cheater Baked Beans" from Veganomicon (cooked the beans from scratch though, I'm just not a fan of canned...) and my signature macaroni salad (with Veganaise).

Of course there were plenty of beverages to go around - including this awesome organic wine and "Russian" Coke which was really just plain old Coke, but celebrating the Olympics or something.

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Sorry, not sure of the significance, it was a cool can though.
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Since teen-age boys and fire seem to be drawn to each other, we were "treated" to a long, drawn out and highly scientific marshmallow-roasting-s'more's-eating demonstration.
(I do have to admit some of them were quite the gooey-chocolate-y works of art, the pictures would have been even better if it hadn't been twilight by this point...)

Lots of sugar, caffiene and general goofiness (yes, someone took pictures of all that too!).

Couldn't have been a better day!

Macaroni Salad (This makes enough for a crowd - if hungry teenagers don't get to it first!)

Mix together the following:

8 cups cooked elbow macaroni (I use 1/2 wheat and 1/2 white)
1 cup frozen peas
2 bunches small green onions, sliced thin (use about 1/2 the green part)
1 English cucumber diced
1 small jar (aprox. 1/4 cup) chopped green olives or capers or 1 small can sliced black olives - your choice
1 carrot, coarsely shredded
large handful fresh parsley, chopped fine
Vegan mayonaise, as much as you prefer (My kids don't like a mayo-heavy salad)
salt, pepper and a pinch of cayenne to taste.

Mix together, chill and serve.

That's it; Pretty easy, contains ingredients ALL my kids love and I usually have everything on hand...


Have a memorable weekend!

Baseball, Hotdogs, etc. etc...

Yesterday evening was spent in beautiful 80 degree weather at Safeco Field (Seattle's baseball stadium, for those who are less sports-inclined than I am).

Seattle Mariners. vs. Detroit Tigers Yay! Seattle won which made the evening even more worthwhile! And Safeco is such a great place to watch a game anyway. Even from the "cheap seats" the view was spectacular!

I mainly wanted to post because my kids were so cute - and OK, because I'm also impressed that Seattle has been rated one of PETA's Top Ten "Vegetarian Friendly Ball Parks".

There was all sorts of veggie goodness to drool over/choose from. Much of it was vegan!

Of course, most important, there were veggie hotdogs.

What baseball game is complete without a hot dog - and in veg-friendly Seattle? We get to have veggie dogs with our baseball!

And for those who prefer something else along the veggie lines? There were also veggie burgers of several types and grease-levels, veggie sushi, deli sandwiches, fresh fruit, salads, baked potatoes, and the famous and completely amazing and wonderful GARLIC FRIES which you MUST eat, (even if it's only in self defense).

The fries are addictive. These big, hand-cut slabs of potato, topped with tons of minced fresh garlic and herbs. Heaven. (Really, I want to lick my picture here just thinking about them.)

Of course the kids gorged on blecchy things like "Dippin' Dots" and frightening-colored Jones sodas after they'd done the garlic fries. Yum.

Gotta love these American traditions.