Spice Discovered America

A significantly shortened version of the history of spice and America.  (a history class flashback)

In the 1400's some of the worlds spices were more valuable than gold.  Even the aristocrats had difficulty affording shipments of spices.  The Kings and Queens of Europe decided to fund "spice-Hunting" expeditions in order to try and change the balance of the world spice trade.

In the late 1400's, while searching for a quicker route to India, Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered America.  Columbus' name for the natives he encountered seemed to stick.  Believing he had actually reached India, Columbus called these American natives "Indians".

By the 1800's Salem Massachusettes became the center of the American spice trade industry.

The Artwork is in!

Thank you Stacey Tindell for all the work on a perfect logo design!

Heat Wave Grilling Time

I am not certain that we made an "official" heat wave, but these last few days have been brutal.  I am not pleased to see the temperature in my bedroom hit 86 degrees - ugh! 

In an effort to minimize my body movement (and avoid sweating too much), I decided to do a little lot of Internet research on steak rubs.  I found all sorts of great ideas and suggestions.  Most of the recipes I found today involve some type of chili pepper and/or sugar.  I was looking for one with A.)   no sugar added and  B.)   although I do love chili peppers, this time I was interested in no chili peppers added.  I was able to find a couple that looked just about right.  I added (and subtracted) a few items to create what, I think, might be a winner!  Now it just needs a name ;)

On the side we're having our favorite "smashed potatoes".  I am still playing with just the right seasoning for them, it's in the trail and error phase.  Our veggies will be fresh green beans  sauteed with mushrooms and a little butter.  I promise to post pictures before we eat it all!

UPDATE 6/23/12

Okay, here is is.  Not the best picture, but you get the idea.  The Rub will definitely be in the Hot and Spicy category.  It had awesome flavor, but HOLY HOT!

Marginal Way

Today with a forecast of mostly cloudy (but no rain) we drove to Ogunquit, ME to take a stroll up Marginal Way.  This is a beautifully maintained path with benches for breaks along the way.

We veered slightly off course to climb some rocks and check out the tide pools.  It was a bit of a down hill climb at first (literally) but these 5 year olds quickly got the hang of it.  I tend to become a bundle of nerves watching our kids jump from rock to rock in such a carefree manner, but it is an amazing adventure for them.  There were plenty of snails - thousands of them actually all along the rocks and pools. The kids made sure that any shells they took had no living creatures in them.

After arriving safely back on the trail, we decided to stroll down a few neighborhood streets.  The homes here are amazing and I am quite certain have the price tag to match.  It was an awesome 4 hour diversion from every day life.

The Spice of Life

June in Maine is usually teeming with rain.  As a matter of fact the first June I ever spent here, after moving east from Colorado, it rained every single day.  I have decided to embrace this month with gusto this year.  If it is sunny, we are outside soaking it up.  But when it is rainy, we are finding ways to entertain ourselves.

Three days ago we drove south to Boston.  When I say we, I am referring to my 5 year old son Camden, along with my close friend Sue and her 3 girls.  The forecast was rain, so we ventured to the Boston Children's Museum.  A place I haven't been to in about 30 years.  (That makes me sound really old, I'll be 43 next month)!

Above is a picture of the kids taking a lemonade break. (Left to right: Camden 5, Addie 6, Ruby 5, Charlie 5).

I think we were all on sensory overload with as much as there was to see and do.  Everything in the museum is interactive and we all did a lot of interacting!  I was disappointed to find out that the Recycle Room was closed last summer.  This was my favorite memory of the museum.  At the end of the day we could grab a bag and fill it with recycled items - incredible treasures for crafting.  To any typical person I am pretty sure it looks like trash - but to a child it is a creation just waiting to happen.

All in all it was a successful and productive rainy day.

Spice-Monkey of Maine

Swing Into A World of Flavor