Back on the Blogging Bandwagon!

So April and May happened.  And apparently June is currently happening as well.  School has been out for a couple weeks, but I've still be busy finishing up the year and getting ready for the next one.  Patti Wagon living hasn't stopped; just the blogging took a respite.  I make no promises, but with summer, comes lots of free time, and there are only so many episodes of Mad Men / Game of Thrones / Arrested Development I can watch before I must peel myself off the couch and into the kitchen.

So what's been happening on this Patti Wagon? 

Book Club happened.  I chose The Round House by Louise Erdrich.  Good (not great, in my opinion) book about a Native American boy seeking revenge.  I chose a taco bar as the food.  Accouterments pictured below.  But honestly, the highlight of the evening was dessert -- Mexican popsicles from La Michocana.  It is dangerously close to my house. I might have to move. 

Jam happened.  As per the usual.  But it happened this year in copious amounts.  Twenty-three jars.  Perhaps I'll make it January before running out.  Here's last year's post if you're interesting into getting into the jam freezing.  Blueberry season is almost upon us! 

Fish happened.  My friend Michael (husband of blogger and teacher extraordinaire Corrie) is an avid fisherman, and I asked him to save me some bass from one of his fishing trips.  The reasons therein are manyfold. 

• The idea of knowing exactly where every part of my meal came from.  (Who needs organic when you can have this?  But that's another post for another day.)
• I always want to extend my skill set in the kitchen.  (I thought "fish gutting" would be a nice resume enhancer.)
• I will never turn down free food, and in fact, I will seek it out.  (I think that'd actually be a good quote for my tombstone: "RIP Patricia ~ She never said no to free food.")

No pictures of the gutting, but here is a nice before and after shot.  I quickly marinated the filets in lime juice, herbs, olive oil, rice vinegar, and salt and pepper and then sauteed it on the stove.  Delicious!  Cheers to Michael for the fish and the lesson!