Sandals and Beach Clothes!

In my next life I am coming back with any foot size as long as it is a "Medium".

Having a 10-AA shoe size makes shoe and sandal shopping an on-going search for Cinderella's Slipper; minus the Fairy Godmother!

Glumly into the "Famous Brand Shoes" store I went. A tiny bit of hope always propels me forward. To my amazement at nose level there were two pairs of edgy but elegant Birkenstocks in my narrow size! I bought them both! Ha, the boxes were marked Medium! They were in wait for me!

Today I started collecting my Beach Clothes Pile for Cottage Opening Day! Just pulling out of the drawers various Summer tees, skirts, jackets and even nightgowns made me slightly giddy!

Giddy with relief of Winter and it's lined-jeans worn with huge socks and even bigger boots!

Flip-flops? Must run now and make certain I know where they are hiding!

Beach Blessings,

Small Kitchen Stories: Warm Cottage: Lentil Stewy-Soup with Chicken-Apple Sausage

Oh, Dewey Beach! Oh; Venus Restaurant where I had my "settled on my beach cottage celebration dinner". Venus who was born of the Sea, Daughter of Neptune, overflows her bay to meet the Ocean!

Shall I placate with this Soup Offering?
After the Friday The 13th, Storm Ida, I'd be begging to make this dinner or to have it delivered to my doorstep!

The One-Stop-Shop Rte One shopping continues with a quest and request for: Lentil Soup.

Lord only knows how long it has been since I made anything-lentil.  ~ 15 years?

Same parameter challenges to meet: hearty, totally delicious, cheap, easy!

BIG POT: mine was too small

Olive Oil, 1 ladle

Lentils, brown: rinsed

*1-16 oz package for Stew or 1/2 package-8 oz for Soup

 ** I suggest using only 1/2 bag or 8 oz.  This "soup" once made thickens like crazy!

Onion, 1 chopped

Garlic, 2 cloves minced

Chicken Apple Sausage, pre-cooked, 1 package: El Fiesta brand

Vegetable Broth, Organic, 1 quart: Pacific bran

Mushrooms: big handful chopped

Parsley, flat leaf, rinsed and minced

Big Can Tomatoes, 28 oz, Nature's Promise brand

Water, 3 cups

Red Wine, 1/2 cup

Apple, 1, peeled and chopped

Bay Leaf, small half

Marjoram and Thyme to taste

Honey, 1 big teaspoon

Yogurt, as a garnish

In a BIG pot, pour in the olive oil.  Add in the onion, garlic and let it get some color, add in the mushrooms and sausage and brown up.  Add in everything else.

Stir often!

Simmer for ~ 45 minutes.

Garnish with the Yogurt.

Ta Da!

Small Kitchen Stories: Sunday Nite Supper Composition

Sunday Night Suppers are always a challenge.  I'm hungry but do not want to make a nice big lovely meal with the involved cleanup..... my small galley kitchen does not have a dishwasher..... as well I do want to use up whatever is "leftover"........ less to cart back to my PA home!

I wanted seafood... but did not want to cook it!  I stopped by Rehoboth Seafood and bought a small chunk of Smoked Bluefish.

Onto the dinner plate it went next to, deviled eggs stuffed with crab meat, sliced radishes topped with scallions.

Then I steamed up and buttered a big handful of asparagus.  Onto the plate it went with a slice of toast.

Sesame Ginger Dressing drizzled on all :-)

Dessert: sliced strawberries with broken up biscotti drizzled with sweet liquor!

Dinner!

Small Kitchen Stories: Desperate for Dinner

Once home after my amazing but grueling 8.5 hours doing Migratory Bird Duty....... a two hour round trip walk-in-and-out-slog into Osprey Beach........ much more fun to boat-in .....not having had enough water with me for the adventure........... upon arrival at my cottage I was beyond desperate for lunch and dinner!

My little grill-press to the rescue!  Dinner prep to table was 10 minutes!

On the plate, cover it with garden leaf lettuce. Cut up a nice tomato and scallions....... place on the lettuce.

Heat up the grill with some olive oil.  Cut up in bite size pieces: a small eye of round steak and then throw on the grill.  Place on top the press.  Stir after 2 minutes.  Replace the press.  

After a total of 5 minutes the steak is done.  Turn off the heat and drizzle on a fun salad dressing.  I used a Balsamic Honey Fig....... and let it sizzle and glaze the meat.

Place on the plate next to the tomato and scallions.

Ta-DA!  DINNER!!!!!

Saved me it did!

Then I showered and went out for a Rehoboth party!!!! 

Osprey Beach "Pee" and Red Knots

The boat beached on "Osprey Beach", which I dubbed "Beach-Pee-pee" as it was the ONLY beach where one can hide behind a pine tree and pee! 

With my girly pink-backpack, $3,000 scope and chair in tow.... we found our spot for re-sighting the Red Knots and Ruddy Turnstones.

This was my first time getting to know a scope.  Lucky for me DE's Fish and Wildlife provided me with a great piece of glass!!!!

My re-sighting partner......a top-flight ornithologist from the UK....... gave me a great lesson.  He sat with me until I was comfortable with the re- sighting and data recording....... then I was on my own.

I recorded data for 50 birds.......... my Brit partner did 350!!!!!!!!!!!

I loved-loved watching the bird behaviors.  My favorite was watching the Ruddy Turnstones digging deeply for the horseshoe crab eggs........ so deep that half the bird would be would be in  it's little hole!

The wind and cold kept me alert, I was multi- layered up.....the layers almost made it thru .... I hid behind a tree for cover...... after three hours I was ready for the rescue crew!

Earlier in the day..... waiting for the rain to stop, I made banding bead strings....... and attempted to make a few flags too.  Oh, and I learned how to do data-entry too!

10.5 hours later............. barely made it back alive to the cottage for dinner and SLEEP! 

 

Small Kitchen Stories

With my new bright-white, little and slim fridge installed....... time to cook again!  

After 10.5 hours of birding tasks with DE's Fish and Wildlife Seashore Migratory Field Station, and a 40 minute drive from Slaughter Beach back to Dewey...... I needed dinner to be QUICK, HOT, and nourishing!!!

I did a one-pot Chicken/Veggy/Couscous! 

 Hug- a- bowl yummy-tummy it was!

In a small sauce pan.... throw in the following all chopped up: cooked roasted chicken,  zucchini, tomato, scallions, wine, olive oil.  Cook up!  Throw in the couscous, cover, turn off the heat.... wait 5 minutes and hope for the best!!!!!  

I used 1/4 cup of the couscous.  That means you must have at least 1/2 cup of liquid in the pot.

I topped the meal with full cream yogurt :-) :-) :-)

Dinner!  Ta-DA!

Very Dewey Friday!

Very-Dewey-Beach was my 6:30PM Friday Night Happy Hour invite........ which turned into a barbecue cookout which turned into a Big Happy Birthday party which ended at midnight!

I took the hosts doggie out for a quick walk......and discovered as I walked by an ocean block home that has a Key West outdoor bar/kitchen/outdoor fireplace! I dubbed it "Que Pasa Oceanside".  I crashed their party and said to look for me again!

Really-Really URGENT! *Poop and Pee* in our Dewey Beach Sea????

I'm more than 100% disgusted.
Rehoboth Beach City Council will vote soon on Sewage "Outfall" in OUR OCEAN/BEACH!
I suggest an email to Commissoner Paul Kuhns:

pkuhns@cityofrehoboth.com

*Also see my Blog Post below: URGENT! Sewage in our Beloved Ocean and Beach????

Fowler Beach

Finally, I found the time and opportunity to do a look-see at Fowler Beach.  It is on the North side of Prime Hook Reserve

I do not think I found my way there by the shortest route....... but found it I did.

The beach is backed by the marsh so the birding opportunities are good drawing the birds for the marsh, shore and ocean birds.

I loved seeing the so-prime-evil-looking Cormorants...... and that was the biggest Great Blue Heron I have ever seen!

Of course, I was looking for more Piping Plovers, but none sighted.

Visit this beach early in the season..... before the mosquitos get going!

I'm going to return soon for a long bay walk.

There are no views of civilization at Fowler Beach!  For that alone it is worth the visit.

Piping Plover Watch!

Delaware's Fish & Wildlife, Matt Bailey, at Cape Henlopen's Biden Center, on Saturday May 9th,  hosted the Volunteers Piping Plover Training.  

 We were about 50 strong and totally at rapt attention despite the distractions of yummy treats and the arrival after ~ 14 days of rain.... ta-da.. sunny weather.

Pictures of Piping Plover chicks are all fuzzy-wuzzy and too-cute-as-can-be and thus sealed the deal for our commitment as "Monitors".  We will watch the restricted breeding areas for human and other disturbances.

After the training we headed to CHSP's "The Point", for on the job training!  Maybe that was a Piping Plover fly-by, but to me it looked like white fluff!

My Monitor gig will be at "The Point" to take in sunset........or maybe the same at Gordon's Pond Tower.

Red Knots Arrive and Ruddy Turnstones too!

I've waited a year to see my first Red Knots!  I was so excited!  I'm still excited!  My first sighting was at Port Mahon along the bay's rip-rap rocky edges. My first look-see out the binos.... and there they were!!!!   My sighting partner, on a five day holiday, was an Environmental Educator, and a wonderful teacher

  I'm a volunteer with DE's Fish and Wildlife Seashore Birds.  I'm participating on a fast learning-track to record data, sight birds, re-sight band info, capture/net and band the birds!

After eight hours work.......I was fading...... but still on an adrenaline rush after the afternoon boat-tour look-see ( no Red Knots or Ruddy Turnstones...... so no scope work).

Can not wait to net and band my first birds!!!!!

Conquest Beach Outing

I must have my daily beach walk!  Beach-combing calls me!

Since last Summer, I am now a "Birder"!  Newbie- Birder!  Birds call me!

Conquest Beach was the destination....... just a few miles past Dewey Beach.  Despite the bleary rainy weather...... a nice time!

It was half-way between low and high tide....... I found 3-4 groups of 15-20 each of Sanderlings in their pre-breeding plumage, obsessively feeding.

A Laughing Gull dove and came up with a beautiful blue crab.  Sushi time!

Two sets of Willets did their serene-watch-the-ocean-thing.

One Osprey flew about the dunes picking up and letting go nest material.

A lovely conch was my beach combing cache of the day.

If I had not counted the dune-fence openings....... I would not have found my way back to my vehicle.  There were no "markers" to show me how far I walked and the same on the return!

Cottage Opens. Fridge DOA!

  The beachy-cottage opening was challenging.  My heart always pumps fast as I pull up to the driveway....open the door.....and look around.

  Oddly, ten days ago I heard a whisper in my ear: Fridge is dead. Indeed it was nearly so.  It made burbling noises and hardly a whisper of a hopeful cool breeze.

  I called Millman's the local appliance store....... they are wonderful.  In just a few minuted they located the one I needed.

  But how in the heck to get the old one out and the new one in?  The fridge width is 24 inches and the opening to the kitchen galley is 23 inches!!!!!!

  Now I needed a kitchen cabinetry tradesman/contractor to take out a cabinet to make space and coordinate the removal of the old and the arrival of the new.

  Thankfully I had picked up a Coastal Press paper.  I picked out an ad..... made the call and put on my best damsel in distress vibe.

  Success followed.  Everything coordinated and arranged........ but I'll be without a fridge for another week!

  The kindness of Millman's and my contractor made my weekend.

  Sussex County natives are the best and warm my heart.  The women are warm-hearted and kind and the men are gentlemen.

  Hanging out at Jazz Fest helped too!

  

  

 

Beachy Wear Collection and Bathing Suits

Ah, with the larder groceries collected, I now face the beachy-wear collection tasks!

   I had to buy a beach cottage as I need a boat-load of clothes for even a single beach day!  Challenge: Breezy cool for the morning and night....steaming hot in-between and try to look cute and fun when going out?!

But the biggest challenge of all......is facing down that swimsuit.  At a "certain age"..... bikinis are but a distant memory!  What to wear?!  I love to swim, boogie-board, jump the waves....so I need a real swim suit!

LL Bean does the trick.  My modesty picks the two-piece ones with a skirted bottom, fits my long frame, and  I can mix and match tops and bottoms.  These work well!!!

But.. and there is always a butt :-) with swim suits: this is what I have discovered.

Forget the fabric that is anything but smooth....the ridged stuff is the worst  .... otherwise the fabric acts like a sieve and collects flotsam and jetsam!

Sadly the halter plastic slide always breaks mid-Season!

Ha-HA!  The trick is to put it back together with: Dental Floss!!!!

Thus I do this when it is brand-spanking new!  Better to do this now then to come up from a wave without coverage!

Beachy-wear!!! You are at the beach.... no time to waste a moment on endless dressing complications!

Cottage Opening Begins! Preparations!

This morning I have the good news that the De-Winterization is complete and successful!  I always request the same Plumber...... And Bless Him for his good work.  He now knows this tiny place very well!

Hearing this news, my heart always jumps a beat!

Last year was also a successful opening but a 60 year-old outside water valve needing replacing.  And that was quite the project coordinating the water shut-off with the Town of Dewey Beach and the plumbing project with the plumbing service.

Today the Spring Cleaning begins.....and Bless my Housekeeping Lady.  Spring Cleaning is her thing!  In late Fall, I leave the cottage all covered in sheets......so this helps.

The fans will have to have the blades cleaned otherwise splats of dust balls fly here and 

everywhere once the switch is on!

I'm gathering my linens, clothes, and stocking the larder groceries.

I attacked the grocery challenge before the clothes challenge.  Grocery needs are a defined list........clothing needs...... that is a work in progress!

I shopped my own pantry first......and was happy to only buy one grocery bag of items to complete the job.

Beyond the usual needs of Mayo and Mustard......basic needs, I include condiments for Japanese meals: sticky rice, rice wine and vinegar, sesame oil, tamari sauce.

Today I'll finish gathering the clothing wardrobe!  I'll muse about that next.

 

Small Kitchen Stories: Mac and Cheese

Upon arriving at the beachy-cottage all commuted-out from the traffic.....I throw my stuff in the cottage..... then take a sunset walk along the beach.  Oh, and maybe a look-see-in at Nalu's, Que Pasa, and Taco Toss too!

       Then, back at home,  I am STARVED and just want something quick, yummy, and maybe left-overs too for a weekend snack too :-)

Mac and Cheese!  Even my my family members would never guess and simultaneously be appalled!  NEVER-EVER in a Million Years, do I make the Mac and Cheese meal at my non-beach abode!  

Read on: this is brilliant.  I use Annie's Shells and Cheddar.  Now comes the creative part: any small bits of veggies can boil along with the shells.  Asparagus is perfect cooking time-wise.  Then of course I pump it up with more cheddar cheese :-)   and then top it with a chopped tomato and .....oohh, maybe some lovely smoked tuna or bluefish or trout :-)

  Take the leftovers and mix in some Hellman's Mayo.......and a nice salad is the result. 

Sshhh, do not tell my friends, they will laugh all Summer!

Small Kitchen Stories: Grilling!

My beachy-cottage's tiny-tiny kitchen stove does not have a built-in grill.  It does broil up a storm.... but that does not do the job for certain cuts of meat.  I've had to bypass countless seafood offerings for lack of a grill.  It is too silly to fire up a huge outdoor grill for a 6 oz salmon steak!

It has taken years to solve this problem :-)  I bought a George Foreman Grill!  I spent hours picking it out......only to gift it to my Mom... straight away.  Just not my style!

And then I found it! I'm in love with my Calphalon Griddle Non-Stick Press!!!!

How do I love thee, My Grill?

Burgers, salmon steak, chicken breast or leg in 8-12 Minutes!  The most amazing French Toast EVER!

If grilling one little fish steak....then lots of room to scatter about onions, mushrooms, tiny cut potatoes!

Just keep the griddle press on top of the fish/meat...... holds in the heat and steam.

I think this is much more fun then my rice cooker steamed-meals!!!!

Calphalon; I Love you!

Facebook Group: I Love Dewey Beach : Supports Local Businesses

********** Fifer's Local Fresh Market Presents Offers to ILDB **********
Our VERY OWN ILDB MEMBER JASON Fennemore of Fifer's Local Fresh Market offer's 50% discount on the New Deli Case item- Dietz and Watson Meats and Cheeses until May 1st!
To get the Offer: At the register just say, " ILDB"!

ILDB LOVES Fifer's!

*Take a look at Fifer's Local Fresh Market Facebook Page! 
Become a Fan and spread the ILDB*Love!

Beach Hat Expertise!

I'm KNOWN for my beach hats!  It is a given that you need a collection of cute ones for running about and going out! 

   But which is the beach hat that gives the best protection, will not fly off into the sea, and most importantly..... allows you to lean back in your beach chair.... without crushing the beloved thing?!

You want a very wide and floppy brim..... But most importantly the material must but be very flexible and finely woven.  It won't be crushproof...... but it will last the season.  Not more ;-)

Find one with a fabric head-band........ which makes it more comfortable in the heat...... but the sweat will come thru....and stains it :-(

In late October it is a SAD-SAD DAY when my poor old floppy friend is with all due ceremony chucked into the beach-side garbage bin.

 Btw, the brand I buy is "Sloggers"....rhymes with Blogger :-)  I find these hats ( for both guys and gals ) at funky hardware stores and garden centers!

  

The Dewey Beach- Beachy-Life Blog Future Posts

I'm looking forward to blogging about my Dewey Beach-Beachy-Life.

I'll talk about my beach-life....best beaches for best fun.....my seafood purchases and tiny kitchen meals, volunteer life at Cape Henlopen State Park, the live music scene, bar and night-life, Town of Dewey Beach doings, how to be The Beach Goddess............ and what's cool and what's definitely not cool!

I love my SandBOX!