CASTLEGAR BORSCHT

In my travels this summer, I flew in to Castlegar, BC. Castlegar is located in the West Kootenay region of BC, nestled at the base of the Selkirk Mountains. I found out on the final approach in the "JAZZ" prop plane that if the pilot can't see the airport, they return to Vancouver. So the nickname for this airport was called "CANCELGAR". We seemed to graze the treetops on the mountains and I was quite relieved when the plane literally dropped into the airport.

At the airport restaurant there, I had the most delicious stew. I have never been a fan of borscht, but this stew was different. It is a meal in a bowl! The West Kootenays has a heavy concentration of families of Doukhobor ancestry, from So Russian and the Ukraine. Many Doukhobors are vegetarians and have a rich tradition of hearty cooking. This recipe is from one of their recipe books.

I had a craving for it the other night and whipped up a batch. Just in case any of you would like to taste this, too, I included the recipe here:

CASTLEGAR BORSCHT (revised)

1 Tbl butter

1 onion chopped

3 cups diced canned tomatoes

1/3 cup green pepper chopped

1/3 cup fresh dill, finely chopped

4 cups finely grated cabbage (used “classic cole slaw”)

3 cups water

2 tsp salt

2 tsp chicken broth seasoning

4 med potatoes, peeled and halved

2 potatoes diced

1/3 cup carrots, finely diced

1/4 cup beets diced

1 cup tomato or V8 juice

1/3 cup cream ( used fat free)

1/3 cup sour cream(reduced fat)

Melt butter in large kettle. Add onions and cook at low heat for 5 minutes. Add canned tomatoes, peppers, dill and cabbage. Cook at moderate heat for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid browning. Meanwhile, bring salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add potatoes, carrots and beets, and return to a boil. Add tomato juice. Simmer until potatoes are cooked. Remove the halved potatoes and mash with cream. Combine both mixtures and season to taste.

MAC AT THE LOUVRE?????

You got to be kidding!! What next? The french are fried over the bad taste at the Louvre.

Now you can view fine art and boost your blood sugar and speed up the onset of diabetes with junk food? We may as well share the abominable Western diet with Europe. Do they need some couches to sit in front of the TV as well?

We all know after a short stay in America, Michelangelo's David returned to Europe supersized.

I have heard a rumor that Dan Brown will soon begin work on "The McNugget Code".

"LIGHTEN THE LOAD"

Listening to NPR today, I heard the news about the airlines asking the passengers to "use the john before they get on"!! Since the average bladder can hold a 1.1 pound of urine, if all 216 passengers had fairly full bladders, it would add additional 240 lbs. In one month, they are hoping to reduce their carbon emissions by 5 tons. Add to the weirdness, the airline will post "loo attendants" who will encourage people to use the restroom at the gate prior to take off. I can hear it now, "Excuse me, miss, but I can't help noticing that you look like you need to take a leak". Next thing you know, the privy police may be saying that "you may board as long as your fluids fit comfortably in ONE, QUART SIZE,clear plastic,zip-top bag".

San Fran

The city by the bay. . . managed to leave with my heart in tact. Just had a fun weekend in SF. Tickets to Giants game, sitting next to the dugout. I must say that the new ball park location has certainly improved the clientele, ambiance, everything! No fights in the stands that was typical with Candlestick. I will make an effort to be a fan now.

The highlight of the weekend was hitting the Tut exhibit at the de Young museum. The above "coffinette" was for the majesty's "viscera", which in a layman's term pretty much means the intestines. It is hard to imagine this organ would be sacred and could be preserved for 3200 years. Gives a whole new dimension to "ass hole".

Such diversity. . . took 4 different taxi's and the drivers were from 4 different country's. The driver with the worst English, had lived here for 25 years! Guess it works for him. Only in America.

I was blown away by the fancy public toilet. I thought it was a visitor information booth at first.

After a weekend of noise pollution and crowds, my little brush Okie palace in the country was very welcome. But I am already planning my next excursion to the bay!