ISSUE #5: MAY 2026
Hi. Hello. Welcome Back.
The sun’s hanging around past dinner. The grill is back on duty. We’re eating outside whenever possible.
If you’re ready to slap on some SPF and get summering, I brought you a few things.
This Is The One I’m Known For
“Olive Dip”
If you like olives, you’re going to love this. If you don’t like olives, I might be able to persuade you. If you hate olives, gimme a shot.
If you’ve invited me to a party at your place in the last six years, there’s a good chance I showed up with a bowl of this. And every time, someone says “oh, I don’t like olives,” they try it anyway, and then keep going back to the bowl.
I’ve made it for camp trips, potlucks, holidays, dinner parties, random Tuesdays. More often than not, we’ve got fifteen minutes to get out the door, Garth chopping olives at the counter while I set the house lights to pink for a cozy return. Toss the rest in, snap on the lid, and we’re on our way.
Why it’s the one:
– Tastes expensive. Isn’t.
– Looks like you tried. You did not.
– Solves the “what should I bring” question forever.
I also just keep it around. On toast in the morning, a spoonful straight from the fridge when I need fuel. It keeps for days, which is dangerous.
Welcome to the olive side. ?
3 Times I Played Kubb
Kubb (pronounced koob)
May 26, 2012:
In Vancouver, BC, visiting my friend Sean and met up with some of his people down at Jericho Beach. Crabs he’d caught that morning on the grill. Sun, sand, kids running through, dogs underfoot. Someone set up this funny game called Kubb. It seemed simple to follow, and after the first round I wanted to play again. Pretty dreamy little day.
March 20, 2021:
Nearly a decade later. Our friend Ciarán came to visit from New Zealand by way of Portland. Hangs with friends still felt precious. Sun in the yard, reggae playing on the speaker, bubbles drifting, old pup asleep in the grass. Light speckling through the pines onto Garth and Ciarán on the pitch. Easy, peasy Saturday.
July 17, 2022:
We went to Waldron Island in the San Juans. Population 104, a small ferry to get there, no electricity. A few of us came for a week, cooking meals, eating at a log table as the sun went down. One slow afternoon we set up Kubb in the sand. Sand is wiggly, but the laughing was easy. I have a video of Dewey wandering gently into the middle of the game, Canada across the ocean behind him. The day was something I didn’t know my soul needed.
A pattern seems to be emerging: Kubb + sunshine + friends + crab (somehow, on 2 of 3 occasions). Easy days, easy game.
Two people or twelve, kids or grandparents, lawn or beach.
Buy a set online or DIY one with a 4×4 and some dowels.
I have a set. I’m looking to play. If you’re nearby and want to throw some batons in the sunshine.
The sauce that’s always in our fridge
Katsu Sauce (a.k.a. Tonkatsu)
After the party, after the lawn game, when you’re tired and want food but don’t want to cook, this is the sauce.
There’s a Hawaiian food cart in Bend called ‘Aina Kauai Style Grill that Garth and I were at constantly. Sit in the grass with the dog, chicken katsu plate, two scoops of rice, mac salad, shredded cabbage, drippy katsu sauce on everything. We were on a first-name basis with the guy running the truck. Best smile. (We’ve been gone nine months and he still remembers us when we visit.)
One night I wanted to recreate the plate lunch at home. The chicken, the rice, the mac salad. Fine. The sauce was the problem. Couldn’t find it anywhere. I was about ready to make it from scratch when I spotted the orange label of a Bull-Dog Tonkatsu Sauce bottle tucked in the corner of a shelf at Newport Market. Pheeeew.
Tonkatsu sauce and katsu sauce are the same thing. Thick, sweet, tangy, a little fruity. Kind of a Japanese take on Worcestershire crossed with ketchup.
Officially it’s for breaded fried pork or chicken, but unofficially: chicken, sure. Broccoli, uh huh. Roasted squash, yeah. Salmon, shrimp, sí.
The lazy-summer-dinner formula is rotisserie chicken + white rice + roast broccoli + a generous drizzle. Twenty minutes, done.
Find it at your local Asian market, online, or hiding on a surprise shelf at your grocery store.
Thanks for being here. Having you along for this weird little adventure is the best part. Seriously.
Just one girl • Just for fun • Probably a little too enthusiastic