McMinnville, Oregon: Yesterday was consumed with golf at our country club in Portland. Yes, we are still members at Pumpkin Ridge. Have been since 1991. Going to cash-out soon, but thought this trip would be a good send-off - and we golfed with Marci and Jim - our friends who also winter in the desert. I cannot report my score was of membership-quality, but we had a great day with old friends, which is better than par any day.
One problem though: it is a ONE HOUR drive from this campground to Pumpkin Ridge Country Club.
Dave and I walked this morning (and then Dave jogged after he walked with me) and later met My Sister at Cafe Yumm! for lunch (take-out/outdoor dining only). Renee brought her new puppy, Rogan, so we could finally meet our new grand-niece. Did we take photos? No, we did not. (More photos ops to come, don't worry.) After lunch, we all went for a two-miler around the bike paths in Beaverton and are mostly all caught-up... except My Sister and I text/call nearly daily so are usually all-caught-up.
Another errand was to vote! Our (California) Governor is facing a recall election. Our house sitter, Maricela, mailed our ballots to Mary. We fetched the envelopes and voted this morning - dropping our ballots off at the Newberg post office. (We both voted to not recall Our Governor.)
After driving back to McMinnville (another hour) and finding a gas station (another 30 minutes, and our last errand), we finally arrived to our campsite just before five o'clock. I had prepped dinner before we left this morning. Remember a few months ago when I made Chicken-Zucchini Meatballs with Feta (may be behind a paywall). Today I prepped the "meatballs" so they could be grilled (by DT).
I used one pound of organic ground turkey, one zucchini - grated on the largest holes of a box grater, and squeezed dry, one shallot (super finely minced), 1 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon chili flakes, 1/2 cup panko, and an entire plastic packet of minced fresh dill (from the herb section in your supermarket). This mixture rested all day in the fridge while we were away. I formed four little patties from the ground turkey mixture and Dave grilled the "burgers" while I prepped the rest of the meal (a salad). The rest of the mixture was shaped into meatballs and frozen for another use, another day.
This is our classy grilling situation. It works. Don't laugh. All parts are dishwasher-friendly.
I made a sauce using a bit of minced shallot, lemon juice, olive oil, and crumbled feta. Mini naan/pitas were toasted on the grill after the turkey "burgers" were grilled.
Really a very nice meal tonight - served with a tossed salad. We stayed outside for quite a while, though a local farmer had obviously fertilized his fields and the stench was quite bovine.
The Big Excitement of The Day was using our outside television for the first time in years. Dave had to change the batteries in the remote. Then, we had to remember how to switch the tuner for use of the outdoor TV. Not to worry, within 20 minutes, we were watching a non-important college football game from a place/team we do not know or care about.
Sports!
Until my next update, I remain, your rural correspondent.
Burgers sound yummy, thanks for sharing the recipe!