Hurricane Irene is about to hit Cape Cod, and with winds up to 120 mph… this is going to be a fun ride! I have had to do some serious preparations. They are telling us to prepare for 3 days of no power! I don’t believe ’em. I plan on playing golf on Monday, so it better be a sunny day.
First, to the dump to get rid of old bags and boxes and bits of smelly things that I certainly don’t want in the house if I’m stuck here.
Then to the super market. Everyone was running around buying all the things they already have in their cupboards… just to be safe. You know, extra bread, extra peanut butter. I filled my basket with Cape Cod Potato Chips and Helluva Good Dip Onion Dip! I did buy some blueberries… the non-organic kind with the toxic bug spray on them… very tasty on cereal. Oh, and I bought a box of cereal.
Then it was on to the liquor store to get the serious supplies. Mr. Dewar and I have been separated for most of the summer. Mr. Gordon of gin fame and his pal, tonic water have been more in favor through the hot days and evenings… but on such an occasion as Irene’s visit, I thought it best to revert back to those solid friends of good old days and forgotten evenings. So I’m prepared in that department.
I even made a pot of coffee that I will put on ice. If the power goes out I still need my caffeine fix and cold coffee has as good a kick as hot. (Thank you P. for this fabu idea.)
As for the “Hatches” in my title? I’ve taken down the outside shower curtain, tipped the picnic table on its top, moved the grill in under the porch, mowed the lawn, harvested all the ripe tomatoes (now I have to make sauce – anyone have a good recipe for tomato sauce????) and I’m now blogging here at my computer determined to ride out this storm with joy, rapture, camera at the ready and a good sense of humor.
Hark! I hear the first wave of rain on the windows… Irene is almost here. Stay tuned.
I roast the tomatoes for sauce..if they are the cherries leave them whole. If larger, slice them (take out seeds if very juicy). place them on one layer on a cookie sheet, sprinkle w/ olive oil, salt dried oregano and roast at 300 degrees for about 2-3 hours. When cool store in a zip lock bag and freeze in a serving size for sauce. You will have excellent sauce right through the winter. Unbelievable!
Thanks for the info. Will do this tonite before the electricity blows. Can I use almost ripe tomatoes? or do they have to be red, ripe and juicy? Most of what I have are the cherries… gorgeous little orange thingys… very tasty in a salad… but i have several big ones that i want to preserve rather than toss….
Cherries are awesome roasted…just don’t mix the batch w/ larger tomatoes or it will mess up your timing. Almost ripe ones put in a brown paper bag for a couple of days…Good luck
Roasted a bunch… all in together… smelled very fine… there isn’t that much after all when they get melted down into a mush…. might enjoy the sauce tonite!!! Thanks. Will report back.
Just got back from Brant Rock/Marshfield/ Green Harbor area. Weather down there was bright. A little rain off and on.
As soon as we hit Canton/Walpole area – torrential rains. Really dangerous and slow driving. 495 was closed? gridlocked? I don’t know. Never made it there til way later. Got off 95, up 27 to 109, then over to 495. Took an extra hour to get back to Central Mass.
Who knew it would be better weather to the South East?
Stay dry.