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    • Salmon Corn Chowder

      Posted at 1:33 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on September 27, 2018
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      Salmon is fresh and plentiful in California and it’s one of our favorite proteins to grill or poach. It also makes for a quick main course that is heartier than traditional clam chowder. It’s a great meal to serve for guests as it can be made hours beforehand and kept at room temperature until 10 minutes before sitting down to eat. Pop sourdough bread bowls into the oven to heat, add the final ingredients under the asterisk in the directions below, and serve with a small salad. Bonus: easy clean-up and few dishes!

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      Posted in In the Galley | 2 Comments | Tagged BoatingLife, Cruising, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, TinyKitchen, VivoOSonho
    • Lucky Rabbits

      Posted at 12:28 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on September 20, 2018

      3680E82300000578-0-image-a-26_1469198444830“Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit,” she said upon waking, a childhood ritual taught to her by her English grandmother. Folklore stated that saying “rabbit” thrice on the morning of the first day of the month would bring good luck. She was no longer a child but figured it couldn’t hurt and she could use some good juju on the long drive ahead.

      She was playing her harp at a wedding gig in Napa and decided to drive up the night before so she’d be rested before the mid-morning ceremony. The highway was clogged with weekend travelers and she was barely moving.  The mechanical voice on her navigation app notified her of another route and she took the next exit to follow it.

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      Posted in Story Shelf | 1 Comment | Tagged BeatrixPotter, Books Inc, LivingTheDream, ShortStory, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • The Days of Awe: Shabbat Peace

      Posted at 3:15 pm by Heidi Benson Stagg, on September 14, 2018

       

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      Shabbat is the Jewish Sabbath. It begins every Friday at sundown and lasts until sundown on Saturday. It is the central observance in Judaism and although there are weekly services in the the synagogue, it is first and foremost a family celebration. In traditional homes, work concludes early so the house can be cleaned and a special dinner prepared. No work is performed on Shabbat; just as God rested after six days of creating heaven and earth, we take time off to rest and enjoy family.

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      Posted in 5779 Days of Awe | 0 Comments
    • The Days of Awe: Thankfulness through Senses

      Posted at 10:36 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on September 13, 2018

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      After morning prayers and pages and a cuppa, I took the pup on a slow walk contemplating my New Year Intentions of daily practices of prayer and exercise. Praying is easy when you need something from God, but it takes a bit more work when all is good. That is the time to send prayers of thanksgiving. I like to think of it as “putting prayers in the bank.”

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      Posted in 5779 Days of Awe | 0 Comments | Tagged BoatingLife, DaysofAwe, DogOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, RoshHashanah, VivoOSonho
    • The Days of Awe: Setting Intentions

      Posted at 8:56 pm by Heidi Benson Stagg, on September 12, 2018

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      On my way home I caught this amazing sunset over the marina. My instant reaction was “God is Good.” That has been a running verse in my mind the past few weeks as so many of my prayers have been answered.

      I’ve been mulling over “Intentions” for the New Year. Setting “Intentions” is similar to setting resolutions but, in my mind, less intimidating. Perhaps it’s just semantics. I prefer the softer feel of “intending” rather than “resolving.” I’m trying to be kinder to myself lately; not cramming so much into a day, reserving time for “me” things like writing and walking and reading, and allowing myself to simply “Be” with my Beloved. So I’m going to be gentle and set “Intentions” for 5779.

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      Posted in 5779 Days of Awe | 0 Comments
    • The Days of Awe: Savoring the Sweetness of Faith

      Posted at 10:30 pm by Heidi Benson Stagg, on September 11, 2018

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      Rosh Hashanah is full of symbols and customs and like most of Judaism, there isn’t any “correct” way to observe the holiday. It is a happy holiday, a celebration of the New Year and God’s desire for the world to continue to exist. I’m a Reform Jew, so my observance is fairly liberal, as compared to the Orthodox and Conservative movements.

      There are a few customs that are celebrated universally: listening to the blast of the shofar, reciting “avinu malkeinu” and attending services, lighting candles and enjoying a festive meal featuring apples and honey. Thanks to the internet and the world wide web I did all of these yesterday, with the exception of visiting a synagogue. While laying in the hammock I watched a video of the sounding of the shofars (ram’s horn) across Jerusalem and listened to a hauntingly beautiful rendition of Barbra Streisand’s “Avinu Malkeinu.”

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      Posted in 5779 Days of Awe | 0 Comments
    • Rosh Hashanah Dinner

      Posted at 11:00 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on September 11, 2018
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      Braised Lamb Shanks, Smashed Potatoes with Gravy, Roasted Garlic Heads, Herb Salad and Apple Challah Pudding with Rum Sauce

      Oh my goodness … this was one delicious dinner! It does require a whole lot of chopping and measuring preparation and then a long time in the oven, but the results are melt-in-your mouth amazing. The lamb is extraordinarily mild and tender, pairing well with the crisp and tart salad. The nuttiness of the roasted garlic complemented the yukon gold potatoes perfectly. And the dessert … by far the best I have ever created! I love the texture of challah in bread pudding and the carmel sauce was indescribable … rich and thick and sweet and could be eaten on it’s own with a spoon.

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      Posted in 5779 Days of Awe, In the Galley | 1 Comment
    • The Days of Awe: Reflection

      Posted at 5:26 pm by Heidi Benson Stagg, on September 10, 2018

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      Today is Rosh Hashanah, the first day of the Jewish New Year. It began Sun., Sept. 9th, 2018, at sundown and ends on Tues., Sept. 11th at sundown. This is the first year since I converted in 1994 that I am not attending a service at a synagogue. Hubby and I took a mini-vacay during this time because the dates fit our schedules. We both really needed a get-away from everyday life so we traded the tranquility of the marina for the Anderson Valley vineyards.

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      Posted in 5779 Days of Awe | 1 Comment | Tagged DaysofAwe, LivingTheDream, RoshHashanah, VivoOSonho
    • Change of Faith

      Posted at 5:55 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on September 6, 2018

      images-3It was a difficult pregnancy with morning sickness well into the third trimester, swollen ankles and constant back pain. The labor was hard and lasted almost 24 hours before the baby girl came screaming into the world. She didn’t take to the breast easily and fussed the entire stay in hospital.

      “Don’t worry, it will change once you’re home and she settles in,” the nurses told Beth.

      But that didn’t happen and Joy didn’t live up to her name. She refused to sleep longer than two hours straight and cried during most of her waking time. There were no sweet coos of contentedness, no smiles and no joy. As she approached her first month, Beth and her husband, Michael, were at wit’s end.

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      Posted in Story Shelf | 0 Comments | Tagged LivingTheDream, ShortStory, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • Sage Potato Cakes

      Posted at 12:05 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on August 30, 2018
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      Mashed potatoes are comfort food in our family so I make a big batch and almost always have leftovers. This is a quick recipe for a savory breakfast dish which pairs nicely with fresh melon and sausage or bacon. Take the potatoes out of the fridge to bring to room temperature while you are having your morning cup of tea or coffee; this will make them easier to mix and cook evenly.

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      Posted in In the Galley | 1 Comment | Tagged BoatingLife, Cruising, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, TinyKitchen, VivoOSonho
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    Heidi Benson Stagg

    Heidi Benson Stagg

    I live aboard a 42 ft Tayana Vancouver sailboat, hull #5 laid in 1979, with my husband and little dog. We left our berth of 15 yeas in Alameda, California in the Fall of 2022 and now live in La Paz, Mexico. I enjoy blogging about our journey, cooking in my tiny kitchen and writing short stories.

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