'02 Nissan Pathfinder

It was time to retire my '96 Pathfinder, she was a great vehicle and we had a lot of great trips up to the mountains together.



I replaced her with a 6 year 'newer' vehicle, a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder w/98k miles, pretty much the same core truck with 6 years less rust. The added perk of working AC and a sunroof is great, although going from standard transmission to automatic was a bit of a transition. New front brakes, rotors, exhaust, evap canister+valve --

I had considered an older 4Runner too this time around, and hoped to have been able to find one that spent some time in southern states -- but after test driving several vehicles this one seemed to fit the bill right.

Now to plan my preventative maintainance--

Cold Cucumber Soup - NY Times

2 tbsp butter
1/4 cup chopped onion (or 1 leek sliced/cubed)
2/ cups diced, unpeeled garden cucumber (no-wax supermarket one)
1 cup watercress leaves
1/2 cup finely diced raw potato
2 cups chicken broth
2 large sprigs of parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/4 tsp mustard powder
1 cup heavy cream
chopped chives, radish garnish
1 pinch cayenne pepper (dads note)


Melt butter in sauce pan w onion, cooked until onions transparent. Add everything but cream, boil, simmer 15+ (potato tender), cool, puree in blender or food processor. Salt/Pepper to taste. Chill. Before serving, stirr in cream, add garnish.

Zuchini Bread Recipe

Good stuff, give it a try with some nice garden Zukes!

350 60-70 mins

2/3 c crisco shortening
2 2/3 c sugar
3 cups shredded zuchini
4 eggs
2/3 c water
3 1/3 c flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp each cinnamon + cloves

Love this one mom-- Thanks.