change of plans

So the original plan was to get the transmission back in the rusty race wagon by mid-day, then hit the store for the weekly shopping trip then finish bolting everything in place.

Well.

It is a job that is best done with two people (laying under a 100# gearbox isn't the best idea by yourself). And my help couldn't make it today.

So we headed to the store and after a rare meal out last night and a Gazpacho leading into a mediocre fried haddock and chips we saw some Gazpacho in the prepared food section and K and I decided we should have that tonight to go with the rest of the dinner.

Bittman tweeted about Gazpacho today so i took it as a convergence of signs that I need to make some.

fresh tomatoes? well i didn't pick any up, i'm gun shy about buying them in the store. But Bittman says I can use a 28 oz can of tomatoes. Perfect.

so I get the blender out - oops, looks like I assumed it was put away clean, when it had some remains of a bit of margarita from a party a while back. Never assume assembled equipment is clean i guess. Oops.

Turns out i have to divide everything in 1/2 because it doesn't all fit in the blender.

what goes into the blender?
1 28oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 medium cucumber (75% peeled and chopped)
1 medium green pepper chopped
1 medium onion chopped
2 ribs celery finely chopped (finely so make sure the veins are not noticed)
4 cloves of garlic
small bunch of cilantro (very small - could use parsley but i had cilantro)
Cayenne pepper (just to taste)
salt
pepper
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons brown rice vinegar (white wine would work too again that's what I had)

Blend to consistency

did one 1/2 of the stuff - then the other (this is something you need to put in a non-reactive bowl, ie no metal not even Stainless). Mixed em up.

Tasted, and put into quart containers in the fridge to chill until dinner. The raw garlic and onion and cayenne gives it a nice 'heat' that isn't like chili pepper hot.

The oldest approved after maybe 10 spoonfuls and then proclaimed that she would EAT THE WHOLE THING! Youngest thought it was good, but a touch spicy.

No car work yet today. But we got the bontrager's wheels set up for CX (oldest) and the bike room somewhat cleaned and sort of organized. Kind of. always more work do to. Put up the helmet wall of fame (there were a few old helmets kicking around, broken and also just old).

I might just try and stick the transmission on the jack and lift it into place and see if I can get it in there alone. But I may just bag it and plan on tomorrow. What's one more day after a month+?

Besides tomorrow is a paid holiday for me, working in the last state to have Victory over Japan day as a holiday on the books. "We" don't call it that anymore of course, it has gone from that to VJ day to V day to who knows what else now, but man people here LOVE this holiday. Who wouldn't? A paid holiday in the middle of August? What it means is that this next week is when most people take a late summer vacation. And that's not a bad thing either.

I'm talking myself out of working on the car right now aren't I? Oh well. Maybe I can still hoist that box up on the jack and put it in place.

heddwch
G