tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1841145484848425752024-03-13T22:08:52.534-07:00Food. Travel. Life. Love.Love People. Cook them yummy food.Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-53577371078388218212013-05-07T09:57:00.001-07:002013-05-07T09:58:39.942-07:00Insta-lately<p dir=ltr>In no particular order.... Pie. Hubs birthday. Cocktails. Business dinner Miami style. South beach. Garden goodness. </p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpnrFSTFqGZTx3Gu1PrH2vA84D0NjSI10ZEHLPYKTPIQyWlJiQPOX1OIWbUrzhm9cga0NkxfMR7t_pef-qPUsu5TgiZG9nyVzm977EEfEKY4IkY5leg3r07kZgnuL69LBBgpa8Q8jjiw/s1600/IMG_20130504_094914.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpnrFSTFqGZTx3Gu1PrH2vA84D0NjSI10ZEHLPYKTPIQyWlJiQPOX1OIWbUrzhm9cga0NkxfMR7t_pef-qPUsu5TgiZG9nyVzm977EEfEKY4IkY5leg3r07kZgnuL69LBBgpa8Q8jjiw/s640/IMG_20130504_094914.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkE-89aoUiLnvghoSu99qxVnj2xcCs7uSiDJcOk2DOQmxhfhVVGajSFl4Ijjik6avd7h8IQYPC7uZ2vt8ErMm_fsu_e3q-u5PnDQnjw98H9U9emXlVURkrjoiP2vVgwXFQlTg-kC2mkM/s1600/IMG_20130430_214049.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkE-89aoUiLnvghoSu99qxVnj2xcCs7uSiDJcOk2DOQmxhfhVVGajSFl4Ijjik6avd7h8IQYPC7uZ2vt8ErMm_fsu_e3q-u5PnDQnjw98H9U9emXlVURkrjoiP2vVgwXFQlTg-kC2mkM/s640/IMG_20130430_214049.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTZqfI3uuXzkQ5-QsJgNJoBNn4mipz4tbpYlp4Jp2QN1_KeWeNgOfVXt7lmvIsjtY0LQhBqzWpZSyH3735b1iQfZXGHCb-c7Tx__D-DOUZKQvRjiaBPE4R5V3vpO1AtDnUeUe-2Qfy-M/s1600/IMG_20130506_080741.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTZqfI3uuXzkQ5-QsJgNJoBNn4mipz4tbpYlp4Jp2QN1_KeWeNgOfVXt7lmvIsjtY0LQhBqzWpZSyH3735b1iQfZXGHCb-c7Tx__D-DOUZKQvRjiaBPE4R5V3vpO1AtDnUeUe-2Qfy-M/s640/IMG_20130506_080741.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiR7xdsYKNxv9ZI0YfTGfPKpuur7dxJwaVAnWOrOEw-mY6PXZg6w5r0-FB0zbBHwn2oF9InDh1QG2iBJhbU2l3h7mk10w_iDfJ1LukpssKQ3yCI6384elt2JtyBXP3CaTyf1zoVFNgXRc/s1600/IMG_20130430_183451.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiR7xdsYKNxv9ZI0YfTGfPKpuur7dxJwaVAnWOrOEw-mY6PXZg6w5r0-FB0zbBHwn2oF9InDh1QG2iBJhbU2l3h7mk10w_iDfJ1LukpssKQ3yCI6384elt2JtyBXP3CaTyf1zoVFNgXRc/s640/IMG_20130430_183451.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlGsskp5a-60wajcqZuTfwtreraWwh0js6Q2O-0913uLYorlVXAImI004cKdbd0YcX4jUvaE04O5RnGGb2VOTt4puWEdk9IK7kGcjRa8i-h2pvIWkyxGgAWxHWgyN1dpvrNCpkus8WY0/s1600/IMG_20130430_190547.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlGsskp5a-60wajcqZuTfwtreraWwh0js6Q2O-0913uLYorlVXAImI004cKdbd0YcX4jUvaE04O5RnGGb2VOTt4puWEdk9IK7kGcjRa8i-h2pvIWkyxGgAWxHWgyN1dpvrNCpkus8WY0/s640/IMG_20130430_190547.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmH5Xf03ZiYFKMDX76Ctc565YesLw9bJofaupmj2K_sOH2B77dfnpUDAYrlTXx07N4LWSt6GljRkwj5CSkJQNQ8UCXxCOOiEwIr8zQPUSATnRC55eJ7z_5-G7YFtFPU8PitARyg_RqM6M/s1600/IMG_20130505_195418.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmH5Xf03ZiYFKMDX76Ctc565YesLw9bJofaupmj2K_sOH2B77dfnpUDAYrlTXx07N4LWSt6GljRkwj5CSkJQNQ8UCXxCOOiEwIr8zQPUSATnRC55eJ7z_5-G7YFtFPU8PitARyg_RqM6M/s640/IMG_20130505_195418.jpg' /> </a> </div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-74021440055045617742013-04-23T08:25:00.000-07:002013-04-23T08:25:00.662-07:00Nicaragua<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nicaragua. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BSaI5gBGU8k/UXV67zxX3aI/AAAAAAAAM70/ebQIS3kEmCk/s1600/20130414_173116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BSaI5gBGU8k/UXV67zxX3aI/AAAAAAAAM70/ebQIS3kEmCk/s320/20130414_173116.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where to start?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndNxQfA93Bo/UXV7JZa1eFI/AAAAAAAAM9U/PlJnCub8i2I/s1600/20130415_132345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndNxQfA93Bo/UXV7JZa1eFI/AAAAAAAAM9U/PlJnCub8i2I/s320/20130415_132345.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I just returned from visiting my best friend forever, Ms. <a href="http://kaciesbackpack.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kacie</a>. She is volunteering in Nicaragua in the Peace Corp. Can I just say, she rocks? She rocks. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aAi1_y47CAg/UXV7IGXHcuI/AAAAAAAAM9M/iezYe4pXP6k/s1600/20130415_162948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aAi1_y47CAg/UXV7IGXHcuI/AAAAAAAAM9M/iezYe4pXP6k/s320/20130415_162948.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her mom, Nina, and I visited for just over a week and were able to attend business education classes with her at some of her schools and visit some of the amazing communities that she supports. Oh and yummy coffee, amazing sunsets, colors so bright and the most giving hospitable people I have ever met. </span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJhzMi-L1wM/UXV7GwpojgI/AAAAAAAAM9E/M-jh5vcTyBI/s1600/20130415_160918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJhzMi-L1wM/UXV7GwpojgI/AAAAAAAAM9E/M-jh5vcTyBI/s320/20130415_160918.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7MqWqZdU0io/UXV7BbNXA3I/AAAAAAAAM8c/QPn6KEzEnX4/s1600/20130415_161946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7MqWqZdU0io/UXV7BbNXA3I/AAAAAAAAM8c/QPn6KEzEnX4/s320/20130415_161946.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I went on this trip with very little expectations. Well, actually no expectations. Having never visited a developing country I generally had no idea what I was in for. We were staying at nice resorts to I figured it would be pretty straight forward... Um yeah. Let's just say I was a little overwhelmed from day one. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQQvQJW9mMU/UXV6t6FnEtI/AAAAAAAAM6Q/G7jpstYWaeA/s1600/20130415_155521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQQvQJW9mMU/UXV6t6FnEtI/AAAAAAAAM6Q/G7jpstYWaeA/s320/20130415_155521.jpg" width="320" /></a></span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eso67JgVNq8/UXV6x1D9rHI/AAAAAAAAM6o/7wTZsp8IPxk/s1600/20130415_132338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eso67JgVNq8/UXV6x1D9rHI/AAAAAAAAM6o/7wTZsp8IPxk/s320/20130415_132338.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once I had slept (did I mention we took a red-eye and hadn't really slept on the plane), and was a little more refreshed I felt a little more prepared to meet Nicaragua. My dearest Kacie was very patient with her Mom and I as we adjusted to "Nica time" and got to know her schools and towns she works in. Again, she rocks. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EARR1oQUuXE/UXV63zjPnFI/AAAAAAAAM7U/D2J3X2yp8Xg/s1600/20130415_162956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EARR1oQUuXE/UXV63zjPnFI/AAAAAAAAM7U/D2J3X2yp8Xg/s320/20130415_162956.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KxzoMiChBVU/UXV61bu_kgI/AAAAAAAAM7A/fR_HAlc618M/s1600/20130415_155847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KxzoMiChBVU/UXV61bu_kgI/AAAAAAAAM7A/fR_HAlc618M/s320/20130415_155847.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kyZz5fbfAgU/UXV6jMRiKjI/AAAAAAAAM5I/QVHjlKhqN9U/s1600/20130415_162244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kyZz5fbfAgU/UXV6jMRiKjI/AAAAAAAAM5I/QVHjlKhqN9U/s320/20130415_162244.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We visited Kacie's classes, explored the market near her home, went to the beach, the pool and gave Kacie a little R&R from her daily Nica life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAu-SKOquqA/UXV6adT32UI/AAAAAAAAM4U/b_gMot4L2kk/s1600/20130416_150821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAu-SKOquqA/UXV6adT32UI/AAAAAAAAM4U/b_gMot4L2kk/s320/20130416_150821.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OShe33Fo-eo/UXV6YaDp48I/AAAAAAAAM4E/sGDno6BZvpg/s1600/20130416_112045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OShe33Fo-eo/UXV6YaDp48I/AAAAAAAAM4E/sGDno6BZvpg/s320/20130416_112045.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4OTnULNqx-A/UXV58gECtUI/AAAAAAAAM0s/bNq4d5-GBfg/s1600/20130416_111658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4OTnULNqx-A/UXV58gECtUI/AAAAAAAAM0s/bNq4d5-GBfg/s320/20130416_111658.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ftipjb_o0S4/UXV6NmygnEI/AAAAAAAAM2s/xh0ou292x3w/s1600/20130416_164750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ftipjb_o0S4/UXV6NmygnEI/AAAAAAAAM2s/xh0ou292x3w/s320/20130416_164750.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the highlights for me, was visiting her English Language community group. These students are self organized and have just generally been working on their own until they discovered Kacie lived in the neighborhood! She's been meeting with them weekly and helping them develop their English skills. These students were awesome! They made us dinner and told us about their lives. Mind blown. Such a cool experience!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c_xLE_GUM94/UXV6MYkfTpI/AAAAAAAAM2k/vj6pSsIF5B0/s1600/20130416_114151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c_xLE_GUM94/UXV6MYkfTpI/AAAAAAAAM2k/vj6pSsIF5B0/s320/20130416_114151.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_tLl7xAlFZg/UXV5_1DPxSI/AAAAAAAAM1E/RSFU4uNYN7s/s1600/20130416_114729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_tLl7xAlFZg/UXV5_1DPxSI/AAAAAAAAM1E/RSFU4uNYN7s/s320/20130416_114729.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4mCGgWybFo/UXV51TzZ5MI/AAAAAAAAMz4/_rsriVZRL8I/s1600/20130416_114242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4mCGgWybFo/UXV51TzZ5MI/AAAAAAAAMz4/_rsriVZRL8I/s320/20130416_114242.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pnsnh7OVf84/UXV5mqVa3LI/AAAAAAAAMyY/wYOzKfDDkgc/s1600/20130417_135400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pnsnh7OVf84/UXV5mqVa3LI/AAAAAAAAMyY/wYOzKfDDkgc/s320/20130417_135400.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIZgkhgNn0A/UXV5ZaNVahI/AAAAAAAAMxA/WQJix04XtmA/s1600/20130417_114350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIZgkhgNn0A/UXV5ZaNVahI/AAAAAAAAMxA/WQJix04XtmA/s320/20130417_114350.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lQatIYCd93c/UXV5YMiogiI/AAAAAAAAMw0/MyPgG0cB9NM/s1600/20130417_131125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lQatIYCd93c/UXV5YMiogiI/AAAAAAAAMw0/MyPgG0cB9NM/s320/20130417_131125.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zvbtexDI37w/UXV5UOO_QII/AAAAAAAAMwg/aSe9Hxfy4rM/s1600/20130416_172227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zvbtexDI37w/UXV5UOO_QII/AAAAAAAAMwg/aSe9Hxfy4rM/s320/20130416_172227.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6x7eaUCHECQ/UXV72zhVj5I/AAAAAAAANCI/FrubAipfhUg/s1600/IMG_20130417_191754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6x7eaUCHECQ/UXV72zhVj5I/AAAAAAAANCI/FrubAipfhUg/s320/IMG_20130417_191754.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another highlight: Meeting so many of Kacie's fellow Peace Corp Volunteers. What a great group of people! The picture above is of Kacie's friend Laura who, in addition to being a rock star PCV, also helps homeless dogs in her neighborhood find shelter and food. We met many of her neighborhood rescues. Love!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MMyWaK7HBBg/UXV4SPs3VCI/AAAAAAAAMrQ/oppkQp72LCU/s1600/20130417_162112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MMyWaK7HBBg/UXV4SPs3VCI/AAAAAAAAMrQ/oppkQp72LCU/s320/20130417_162112.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6MV_HRVgKYw/UXV5FuDoSGI/AAAAAAAAMvA/J-Az1naGl6E/s1600/20130417_151650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6MV_HRVgKYw/UXV5FuDoSGI/AAAAAAAAMvA/J-Az1naGl6E/s320/20130417_151650.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JSlOWOFczRQ/UXV4__So2QI/AAAAAAAAMuk/CWHdC8ejxng/s1600/20130417_114331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JSlOWOFczRQ/UXV4__So2QI/AAAAAAAAMuk/CWHdC8ejxng/s320/20130417_114331.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbBZLTpv0_Q/UXV4aKIAjEI/AAAAAAAAMsA/uf9CIHcnfsw/s1600/20130418_102929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbBZLTpv0_Q/UXV4aKIAjEI/AAAAAAAAMsA/uf9CIHcnfsw/s320/20130418_102929.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XI4ji-68UJE/UXV4T83R4JI/AAAAAAAAMrY/IQcsMcE1tMY/s1600/20130418_104922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XI4ji-68UJE/UXV4T83R4JI/AAAAAAAAMrY/IQcsMcE1tMY/s320/20130418_104922.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zcb0e-DwZRQ/UXV4OA-IZ9I/AAAAAAAAMq4/OdOTA20DxsU/s1600/20130418_105619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zcb0e-DwZRQ/UXV4OA-IZ9I/AAAAAAAAMq4/OdOTA20DxsU/s320/20130418_105619.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xOrXMeA4kNI/UXV4PDA1jAI/AAAAAAAAMrA/JMlj-fJjMGI/s1600/20130418_155235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xOrXMeA4kNI/UXV4PDA1jAI/AAAAAAAAMrA/JMlj-fJjMGI/s320/20130418_155235.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbJSprMmg1A/UXV31MZ-R3I/AAAAAAAAMow/ffy5flul7sA/s1600/20130418_105205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbJSprMmg1A/UXV31MZ-R3I/AAAAAAAAMow/ffy5flul7sA/s320/20130418_105205.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LiRrPPy1xmQ/UXV3tylITYI/AAAAAAAAMoI/u0RCF7t3LKU/s1600/20130418_174802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LiRrPPy1xmQ/UXV3tylITYI/AAAAAAAAMoI/u0RCF7t3LKU/s320/20130418_174802.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf0kd_J1vyU/UXV3vZt_YcI/AAAAAAAAMoQ/eP798vpBbeM/s1600/20130418_174557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf0kd_J1vyU/UXV3vZt_YcI/AAAAAAAAMoQ/eP798vpBbeM/s320/20130418_174557.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-du8r81pHLfE/UXV3zKzCokI/AAAAAAAAMoo/lgvKDB2bhaw/s1600/20130420_093209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-du8r81pHLfE/UXV3zKzCokI/AAAAAAAAMoo/lgvKDB2bhaw/s320/20130420_093209.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uw2NFDU2fNA/UXV3xpwnjVI/AAAAAAAAMog/2RTUcPWTOhc/s1600/20130418_175132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uw2NFDU2fNA/UXV3xpwnjVI/AAAAAAAAMog/2RTUcPWTOhc/s320/20130418_175132.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Overwhelming, yes. Hot, yes. Beautiful, yes. Challenging, yes. But who said travel was supposed to be easy? This experience made me take a deep breath, let go of control (ok a lot of control) and breathe in new experiences. I have a whole new appreciation for what Kacie does every day. What love she shows to her students and for her work! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Was it worth it? Absolutely. To see my friend in action, teaching students, having a real impact on their lives? So worth it. To see a new country, be challenged, leave changed? SO WORTH IT. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-20810277750619109242013-04-22T16:44:00.002-07:002013-04-22T16:44:41.967-07:00Big Soft Ginger Cookies<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I worked a half day from home which allowed my a lovely afternoon for baking, catching up on emails, making a photo book of my trip to Nicaragua (post coming soon!) and generally just enjoying being home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZYuuxDIJYI/UXXIArdZjcI/AAAAAAAANF8/HALYN6OC4_g/s1600/20130422_155948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TWki1ehqqEA/UXXIC0dwL8I/AAAAAAAANGM/xrcO3AaAPno/s1600/20130422_162037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TWki1ehqqEA/UXXIC0dwL8I/AAAAAAAANGM/xrcO3AaAPno/s320/20130422_162037.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This recipe was one of my favorites growing up. Soft, a little chewy, and filled with spice. It's very challenging not to eat them all in one sitting! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The batch only makes a little over 2 dozen cookies (using a small scoop), so I usually double the recipe. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Big Soft Ginger Cookies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adapted from my Mamma!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Makes approximately 2 dozen cookies </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3/4 cup butter flavored Crisco or butter (I use butter, unsalted. If you use salted butter, decrease salt slightly)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 egg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/4 cup molasses</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 1/4 cup flour (I split this half/half with whole wheat flour)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 teaspoons ground ginger</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3/4 teaspoon cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon clove</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/4 cup sugar for rolling the cookies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover sheet pans with parchment paper. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Combine butter and sugar in a mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and mix to combine. Add molasses and mix to combine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mix dry ingredients together in a separate bowl and whisk to combine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients a little at a time until combined. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZYuuxDIJYI/UXXIArdZjcI/AAAAAAAANF8/HALYN6OC4_g/s1600/20130422_155948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZYuuxDIJYI/UXXIArdZjcI/AAAAAAAANF8/HALYN6OC4_g/s320/20130422_155948.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Using a small scoop (or two spoons, whichever is your preference!), scoop out small balls of dough. I usually go for about a ping pong ball size or a little smaller. Make them as big or as small as you'd like. Roll dough in sugar and place on cookie sheet. Lightly press cookies down with your fingers or palm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yy9My0u1gqw/UXXIBppHAsI/AAAAAAAANGE/9tVXmmgpRs0/s1600/20130422_160213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yy9My0u1gqw/UXXIBppHAsI/AAAAAAAANGE/9tVXmmgpRs0/s320/20130422_160213.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yWjkv9v1mk/UXXIHFAiAwI/AAAAAAAANGs/MQVh-puG5Lc/s1600/20130422_160601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yWjkv9v1mk/UXXIHFAiAwI/AAAAAAAANGs/MQVh-puG5Lc/s320/20130422_160601.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bake for approximately 12 minutes. Rest briefly on cookie sheet (2 minutes) and then transfer to wire cooling racks. Cookies will be a little soft when they come out but will firm up slightly as it cools. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B0u7vGTuxBs/UXXIDvN7PKI/AAAAAAAANGU/Kv9XSobXZEg/s1600/20130422_162055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B0u7vGTuxBs/UXXIDvN7PKI/AAAAAAAANGU/Kv9XSobXZEg/s320/20130422_162055.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span><br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-72986013369345681772013-03-20T18:28:00.002-07:002013-03-20T18:28:25.791-07:00AvgolemonoAvgolemono is chicken soup for the Greek (or wish you were Greek) soul. It's my go-to make me feel better soup when I'm sick or feeling kind of low. It makes me think of my Yiayia and my Mamma.<br />
<br />
It also comes straight out of Joy of Cooking. Doesn't get more Greek than that right? :)<br />
<br />
The only tricky part is tempering the eggs with the hot stock, put as long as you only add a little bit to start and keep whisking while you pour it in, you'll be a Greek Avgolemono queen (or king!).<br />
<br />
<br />
3 cups chicken stock<br />
1/2 cup of rice<br />
1/4 cup lemon fresh lemon juice<br />
2 whole eggs<br />
chopped cooked chicken (optional)<br />
<i>I usually cook up a couple chicken thighs or one chicken breast and chop pretty small.</i><br />
salt and pepper to taste<br />
<br />
(1) Bring chicken stock to a simmer. Add rice and let cook for approximately 15 minutes or until rice is just cooked.<br />
(2) In a separate bowl, mix eggs and lemon juice until well combined.<br />
(3) Once rice is done cooking, add approximately 1/4 cup of the warm stock (drizzling in while mixing) to egg mixture stirring consistently to incorporate and prevent curdling (temper eggs with warm liquid). Add another 1/4 cup or so and keep stirring.<br />
(4) Add egg mixture to remaining stock and whisk until combined.<br />
(5) Add chicken if using to heat through.<br />
(6) Season with salt and pepper to taste.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XOgmHcR84z33xUdgI3JTFlbJpLG7RM9fpsoGPh6YRKDLYB_da4xHksIVb18CNHSkzJhhlmpMNF204iNT1XypbAfK0mBolAqSIOBCbM1nF8pOqcwKY2Xbk_vo4xmdIQlVSQYdjsfWR6Q/s1600/IMG_20130317_175451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XOgmHcR84z33xUdgI3JTFlbJpLG7RM9fpsoGPh6YRKDLYB_da4xHksIVb18CNHSkzJhhlmpMNF204iNT1XypbAfK0mBolAqSIOBCbM1nF8pOqcwKY2Xbk_vo4xmdIQlVSQYdjsfWR6Q/s320/IMG_20130317_175451.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-76568872890262210102013-03-17T10:27:00.000-07:002013-03-17T10:27:28.996-07:00Pie Squared<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This weekend Peter and I hosted a little celebration for our dear friends (and bonus: FAMILY!), Ty and Lindsey and their newest little peanut, Dash. This party was almost postponed due to Dash's unexpected surgery on Thursday. Thank the Lord, Dash is doing just great and Mom and Dad definitely needed to celebrate and relax after a crazy week. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4itjp9uZFh9R1SAk2E30EiY3v5uV2Ek5bHkzto5kOMq_-B1zUFbAFeSJ9dn0vaB5SAuw7sjpHvnROHTrfpGApFa3azxIKjFAH8Qh5iw2dSlrGFWCl6exeIssLPeWvrO8_IJmTVtIoDE/s1600/IMG_20130317_093814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4itjp9uZFh9R1SAk2E30EiY3v5uV2Ek5bHkzto5kOMq_-B1zUFbAFeSJ9dn0vaB5SAuw7sjpHvnROHTrfpGApFa3azxIKjFAH8Qh5iw2dSlrGFWCl6exeIssLPeWvrO8_IJmTVtIoDE/s320/IMG_20130317_093814.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I planned most of the food to be tailed to the men attending the party so it didn't feel to baby-shower. I made meat and cheese platter, biscuit and ham sliders, bacon-apple-cheese salad and two delectable cream pies. Recipe included at the end of this post! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cjReNl0Ciuj21TJQRLhycclopoVT3PCkRsROitzeuhr2k1UtmiIE1W_rlAbV6FzamHXqdQYUjeG0_UsZobt52NCr4ApS2bbeKHJahdXbK7W5Sntb9D3qi2GhPlexB_qHe8SNwYgdsPE/s1600/IMG_20130317_093925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cjReNl0Ciuj21TJQRLhycclopoVT3PCkRsROitzeuhr2k1UtmiIE1W_rlAbV6FzamHXqdQYUjeG0_UsZobt52NCr4ApS2bbeKHJahdXbK7W5Sntb9D3qi2GhPlexB_qHe8SNwYgdsPE/s320/IMG_20130317_093925.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkcl1Ll43GOgjqKmw9Ze5f4Q6oI0FbcgpBLFejldPD6Irp7ITCWSvmDI328DDiYpCCDOaLdWTX1YH8Yzu0URZ3ynolUCNYfhoBD0MRg2gdlEJRvJrYLcbuVFYRySXjAb3m2iJnIv4_Y8/s1600/IMG_20130317_093837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkcl1Ll43GOgjqKmw9Ze5f4Q6oI0FbcgpBLFejldPD6Irp7ITCWSvmDI328DDiYpCCDOaLdWTX1YH8Yzu0URZ3ynolUCNYfhoBD0MRg2gdlEJRvJrYLcbuVFYRySXjAb3m2iJnIv4_Y8/s320/IMG_20130317_093837.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYzgVcKRj-6XJfeIZOcbQdGVxDN_vxyLzIZstr2zSB8kAZ3wamjPEGSIoPumla18jxmGrKrHJrmUwmr2dQxtjt26-_H95kUF-ea2ZbSxz9F_ewMPxxSMHpsd3t8VcL2_5fzImTP05dMI/s1600/IMG_20130317_093902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYzgVcKRj-6XJfeIZOcbQdGVxDN_vxyLzIZstr2zSB8kAZ3wamjPEGSIoPumla18jxmGrKrHJrmUwmr2dQxtjt26-_H95kUF-ea2ZbSxz9F_ewMPxxSMHpsd3t8VcL2_5fzImTP05dMI/s320/IMG_20130317_093902.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The two pies I made were Coconut Cream Pie and Caramel Chocolate Macadamia Nut.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5JXhEeXLvbyQg79-aXcZWFM9ArROd3aHdmEDoLCUjImsVXR-6OCog_jfkfjsDnhFJjTf7mK_FS_BojPgQ_1AK8R9_ede3Ft0gdv1afR0r8_ifbQG_jjcKpwP7LqBVYVZDC50CWrhAS8/s1600/IMG_20130317_093728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5JXhEeXLvbyQg79-aXcZWFM9ArROd3aHdmEDoLCUjImsVXR-6OCog_jfkfjsDnhFJjTf7mK_FS_BojPgQ_1AK8R9_ede3Ft0gdv1afR0r8_ifbQG_jjcKpwP7LqBVYVZDC50CWrhAS8/s320/IMG_20130317_093728.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Coconut Cream Pie recipe came directly from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dahlia-Bakery-Cookbook-Sweetness-Seattle/dp/0062183745/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363539130&sr=1-1&keywords=dahlia+bakery+cookbook" target="_blank">Dahlia Bakery Cookbook</a>. The Caramel Chocolate Macadamia Nut pie was a hodgepodge of Joy of Cooking, Trader Joes, <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/" target="_blank">Smitten Kitchen</a> and me!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Coconut Cream Pie & Caramel Chocolate Macadamia Nut</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adapted from Dahlia Bakery Cookbook, Smitten Kitchen Cookbook and Joy of Cooking</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These recipe below made enough for 23, 4.5 inch personal pies </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I got my aluminum pie pans from <a href="http://www.kitchendance.com/difotapan.html" target="_blank">KitchenDance</a>. These recipes also easily make 2, 9 in pies (one chocolate and one coconut). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pie Shells</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3 packages of graham crackers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 cubs of melted butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 cup of sugar</span><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blitz all items in food processor until fine crumb. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Place approximately scant 1/4 cup of crumb in each pie pan. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes. If shells poof up a little bit, use an extra pie pan and lightly press down immediately when the shells come out of the oven. Let cool completely. </span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMrgY-dgld8RmyMQlqopvZcQ5teqFZxMVJoM5-gExs2iskAc97HDBi6hScF-n8vbDE-qNukeaCQrytL_iL_pZ2NTj93mlLrUaUTEHTlQepza83dzlNZu7TuPw4UVLAAtWuSTpwyDEado/s1600/IMG_20130317_093329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMrgY-dgld8RmyMQlqopvZcQ5teqFZxMVJoM5-gExs2iskAc97HDBi6hScF-n8vbDE-qNukeaCQrytL_iL_pZ2NTj93mlLrUaUTEHTlQepza83dzlNZu7TuPw4UVLAAtWuSTpwyDEado/s320/IMG_20130317_093329.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pastry Cream</span></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Coconut Cream Pie (Thank you Tom Douglas!)</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup milk (I used whole milk)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup unsweetened coconut milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 cups shredded sweetened coconut</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract (original recipe calls for 1 vanilla bean)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 large eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3 tablespoons flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp</span><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Combine milk, coconut milk, shredded coconut, and vanilla in a saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until mixture almost comes to a boil. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar and flour. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Temper eggs with a small amount of scalded milk. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Add warmed egg mixture to milk mixture and sir consistently over medium heat until mixture is very thick, approximately 4-5 minutes. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Remove from heat, add butter and mix until incorporated. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Transfer pastry cream to bowl and place it over another bowl of ice water. Cool. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cover pastry cream with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely cold. </span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chocolate Silk Pie (Thank you Deb Perelman!)</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), room temperature</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3 ounces unsweetened chocolate (I ended up using a combo of milk chocolate and dark chocolate disks), melted and cooled</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3 large eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also added 5 heaping tablespoons unsweetened coco powder to intensify the chocolate flavor. You could also increase the amount of melted chocolate. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd0Fturw60Ousk-0XTtouS0zzh9IfNXcJO4SSyHz9zFY2v8ngWcX5fIS-4Sx8mRjib9zThdJH8xc908vaQIQe3_yCYYD8d-VavrwFyP3al6zdb7S8dP6bxr09lrSCUJinTwoOtMQ1tus/s1600/IMG_20130317_093506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd0Fturw60Ousk-0XTtouS0zzh9IfNXcJO4SSyHz9zFY2v8ngWcX5fIS-4Sx8mRjib9zThdJH8xc908vaQIQe3_yCYYD8d-VavrwFyP3al6zdb7S8dP6bxr09lrSCUJinTwoOtMQ1tus/s320/IMG_20130317_093506.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a large stand mixer (you could also do this with a hand-mixer but you'll have to stand over it for 15-20 minutes), whip butter and sugar together until pale and fluff (I'd say at least 3-5 minutes). When in doubt, whip longer. Scrape down bowl as necessary. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While mixer is running, drizzle in melted chocolate. Mix and scrape down bowl as necessary.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Add eggs one at a time, beating mixture at medium speed for 5 minutes after each addition, scraping down the bowl in between each addition.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Add coco powder if using. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Add vanilla. </span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chocolate silk pastry cream is ready for use, but should be chilled in pie shell for at least 4 hours. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Caramel Sauce</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 jar caramel sauce, <i>I used Trader Joes Fleur de Sel </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rG8nvLhKXlEFB8s9lfM5yuvHESU31A6cAgWDQhn95aGWjUFIJrMLlsL0Ur0-Hy9mnk9vzQiRqfLFgwTHE16yOT5xWkH0VLhe5DWS0Dyqg4g-HPyYTbuIeOe_pxOzDjTEpn9S9agP__M/s1600/IMG_20130317_093414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rG8nvLhKXlEFB8s9lfM5yuvHESU31A6cAgWDQhn95aGWjUFIJrMLlsL0Ur0-Hy9mnk9vzQiRqfLFgwTHE16yOT5xWkH0VLhe5DWS0Dyqg4g-HPyYTbuIeOe_pxOzDjTEpn9S9agP__M/s320/IMG_20130317_093414.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whipped Cream Topping</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 cups heavy whipping cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/3 cup powdered sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 teaspoons vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whip cream in a stand-mixer until stiff peaks. I'd say just short of butter. I didn't whip my cream enough and it's sort-of melted on my pies. I used a zip-loc bag outfitted with a pastry tip, but you could easily just spread this on to your pies with a spatula. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Garnish</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Shredded, toasted coconut and curled white chocolate for the Coconut Cream Pie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chopped toasted macadamia nuts and curled dark chocolate for the Chocolate Pie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Assembly</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fill 1/2 of the shells with coconut cream pastry cream, top with whipped cream and garnish with shredded coconut and white chocolate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODcnK6XwOJbyTbbptUvJs6vyOArzwNcmHdynN_tWXeZuUHgn5qMwrhdDg_QaE3633xHnmNiuQqkl9-7EwNj2kMOLGlCOOXztq8QeHYoLFBx0IhuyO8nHnycRzomDB36JMheJhWAZZK6Q/s1600/IMG_20130317_093440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODcnK6XwOJbyTbbptUvJs6vyOArzwNcmHdynN_tWXeZuUHgn5qMwrhdDg_QaE3633xHnmNiuQqkl9-7EwNj2kMOLGlCOOXztq8QeHYoLFBx0IhuyO8nHnycRzomDB36JMheJhWAZZK6Q/s320/IMG_20130317_093440.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fill other 1/2 of shells with 2-3 teaspoons of caramel sauce. Let set for a few minutes. Spread chocolate pastry cream over caramel sauce. Top with whipped cream and garnish with macadamia nuts and dark chocolate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKS8jlIWSQ_bRGci0RuluOGq023WbyjGEWGzcNugpV71Hmb99ZwVJXLMQRBmCxc7N-TqKDJFz0rfhnlBDNJhgVktL5ztBGkNM_S9AK8f0Rd-1P97Dz_OeTShyphenhyphenoVhN8dDCoBP-BSE130pY/s1600/IMG_20130317_093639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKS8jlIWSQ_bRGci0RuluOGq023WbyjGEWGzcNugpV71Hmb99ZwVJXLMQRBmCxc7N-TqKDJFz0rfhnlBDNJhgVktL5ztBGkNM_S9AK8f0Rd-1P97Dz_OeTShyphenhyphenoVhN8dDCoBP-BSE130pY/s320/IMG_20130317_093639.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-54947980341376419322013-02-06T08:30:00.000-08:002013-02-06T08:30:01.923-08:00Book Review! Vacation Reading<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the many things we enjoyed doing while on <a href="http://foodtravellifelove.blogspot.com/2013/02/travel-adventure-maui.html" target="_blank">vacation</a> was reading and reading in excess. We spent most of the late morning and afternoon chasing the sun around the lanai and reading. Total bliss. Oh well except for the construction on the neighboring condos... but we'll ignore that for now!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h1 class="parseasinTitle " style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span id="btAsinTitle"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Marseille-Caper-Peter-Mayle/dp/030759419X/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0" target="_blank">The Marseille Caper by Peter Mayle</a></span></span></h1>
<div>
<span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QKQBXw7cL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QKQBXw7cL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A simple mystery with a little food / travel to make it interesting. Was by no means a very convincing or greatly done novel, but it wasn't trying to be anything special and was a quick fun read. I thought the first book in his Caper series, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Vintage-Caper-Peter-Mayle/dp/0307389197/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y" target="_blank">Vintage Caper</a> was much better. Also, he is the same author as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Year-Provence-Peter-Mayle/dp/0679731148/ref=pd_sim_b_10" target="_blank">A Year in Provence</a> which if you haven't read (or any of his other travel books), it's great. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another mystery and a much better one at that:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NEZVPY/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title" target="_blank">The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XZF7T0NFL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-64,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XZF7T0NFL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-64,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This story follows an art reproducer who gets tangled up in an forgery of a famous <span style="background-color: white;">Degas masterpieces stolen in 1990 in the heist of 13 </span><span style="background-color: white;"> thirteen works of art worth today over $500 million were stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston</span><span style="background-color: white;">. For any art lover, this was excellent and kept me on my toes! I think I finished it with in a day. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">And my favorite read of vacation:</span></span></div>
<div>
<h1 class="parseasinTitle " style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span id="btAsinTitle"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006L8942U/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title" target="_blank">Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple</a></span></span></h1>
</div>
<div>
<span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41gPAvqdQrL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-67,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41gPAvqdQrL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-67,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had originally found this book at Costco a few months ago, but never picked it up. While enjoying Happy Hour at a restaurant near our condo, a couple struck up conversation with us and (among other things) mentioned this book. The book is set in Seattle (although traverses to the South Pole, but I'm getting a head of myself) and is HYSTERICAL for those who know Seattle. The book is written in a series of letters, emails and communications between various characters searching for Bernadette (who disappears and no one knows where!). Quick witted, mysterious and very well written. </span></span></div>
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-58278007031444734282013-02-04T08:30:00.000-08:002013-02-04T10:56:03.100-08:00Jacked Up Banana Bread & Spiced Apple Sauce Cake<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After some good travel catch-up <a href="http://foodtravellifelove.blogspot.com/2013/02/travel-adventure-maui.html" target="_blank">yesterday</a>, here are a few new recipes I tried last week:</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jacked Up Banana Bread</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YJ3N_6NEkPyfAppqlQWUWjYpIHRVEuWbY-dgU1dt7yNya-zWMYWi16NNu_0eDHNI9HnFuBoIqCVLc85JcXiQhUkJOrPMEd1gVLTnVwizsjEpMGAAtVIdRF8zpL4oXkY-lGdupuZvews/s1600/IMG_20130203_084552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YJ3N_6NEkPyfAppqlQWUWjYpIHRVEuWbY-dgU1dt7yNya-zWMYWi16NNu_0eDHNI9HnFuBoIqCVLc85JcXiQhUkJOrPMEd1gVLTnVwizsjEpMGAAtVIdRF8zpL4oXkY-lGdupuZvews/s320/IMG_20130203_084552.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Modified, with lots of love, from <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2006/11/speckled-for-the-freckled/" target="_blank">SmittenKitchen</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><strike>3 to 4 ripe bananas, smashed</strike> <i>I used 2 because that's all I had. I augmented the lack of banana's with a half a cup of apple sauce left over from my spice cake. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><strike>1/3 cup melted salted butter</strike> <i>I read this wrong and only used 1/2 a cube (4 tablespoons)... I highly recommend using the correct amount. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3/4 to 1 cup light brown sugar <i>I used 3/4 but would have preffered it sweeter. I recommend 1 cup. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 egg, beaten <i>I used 2 because that's what my usual recipe calls for. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tablespoon bourbon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pinch of salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon nutmeg<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pinch of ground cloves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cup of flour <i>I split this half and half whole wheat flour and all purpose. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Preheat the oven to 350°F. With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, vanilla and bourbon, then the spices. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4×8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes to one hour, or until a tester comes out clean. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you are sensing a theme with where I get my recipes, you are correct. I am having a love affair with Smitten Kitchen. Although it has not quite achieved the same depths of love I have for Joy of Cooking. You just can't go wrong there!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwRc4smozxmJl6At5wWtNcCsnAJRXTLa10bnfoOooMNZeEFhPcaZOgNlvg84QBvskae9lahWQXpZwi3pWZOcYQk3x6f6X_lcSCOSHVJkwxBOYV3OOYMarQi_tIqChODstR3P4Gh76XmQ/s1600/IMG_20130131_193013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Spiced Applesauce Cake</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwRc4smozxmJl6At5wWtNcCsnAJRXTLa10bnfoOooMNZeEFhPcaZOgNlvg84QBvskae9lahWQXpZwi3pWZOcYQk3x6f6X_lcSCOSHVJkwxBOYV3OOYMarQi_tIqChODstR3P4Gh76XmQ/s1600/IMG_20130131_193013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwRc4smozxmJl6At5wWtNcCsnAJRXTLa10bnfoOooMNZeEFhPcaZOgNlvg84QBvskae9lahWQXpZwi3pWZOcYQk3x6f6X_lcSCOSHVJkwxBOYV3OOYMarQi_tIqChODstR3P4Gh76XmQ/s320/IMG_20130131_193013.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Modified, only slightly this time but also with love, from <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2010/10/spiced-applesauce-cake/" target="_blank">Smitten Kitchen</a></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This cake came together in a cinch and with a lovely thick layer of cream cheese frosting was quite lovely. That said, I wanted a bit more punch from the spices. It came across as a very lightly flavored cake (both on the apple sauce and spice front). Therefore, I would encourage you to add more of both or perhaps chopped apples to get that good apple spice flavor. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>For cake</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 cups all-purpose flour <i>Again, I split 50/50 with whole wheat and all purpose flour.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 teaspoons baking powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3/4 teaspoon cinnamon <i>I recommend 1 tablespoon</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon ground ginger <i>I recommend 1 teaspoon</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/8 teaspoon ground cloves <i>I recommend 1/4 teaspoon</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>1/2 teaspoon nutmug</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 stick unsalted butter, softened<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup packed light brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 large eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>1 cup chopped apples, any variety (approximately 1 apple)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 cup walnuts (optional), toasted, cooled, and chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For frosting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5 ounces cream cheese, softened <i>Really, who is going to only use 2/3 of a cream cheese box. Induldge and just use the whole thing!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup confectioners sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 (1 teaspoon) teaspoon cinnamon <i>I completely forgot to use this. I bet it would be delightful. Also, perhaps Maple Syrup extract?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Butter or spray with non-stick cooking spray a 8- or 9-inch square cake pan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Make cake: Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Beat butter, brown sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in applesauce. At low speed, mix in flour mixture until just combined, then stir in apples and walnuts (if using). The batter will look a little curdly and uneven but don’t worry, it will all bake up perfectly in the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Spread batter evenly in pan and bake until golden-brown and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Make frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla with an electric mixer at high speed until fluffy. Sift confectioners sugar and cinnamon over cream cheese mixture, then beat at medium speed until incorporated. Spread frosting over top of cooled cake.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-52384379286044716132013-02-03T13:55:00.001-08:002013-02-03T13:55:37.426-08:00Travel Adventure: Maui <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think a vacation in January may be a new requirement for our family. After the hustle and bustle of December (which is always wonderful, but rarely relaxing), a vacation to sunny Maui was just what the doctor ordered. We had actually planned this trip back in June, originally planning to go in October time frame. We then realized while I'm sure we'd enjoy Maui in October, we'd enjoy it significantly more in dark cold January!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This trips goals were very few: eat, sleep, beach, eat, sleep, pool. Need I say more? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Trip Details</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Location</b>: Kapalua at the Golf Villas at Kapalua</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Length of Stay</b>: 9 Days</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Favorite new restaurants: </b>Merriman's at Kapalua & Leoda's Kitchen & Pie Shop</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Best thing I ever ate</b>: 4 way tie between (1) Banana Cream Pie at Leoda's, (2) the calamari / onion ring / shrimp at Monkey Pod, (3) the Wok charred Ahi at Merriman's and (4) the Pork Pork...mmmmPork! sandwhich at Leoda's. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYggwd9YIoZ-J67QPrbXV6yqywQzmexQ4gu8I8PbRciQpT7kqlU7jV97c_rZFwK6C4BF54qrPMiq0RCGSliJIcCJaxfRq625fLutMOrSGKa25Bp71_4IDErrztPCcdnfvx68HpiP8mpjc/s1600/2013-01-18_16-58-31_681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYggwd9YIoZ-J67QPrbXV6yqywQzmexQ4gu8I8PbRciQpT7kqlU7jV97c_rZFwK6C4BF54qrPMiq0RCGSliJIcCJaxfRq625fLutMOrSGKa25Bp71_4IDErrztPCcdnfvx68HpiP8mpjc/s320/2013-01-18_16-58-31_681.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Hike along the beach at Kapalua</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTpKm9N7uyTNVdDSGLh7U8dZ0SjQ07tatgFLnBhVAwJ-Eb_YRbMrH-p5JgwqkT17zQZ_wlG4YKMuEXprC1WYiMSPgGRU-xAzoxonTTdZafM9AivU_d0VyO1IVhtD4vYh1FFXCISnKl7Q/s1600/IMG_20130111_171526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTpKm9N7uyTNVdDSGLh7U8dZ0SjQ07tatgFLnBhVAwJ-Eb_YRbMrH-p5JgwqkT17zQZ_wlG4YKMuEXprC1WYiMSPgGRU-xAzoxonTTdZafM9AivU_d0VyO1IVhtD4vYh1FFXCISnKl7Q/s320/IMG_20130111_171526.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First night's cocktails at one of our favorite restaurants: <a href="http://www.malaoceantavern.com/" target="_blank">Mala Ocean Tavern</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip00ib1BBKfwIg0Nig1LBQ8sycEwnfuCNWMvdwR0-IT7u7nm61vNhN_Ia8RQ8Qt2NCv3Oy19Lw_y3TPgCjlp8sV39g4j3BexReiKFmXZazfW9mxzPcEAe_DuwvrMJLuIYxlUaDNLeaG6A/s1600/IMG_20130203_084400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip00ib1BBKfwIg0Nig1LBQ8sycEwnfuCNWMvdwR0-IT7u7nm61vNhN_Ia8RQ8Qt2NCv3Oy19Lw_y3TPgCjlp8sV39g4j3BexReiKFmXZazfW9mxzPcEAe_DuwvrMJLuIYxlUaDNLeaG6A/s320/IMG_20130203_084400.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Kaanapali Beach</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1w35xG0U0-_tZ6W0p2hOBwnbs2QwRvnrl5MxOV22eXb183iMpqng7XNZJa735EiudNOs1PQYwbR56kLYrRlt2qGXCi-cN9dD-fmwhhjJjyzq0XRFFMsSOUW7YlEJOj39quW4OpndM6Q/s1600/IMG_20130203_084646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1w35xG0U0-_tZ6W0p2hOBwnbs2QwRvnrl5MxOV22eXb183iMpqng7XNZJa735EiudNOs1PQYwbR56kLYrRlt2qGXCi-cN9dD-fmwhhjJjyzq0XRFFMsSOUW7YlEJOj39quW4OpndM6Q/s320/IMG_20130203_084646.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> No Caption Needed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3zN3Q_UzEctn8wUA6T53lKkWNi7s6C4uArbh6QRmwwImp04bmy7fxInGYFPC15t7-6gfAE6B9PjiVrL6GiH8QvX3dl27cPXyLlQB29TTlh9tETHhVqm4ryljVx1qx4mV0HcGOtogy8I/s1600/IMG_20130112_114128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3zN3Q_UzEctn8wUA6T53lKkWNi7s6C4uArbh6QRmwwImp04bmy7fxInGYFPC15t7-6gfAE6B9PjiVrL6GiH8QvX3dl27cPXyLlQB29TTlh9tETHhVqm4ryljVx1qx4mV0HcGOtogy8I/s320/IMG_20130112_114128.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">View from our Condo</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9RlJ_MIKR-2I2JGwC-x0ei5rS0XaNRZ_Nz6NZhsFJzVnuQ0te9Tsr8Z-hC3OFYWshqfX0ta9rm3Zjw4vXfWlb8Si8-h7yX2iaC81iHrfvTYy6gW7S0NXk1ptUzDY0WgN7h4GRWiB99Q/s1600/IMG_20130113_202603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9RlJ_MIKR-2I2JGwC-x0ei5rS0XaNRZ_Nz6NZhsFJzVnuQ0te9Tsr8Z-hC3OFYWshqfX0ta9rm3Zjw4vXfWlb8Si8-h7yX2iaC81iHrfvTYy6gW7S0NXk1ptUzDY0WgN7h4GRWiB99Q/s320/IMG_20130113_202603.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another lovely sunset</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSRCYOxt4Y9WS_eh0bI1AuQMUgPjJMHR7nT-6emjhAI52lDEqUDVXzcjnfUPPBt-o-RQgAGGc4aV_ZqWVpy2mlevbGXrbAzqNR2shaxV2a6jxnuGcXyufgaRl909uo2mQkD8FB8tkzFk/s1600/IMG_20130203_084428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSRCYOxt4Y9WS_eh0bI1AuQMUgPjJMHR7nT-6emjhAI52lDEqUDVXzcjnfUPPBt-o-RQgAGGc4aV_ZqWVpy2mlevbGXrbAzqNR2shaxV2a6jxnuGcXyufgaRl909uo2mQkD8FB8tkzFk/s320/IMG_20130203_084428.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rainbow</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrv21WgCIDTPfj4PExptAW5K73gDEfcfGUpUsw7v1UMZIsuaRhsZ0ViSNwNbkVYu9POXqB8Qw9R0Ai1tL09EId3nr9Jpjl0gMyCMqoYVJ2T6_tZWfDbcXVI99dxjTJ49Tl_Pior8p7iQ/s1600/IMG_20130203_085857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrv21WgCIDTPfj4PExptAW5K73gDEfcfGUpUsw7v1UMZIsuaRhsZ0ViSNwNbkVYu9POXqB8Qw9R0Ai1tL09EId3nr9Jpjl0gMyCMqoYVJ2T6_tZWfDbcXVI99dxjTJ49Tl_Pior8p7iQ/s320/IMG_20130203_085857.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">View from the top of the Golf Villas</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVW3lxJ7FoG_LYVAlO-2XZ89WWteTnmYGoMNuv4IzF3t6l_jggTfMYrkvPZy4xCjLLJ8nfAZUonTKn9cFM_1nrKXGodrBHf6KeVn8RBBzSvtXfNAPWZre1qCrR7nufapA-jtYobODja6w/s1600/IMG_20130203_085649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVW3lxJ7FoG_LYVAlO-2XZ89WWteTnmYGoMNuv4IzF3t6l_jggTfMYrkvPZy4xCjLLJ8nfAZUonTKn9cFM_1nrKXGodrBHf6KeVn8RBBzSvtXfNAPWZre1qCrR7nufapA-jtYobODja6w/s320/IMG_20130203_085649.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gorgeous</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-wY6NU5P67piOUwTQ30t7YR875w8jYJGHERBACvM0L3B9da5B23YVt5-FGD_-v_uWkEzNdgsk5d-HFjU2CbVr6jvp6DhX5cZWvA_XvHgAvwdxZwrfkXjzr8iwCOdiLW_rg4DD95z2sM/s1600/IMG_20130203_090229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-wY6NU5P67piOUwTQ30t7YR875w8jYJGHERBACvM0L3B9da5B23YVt5-FGD_-v_uWkEzNdgsk5d-HFjU2CbVr6jvp6DhX5cZWvA_XvHgAvwdxZwrfkXjzr8iwCOdiLW_rg4DD95z2sM/s320/IMG_20130203_090229.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Drinks at <a href="http://www.monkeypodkitchen.com/" target="_blank">Monkey Pod</a>! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0tY8RHyowctChEqzm7Uxv3zYY_7I3tHKqA7szGOBXUN-ZpDMs_z4D5I2YpDDmx8KLJXxCMq-I30gHVVyTwP3qq4lZbgSc3V_9MQK7NB73gM_v5hckz_ikzIOlgQfhY1rjI7o3gZ6L9Y/s1600/IMG_20130203_085748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0tY8RHyowctChEqzm7Uxv3zYY_7I3tHKqA7szGOBXUN-ZpDMs_z4D5I2YpDDmx8KLJXxCMq-I30gHVVyTwP3qq4lZbgSc3V_9MQK7NB73gM_v5hckz_ikzIOlgQfhY1rjI7o3gZ6L9Y/s320/IMG_20130203_085748.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We tried every single one, except for the Pineapple Lemon Tart. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzved92PA3i3vCku1M4LSzDKJBD4qpf7YT_lLeVcIFRYfygoU0gtdD7S5IaA1t_AQZrdLO3iHoYaR9zXWuiGx-as8QrDFbTeQIwAg1C2Dgxg8kb7LMOD3FPM71fLx1B5LNIQe4OmhGaw/s1600/IMG_20130203_090000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzved92PA3i3vCku1M4LSzDKJBD4qpf7YT_lLeVcIFRYfygoU0gtdD7S5IaA1t_AQZrdLO3iHoYaR9zXWuiGx-as8QrDFbTeQIwAg1C2Dgxg8kb7LMOD3FPM71fLx1B5LNIQe4OmhGaw/s320/IMG_20130203_090000.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stunning</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tbjoE8GrKA_VatVmsUkdj86ypjT26l5oLiqPXKriUGgXqBn6TsoqVBwUOPt3ofkNplN_YIvTVe99gZh-_u4tOogIVoJgsXxAGcqxAqtIVByuUScn192XW1rgN_50F2YtkJEelllXLAw/s1600/IMG_20130203_085931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tbjoE8GrKA_VatVmsUkdj86ypjT26l5oLiqPXKriUGgXqBn6TsoqVBwUOPt3ofkNplN_YIvTVe99gZh-_u4tOogIVoJgsXxAGcqxAqtIVByuUScn192XW1rgN_50F2YtkJEelllXLAw/s320/IMG_20130203_085931.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">View from breakfast</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8lc7j92LF3v7CIZslrLtHQC3rI8MO4EJizidz5kxJaLFCQRXpPo_PbG5YPocBdrAMmTZfT9xb8aXfCzC_8_FH1lP-9G8dgwgz6czZsiuKsqrdyWTk6cztsTs2bIp4iLLBhyphenhyphen81Qo5uuo/s1600/IMG_20130203_090034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8lc7j92LF3v7CIZslrLtHQC3rI8MO4EJizidz5kxJaLFCQRXpPo_PbG5YPocBdrAMmTZfT9xb8aXfCzC_8_FH1lP-9G8dgwgz6czZsiuKsqrdyWTk6cztsTs2bIp4iLLBhyphenhyphen81Qo5uuo/s320/IMG_20130203_090034.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tomato, Avacado and Crab salad at <a href="http://www.merrimanshawaii.com/maui.htm" target="_blank">Merrimans</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCw3IczFxEtLjQ5YEvoypb7UzQB92aZy615wNgwMRBOokeLp0aJckKT1uvB8G6UUGzO92PFTYMzlbqYtk-l35aKgyDDq5P8QNkeaTDLwgdlTdFaK07yk4o4mHSXlBml7R5sBg5cYOV7yM/s1600/IMG_20130203_090133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCw3IczFxEtLjQ5YEvoypb7UzQB92aZy615wNgwMRBOokeLp0aJckKT1uvB8G6UUGzO92PFTYMzlbqYtk-l35aKgyDDq5P8QNkeaTDLwgdlTdFaK07yk4o4mHSXlBml7R5sBg5cYOV7yM/s320/IMG_20130203_090133.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mini pie's from <a href="http://www.leodas.com/" target="_blank">Leoda's Kitchen & Pie Shop</a></span></div>
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-13612557502832690342012-10-26T13:41:00.001-07:002012-10-26T14:35:16.498-07:00Restful Friday<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What a glorious day to stay home and be in my jammies all day. Hubs stayed home too and we are loving every bit of this misty, fall day. Staying home all day for me almost always involves some amount (or a lot!) of baking or cooking. Today is no exception and recipes are included!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last night (after an encouraging FB post from my cousin Joy), I made a the batter for <a href="http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/holiday-recipe-exchange-pumpkin-molasses-cookies/" target="_blank">these</a> Pumpkin Molasses cookies. Mine didn't turn out quite as crackly as the picture leads you to believe, but they are quite moist and very yummy. Peter described them as a little round pumpkin bread. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Bw8Pn-ZzOVsn8y8Gv5v6N3v3S8tll_RMs2gPtWL-XeD7zlU5qQsU8H9QRmjnQYYV_UmLvtVbiygWGEN3NXcgEOVABYGVXulqqrEWedU1kiFT7s_KVlCTmx5rRa0GH7QsJLms4cewPGA/s1600/IMG_20121026_113548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Bw8Pn-ZzOVsn8y8Gv5v6N3v3S8tll_RMs2gPtWL-XeD7zlU5qQsU8H9QRmjnQYYV_UmLvtVbiygWGEN3NXcgEOVABYGVXulqqrEWedU1kiFT7s_KVlCTmx5rRa0GH7QsJLms4cewPGA/s320/IMG_20121026_113548.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I modified the recipe slightly, but otherwise basically the same. I think if I made again, I would try splitting the flour with whole wheat and regular flour. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Pumpkin Molasses Cookies</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">YIELD: 24 cookies </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">(mine made closer to 36, although I probably made mine a bit smaller)</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">INGREDIENTS:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 1/3 cups flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 tsp baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>1 teaspoon ginger</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>1 teaspoon cinnamon</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/4 tsp black pepper <i><span style="color: blue;">(I ommitted the pepper, seemed weird)</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">8 Tbs butter, room temperature<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup brown sugar, packed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/4 cup molasses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2/3 cup pumpkin puree<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 large egg <i><span style="color: blue;">(I added 2 eggs instead of one, just because)</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 cup sugar, for rolling<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">DIRECTIONS:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie
spice, ginger and cinnamon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Working with a stand mixer, beat the butter on medium
speed until smooth and creamy. Add the brown sugar, molasses, and pumpkin puree
and beat for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the
egg and beat for 1 minute more. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry
ingredients, mixing until the flour and spices disappear. If flour remains in
the bottom of the bowl, mix the last of the dry ingredients by hand to avoid
over beating. You will have a very soft dough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for at least 1 hour. The
dough is sticky, so the longer time it can chill the easier it is to work with. <i><span style="color: blue;">I just left the dough in the fridge overnight, mostly because I was falling asleep. It worked just fine in the morning. </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with
parchment paper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. Put the sugar in a small bowl. Working with one packet of
dough at a time, divide it into 12 pieces, and roll each piece into a ball.
Roll the balls in the sugar and use a the bottom of a glass to press down on
the cookies until they are between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick. Transfer to cookie
sheets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for 12-14 minutes,
or until the top feels set to the touch. Remove baking sheets from the oven.
Let cookies cool 5 minutes on the sheets before transferring them to a cooling
rack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">7. Repeat with second batch of dough.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Having a excess of yummy apples from my Farmers Box (we use <a href="http://tonnemaker.com/" target="_blank">Tonnemaker Farms</a>), I made one of Peter and my's favorite cakes, my Auntie Mel's Apple Cake. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlUCL3mW3C7sx2kQfQGV-_ID9Ue4FL1IKeLFgZovy9RP70_OHuCJcEmiCwl0BEZA_YvarpQkuj7LpWFlcF7tQow9D2FhIGxOZ-5xYFKN2A5Pzjgn9TEzk3zpm5_eayXhEaRc4iRBCzr4/s1600/IMG_20121026_124855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlUCL3mW3C7sx2kQfQGV-_ID9Ue4FL1IKeLFgZovy9RP70_OHuCJcEmiCwl0BEZA_YvarpQkuj7LpWFlcF7tQow9D2FhIGxOZ-5xYFKN2A5Pzjgn9TEzk3zpm5_eayXhEaRc4iRBCzr4/s320/IMG_20121026_124855.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Auntie Mel's German Apple Cake</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Modified with love</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3 large eggs</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 c. oil (I use canola)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 c. sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup all purpose flour</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup whole wheat flour <i>(my modification)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 t. cinnamon</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 t. vanilla</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 t. baking soda</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 t. salt</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4 c. diced apples (be generous, this cake is fantastic if FILLED with apples)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Optional ½ to 1 c. walnuts <i>(I dont' use any!)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beat eggs and oil till foamy. Add sugar, flour, cinnamon, vanilla, soda and salt. Mix well with a mixer. Add apples (and nuts). Pour into greased pan (13 x 9) for 60 min. Bake at 350. If you are feeling indulgent (<i>which really, why wouldn't you?</i>), when cool, frost with icing below.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Icing</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 3 oz pkg cream cheese</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 ½ T. melted butter</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">½ t. vanilla</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">¾ to 1 c. powdered sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Combine until creamy. Frost cake when cool.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Perfectly delicious on a cool fall day. </span></div>
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-84182999223731443642012-10-26T13:23:00.000-07:002012-10-26T13:23:02.481-07:00Vancouver, British Columbia<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is the view out my window today:</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarLr46HpWIOxgkAEkfPpZTX2eH27z7MxxZ1e_JLp_N2blsSUBMGlHuZPKqAGu0RZjO1LY-1aLWemw7YN1OlQGaruFjDlvhlSaYUI_sAiovff3GnjAAwaDHk8dOuUFBWUuekwStxQ9sS4/s1600/IMG_20121026_125602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarLr46HpWIOxgkAEkfPpZTX2eH27z7MxxZ1e_JLp_N2blsSUBMGlHuZPKqAGu0RZjO1LY-1aLWemw7YN1OlQGaruFjDlvhlSaYUI_sAiovff3GnjAAwaDHk8dOuUFBWUuekwStxQ9sS4/s320/IMG_20121026_125602.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A bit less than a week ago, this was the view out my window:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKq2KN6lAzgoZhk9UEQChLCk42RIn0xcuAhDw7P2SSB6uQl6gAYGxLUZVRgPDyYagYQvwIy5v4rQF84fpuOSfi0G3rQqC2LBvi4BaOOgJhsXDaTAXsXainUr8atauWYUXtAiylZJbB5Wk/s1600/IMG_20121021_173600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKq2KN6lAzgoZhk9UEQChLCk42RIn0xcuAhDw7P2SSB6uQl6gAYGxLUZVRgPDyYagYQvwIy5v4rQF84fpuOSfi0G3rQqC2LBvi4BaOOgJhsXDaTAXsXainUr8atauWYUXtAiylZJbB5Wk/s320/IMG_20121021_173600.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last weekend (and into early this week), I was in Vancouver, BC attending the Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Congress. I'm a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), so this conference was a opportunity to certified and have a chance to gain new learning in the Project Management field. It was a great conference overall with some really fantastic keynote speakers. We also had the following "entertainment" at the awards banquet Saturday night:</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BBMvaBdo0oc" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just wow. All I can say. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In addition to attending the conference, we of course had to eat! Having been to Vancouver a few times before, I had never really found any places to eat that I really liked. This time around, we did our research and didn't have a bad meal once! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Saturday night we ate at a great sushi restaurant on West Broadway called <a href="http://www.tojos.com/Home.html" target="_blank">Tojo's</a>. Oh.em.gee. I'm not usually a huge sushi fan, but I do like rolls and I could eat edamame all day. I ordered the Northern Light Roll (</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wild prawn tempura, avocado and seasonal fruit rolled in a cucumber crepe) and it was amazing! I also tried a bit of the tuna belly sashimi from my friend Katie and it was also SO-GOOD! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mzHrfCvBvoWL1CQD6dKkkOlQDuTGvoib6C5HjcHmUWyzYbjeu8jfewwO-Cz0zZAIEkE-5OGzQs71qcNS15YbGjUq063dvXeo39aG7XxqeJLG46y-KsR9Pv9C5KbVtCSrGlD9zXwBdU0/s1600/2012-10-20_21-01-46_123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mzHrfCvBvoWL1CQD6dKkkOlQDuTGvoib6C5HjcHmUWyzYbjeu8jfewwO-Cz0zZAIEkE-5OGzQs71qcNS15YbGjUq063dvXeo39aG7XxqeJLG46y-KsR9Pv9C5KbVtCSrGlD9zXwBdU0/s320/2012-10-20_21-01-46_123.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sunday night, we went to a little wine bar in Gastown called <a href="http://www.salttastingroom.com/" target="_blank">Salt Tasting Room</a>. Tiny and down a slightly dark creepy alley, but once inside it was fantastic. Cheese, meat, condiments and wine. That's about it. But everything is beautifully paired with everything else so you get a fantastic little meal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mvyCpRKEehGTj3IUFZyk3yPGQZpj7izFYamFBsKgUPr1CMIlKDATpLgRpJxKYFEjxTgmWPhKqML8NM6V9uVRd5rGROTOmNmwXCFpx3kDP-xoQ23BUHNgftDpdjIbvonDVBZ_TpRWH6c/s1600/IMG_20121021_222003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mvyCpRKEehGTj3IUFZyk3yPGQZpj7izFYamFBsKgUPr1CMIlKDATpLgRpJxKYFEjxTgmWPhKqML8NM6V9uVRd5rGROTOmNmwXCFpx3kDP-xoQ23BUHNgftDpdjIbvonDVBZ_TpRWH6c/s320/IMG_20121021_222003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ex-CZy2soVLc1bAcxGqI06dxo8wbH60G8c-oy_CYUuAVhhulx9IolwjjkQUDkFX5yPO83yygKCnn9T7IPA2OLMN00B-PP2JVPETlJUjf4AVvNSclB3G3r_K6i6OP2DtcLDmKQz568UE/s1600/IMG_20121021_221844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ex-CZy2soVLc1bAcxGqI06dxo8wbH60G8c-oy_CYUuAVhhulx9IolwjjkQUDkFX5yPO83yygKCnn9T7IPA2OLMN00B-PP2JVPETlJUjf4AVvNSclB3G3r_K6i6OP2DtcLDmKQz568UE/s320/IMG_20121021_221844.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCukIwi8MTWYl2XyWOAJZA1haZC1dpCJMNubbFqUw6GUR8mRV16yXF9DsjzWNEmKdTZEt7rjtKwYf1-SvFJCEFvSsZljoyyo0ZvubTZS25z3VEv2h7xSiA3n8TY5yEvwvxO-09rBxdTSs/s1600/IMG_20121021_221751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCukIwi8MTWYl2XyWOAJZA1haZC1dpCJMNubbFqUw6GUR8mRV16yXF9DsjzWNEmKdTZEt7rjtKwYf1-SvFJCEFvSsZljoyyo0ZvubTZS25z3VEv2h7xSiA3n8TY5yEvwvxO-09rBxdTSs/s320/IMG_20121021_221751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With the wine bar's pairings being rather small, it was really a perfect pre-dinner kind of location. So we went down the street to a sister restaurant to Salt called the <a href="http://www.irishheather.com/" target="_blank">Irish Heather</a>. Great little pub with really yummy food. I went with a Guinness and originally ordered a steak and Guinness pie, but their over went on the fritz so I ended up with a cider braised pork chop with Brussels sprouts. YUM!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My other little favorite place was a little bakery, <a href="https://plus.google.com/106202755445140868402/about?gl=us&hl=en" target="_blank">Villaggio Cafe</a> right along my running route (I am proud to say I ran all 4 days I was in Vancouver! Loved being able to run along the waterfront to Stanley Park!). We happened to hit it two mornings in a row right as they brought their muffins and scones out of the over. SO GOOD! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qvcKVzCSsHAPgpwbq28brlENWt_phHu0vbA-s2qHF5SX-wIF1A34OYvRVnOSH_oJKf1SuSVziBMNS6u5gvrI5cIuRoINelUdbeDb3lae-5bgDKIBlx9Uged63EhF-W6WI4hdJLfF44Y/s1600/2012-10-21_17-28-34_834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qvcKVzCSsHAPgpwbq28brlENWt_phHu0vbA-s2qHF5SX-wIF1A34OYvRVnOSH_oJKf1SuSVziBMNS6u5gvrI5cIuRoINelUdbeDb3lae-5bgDKIBlx9Uged63EhF-W6WI4hdJLfF44Y/s320/2012-10-21_17-28-34_834.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5uKnqlKuA94-QNNPDpOOQl_7lhMevgjWewrbIzxVOm6YRFBIgs8MeYqygc1RVds4Ys13bSQTvS0_VxkuzXpBE7CmT3ytRk8o6TvviN38Pi5SWvBJdueWNQ-2jOliPKTnumVoQCfMAlc/s1600/2012-10-21_17-18-08_473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5uKnqlKuA94-QNNPDpOOQl_7lhMevgjWewrbIzxVOm6YRFBIgs8MeYqygc1RVds4Ys13bSQTvS0_VxkuzXpBE7CmT3ytRk8o6TvviN38Pi5SWvBJdueWNQ-2jOliPKTnumVoQCfMAlc/s320/2012-10-21_17-18-08_473.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-76325495648248730522012-08-31T09:00:00.000-07:002012-08-31T09:00:05.633-07:00Fried Chickin'<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We stayed in last year for our anniversary instead of going out and found it to be supremely enjoyable so this year we decided to have a repeat. Peter requested Fried Chicken for our dinner this year. Our general plan to to recreate some fried chicken sliders we had a <a href="http://koralbellevue.com/" target="_blank">Koral </a>in Bellevue. I did a little looking around on my favorite blogs and settled on <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2008/01/fried-chicken/" target="_blank">this </a>recipe from <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/" target="_blank">Smitten Kitchen</a>. Let me just tell you: WOW. All I need to say.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SzsRSf8R0KU/UD_6UCNm1qI/AAAAAAAAIcA/MEqENWtyFO4/s1600/2012-08-23_19-14-58_716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SzsRSf8R0KU/UD_6UCNm1qI/AAAAAAAAIcA/MEqENWtyFO4/s320/2012-08-23_19-14-58_716.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8002_vHhK4/UD_6UKrN6qI/AAAAAAAAIcA/_tCGFiXu_9c/s1600/2012-08-23_19-17-06_874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8002_vHhK4/UD_6UKrN6qI/AAAAAAAAIcA/_tCGFiXu_9c/s320/2012-08-23_19-17-06_874.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27lBJxEBErk/UD_6UPgCELI/AAAAAAAAIcA/R5VQ3CmB95c/s1600/2012-08-23_19-21-14_143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27lBJxEBErk/UD_6UPgCELI/AAAAAAAAIcA/R5VQ3CmB95c/s320/2012-08-23_19-21-14_143.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's my slightly modified (I made significantly less than her recipe calls for, but followed the general principles):</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Fried Chicken</b><br />Adapted from Smitten Kitchen</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Brine</u><br />2cups buttermilk<br />2 tablespoons kosher salt<br />4 garlic cloves, mashed but not peeled<br />1 teaspoon sugar<br />1/2 teaspoon paprika</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Batter</u><br />1 large eggs<br />1 teaspoon baking powder<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />1 cups buttermilk</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Coating</u><br />2 cups flour</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mix brine ingredients in a large bowl. Place the chicken pieces in brining solution and refrigerate for two to three hours. Remove and place on rack to air-dry.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mix batter ingredients and place in a large bowl. Place coating in large pan to coat chicken.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Coat chicken with flour, then place in batter. Drain excess batter off chicken and place in flour again and cover. Use tongs for transfers.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To fry, heat peanut oil to 375 degrees in a cast-iron skillet (I used my deep enamel stock pot and found this worked better, less splatter). Do not fill the pot more than half full with oil. Place one to two of the chicken thighs, skin side down first, in the oil and cook, for five minutes. Turn chicken and cook, uncovered, for another 5 minutes. Pull the chicken out of the oil and check internal tempature with instant read thermometer (mimum 150 degrees as chicken will continue to cook to 160 in the oven). Allow the oil to return to 375 degrees F before frying the next batch.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Remove the chicken from the oil and place each piece on a metal baking rack set on a sheet pan, keeping warm in the oven until ready to serve.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>A few recipe notes:</b> Even with the reductions in amounts I indicated above, you could easily make 2lbs of chicken with the amounts of above. I found I had plenty of batter and coating left over. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In addition to the fried chicken I made: Bacon Gravy, Fruit Slaw, and smashed potatoes. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>For the bacon gravy:</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px;">I also made bacon gravy (yes I really did). Simply a few tablespoons of bacon fat, a few tablespoons of flour, stir stir stir until flour is absorbed into the fat and "cooked". Add milk or cream (I did a mix of both) maybe 1/2 a cup? Stir until thick. Add chopped of bacon if desired (of course you want to). </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px;"><b>For the Fruit Slaw: </b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px;">I won't tell you because honestly I didn't really like it. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>For the smashed potatoes:</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px;">Lightly coat small potatoes (I like the little artisan purple </span><span style="line-height: 14.49333381652832px;">potatoes</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px;">, about the size of a ping pong ball) with olive oil and some coarse kosher salt (half a teaspoon). Bake in the over at 350 for maybe an hour. Pull out and try not to eat them then and there. Let cool slightly and "smash" with your palm or a mug. Goal is to get them slightly flattened. Heat up about 1/4 cup of olive oil in a pan and fry potatoes until they are crispy. Again try not to eat them straight out of the pan. They are that good. Inspiration for these potatoes from <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/fried-smashed-potatoes-with-lemons-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As an aside, this was what I came home from work on our Anniversary to find:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoGKJrdDO8w/UD_6UG7jRtI/AAAAAAAAIcA/iHLt9BWwQuM/s1600/2012-08-23_15-24-43_326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoGKJrdDO8w/UD_6UG7jRtI/AAAAAAAAIcA/iHLt9BWwQuM/s400/2012-08-23_15-24-43_326.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.800000011920929px; line-height: 14.49333381652832px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He's the best. </span></div>
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-67887750044034081642012-08-30T16:24:00.000-07:002012-08-31T13:39:19.823-07:00Anniversary Adventure | Tofino, BC, Canada<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">August 23rd 2012 marked Peter and my third anniversary! We decided to take a little adventure to Tofino, British Columbia. Tofino is on the north west side of Vancouver Island seemingly in the middle of nowhere. It's a solid 30 minutes from the next town, Ucluelet (which is equally small and remote), both of which are a solid hour + away from anything else. BLISS. Tofino is a sleepy little surfer / hippie village with only a handful of restaurants and shops, but plenty of scenery and outdoor activities to keep one busy (or not). We mostly choose the not route and just enjoyed the view from our condo (love VRBO!) and took lots of walks into the village for coffee, pastries at the bakery and beer from the brewery. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaMNHNlIKoAok1FZmCHAHiDblZlGNnneCc-x9t3Q6bYBczo3gtr4G1BjjXEl9Ll07_LMQeN9M9n7D08R3Wmdo7vVQMVMe3HS5q1QCDMpKCGnMug6ul9Rsqaq94XwO6QpAyW-FMUoCn6Y/s1600/IMG_20120824_144525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaMNHNlIKoAok1FZmCHAHiDblZlGNnneCc-x9t3Q6bYBczo3gtr4G1BjjXEl9Ll07_LMQeN9M9n7D08R3Wmdo7vVQMVMe3HS5q1QCDMpKCGnMug6ul9Rsqaq94XwO6QpAyW-FMUoCn6Y/s320/IMG_20120824_144525.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A little double dose of Starbucks waiting for the ferry at Tsawwassen</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekJI8ePRyslsC5H-qB-mHJ3Nlzou4pO3zDWfmfgOk9C6rHocPDD7eZ6vdKLYKXRqCOjX3YGH8xu5fG5aHkkRWnIJXfsJLvuBX5H0UrgVXxInDmiCn-UVnWnHorV2iv5Sv0JXC9q3VkWQ/s1600/2012-08-24_15-25-00_275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekJI8ePRyslsC5H-qB-mHJ3Nlzou4pO3zDWfmfgOk9C6rHocPDD7eZ6vdKLYKXRqCOjX3YGH8xu5fG5aHkkRWnIJXfsJLvuBX5H0UrgVXxInDmiCn-UVnWnHorV2iv5Sv0JXC9q3VkWQ/s320/2012-08-24_15-25-00_275.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">View from the Ferry heading towards Vancouver Island. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmdJUJqpVjzToSoXE1zGw8wHzM0DiTIWeH6j3fxWKrZ4tTvhfyRbJDizKhM87EKLSAwsqceMBFG0qrAS0EE2Rhf9C6-cpi_XvAzAD1CxmBr-rupd3_YyvXGUvUOPjw3XiLgnC84ugU-Q/s1600/2012-08-24_15-25-56_439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmdJUJqpVjzToSoXE1zGw8wHzM0DiTIWeH6j3fxWKrZ4tTvhfyRbJDizKhM87EKLSAwsqceMBFG0qrAS0EE2Rhf9C6-cpi_XvAzAD1CxmBr-rupd3_YyvXGUvUOPjw3XiLgnC84ugU-Q/s320/2012-08-24_15-25-56_439.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Love of my life. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPpjpYwIstESC6BlMxVK7B5PKORLpMa2H3OHlfWLiyszC7dQfRbgmCSJU4TaMTgTI7gVxAI6TabpH94So-y1mI1XSE1MBbWJcMZmh5ac85D9SY4Cw68nVJSa8zdLfrl8SHFrzBAPit40/s1600/2012-08-24_15-26-24_472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPpjpYwIstESC6BlMxVK7B5PKORLpMa2H3OHlfWLiyszC7dQfRbgmCSJU4TaMTgTI7gVxAI6TabpH94So-y1mI1XSE1MBbWJcMZmh5ac85D9SY4Cw68nVJSa8zdLfrl8SHFrzBAPit40/s320/2012-08-24_15-26-24_472.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZs9OLcV2XA4cqMmPkKCubcwgOfbRJ4tW506rMGjJOj3zMUDHMrrl7ATj0fhl9Zlh0G9vI8_GHytnl6gYqc2Xza3tN8HjOvxmiPAndePSt_KsL6TGG8tfXqHxSAEQc9i_yDmB1ju815WI/s1600/2012-08-24_16-13-36_78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZs9OLcV2XA4cqMmPkKCubcwgOfbRJ4tW506rMGjJOj3zMUDHMrrl7ATj0fhl9Zlh0G9vI8_GHytnl6gYqc2Xza3tN8HjOvxmiPAndePSt_KsL6TGG8tfXqHxSAEQc9i_yDmB1ju815WI/s320/2012-08-24_16-13-36_78.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIrbwSjZNVJlHkRfOqh2h00LoF55HDD7Oeo9nH-uIwFCy-lqVvxjXqlFsdxuz4dLHsK0eY5i5kiD_ybd5yDIt666khtTdIrwolXbf58nJ_Pj1MNDhifCk3PgS9qT405_MtgXbkSVUFGk/s1600/2012-08-25_15-18-48_38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIrbwSjZNVJlHkRfOqh2h00LoF55HDD7Oeo9nH-uIwFCy-lqVvxjXqlFsdxuz4dLHsK0eY5i5kiD_ybd5yDIt666khtTdIrwolXbf58nJ_Pj1MNDhifCk3PgS9qT405_MtgXbkSVUFGk/s320/2012-08-25_15-18-48_38.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chesterman Beach</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-xEVLH5oMcIsSn6TCsi0mKZDD-K0OPEcdbV33BvHb_gnLnjBpenHbXwlPYeGmG9d24RMsrKPST2R5CVJbYB-T1duQWWvXh7lM_sOXGxD3VPR9ZYFgOZ64juTntJX_4S4VK2gyV5juRE/s1600/2012-08-25_15-24-16_445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-xEVLH5oMcIsSn6TCsi0mKZDD-K0OPEcdbV33BvHb_gnLnjBpenHbXwlPYeGmG9d24RMsrKPST2R5CVJbYB-T1duQWWvXh7lM_sOXGxD3VPR9ZYFgOZ64juTntJX_4S4VK2gyV5juRE/s320/2012-08-25_15-24-16_445.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">WHEEL!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xyqWI-y7-Nthh61KO87PmWAK7OUzsJH9iIVvpiciuRJ5wEZbeh2PumGhJnNcKiPvcfJJGgP6aP2UowCD8wk2i5ya05mU-TP4g2t05PxwF6sOEoJcM20W-y3v5fMgf23RaZ2U8LG0ry0/s1600/2012-08-25_15-30-29_657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xyqWI-y7-Nthh61KO87PmWAK7OUzsJH9iIVvpiciuRJ5wEZbeh2PumGhJnNcKiPvcfJJGgP6aP2UowCD8wk2i5ya05mU-TP4g2t05PxwF6sOEoJcM20W-y3v5fMgf23RaZ2U8LG0ry0/s320/2012-08-25_15-30-29_657.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sdpMLi80wjRPg8CPmdU-XeRpWTTX52Y7qOugFIUtDpKydBaNxLz-g0kCKis88_-p3fQaHOR14rzsYx-nKMdOp3vfZXD4Y9g0f9Sq-8cFsNj5O0fkaKW8SsjpE_SLDPuVdaG_YYj9TdY/s1600/2012-08-25_16-32-04_66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sdpMLi80wjRPg8CPmdU-XeRpWTTX52Y7qOugFIUtDpKydBaNxLz-g0kCKis88_-p3fQaHOR14rzsYx-nKMdOp3vfZXD4Y9g0f9Sq-8cFsNj5O0fkaKW8SsjpE_SLDPuVdaG_YYj9TdY/s320/2012-08-25_16-32-04_66.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">View from our bedroom loft. LOVE</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjf3E91eXL7Kef4AQTyg_saNS-qyXs7hc9YaGCy0dvFeu9oZ3TNN6WUxGe6l2jXGpe1ag42A2F77pqxIajp6nSJ1PflJFKMRoc1zi-N37T0nA9bkSCsX3jCVx_9Yu4P2-qvLqbjvDFSs/s1600/2012-08-25_07-59-27_365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjf3E91eXL7Kef4AQTyg_saNS-qyXs7hc9YaGCy0dvFeu9oZ3TNN6WUxGe6l2jXGpe1ag42A2F77pqxIajp6nSJ1PflJFKMRoc1zi-N37T0nA9bkSCsX3jCVx_9Yu4P2-qvLqbjvDFSs/s320/2012-08-25_07-59-27_365.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">View from our porch. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbbQZ1gBD8v3H7H6JGsJxjqVVZIzWqwq9SQY0L5_N9ZqthcTAEWU2TLgsqSfO9D31VGYp1y7bJ-IT33p020hh9f_cdmeeMd2JXjjKbCVfsrxBEh0FvRU22GDO4GKplZ8NGXYxLWDI6Gg/s1600/2012-08-25_07-59-40_573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbbQZ1gBD8v3H7H6JGsJxjqVVZIzWqwq9SQY0L5_N9ZqthcTAEWU2TLgsqSfO9D31VGYp1y7bJ-IT33p020hh9f_cdmeeMd2JXjjKbCVfsrxBEh0FvRU22GDO4GKplZ8NGXYxLWDI6Gg/s320/2012-08-25_07-59-40_573.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">View from our porch 2. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNASVG98cI4Mf5qHgO_Z4yRnsrOAbzslB3EqyNg2NcBiH-bcfKqMsu_XpuE2EJaDz2fEq_JMabPo44fKNgnUCuSp2-qGUTEmB-qq0JYoSzo33hbqW01aPCGjvcOXHposa43MHGOxDyeIM/s1600/2012-08-25_09-02-05_669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNASVG98cI4Mf5qHgO_Z4yRnsrOAbzslB3EqyNg2NcBiH-bcfKqMsu_XpuE2EJaDz2fEq_JMabPo44fKNgnUCuSp2-qGUTEmB-qq0JYoSzo33hbqW01aPCGjvcOXHposa43MHGOxDyeIM/s320/2012-08-25_09-02-05_669.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mbWVHl_Gf5cVLcKAjhui38aLpekrtlNp0I9BfEZ0pdtgGo2vPF8v4BMjja2wA_TQVm6ietW2XeosuMQR2Thnnefs69p6cWs1wrtsVAlnJ4-kchbbhdhOjFnPgg98IKbo7XjHu8h1cEk/s1600/2012-08-25_13-35-37_808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mbWVHl_Gf5cVLcKAjhui38aLpekrtlNp0I9BfEZ0pdtgGo2vPF8v4BMjja2wA_TQVm6ietW2XeosuMQR2Thnnefs69p6cWs1wrtsVAlnJ4-kchbbhdhOjFnPgg98IKbo7XjHu8h1cEk/s320/2012-08-25_13-35-37_808.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No trip is complete with out food (one of our favorite things). We ate pretty well, although one place we visited was hyped up quite a bit as being the IT place. Needless to say, we were underwhelmed. But other than that, we enjoyed pretty much every other place we tried. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgHGi1AmNkYI5CIHDSInnKg2y5DmUpCHqlnIxZYeunxJxToEsrfjCE6UdiDwKhun16iL8gPGM1hEkkIvpgBZXZqgMeSkzf44gPg29T97zPEVF3TTydR7v_n_Nhms2dnzIJ9ON_T7nA5c/s1600/2012-08-25_19-55-57_415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgHGi1AmNkYI5CIHDSInnKg2y5DmUpCHqlnIxZYeunxJxToEsrfjCE6UdiDwKhun16iL8gPGM1hEkkIvpgBZXZqgMeSkzf44gPg29T97zPEVF3TTydR7v_n_Nhms2dnzIJ9ON_T7nA5c/s320/2012-08-25_19-55-57_415.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5KEgq67B_VST4ajf7ejVHk1q89imNZXyCpR76HSIDkLFQux09Gpnw6RYylyBGZlQTSQl80i9m1jcy8LBl6GhJOG8pNkDDy8ZzXDyWGrAZ2VrJgTxlYcKn7swy2iRFYu4bAmCF6g0-_w/s1600/2012-08-25_18-58-10_848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5KEgq67B_VST4ajf7ejVHk1q89imNZXyCpR76HSIDkLFQux09Gpnw6RYylyBGZlQTSQl80i9m1jcy8LBl6GhJOG8pNkDDy8ZzXDyWGrAZ2VrJgTxlYcKn7swy2iRFYu4bAmCF6g0-_w/s320/2012-08-25_18-58-10_848.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dinner the first night was at <a href="http://spottedbearbistro.com/" target="_blank">Spotted Bear Bistro</a>. From the description, it sounded like it would be practically perfect. Small restaurant, local organic food, comfort food, what's not to love, right? Well, apparently everything. Everything we ordered was just OK. Ordered a caraf of wine and it was aweful. And I drink pretty much everything but it was bad. So we asked the server if it was supposed to taste that way (maybe it was corked or something) and she was a little ambivalent and didn't really offer us anything different. So we ended up just requesting a different wine because neither of us could stomach the other one. Anyways... Then food. Everything was significantly under salted, like as if none had been put in at all. Really? Really. Everything looked beautiful but simply just didn't taste that good. We both left not feeling so good and bummed at the experience. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Cuq1Ie7p3eWLXAedxiQB736obr8DVoeocxb8c_odvMzIa0eJ0KYp_umJaSRac_682p2w-ZTDJpoS3RYwbgM3CKCSzLATg0t6bZTntkeHnm_YSnEifAdJoNLjjzw5EpOV3pETeMxccvo/s1600/IMG_20120826_090434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Cuq1Ie7p3eWLXAedxiQB736obr8DVoeocxb8c_odvMzIa0eJ0KYp_umJaSRac_682p2w-ZTDJpoS3RYwbgM3CKCSzLATg0t6bZTntkeHnm_YSnEifAdJoNLjjzw5EpOV3pETeMxccvo/s320/IMG_20120826_090434.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheV4stwJRQc5ArEdnVZYSgEXIPDyOfrawRgwoYKufGneQi98jTakxy_i1_dsSaDNM_9WBRErlGTtl_S6afYFIuuFSrrVSV4to3zn19oPFDKtodhgPyXBJK_OzvQDsI0eyQrVqlT3ORxac/s1600/2012-08-25_13-49-56_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheV4stwJRQc5ArEdnVZYSgEXIPDyOfrawRgwoYKufGneQi98jTakxy_i1_dsSaDNM_9WBRErlGTtl_S6afYFIuuFSrrVSV4to3zn19oPFDKtodhgPyXBJK_OzvQDsI0eyQrVqlT3ORxac/s320/2012-08-25_13-49-56_23.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the plus side, the baker in town, Common Loaf Bake Shop, was awesome! We ate there pretty much every day. Best.thing.ever. Really the best part, was I would wake up early, walk into town, get my coffee and get some muffins then walk back, wait for Peter to get up and then we'd chill on the porch, listening to the waves and eating breakfast. MMMGOOD!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfycyQeo3KzD7Sh_yY2S8RbzfGhA7Kjyy5dyX7F402BYco3gXA-UWZnk1dAu83rX4xJVCegPbPrz1WJHqLiyO_SM43HFNwEnCELeJpkl51fcH_cU4_GyU6k5CbtQL6j2tyR8nqsXWJLs/s1600/2012-08-26_14-03-32_786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfycyQeo3KzD7Sh_yY2S8RbzfGhA7Kjyy5dyX7F402BYco3gXA-UWZnk1dAu83rX4xJVCegPbPrz1WJHqLiyO_SM43HFNwEnCELeJpkl51fcH_cU4_GyU6k5CbtQL6j2tyR8nqsXWJLs/s320/2012-08-26_14-03-32_786.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Also a real winner, was <a href="http://www.wildsidegrill.com/" target="_blank">Wildside Grill</a> down the road from the main village. WOW. Best fish tacos and pretty awesome fish and chips. Everything is fresh caught near Tofino and cooked fresh. OH MY GRACIOUS YUM. One of our food highlights from this trip. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKPLVT_KFGqJYDTnAA2OD4RCPXjDVjaU-nAC1hRHbg7asE9Lo77bB_haZmOoKSubYalHvXnfqFnr_XCwnJ5D2mpL3dxNuhJ1ExV-bGI33BFYwZTcd-KDX3iVHp3a51DIzcrZ5aR5Oewg/s1600/2012-08-27_12-26-26_567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKPLVT_KFGqJYDTnAA2OD4RCPXjDVjaU-nAC1hRHbg7asE9Lo77bB_haZmOoKSubYalHvXnfqFnr_XCwnJ5D2mpL3dxNuhJ1ExV-bGI33BFYwZTcd-KDX3iVHp3a51DIzcrZ5aR5Oewg/s320/2012-08-27_12-26-26_567.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the highway home, lots of beautiful mountain lakes. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEU-4024mmyULVbPcHQWux_9M0NsO0vo5RRngvXY3uT2obiack1MAPRNDNrlKWCErL76q53sPtvgRsPaoJpgrCMmev_GB95bS0u98cy94VsVH6JytR9ec_2m5fG8_-mQUvQgZe5f7BYVg/s1600/2012-08-27_12-27-40_135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEU-4024mmyULVbPcHQWux_9M0NsO0vo5RRngvXY3uT2obiack1MAPRNDNrlKWCErL76q53sPtvgRsPaoJpgrCMmev_GB95bS0u98cy94VsVH6JytR9ec_2m5fG8_-mQUvQgZe5f7BYVg/s320/2012-08-27_12-27-40_135.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">a little cut off, but still kind of cute. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht63l2ZmDJ-0ujD5AZERmMnMfBhvydo-NesCx8DfAT_AZuQKX0onZ_ixgw-2FD3zjHqLCVYPxvLuI7G_U4RPrkc_VqckqFpcU63sReubBWjsRLV7sJmYOsRJa1yhbHtbkiBZmXxzGxnSA/s1600/2012-08-27_13-50-36_334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht63l2ZmDJ-0ujD5AZERmMnMfBhvydo-NesCx8DfAT_AZuQKX0onZ_ixgw-2FD3zjHqLCVYPxvLuI7G_U4RPrkc_VqckqFpcU63sReubBWjsRLV7sJmYOsRJa1yhbHtbkiBZmXxzGxnSA/s320/2012-08-27_13-50-36_334.jpg" width="180" /></a> </span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rootbeer Bliss</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9N89wO8d4xlca9sGA-N37zwXRWhziv_jLp_6QZB2725KlKWdVIxelYfWpJVPoZ_PHgADXO9hvx2_3Ndgisn9RqgF53R8zUxG1Q4vPW-x8ulokiEvkA6rUCmYxvtyY2ZlQvwMwok_A_I/s1600/2012-08-27_17-30-44_525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9N89wO8d4xlca9sGA-N37zwXRWhziv_jLp_6QZB2725KlKWdVIxelYfWpJVPoZ_PHgADXO9hvx2_3Ndgisn9RqgF53R8zUxG1Q4vPW-x8ulokiEvkA6rUCmYxvtyY2ZlQvwMwok_A_I/s320/2012-08-27_17-30-44_525.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We got the front of the ferry on the way home!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Overall, fabulous trip and very relaxing. Not sure we would go back anytime, simply due to the distance (it was 10-12 hours each way with traffic, stopping, etc.). Although, it was well worth it for a 4 day weekend. The getting there was half the adventure!</span></div>
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-89214830715279655772012-08-20T17:02:00.000-07:002012-08-20T17:02:42.114-07:00Oh restful weekend!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seems I am long overdue for a blog posting! This weekend Peter and I enjoyed an oh-so-relaxing weekend that pretty much started Friday morning. We both had to work Friday but I was able to work remotely due to an afternoon appointment in Bellevue so I drove into work with Peter (we love carpooling when it works out!). This involved stopping for donuts at Top Pot, really can't go wrong there. Work day over, we finished the day in downtown Kirkland with pizza at Zeeks and a movie (The Bourne Supremacy) at home on the couch. WIN.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Saturday was the epitome of relaxation for us. Me at yoga in the morning. Pete sleeping in. Leisurely breakfast (OK brunch) at noon. Stayed in our jammies and watched another movie (Mr. & Mrs. Smith). Got a few chores done. Pete puttered on his computer and I cooked. Oh and I cooked. I love weekends when I have time to cook. I had a bunch of stone fruit so decided to make a simple tart. Just a little puff pastry and sliced fruit fanned out all pretty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8pl3Y617mh8tI1ZBdQDT7b-aCfRyBkRUQzRMmO9aB14-O_SZ2EpEhOpKDG9UvF5Rt3vOqKQWVfh2VAZeWo1m0ErgOF3igN8cizY_169jRxJ8D5f2lkCwx6w23T9p578WtpPLr30GfVg/s1600/IMG_20120818_180420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8pl3Y617mh8tI1ZBdQDT7b-aCfRyBkRUQzRMmO9aB14-O_SZ2EpEhOpKDG9UvF5Rt3vOqKQWVfh2VAZeWo1m0ErgOF3igN8cizY_169jRxJ8D5f2lkCwx6w23T9p578WtpPLr30GfVg/s320/IMG_20120818_180420.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had stopped at the farmers market in Woodinville after yoga and picked up some veggies. Those added with some from the garden and I had a beautiful start to a Pasta Primavera. Just roasted them in the over with a little EVOO, salt, pepper, garlic and chili flakes and oh-my-sweet-lord delicious. Because it was Saturday and I had the time, I broke out the pasta maker and made homemade pasta (really much easier when you have something to do the rolling).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sN3GjEVn1XoRt9MtzC-PXohwSRmWjQt18Gf4-mdgRRPy_11AbYRB4UV4e4BvSlHVLnNaNYbKggexhafRvLbz1Gmt2K5Mzpza-PtldhligTI5rudzbTXHGbxxfdpP1Y7FPzqiHXP11Wc/s1600/IMG_20120818_180708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sN3GjEVn1XoRt9MtzC-PXohwSRmWjQt18Gf4-mdgRRPy_11AbYRB4UV4e4BvSlHVLnNaNYbKggexhafRvLbz1Gmt2K5Mzpza-PtldhligTI5rudzbTXHGbxxfdpP1Y7FPzqiHXP11Wc/s320/IMG_20120818_180708.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtHJovH1Xjf0IfKAqtMrQ7_Z0k2UQFrDXxzWU6mhrS_pAzSkLK1ghBIdej3O2wcYfTKeofq48OAPlo2lKYC6dJyNN7Q91vpzp4CkZnoZalA-FYsvhyVJhSWrgNL1kj7XpBwGRE8qPUJE/s1600/IMG_20120818_195844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtHJovH1Xjf0IfKAqtMrQ7_Z0k2UQFrDXxzWU6mhrS_pAzSkLK1ghBIdej3O2wcYfTKeofq48OAPlo2lKYC6dJyNN7Q91vpzp4CkZnoZalA-FYsvhyVJhSWrgNL1kj7XpBwGRE8qPUJE/s320/IMG_20120818_195844.jpg" width="239" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday we decided to be a bit more productive and take a hike. I've had this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Mount-Si-Within-Seattle/dp/1881583082/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345506647&sr=8-1&keywords=beyond+mt+si" target="_blank">book</a> on my bookshelf for years but really never used it. We decided to pick Big Lake Grieder. It's about an hour or so drive from us to the trail head (or so we thought, but I'll get there). The drive is really pretty out Highway 2 to Sultan and drives out along Lake Spada (the parking lot is right next to Lake Spada). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissp1AT5XqQr7nRMFKVDzJM541u9k3b7erN3nSZSGwbz2l6hQOi90G7fdnrH_VVi9HFaDDCW-QKofoDQnctXVqvcmIl-IteSg2ULzwAMjOdOyWnxC1lNMqeEpRQu8iCrmwJz-K0vN-9Ss/s1600/2012-08-19_14-10-15_487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissp1AT5XqQr7nRMFKVDzJM541u9k3b7erN3nSZSGwbz2l6hQOi90G7fdnrH_VVi9HFaDDCW-QKofoDQnctXVqvcmIl-IteSg2ULzwAMjOdOyWnxC1lNMqeEpRQu8iCrmwJz-K0vN-9Ss/s320/2012-08-19_14-10-15_487.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our book indicated the trail head was basically .2 miles from the parking lot. Well, as it turns out the road used to go right up to the trail head but hasn't actually been in service for who knows how long (lesson learned: always look up current trail information). So what was supposed to be a 2.5 mile hike to the lake ended up being a 3 mile hike to the trail head. By the time we got to the real trail head, we didn't really have enough time (mostly due to the time of day) to hike all the way up to the lake, hang out and then hike the 6+ miles back to the car. We'd really only planned on a 5 mile day not a 10+ mile day. Oh well, the hike to the trail head was actually rather pleasant and we got some lovely views of Lake Spada instead. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSRPJNN6LpKAG2h0NhC_93aTyZdZDnnmVZKQOrd6qiu_uWcuJwaDOp1J73tuxczEtwHCktGZkErbsc5pvrp1JE-DtZNC6dN7hnkeNUb27Im33mE2KE8y_Uv4hfqG3MTQzrx9rgWRQ-HI/s1600/2012-08-19_16-21-59_368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSRPJNN6LpKAG2h0NhC_93aTyZdZDnnmVZKQOrd6qiu_uWcuJwaDOp1J73tuxczEtwHCktGZkErbsc5pvrp1JE-DtZNC6dN7hnkeNUb27Im33mE2KE8y_Uv4hfqG3MTQzrx9rgWRQ-HI/s320/2012-08-19_16-21-59_368.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOF6K0oX4uW7wXinR89IcBf4YzDYqYcuLMDnSAJwLyVR8lylZ21mpCY0K0rd3LGeuJTVqmFQ8cM1yEXTZOoM_tiY-CMiVzAVniVg-XjWYzCJDZ1f7JTHIAOgDE2-XTiFll6kzY9lUHcvo/s1600/2012-08-19_16-21-50_663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOF6K0oX4uW7wXinR89IcBf4YzDYqYcuLMDnSAJwLyVR8lylZ21mpCY0K0rd3LGeuJTVqmFQ8cM1yEXTZOoM_tiY-CMiVzAVniVg-XjWYzCJDZ1f7JTHIAOgDE2-XTiFll6kzY9lUHcvo/s320/2012-08-19_16-21-50_663.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRSh3WZEAZeAiuITtCHQuUN4TNaPnYMX7znH-qclbAW-kreRo0nzI-yual5lDbk76U4JsNVKiz5ryvGhY9kjAI3O_fLM1Uru9gZO86OrhwKK9j9KnPY5yYfeaDM0okuqaqaDVFgufGfo/s1600/2012-08-19_16-21-42_689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRSh3WZEAZeAiuITtCHQuUN4TNaPnYMX7znH-qclbAW-kreRo0nzI-yual5lDbk76U4JsNVKiz5ryvGhY9kjAI3O_fLM1Uru9gZO86OrhwKK9j9KnPY5yYfeaDM0okuqaqaDVFgufGfo/s320/2012-08-19_16-21-42_689.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHIagjVXfn-frTJRYGmag1SOU-Z9GMCXhNfIXwFO7HRhYf7dHgNCrvOgh2HsfzjqSzdRGmKAWgZFMTWo1X5YLNFjW2tGtegADKFdKft5NCUbrodGK7gk1VDqHCygfAhuG8XYjicOPpAQ/s1600/2012-08-19_15-23-05_993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHIagjVXfn-frTJRYGmag1SOU-Z9GMCXhNfIXwFO7HRhYf7dHgNCrvOgh2HsfzjqSzdRGmKAWgZFMTWo1X5YLNFjW2tGtegADKFdKft5NCUbrodGK7gk1VDqHCygfAhuG8XYjicOPpAQ/s320/2012-08-19_15-23-05_993.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflj5pHMvz-aQ2HJ4V2OYqgewK-kr_73WMM-Urwvlr6-9DLGh3hgCEcpvNMb7cvF_5XJeT_iDKw83rLXjhGA-k8QpkZ2jZShoVOc0j7tJ-2pzJmKaOnD8ZKiqz6_pXtjWOJKzsvyd4_gs/s1600/2012-08-19_15-22-55_403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflj5pHMvz-aQ2HJ4V2OYqgewK-kr_73WMM-Urwvlr6-9DLGh3hgCEcpvNMb7cvF_5XJeT_iDKw83rLXjhGA-k8QpkZ2jZShoVOc0j7tJ-2pzJmKaOnD8ZKiqz6_pXtjWOJKzsvyd4_gs/s320/2012-08-19_15-22-55_403.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7azzhP2fCZDG67febOmnOT_ZNrV615usVwK4R8SxQFBJlWDnqjVMch6LT5qp-OgBfh_DLDEU2EVVYIgHVTdqWtpFthPIY7IwNa1xj6EdheN4X3kPGVbt3gmNiAc5mIs9oscSxNlUmsn0/s1600/2012-08-19_14-10-26_656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7azzhP2fCZDG67febOmnOT_ZNrV615usVwK4R8SxQFBJlWDnqjVMch6LT5qp-OgBfh_DLDEU2EVVYIgHVTdqWtpFthPIY7IwNa1xj6EdheN4X3kPGVbt3gmNiAc5mIs9oscSxNlUmsn0/s320/2012-08-19_14-10-26_656.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And there is just something about a good hike that makes me want nice greasy food. So we finished our day and our weekend at the Blazing Onion in Mill Creek for dinner. YUMMY!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUleBzZp7OHcbeECaXq6hIhGWJtqoXMrIgsn2GkE3anPDsSySgMAZRcxLt1YiqTk85M77ZUVeahQ5dM_ejDLNbDkzvy_f2sOeU3BTe1y0hfznKiy-dJsyf1LI7CZCjjAzcg9E16Pqsa4/s1600/2012-08-19_18-11-04_946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUleBzZp7OHcbeECaXq6hIhGWJtqoXMrIgsn2GkE3anPDsSySgMAZRcxLt1YiqTk85M77ZUVeahQ5dM_ejDLNbDkzvy_f2sOeU3BTe1y0hfznKiy-dJsyf1LI7CZCjjAzcg9E16Pqsa4/s320/2012-08-19_18-11-04_946.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaJjVhyphenhyphenF6guBlofsKDS-A6D7oghyphenhyphen9UjDNKlSFCSFJB1oQft5ykQ2VSX7wAd7VC-NS-_nHOZpw70aKNpICJLWL4RYVY2_LKECEkdjGvu6KxkF7h0fIFkEWNAwlafeTrVEZeJ5g9pEJY5A/s1600/2012-08-19_18-12-35_796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaJjVhyphenhyphenF6guBlofsKDS-A6D7oghyphenhyphen9UjDNKlSFCSFJB1oQft5ykQ2VSX7wAd7VC-NS-_nHOZpw70aKNpICJLWL4RYVY2_LKECEkdjGvu6KxkF7h0fIFkEWNAwlafeTrVEZeJ5g9pEJY5A/s320/2012-08-19_18-12-35_796.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-72251288308539685232012-06-22T08:00:00.000-07:002012-06-22T08:00:05.188-07:00Some of my favorite things! Blog Edition<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Like many of you I'm sure, I've got a slew of blogs I follow. Thankfully Google Reader makes my life very simple, especially my handy Google Reader app on my phone! Here are some of my favorites in no particular order. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.eatliverun.com/" target="_blank">Eat Live Run</a></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I think I came across Jenna's blog through someone else on one of my <a href="http://www.theleangreenbean.com/foodie-penpals/" target="_blank">Foodie Pen Pal</a> exchanges. Love her style, love her recipes. Oh and she went to Yoga Teacher training, I'm totally inspired. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/" target="_blank">Pioneer Woman</a></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static.thepioneerwoman.com/files/2012/05/pwc2footer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.thepioneerwoman.com/files/2012/05/pwc2footer.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Really, who doesn't love PW!?! I seriously just love her writing voice. SO. FUNNY. Her recipes are bomb sauce so really you just can't go wrong. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://mrmrsglobetrot.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mr. & Mrs. Globe Trot</a></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_a-4Tvhleusj11LB4JDM9ocLJOqbyLJyVeawHhosNXgMOItB_9v4NsMhOZ_n5PBDVRwV6f4fio8mekAv7zeB_ibG5aWTxRtte_IcD_zo-dCbxL54tOXEFHqb2DiNa5ffad4AJ9XwwEww/s1600/travel+notes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_a-4Tvhleusj11LB4JDM9ocLJOqbyLJyVeawHhosNXgMOItB_9v4NsMhOZ_n5PBDVRwV6f4fio8mekAv7zeB_ibG5aWTxRtte_IcD_zo-dCbxL54tOXEFHqb2DiNa5ffad4AJ9XwwEww/s320/travel+notes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I want to be these two SO BAD! First of all, they are adorable. Second of all, see my first sentence. They spent their 6 months of marriage traveling. Please start from the beginning of their blog and read through their adventures. So. Awesome. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://benjhaisch.com/" target="_blank">Benj Haisch Photographers</a></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://benjhaisch.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/bhlogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="48" src="http://benjhaisch.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/bhlogo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This guy's photos ROCK. Next photo shoot, I seriously want to book him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/" target="_blank">Young House Love</a></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/wp-content/themes/YHL2011%20Theme/images/rhinoheader14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="93" src="http://www.younghouselove.com/wp-content/themes/YHL2011%20Theme/images/rhinoheader14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Home Improvement made easy, approachable, and oh so darn cute. Makes me feel like I could actually tackle some of the projects I have around the house. No problemo. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/" target="_blank">smitten kitchen</a></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/uploads/smittenkitchentrademarkedlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://smittenkitchen.com/uploads/smittenkitchentrademarkedlogo.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If I didn't have Bon Appetit, I would have smitten kitchen. Gorgeous food, easy to follow recipes, huge database of recipes (5+ years of blogging). I love the "surprise me" button on the websites. Always comes up with fun recipes. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://www.alexandracooks.com/" target="_blank">Alexandra's Kitchen</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.alexandracooks.com/wp-content/themes/codium-extend/images/AKHeader_NewBlogTemplate.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="53" src="http://www.alexandracooks.com/wp-content/themes/codium-extend/images/AKHeader_NewBlogTemplate.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is the kind of food I cook the most. She's Greek or at least cooks Greek food so that's probably why I like her so much. Fresh, local, simple food.</span> </div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-9333207741200529152012-06-20T08:40:00.000-07:002012-06-20T08:40:00.818-07:00Yiayia & Papou<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih84Pwfn5JtOr-xOmEtffcE2tazVPh-wdfsnnyIlzTE5xTEGPP5Z9xuUq9DT9sDYuco7KWDTnYyvLdqV-S9IcEp4D6UTpxmXqTtfT4IIyAbUt51UD08POFXBPJyP0heqqWedNyLAbD_Bs/s1600/IMG_20120608_174537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih84Pwfn5JtOr-xOmEtffcE2tazVPh-wdfsnnyIlzTE5xTEGPP5Z9xuUq9DT9sDYuco7KWDTnYyvLdqV-S9IcEp4D6UTpxmXqTtfT4IIyAbUt51UD08POFXBPJyP0heqqWedNyLAbD_Bs/s320/IMG_20120608_174537.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My Yiayia and Papou are the greatest! We are so blessed to have them be such an active and loving part of our lives! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For Christmas, we gave my grandparents a gift certificate for an adventure day with Peter and I. We waited until now so that we'd hopefully have some nice weather for taking a drive. Funny enough, the weather was pretty much crazy all day so that was a bust! But otherwise, we had a nice time spending the day with them!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIn-B7RFbpj43pKXNGqVmy1CL9yAcXjQ6BUYY7gksKzL6YuauXdm82hhFojfcLTnU48eTHqi9htDUTTFy42mYndln-p8uY3rAJzc3X3s12ja73jGN5l0LRQX03v-pso8k1b_ZbJrDTSgs/s1600/IMG_20120608_173306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIn-B7RFbpj43pKXNGqVmy1CL9yAcXjQ6BUYY7gksKzL6YuauXdm82hhFojfcLTnU48eTHqi9htDUTTFy42mYndln-p8uY3rAJzc3X3s12ja73jGN5l0LRQX03v-pso8k1b_ZbJrDTSgs/s320/IMG_20120608_173306.jpg" width="239" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimW__BopBfjbewLthYx3Dbxj3b9EOHkACqS3oHkkzG4S1zEDO18u3Mpgy6SYVTrqEUZgEwJAko8qpg4ftlhxoCQaFEWH9JnAemqcAC1fF9p8H_fmxDQVqFVmjC_bS27L6zigpjN4r88nk/s1600/IMG_20120608_173251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimW__BopBfjbewLthYx3Dbxj3b9EOHkACqS3oHkkzG4S1zEDO18u3Mpgy6SYVTrqEUZgEwJAko8qpg4ftlhxoCQaFEWH9JnAemqcAC1fF9p8H_fmxDQVqFVmjC_bS27L6zigpjN4r88nk/s320/IMG_20120608_173251.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Kw9sfUnKWc9SsDqQu_cURQxnmcZb0GaGfxlKc_390uE_3lwuqj-5NVfl1Rv7JED58ajKlDO8FP-s0PAHH50xNQ1NHShUQA6g8ZNaRu5JydAmRX_Nlu2o4aRdKPez9pmw4cQ-vCKPN_Q/s1600/IMG_20120608_173228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Kw9sfUnKWc9SsDqQu_cURQxnmcZb0GaGfxlKc_390uE_3lwuqj-5NVfl1Rv7JED58ajKlDO8FP-s0PAHH50xNQ1NHShUQA6g8ZNaRu5JydAmRX_Nlu2o4aRdKPez9pmw4cQ-vCKPN_Q/s320/IMG_20120608_173228.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yp0mp38lJEpXtPwJdS77TayGZZWcFoz-sCcQhrAmXRj1M-pNh62sZGjBer1TzJQ6bjhRaar9BaqqvrKUsYGMmBgbG9_v0Rl0C1hHTJEZ6g-8EzLXW8gB4-fIZBlwCUcRyvJVhjfCZG4/s1600/IMG_20120608_172807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yp0mp38lJEpXtPwJdS77TayGZZWcFoz-sCcQhrAmXRj1M-pNh62sZGjBer1TzJQ6bjhRaar9BaqqvrKUsYGMmBgbG9_v0Rl0C1hHTJEZ6g-8EzLXW8gB4-fIZBlwCUcRyvJVhjfCZG4/s320/IMG_20120608_172807.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMoJVessbLq4D34iWIVDtZEIURHHTjAXgm8-AsgBQDeEu3ll4eO50RiiC42zOd70fqdWTYSUlDEqcVLwVzxe-TBBsX8OufULeSVUYJNVKsV9V66qiYJlvg33v5Z8HXn3QkzM3mSCl30I/s1600/IMG_20120608_172644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMoJVessbLq4D34iWIVDtZEIURHHTjAXgm8-AsgBQDeEu3ll4eO50RiiC42zOd70fqdWTYSUlDEqcVLwVzxe-TBBsX8OufULeSVUYJNVKsV9V66qiYJlvg33v5Z8HXn3QkzM3mSCl30I/s320/IMG_20120608_172644.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5AJgXJlhsfCNDvGnSpBJ_zhcGCISPHhyl9VOpW-VDKG5TxUB8FuXTGPt2-5CH0cuaIcDgJ2VeoSWf_2SMJ7VCLa76hLdzlTQ6IVIY8ZFxw75CWdI1y_2Ha5SQbKDYRxoMd2g7_fiQho/s1600/IMG_20120608_131021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5AJgXJlhsfCNDvGnSpBJ_zhcGCISPHhyl9VOpW-VDKG5TxUB8FuXTGPt2-5CH0cuaIcDgJ2VeoSWf_2SMJ7VCLa76hLdzlTQ6IVIY8ZFxw75CWdI1y_2Ha5SQbKDYRxoMd2g7_fiQho/s320/IMG_20120608_131021.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One of my favorite quotes (and there are many) from one of our favorite movies (What's Up Doc!): "There is a person named Eunice". This streat sign in </span><a href="http://www.portangeles.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Port Angeles</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> just cracked me up, so I had to pull over and take a picture. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhekQiSAqpBSfKv9VOONGwd9UTXPmcMbL2aWxTtVgq1jKW5dHSWKT6ZtK67jKQ6fK3gw6Lx32kUe0F_F7BSR2ETHXN-e4YiZZYoYofZZ8tvLdx1ca-pn4BaayKZJ7s6450HAsh1jHz44/s1600/2012-06-08_11-29-04_897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhekQiSAqpBSfKv9VOONGwd9UTXPmcMbL2aWxTtVgq1jKW5dHSWKT6ZtK67jKQ6fK3gw6Lx32kUe0F_F7BSR2ETHXN-e4YiZZYoYofZZ8tvLdx1ca-pn4BaayKZJ7s6450HAsh1jHz44/s320/2012-06-08_11-29-04_897.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cutest couple!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWyE23PhyMlPz99qazzaFoRV50X8E0odAarq8X7DBWVbg0dfF79eROxwTq6tlC-NtrVpXCSUhl-yet0hrrgEJpXw0kMSlf6j9UnsMPyNTA78jyH57SgNO_Zj9cuxj080SQsRUmEUJJ3U/s1600/IMG_20120608_111452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWyE23PhyMlPz99qazzaFoRV50X8E0odAarq8X7DBWVbg0dfF79eROxwTq6tlC-NtrVpXCSUhl-yet0hrrgEJpXw0kMSlf6j9UnsMPyNTA78jyH57SgNO_Zj9cuxj080SQsRUmEUJJ3U/s320/IMG_20120608_111452.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My precious Yiayia </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94FGN-zSHtvvtAzyLV0YdB5e9vWGh6D64Ff-sqWSYKfYuqkNKClbkpHY6VOjOAMPCs6FCOgUUv374QTHCm9UUFt2auBZ3R2JM_CoVhqlv0JordkDGntvSEJVR85xvkg8O8lL8SoYLH14/s1600/2012-06-08_11-00-17_750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94FGN-zSHtvvtAzyLV0YdB5e9vWGh6D64Ff-sqWSYKfYuqkNKClbkpHY6VOjOAMPCs6FCOgUUv374QTHCm9UUFt2auBZ3R2JM_CoVhqlv0JordkDGntvSEJVR85xvkg8O8lL8SoYLH14/s320/2012-06-08_11-00-17_750.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Perk of the day: Getting to board the ferry first (so to be near to the elevator for Papou). All the WA State Ferry crew were awesome! So nice and helpful!</span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-42096333764394395862012-06-18T08:34:00.000-07:002012-06-18T08:34:00.525-07:00Garden Update - In Progress<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I posted a few months <a href="http://foodtravellifelove.blogspot.com/2012/04/it-planting-time.html" target="_blank">back</a>, I had just received my veggie seeds for my veggie garden. Since then, most have sprouted and are growing (although my darn tomatoes are still just tiny little sprouts). I've also managed to get all my beds weeded, new mulch down, lawn cleaned up and edged and pots filled with annuals. Whew! I was motivated this year to get it done in time for my friend Lita's shower which was in early! Sadly, it rained that day so we ended up being inside. Pictures from the shower coming soon! I had a photographer come in and take pictures so I won't have those pictures until later this week. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ba3JsNQ2X7xJ5WBd7O4tdSF3oVYi6b3cNe-3WbGw0LNznL8O4_LnpM1bVnv7poxE_78MrCcfVxJqjXq6Q1p9fSyeESBJ2xoaXMr9xzo9i8RoeQzfg5xdq-HUjErF316W0ZhAIb8BUns/s1600/IMG_20120525_131355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ba3JsNQ2X7xJ5WBd7O4tdSF3oVYi6b3cNe-3WbGw0LNznL8O4_LnpM1bVnv7poxE_78MrCcfVxJqjXq6Q1p9fSyeESBJ2xoaXMr9xzo9i8RoeQzfg5xdq-HUjErF316W0ZhAIb8BUns/s320/IMG_20120525_131355.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This rainbow chard is insane! This actually wintered over from last summer and just kept growing. It had a big stalk that I just cut back, but this thing was growing like a tree!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLj2-sK99xQ4wYdYihdwHWFlIyjbK6ymAf0eoOTC8wKnp-NTWK50JJGW3-MzRvG1ZVIH1aCUe5BgCWPhfv_2Qgg6ChfDjBBBtTvJQAPAKGVgnZvJjNoIlwT9aj66-uEEBAjV8XqJRlJLQ/s1600/IMG_20120525_131443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLj2-sK99xQ4wYdYihdwHWFlIyjbK6ymAf0eoOTC8wKnp-NTWK50JJGW3-MzRvG1ZVIH1aCUe5BgCWPhfv_2Qgg6ChfDjBBBtTvJQAPAKGVgnZvJjNoIlwT9aj66-uEEBAjV8XqJRlJLQ/s320/IMG_20120525_131443.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Herbs! Chives, Parsley, Fennel (back left), Sage. I also have (but not pictured) Greek Oregano, Thyme, Tarragon and Cilantro.</span> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0lwe-xXr6sV7T7jLm6fdWhEVzrvKRjlKhifXJOHq8TM4Acp8xy_-fqE2PFPGGhY7nX5ynm5-nuOhBt2JSc57UwN8Q38oXR2Hl68_kO_EokCHvNvn9vUTzLi1dbVWbYGmcBOaTVNox4w/s1600/IMG_20120530_090443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0lwe-xXr6sV7T7jLm6fdWhEVzrvKRjlKhifXJOHq8TM4Acp8xy_-fqE2PFPGGhY7nX5ynm5-nuOhBt2JSc57UwN8Q38oXR2Hl68_kO_EokCHvNvn9vUTzLi1dbVWbYGmcBOaTVNox4w/s320/IMG_20120530_090443.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hanging baskets from my favorite nursery, </span><a href="http://flowerworldusa.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Flower World</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1w9fN8ildQ6GJvwLspzEAeqfo_Igmq2rBujQFBJIwG_rOYZCtWqjiaePYoRSFdh8lxVgCOsc_gUik-4YZlq7h-7DGVHAV1uASQuAGt0QUTWGqqMuqrAwqzy5sdcBYohXrN43U93I1ko/s1600/IMG_20120530_090544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1w9fN8ildQ6GJvwLspzEAeqfo_Igmq2rBujQFBJIwG_rOYZCtWqjiaePYoRSFdh8lxVgCOsc_gUik-4YZlq7h-7DGVHAV1uASQuAGt0QUTWGqqMuqrAwqzy5sdcBYohXrN43U93I1ko/s320/IMG_20120530_090544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTpPOHQ08Rl26Hm6YgRRDwm3fR4dRBQEqSQg0kTw9wzVRPyrZ5ICPtHa7tk6QI9hjuEI2wZ9T3JkUHhOVSw5gJVRShDKQkZFNLgTQMKESb0tBBLWpCYxJezq770x_WlhDu2kwKhKJ-u8/s1600/IMG_20120530_090618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTpPOHQ08Rl26Hm6YgRRDwm3fR4dRBQEqSQg0kTw9wzVRPyrZ5ICPtHa7tk6QI9hjuEI2wZ9T3JkUHhOVSw5gJVRShDKQkZFNLgTQMKESb0tBBLWpCYxJezq770x_WlhDu2kwKhKJ-u8/s320/IMG_20120530_090618.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7v-p3X2LabAgDLmnho5M8ZTk9W4UHBcaaGLxKxFngvu1xCdFgI7Iwzag8C_t4GXcaGGf7ZEJ29YPw7ktKTue5vWb7G5ArQpXNHa19LdQm5I2bFKkPGXvlZ23QXWIHG8gae4tle5cZls/s1600/IMG_20120530_090651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7v-p3X2LabAgDLmnho5M8ZTk9W4UHBcaaGLxKxFngvu1xCdFgI7Iwzag8C_t4GXcaGGf7ZEJ29YPw7ktKTue5vWb7G5ArQpXNHa19LdQm5I2bFKkPGXvlZ23QXWIHG8gae4tle5cZls/s320/IMG_20120530_090651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2hB3h_nOvSn2eo7WiIGXM6Qx-QklkE0yuivkaXOV7AqStyJhwioiubjOXSibN9AoNTecCsv1Yh3wwk8-kFzswIKWPgSTFMLPo9pGMLNKsx7sl01nFZxaKMo9nnsmkoAB9Jo3h9ySxow/s1600/IMG_20120530_090732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2hB3h_nOvSn2eo7WiIGXM6Qx-QklkE0yuivkaXOV7AqStyJhwioiubjOXSibN9AoNTecCsv1Yh3wwk8-kFzswIKWPgSTFMLPo9pGMLNKsx7sl01nFZxaKMo9nnsmkoAB9Jo3h9ySxow/s320/IMG_20120530_090732.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mmmmm! Can't wait to have a fresh salad from my garden!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXXLtcKDpZ-atpQk8RGV4HShVqalz4Aswaq-eM8d-8IM-IK8iCJ3CU8nRg1QTA2nPNPXgA3cUjLwT4uti16wkZ_bnK-joOH_wSHfwM_HcItrWlPPsfEJTZuM2fB9bW_V_dPnKa9bxsOc/s1600/IMG_20120530_090841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXXLtcKDpZ-atpQk8RGV4HShVqalz4Aswaq-eM8d-8IM-IK8iCJ3CU8nRg1QTA2nPNPXgA3cUjLwT4uti16wkZ_bnK-joOH_wSHfwM_HcItrWlPPsfEJTZuM2fB9bW_V_dPnKa9bxsOc/s320/IMG_20120530_090841.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlvSYX1pm1oJElFE3RI_NQDFByJLHJzL-FnoKbd4CJApCFlX9NmZA5v_P847KYa1O00K33EkXD6BRvnB12h4WBR6CB8uDOCCYRUH8c4tvaO9fjzbnQ6IgvLv0HrdZLXJqc_ku6QrHcgc/s1600/IMG_20120530_090933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlvSYX1pm1oJElFE3RI_NQDFByJLHJzL-FnoKbd4CJApCFlX9NmZA5v_P847KYa1O00K33EkXD6BRvnB12h4WBR6CB8uDOCCYRUH8c4tvaO9fjzbnQ6IgvLv0HrdZLXJqc_ku6QrHcgc/s320/IMG_20120530_090933.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My flamingos! Peter got these for me for Christmas and I LOVE them. Adds a little bit of much needed tacky to the backyard.</span> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PLiiyZhpW4Ca1G6Gotksna_9IpqlOa3l0R7uC_JxYL6_-ZBNme5ggO4_K6FkA7i-MBe78tarNetPekLsCdt8kI5Jzl4QjO3JNU96MUtV9aqER2gtEeHD_pqQNadiUVIFyYkOZqSxUu8/s1600/IMG_20120530_091018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PLiiyZhpW4Ca1G6Gotksna_9IpqlOa3l0R7uC_JxYL6_-ZBNme5ggO4_K6FkA7i-MBe78tarNetPekLsCdt8kI5Jzl4QjO3JNU96MUtV9aqER2gtEeHD_pqQNadiUVIFyYkOZqSxUu8/s320/IMG_20120530_091018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pots on the front porch. You can see my sad little tomatoes on the lower right. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoO9uq6iasMVB83zhsN1-BK6SMeNDdwpVxHwl938fGM0z1kczdsXzDs82nnKRq6Yxk_l37lN1CvpeQnS6ALV4iu1OVq445XSRUEYic-mqSC6mUZECCEOeJ7e9gmdNc_eQP29aMd-jYkwI/s1600/IMG_20120530_091053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoO9uq6iasMVB83zhsN1-BK6SMeNDdwpVxHwl938fGM0z1kczdsXzDs82nnKRq6Yxk_l37lN1CvpeQnS6ALV4iu1OVq445XSRUEYic-mqSC6mUZECCEOeJ7e9gmdNc_eQP29aMd-jYkwI/s320/IMG_20120530_091053.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5ZmsYktXTa7J-CmUDZtsPhsdDvj4DuFvcDfQF4QIQxbMMsbF5J_UyMWsRC9Jp8N6OM4MZE-P9y7huJsTqBFHute7rjnKYqGnbwe1sJqiHt1pm_fAebYCfG3rt7lNb76si9hVEUUQhNw/s1600/IMG_20120530_091155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5ZmsYktXTa7J-CmUDZtsPhsdDvj4DuFvcDfQF4QIQxbMMsbF5J_UyMWsRC9Jp8N6OM4MZE-P9y7huJsTqBFHute7rjnKYqGnbwe1sJqiHt1pm_fAebYCfG3rt7lNb76si9hVEUUQhNw/s320/IMG_20120530_091155.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I cannot even begin to tell you how tall my iris flowers were this year! Must have been three feet! Crazy!</span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-54367517362432215232012-06-17T09:27:00.001-07:002012-06-17T17:39:15.984-07:00Double Barbecue Pizza<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last week, Peter and I had our oh-so-favorite BBQ at Stan's in Issaquah. Amazing. We intentionally ordered a lot so we'd have leftovers (because leftover Stan's is almost equally as good as the first time around). Although instead of just eating the leftovers cold, dipped in BBQ sauce we decided to make a BBQ pizza. I called it Double Barbecue Pizza because we used BBQ and we cooked the pizza on the grill. I seriously LOVE my pizza stone. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNAvpeIGc-8j0U3iygnYGR76bO4Bfl71L6wdeLvwgHU3MwFDHkrtpYcLzHeHsXuBeaoRnx1QS2JSa6NMz934XrVSvG3RS-aYxoTd9Lue8Fpi0YuxCWMxr4yi6q1nDX6J0q8jLibJn5ek/s1600/IMG_20120609_182950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNAvpeIGc-8j0U3iygnYGR76bO4Bfl71L6wdeLvwgHU3MwFDHkrtpYcLzHeHsXuBeaoRnx1QS2JSa6NMz934XrVSvG3RS-aYxoTd9Lue8Fpi0YuxCWMxr4yi6q1nDX6J0q8jLibJn5ek/s320/IMG_20120609_182950.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We actually made two pizza's on Sunday Night, the BBQ pizza and a simple margarita. The margarita was good, but the BBQ pizza was simply amazing. When we made the pizza again on Wednesday, we used the rib meet instead of the pulled pork and cut the apple slices a little thicker. Both were excellent modifications!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOascXZHGbGKYJ_mBoGI2XomBuevZybSLxp00Ci4-Uy4SGRy0wRHVmRmPfEiFISgYiPaJtsGS4ucOH2K6CWlQUQOYum962HPJNSMDp_zuRikesoOKmWFWsjIbRd0YPIigCzIasqQH7oG8/s1600/2012-06-10_18-55-51_278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOascXZHGbGKYJ_mBoGI2XomBuevZybSLxp00Ci4-Uy4SGRy0wRHVmRmPfEiFISgYiPaJtsGS4ucOH2K6CWlQUQOYum962HPJNSMDp_zuRikesoOKmWFWsjIbRd0YPIigCzIasqQH7oG8/s320/2012-06-10_18-55-51_278.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-g614rn5160mqRdMpjIzEd0SfthesO9_IMsMG9h6E6zGMl8jH0YPw5HVQTE_V89s3Qo-eoEg_XOQ6dGD5kNxta1trGcBcf7JCqAwqCeu7T0y_rv0POYar0Ws5wNqhlw9rUkPdg-NZ324/s1600/2012-06-10_18-56-05_953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-g614rn5160mqRdMpjIzEd0SfthesO9_IMsMG9h6E6zGMl8jH0YPw5HVQTE_V89s3Qo-eoEg_XOQ6dGD5kNxta1trGcBcf7JCqAwqCeu7T0y_rv0POYar0Ws5wNqhlw9rUkPdg-NZ324/s320/2012-06-10_18-56-05_953.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1Mpl8aJ8ctLW7IdVMceD_5CbII8m5ft3Qikdgf7RnhBmQfC4copt1DFFis2isFinsnpszZM5Qcjoh-gdbt8JZt_nNCuazscMZ_fpeTP1wnI2RgT5zi5jza_-Gl6Tq1c2dxEsfkJbU6A/s1600/2012-06-10_18-56-13_899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1Mpl8aJ8ctLW7IdVMceD_5CbII8m5ft3Qikdgf7RnhBmQfC4copt1DFFis2isFinsnpszZM5Qcjoh-gdbt8JZt_nNCuazscMZ_fpeTP1wnI2RgT5zi5jza_-Gl6Tq1c2dxEsfkJbU6A/s320/2012-06-10_18-56-13_899.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I make home-made pizza, I either use the </span><a href="http://www.thejoykitchen.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Joy of Cooking</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> pizza recipe or one I got from a class at </span><a href="http://www.surlatable.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sur la Table</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pizza Dough</span></strong><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Modified from </span><a href="http://www.surlatable.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sur La Table</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> class. Original Recipe from Peter Reihart's </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Reinharts-Artisan-Breads-Every/dp/1580089984/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339949068&sr=8-1&keywords=artisan+breads+everyday+peter+reinhart" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Artisan Breads Every Day</span></a></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4 1/2 cups unbleached flour (I use 00 Italian flour when I have it)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 cup whole wheat flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 teaspoon instant yeast</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 tablespoons honey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 cups warm water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 tablespoons olive oil</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Recipe Notes: In the original recipe both the honey and olive oil are optional. I always add them and love the flavor. Also, the original recipe called for 5 1/3 cups bread flour. I really like the 00 flour and recently have really enjoyed subbing one cup of whole wheat flour. Adds a nice earthly bite to the crust.</em> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The recipe is simple enough, you can just put all the ingredients in a Kitchen Aid bowl, mix for approximately 1 minute, rest for 5 minutes, then switch to the dough hook and mix on medium-low speed for 2-3 minutes. The last time I made this dough, I briefly let the yeast bloom in the warm water with the honey and then added it to the other ingredients. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After mixing, spread a little olive oil on your work surface and transfer dough to the oiled surface. Briefly (and I mean briefly) shape the dough into a ball. Divide the dough into desired sizes. The batch makes approximately 5 or 6 twelve inch pizzas (of the super thin variety). You can then more or less use the dough immediately (although I usually let the dough rest for about an hour) or throw it in some small plastic bags (spritzed with cooking spray) and then put 'em in the freezer. They last in the freezer for several months and defrost very easily. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Double Barbecue Pizza</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 pizza dough </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Pulled Pork or Rib Meat removed from the bone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Chopped or thinly sliced red onions</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">BBQ Sauce (we used something on the spicy side)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Roasted Garlic (whole heads of garlic roasted in the oven for about an hour)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Sliced Apples</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Fresh Mozzarella</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Freshly grated parm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Basil (chopped and added just after the pizza comes out of the oven or grill)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lightly dust a board or pizza peel with flour and place your pizza dough. Shape dough as desired. I usually light push the pizza dough outward with my fingers. Rolling pins work great too!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As to the toppings, I just eye balled all the amounts. Whatever looks yummy to you! As the crust was pretty thin, I tried not to pile the toppings too high. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I cook my pizza on a pizza stone. I highly recommend purchasing one. They are usually under $50 and make the biggest difference in the crust. I believe you can achieve a similar result by using a sheet pan flipped over although I have never tried. I use my pizza stone in the oven and on the grill. In either case, I pre-heat the stone for 30+ minutes on the high (500 degrees in the over or just high on the grill). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Once the oven or grill is hot and the pizza is topped with yummy goodness, gently slide the pizza off the peel or board onto the stone (this is why the flour on the board is important!). Cook until the cheese is bubbly and the bottom looks brown. It's usually approximately 10 minutes for my grill and more like 15 minutes for my oven. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">ENJOY!</span>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-45893491885900571432012-05-25T07:47:00.002-07:002012-05-25T07:47:56.615-07:00Outer Banks, North Carolina<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We've just returned from a lovely week in the Outer Banks, North Carolina with Peter's family. Lovely beach slightly remote area where you can relax, sit on the beach and read. We played with the kids (nieces and nephews), hung out with our siblings, and ate lots of yummy food. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For this trip the family rented a big house which we all stayed in together. OBX is pretty amazing for this because it is FILLED with large houses. Ours, for example, had 9 bedrooms, an enormous kitchen, theater room, etc. etc. etc. Perfect for our large family. We had an amazing, relaxing time! Wish we could have stayed longer! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o5gxCebUUTpVFoz7p9s7Kv7AGWy5ALscEj9trAtMwfhxSLUfV5mN2XiqytrG3Xl1rkKfK7TtuHbVUJ7JbJ8H7d2zl14C13xG5Zt3rxwmsdCsvMZ0YkkUQtDkIcRapd3WkjN59vv47ug/s1600/IMG_20120513_232437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o5gxCebUUTpVFoz7p9s7Kv7AGWy5ALscEj9trAtMwfhxSLUfV5mN2XiqytrG3Xl1rkKfK7TtuHbVUJ7JbJ8H7d2zl14C13xG5Zt3rxwmsdCsvMZ0YkkUQtDkIcRapd3WkjN59vv47ug/s320/IMG_20120513_232437.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Gorgeous view en-route to the east coast!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4FtwgFefFIju-4EKox8JXR-aJK_FnC22CmIEnkzL5ejxQHI_Qm3UxaGuNCr6Z1unM19nZAdUgNy3Mo0Iogn_eMu6OrbR_ayO-IlnqxOE7OsGgnhPfyiheiSLjAXdDbgaSETc4eN8zdI/s1600/IMG_20120518_100751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4FtwgFefFIju-4EKox8JXR-aJK_FnC22CmIEnkzL5ejxQHI_Qm3UxaGuNCr6Z1unM19nZAdUgNy3Mo0Iogn_eMu6OrbR_ayO-IlnqxOE7OsGgnhPfyiheiSLjAXdDbgaSETc4eN8zdI/s320/IMG_20120518_100751.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Beautiful home (view from the sea)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopUOA9vfK3F5vPe_RfoDmWKWoXkcI6-PW3Q3OZAtoq6jiCYJMnA_nKlL07k6nhK4-qWtfbORemuYDiMbifHNbaa22VywDS_0ZkOTWRrk88cIZDhJhf7-MURjpUHCTbJs64pNieUuUq-8/s1600/IMG_20120513_145213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopUOA9vfK3F5vPe_RfoDmWKWoXkcI6-PW3Q3OZAtoq6jiCYJMnA_nKlL07k6nhK4-qWtfbORemuYDiMbifHNbaa22VywDS_0ZkOTWRrk88cIZDhJhf7-MURjpUHCTbJs64pNieUuUq-8/s320/IMG_20120513_145213.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The only day of relatively calm sea. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGdj3fdqNy39RZgN5qWLeJS5uO0g-VDOWutfpOb7RQpU9J4cbpBYQGZr7X69TPLpHp5hbPZK222wmqwVi4ls0Xea15YhTHWu5kBEZQPOItc-Mwuw-96WFjFQcDTjH0ki5Ua18L0cI5yA/s1600/IMG_20120520_095619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGdj3fdqNy39RZgN5qWLeJS5uO0g-VDOWutfpOb7RQpU9J4cbpBYQGZr7X69TPLpHp5hbPZK222wmqwVi4ls0Xea15YhTHWu5kBEZQPOItc-Mwuw-96WFjFQcDTjH0ki5Ua18L0cI5yA/s320/IMG_20120520_095619.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Stormy seas</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7pqhx_Bmu4ljKPvvgOWKgekhNusKhMqiBeRhqYWy0K30osBt2hZ97bHtJoKNk5lS_PsxoSjlgA45OD5r19FWgGcmo_e-B79xy087PkEt3V_IHY6hZ4KfGRJaxPEMIlJQHKz8e_r2P9Y/s1600/IMG_20120513_232718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7pqhx_Bmu4ljKPvvgOWKgekhNusKhMqiBeRhqYWy0K30osBt2hZ97bHtJoKNk5lS_PsxoSjlgA45OD5r19FWgGcmo_e-B79xy087PkEt3V_IHY6hZ4KfGRJaxPEMIlJQHKz8e_r2P9Y/s320/IMG_20120513_232718.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dinner at <a href="http://www.metropolisobx.com/" target="_blank">Metropolis</a>: Soft shell crab with sweet corn puree. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0LwUnjw6LTKpQdUwvm2Z0tiyBJl5JhL7hEuHSdHO7zP3pH58nCzQ1xCSV9S1SyJofBeqdHuaQ_nFpY1qXYkbjaD6tzNwNAIDCrNtklmWlu_deUnCh1N8yQZByL5yBGtD1tm22Vx5Z_8/s1600/IMG_20120515_151859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0LwUnjw6LTKpQdUwvm2Z0tiyBJl5JhL7hEuHSdHO7zP3pH58nCzQ1xCSV9S1SyJofBeqdHuaQ_nFpY1qXYkbjaD6tzNwNAIDCrNtklmWlu_deUnCh1N8yQZByL5yBGtD1tm22Vx5Z_8/s320/IMG_20120515_151859.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yoga + Ocean = Bliss</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEzN_16jUhRt7SEDwSHwykNaT2AEmT4TvfZD1Ad_HAmJpqRzLs9vz3VxxJyH-9C3Pw3V1OP39yoVsCxr1wKYeo64Mhg-zrxQkLB00JgkBm0rhWLggDlHbCVv-78CzLdSJabERFdGLRss/s1600/IMG_20120520_095535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEzN_16jUhRt7SEDwSHwykNaT2AEmT4TvfZD1Ad_HAmJpqRzLs9vz3VxxJyH-9C3Pw3V1OP39yoVsCxr1wKYeo64Mhg-zrxQkLB00JgkBm0rhWLggDlHbCVv-78CzLdSJabERFdGLRss/s320/IMG_20120520_095535.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cactus flowers in bloom. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWd089Z79yVstruy7ZRw9wEPuSzx4_jkakjbtesIZt8mwfv7t7rI6KXB8oIbCWiNtpngWzyreq_Sp4lPaTCxAkQgohVKZtSHxcI-o9IwemlvN7WvJjPhh7vWxaDLngvBbJJvdFMLoa5w0/s1600/IMG_20120520_095725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWd089Z79yVstruy7ZRw9wEPuSzx4_jkakjbtesIZt8mwfv7t7rI6KXB8oIbCWiNtpngWzyreq_Sp4lPaTCxAkQgohVKZtSHxcI-o9IwemlvN7WvJjPhh7vWxaDLngvBbJJvdFMLoa5w0/s320/IMG_20120520_095725.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Home made pretzels.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig22XhMN_ooxhMkyROco4SLlmLV0q95n80mCTGMw1dqU7NnNSEiilW78Ml6_yI8ewzsvHIZkyyL1daHYVkwNbjzCMYk0mOotjju048AwQx70Ceu37D2CrFbfSQQgLgv2HePB5O-HQEGwI/s1600/IMG_20120516_143950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig22XhMN_ooxhMkyROco4SLlmLV0q95n80mCTGMw1dqU7NnNSEiilW78Ml6_yI8ewzsvHIZkyyL1daHYVkwNbjzCMYk0mOotjju048AwQx70Ceu37D2CrFbfSQQgLgv2HePB5O-HQEGwI/s320/IMG_20120516_143950.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fantastic brewing company we found!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5CPBIyKuWWg4nYrIZBztUu6-LvoeD_VgnO7iqvVTvfPShkH_0GAIfkUXMJOXjU5RSrSOnt5pnK6sfZrwU8iGLVNL1VbP_7YK2vsgXDmt7A7FdxaFj5twZSy9IHZHvI_F-TVOk6RYhH8/s1600/IMG_20120520_095450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5CPBIyKuWWg4nYrIZBztUu6-LvoeD_VgnO7iqvVTvfPShkH_0GAIfkUXMJOXjU5RSrSOnt5pnK6sfZrwU8iGLVNL1VbP_7YK2vsgXDmt7A7FdxaFj5twZSy9IHZHvI_F-TVOk6RYhH8/s320/IMG_20120520_095450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Can't go wrong with a Cosmo!</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszps0wzRtn-ibVy0pDJRrG96kVb0wvs6YlwD96Lc2uRAyDquFVKo7D4-oOG2EFCdBwNVv05hWb2E5J4cqu8dvt6ErQq7jT-dmLv3oKWfMMld7yJEQuzcj7yrtpLl-hZF-4wvhOmtn9-I/s1600/IMG_20120517_220126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszps0wzRtn-ibVy0pDJRrG96kVb0wvs6YlwD96Lc2uRAyDquFVKo7D4-oOG2EFCdBwNVv05hWb2E5J4cqu8dvt6ErQq7jT-dmLv3oKWfMMld7yJEQuzcj7yrtpLl-hZF-4wvhOmtn9-I/s320/IMG_20120517_220126.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Woodfire Pizza at </span><a href="http://papercanoeobx.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Paper Canoe</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">. We went there twice! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lovely small venue, lots of yummy food and drinks. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSGzg6-ZBTu2BSUk2UP5nG5wbyUK8HsnXNJl9zhyphenhyphenKclv1SbaIca22cRMVVoClNFRtrU5DKjV_p3Ef75_I7Y3YJ6CH_0XVTh0oHpn1o4ZlWBg9QF77qZw6P_aJz_BAn2g4F0SQEIWHY04/s1600/IMG_20120518_174408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSGzg6-ZBTu2BSUk2UP5nG5wbyUK8HsnXNJl9zhyphenhyphenKclv1SbaIca22cRMVVoClNFRtrU5DKjV_p3Ef75_I7Y3YJ6CH_0XVTh0oHpn1o4ZlWBg9QF77qZw6P_aJz_BAn2g4F0SQEIWHY04/s320/IMG_20120518_174408.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">love birds. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhLUVPCWhc-WpH_F6JajyrYKYWIG2AvO8yyafaSUVCi6h7_MkPaCVupHVcFVfdbMn2wxqOCIS4ZVsbpf5aFRFLD4p4hdW1hxjDo6AQix9sT9jtG-QBniIYeS1rnNT840QmSgBpNLo0YA/s1600/IMG_20120515_195354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhLUVPCWhc-WpH_F6JajyrYKYWIG2AvO8yyafaSUVCi6h7_MkPaCVupHVcFVfdbMn2wxqOCIS4ZVsbpf5aFRFLD4p4hdW1hxjDo6AQix9sT9jtG-QBniIYeS1rnNT840QmSgBpNLo0YA/s320/IMG_20120515_195354.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Sunset</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbzdHz4rIKlBVgxzjOH0Wd2bAoGT_gXDi8aLYRTNYSq9X3IT8DB9BJzQ6A6alskxRX6VtsEOAjy3RR4w8J7UxRo6UrUn1ZjYm_pBPWzXQDmlFO5Yp0KBpf64FrV-qm9ELnKK1dARfGE0/s1600/IMG_20120519_103311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbzdHz4rIKlBVgxzjOH0Wd2bAoGT_gXDi8aLYRTNYSq9X3IT8DB9BJzQ6A6alskxRX6VtsEOAjy3RR4w8J7UxRo6UrUn1ZjYm_pBPWzXQDmlFO5Yp0KBpf64FrV-qm9ELnKK1dARfGE0/s320/IMG_20120519_103311.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The best donuts on OBX</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEile_5iEIztgC5Zcmid-NiQrJVHs3obPH9xhJ3RO7w4fZlQTTSXFbYr6jbaULg6C04UBDCbsIkK2eT1eb2ZlgBzO8i9agcMxECCdRKSa7i26PlcJ5MZqfhvtTQ99N-RMZzAd9olai8-0sU/s1600/IMG_20120520_095144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEile_5iEIztgC5Zcmid-NiQrJVHs3obPH9xhJ3RO7w4fZlQTTSXFbYr6jbaULg6C04UBDCbsIkK2eT1eb2ZlgBzO8i9agcMxECCdRKSa7i26PlcJ5MZqfhvtTQ99N-RMZzAd9olai8-0sU/s320/IMG_20120520_095144.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Glazed, cinnamon sugar, maple, and peanut butter. Amazing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaTig1Ap3rp21kQCiOxEgyDpA29qaUwKbGoYXdET7cuOPf8IMedhYFCz7wPdpkB7wrN2BiJ9tHHR-q11JxmbnktoaLPTMBINDNgIGee2Wj63YFwnNOAve6bUNk1ao5gyBqCl6iPChbMg/s1600/IMG_20120520_095059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaTig1Ap3rp21kQCiOxEgyDpA29qaUwKbGoYXdET7cuOPf8IMedhYFCz7wPdpkB7wrN2BiJ9tHHR-q11JxmbnktoaLPTMBINDNgIGee2Wj63YFwnNOAve6bUNk1ao5gyBqCl6iPChbMg/s320/IMG_20120520_095059.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">DUCK DONUTS</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVbUn9Bv5wLO8mAMJCOxwERzMHakqzP2JaKan26Aqp7v9to_fTAVLLOBy0vVkyHOzq00a3K4tSM5imaCVzfPK7xBuwy-8-Xjv6dFrEDq9FmsO0yHglHYolLqvJNDYpKmN4QRScQovdoo/s1600/IMG_20120520_095257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVbUn9Bv5wLO8mAMJCOxwERzMHakqzP2JaKan26Aqp7v9to_fTAVLLOBy0vVkyHOzq00a3K4tSM5imaCVzfPK7xBuwy-8-Xjv6dFrEDq9FmsO0yHglHYolLqvJNDYpKmN4QRScQovdoo/s320/IMG_20120520_095257.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Gorgeous clouds on the flight home</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2L1kefcgRPmGwinD1St57pmTVJDWzkN718x_AcTYohsM3RWDUOd0xkHgW5pJZX5J40NthEGwLLFB1B_DcX1D4qjg0y6Ute4DoGBZVN4Y5ZuzzWVzCnI1LsWfMOKnvz10XeBa14rnaj48/s1600/IMG_20120520_095414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2L1kefcgRPmGwinD1St57pmTVJDWzkN718x_AcTYohsM3RWDUOd0xkHgW5pJZX5J40NthEGwLLFB1B_DcX1D4qjg0y6Ute4DoGBZVN4Y5ZuzzWVzCnI1LsWfMOKnvz10XeBa14rnaj48/s320/IMG_20120520_095414.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sunset </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIVpb4CS8F8f5_YwY4mj_Pq_PyzwRfr25Li447OeSVrWRnTwRMnK1pLPAS2FDi20Og_k2mk3dOkuLl8aVdzNs6A2RtkrGjxzvgi1lDhPcFUiodEAIDbETTkMawhIBDl0EcNzPfPqvjRs/s1600/2012-05-18_17-41-24_489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIVpb4CS8F8f5_YwY4mj_Pq_PyzwRfr25Li447OeSVrWRnTwRMnK1pLPAS2FDi20Og_k2mk3dOkuLl8aVdzNs6A2RtkrGjxzvgi1lDhPcFUiodEAIDbETTkMawhIBDl0EcNzPfPqvjRs/s320/2012-05-18_17-41-24_489.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My lovely siblings before our dinner on our last night in OBX. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-82364619753534710142012-05-01T16:28:00.000-07:002012-05-28T15:54:46.316-07:00Quarter Life Crisis<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm having a quarter life crisis. Ok, probably not a real crisis by any means of the imagination. And I'm sure many of you will tell me that what I'm feeling is perfectly normal for any 25 year old. But really. What am I doing? I'm 25 and I feel like I've accomplished a lot over the last 5-7 years (of which I am VERY VERY thankful), but I can't help but feeling like I really don't know what to do next. College. Check. Husband. Check. Grad School. Check. House. Check. Successful (mostly) career. Check. My 5 year plan (out of undergrad) is complete. Now what? What's the next plan?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F-E5fAbqjfE/T6Br9YFvVOI/AAAAAAAAFV4/z07ZofcU6a8/s1600/IMG_20120501_154630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F-E5fAbqjfE/T6Br9YFvVOI/AAAAAAAAFV4/z07ZofcU6a8/s320/IMG_20120501_154630.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I feel a little stuck. Most of my stuckness is related to my job. I've worked really hard to get where I am, but really don't LOVE what I do. Some days, it can be pretty fun so maybe I'm just in a rut. I switched jobs about 6 months ago from a job and team I'd had for over 4 years. I like my new job and the new challenge but I'm still not there yet. So what do I do? My job affords me a comfortable life with amazing health insurance. We want to have babies, I can't just give up free health care? What about when we do have kids? What then? Keep working? Stay home? Don't get me wrong, I think raising kids and being the rock-star Mom is probably one of the most important things I will do. But I didn't go to business school for 5 years (2 years for my undergraduate and 3 years for my grad) for nothing. I don't want to feel like all the work I've put in over the last 7 years have been for nothing. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-riSNCkQSM/T6Br_gtmqEI/AAAAAAAAFWA/X3NPYY6liZE/s1600/IMG_20120501_154840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-riSNCkQSM/T6Br_gtmqEI/AAAAAAAAFWA/X3NPYY6liZE/s320/IMG_20120501_154840.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I dream of a job (and a job for my husband while were at it) where we can afford (and have the time) to travel. A lot. I'm fascinated by traveling and the experiences and perspectives gained from it. How do I get there? We've been dutiful little savers and have been blessed by both having good jobs. We could not be more grateful. But what do we do with that? I refuse to believe that two weeks of vacation a year will suffice my never ending travel bug. And honestly, I have a bit of a hard time even at the thought of not having a stable job and a stable income (preferably for both of us). </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hnad_W6iOaA/T6BsCrRsHmI/AAAAAAAAFWI/yrZGKQsvEKw/s1600/IMG_20120501_155439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hnad_W6iOaA/T6BsCrRsHmI/AAAAAAAAFWI/yrZGKQsvEKw/s320/IMG_20120501_155439.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5mpQdqjHOHE/T6BsF4-tQOI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/_DcjUXJS_Ks/s1600/IMG_20120501_155518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5mpQdqjHOHE/T6BsF4-tQOI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/_DcjUXJS_Ks/s320/IMG_20120501_155518.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I want to do something that means something. That has an impact. That makes a difference. On my good days, I DO feel like what I do in my job has value. My company makes airplanes. Airplanes connect people from all over the world. More than that, I have the ability every day to impact the lives of the people I work with. Even if my project is stupid or people are stupid or my job is stupid. I CAN make a difference. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So maybe I just need an attitude adjustment. It's very possible. Life is possible and I want to get out there and LIVE as much of that life as possible. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TRUE_JsyigM/T6BwiuqNbzI/AAAAAAAAFXY/GQYOEGC_4j8/s1600/IMG_20120501_162304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TRUE_JsyigM/T6BwiuqNbzI/AAAAAAAAFXY/GQYOEGC_4j8/s320/IMG_20120501_162304.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>**all images are from cards I bought while traveling.</em> </span></span>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-88693705374100427322012-04-30T12:42:00.002-07:002012-05-28T16:04:08.828-07:00Foodie Pen Pals | April Edition<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
I am behind the times! This month has been so crazy I almost forgot to post about my Foodie Pen Pal for this month! Eeek!</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
For this month, I was paired with two lovely ladies. I sent my box to Sarah at the <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/" target="_blank">Smart Kitchen</a>. You can check out what I sent her <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/04/operation-foodie-pen-pals.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I was lucky enough to receive a box from Beatriz from <a href="http://delectableboloney.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Delectable Nonsense</a>. Check out what she sent me!</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoMTJv47LatzdXDCTeUFPotrdVkIkELOuDcz5oLRSCCzYFUD37O9wpUfNICIGL_98lhv_LG3ZKFBqVrEdxeBZ09Gavaiy4fGEVf0xrUMiJHNfE-Ss3c8lTLDrFijmPEjzIUQXirY28yA/s1600/IMG_20120424_160539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoMTJv47LatzdXDCTeUFPotrdVkIkELOuDcz5oLRSCCzYFUD37O9wpUfNICIGL_98lhv_LG3ZKFBqVrEdxeBZ09Gavaiy4fGEVf0xrUMiJHNfE-Ss3c8lTLDrFijmPEjzIUQXirY28yA/s320/IMG_20120424_160539.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
My lovely little assortment! Lots of yummy sweet items!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyTJ-58cjdkd1TEwJfvgS9a3RuieaQTquJMzFif4-WprML3Bzd-KWb2GeCD9oT722r7q3DOuOGBZoh97shJv3YMSf3L-nWMMYiXeopszJR5sE6uKkMALN5jHzxuycnuw6AOtBfwEdI3Y/s1600/IMG_20120430_082744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyTJ-58cjdkd1TEwJfvgS9a3RuieaQTquJMzFif4-WprML3Bzd-KWb2GeCD9oT722r7q3DOuOGBZoh97shJv3YMSf3L-nWMMYiXeopszJR5sE6uKkMALN5jHzxuycnuw6AOtBfwEdI3Y/s320/IMG_20120430_082744.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
These are almost melt in your mouth deliciousness. I may or may have not eaten the whole box.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Fj4lK8NQUGdBVZUwIMLjRLZbipNMqBWtv9o3t-sY7EEDyfvty_T3-KNjo57VagvEKTcovn2oti4EX8vKFrSsC4FKCIECoJhpMgHaVqTxWT-Y9b-PXtIFcIeRCOMDOHk0z-xmOpvmM7A/s1600/IMG_20120430_082837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Fj4lK8NQUGdBVZUwIMLjRLZbipNMqBWtv9o3t-sY7EEDyfvty_T3-KNjo57VagvEKTcovn2oti4EX8vKFrSsC4FKCIECoJhpMgHaVqTxWT-Y9b-PXtIFcIeRCOMDOHk0z-xmOpvmM7A/s320/IMG_20120430_082837.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
I told Beatriz that I loved lemon and she got this lovely green tea with lemon. She recommended it was lovely when she is sick for helping with a sour throat. I love tea and I love lemon, so this is perfect!</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAnlg4WvjELxk3D4zNDtrN3-zVvENmvLCnwUyT7qnQQblWFzmI5olL2I_I_NpcFuEIBMNBH5QUJXq8kRj6YKaSc3fcRU9JDM8s4w17XCA-rR6mSLEwr79B-EdKx6xjEmohSveTmUbEbU/s1600/IMG_20120430_082906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAnlg4WvjELxk3D4zNDtrN3-zVvENmvLCnwUyT7qnQQblWFzmI5olL2I_I_NpcFuEIBMNBH5QUJXq8kRj6YKaSc3fcRU9JDM8s4w17XCA-rR6mSLEwr79B-EdKx6xjEmohSveTmUbEbU/s320/IMG_20120430_082906.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Okay, seriously. Raspberry Peach CHAMPAGNE jam. OK, I die. So yummy sounding. Can't wait to make scones so I can try with them! Also, the Chili Con Queso sounds amazing too! What I love about both these products is they are all natural and have no weird ingredients. Fabulous!</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcpXQ3rKmvFjZMGQ2yxzEw4QP9D8icCJN9cAM5emx0LMc2TApjNzPQwtgCo6DYjbKgOLPBonkyQsYOOxizTK4X8HPj-5_AIt0lJk9OP4Cs2iM2Ckj9nq9y-HDd-5cI-ZRVScJFDpXlYs/s1600/IMG_20120430_082938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcpXQ3rKmvFjZMGQ2yxzEw4QP9D8icCJN9cAM5emx0LMc2TApjNzPQwtgCo6DYjbKgOLPBonkyQsYOOxizTK4X8HPj-5_AIt0lJk9OP4Cs2iM2Ckj9nq9y-HDd-5cI-ZRVScJFDpXlYs/s320/IMG_20120430_082938.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Seriously, the largest whoopee pie I have ever seen and it's Red Velvet people. It got a little squished on the plane trip over, but otherwise totally awesome. You know you want one. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
A great month for Foodie Pen Pals! I will be skipping the month of May as I will be on vacation when I need to send the box out, but if you are interested in participating, check out the details below!<br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.theleangreenbean.com/foodie-penpals/" target="_blank" title="The Lean Green Bean"><img alt="The Lean Green Bean" height="320" src="http://www.theleangreenbean.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/foodiepal_stamp2.jpg" style="border: currentColor;" width="320" /></a></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-59928676930589715042012-04-17T17:49:00.000-07:002012-05-28T16:05:33.199-07:00San Francisco Loving!<div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This past weekend I had the joy of heading to one of my favorite cities with one of my favorite people! My dear friend Kacie is leaving for the Peace Corp. in approximately one month and we've always talked of taking airplane trip adventures, so I figured I better get on that before she leaves for 27 months! I could not be more excited for her new adventure with the Peace Corp in Nicaragua but I will miss my friend and fellow-travel buddy! Here's some highlights from our trip! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvXJWp2RYxf0r6IUUkrAJYxl0gF8vGFF3FIwuaM8QP8sc-g30B6_6LTUelHOkhSrHK3_78G4J7RNPB_J0GSaOdDXPflzbvbJ-nI4HIh3Wr79nrcjB7FVd7ID0LuERJyqC34MOS23UFRA/s1600/IMG_20120416_081906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvXJWp2RYxf0r6IUUkrAJYxl0gF8vGFF3FIwuaM8QP8sc-g30B6_6LTUelHOkhSrHK3_78G4J7RNPB_J0GSaOdDXPflzbvbJ-nI4HIh3Wr79nrcjB7FVd7ID0LuERJyqC34MOS23UFRA/s320/IMG_20120416_081906.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had lovely sushi on Thursday night around the corner from my Uncle's condo. Both Kacie and I were brave and tried sashimi! It was actually pretty good although some of the textures were not my cup of tea. Although I could eat a whole bowl of edamame all by myself. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cS7lmRRfdR1wyiLJFqFW_GYUSWKJzuWdA6yhvSplKNYx9avJu0Oxr0uZqNdrYX3zlzZ4sqeDHwfveRgcRSni79zGrXgIKpbKT82TDVRADjnUIsCip6ABeoHJGFdcDW1aizMB-Qz51ZI/s1600/IMG_20120416_082117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cS7lmRRfdR1wyiLJFqFW_GYUSWKJzuWdA6yhvSplKNYx9avJu0Oxr0uZqNdrYX3zlzZ4sqeDHwfveRgcRSni79zGrXgIKpbKT82TDVRADjnUIsCip6ABeoHJGFdcDW1aizMB-Qz51ZI/s320/IMG_20120416_082117.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My favorite thing to do in San Francisco is take this long long walk starting in Union Square, heading through Chinatown, up through North Beach to Coit Tower, down telegraph hill to the Embargedero, over to the Ferry building, then jump on a street car to Fishermans Wharf walk along the wharf to Ghirardelli square and then catch the cable car back to Union square. Takes a bit, but it's leisurely, beautiful and a great way to see San Francisco. Perfect way to spend a sunny day. BONUS: There is lots of fun little shops and lovely places to eat along the way. So you can't possibly get bored or more importantly hungry. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0od2VcCn-nLZsYuqdZNgU_sgdiLMDNJ6IpUNREHUNvaOOZexZrvghlpz6GZnDHspWsSQsK8Q1uYnMsdk3Q-1aJT-SBYWfNNv7CSFldCjbynSh4xFeHCcFVQ1nwfhCDuHLMeb98nq3MwE/s1600/IMG_20120416_082311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0od2VcCn-nLZsYuqdZNgU_sgdiLMDNJ6IpUNREHUNvaOOZexZrvghlpz6GZnDHspWsSQsK8Q1uYnMsdk3Q-1aJT-SBYWfNNv7CSFldCjbynSh4xFeHCcFVQ1nwfhCDuHLMeb98nq3MwE/s320/IMG_20120416_082311.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWe3gAeafyGvU3MszL69pzox2Glt5cozsUXp8S0CgEQ1R-Dn7RLHaRYdSPkfvuEppeFicXbL1uvKMzcapJ8UzfyuYPSOqD-_7h4-U6SVQw5wunwVUZMERRTiQDFDha0FDZcgYH_uF562s/s1600/IMG_20120416_093227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWe3gAeafyGvU3MszL69pzox2Glt5cozsUXp8S0CgEQ1R-Dn7RLHaRYdSPkfvuEppeFicXbL1uvKMzcapJ8UzfyuYPSOqD-_7h4-U6SVQw5wunwVUZMERRTiQDFDha0FDZcgYH_uF562s/s320/IMG_20120416_093227.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">GIANT and delicious (and gluten free!) macaroon at a tiny little bakery in North Beach. We may or may not have gone back the next day to get another one and eat it within 5 minutes. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WQ8GtyExrugEJ74F0gjeyxYSc9qpxfCkQgolmf3Agr01fWai0bBNmKb2j-7Q2q3weVRaZViA-UoHTXAkiOHnNyDqz1u-TKKULIrM9K4rPP_qQMjcnnm1uqzr11hYq6RV0UhyphenhyphenKsXPlx4/s1600/IMG_20120416_093526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WQ8GtyExrugEJ74F0gjeyxYSc9qpxfCkQgolmf3Agr01fWai0bBNmKb2j-7Q2q3weVRaZViA-UoHTXAkiOHnNyDqz1u-TKKULIrM9K4rPP_qQMjcnnm1uqzr11hYq6RV0UhyphenhyphenKsXPlx4/s320/IMG_20120416_093526.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQS0aun3ZGQF4_LnD9dw1z7nCmOaAra98pmyL2kd-ZDhHxzYN0m8MuJvhpr1sAurtmVtuAAmgJ9SHXdjEgcSuUrcPr3mhpD6DFmCSt0iNLfqUD66xOUusY0VUph79W58ZG4qIrYWZzQlg/s1600/IMG_20120416_093429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQS0aun3ZGQF4_LnD9dw1z7nCmOaAra98pmyL2kd-ZDhHxzYN0m8MuJvhpr1sAurtmVtuAAmgJ9SHXdjEgcSuUrcPr3mhpD6DFmCSt0iNLfqUD66xOUusY0VUph79W58ZG4qIrYWZzQlg/s320/IMG_20120416_093429.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Hi. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlT-1LDvQH0ekk_OZepaQ4cV4UOSpbbA7f1i5etS9laHWisade4WoTjuurYViuNRsS1IeLfX_i91TPu34gvFProK8A9Xx8KhyvrnwiA9lc7Bu6Nuu-fW4VmqafyVOTf9PMhyoujaLvURo/s1600/IMG_20120416_093332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlT-1LDvQH0ekk_OZepaQ4cV4UOSpbbA7f1i5etS9laHWisade4WoTjuurYViuNRsS1IeLfX_i91TPu34gvFProK8A9Xx8KhyvrnwiA9lc7Bu6Nuu-fW4VmqafyVOTf9PMhyoujaLvURo/s320/IMG_20120416_093332.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Pretty door. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid86Qt_UZVzH-9DhQA0KIahQyPBc0c4sEsK9BmOdysBn3EPPj2EycWCgUXQf9fErlkldn77eSiekO8qu6vnxLazU-lsY262CXMXmhIN1s9b61Ohz3nAKXp5kTVkkkFC3XAb3_I7haG5tk/s1600/IMG_20120416_093712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid86Qt_UZVzH-9DhQA0KIahQyPBc0c4sEsK9BmOdysBn3EPPj2EycWCgUXQf9fErlkldn77eSiekO8qu6vnxLazU-lsY262CXMXmhIN1s9b61Ohz3nAKXp5kTVkkkFC3XAb3_I7haG5tk/s320/IMG_20120416_093712.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">From the top of Coit tower. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybOmGskXTWViid6MRUIJk-JZsmifmblbsst23az8RxpQ6uwSOWLxqljQQFcjTLHYxDPKNiefZkRVgCvjgTJtzNNjqeiwplhH5HKfAryA4MvLV7rO4XJauMMzafm5WyfPmGvT31oDf82A/s1600/IMG_20120416_111325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybOmGskXTWViid6MRUIJk-JZsmifmblbsst23az8RxpQ6uwSOWLxqljQQFcjTLHYxDPKNiefZkRVgCvjgTJtzNNjqeiwplhH5HKfAryA4MvLV7rO4XJauMMzafm5WyfPmGvT31oDf82A/s320/IMG_20120416_111325.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The </span><a href="http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ferry Building Farmers Market</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> on the waterfront is one of my other favorite little spots to wonder along. It's also a fun little place to build a picnic and get some Gelato.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2xcoqKAErp_vgaQ7kIqULvsEzEIlLBbZj34-7mLGYLDpex3EadzoszCDBSGT4clMoeQcfsMHnsOF2O2RgLAXeOW8BioVekX2QcE0DKBDoNGm_TJrPioTwVYHsmgz4h5H3ZR-KztQY4w/s1600/IMG_20120416_111550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2xcoqKAErp_vgaQ7kIqULvsEzEIlLBbZj34-7mLGYLDpex3EadzoszCDBSGT4clMoeQcfsMHnsOF2O2RgLAXeOW8BioVekX2QcE0DKBDoNGm_TJrPioTwVYHsmgz4h5H3ZR-KztQY4w/s320/IMG_20120416_111550.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Notice the name of the special sandwich of the day... "The Mess Piggy."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyXpgXRru0__Eng8bEg-ii4GKz4WL90QYzBE8t0oXWg-79YKE04IRT2lfa3bIv5W7SYIrkW_4driXA_bN_F-YG-4yftWMPD5jaFcJrNcHfNQd1LciRBx0zxERx1abK27aU0jp7S5kMc4/s1600/IMG_20120416_111502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyXpgXRru0__Eng8bEg-ii4GKz4WL90QYzBE8t0oXWg-79YKE04IRT2lfa3bIv5W7SYIrkW_4driXA_bN_F-YG-4yftWMPD5jaFcJrNcHfNQd1LciRBx0zxERx1abK27aU0jp7S5kMc4/s320/IMG_20120416_111502.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbV8hFGImm8RuextZwAwreEEzrD-FhfNhGEf8GU9FQFRp8TZrgFFgYcv5_4ETx22ov347ZNAx1LGXaujp-VhUx_DSN0G_iYth_7EvLZSiKjr_r3uFpJOuyUs0opdTSPAQVU3x2nv01Jk/s1600/IMG_20120416_093904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbV8hFGImm8RuextZwAwreEEzrD-FhfNhGEf8GU9FQFRp8TZrgFFgYcv5_4ETx22ov347ZNAx1LGXaujp-VhUx_DSN0G_iYth_7EvLZSiKjr_r3uFpJOuyUs0opdTSPAQVU3x2nv01Jk/s320/IMG_20120416_093904.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNL4NrfRZnXvUDMxupcLo0mTJSQlmANQiMJM6vjfMxFZTh2hzj2C4wg3q_HhRp6zTSThb2tHiGY71-wTo7dYPue8uK_efxDD4NWHSKL9N76lBPGGJtnxm8I2VBkrpIpd8b92Tt0G4SZs/s1600/IMG_20120416_111634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNL4NrfRZnXvUDMxupcLo0mTJSQlmANQiMJM6vjfMxFZTh2hzj2C4wg3q_HhRp6zTSThb2tHiGY71-wTo7dYPue8uK_efxDD4NWHSKL9N76lBPGGJtnxm8I2VBkrpIpd8b92Tt0G4SZs/s320/IMG_20120416_111634.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Chocolate. Hazelnut. Gelato. Enough. Said. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uyIgjrtKqB897gb0m0VT8Xl475RfyJbw7VH95cgEvPgQl6Xpmvl68iI6zJOG45jB-fiM792eL37L3xNh_GIcF8r_8zOrYk8_vuG0S0YoWdBRbCoHsJ4XF5A4ERIZ-Y66m3d0HJ4joXQ/s1600/IMG_20120416_111740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uyIgjrtKqB897gb0m0VT8Xl475RfyJbw7VH95cgEvPgQl6Xpmvl68iI6zJOG45jB-fiM792eL37L3xNh_GIcF8r_8zOrYk8_vuG0S0YoWdBRbCoHsJ4XF5A4ERIZ-Y66m3d0HJ4joXQ/s320/IMG_20120416_111740.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Two of my favorite people. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoUq8g5y-e0FFOFIAeFAZ6F7FyCztXZzew8EYM8N6n6dmOv7_6hXHWt5QTmrWkDxjUG5g2gm310PmM-TW2zkmlRzW4lmX2A2t3MiCkCxoVfFjCmXlccIkyhalCFA2F2V75d0qC-N-2gs/s1600/IMG_20120416_111855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoUq8g5y-e0FFOFIAeFAZ6F7FyCztXZzew8EYM8N6n6dmOv7_6hXHWt5QTmrWkDxjUG5g2gm310PmM-TW2zkmlRzW4lmX2A2t3MiCkCxoVfFjCmXlccIkyhalCFA2F2V75d0qC-N-2gs/s320/IMG_20120416_111855.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista. Ah-mah-zing! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYw90f9r4o7603lz494ttmt1qC5O2iDQlX8OaOzjTv6Yh5hfnCRbUjKszP2aogZUzcNNL13DRuxym4H8VLNAxUOYd-pE5uaSj7QnTq0QXRhRCXTrcWlwO9knwrvXH5LMR5-jd6yYJCmhA/s1600/IMG_20120416_111938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYw90f9r4o7603lz494ttmt1qC5O2iDQlX8OaOzjTv6Yh5hfnCRbUjKszP2aogZUzcNNL13DRuxym4H8VLNAxUOYd-pE5uaSj7QnTq0QXRhRCXTrcWlwO9knwrvXH5LMR5-jd6yYJCmhA/s320/IMG_20120416_111938.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FQ3ITQMybcFZsIIAw2axjB5SqWEH2ACxgbXGXPVshM-LMH90YtjVwe_Aj_FhrwQ16IenAichEyURbT2kIo1h2-WKyYjTgJNI1CVpYimSY19Zi9CRx9z97wmaHQnlIcsKd7BryufoyxY/s1600/IMG_20120416_112051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FQ3ITQMybcFZsIIAw2axjB5SqWEH2ACxgbXGXPVshM-LMH90YtjVwe_Aj_FhrwQ16IenAichEyURbT2kIo1h2-WKyYjTgJNI1CVpYimSY19Zi9CRx9z97wmaHQnlIcsKd7BryufoyxY/s320/IMG_20120416_112051.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKFJ3CUKZ-SIc0acloOkIk_r7sj_cAIB9aIgpATiQo5gIwzMhSnjcgnXB8WtnR6CVkhII8GtKFcg0v_78V6f2ziA6tVEE543I5zaDlOu7HM3N1-7l2-DJ2mNaMpSX6HNbRlG2QTPWxp0/s1600/IMG_20120416_115034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKFJ3CUKZ-SIc0acloOkIk_r7sj_cAIB9aIgpATiQo5gIwzMhSnjcgnXB8WtnR6CVkhII8GtKFcg0v_78V6f2ziA6tVEE543I5zaDlOu7HM3N1-7l2-DJ2mNaMpSX6HNbRlG2QTPWxp0/s320/IMG_20120416_115034.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dinner Friday night at my Uncle David's. Simple, but oh so lovely. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqv8AneJbFI8iQPvYmF2FcOvM67KtwLpBxpGS5eb43Ui8-YklKAtS1SEXRmWshPryTi6V7_isAwSXl5pPO_SmXdTjJgM2p4i1Lxf2f7VHImj9B7X6Ow_4FlDZDJ18PVeK0xnqN9eqghc/s1600/IMG_20120417_115549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqv8AneJbFI8iQPvYmF2FcOvM67KtwLpBxpGS5eb43Ui8-YklKAtS1SEXRmWshPryTi6V7_isAwSXl5pPO_SmXdTjJgM2p4i1Lxf2f7VHImj9B7X6Ow_4FlDZDJ18PVeK0xnqN9eqghc/s320/IMG_20120417_115549.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVyzf0213nPD9b9k8kuVdkbIThoU0JVnFk02-oLa9Rq-pEuZR6OX5I_nOVrCup0h28PQ5YBiSY1GStDVHvNmMZ67QCSdZnU33ViqqvOIabHuU8NivnBAsqOW5nxyDdgMZdcXqIo0vGuY/s1600/IMG_20120417_115644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVyzf0213nPD9b9k8kuVdkbIThoU0JVnFk02-oLa9Rq-pEuZR6OX5I_nOVrCup0h28PQ5YBiSY1GStDVHvNmMZ67QCSdZnU33ViqqvOIabHuU8NivnBAsqOW5nxyDdgMZdcXqIo0vGuY/s320/IMG_20120417_115644.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY5QTprnOdFXsu3qUG0i2U7XlhlnDQFnCaeMkSQUFyyr1E2HdY4cdlpNLHOatseoSOeCSxtBlcwxJF0lhXeDuoXQGXr7xPELkUEHCZuhE_X4mKKs9GjNaQrhR-9-YvUGv-uFTvAL7BGc/s1600/IMG_20120417_115918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY5QTprnOdFXsu3qUG0i2U7XlhlnDQFnCaeMkSQUFyyr1E2HdY4cdlpNLHOatseoSOeCSxtBlcwxJF0lhXeDuoXQGXr7xPELkUEHCZuhE_X4mKKs9GjNaQrhR-9-YvUGv-uFTvAL7BGc/s320/IMG_20120417_115918.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMaN-LLcknoUFHXsH9kOjxDvejiqny6-J86E6PXTko82MBXRVcD-p98m7NSShGsxTfvv3QKYSUWifBeC6NT4nS0-4ivI0sQkxr0SlQzcQGFNXQsTwKUkfp_x_au2mzlaKfcGq07_wj4I/s1600/IMG_20120417_142931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMaN-LLcknoUFHXsH9kOjxDvejiqny6-J86E6PXTko82MBXRVcD-p98m7NSShGsxTfvv3QKYSUWifBeC6NT4nS0-4ivI0sQkxr0SlQzcQGFNXQsTwKUkfp_x_au2mzlaKfcGq07_wj4I/s320/IMG_20120417_142931.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKK91D-gsp2k_LvsC2eGV8ML2usmtSQAOsvVceskDNk07W730sWzs5SH8xO47YV87PWPsBPf-jR7f8AxTp6BRPYLn4-aBGfubjULQeaR9OO3gAqx0JxpHEiC91jj3-x3rvuo5UvgkRrDM/s1600/IMG_20120417_171002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKK91D-gsp2k_LvsC2eGV8ML2usmtSQAOsvVceskDNk07W730sWzs5SH8xO47YV87PWPsBPf-jR7f8AxTp6BRPYLn4-aBGfubjULQeaR9OO3gAqx0JxpHEiC91jj3-x3rvuo5UvgkRrDM/s320/IMG_20120417_171002.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh how I will miss her! Love you my friend! </span></div>
</div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-59830075710337972052012-04-11T08:10:00.000-07:002012-04-11T08:10:00.782-07:00Farmers Markets!<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
As I'm slowly getting my yard and garden ready for Spring and Summer, I'm also anxiously awaiting the arrival of Farmers Markets! We have a couple year-round markets in Seattle, but for the most part our Farmers Markets are limited to late spring, summer and early fall. I'm a regular at at least three! I keep them all on my calendar in case I happen to be in a different neighborhood. I also love that we have Farmers Markets that occur during the week. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Saturday market, but they are usually VERY crowded and honestly, I don't want to get up early enough to avoid the crowds. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFedRm1ZotU5HniBfvDcwNxmSoD6YPqZFzOU3M0F81XJqYuhTU8W4S_iGYvPOyleaU-CUgv_nV7G7aKAN8UTDmCGqJbz7nhEgBADN9OgUDT4e5qyB5rbFPeV68DW1UkGdP0rcfj1DwV8/s1600/8_30_2010+524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFedRm1ZotU5HniBfvDcwNxmSoD6YPqZFzOU3M0F81XJqYuhTU8W4S_iGYvPOyleaU-CUgv_nV7G7aKAN8UTDmCGqJbz7nhEgBADN9OgUDT4e5qyB5rbFPeV68DW1UkGdP0rcfj1DwV8/s320/8_30_2010+524.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br />Here are my favorites and ones I visit the most!</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.mukilteofarmersmarket.org/index.html" target="_blank">Mukilteo</a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Wednesdays, June - September, 3-7pm</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Right on the waterfront, in "downtown" Mukilteo. I usually go after work, get some Whidbey Island Ice Cream, fresh fruit and veggies and of course some flowers!</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.bellevuefarmersmarket.org/" target="_blank">Bellevue</a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Thursdays, May 10 - Oct 11<em>, </em>
3-7 pm <br />
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Love this market! It's a little bit bigger, lots of veggie vendors and usually lots of good restaurants set-up so you can have dinner at the market. If you are lucky, Molly Moon shows up as well. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/parks/Parks/Juanita_Friday_Market.htm" target="_blank">Juanita</a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<strong style="font-weight: normal;">Fridays, May 11 - October 5, 3-7pm </strong></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
This one is in the neighborhood I grew up in. I usually go with my parents, pick up stuff for dinner, then head back to their house to relax. On the smaller side, but it's a nice neighborhood market. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.woodinvillefarmersmarket.com/" target="_blank">Woodinville </a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Saturdays, May - October, 9am-3pm </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
This is actually the closest market to me, but it's very small. I think most of the vendors in the area are over at the <a href="http://redmondsaturdaymarket.homestead.com/" target="_blank">Redmond </a>market which is MUCH bigger. But I still like the Woodinville market because it's close to home and I can always get some pretty flowers. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<a href="http://ballardfarmersmarket.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Ballard</a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Sunday, Year-Round ,10am-3 pm </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
The Ballard market actually meets all year, but in the summer I've found it to have lots more vendors and it is oh-so-fun! If I'm heading into town for a Farmers Market, then this one is my favorite. As a bonus, it's located right in historic old Ballard so there are tons of other fun little shops and restaurants. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.historicedmonds.org/Summer_Market.html" target="_blank">Edmonds</a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Saturdays, May - October, 9am-3pm</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
This can be a very busy market as well, but is quite wonderful, especially if you want an "Edmonds kind of day!" Can't go to wrong here. Great to just wander around, then walk down to the Edmonds waterfront, catch a ferry or have picnic. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
A few other good links for other local markets:</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.seattlemarkets.org/" target="_blank">Seattle Markets</a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.snohomishmarkets.com/" target="_blank">Snohomish County Markets</a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Enjoy! </div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-52220813306669848122012-04-03T17:23:00.001-07:002012-04-04T12:23:30.071-07:00It's planting time!<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I just got my order of Heirloom seeds from <a href="http://rareseeds.com/" target="_blank">Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds</a>! I cannot wait to start planting!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I ordered celery root, celery, three kinds of tomatoes, two types of lettuce, four types of squash, spinich, peas, parsnips and kale! I don't know where it's all going to go yet, but I'm.going to find a spot! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RqV8UQClDCrjsDCtuIK179SkRCd1d-pqGQdnWxRC_yKrs2pwXkTGYK1k1oe_WlADxmLHtm_VAOtQT3v7pqSYYg4x-xsfWcmUwiLfY6UeW6eIG7VvF5jYhwlQxSKAPqKk_pLL6dLWZYs/s1600/shot_1333497455230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RqV8UQClDCrjsDCtuIK179SkRCd1d-pqGQdnWxRC_yKrs2pwXkTGYK1k1oe_WlADxmLHtm_VAOtQT3v7pqSYYg4x-xsfWcmUwiLfY6UeW6eIG7VvF5jYhwlQxSKAPqKk_pLL6dLWZYs/s1600/shot_1333497455230.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkdBgiP8dGsyR0r2Vwf4Z-SzGm0sQJaUvHnxNNbKo7ApL8WfjH3iyXrUQLqfoLa_qnBllvwBKUt_mvwnd167uUxFFWEKvvcg8o8udR7oTcm_IEbIhgTsArIKTIUJwfsPSfKAZlozaMIA/s1600/shot_1333497411307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkdBgiP8dGsyR0r2Vwf4Z-SzGm0sQJaUvHnxNNbKo7ApL8WfjH3iyXrUQLqfoLa_qnBllvwBKUt_mvwnd167uUxFFWEKvvcg8o8udR7oTcm_IEbIhgTsArIKTIUJwfsPSfKAZlozaMIA/s1600/shot_1333497411307.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3LufSrMdPDmS81UxRoMMP7ikg2kLMZyW7jaBKWvvR5mxu4eA7hBMwUloQZ2-hO9rpeDZasB82dz4ekhuX2ZKYuxTb_18Cfh_HDfdavo7RYRJ9Pz0Zjwbu9FjsOOj_9X3cnbXVB9k0_c/s1600/shot_1333497465016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3LufSrMdPDmS81UxRoMMP7ikg2kLMZyW7jaBKWvvR5mxu4eA7hBMwUloQZ2-hO9rpeDZasB82dz4ekhuX2ZKYuxTb_18Cfh_HDfdavo7RYRJ9Pz0Zjwbu9FjsOOj_9X3cnbXVB9k0_c/s1600/shot_1333497465016.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NpjPaE1GgjS0Wx7YYYMslPv3x6R8-jprOCZgDlIecDtTe9cGPE1hQD1qzC-p5ldKAzc9dj5MMrn_jQZP7xj1tyCN68sEZWoap83gaiL-I9ym8P16-UfJFowtz3d2CTb0xZM_TN8jTIg/s1600/shot_1333497373026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NpjPaE1GgjS0Wx7YYYMslPv3x6R8-jprOCZgDlIecDtTe9cGPE1hQD1qzC-p5ldKAzc9dj5MMrn_jQZP7xj1tyCN68sEZWoap83gaiL-I9ym8P16-UfJFowtz3d2CTb0xZM_TN8jTIg/s1600/shot_1333497373026.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje32nBW8jaVPgN0zYJ2KDTmBbM2y7xvTE2o-ZjUzrfEtB2oen_1ypNNwxz3HjdbTySlD7T06H3a7JmK-G3TknV2sj48nbhTz74TIJazgzF1CuhyomPVXoXrqT592HF_kPZT8WGjlFzo1I/s1600/shot_1333497382475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje32nBW8jaVPgN0zYJ2KDTmBbM2y7xvTE2o-ZjUzrfEtB2oen_1ypNNwxz3HjdbTySlD7T06H3a7JmK-G3TknV2sj48nbhTz74TIJazgzF1CuhyomPVXoXrqT592HF_kPZT8WGjlFzo1I/s1600/shot_1333497382475.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CDJRIgAsx40qqnn_bK_CF9fLBqR0RH4chimVENYoRJVumaVUEyH294CjalWyRd0emC_RikQGWLoAWuYqYCHCJHjl_ZLspbIy2JQXQImlULLbuWxJRy0lb7NQJB8-ZuvW8eJnGeW3ur4/s1600/shot_1333497396945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CDJRIgAsx40qqnn_bK_CF9fLBqR0RH4chimVENYoRJVumaVUEyH294CjalWyRd0emC_RikQGWLoAWuYqYCHCJHjl_ZLspbIy2JQXQImlULLbuWxJRy0lb7NQJB8-ZuvW8eJnGeW3ur4/s1600/shot_1333497396945.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-19417267069382430862012-03-30T04:36:00.000-07:002012-03-30T04:36:36.120-07:00Foodie Pen Pals March<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
It's time for Foodie Pen Pals! This month I was paired with two lovely ladies (one to send to and one to received from). I sent a box to Ms. Travel Expert Rachel over at <a href="http://journeygirltravel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Travel Challenge</a>. Check out her blog to see what I sent her! If you missed it, part of my box to Julia was a special travel tribute a posted a few weeks back. You can check that out <a href="http://foodtravellifelove.blogspot.com/2012/03/these-are-few-of-my-favorite-things.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<br />
I received a box from the oh-so-lovely Julia at <a href="http://girlswithastethoscope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Girl with a Stethoscope</a>. She sent me an ah-may-zing box! So fun! She sent me a box of fabulous snacky goodness including some of my favorites (and soon to be NEW favorites). Check out the details below:</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rCDZa6g6uro/T2S0z-wqYlI/AAAAAAAAElA/8mtaqvaLNlo/s1600/12+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rCDZa6g6uro/T2S0z-wqYlI/AAAAAAAAElA/8mtaqvaLNlo/s320/12+-+1" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all that yumminess!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOboCRLj-fc/T2S0z_AzxwI/AAAAAAAAElM/ltuvyb5CKHM/s1600/12+-+2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOboCRLj-fc/T2S0z_AzxwI/AAAAAAAAElM/ltuvyb5CKHM/s320/12+-+2" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How did she know I LOVE these two flavors??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8H4fr0MFGFg/T2S0z-PUPHI/AAAAAAAAElY/mlD3J0B8kMg/s1600/12+-+3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8H4fr0MFGFg/T2S0z-PUPHI/AAAAAAAAElY/mlD3J0B8kMg/s320/12+-+3" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously, Sleepytime Vanilla is the BEST. I haven't tried the Acai Mango yet, but I love anything by Celestial Seasonings. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlLtU10EfFc/T2S0z-murPI/AAAAAAAAElk/NZk7qIKy6d0/s1600/12+-+4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlLtU10EfFc/T2S0z-murPI/AAAAAAAAElk/NZk7qIKy6d0/s320/12+-+4" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New favorite! These are addicting and delicious. So light but such a good munchie snack!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOehRPnd3NM/T2S0z9xjwII/AAAAAAAAEl8/cLnZtxUeDnw/s1600/12+-+6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOehRPnd3NM/T2S0z9xjwII/AAAAAAAAEl8/cLnZtxUeDnw/s320/12+-+6" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really, who doesn't love some animal crackers? Plus those almonds are super yummy too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mbLd07s3bYs/T2S0zx_ftiI/AAAAAAAAEmI/qWxRe0HPJvw/s1600/12+-+7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mbLd07s3bYs/T2S0zx_ftiI/AAAAAAAAEmI/qWxRe0HPJvw/s320/12+-+7" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh-so-sweet note from Julia!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Thank you Julia for such a great box! You couldn't have picked better items for me. My desk at work is filled with your snacks and I am enjoying them daily! THANK YOU!</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<i>Do you want to be a Foodie Pen Pal? I promise, you will love it! Check out the details <a href="http://www.theleangreenbean.com/foodie-penpals/" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.theleangreenbean.com/foodie-penpals/" target="_blank" title="The Lean Green Bean"><img alt="The Lean Green Bean" src="http://www.theleangreenbean.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/foodiepal_stamp2.jpg" style="border: medium none;" /></a></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184114548484842575.post-75043611581485008642012-03-09T09:05:00.000-08:002012-05-28T16:02:45.610-07:00My favorite things! Seattle Edition<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I’ve been inspired to do a little travel writing thanks to my Foodie Pen Pal for the Month of March, Ms. Rachel over at <a href="http://journeygirltravel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Journey Girl Travel</a>. She’s a travel blogger and writes up great travel adventures! She mentioned she’d never been to <st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city>, so I thought I’d write up a little bit about my favorite things and my perfect <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Seattle</st1:place></st1:city> weekend. Enjoy!</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Food = LOVE<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Big surprise, some of my favorite things include FOOD! <st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city> (and the greater <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Seattle</st1:place></st1:city> area), in my opinion, is a great Foodie city and there is always a new restaurant (or an old favorite) to try. Here’s just a few (OK A LOT) of my favorites:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Sunfish Fish & Chips, <st1:place w:st="on">West Seattle</st1:place></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://places4.assets.gotime.com/d8c8b2a50e9fae9d1f46b7c26cb1cbcb89311c23_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://places4.assets.gotime.com/d8c8b2a50e9fae9d1f46b7c26cb1cbcb89311c23_l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pretty much my favorite fish and chips ever. And OMG the tarter sauce! I’ve been going here since I was a little kid when my grandparents introduced us to this place. It’s owned by two Greek brothers (my family is Greek, so of course we’d go to the Greek Fish & Chips place!). Sweetest men and the food is always fresh and always delicious! Plus, you really can’t beat the view from West Seattle to downtown <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Seattle</st1:place></st1:city></span><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.chowfoods.com/hilife/" target="_blank">Hi-Life</a>, Ballard</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://places1.assets.gotime.com/07df547b8b77977e072ebd1c2d0d985a867ce80e_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://places1.assets.gotime.com/07df547b8b77977e072ebd1c2d0d985a867ce80e_l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Best happy hour in the City in my opinion. Food is amazing, atmosphere is fabulous, people / service is mellow and easy. They are always playing some good tunes and the bar is a great place to hang out. My favorite thing to eat is the butternut squash pizza with bacon, peppers and goat cheese. If you think it sounds a bit odd, you have to just try it! It is the perfect combinations of sweet, salty, spicy, creamy, and crunchy. SO GOOD! That with a glass of their house red (for $3 thank you very much!) and maybe a small salad, you really can’t go wrong!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.rogue.com/locations/rogue-breweries.php#1" target="_blank">Issaquah Brewery</a>, Issaquah </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.rogue.com/locations/Issaquah-Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.rogue.com/locations/Issaquah-Logo.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Beer and burgers. Enough said. No seriously, there is always something good on tap and their burgers (especially the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city> beef) is awesome. I usually go for the slider and their house salad (greens, blue cheese, hazelnuts and a divine balsamic vinaigrette). Hubs always has their <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place> beef bacon cheese burger (cheddar). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.stansbarbq.com/" target="_blank">Stan’s BBQ</a>, Issaquah</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bluestatebbq.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/stanssign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://bluestatebbq.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/stanssign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hands down, best BBQ I’ve ever eaten. Everyone has their favorite BBQ place, and this one is ours. Worth the drive to Issaquah for this stuff. They BBQ with a dry rub and then serve sauces (Sweet, Mild, Hot) on for dipping or slathering. I’m a sucker for their coleslaw and creamed corn (it’s got a kick, don’t say I didn’t warn you!). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jaksgrill.com/" target="_blank">Jaks Grill</a>, Issaquah<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://isandbeyond.com/files/2010/02/425x294-image-jaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://isandbeyond.com/files/2010/02/425x294-image-jaks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Neighborhood steak joint. All the quality of a super expensive, trendy steakhouse but without the dress code or $$$. Don’t me wrong, you’ll still pay $30-40 for a steak (more depending on the cut) but the price includes salad, bread, veggies and starch (garlic mashed potatoes, YUM!) so you can easily share something if budget is on your mind. Very Frank Sinatra old <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state> kind of vibe. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://thethreelionspub.com/thethreelionspub.htm" target="_blank">Three Lions Pub</a>, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Redmond</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At least once a month, usually on a Saturday, you’ll find us sitting at the bar here. The Saturday night bartender is a dude by the name of Drew. He’s Scottish, loud and utterly hysterical. Be warned, he’s more than a little crude but after a pint who really cares? This is the closest thing I’ve found to an authentic British pub outside of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Fantastic English beers and food. The fish and chips here are excellent as well but my absolute favorite things are the hand cut / friend crisps (potatoes chips for us Americans) and the sticky toffee pudding. Order them both. You will not be sorry! We often go just for a pint and sticky toffee pudding after a movie. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://cafejuanita.com/" target="_blank">Café Juanita</a>, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kirkland</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cafejuanita.com/images/common/logo-cafe-juanita-btm.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cafejuanita.com/images/common/logo-cafe-juanita-btm.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My favorite special occasion restaurant. Be prepared to spend $200+ (more if you order wine) for 2 people. But once a year for a birthday or anniversary, it is so worth the splurge. Northern Italian flare, itsy bitsy restaurant, and superior service. It can’t be beat! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beer = HAPPINESS<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One of my and hubby’s favorite things to do on a weekend, is to try out new breweries or just go chill at one of our stand-bys. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Seattle</st1:place></st1:city> has great micro-brews and there are always new seasonal beers to try! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.foggynogginbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Foggy Noggin</a>, Bothell<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNMybKa2D_G5hIq646Qr-H_T4NtyOWosz5U3a2CRfN0f1FU9KBf5vGmgtD9mWC2QZE14geY-7U5YiDO5GIpnZrx9lsBS-KBnIJfzGfBjx5K3z_KbOBKETUl0Qygl-OzjJzB_lfm2iyGk/s220/Fn_logo_inverse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNMybKa2D_G5hIq646Qr-H_T4NtyOWosz5U3a2CRfN0f1FU9KBf5vGmgtD9mWC2QZE14geY-7U5YiDO5GIpnZrx9lsBS-KBnIJfzGfBjx5K3z_KbOBKETUl0Qygl-OzjJzB_lfm2iyGk/s220/Fn_logo_inverse.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Foggy Noggin is actually walking distance from our house. It’s considered a nano-brewery and is more or less a brewery and tasting room out of the owner’s garage. Super mellow and relaxed with really excellent beers. In the warmer weather, Jim puts out lawn chairs in this drive way so you can get a pint at the bar and just chill out in the drive way. Goodness all around. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.fremontbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Fremont Brewing</a>, Fremont<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fremontbrewing.com/sites/fre/assets/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fremontbrewing.com/sites/fre/assets/logo.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Great <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city></st1:place> neighborhood brewery. In an old small industrialish building just down the street from the main drag in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Fremont</st1:place></st1:city>. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://thenoblefir.com/" target="_blank">The Noble Fir</a>, Ballard</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.myballard.com/images/noble_fir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.myballard.com/images/noble_fir.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">REI meets local bar. This neighborhood tap house in historic Ballard is a total gem. Lots of wood décor, a small travel / map library in the back, and loads of local brews and a fantastic selection of ciders. It can get a little crowded and folks tend to linger. So show up early and grab a table and stay a while. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shopping = BEST FRIEND FOREVER<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ok, so hubs doesn’t really like to shop obviously, but if I’ve got a girlfriend for an afternoon, shopping is the way to go! Honestly, you can’t go too wrong with any of the Seattle Neighborhoods (Magnolia, Fremont, South Lake Union, Phinney Ridge etc) but these are a few of my favorite neighborhoods:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Historic Ballard, Seattle<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oodles of cute little shops, most of them local. Lots of options for cute clothes shops, art, jewelry and house stuff. Wander around, I’m sure you’ll find one you like!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on"><b>Queen Anne Avenue</b></st1:street><b>, <st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city></b></st1:address><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Similar to historical Ballard, just up the across the canal and up the hill. Lovely views of downtown from the top of the hill. I love the little post office / girly shop on the north end of <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Queen Anne Avenue</st1:address></st1:street>. Oh and the bookstore is wonderful too (on the opposite end of the street). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.historicdowntownsnohomish.com/" target="_blank">Historic Snohomish</a>, Snohomish (about 40 minutes from downtown <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Seattle</st1:place></st1:city>)<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">An antiquing girls dream. Even if you don’t like antiquing, the downtown main street is very cute and old town feeling. But if you do like antiquing, well then this is the place for you! Lots of great stores to get lost in or find a treasure. I always come home with something! Oh, and while you are here make sure you stop by and get a piece of pie from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SnohoPieCo" target="_blank">Snohomish Pie Company</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Outside = ADVENTURE<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Finally, we’re surrounded by the great outdoors within 30 minutes to an hour from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city></st1:place> (closer for those of us who live in the ‘burbs). Even if it’s some City outdoor activities or getting out to actually hike a mountain, we’ve got lots!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Greenlake, Seattle<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8QGGMFKFqaw6u2m_3tPpiBYEv0FhOW13hWPPOwKxcrktJt_ZtcCEnfaemn8z56d53egSOzMBT3gpBlLsQjdu7Lteg297aTpAkeKVv3OsRYNhHCHQbGDOYDnFofwW3Gzk4QOSCzsKDk2d/s1600/Fall+2011+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8QGGMFKFqaw6u2m_3tPpiBYEv0FhOW13hWPPOwKxcrktJt_ZtcCEnfaemn8z56d53egSOzMBT3gpBlLsQjdu7Lteg297aTpAkeKVv3OsRYNhHCHQbGDOYDnFofwW3Gzk4QOSCzsKDk2d/s320/Fall+2011+037.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Photo Credit: </span><a href="http://adventuresinchange.blogspot.com/2011/11/greenlake-in-fall.html#more" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Kacie Gartland</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just shy of 3 miles around this little lake in the middle of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city></st1:place>. It’s crazy busy on a sunny day but so so worth it! Enjoy the view (both natural an well un-natural, there are some crazies out there!) and get some exercise while you are at it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sammamish River Trail, Woodinville / Bothell / <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Redmond</st1:city></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is a popular walking, running biking trail that actually runs along the valley between Bothell, Woodinville and <st1:city w:st="on">Redmond</st1:city> and links up to the Burke-Gillman trail that goes to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Seattle</st1:place></st1:city>. We usually pick up the trial in Woodinville and walk towards <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Redmond</st1:place></st1:city>. Gets me my outdoor fix without having to go very far!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><b>Washington</b></st1:placename><b> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></b></st1:place><b> Ferry System<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZVDp3eM8cMPY6eZln7Ddah_aM_KI9MJgq67UuQkOa18Pv60MDD7Iq6htb1S8MpnCHMPrh0LdMOJyzGKwPshfpkb0PjR0TWZbGu6x5A23svkgG57Y8IBdihrUbdzfiZuUAnl7wg_rlPc/s1600/8_30_2010+529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZVDp3eM8cMPY6eZln7Ddah_aM_KI9MJgq67UuQkOa18Pv60MDD7Iq6htb1S8MpnCHMPrh0LdMOJyzGKwPshfpkb0PjR0TWZbGu6x5A23svkgG57Y8IBdihrUbdzfiZuUAnl7wg_rlPc/s320/8_30_2010+529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My favorite thing to do with folks new to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Seattle</st1:place></st1:city>. Some many fun locations that are made more accessible by a quick 20-30 minute ferry! Although if you go to the San Juan’s that is a bit more of a commitment (1 ½ hours from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Seattle</st1:place></st1:city> by car plus the 1+ hour ferry ride) but it’s totally worth it for a day trip (or overnight!). The easiest one I think is to walk on to the Ferry from <st1:city w:st="on">Edmonds</st1:city> to <st1:city w:st="on">Kingston</st1:city> and then walk around <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kingston</st1:place></st1:city>. There are several fun little restaurants (the Crepe place is my favorite!) and a couple little shops. Perfect for a quick little trip (3 hours max including roundtrip ferry). </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">San Juan Islands, specifically Lopez and Orcas<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwaDLfa9pRnBhDZnjIVUs4OvN0vPmGSJuRB6RDhEcpJ7Lk-gRDj1fY44QZXTSuOXolbEZ65tadDm1S9zR-xopaP-FsytSIHpZOKCf6Bs7YeQICulwFMs9mWr7rJMsrEwgxaeorTtI5Gc/s1600/Lopez!+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwaDLfa9pRnBhDZnjIVUs4OvN0vPmGSJuRB6RDhEcpJ7Lk-gRDj1fY44QZXTSuOXolbEZ65tadDm1S9zR-xopaP-FsytSIHpZOKCf6Bs7YeQICulwFMs9mWr7rJMsrEwgxaeorTtI5Gc/s320/Lopez!+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is really more in the day-trip category then outdoor category but the San Juans have some of the best views in the state in my opinion. For a weekend or a week, you can’t go wrong with the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">San Juan</st1:place></st1:city>’s. Lots of hiking, biking, or water activities to keep you moving. In certain seasons you can even whale watch! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><b>Pike Place</b></st1:address></st1:street><b> Market and Market Steps<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.belltowner.com/images/Pike-Place-Market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.belltowner.com/images/Pike-Place-Market.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Photo from </span><a href="http://www.belltowner.com/2008/08/happy-101st-birthday-pike-plac.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">here</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Classic, timeless. Love the <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Pike Place</st1:address></st1:street> Market! No trip is complete without a wander through <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Pike Place</st1:address></st1:street>. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>My Ideal Seattle Weekend</strong></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My ideal <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city></st1:place> weekend involves casual dinner Friday night, at a place like the Issaquah Brewhouse or Three Lions Pub. Then Saturday, I’d probably take the Ferry up to Whidbey Island, <st1:city w:st="on">Kingston</st1:city> (to make my way to Port Townsend), or the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">San Juan</st1:place></st1:city>’s to have a bit of a day trip. I’d then spend Sunday having a mellow morning at <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Pike Place</st1:address></st1:street> and wandering the Market Steps. Breakfast would include Starbucks Coffee and a pastry from the French Bakery. Lunch at Sunfish Fish & Chips while enjoying the view from the beach. Finish the day at one of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Seattle</st1:place></st1:city>’s finest breweries and life is GOOD!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>All logo images found via Google. All photography, except where noted, are my own.</em> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06816793431811284508noreply@blogger.com2