Images of Seattle

Okay, so listen. We were invited to a wedding in Seattle set for March 23, 2013. My husband's cousin's wedding. At first I was excited because the default mode of my life is to be super-zealous about travel. But as the date grew nearer I began to have doubts about the trip. Really? This seems like a lot of planning and logistics and expense just to attend a wedding for a few hours......  I was also cursed with that feeling of "NAMELESS DREAD" (anxiety disorder that affects many [especially those with small children] but usually not me). I was sure that if we went either: a) the plane would crash b) our precious son would be run over by a bus in the city c) our precious son would be recalcitrant (OMG, I love that word. So glad I have the opportunity to use it.) and it would be pouring rain constantly.

Well, guess what? We went, we are back, we are well. The plane didn't crash. The public transportation system ran like clockwork. The wedding was lovely. Our son was my hero once again. The city was dynamic, pulsing with energy and creativity. And the sun made an appearance every single day of the five days we spent there. I also might add that the whole trip was energizing at the same time that it took a lot of energy.

One of my dearest friends here in Quincy asked me, upon my return, what I liked best about Seattle. Caught off-guard by the question, (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that type of question by the way), I blurted out: "the sky". The weather and the sky were so dynamic, I explained. It was constantly changing, in constant motion. And the Seattlites are out in it. And so were we. Our hotel, north of the downtown, was a block away from a walking bridge that led to the waterfront. There were two paved paths running for miles in either direction; one for walkers and joggers and one for cyclists. Oh, the infastructure! The socialism of it all!

Upon further reflection, I realized that another of my favorite things about Seattle was that art and creativity abounded. I am including just 12 of the 190 photos I took on our trip. I hope that it is not too many. I know how too many images, too much clutter, can obscure the sublime beauty that can be found in a single perfect moment or object or image. 

Yeah, like I said, "the sky"

Are you guys familiar with Frank Gehry, the architect? If not, you should be. Read about him and see some of his work here. We have visited only two of his many architectural wonders. The EMP (Experience Music Project) museum is in Seattle near the famous Space Needle. I couldn't stop taking pictures of it.

  Industry, Art, Motion. These are the things I loved. There were ships and tugboats so busy....

Shapes, images, art, new and old....

This is my favorite photo of the whole trip. I will enter it
in our county fair art show this summer.

With love and a renewed enthusiasm for travel........
Enjoy!

It's Spring. Aren't You Glad?!

Yes! Spring is here and we are ever so glad! Marvelous signs of spring abound.

In other news, the World Championship Longboard Races were held here in Plumas County on Sunday, March 17th. After many years of hard work, close calls, and near misses, husband Craig made it to the World Championship podium placing third out of a field of 28 men. He is wearing the green bandana around his neck for St. Patrick's Day. It was a fun-filled day for all.

Our family is now headed to Seattle, WA. We will attend a wedding on Saturday in this hip looking venue: Georgetown Ballroom. Wish us small town kids luck in the big city!

Enjoy!

Sweet Pepper Hummus

Aren't those pretty?

Good day to you! There is Spring in the air here even as there is still snow lingering in the back yard from December storms. All kinds of birds not seen since last year have arrived in Quincy from hither and yon in the past week!

I couldn't resist the colors of a big bag of sweet peppers I saw at the grocery store, even though the food miles on them were many. Most I used in a Thai coconut curry fish dish but the rest were roasted and pureed with chickpeas to create a super tasty, sweet hummus dip. I used a can of organic cooked garbanzos so this was a snap. I love my food processor!

To make:
Toss 10 small sweet peppers in some olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place in pan and roast at 375° for 20 minutes or until tender. Let cool a bit. Pull off the tops and swipe the majority of the seeds out of the inside of the peppers with your finger. Leave skins on. Place a small clove of garlic into a food processor and whirl a few times to chop. Add roasted peppers. Whirl again. Add a can of garbanzos lightly drained, a glug of olive oil and a few shakes of red wine vinegar. Whirl again. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Voila!

Enjoy!

Yippee! Our egg farmer's chickens are feeling the spring weather too.
Now we have rich orange-yolked eggs again!