Tuesday, June 30, 2009

San Juan Island

Good Morning, good morning!
We had a great trip to San Juan Island, but sadly my camera died mid trip!
We bought some disposables which are being developed, but right now? I can only tell you that it really was this beautiful:

This tackles one of my goal travel destinations! (Since removed from the list!)

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Using up ricotta

Why do they sell ricotta is such large containers? I bought some because I had a coupon and had read some article indicating that ricotta was good for dips and things. Needless to say, I never made that recipe, so this gigantic container of ricotta has been sitting in my fridge for a week and now we are going on vacation! What is a girl to do?
lol... this girl bakes!

I found this recipe on Cooks.com, though I would recommend some alterations (to follow):

Pineapple Ricotta Cheese Muffins
1 egg
Oil (I used olive oil because I forgot that I have some unrefined coconut oil, next time I am going to try the coconut!)
1 1/2 c. light Ricotta cheese
15 oz. can crushed pineapple drained (I used a can of tidbits, but next time I think I am going to use some fresh pineapple)
2 c. all purpose flour (I used 1 c. white and 1 c. wheat flour)
1/2 c. sugar (I stuck to the recipe here, but may try brown sugar next time for a more pineapple upside down cake taste)
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

In a measuring cup place the egg and enough oil to make 1/2 cup. Add the oil and egg mixture to the ricotta cheese and mix until smooth. Add the crushed pineapple. Now you are supposed to mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then add them in, but does anyone really do that? I certainly don't, lol... I dumped in all of my dry ingredients and gave them a little mix while they were on top of my wet stuff, and then mixed (aka 'blended gently') everything together. Who wants another dirty bowl?
Divide among 12 muffin cups. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Just a note:
My dough was very thick and I kind of questioned dividing amongst only 12 muffins because the cups were overflowing, but go with it, the dough didn't really rise/move much, these are dense and creamy muffins that really reminded me of pineapple upside down cake!

Oh, and did I mention that my light ricotta has 7 grams of protein per 1/4 cup? Oh yes, delicious muffins!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Online fish dating

Spike (a convict cichlid) is a bit of a social butterfly (do you see him in front of the clay pot?). His interests include: baking, eating new tank friends, digging up rocks and plants, watching the computer while I am looking up fish/aquarium details (I think he thinks the fish on YouTube are real) and flirting mercilessly (he's hoping I will give him a shrimp or algae pellet). He is seeking a female convict for long term clay pot sharing and moonlit swims.


Breaking the diet/healthy cookie trend, I made David some chocolate chip cookies last night. Just the Betty Crocker recipe (well, okay I always change something! I added some macadamia nuts), they were not fancy, but I had forgotten how wonderfully delicious the bad for you cookies can be!

I had a VERY hard time avoiding cookies today! :)

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Project 365

Just a heads up, I've been inspired to try project 365. Starting July 1st, Heather, Lauren and I will be taking a photo a day for a year! I'm excited to try this!

Winery comparisons


Last weekend we took a brief tour of Chateau Ste Michelle, which (though I have never been) I can only compare to my perception of Disneyland. Seattlites rave about Chateau Ste Michelle, the beautiful grounds, the wineries history, blah blah blah... I was not impressed! They were friendly, and did have some beautiful artwork and historic pictures of the grounds, but my favorite part was an old greenhouse:

I am fairly sure that my dad needs to build me a replica when we buy a house! lol... :)
Part greenhouse and part art/pottery studio? :)
Anyway, I have heard 2006/2007 were difficult wine years, but the wines we tasted were nothing compared to the wines we tried at Covington Cellars! (They have become the standard by which we compare other wineries!)

David's parents were in town last weekend for their annual visit, they stayed at the Inn at Virginia Mason, which was beautiful and inexpensive! We also enjoyed an impromptu date night at their Rhododendron Room, David was chatting up a German waitress who offered alternate dialect lessons, she was sassy! and their food was good!

Anyway, I hope you all are having a good weekend and don't forget to call your father tomorrow!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Happy Commenting

oooo... Look I think I fixed the comments section so that anyone can post a comment, you don't need to be registered with a blog! :)

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Parents visiting

My boyfriend is a rock star! (and I only use that term for the best of things!)
I told him to clean house today by my standards (not his) and he did! lol.... I can't even tell you how impressed I was when I got home! :)

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

6am and feeling alright

Today was my second 6am shift of the summer, and I will admit, it is hard! I have had such a hard time sleeping through the night knowing that the alarm is going to go off an hour earlier than usual, but today was such a great day! I am training a part time person to take on some of my mindless work (and am hoping for something a bit more mentally stimulating to replace it), and the woman that I trained today was so nice! She really made my day, I can't tell you how refreshing it was working with her! :)

While the cat's away...


These mice bake cookies!
On Sunday's David likes to get a start on the week by going to bed way earlier than I am able, so last Sunday I had a party! lol... Well that is if you consider a party blogging, baking cookies, and doing 40 minutes of a pilates video!

I found this recipe for oatmeal cookies on Smitten Kitchen, though of course I made a few alterations... I cut the sugar in half and added a little molasses, and replaced half of the butter with unrefined coconut oil. This made for a glossier looking cookie (hers are way prettier!), but I do love to try new things. :)

Yummy!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Tidbits

Two things that you may have not known about me:
1. I have bad feet. Feet that don't want to run, feet that hurt, that maybe I hurt, but that haven't gotten better. Feet that I spent a small fortune on today in hopes of convincing them to become running feet. I hope they appreciate those new shoes!

2. I love peonies. They are my favorite flower despite the weird looks and 'really?' questions people give in response, I love them. Do you think you could grow a peony inside? :)

Fancy hair

I have lived in 5 different states, but Seattle is the only place I have ever come back to.


I grew up in Nikiski Alaska, experienced an extremely different college life in Tempe Arizona, and then settled in Seattle (specifically Ballard) for a few years thereafter. I loved Ballard, and still do, it's the place that fits my idea of Seattle.
I had fancy hair yesterday, so I drug David down to the Ballard Locks for far too much picture taking, the fish were running!

He is a very patient man, 120 pictures later, and the worst I got was a bit of a frown:

How did you spend your Saturday?

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

My green thumb

Oh, one more thing!
My plants are doing really well too! lol.... (my first - from seed! - cucumber flower)

Inspiration and fitness

I have a healthy magazine addiction. I have justified this to David, stating that I used to spend tons of money on convenience store cosmetics, lotions and potions (I have switched pretty much everything I use to organic, which may cost more per bottle, but it eliminates the 'maybe this will work' shopping), cheap and uncomfortable shoes (again, comfy shoes cost more, but last longer and are better for my feet!), and clothes. Well okay, I still spend some money on clothes! As I have been losing weight I have been tossing (or rather donating) things as soon as possible - it keeps me motivated (who doesn't like the excuse to shop?) and doesn't let me slide back into a bigger size! Anyway, I have reduced spending in all of those areas, so to still get my shopping (and a little of my reading) fix, I have become a health magazine addict! lol... No girly fashion or make-up magazines here (though my favorites do often include an article or two about new organic products), I have found the health genre to be a great resource for diet tips, meal ideas, new workout ideas and life improving inspiration:

Okay, I tried to find the article online and found it tricky, but the gist? "Why not make this the year you achieve your wildest dreams?"
Why not?
I'm kind of starting to understand what people say about 'coming into your own during your 30's.'
I have been making choices, working on my goals, painting:

and I have almost (so close!) paid off my credit card! I am losing weight, and working hard on figuring out what I want. It is nice to be able to tell my family that I am doing well and really mean it.