The Bloedel Reserve

I've been wanting to post pictures, but you know, busybusy.  :)
The Bloedel Reserve is amazing, have you ever been?  We had tried to visit before, but were unsuccessful, so I've been lusting after it's beauty for some time. 

With David's parents in town we had the perfect excuse for a ferry trip and trek about the reserve.

Here's the thing that makes this place so amazing:  It used to be someone's retirement home.  People lived here, loved this place, the grounds, the space, the view of the ocean, the zen garden and Christmas pond, bridges and orchids, all of this beauty belonged to someone.  And now you can wander through.

It was the perfect afternoon, a long stroll through a beautiful space, a perfect place to take family or out of town guests. 

....and there is a wishing bench.  :)
What would you wish for?

Tasty friday night fishes

What are your feelings on salmon?
After recently spending a small fortune on local fishes, David and I made a plea for my parents to send us a care package.  :)

It is nice to have an inside connection, let me tell you!
Mom, if you are reading, we've.... well, we've almost eaten all of our fishes!  They are so tasty!

I like my salmon baked with a spicy rub.  If you time it just right it is juicy, flaky, and delicious!
...but when I say spicy, I do mean spicy!
Combine any spices you may have, but for three fillets, I typically use:
2 Tbsp Olive oil
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp chipotle powder
1 tsp blackened seasoning
1 tsp chili seasonings (a mix my Mom made, who knows what's in it!)  :)
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt

Rub all over your fishes and bake at 425 for 15 - 20 minutes until no longer translucent, but still juicy!  :)
This is a really simple and easy recipe, but oh so good!  I always flake up any leftovers and make salmon spread (treat just like tuna!) for lunches over the next few days.

Birthdays and baking

Long ago I heard an old saying that I have since also heard applied to New Year's Day: Be careful how you spend your birthday, what you do on this day will determine how you spend the following year. Now, I am kind of superstitious, so each year I try to make my birthday weekend FUN, relaxing, and filled with people I love.
We were slated to spend the weekend hiking in the mountains, but after battling work places filled with illness, David came down with a sickness that wasn't messing around. Thankfully our B&B reservations were easily canceled (they didn't want our sickness any more than we did!) and I took myself shopping (for a size smaller jeans!) to compensate.
So, maybe this coming year wont contain the most vacations, but I did get to spend the day getting massaged and manicured, in smaller clothes, with tasty takeout, roses, and a VERY supportive and understanding boyfriend. I think it will be okay.

Oh, and check out my birthday loot! In the first pic, our fish Winston is checking out the new blue competition in town! lol... He was quite fascinated!
What should we name our new mixer? I'm kind of partial to Whirly. lol...
I opened presents on Thursday (Mom, I had an excuse, we were going on vacation!), and promptly made David whipped mashed potatoes. Friday I ended up playing around with a few bread recipes, we made two loaves of rye bread and two of cinnamon raisin. This mixer will take some getting used to - I made a few mistakes with the breads, but I love it already! (I will post recipes once I smooth out the process)

I have also taken to reading a few diet/healthy eating/running blogs. I am going to update the links to the right with some of my favorites - they have quickly replaced my health magazine addiction, these are real people making over their lives, and it is inspiring to read each day.
Many of the women from these blogs, and most recently my Mom have recommended eating oatmeal for breakfast each morning - you should check out some of their oatmeal toppings! When grocery shopping, David and I picked up some pumpkin to give one version a try:

We have been making bulgar wheat for breakfast a couple times a week, and I love it, but was excited to try new additions! I found bulgar with pumpkin and raisins too sweet, but will try pumpkin and nuts tomorrow!

Running update

Today, talking with my Mom during my lunch break, she told me that she has started running a minute at a time on her treadmill! I have to tell you, I am so impressed! She said 'if my daughter can do it, then I can too!' You go Mom, that is awesome! :)

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!

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! :)

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?

Weekend madness

It seems this week (and last weekend) have gotten away with me. Last weekend after reformatting the computer and cleaning like a mad woman, David and I toured my Grandmother about town during her layover in Seattle. We took her to the Japanese Koi pond in the Arboretum, out for a sandwich and then over to the Conservatory for more walking (and plant admiring). We had tea at my house and then whisked her off to the airport for her flight continuation (I don't need to mention that the airport drop off was a tad early because we had run out of things to do!). After dropping my brother off, we raced home for some last minute relaxation before the start of the week - I had my first alternating 6am shift on Wednesday, and to compensate spent the last 9 hours dead asleep. How are you all doing?
lol... Oh! I have also decided to start my own business illistrating greeting cards! I bought a sketch book yesterday and am going to try to build up a body of work... start a *real* website (also listing other art), bid for freelance jobs, and submit to card companies. Maybe this could work out to that stay at home artsy job I have always wanted? My fingers are crossed!

Things only Mom understands

How is it that Mom always has a way of making things better? When you were a kid she could fix a wound, bandage any hurt, and hug away any tears. Years later it's no different, she knows me inside and out, and is still saving the day. Thanks Mom, thanks for the advice, thanks for listening, and thanks for the egg plants!