Christmas on less than a dime

Like almost everyone else, this year, the Christmas budget will be a little tight. At first I felt sad that I could not spend recklessly on gifts a plenty. But then I decided to take on the smaller budget as a challenge to get creative where and when I could. So looking around the house at items at hand, I rediscovered the joy of origami. From the piles of magazines that I can't seem to part with because I just know there is a recipe or idea I'll one day want to try (2 yrs later...) I tore brightly colored pages and cut them into squares. The hubby and I spent an afternoon folding origami balloons to jazz up the Christmas lights strung throughout the house. It was easy enough to do, but after blowing into a dozen paper balloons, we were feeling a little air-headed ourselves.


Of course, we also had to fold the ever popular crane at least a dozen times too or so. A crazy obsession overcame me and for some reason I could not stop folding. The pine cones that lined the fireplace mantle were replaced by a flock of cranes.













Last, I came across some remnants my mom had left behind. It made for a pretty pink throw blanket and something cozy to remember her by. Kitty could not resist jumping on to take it for a test nap.

And isn't this all what Christmas is about anyway? Spending time together. Having fun while you're at it. And enjoying the cold weather by taking cuddle naps.

Mondays...UGH!

It's only Monday and already I feel like I've worked like dog.

And that's all I have to say about that. GRR-UFF!

Sundays are for savoring

sleeping in until 10...11...or lunch and
makin' pancakes out of mushy brown bananas
to the tunes of jack johnson on the stereo

after having a cup of peppermint tea

one can't escape food coma

37 candles and a few more wrinkles

My husband asked for 1 candle because

he didn't want to see what the cake

would look like with all 37.

And I should have obliged because having

droplets of hot candle wax blown on me

wasn't as arousing as one might think .

But I think 37 candles are much less awkward than 16.
And man-wrinkles are sexy too.

A little island with lots to do

On an island that spans 57 square miles, one might wonder, "What is there to see?" Quite suprisingly, a lot. From our room, we had a view of the East Sound. The wild deer weren't so wild at all. In fact, a doe and it's fawn came right up to our balcony in search of handouts! I even came within 10 feet of the deer on the left just as we rolled up to to check in.


Also suprising to find out was that the island is not named after the orca whales at all. History reveals that it is the shortened name of Juan Vicente de Guemes Padilla Horcasistas y Aguayo. The Viceroy of Mexico who sent out an exploration expedition in 1791.

The island boasts 30 miles of hiking at the Moran state park. We covered the Cascade Lake Loop that went for just under 3 miles (green line) and the Mountain Lake Loop (4 miles - yellow line). Although it being Labor day weekend, the hikers we passed were few and far between. Parking at the entrance of both trails were limited. It made for an incredibly peaceful walk. All you could hear was the sound of footfalling on soft earth.

Along the hike we crossed paths with many a slugs which doesn't seem so amazing by itself. Except when they are the size of your hand!

At the highest point, 2409 feet elevation to be exact, from Mount Constitution is a 360 degree panoramic view of the marine sound. This hike we did not do. It was described as "strenuous" and not for the average person who sits on their butts all day (like me).

Bounty Hunter

The anticipation just awaiting the first arrivals of our labor has finally paid off. I'd almost lost all hope on the Roma and cherry tomatoes. Although I've been told that these babies probably will not ripen because we just haven't had enough hot weather, WHO CARES!! Fried green tomatoes anyone?

Trying to locate these little guys was like hunting for easter eggs. Upon finding one, I reacted just like a kid hunting for easter eggs. Jumping up and down and running back and forth between garden and husband at computer, who's game was interrupted and put on pause so we could revel in our find.

With a slew of Martha Stewart summer salad recipes to try, our meals will be Bug's Bunny's envy. And who knows, he may just end up on the plate too.

My Secret Garden(er)

Besides the vegetables growing, we've had a few unexpected and randomly placed blooms. I've been finding a few little dug up holes in our garden. At first I thought it was the neighborhood cats wanting to fertilize our garden, but now I am not so sure. Our little Gardener has been busy.










I can only guess that it is a squirrel, or a family of squirrels. I've not yet been able to snap a photo of one in action, but whoever put squirrels in the rodent category did not have one for a gardener. Next to Walter, they are a welcome presence in our garden.

When life gives you lemons, make ice cream?

If it were not for Molly Moon Ice Cream Boutique and my husband's adventuresome palate, I would have never tried the Lemon Ice Cream. And it turns out sadly, a lot of other people probably had the same reaction I did at the thought of lemon ice cream. Yuck! Not sweet enough! Au contrare! It is so amazing that after it's disappearance due to it's unpopularity at Molly's, I simply HAD TO buy an ice cream maker and find me a recipe to keep a supply on hand at all times.

Fresh Lemon Ice Cream

3/4 cups granulated sugar

2 lemons, zested

2 cups whole milk

2 cups heavy cream

8 egg yolks

In a saucepan, combine lemon zest, milk, and cream. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and steep for 20 minutes. Strain. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together. Whisk 1 cup of the hot cream into the egg mixture. Mix thoroughly. In a steady stream, slowly return the egg mixture to the remaining hot cream mixture. Simmer over low heat for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and cool completely in the fridge. Strain the mixture. Add mixture to your ice cream maker, and follow manufacturers' direction. Have fun!

For more of Molly's gourmet ice cream, you can go to 1622 1/2 45th Street, Wallingford, Seattle. Yes, I am shamelessly advertising for her. Good things should always be passed on. http://www.mollymoonicecream.com/

Gnome Man's Land

After weeks of anticipation, our seeds finally pushed through. It is a miracle, to say the least, because we didn’t quite prepare the soil for planting. They were literally scattered, like tossing bread crumbs, a little here, a little there. At most, the extent of the work was in building neat rows, but that was about it. Perhaps the little greenies knew we wanted them to grow as badly as we want to win the lottery.




We’re hoping the bounty will produce enough beans and peas to freeze or can for the winter months. Really we just want to see how far we can stretch a dollar. And if we have more than we can possibly eat, bartering for some gas might be an idea. With the way gas keeps going up 10 cents a week, seems like that is what things are coming to.











Of course, we couldn't help adding the finishing touch - a garden gnome (this one's for you sis!)

Grubbin' at the market

It's so easy to get caught up in the work week that often times I haven't thought of what to do with myself come the weekend except to veg out. But there are so many local things that are easy to step out to and one in particular is the Ballard market with it's live folk music, fresh produce, and goodies to find. One popular bite is the veggie quesadilla served with a spicy sweet sauce who's name I can't recall but it doesn't matter because all can be found at the market.

I remember when I was little I didn't like the taste of vegetables. I've heard that children have about 300x an adults taste abilities but by the time we're all grown up, most of our tastebuds have been burned by drinking scalding liquids, eating steaming foods, or adding spicy sauces to what goes down the chute. So thank goodness for adult tastebuds because despite the stress that comes with being one, I am glad I am not a kid anymore. This stir fry mix of kale, squash, red onions, and I don't know what other healthful stuff is in the mix is so yummy! There are at least a dozen adults in line for a bite of this by the time the market opens at 11.

After the quesadilla, you can also find some fresh pastries to round out this walking brunch. The one thing that I haven't tried yet are the dessert crepes which commands a line of hungry bellies belonging to both adults and kids that stretches about 30 people long. This is just fine though because by the time I'm done with the quesadilla (it's the huge tortilla by the way, 2 of them slapped together with veggies in between) I am feeling a little round myself and if Seattle gets lucky, a Sunday afternoon sometimes brings some sun which is enough to make me want to sleep and be what I just ate. A vegetable.