A Scary Posting

Here is a picture that just says Oh My Godness! We were having a lot of laughs on Saturday at Jodie and Rob's place. Here I am just a little too close to the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. I look like I am going to like scarf them or something. It is just not right. But the next photo is WAY too scary.
A few weeks ago I went on Amazon and ordered a few things for the Valentine's Day Party. I thought I was ordering a banner for the party. Well, that was put to bed when the below item arrived at my building on Saturday. It is beyond scary. It is something that would show up in Kansas or Nebraska. But no, it is in our neck of the woods until today, when my staff had a great idea, let's send it to Lane in the Houston office. And we did. We are free of this item and to think, it was "made in China" and that is just wrong!

The Dobash Cake

So last night we enjoyed Dobash Cake and I have had a few people ask what it is. Well, here is a picture of the cake that Jodie made for the dinner. It is very clean and delightful.

And here is the recipe:

Ingredients
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Cake:
3 eggs, separated
1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups cake flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup milk

Frosting:
1-1/2 cups water
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup water

How to make the cake:
-------------------------------------
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour 2 8-inch pans.
******
Beat egg whites until frothy and gradually beat in 1/2 cup sugar until stiff.
Sift together remaining 1 cup sugar, flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa.
Make a well in center; add oil and half of milk.
Beat until well-blended at medium speed.
Add remaining milk and egg yolks and beat until smooth.
Fold mixture into egg whites.
Pour batter into pans and bake 30 to 35 minutes.
Cool, then slice each layer in half to make 4 layers.
******
To prepare frosting:
Combine water, sugar, salt and butter in saucepan and bring to boil. Combine cocoa, cornstarch and water; add to boiling mixture and return to boil.
Cool completely.
Frost between cooled layers, sides and top.
Enjoy!

The cake is fabulous but even more so is Jodie, who loves to cook and...
Don't forget Rob, he is superman!

The Comfort Food Vintner's Dinner

This was our third dinner and we had 9 people around the table. We kept it to 7 courses and even at that everyone was in food coma phase by the end of the meal. But oh what a good food coma it was!
Presenting the first course. Fried Mac & Cheese matched with champagne. Yes, champagne as it's bubbly nature will assist in cutting the richness of the two types of fried macaroni and cheese. Jodie's first choice was Patti LaBelle's "Over the Rainbow" Mac & Cheese that uses Velvetta and a full stick of butter. Oh my, is it good! The second was an adult version using Gorgonzola and bacon plus blue cheese. To think Jodie actually liked the latter version due to her aversion to "stinky" cheese.

The salad course was next and it was a classic wedge salad. Complete with grape tomatoes, bacon and blue cheese crumbles. Homemade dressing was the topper this course. Jodie went the extra step in providing a Feta version for those that did not like blue cheese. Fina score was 6 for blue and 3 for feta. Now here is where it got interesting. For the salad and soup courses we decided on white wines and Jodie kept me in the dark as she said over and over, "Yes, they are blends." And in the end they were - with Chardonnay. Please know, I am not a wine snob, but just not a fan of Chardonnays. Well, in the end I was the one eating crow, but both were quite good. I so need to get in touch with Rob and find out what they were. I feel bad. Oh wait, the first was from Tsillan Cellars. Boy, bet that is helpful!

So now we moved on to the soup course and it was a classic chicken noodle and I deboned the chicken. Of course at least two people found small bones. No, there were no prizes for finding them. I am only human and boy the chicken was hot. The final add in was the garlic noodles that Jodie freely shared was not home made, but was fresh pasta to keep final cooking time down while still being firm for the soup. It was good, but not my favorite course.

So what the heck are you looking at? It was the intermezzo beverage. I went completely sideways and picked a Lemoncello. Yes, it is not technically a wine, it is like a long lost Italian cousin. Oh leave me alone, I thought it would be fun and oh my Heather did like it and it was matched up with pomegranate sorbet. Fun and good transition as we head into the heavier part of the evening.

Of course you know what this is. You were thinking that must be the remainder of the homemade meatloaf that was based upon Mother's Beef Meatloaf that you can find in "Mother's Best" by Lisa Schroeder. Why yes, it is! Good guess. Jodie took the classic recipe and changed out the beef with 1/3 ground pork, 1/3 ground turkey and 1/3 ground veal. Then the peppers were converted to carrots and the beef gravy was switched to a mushroom gravy. Oh yes that is a strip of bacon as she put strips of bacon on top for flavor. See below for what a whole one looks like. Served with mashed potatoes and a delightful Barbaresco and well, it is amazing. Mind you the wine was not the first choice as the first choice had gone bad, but that is for another posting.

You think we were done? Not quite yet. Tsillan returned with a Syrah blend to go with the beef stroganoff. It was just delicious. Tell me we are done, please tell me it is so! But no. One more and it is dessert.

Here we see Rob, Jodie, Matt and Karen. They were all enjoying the dinner, but you can see they are slowing down. Comfort food was making us all think one thing, is it nap time?

The final course of the evening is a chocolate cake, but not just any cake. It is a Dobash Chocolate cake that is one that uses egg whites in the cake while the frosting uses granulated sugar along with corn starch and is cooked. Very Hawaiian and lighter than you would expect. Jodie made a great pairing with a Zinfandel. Totally yum and oh what a meal it was. This was the first time we had a "type" of theme. Our first two used foods to tie through. Bacon and apple were the first two dinner themes. Interesting on how we weave things together.

And so goes our third vintner's dinner. Next up it appears we are going to have an Asian theme. Should be interesting. But now I get to look forward to a couple of getaway days per doctor's orders both involving water. Stay tuned.

Mick & Glo's

Glo (yes she was a real person) is no longer with us, but her name lives on in this funky diner on Capitol Hill. I love breakfast, so this is a place on my top 10 list. Their eggs Benedict is my favorite breakfast in the city. It's like they have a magician who poaches their eggs... They always come out perfect. Don't believe me, look below.Today is Mick's 47th birthday and so he got to pick where we went. I have to tell you the place seats like 38 people and we are always there before 8AM. If you do score one of the few small tables, the menu has great breakfasts for reasonable prices. I LOVE their various Egg Benedict variations, including the salmon one and the bacon one. Yum. Oh and the hash browns are the best in the city!

Yes, the place is small, noisy and not much room to move. But seriously, how many places do you know that has a grown man driving up from Long Beach, WA just for their Eggs Florentine? My sister loves the place, heck, I don't know anyone I have taken that does not love it. The only thing I don't like is having to wait for a long time for a table. Thankfully, I am an early riser!

New Obsession

So I have to admit something to all of you. I have been sucked into a show on TLC that is just too funny. I started out just catching an episode on a Sunday. Now, I am hooked and have been known to sit and watch 4 episodes in a row. Say Yes to the Dress reveals the inner workings of the world's premier bridal salon, Kleinfeld Bridal. Part fashion show, part bridal story, part family therapy, the series uncovers the hurdles the staff faces to make each bride completely satisfied. .Of course it is set in New York City and there is a cast of characters who you just get to know and love. Randi is like the fab fag who just waltzes in and does his stuff. Catch it sometime if you want a good laugh. Who knew a wedding dress could be such a huge deal? Gotta love the older Russian woman who runs the alterations department and all the ladies who help the customers. I think the thing that gets me laughing most is when they always ask - "So is this the dress?" When the bride to be says yes there is this slap clapping that happens which is just so back to childhood. Too funny!

State of the Union

Ah democracy! Each year the President goes to the Capital and addresses both houses of congress plus the Supreme Court and lots of Department Heads and invited guests. This year it was a speech that was different and yet rose above the fray. My sister was mentioned ala teachers. I watched and then took in "Glee" and "Big Bang Theory" so off to bed I go. Glutton for politics and humor. Or are they one in the same?

I've Been "Gleed"

This show has just totally hooked the nation and is becoming a water cooler topic on a weekly basis. I know it is happening at my office more and more. Yes, I have caught myself watching an episode here and there. Who would not. Then the Golden Globes gave three statues to the show and actors. And well, I was shopping on Amazon Fresh yesterday and went and bought the First Season. Funny, it had showed up in my shopping cart a month or so ago in error, but I deleted it. This time I went out of my way to include it.

I really enjoy the quirky shows. Does anyone remember "Book of Daniel" which was short lived on NBC but boy did it make me laugh. Another show that I loved and miss is "Wonderfalls." This was a show set at Niagara Falls in a gift shop where a shop girl solves interesting twists via souvenirs that come alive only to her. No, I am not on drugs or drinking, it really was a series. Oh and if you would like to watch either of these short lived series or the 1st full season of "Glee" just ask, I would be happy to loan them to you.

Candle & Fire Therapy

What is it about a burning candle that just is so relaxing. You kick back and just enjoy the moment. Tonight I have 18 candles burning around the apartment and the lights are dimmed. Totally mellow and going to enjoy the quiet evening with no worries. It is a real treat. There are those people who like to add the scented candle and that is not for me. I prefer the little tea-lights and unscented candles. White is my color of choice and am know to buy bags by the 100's from IKEA each autumn to take me through the winter. This winter, I am over halfway through my 800 stash. That does not include the pillar candles, go figure.

This week I realized that just as candles bring about that wonderful relaxing space, fire does the same thing. While at Discovery Bay and then Victoria, both Worldmark properties have gas fireplaces and as soon as we arrived the flames were going and it is just so relaxing. Again, this is just something that brings joy and calm to my world. Funny that it can be the simple things and it is just so fun to watch the flames dapple at the air and create different patterns. Oh to be able to kick back and relax. And yet, there is the moment when you just have to laugh. It is when you notice the plaque on the fireplace. And it was actually on both fireplaces and when you read it what can you say, other than DUH?

Markie, The Master Griller

Last night was another round of grilling on the bar-b-que ala Markie. We had a great arrangement. I bought the food and he cooked. As you can see below it was pork ribs and oh were they good. Not a one left between the two of us and yes, it was a complete animalistic feast. I cannot tell a lie and we loved every moment.
Here is how the simple grilling above becomes a beautiful dinner below. By simply adding a wonderful salad (actually the leftovers from the night before and that is just fine!) and add a glass of the remaining wine and some bread. All realms touched and added. Heck, we even enjoyed Pink Lady Apples and cheeses for dessert. A perfect ending to a perfect getaway.

This morning it was up and loading the car and off we went to get the ferry. Had a bit of a wait and then crossed and came through the Peace Arch and had a wait of 45 minutes, when the sign said only a 5 minute wait. But we are home and settled and this is being posting sooner than it would have been if we had gone with the original plan of catching the 4pm Blackball Ferry. And the best part is that I now have a weekend!

What A Difference A Day Makes

Do not adjust your computer. This is the same picture angle I took yesterday under blue and sunny skies. What happenes in 24 hours is stunning.

This is the Black Ball Ferry and we took it up yesterday. Here it is making it's afternoon departure. After Sunday it goes on vacation for two weeks and that happens every year to allow for annual maintainence. We will be going via BC Ferry tomorrow back to the minland and then drive down through customs and into Washington.

Another view of the ferry leaving and a close-up of the houseboats. Do you get I like the thought of living on a houseboat? Seriously, if I ever decide to buy and not rent, this might be the option I go for. You never know.

This is a close-up of the training boats and the police. There were 4 boats today along with the main cruiser. Must be some sort of intense training going on. Never boring up here on the water.

Day 2 In Canada

This is what it is all about. Rest & relaxation. No commute, no alarms, no calls to worry about, just having a good night sleep. OK, so I did make an early call to Connie to wish her a happy 50th birthday. Finally got coffee made just before 7am and Markie joined the mix around 9ish.
Seriously, low key is the mood of the day as we welcomed Helene and here Markie caught our engaging chat. I just have to laugh as I spent the day in my "Guinness" loungers and it was a delight. Some work email stuff, but mostly haivng fun reading, posting to this blog, some TV and an afternoon nap was so needed.

This is a great picture of Markie and since I got it today from him, decided to add to this post. He and Helene went out to lunch at the Blue Crab and I stayed in for leftovers. I have to say, what Markie opted for lunch was interesting and can be seen below. Why yes, if you thought they looked like Crab Cupcakes you are right. Two crab cakes on a bed of tarter sauce and the purple "frosting" was actually whipped potatoes pipped on the cakes. Helene opted for fish & chips.

Tonight we are going to enjoy finishing some leftovers of bread and salad plus pork back ribs and then some cheese and fruit to cap off the evening. Homeward bound in the morning and then hello weekend. Yes, life is hard.

Speaking of Dinner

A lovely salad with delightful orage tomatoes. Below is Markie presenting the soon to be grilled Coho Salmon. It was oh so delightful both at dinner and the following day for lunch using up leftovers.

And heck while we are at it why not show us the baby carrots that will be part of dinner as well! Thank you...

Yes, the plate is groaning with food and there was fresh bread and they know how I love the heals of bread. Helene brought a wonderful wine from Australia and heck we enjoyed cocktails before dinner. To use Markie's words, "Life is hard."

Magical Evening

Our first night was just so relaxing. Helene arrived and is in town for Skate Canada so we were able to just hang out and have a great evening together. She has a great new do and look how happy she is. She is a treasure of a friend.
As the night progressed there was a lot of good food and drink and wonderful conversation. Helene has started knitting and especially likes making socks. She was sporting some and they are quite festive. It is such a treat to have around and is such a ball of energy.

As I sat there looking at Markie and Helene, I suddenly noticed the full moon rising. It had been a lovely day and now the full moon. By the time we got cameras the moon was beginning to hide behind the arriving cloud cover. But still, it is just stunning as you can see below.

Victoria Is So Delightful

So you step out on the wrap around balcony and to the right is the hot tub that Markie used just after our arrival. Yes, it was daylight and so he wore his Speedo so the police would not have a show. Yes, there were three speed boats of police training nature in the marina below.

This iis looking directly out and is the view from the hot tub when looking a little to the right. And then it you look directly ahead this is the view...

Around the corner you have a quaint houseboat marina. There are always a few of the houseboats for sale. This time proved no different. Yes, the 4th in is for sale.

And every once in a while a little surprise pops into view. Here the seagull is looking over the realm of the inner bay. Oh how peaceful it is up here. And tonight is dinner with Helene. But first up is lunch with Robin Hood and Crowdog (Yes, those are their Faerie names).

The Journey to Canadaland

Markie and I hit the road Tuesday afternoon and took the Bainbridge Ferry and then drove to the Worldmark at Discovery Bay. A nice unit and delightful dinner of Lamb "lollipops" as Markie calls them. Miniature little T-bone lamb steaks. Add a salad and wine plus a nice after dinner nosh of Bartlett pears and Aged Sharp Cheddar Tillamook Cheese. I was asleep by 9pm, but up at 4:30am to get things in order. Heavy frost had the car coated in ice and it was a brisk 27 degrees outside. And so by the time we cruised into the harbor in Victoria it was a balmy 38 degrees, but sunny and oh yes, it was only 10am.
Stopped by the condo complex, another Worldmark, my favorite and decided to see if by chance our unit was ready. Not quite, but would be soon. Usual check-in is 4pm mind you, but Markie is an Elite member and so they jump for him. Off we went to the fish market and got a lovely fillet of Coho Salmon. Next was the grocery store to stock up for dinners and BC Liquors was our next stop for wine. Decided to go for a drive as we waited for the return call to say room was ready. Not quite sure when that would happen. Alas, less than an hour had passed and we got the call.

This picture is purly up to reference that we are in Canada. Oh Canada! Three flags in one shot. See it Jodie and Markie...yes you too Rob! And Janet, don't think you are getting by without mention. But it did make me laugh.

Here are the four lovely salads Markie created with my suggustions tossed in. These are pre-scallops and let me add, it was a delish lunch and to think, we were going around and around thinking we would need to head back to the market. Not! Below is the end result.

A bed of greens supports a display of orange tomatoes, pitted Katamala olives, pickle garnish, mini-cubed cheese and the bacon wrapped scallops fresh off the grill. Add a refreshing white wine and there you go.

The New Year Brings Change...

The apt. has been decluttered a bit more and it really is looking good. By spring the book shelf in the corner will be gone, heading north to Canada. Going to decide which books stay and which goes. The sculpture is on loan from Markie and will move to another location. The more it changes the more it stays the same.

The two pillows are ones I had and put in these lovely purple silk sham covers that Curtis brought back from Thailand. They are just stunning. A wonderful addition to the bed. Sadly, the multi-colored pillow behind them is fast falling apart and soon will be replaced by a new reading pillow that Jodie is making for me. Quite excited!

The sideboard hosted a wonderful display last year of black & white butts photography. A new year brings out different items. While different, all the items really are fun and enjoyable. I feel so honored and blessed to have so many wonderful items to place around my living space.