Halloween Surprise

Now I am not one to just repost a picture unless there is a reason and indeed there is a reason.  Today is Halloween and my friend Moonsong, who also cleans my apartment and it is always a joy when he does, stopped by with a Halloween treat today.  If you look in the above photo you will see it is an addition to the tablescape I had done for the season.  Below is a close-up to show the detail.  It is a cast sugar skull and then he decorated each on a little differently.  He shared that he made 15 and I got this one as he knows I love the colors of candy corn.  Indeed as I use it to decorate each year.  What an expected treat!

The Eve of Halloween

The TV has been jammed with all sorts of specials focusing on Halloween for the past 10 days or so.  From Food Network's "Halloween Wars" to special edition of "Chopped" while over on ABC Family Channel there is the 19 Days of Halloween where they are showing all the various Halloween themed movies not once or twice, but over and over again. 

Other networks have been having marathons of all the creepy and twisted movies from over the years.  Even mainstream networks have their plethora of Halloween offering.  But one that has to stand out was on TLC called "4 Houses" where 4 people showed off their houses decked out for Halloween and they judged each other on best haunted house.  It was comical to say the least and the 4 people could only be described as odd ducks.  It did provide for some mindless TV viewing to be sure.  However you decide to celebrate the holiday I hope you have a grand time.

Very Strange Tuesday

Not quite sure how to describe yesterday and for some reason when I saw the above picture it kind of summed up the day.  A lot of stuff came at me very fast and furious.  All I could do was sort and file everything as fast as I could.  That lead to a staff meeting that lasted hours.  Mark has gotten all freaked out on staff listening to our Google Chat meetings and so now we are on GoToMy Meeting and have to mute the computer and call in via phone so as not to be heard.  What a bunch of wasted time and money.  Once out of that meeting of which my portion was all of 15 minutes, it was on to a series of conversations with various staff. 

It seems that just about once a month everything they know or have been told goes out the window and we start over again.  Seriously, it is like herding cats at times.  They mean well, but it just seems like a lot of repetitive work on my part.  So right at 3pm, I clocked out and headed for home.  It was a lovely afternoon and the drive home was just so relaxing.  I was able to get home in near record time and that was very nice indeed. 

Once home, I had a salad and some strawberries before deciding to take a nap.  It was so peaceful and awoke refreshed, but at the same time drained.  No real reason, just drained.  Decided to do what I could and puttered a bit and finally got around to having a bite of dinner around 7:30pm.  Not a half hour later ?I was totally whipped and decided to listen to my body and call it a night.  Was asleep in a matter of minutes and sleep I did.  Did get up once during the night, but otherwise slept like a log.  How I do love the cooler nights. 

Seahawk Monday

Yes indeed the city is in a frenzy as the Seahawks have had their best season in a long time and tonight they take on the St. Louis Rams.  They are favored to win, but you just never know what will happen.  The team seems to be doing a good job of keeping focused and moving forward.  They have three more games after tonight and then have a bye before finishing out the season.  Will I watch the game - may keep an eye on it to see how things are going, but hey, there are other things to get done and watch - like Dancing With The Stars - we do have our priorities!

Halloween Candy

Chocolate is big business, and Halloween is its biggest holiday. According to a recent survey from the National Confectioners Association, 72% of all candy spending this Halloween will be on chocolate. Last year, more than $12.6 billion was spent on chocolate in the United States, 3.8% more than the year before.  In looking around the internet I found that Reese's is most popular with M&M's a close 2nd.  Snicker's candy bars are a close third.  Did you know that in 1930 Mars introduced Snickers, named after the favorite horse of the Mars family. The Snickers candy bar consists of nougat, peanuts and caramel with a chocolate coating.  Who says you can't learn something new every day.  Enjoy your Sunday.

Halloween Hello

Well, it is not quite Halloween but tonight we have 8 Halloween parties happening around the country.  All seem to be going well.  No major problems and that is a good thing.  Should get full reports come Monday.  I usually enjoy decking out the whole apartment for the holiday and it then leads to Thanksgiving and on into Christmas.  What you see above is the sum total of my decorating this year.  Just not into it for some reason.  This will take me into November but need to get a fire lit under my butt to get more excited.  Just not sure why I am not into the whole holiday thing as I am loving the changing colors of autumn.

Old & New Memories

Something unusual has happened in the past 24 hours.  Two people have sent wonderful photos that I just feel are a wonderful way to cap off the week.  As many of you know from reading this blog I was raised in Ashland and so yesterday my sister, Janet, sent the following photo of our hometown.

Yes it is autumn and with that comes the fog that we have been having in spades here the past two weeks.  A good friend up in Vancouver went up to Cypress Mountain last night and got this picture.  How beautiful to be looking down on the city.

If you enjoy fog he also sent a video clip that a friend of his made and I share it here with you if you are so interested.  Vancouver Fog is under 5 minutes and is a nice break from the insanity of the day.  Do enjoy and have a great weekend.

Foggy Fun & Festive Times

A dense fog settled in this morning here and it appears there is no sign of it letting up.  But hey, that is fine by me.  We have been in this dense fog phase going on two weeks now and they say it looks to be on the move by Sunday or Monday.  It has made the work commute a bit more of a challenge in that I have to be a bit more defensive.

 

I stayed home last night and with both cable and internet down for about 2 hours, it was enjoyable to sit back and enjoy the silence.  Sometimes when things happen, the result is all the better in the end.  At least we did not lose electricity.   

Next Thursday is Halloween - living in the building I do, there are few if any children.  I have only seen one very young child.  I do not plan to buy candy nor give out any.  I did receive 3 mini-bags of M&M's from Damon prior to his departure.  Found out he had snagged them from our stash at the office.  We have a school down the road and they send the kids up and it is always fun to see them all dressed up in their costumes

 

It is odd this year in that all the big parties are happening this weekend for the most part.  We have some themed activities happening in different cities next week, but with Halloween falling on Thursday next week it is just kind of odd.  The following Sunday is when the clocks roll back for winter.  Thus, darkness really sets in for the next few months which means I light all the candles, but will have air circulating! 

For Thanksgiving it looks like I will be up in Whistler next month.  November 27-December 1st.  We did not do this trip last year and members seem to want it to happen.  Since Damon has never been out of the country, we are going to help in making the trip happen.  We'll head up the day before.  It will be fun seeing how Damon responds to the village and exploring a bit. 

Autumn - Take 5

 

 

 

There is just something about this time of year that is just so amazing as the trees change color.  Recently I discovered a new way to get home once I exit Lake City Way and it takes me through a more residential neighborhood along 35th Avenue.  Stunning is the word I have to use to describe the experience.  By the time I drive the 50 blocks or so I am so much calmer and relaxed than when I do the Lake City Way bumper to bumper crawl.  Right now all the trees are in the transition phase and so each day is a wash of new colors to enjoy.  To find the little joys in life makes all the other stuff manageable at times.

A Personal Inventory - Finding Balance

There are times that one must pause and look at where they have gone and where they are going.  As Damon has flown back to Las Vegas and returns in 29 days this is as good a time as any to do this.  Work, Home and Relationship are all key to a enjoyable life and currently two of the three really suck.  Thus, I need to make change happen and to move towards a more balanced living situation for myself.  Work used to be a rock solid base for me and it is no longer.

Work is no better than it has been and that is frustrating.  I am truly at a point where if I were to be fired I would actually be a happy camper.  That is a bit of sick and twisted way of looking at things, but I really need to get out of this toxic situation.  It is clear and yet there are no available options currently.

I have come to realize my current apartment is not my home.  I called the last place at Uwajimaya home without hesitation.  This is no longer the case.  I live there, but am not happy.  I look forward to making a change where I am in that I find home to be such am important part of one's life.    I continue to look at options and decide where I want to live. 

As for the relationship - this is a complex one in that it is both the relationship I have with me and with Damon.  I must continue to work on the weight issue and to make positive changes.  The change in the weather has proven to be a marker on how my life has changed.  I used to love the cold and now - not so much!  I have been blessed with a lot of great friends and family as well.  That is a great thing to be sure and at the same time I have come to realize that friends do not want to constantly hear about the negativity of the work place and that is why I need to make a change there for not only myself but for others. 

Damon plays a far more stabilizing role than I think either of us ever imagined. With Damon's return next month it will be the beginning of a multi-month visit.  He is going to be here to assist in moving in early February.  So you can see how each component interplays with the others.  Thankful that I have such good friends, family and a most enjoyable relationship right now.  It allows me the basis to work on the other two areas to improve them.

An Autumnal Thought

What is it about the beauty of autumn that makes me so happy?  Take Indian Corn.  It is just so festive and beautiful.  While used a lot for decoration, it still can be eaten.  I was wondering why we call it Indian Corn and found this online:

"The indigenous people of north and south America developed what we call corn today, and in many varieties. since then, it has been continuously developed to be what is now commonly bought in supermarkets or farm stands all over the country.

the corn referred to as "Indian Corn" is generally the older varieties grown by indigenous peoples in the past. some of us still grow the heirloom varieties that our ancestors grew for a thousand years."

And so begins a new week but at the same time it is a sad day in a way as Damon flies home this evening.  While he will not be gone long, returning on November 20th, it is still always hard saying good-bye.  But then I get to begin counting the days until I welcome him back to Seattle!

Kowabunga Weekend

"Great!" That is what the word means and found the following in the Urban Dictionary: 

Not beatnik, not hippy, not swahili, but early sixties, California surfer. A corrupted version of the Hawaiian "kupaianaha," which means "fantastic," and any other synonym of "wonderful" you care to choose. The word probably entered greater American consciousness through the surfer moves of the period.  

 

For what it's worth the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles spoke "surfer" with a little "valley" thrown in.  "Nice ride, dude. Kowabunga!" So why all this build up of one word?  Well, the weekend kicked off with a lovely meal and then yesterday kicked off with some morning fun and watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles which I had never seen before and do not need to see again.  It was a foggy cold day and so we pretty much stayed in and after a brunch of sausage egg scramble with a bagel for Damon it was lounging around the apartment being lazy.  That included watching both Batman and Batman Returns back to back followed by a wonderful nap.  Damon went to a party for the evening and I decided to enjoy some of the tuna that had just arrived a couple of weeks ago.  How I love that tuna.  Could not think of buying it in the store anymore, knowing this is fresh out of the ocean and packed on the dock down in southern Washington.

Dinner At Markie's

I really need to keep mindful of accepting dinner invitations to Markie's on a week night.  Traffic is horrible and it can be a challenge.  Alas, he wanted to have Damon over before his departure on Monday so it was to be.  We got there about 5:30pm and that is after leaving the apartment about 4:15pm.  Along the way there were bottle necks to be sure, but I avoided the worst - I-5 which is a parking lot most of the day anyway it seems.  Drove south though the U District (University of Washington) and then south through Eastlake and on to Lake Union neighborhood.  Up next downtown and all the joys of Friday traffic and yes, construction everywhere.  After passing the old abode at Uwajimaya it was south on 4th Avenue and through the industrial section to head over the 1st Avenue Bridge and into Southpark to his house.  The whole trip will change quite a bit next spring when the new bridge opens that they have been building for a couple of years now down by Boeing Field. 

Dinner was quite nice.  Tonight’s menu:

• Gazpacho ceviche
• Green salad
• Steamed asparagus
• Veal picata

There were 4 of us and so made for festive conversation and as usual Markie has a plethora of items that prove to be conversation starters.  One being a stuffed rabbit - a real one.  Here is Damon having fun, but the thing is shedding. 

And the week had taken its' toll on me in that by 8:15pm we were on the road home and by 9pm I was in bed.  Slept like a log and so glad it was Saturday when I woke up.

Foggy Fall Friday

Awoke this morning to the 5th straight day of a foggy morning here in the Emerald City.  I do enjoy the fog and it makes for an interesting commute.  Traffic slows down and at the same time with the sun rising later and later each morning it does make the commute a bit more of a challenge with all the headlights.  Please tell me why people insist on driving with their high beams on?  It is not fun.  Do notice that I drive a lot more defensively.  At the same time as the sun does rise and light plays a greater role, it makes for a spooky atmosphere until the fog departs.  Sometimes by noon, other days it hangs until late afternoon.

We are enjoying a rather calm month of cool & dry weather after that freak storm at the end of September.  I am so not complaining, I like the cooler temps as it makes for better sleeping weather.  The drive home in the afternoon also is a joy at times as I get to indulge in the beauty of the changing colors.  This is really my favorite time of the year. 

This weekend is the last for Damon on this trip as he flies home on Monday evening.  It has been a good and quite the learning experience for us.  We continue to grow and appreciate each other more and more.  He is flying home to have his Lazik surgery done and returns on November 20th for an extended visit and to help me move.

Yes, I have come to the decision that I just do not like where I am currently living.  Funny how I just loved the apartment down at Uwajimaya Village for 7 years and never thought about the thought of leaving and now here at the Solara I cannot even think about staying.  My lease expires February 3rd and Damon plans on staying through the 10th of the month.  He is going to help me move.  What he is currently thinking about is whether he is going to make Seattle his home base starting in the new year or keep with Las Vegas which he really does not like.  I shave shared that he has until the end of December to make that decision as it would determine what kind of apartment would be selected to move into.  Stay tuned.

What My Mind Feels Like Today

This is how I am feeling today.  My head is popping with all sorts of thoughts and feelings and trying to get refocused.  The major thing that has happened today is that I got my hair and beard cut/trimmed.  It had been way too long and Ronnel did it yet again.  This time he did a very nice job of getting the head hair short and clean but with the beard he trimmed down the sides and left the front a little bushy.  This made Damon quite pleased. 

So this  is the result.  It will do and we shall see if the beard drives me crazy.  Other than that I am glad the government is open and we can pay our bill, but I am really not happy about the fact that it is only a three month solution and we will be going through all of this again in the new year.  So frustrating.  OK, I will step off my soap box.

A Mid-Week Moment Of Ah!

Taken by a friend who I went to school with back at Walker Elementary School in Ashland, Oregon.  He is now living in Phoenix, AZ and we reconnected via facebook.  Oh the path of technology.  He took this outside his home last night.

The Bottle Count

As most of you who pop by to read this post know, there was this fabulous dinner I went to and shared the experience over the course of three posts.  There was even a post of me with the menu so it is obvious that a grand time was had by all.  Well, I got the above picture sent to me to show just how wonderful of time the 10 of us had.  Yes indeed, 19 bottles was the damage report after all was said and done.  At least I know or a fact that Jodie & Rob recycle.  Enjoy the day.

The Dinner To Be Remembered - The Finale

This is the third and final installment of a dinner to remember.  The dinner was last Saturday, October 5th and was just amazing.  As we returned from our scheduled intermission, we had three courses to go.  Several items to note is that up to this point we were consuming two bottles per course for the 10 at the table.  From this point on we were lucky to clear a bottle...but I accepted the challenge and marched on.

The Seafood Course was Alaska King Crab with Tarragon-Marinated Melons.  It was lovely and at the same time I realized I am a crab snob.  It was the only course where I asked for some salt.  The reason behind this is that I really love Dungeness crab.  It has a briny taste that I missed.  Thus, while it was a lovely pairing of the melon balls with the crab it was not a favorite.  This course was paired with Louis Bouillot Perle d'lvoire Blanc de Blancs.  A crisp and pleasant pairing.

The Entrée was a valiant and complex attempt to being two favorites to the table.  First a beef tenderloin with Roquefort sauce with deep fried Mac & Cheese.  Each prepared at the time, but time was against the course as both had chilled a bit by the time served.  Mind you, I still enjoyed the course that was paired with Cremant De Loire but it was a challenge to serve to 10 such a complex offering. 

Here is Damon chatting with Saul, another newbie to the dinner group.  He was joined at the dinner with his partner Josh.  Saul works with Jodie.  He was a delightful guy to meet and look forward to crossing paths again with him in the future.

As you can see, the creating of such a complex and amazing dinner can be taxing on the cook.  Jodie loves to cook and especially when it is for friends.  Even at that you can tell the experience is energy draining.  But still we had a course to go. 

We have arrived at the Grand Finale!  And what a finale it was.  Jodie had made a fabulous Reine De Saba (chocolate almond cake) that was topped with a sugarless frosting - something I had never heard of before and then ringed with raspberries.  Truly a work of art and fitting finale.

The cake, as a nod to her birthday in a wasy, was paired with an amazing red champagne called Rosa Regale' Brachetto d'Acqui which I called more red than rose due to the color which was a deep ruby color.  Quite lovely.

Ah, the final course presented and ready to be consumed.  It was truly a dinner to be remembered.  But who can pass over an opportunity to include one last parting shot and that was Michael posing for me in response to the fact that he never takes a bad picture.  As you can see it is possible.  Fad to memory!

The Dinner To Be Remembered - The Early Courses

On October 5th 10 people came together to enjoy and share in a Sparkling Vintner's Dinner.  Jodie & Rob were our hosts and did an amazing job of putting all of the dinner together.  If you look at Last Sunday's post you will see "The Arrival" and today I am going to do "The Early Courses" and tomorrow will be "The Finale" so I hope you enjoy.

The Amuse-Bouche is a single, bite-sized hors d’œuvre. Amuse-bouches are different from appetizers in that they are not ordered from a menu by patrons, but, when served, are done so free and according to the chef's selection alone.  In the case of our dinner it was a wonderful bit called champagne pickled cucumber with fresh chopped water chestnuts for crunch.  Delightful.  Served with a Liquid Couture.

The first course of the evening (yes, this is the "first course") is a Mini Tartes Flambés which were a huge hit with everyone there to the point that some people were licking their plates as you can see below.  Originally Jodie had planned to do a puff pastry style but in the end the little "slider" style worked best.  Filled with caramelized onions, bacon and crème freshe they were addictive.  This course was paired with Garbel Prosecco and the bottle alone was a show stopper.  Beautiful green with gold decorations all over it.

The two plate lickers are Michael up from Long Beach, Wa and dear friend as well as Melanie who works with Jodie.  This was her first vintner's dinner and by the way it went, I think it will not be the last.

The Second Course was pan-seared foie gras with figs and a port wine sauce.  "Oh mamma, spank me and send me home!"   Yes, it was that good.  In fact, it was so good that I forgot to take a picture of the original one served to me so Rob kindly made me a second.  Thus, I present regular photo and a close-up of this amazing dish.  Oh and she put the dish on a bed of arugula dressed salad.  This course pairing was a Cremant D'Alsace. 

Many of the dishes for the dinner were inspired when Jodie & Rob had dinner at the Eiffel Tower restaurant in Las Vegas and she enjoyed the meal so much she bought the cookbook.  It is a pretty fancy book with a red velvet cover.

Next up was the soup course which she had planned to use the recipe from the restaurant.  Alas, it was not in the cookbook and when she called the restaurant she was told that they do not share that recipe.  Well, that did not deter Jodi as she made her own version of Cream of French Onion soup.  It was a delight in its' own way, but you need to release any sense of traditional French Onion soup.  She served it with Fontina topped cheese puffs that you could put on the soup or eat on the side.  This course was paired with a sparkling Princesa.

How else can you describe the Salad/Vegetable Course other than a work of art.  This night she made no one but two of these beautiful creations.  Based on a traditional Ratatouille recipe, she modified it so the base sauce was a pepper based creation and tomatoes were added in with the squash, zucchini and eggplant.  Totally amazing and looks like it came right out of the movie!  Yes, we discussed the Disney movie to some extent. 

Here is the serving size we each got and was totally satisfying.  This was paired with a favorite of mine, Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve Champagne.  Quite good and not overly expensive.  In fact, no sparkling beverage was over $25 a bottle.

Each time we do these dinners there is a scheduled intermission and tonight was no different.  Allows all to get up and walk around and use the bathroom, etc.  Here is a moment of fun is Deb and Heather.  They are two people who I met via these dinners and just think are a couple of great gals.  They live in Kent and so do not get to see them a whole lot, but when we do it is always a good time.  Now on to the Finale tomorrow!

Hong Kong Moment

As many of you know, Markie does these flights to get miles.  His most recent was to Hong Kong and on the ground 18 hours and then back.  He collected something like 20,000+ miles.  Well, he sent me the above photo with the following note:

"Attached is a shot from the United Club Room in Hong Kong.... did you want the warmed Danish or just hot dog. I passed on both -- yes, I PASSED on the hot dog. The Brits and colonies just don't know how to do stuffed meat products."

Yes, he does love his hot dogs and so to pass on them is an amazing moment.  He times his runs to Home Depot to get their Depot Dogs all the time.  Happy Weekend everyone!

Fireworks Friday

Does one really need a reason to look at fireworks?  I think not.  Many of you know that I just love fireworks and have been known to travel to see various shows.  From London to Vancouver, BC and Walt Disney World too.  All have been destinations.  I do fondly remember many a 4th of July up at Lake of the Woods and watching the fireworks go off.  There was one year when the entire show went off at once and Mom rushed around the lake (via car of course) to see if the guys were all right.

I am also glad that it Friday in that I get to spend the afternoon with a friend Max.  He is a guy who I met and lives in Austin, Texas.  He is in town for meetings.  Reminds me a bit of Max, a guy I met and dated in NYC.  He took me to my first opera and I in turn took him to see his first Macy's fireworks.  Funny how one thing can lead to another to jolt memories. 

Guilty Pleasure

Yes, I must fess up and share that I do watch Project Runway every Thursday.  I got my sister into watching it this summer when she was down in Ashland visiting Mom.  Now she is back in Portland and does not have access to it and so I send her reports on Friday morning - "Live From The Runway With Christophe!"  It is silly fun, but we do have a good laugh.  It is amusing how we text each other back and forth during "The Amazing Race" and "Dancing With The Stars" comparing notes.  A unique way of keeping in touch even when not talking.  Oh well, life does have to have some guilt pleasures or else why are we living?

What The Heck Is Going On?

Mount Rainier National Park including the Paradise Inn (above) and National Park Inn are closed until government operations resume.  It is sad to see everything that is being impacted due to a congress that refuses to do anything while 100,000's of people are not able to work, get food or now we have learned proper death benefits for those who have died in the line of duty.  It really sickens me to see that congress has no problem playing Russian Roulette with our economy as the debt sealing battle approaches.  I will stop now, but sometimes I just shake my head and have to wonder.