roids from last week...

HA - made you look. :) I love using my polaroid cameras - and I like these shots:

back from the other coast...

Dan and I were back in New England for the past week for a friend's wedding and family visits. 5 states in 6 days. The only one we missed was Maine. We love the west, but we really miss everyone and wish that we didn't have a whole nation in between us. But thank god for non-stop flights !

I have some great polaroid shots too - next post...

Happy 1st Anniversary to Jennine and Nels !

just when you think it can't get no better, then it does....

(a line from one of our favorite John Hartford songs - seemed fitting)

We just got home from the most spectacular meals out we've had in a LONG time. We went to Spring Hill in West Seattle - owned by Mark Fuller, who is a true culinary genius. Not to mention a James Beard award nominee and a nice guy.

I was too excited and forgot to take a photo of our appetizer. It was black squid linguini with clam butter and chilies. Delicious. Then came our entrees - Dan had the wagyu sirloin with a cheddar thyme popover and an arugula salad. I had rainbow trout with summer squash bread, brown butter and toasted hazelnuts.



We ended with a chocolate tart with caramelized bananas and salted peanut ice cream. Too die for.

We left feeling full, satisfied and completely happy. Wish every restaurant made us feel like that. Thanks Mark.

side note: only had my phone with me - no real camera = not so great photos. wish I could have done better justice to the beautiful food !

we broke a record...

...and it's not a record that we care to have personally seen broken. Today was the hottest day EVER in 118 years of weather record keeping in Seattle. Our inside temp at 4:30 this afternoon was 98. We've been driving around a lot with our A/C cranked.

Joshua Trujillo/seattlepi.com

This is one of the bands that I mentioned in my previous post - I really like this particular song.

FEST - I - VAL !!

Dan and I attended our 2nd Northwest String Summit this past weekend. It was the 8th year for the festival which takes place about 30 miles west of Portland at a place called Horning's Hideout. We met up with friends from Bend and shared the comforts of their Winnebago. Thank god because it was in the 90s most of the weekend and we had little shade in the RV area. But it was a fantabulous time and we didn't want to leave. The feeling of community at these types of events is something I long for in everyday life - people truly watching out for each other, I guess.

This year's lineup included many bands I had never heard of. Two Swedish folk/bluegrass bands were in attendance. Vasen had the crowd on their feet shouting "Polska !" The Abalone Dots were a trio of women who sang beautifully. My favorite was a band called Taarka. Their sound was gypsyesque. Dan and I were up late the first night and heard them practicing at their campsite - not knowing they were a participating band. Their sound was entrancing. And of course the remaining bands who are always a part of this event were spectacular. Yonder Mountain String Band really rocked the house this year. Danny Barnes is always a welcomed addition, in my book.

We met some new friends too - friends of our friends from Oregon. Their kids were so much fun to be around and we really enjoyed their company.

This is Kaleo as he pretends to run a street food cart. "We have some new items on the menu today, guys !" he yelled from the camper door. It was too cute.

We look forward the the 9th annual event next year. Thanks Bob Horning !

it's starting ...

the first of the Sungolds...

finger sangria...

I made these delicious sangria jello squares for the party last weekend. They turned out even better than I had hoped for. The recipe came from the food blog bigredkitchen.com. I was a little shy on the limeade, so I improvised with a little lemonade. I highly recommend for your next party.

remembering 1985...

My friend Maureen and I went to see Howard Jones at the Triple Door last night. It was a fun time. He started by playing a 30 minute acoustic set - then followed with an hour of 80's electronica, playing both old and new songs. He interacted with the crowd a great deal and only looked a bit older than I remember him from 1985.

a party for Dan and Nels...

We had a small party yesterday to celebrate both Dan and our friend Nels' birthdays. It was a perfect afternoon to be outside.

Happy 41st Birthday Dan !

And a very Happy Birthday to my brother too !!

I know they're family...

...but my niece and nephew are the cutest kids I know. My sister-in-law sent some new photos today. I can't wait to see them - and everyone else - in August when we go back east.

Last night's escapades...

It was a spectacular show - with great back-up singers and non-stop dancing stage performers. A mix of new and old songs, all perfectly performed. Thanks Kosan !

Happy Summer Solstice

I've been visiting my family in Illinois for the past 10 days - while I was away the blog broke 10,000 hits. Thanks for the visits ! Regular updates back to normal soon....

And a Happy Father's Day to all ! Wishing my Dad was still here...

kites !

We went to Ocean Shores today for a kite festival. According to our waiter at breakfast, there were more kites up yesterday than today. But we still enjoyed what we saw.

RIP Koko

Chicago lost one of the quintessential members of its Blues community yesterday. Koko Taylor died at the age of 80, in her hometown.

from her website:

Koko Taylor was one of very few women who found success in the male-dominated blues world. She took her music from the tiny clubs of Chicago’s South Side to concert halls and major festivals all over the world. She shared stages with every major blues star, including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King, Junior Wells and Buddy Guy as well as rock icons Robert Plant and Jimmy Page.

Taylor’s final performance was on May 7, 2009 in Memphis at the Blues Music Awards, where she sang “Wang Dang Doodle” after receiving her award for Traditional Blues Female Artist Of The Year.

A nice photo tribute from the Chicago Tribune here.

Way to go, ladies !

Congratulations to the UW Women's Softball Team for winning the NCAA softball championship yesterday !

Dan and I were in Portland this past weekend visiting friends. I love that town. And all my friends ! They are a FUN group. We had a fantastic time and the weather was beyond perfect - it wad a lovely combination.