Archive for July, 2011
We had friends in town and wanted to do something fun with guaranteed sun. Since the latter half of that cannot be done in Seattle, we went to Yakima and stayed at teepees that are nestled in between vineyards, cherry trees, wineries, and spectacular mountains. They are not the roughing-it kind of teepees either. Each has a queen bed, electricity, private “water closets,” and firepits for grilling and whiling away the evening under the stars. The stay comes with breakfast served outside that was amazingly delicious and fancy–table cloths, a dusting of rose petals, what? The highlight of our trip was taking a bath in those amazing tubs outside at 11pm watching the stars and chatting with my best girlfriend. That little spa room there is amazing.
We spent our day touring the wineries. There are quite a few in Zillah now–about 15 or so within a mile of the teepees. There were some not-so-good wines, but quite a few great ones. The only thing I would do differently next time is pack in food to grill. Each teepee had a fridge and all the materials to start a fire. There is nothing to eat in that town so coming prepared would be good. So fun though!
July 23rd, 2011
These are the current pictures of the yards around our house.
The backyard with a new retaining wall, fence, grass, and some gardening work.
This is the little flower and herb garden.
And the front yard with our massive catalpa tree.
This entryway feels a bit like a secret garden to me, especially coming off the busy street we live on.
And our other massive tree, a redwood.
July 12th, 2011
I forgot I had taken some pictures of our yard last year when we moved in. It was in a bit of a state. Before I found these pictures I remembered thinking it was pretty and sort of rocking the overgrown English garden thing, but now I am thinking I was a little too sold on the place and overlooking a number of lesser points–as one tends to do when smitten.
Back yard
Of course I never had a yard of my own, either, so I was very excited about growing things and trying to have a green thumb. I adore sitting out here when the days are nice enough. The thing I love most about our back yard is that it is a den of heat. If there is any sun at all, it will be captured, making it so I have been able to put on shorts and a t-shirt out here even when the rest of the city is freezing.
Front yard
I””ve got pics nearly ready to go of the yard in its current state. Coming soon!
July 8th, 2011
We have been loving this dinner lately. So yummy!
1/4 onion, sliced
1 # green beans, cleaned and trimmed (cut in half if you want)
2 T dill
3 T olive oil
1/2 c. vegetable stock
1/4 c. white wine (if you do not have it, do not use it)
salt to taste
1 package chicken-style seitan
In large skillet, heat olive oil on medium-high. Add onions and cook about 5-7 minutes until slightly browned. Add in green beans and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in vegetable stock and wine and cook another 10 minutes, until beans are tender (longer if you need it. add in as much stock as you need to keep the pan from sticking). Add in seitan and cook for about 5-7 minutes until browned.
Serve with quinoa–so good! And nutritious!
July 5th, 2011
I was busy in the kitchen and turned around to see this furry creature on the door. I was so excited and thought it was so cute–I dragged Ulysses over to look and then we read caterpillar books and drew caterpillars and talked about metamorphosis and how the caterpillars turn into butterflies. And then R came home and looked around the web and nixed the hype. Fuzzy caterpillars are all moths, of which we have quite a few of the large icky gross kind that hang around our entryways at night, scaring off guests and sending shivers down my spine. So I was less excited obviously and I have seen a number of these around now too. Sad.
It is finally starting to feel like summer around here. Ulysses loves the plethora of daisies we have growing in the back yard, probably because it is the only thing I let him pick. He picks only the pink ones, which pile around his feet and were too incredibly cute not to snap a picture of, or write a little poem about.
I catch the songs you sing
like butterflies in a jar.
They flutter there for a spell
and at once I feel badly for catching them and badly for letting them go
Watchful, tinkering, melodies
you hear me and
stop
stand straight, little one.
Notes stagnate
fall hard on the camelia
You bring me dahlias
You pray for daisies
toppleside, posies, ashes
And with bright eyes you start again
familiar chords wrapped around familiar words wrapped around you
July 2nd, 2011
