The Cook

Over the years, my husband has turned into the cook in our family. I still make the basics: cereal for breakfast, sandwiches and lunch bags for lunch, noodles or meat and veggies for dinner. But, Marc - he's a gourmet. Or he's trying to be. Want salsa verde? He buys the ingredients, spends 4 hours roasting and chopping and blending. Don't get me wrong, it's so delicious, but I would have bought a jar for $4. Done in 5 minutes.

He says it relaxes him to cook. I think I would be fine with all liquid or raw goods. I love to eat his cooking though.

It reminds me of my mom. I would come home from school and she would be snapping green beans or shredding chicken. A long time went into making those meals. Usually we were shooed out of the kitchen because we were underfoot. I find myself doing that with the kids. Plus, I'm a 30 minute cooker. Anything longer and I'm not making it.

Today, for lunch, I'm eating some delicious tomato soup Marc made with a dollop of his homemade pesto. It's so good and perfect on the sunny Fall day.

My Office

Today is a good day. It's sunny in Seattle. This is a strange phenomena this year. I have been complaining about the lack of sunlight. I never realized how much I need it until we moved here (8 years ago). But this week has made up for the crap last 8 months. Just barely. When it's sunny here. There is no other place I would rather live.

Now if I could only convince my kids to get off the computer and Wii and head outside themselves, this would be a perfect day!

Have a happy lazy Sunday!

New shoes

I love back to school shopping!! I can fulfill my shopping addiction without guilt.

I get to pick out new boxes of crayons and get 5 packs of pencils (that the crazy teacher wants me to sharpen) and then put all of the wonderful supplies in my kids carefully chose backpacks as I prepare myself for that first peaceful and quiet morning.

Maybe that's why I love new shoes. It represents my sanity. The kids are all in school this year and I get 3-1/2 of time for myself.

Hope you all have a great school year!!

California dreaming

PNW camping

We're one of you - mister blue tarp camping family

This is camping in the Pacific Northwest in the middle of summer (July to be exact). You would think by this time of year, the clouds would part and the sun would grace us with her beauty.

We arrived at Lake Wenatchee, WA on a Friday. The sun was shining (a little), then the clouds came in and we spent the evening moving the shelter over the table and off the table while we tried to have a birthday party celebration. Saturday morning we tried out the kayak on the lake. It's a two person blow up kayak and it was amazing. So much fun. The kids each took a turn on the lake with Marc. We willed the rain to go away, but it was not letting up. Our campground turned into a lake and it was time to head into town.

see the mountains? why is the weather so crappy this summer?

heading out and praying for sun

We drove over to Leavenworth to walk around in...the sunshine. We enjoyed some treats and the beauty of the little town. When we returned to camp, the lake had receded from our campsite. We set up some tarps over the firepit to give us some shelter from any further rain. It did rain a little more over the course of the day, but we were having a fun time sitting around drinking and talking. Sunday turned out to be a lovely and warm day. We were able to pack up our things and enjoy a beautiful drive home.

first time out in the kayak

I'm not a fan of camping (in a tent), but I am a fan of family time. It was a fun weekend with a lot of family members.

Happy Birthday 6th Mister T!!

exercise

It's official. I'm a gym addict. At first I thought I liked to go because of the cute guys on the weights. But he hasn't been there in 2 weeks and I actually look forward to going even more. 

I'm self motivated!!

How did that happen?

At first, it was all treadmill, treadmill, treadmill with an occasional bike thrown in there. Then I found the rower. I love the rower. Feeling my back, shoulders and stomach get worked encouraged me to move out onto the weight floor. Because of the nasty crunching sounds in my knees (doctor says 50 straight leg lifts per day to strengthen my quads - no weights), I only work out my arms, shoulders and back. I love that I can feel my arms getting stronger.


The weight loss is slow, but I'm building a strong heart and a healthy habit. I'm instilling in my kids that the exercise is for my sanity and health. I want them to grow up enjoying exercise. 

On June 4th I participated in Relay for Life. It was a last minute decision from a last minute invite by my friend. Her friend had just finished chemo for Breast Cancer. I have always wanted to so something and here was my opportunity. I joined her team, arrived at noon and walked for the next 18 hours. Instead of taking turns, we all walked together. Talking and enjoying the rare day of Seattle sunshine. We averaged 1 mile per hour (not sure how that happened). My hip was displaced, I got a blister on my heel and under my 2nd toe. I walked for 4 hours in just flip flops. But I knew my whining was nothing compared to all the cancer survivors that were out there walking. 

Making it through the night with the luminaries lit around the track. Finding the luminary for my Mom and watching the sunrise turned a corner for exercise for me. It was time to get serious and make some progress. I started the Couch to 5K program last week. I'm doing it on the elliptical to strengthen my quads and not get discouraged. I'll finish the 9 weeks and then try it on the treadmill. Today was Week 1, Day 3. Even though I only had 45 minutes to get to the gym, exercise and get home, I was determined to get it done. I'm so glad I did because I feel FANTASTIC. And really, isn't that the point of exercise?

Our camp name

My baby turns 11

For her annual birthday dinner (our kids get to pick where they want to eat), Miss M chose Sichuanese in Redmond. How many 11 year old choose spicy food? She loves to eat the pea vine and drink hot tea. I love how my kids are willing to try most foods. We enjoyed a wonderful day with our eldest. Hard to believe that she has turned 11 already.

She spent the majority of her birthday at school. But, she had a wonderful day. Marc took her to breakfast where they shared some doughnuts at Frost. I brought her cookies for her teacher to pass out at lunch. We took her to Sichuanese Cuisine for dinner. We all came home for her to open her presents (books, of course, some Bayala figurines, more Harumika dolls, a littlest pet and 2 Harry Potter Lego sets). We finished the night with some cake and ice cream.

I think our kids are a little spoiled when it comes to birthdays. The have a friend party, their actual birthday with just us and a family birthday. Because I have 2 kids in June, I am so partied out by the end!! 

pea vine

Hot Chicken (Sichuan style)

Sliced Fish Delight (aka fuzzy fish)

Miss M telling me how much she loves the hot chicken

Pineapple Chiffon cake (her choice of dessert)