Seattle and the San Juan Islands

The Bertotto family chose the Pacific Northwest for their summer holiday and we’re so glad they did because we got to revisit Seattle from a tourist’s perspective.  This was our first experience with the “gum wall” behind Pike Place Market.  It was disgusting and intriguing and the usual wafts that come with a back alley were replaced with notes of fruit and mint.  Greyson paid 25 cents for a gumball from the machine conveniently located in said alley. He chose to chew it and keep it but Noah and Evan contributed to the wall behind them.

After 3 nights with us in Kirkland, we drove up to Anacortes, put our cars on the ferry to Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands and stayed 3 nights in a house on the Puget Sound with views that rival the Hawaiian islands.  It’s called The Lodge at Pebble Beach.  Here’s one of the views from the ferry to the islands.

What a great week it’s been.  We’ve cooked gourmet meals nearly every single night, toured a lavender farm, flew a kite on a 7 mile beach with the Olympic mountains in the distance and went on a whale watching kayak tour in Roche Harbor. 

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DAVID*ism*

• Mike:  “We’re not allowed within 200 feet of an Orca whale”
• David: “Do the whales know that?”

We’ve been eating like Kings. David and Tina love to cook as much as we do.  Since the best part about cooking is sharing, here’s a snapshot of our menu. I’m a little embarrassed to say that this isn’t everything.  For recipes, send me a note and I’ll see what I can do- some of this we just made up as we went.

Monday night:  Pulled pork sandwiches (Big Green Egg) with a side of coleslaw and Sweet Baby Ray’s, buttery garlic green beans and garden lettuce salad with Pike Place peaches, shallot and shredded swiss

Tuesday night:  Grilled chicken (BGE), melted swiss, cremini mushrooms and arugula with homemade pesto on grilled rustic bread and a side of white wine and parmesan risotto

Wednesday night: Cafe Juanita. Nuff said

Thursday night: Seafood stew* (mussels, clams, lobster, halibut and prawns all from Pike Place Market) with a side of Pancetta/parmesan caesar salad with homemade croutons and dressing

Friday night:  Guenther house guacamole, tortilla soup with homemade tortilla chips and soft corn tacos carnitas (pulled pork from the BGE)

Saturday night:  Homemade blue cheese dip with Kettle Chips and lots of leftovers

*the seafood stew rivals anything we’ve had…anywhere

We’re sorry to see the week end, but it’s not over quite yet.  The sun is shining, the ocean is sparkling (literally) and to quote David Bertotto, “we are blessed”.

One year later

When you are sorrowful
look into your heart
and you shall see that
you are weeping
for that which has been
your delight ~ Kahlil Gibran

GREY*isms*

• G: “Are we praying for Patrick’s baby tonight?”
• Me: “How about we pray for everyone who knew him?”
• G; “Like me?”
• Me: “Yep, we’ll be praying for you too”

I read a book last month called Heaven is For Real. I already knew that it was, but am thankful for the vivid images that now accompany my imagination.  The book didn’t make the loss of loved ones easier but it provided some much needed validation.  I sure am thankful and I will continue to pray.  Patrick, you are sorely missed.

July

What a July it’s been! Let’s keep it short and sweet, shall we?

Week 1:  The first 4th of July holiday spent away from the Northwoods, we stayed in Seattle and celebrated the holiday with friends. A boat ride, paddleboarding, a parade and a few firecrackers and sparklers in the backyard after grilled chicken and a nose bleed.

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Week 2:  My mom got sick, had surgery for a ruptured appendix and spent a week in the hospital.  We flew back to Wisconsin a day early to bring some love to her and enjoyed time with my sister and her family as well.  My mom is doing great and we’re so thankful for all of the thoughts and prayers from friends across the world.

Week 2, Part II:  We visited Mike’s family in Minocqua, went to a party, lived on a boat and had dinner on an island in the middle of Lake Tomahawk.  The temp didn’t drop below 85.  We got sunburned. We loved it, despite the worst flight home in the history of flights (picture a certain one and a half year old overtired and…overtired)

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Week 3:  A business trip to Chicago began with a great visit with the Shah family and their newborn baby girl, Naya followed by a Cubs game and an unexpected visit with old friends from Milwaukee and Chicago on a rooftop across from Wrigley Field. A pleasant trip overall despite another very awful flight home due to a 7 hour delay.

2 visits to the Midwest in the course of 2 weeks has me homesick and nostalgic.

I wonder what the remainder of the month will bring?