Caleb is his last months of Cub Scouts. This was a big night for him.
He got his Arrow of Light, and it was quite the ceremony.
His leaders are awesome. Pat and Don Hunt have 100 years of scouting between them. We couldn’t have done it without these amazing people. I’m so grateful that my kids have other adults who care so much about them.
On to Boy Scouts next month. Oh My!
This week, we tried Maple Bars. Yeast donuts shaped into bars, smothered in thick Maple Icing.
But, they weren’t alone. They had friends: Raspberry Bulls-eye, Vanilla-glazed, and Apple Fritters joined them.
There’s only one thing you can do when that happens – a Donut Party.
For those of you moving closer to us in the near future, I think this is how we will welcome you home.
This guy turned 40 last week. Finally, he’s in the 40’s with me. I guess now I can call him “my old man.”
I surprised him with a Raclette Set for his birthday. He has talked about it since I’ve known him – something he was introduced to when he lived in Switzerland. I like to think of it as the Swiss version of Fondue, but I might like it even better. As you can see it is quite the spread – far from the history of Swiss Shepherds, I’m sure.
Small specialty potatoes, grilled chicken, and all sorts of veggies are a must. We also had french bread (unfortunately it is tough to find a real baguette in town), and salted pork is very nice (we used salami and prosciutto).
The key ingredient is cheese. We chose Brie, Emmentaler, and Raclette. Our favorites were the Brie and Raclette.
Here is the grill all ready to go for our little party.
My plate. Doesn’t it look good . . . . . just wait.
Veggies on the grill. Meat is optional – it’s already cooked, but everyone liked putting a little of everything on there.
See the little pan underneath? It’s holding the delectable cheese. This is the best part.
Bubbly cheese. Who doesn’t like it? It’s going on veggies, potatoes, . . . actually everything. That’s good, right?
So, our first Raclette Party was a huge success. We probably won’t be doing it super often just because it can be pricey – you have to spend quite a bit just for the cheese. And, let’s be honest, I don’t think I can possibly do enough Insanity to keep up with Raclette and Donuts!
This is becoming a dangerous Sunday tradition. When we stopped in at Top Pot Donuts in Seattle, we got their book, so we could only improve an already great thing.
That’s homemade raspberry jam in the middle.
Mike says fritters are next week. Heaven help me.
A few years ago, Mike and I stayed on one of the top floors of the Westin in Seattle. It was dreamy. We always wanted to go back, so when we realized Hawaii wasn’t a possibility this winter, we chose to do it again. I know, some people think we are crazy for trading sunshine for rainy and dreary, but it is one of our happy places – a good way to rejuvenate and gear up for the year and celebrate 16 years together.
This time, we flew into Seattle and took the light rail to the hotel. No car rental, and I’m glad we didn’t drive. Not only did we avoid extra fees like valet parking, but we got to explore the city on foot. Our best trip so far.
Our view at 6:30 in the morning (Mike is the sleeper). Room 4131. Perfect view of City and Sound.
Our view at 8:30 in the morning. I don’t think you get much better than that. Fantastic weather this weekend.
Off to Le Panier for Pain au Chocolate. It doesn’t get more French than this bakery. Mike gave his approval.
A little stroll through Pike Place Market. Fresh fish, fresh flowers, and all sorts of unique merchants.
Then, down to the Pier for a stroll. We had fun watching this crane and pylons. We also visted Ye Olde Curiosity Shop (a tradition since I was young), got some fish and chips, and did some people watching which is always interesting here.
On the way back through, we stopped at my favorite kitchen store and bought a donut cutter for our new weekend tradition. I think Mike had just as much fun in this store as I did.
The view from our room at Sunset. Can you tell that our favorite part of our trip was the room? Lots of sleeping and reading and good food and recouping from our busy lives. It was definitely our best vacation, yet.
I think I am ready to face Monday.
I heard that the top three New Year’s Resolutions were as follows: 1. Stop Smoking; 2. Lose Weight/Get Fit; and 3. Try Something New. This post falls under the third category. We tried something new this weekend.
I finally went to Williams-Sonoma to spend my birthday gift card, and this is one of the treasures I ended up bringing home – probably because it was on sale, and also because I was having a little craving.
When Sunday came around, it just felt like the time was right to make donuts. We didn’t have a proper donut cutter, but we can improvise. The small holes were made with a 1-inch jar opening and the larger ones with a 3-inch cup.
Is it true anything fried is divine? This could be dangerous.
They look like real donuts.
Let’s dip them in vanilla glaze. They smell super yummy.
I think they pass the test. I’m in real trouble if Mike’s only hobbies are ribs and donuts.
This time we did yeast, next time we’re going to try some cake donuts. The book gets a thumbs-up.
I was fortunate enough to host Christmas Eve Dinner at my house this year. It was a small party, but a good one. Mike’s Ribs, Snap Pea Salad, Sweet Onion Potato Au Gratin, and Mom’s Rolls were on the menu. Guests of Honor were my Grandparents Bates. I think Grandma enjoyed the ribs. She should – she’s 97 years old.
Everyone is wearing the hats that “popped” out of their Christmas Crackers. It’s a tradition my family tries to observe, since I lived in South Africa.
Christmas morning was fun. Mike was so excited he couldn’t sleep the night before. Our goal was to give our kids something they really wanted. We’ve been so good at being minimal the last couple of years, we kind of went traditional this year. The mystery gift from Santa? An Air Hockey Table in the basement. Maybe the kids can take their frustrations out on each other a different way. A Cell Phone for Jessamyne, Contact Lenses for Gabi, a Wii Game for Caleb, and a huge Stuffed Bear for Nora. It was a good Christmas. We feel fortunate and blessed.
Here she is – Sweet Angie, the Christmas Tree Angel. Every year, the kids’ piano teacher writes a play around all of their Christmas pieces and puts on a production at a retirement home. There are scripts and costumes and elaborate piano pieces. This year, Nora was the star of the show. She sure looks like an angel, doesn’t she?
The nutcracker and one of his soldiers.
The play switches to the birth of the Savior with Gabi as Mary. She was the Sugar Plum Fairy earlier and even had a special dance. All of the kids had 2 or 3 different characters. I was quite impressed that they remembered everything.
Actually, they all look a little angelic here and they did a wonderful job at the piano, too.
Good job, kids and thank you Karlyn for another great production.
I have amazing Grandmothers. You’ve seen Grandma A’s handiwork already. By the way, Grandma A stands for Anglesey, and Grandma B stands for Bates (just in case you were wondering why I label my grandparents so non-sentimentally). Anyway, both Grandmothers are very creative – I think that’s where my sisters and I get some of our desire to create.
Grandma B has been blind for several years and she is now 97 years old. She doesn’t leave the house often, but she loves visitors. We like to see what projects she has been working on and hear her stories. She’s quite the storyteller – just like my dad.
She told some great stories this visit.
This particular story was about this enamel bowl that was her Mother’s. She inherited the bowl and used it in the garden just like her mother did. Later, she wanted it to be beautiful, so she pasted a round doily to the bottom of the bowl and applied several coats of paint. I never would’ve thought of that.
In the bowl she put several balls she created. She called it a “sharing bowl.”
My Aunt Vickie has moved in with them and she is finishing all of Grandma’s unfinished projects. Beautiful.
See how intently everyone is listening? There are Grandpa and Vickie in the background.
Another project finished by Vickie – velvet covered spools, covered in embellishments.
I don’t know why, these just make me happy.
I hope my creative juices keep flowing when I’m 97!
The Tooth Fairy is a no-brainer to me. For some some reason, she never visited Mike, but she always visited me growing up. Thank goodness my kids have me for a mother or maybe she wouldn’t visit them either. I am always amazed at the different ways the tooth is obtained by the Tooth Fairy. Every family has a different tradition or way that the tooth is taken care of between the time it leaves the mouth and the time it is taken by the Tooth Fairy.
Yup, we put ours in a jar in a glass of water by the Kitchen Sink. My dad is a dentist, and that’s what he said to do.
See it in there? I know, kind of gross. But did you know some people put it under their pillows? Eeeew!
I guess because we have lost 3 teeth in 2 days, I have been thinking a lot about the tooth fairy and wondering if maybe she’s a little grateful that she just has a jar to deal with and doesn’t have to hunt under the pillows? In any case, I’m grateful for something to believe in . . . . .
