Boston Revisited

We were in Boston in April 2009 it was cold, it was windy, rainy and snowy. We vowed we would love to go back to this lovely part of the country...but in the fall to see the beautiful leaves changing. Well, we made it back, but not in the fall. Instead we had polar opposite weather, it was hot, it was humid but still rainy and windy! So why were we there? Well, for the best reason ever. Our friend Jefferson who was baptized in our church a year ago was going to go through the LDS temple in Boston for the first time and be sealed to his wife, allowing their bond and love to last eternally. We wouldn't have missed it for anything, not even heat and humidity could keep us away!

We flew into Logan airport on a Thursday night and were met by Jefferson who volunteered to be our living GPS system. We got the rental car and drove to Merrimack New Hampshire where they live enjoying ample time to get caught up being in rush hour traffic! We ate at a cute place for dinner called The Common Man, they had excellent food. After dinner we visited Erika and the kids, got settled and crashed in bed.

The next morning Dan and I went out for a walk with the best intentions of getting in some exercise. Even though it was a little muggy, we had a good walk and enjoyed the beauty around us with all the trees and the horseshoe shaped pond that they live on.



That afternoon we went to another pond, Walden Pond. It was lovely. We walked around the circumference, which for you Seattle folks can liken to Greenlake but without a paved trail. We were on dirt, climbing up and over tree roots. All in my flip flops.



But it was worth the blister between my toes. We saw the replica of Thoreau's cabin, the rubble where the cabin used to be, some cool trees and other beautiful scenery.






Just as we were getting back to the car the sky opened and dumped rain on us. That meant we had to rule out the outdoor museum we were headed to next and instead ate ice cream in a down pour. It was super tasty and very memorable!

The next day was the big day. It was beautiful seeing the temple again, being inside and witnessing the blessing of two people so happy together. The experience really impacted me, reminding me of the day Dan and I were married and sealed for eternity as well. Of course afterward there were pictures. Lots and LOTS of pictures!







Dan and I found a place to eat a granola bar, smell the flowers, cool off in the shade and of course...facebook!







And even air out our feet :)



That evening we got together with Jefferson and Erika's friends for dinner and enjoyed good conversation and good food. Sunday was spent at church and then a drive out to Peterborough, a quaint little town in New Hampshire.




They even had a crazy painted car to help Dan and I feel like we were back home in Seattle.



I had fun discovering some of the towns details.








Because every town needs a giant ape in the window.



I also noticed this following us.



But we didn't care. We sat at a park by a stream with a funny man made waterfall thing taking the stream under the road. Up stream we found a dam to walk across, and then the rain found us.








The sun came out and we were all happy again.






Our last day of the trip we said goodbye to our friends and headed to Boston. It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for our super quick run through town!





We found a random macaroni noodle. I had to have a photo.



Then there was Mike's Bakery...YUM! Old North Church, a random farmers market, shopping on Newbury street and relaxing time in Boston Common.














If you made it this far. Wow. Sorry for the long post, but we really did cram a lot in on our 5 day trip to the northeast! And of course, we'll have to do it all again, maybe next fall, to see the leaves!

Adoption Update

Not much progress as of late, other than the disappointing news that our wait time with China has increased yet again. Our 36 months wait time, has now increased to more than likely 51+ months. Oh well, all in the Lord's time I suppose. We have no control over any of this. Holly and I look forward to our chance to parent someday, and will be ecstatic once we have a child to call our own. We will definitely spoil her, and probably get a Corgi as well at that point to keep her company.

Understanding An Eater's Manifesto

I can honestly say, that reading all the Michael Pollan books as of late, have really helped change the way I approach nutrition, health, wellness, and sustainable eating. While he does not necessarily promote veganism, vegetarianism or even organic over conventional eating habits, he promotes being informed. In that aspect his books have been highly motivating, highly informative and have honestly changed my approach to how I choose to consume food products. Hopping on the organic food bandwagon has been the best thing for Holly and I. Granted it's more expensive, but we are being more thoughtful about the things we choose to consume. We still eat meat, but less often and only consume high quality sustainably raised types of meat. We also try to eat local food as often as possible. All these changes have helped tremendously with my lifestyle changes in becoming more lean, more athletic and dropping the weight so I can live a long, healthy and productive life. In all actuality, his books changed my thinking to actually do something about it. To be a conscious eater and to be a "localvore" as much as possible. Not only is it good for me, it's good for my community and local farmers. I would recommend this book to anyone to ready. I finally understand for the first time in my life, that we as humans truly are what we eat. Quality input does in fact equal quality long term output. The entire processed industry that exists in this country is extremely bothersome to me now and is creating a pandemic of health problems for many Americans. We can change this by being very thoughtful about what we eat.

Balsamic Onion Marmalade

This past weekend I really wanted to make onion marmalade. So I searched out a bunch of recipes online and pretty much came up with one with a few adjustments that allowed this to be shelf stable. Most of the recipes called for making the marmalade and then storing it in the refrigerator. I really like the way preserved food can look in glass jars. So, with the addition of a little extra sugar, vinegar to ensure the right acidity, and ample amounts of liquid pectin, I now have several jars of some of the best tasting pancetta infused onion marmalade I've tasted, as well as a new custom recipe for my collections. I will be making this new recipe of mine again not only for entertaining but for nice culinary gifts during the holidays.



The main ingredient.



Lots of sweet onions prepped and sliced for caramelizing.



I cooked a pound of pancetta to render the fat. You don't actually process the marmalade with the meat in it, but used the rendered fat to infuse and flavor the onions and garlic as they slowly caramelize.



Cane and brown sugar to help preserve and get the right viscous texture.



The other two star ingredients of the marmalade. Lots of quality aged balsamic vinegar and a good burgundy wine to slowly reduce.



Starting the slow caramelization.



Once golden brown, adding the vinegar, sugar and wine for the second cook down.



Reduced and almost to the appropriate viscous state. Then I added the pectin.



Post water bath processing in some half pint jars.



I love how you can see the texture of all the onions suspended in yummy wine and balsamic goodness. I served some of this up as an appetizer on the 4th of July. Took some nice rosemary crackers, spread them with goat cheese and put some of this marmalade on top. I topped each cracker with a healthy dose of crispy pancetta bits. It was a fantastic appetizer, and great start to a nice holiday meal with friends.

Improving Myself, One Pound At A Time

When I was approaching the age of 35yo, I knew I needed to make some serious changes to my health and wellness. With our pending adoption, I knew I needed to get my health together. Something that I needed to do for a long time. With that in mind I drastically changed my lifestyle. Adopted exercise into my routine and became an exercise addict. Gave up processed food [for the most part], and re-taught myself portion size and took up a good habit of adjusting recipes to be much healthier for our consumption. Holly and I have enjoyed doing this together, and are both riding the surge of health and wellness these days. We've developed habits we can both stick with for life.



I hit a major milestone this past week. I've lost 100 pounds to date. The second goal of three goals I've set for myself in this process. I'm down numerous pant sizes, and many inches in my waist. All good things for my long term health. My next goal is 40-50 pounds. I'll be back to high school weight. I can fit in the suit I was married in 10 years ago, and have basically taken back 10 years of my life health and wellness wise.



My reminder of myself at my heaviest. I'm a different person these days. Not only in the way I look, but also in the way I approach my life, my activities and my interests. Bring on the "Flirty-Dirty-Mid-30's" for both Holly and I! :)

Vancouver Day Trip With Friends

I love Vancouver BC. It's a very vibrant, large and amazing different cosmopolitan city than Seattle is. A slice of all the European cities that I love, and just a two and a half hour drive north from our home here in Seattle. Holly and I, along with our friends Brock and Layla, decided to head up for the day and first and foremost attend a session at the newly dedicated Vancouver BC LDS Temple. We went up for this public open house a few weeks ago. A lot of the volunteers that have worked with us on Wednesday nights in the Seattle temple would commute from BC. It's nice they have a dedicated temple in much closer proximity now. Each temple beautiful in it's own fashion. The Vancouver BC temple is no exception.



Holly and I taking a quick pic by the main entrance of the Vancouver LDS Temple.



Temples truly are spiritual places. It signifies faith, and a connection to a higher power. An existence beyond this earthly life. I honestly feel that temples are the most sacred places to be on the face of the planet.

Afterwards we drove from the suburb of Langley, right into downtown Vancouver. When Holly and I were up there a few weekends ago, we took some friends recommendations to eat at Lupo in Yaletown. We loved this place. Locally sourced ingredients, house made breads and condiments. Organic meats and cheeses and charcuterie. We wanted to go back, so I made reservations again. It's in a quaint restored row house.



For my first course, I had an amazing caprese salad with fresh buffalo mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, so house dried tomatoes, pesto, balsamic reduction and micro-greens.



My second course was some lamb cheeks simmered in burgundy wine and beef demiglace, with fresh ricotta gnocchi and sauteed wild mushrooms.



No trip to Vancouver is complete without a crepe. In this tradition, we all walked along Robston St, and made our way to Le Crepe Cafe. I had hazelnut crepe with crushed almonds and Nutella. I had to have a scoop of espresso ice-cream to accompany.

Nom! Nom! Nom!

I totally feel like this today, the urge to junk out. But I want to bury my face in a feed bag of Wheat Thins! Or Buffalo Blue Cheese Kettle Chips. But alas, I don't junk out much these days. Not conducive to my healthier lifestyle. Thanks for the funny picture Holly. I love how CM is burying his face in a pot of cookies. This made me laugh extensively.

Temple Weekend

This weekend Dan and I are heading to Vancouver BC for a day trip to the new LDS temple. We went through the open house before it was dedicated, but haven't been inside to worship and do work there yet. As I was thinking about our upcoming road trip, I started a list of the number of temples I've seen, and the number of temples I've actually been in.

Seen:
Boise, Idaho
Boston, Massachusetts
Bountiful, Utah
Columbus, Ohio
Johannesburg, South Africa
Jordan River, Utah
Logan, Utah
Manhattan, New York
Manti, Utah
Mount Timpanogos, Utah
Nauvoo, Illinois
Oquirrh Mountain, Utah
Portland, Oregon
Provo, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
San Diego, California
Seattle, Washington
Vancouver, British Columbia
Washington D.C.

Served in:
Boston, Massachusetts
Bountiful, Utah
Columbus, Ohio
Johannesburg, South Africa
Jordan River, Utah
Manti, Utah
Mount Timpanogos, Utah
Portland, Oregon
Salt Lake City, Utah
Seattle, Washington

I love that we have temples around the world for so many to have the opportunity to serve and worship there. Both of my lists are kind of short, I'd like to work on making them both much longer.

Fabric Crush

So yesterday as I was out and about with visiting family (Mom, Renae, Olivia and Nicole are up visiting for a week) and we ended up at Wallingford Center. First and foremost to get cupcakes at Trophy *YUM!* and while we were there I discovered Fabric Crush. The name is so fitting for me, I really do have a love affair with fabric. I love the colors and patterns and this store is so light and bright I couldn't help but smile as soon as I walked in.




I also had to buy something, even if it was something small...2 fat quarters fit that bill perfectly. As I left the store (with a smile on my face) I had no real idea what I would do with my purchase until I walked over to the toy store my nieces were playing in and saw little girl patchwork aprons. They were so cute and seemed like a perfect next project especially since Olivia and Nicole had so much fun this weekend helping Uncle Dan cook in our kitchen! I'll post pictures as soon as I start...which will hopefully be soon :)

Homemade Sushi & Gyoza Yumminess

Holly and I had a great time this past Saturday night learning how to make gyoza from scratch, and roll sushi. Friends of our purchased the hands on food demonstration at a private grade school charity auction. All and all it was all for a good cause, and the company was great!



The filling which consisted of ground chicken, spices, cabbage, green onion, soy sauce to name a few. All rolled up by hand or in gyoza making devices. I personally found it was easier to just do this by hand, and omit trying to do the fancy edge with the rolling machine. The beauty of it, is that it all tasted the same going down.



Our little sweat shop, making dozens of gyoza.



My sushi roll. Mine had sprouts, smoked salmon, green onion, red pepper and mushrooms in it. Not a bad roll for my first time if I must say so myself.



My finished roll, all decked out on the plate just prior to consumption. We had a fantastic evening and will definitely be doing this again.

Some Much Needed Reprieve

It’s been an interesting few past weeks at work. A period of time that I hope we will be leaving soon behind us and moving on to other productive things. It’s interesting to see how people respond to changes and process improvements, particularly in a corporate setting. I’ve gone through these types of changes before, a myriad of times, at other places of employment. I’m learning with some colleagues at work, that these types of changes are stressful if they have never been subjected to a process improvement review. Or have never gone through anything like this in their professional working career. Tensions have been high at work to say the least and I’m glad I can be a sounding board for colleagues that are stressed out. I’m glad I have direct work colleagues to vent to.

I’m starting to feel that there are enough things in motion at work that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The much needed changes and process improvements are commencing and starting to fall into place. And enough external departments are in the know of the challenges we’ve been facing, that they can be a catalyst for implementing the changes as well. For the first time in weeks, I feel some sort of reprieve with the work related stress.

The Resistance

I've really been enjoying my Muse recent music purchases. I like the varying styles of music on both CDs. Some a little country sounding, some heavy metal and others alternative in nature. Particularly with wanting to block out unnecessary drama with colleges at work, it's nice to put my head phones on, and tune people out.