Beauties and the Beasties

Anni and Ari picking pumpkins at South 47 Farm.

Anni being a sunflower.

Another sunflower (not as cute as Anni)

Male red wing blackbird on top of dying sunflowers.

His mate a few flowers over.

A very friendly little Nubian goat.

And we all loved this little chocolate alpaca.

We took a walk along the Sammamish River trail last week before the sun disappeared. We saw this extra large turtle soaking up the rays on the embankment.

The Canada geese were also out in force.

The foliage is beginning to turn and the berries brighten. All was beautiful until....

Someone let the rain fall AND the beasties out, the scary beasties, the ZOMBIES!

Saturday was Thrill the World when groups around the globe combine to try to break the world record for dancing Thriller for charity. Can you spot me?

Here's another chance. Our group was raising money for the 2nd Story Rep children's theatre education program.

EEK! Ari is about to get her brain eaten.

Rainy Season Returns (Did it ever really leave?)

We finally traded in the accord for...
Another Honda, this time a red Civic, just the one David wanted.

The attack of the fruit and veggies continue. Here's the latest farm box: apples, nectarines, mango, oranges, pears, figs, limes, bananas, lemon, plums, corn, mushrooms, green beans, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, and radish. From the farmer's market, we found: pumpkins, squash, green onions, Concord grapes (taste exactly like Welch's grape juice!), and cilantro. And finally, from the backyard garden, coop, and green house: eggs (yes, I know, not a fruit or veg), tons of cherry tomatoes, green peppers, celery, lettuce, red bunching onions, carrots, strawberries, raspberries, herbs, and a lemon cucumber. Phew!

Anni showing off the new and improving learning room. That's the math cupboard to her right, the writing one to her left, her social studies stand-up is behind her, and her musical instruments (which she LOVES!) are all around her. She's also showing that you can go to school barefoot!

Alex, why are you standing in front of that helo with a funny look on your face?

Alex, what are you up to?
Is that helo moving? Alex???

Come BAAAAAACK!

Okay, just a bit of fun. Alex helped David out with the emergency preparedness fair at Evergreen Hospital this weekend. The Coast Guard dropped in with their search and rescue helicopter.

In other news, we've been checking out the latest offering in the Seattle Arts scene. Ari and I went to see The Cider House Rules (based on the book by the same name). David and I saw Wedding Belles (a Southern comedy). Lisa, Ari, and I attended a kickoff event for Write a Novel Life which was strange but fun. And finally, I'm learning the Thriller dance and how to dress like a zombie for the attempt to break the world record later this month! Another Phew!!

Weekend Wackiness

It was a busy first weekend in October! On Saturday, we went to the Salmon Festival in Issaquah. There was a long parade, hundreds of craft and what-not vendors, food, and of course the salmon were running by the hundreds in Issaquah creek. A good time was had by all.

Today, we headed across Lake Washington to the Seattle Center which was hosting a multitude of events. First on our list was Brickcon, the annual display of incredible things build out of Legos. We saw a town, outer space, castles, forest, a Chinese gate, a tribute to Japanese animation, a portrait of President Obama, steam punk vehicles and so much more all built with these hardy little bricks. There was much oohing and ahing.

Then we headed across the fountain to Arts Crush. What's that you ask? It's the kick off event for the performing arts in the Seattle area. Free tickets, 2 for 1 deals, and discounts abounded for plays, comedy, dance, and music. We left with 6 free tickets and a program of events to keep us busy during the L-O-N-G Northwest rainy season. Ari and I are headed to a play at Book It Theatre on Wednesday! We love win-wins.

And finally, we checked out the Northwest Tea Festival. $5 got you a ceramic tea tasting cup and then you were off to sample tea until you could hold no more. My favorite was a coconut tea from the tea purveyors out of Pike Place Market. Other winners were Choice's organic Fruity Rooibus and their Wild Forest Black teas. Our favorite tea concept was the little tea shop (3 Cups of Tea) in Bothell that donates profits to help build schools in underdeveloped countries (yes, like that book of the same name). Another win-win.

After all of our weekend adventures, we came home and put our feet up!

Argyle!

Dinner with the family: Chili Verde stew, tortillas, straight-from-the-garden salad, guacamole, orange slice, freshly made salsa, and chips. Yum!

And what is this strange creature lucking on a post in the green house?

It's our guardian gargoyle! David won the naming contest.

Meet (drum roll please) Argyle the Gargoyle! He's in temporary residence inside the green house. Soon he'll be moving to the outside by the door to keep any peskies away.

Happy Mabon!

Sidewards view of Monday's garden harvest: carrots, cauliflower, beans, lettuce, chives, rhubarb, celery, lemon cukes, lots of little tomatoes, berries, and eggs. 4 eggs/3 chickens, go figure? We figured a harvest picture was perfect for Mabon, the autumnal equinox when day and night are equal. Mabon is the second of the Celtic harvest festivals. We celebrated with lamb shepard's pie, a tomato salad, and harvest pie (mixed berry with apples and rhubarb). Delish.

Alexander's outstanding salsa. Our favorite way to use extra peppers, tomatoes, and cilantro.

When good kids go boring! Thanks Nintendo!

Moving day in the garden.Today, we moved some of our warm weather plants into the new green house. In went the orange tree, eggplant, a cherry tomato, a jalapeno, a lemon cuke, a squash, all the basil plants. We also set a big pan of tomatoes to ripen in the windows.

As promised awhile ago, a view of the new and improved shower. We still have some minor touch-ups and painting to do.

Enchiladas on September 16th. Happy Independence Day Mexico!

Side dishes for the enchiladas: a huge garden salad complete with flowers and cherry tomatoes and a citrus berry fruit platter. Yum!

What's this smiling girl pointing to?

Last Wednesday's farm box: avocados, lobster mushrooms, onions, pears, oranges, limes, nectarines, potatoes, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, apples, and more mushrooms. We used the lobster mushrooms in a mushroom spaghetti carbonara. Awesome!

Guess Who Went to the Zoo?

The Bald Eagle isn't squawking.

The bears are too busy to care.

Hmm, but maybe...

Nope. Just looking for a new spot.

The python has his eye on the situation.

And the rattler couldn't give a shake.

The axolotl thinks something's silly down in its gilly.

And Anni says the world will just have to keep turning with the mystery.

Eek! Trickle! Thud! Thump, thump, THUMP!

Eek, something's wrong in the upstairs bathroom.

Trickle! Water is coming through the ceiling of the bathroom below, luckily it's over the tub.

Thud! David's reaction to the necessity of calling in an outside fixit person.

Thump, thump! The sound of the crew demolishing the bathroom wall, fixing the piping, fixing the wall, checking out the water heater, putting in a new fan and light, and retiling.

THUMP! David seeing the final cost of the repairs and new tiling.

We did this as a joint project with a highly recommended handyman. He was great. We did lots of running around for materials and the grouting on the tiles. He did all the stuff that took plumbing or electrical know how.

I can't wait to take the first shower! Pictures of the fix tomorrow!

Good Eatin'

It's the height of harvest season, ant the garden is spitting out veggies! Here's the haul from Wednesday: carrots, green beans, berries, chives, peas, celery, cauliflower, golden cherry tomatoes, mint, and sage. Yum!

A smaller haul from Thursday: red onions, more peas, cherry tomatoes, chard, beans, lettuce, and carrots.

And the farm box arrived: lettuce, spinach, potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, turnips, onion, tomatoes, avocado, jalapeno pepper, lemon cucumber, Thai basil, peaches, nectarines, bananas, oranges, limes, plums, and apricots. Now what to do with all these veggies?

Cook! Here's cilantro marinated fish with spicy Thai syrup.

Served up with Pad Thai noodles

and a citrus mango salad.

And the following day: skillet chili rellenos (see recipes for this one)

with an heirloom tomato and avocado salad

and a plate full of peaches and nectarines.

Today it was farmer's market day. We found golden watermelons, apples, red onions, squash blossoms, cilantro, lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, peaches, mini (seckel?) pears, onions, and more.

So what was for dinner tonight? A veggie feast: stuffed squash blossoms, served with curry baked zucchini, eggplant, and squash, cumin potatoes, tandori naan, and watermelon. Delish!