DUET DINING

Isn't it fun to try new restaurants and different cuisines?  My sister is much more adventurous both in finding new restaurants and cooking different cuisines.  She returned to her home at midnight on Wednesday, brought a dish for a 4th of July party, had friends over on Friday night AND on Saturday night.  Heck!  It took me til Thursday to unpack my bags!!

We mostly had coffee, tea and light breakfast at home.  Usually dinner at home as well ... SO delish!

That girl can really made salads into dinner ... with mostly leftovers!  Purple asparagus, farro salad (not in this salad) chopped sugar snap peas, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, boiled egg, smoked salmon OR fresh salmon, a shmeer of hummus with a tiny crunchy bit of carbs.  Yummy cheese and fruit for dessert.

We splurged one evening and went to the Oystercatcher in Coupeville for dinner.  (We also sneaked in a lunch there ... they are only open for dinner Thurs - Sun, lunch Fri - Mon).  We had lofty plans of sharing a meal ... but we ended up being piggies and each getting our own.

The evening started with a simply delicious radish topped with tiny spheres of browned butter.  Herbs and flowers for great eye appeal and taste.

This is my cup of broccoli soup, swirled with strawberry something or other and a dollop of creme fraice.

A tiny intermezzo of spring pea sorbet

My main dish was a salad ... Reine de glace lettuce, gunsho, cured egg yolk, turnip, radish, cauliflower, carrot, shallot vinaigrette, housemade green goddess dressing.

(Yes, please Google those ingredients!  I had to)

Accompanied by champagne!  (How many bottles did we drink that week?  We'll never tell)  But we both neglected to take a photo of the dessert we shared.  Deconstructed strawberry shortcake.

Kohlrabi & lemon macerated strawberries, pepperberry shortcake (more like a cookie), honey-chevre mousse, and mint.

Oh my!

WHAT A WEEK!

What a week on Whidbey Island!

It may not appeal to everyone but I think it has a lot of different things to offer.  The beautiful landscape is something to behold.  Huge bluffs, natural marshlands, rocky coastline, lots of flat roads to bike ride, sea glass to collect.  As well as loads of wildlife.  All just 90 minutes from Seattle.

Several small towns are scattered about with terrific restaurants (a whole blog unto itself!) and loads of shopping ... from candy stores (including a black licorice store!), top notch galleries, souvenir spots, clothing, doo dads, furniture ... you name it.

Whidbey has lots of history as well as a Naval Air Station (the boys are going to love to watch the Growlers touch and go).  Fort Casey still has bunkers and cannons you can explore.  Admiralty lighthouse.

 

Ebey's Bluff

Yep ... we saw these guys every day

Beautiful flight of a Blue Heron

Langley has wild bunnies everywhere!

I found two pieces of green sea glass.  

Janet found this many every day!

A Northern Harrier

(These photos were all taken by my sister!)

ALL AMERICAN HOLIDAY!

I'm taking the day off!  See you Tuesday!

WELL, THAT WAS AWKWARD!

By the time you get to read this, I will be back in Lake Oswego.  Oregon ... where we have no sales tax and we are not allowed to pump our own gasoline.

We had a fabulous eight days on Whidbey together, then drove south four hours to Lake Oswego so Aunt Janet could visit with the boys.

For reference, we stayed in Coupeville just 1/2 mile from the ocean (right above the words "Whidbey Island" on the map pictured).  More details to follow!

AWKWARD FUN

I'm happy to say I'm too busy to write.  Celebrating baby sister's last year of her 50's on Whidbey Island!

DST or PST

There's been so much talk about staying on Daylight Savings Time.  Our state legislature has voted YES, keep us on DST ... but only if surrounding states will do it also.  I don't quite get that kind of thinking ... just do what our people want and stay on DST.  We are all capable of doing the one hour of math required.  Heck!  We can even set up our phones to show us.

Now that our days are getting shorter (by minutes, but nonetheless) here's how my family enjoyed the longest day of the year!

   

                  

JUNETEENTH

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration honoring the end of slavery in the United States.  I have no recollection of learning about this holiday!  All but four states recognize this as a State holiday.  Who knew??

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger led thousands of federal troops to Galveston, Texas to announce that the Civil War had ended, and slaves had been freed. Approximately 250,000 Texan slaves had no idea that their freedom had been secured by the government.

Since my little family is off camping, I did not celebrate this day in any way, shape or form.  But I do have some photos to share!!

A sure sign of summer ... a trip to the dentist.  This is a "kids" dentist and WOW do they know what they are doing.  Each kid has their own screen and can choose a movie!  They don't have to sit in a chair more than 15 minutes without a play break.  A treehouse, video games, computers, toys, books ... you name it!

They each brought a stuffed animal for security!

Xrays, cleaning for Mr. 8.5, counting teeth for Mr. 5 then choosing a dental bag of treats, getting four quarters to put in toy vending machines and a 100% juice popsicle for the road.

The family left Monday afternoon for three nights at a local campground.  They are loving it.  Thank goodness I bought a soft car topper (15 cu ft) as it was stuffed as well as the rear of the MDX.  Packed to the gills.  Fishing poles, bicycles, food to feed a city, a tent that sleeps 8 and lots of clothes and towels.

Bosko and I stayed home to feed the birds and do a bit of deep cleaning!

SUMMER!