What's Happening??

Lake Days are back, and no one is happier about that than Mae!  Summer has certainly arrived with a heat wave this past weekend.  It's been nice to go to the lake for a short game of fetch and cool off in the very cold water!

I've been enjoying experimenting with the "shrubs" I purchased at the farmer's market.  I added them to beer and oh my!  that was very tasty.  Give it a try!  But my absolute favorite new summer drink is made with Bourbon, a shrub and JAM....Sweet Caroline's Jams and Jellies had a facebook post  awhile back that I had to follow up on:


"I don't know what to call this drink, but it's all about the smell of the woods in the middle of summer, and the bite of stinging nettles and thorns when picking wild blackberries. 1 shot of bourbon, 1 tablespoon of marionberry lime vanilla jam, a splash of blackberry vanilla cardamom shrub, a healthy dose of woodland bitters by Portland Bitters, and a splash of soda water."

It is delicious!!  I was able to find Portland Bitters in Whole Foods....of course it was the WF in Portland.  But they had a good variety of Portland Bitters and other brands as well.  More experimentation will be needed.  Anyway, if you can not get your hands on the shrub, you might try a berry cider in place of the shrub and soda water. (Try the blackberry cider from Atlas!)   A nice, rich berry jam will do if you can't get Caroline's.  But, if you live anywhere near where their products are available it is well worth the effort to pick up the jams and shrubs.  I promise you will not be disappointed!  (see more on their facebook page for details on where to find them!)

Hope your summer has gotten off to a good start!  Do you have a favorite water spot to cool off in?  A good summer drink you'd like to share?  Would love to hear about it!

Monday Things, 12/29

A few snapshots to sum up our holiday season....

Coffee in Seattle @ Voula's Offshore Cafe

tree decorating went well!

Unwelcome Christmas guest....the flu!

DRU BRU, our new LOCAL brewery has opened!!

We had a "big storm" forecasted for this past weekend, up to 22 new inches....well, we ended up with a bit of slush. We got maybe one inch here at the bottom of Hyak.  The ski area has partially opened despite the ruts, rocks, brush and bare spots.  You won't find me up there until the coverage is WAY better!!  It's very disappointing....but nothing a little post-holiday shopping didn't help....

New socks, a foam roller, and margarita bloks!

Enjoy the rest of the Holiday week!!  If you've got snow?  Ride for me!!

Buh-Bye

Monday morning when I took the dog out it was 42 degrees.  I actually put on my puffy down jacket.  The leaves are changing in the hills.  We had had a few days of rain, mist and clouds.  It's that comfy grey blanket that many of us in the NW like to pull up over ourselves!  It's a "relief", so "relaxing" and we "love it".  Yes, those are the things I heard, this is what we say about the rain.... And just like that, snap!, summer is over.  I'm gonna say, here's your hat, what's your hurry?....Don't let the door hit you on the way out!...It wasn't my favorite summer, that's for sure.  

A few final images of the season , and then?  On to Fall!  I am looking forward to pleasant temps for running, some trips to the coast, flannels and hoodies, just enough sunny days and pumpkin ales!

1956 23-window VW Micro Bus @ Lucky Car Collector Fall Auction

You need rain for rainbows!

Scout, one more stick.  I'm so glad he had this season of fetching sticks in the lake!

No more waiting....they are here!

   

Monday Things

My Mother's Day flowers are wilting as I type but that's ok; it was a wonderful day!  Grilled fish tacos, a family walk up the hill through town and a Black Forest cake from the local bakery.  It's become our go to cake for every  occasion (like birthdays) and sometimes we make up occasions....

In case you weren't aware of this fact, it's American Craft Beer Week! (no I didn't make it up).   I am going to celebrate with one of my favorite local craft beers from Two Beers Brewing Co. in Seattle, the EVO IPA.  It was the IPA that made me a believer in the whole IPA thing.  I finally GET IT!  

And last on my list this Monday....I am incredibly tired of eating the same old healthy grain cluster stuff that I have eaten for what seems like forever (okay, just for a few months).  It's not that it isn't delicious but I am just burned out on it.  So, I made my own granola!  It's a delicious recipe from Barefoot Contessa, Back to Basics by Ina Garten.  I have 6 or 7 of her cook books and I love them.  This recipe is fairly simple, the ingredients are easy to find and it tastes really great.  it also ends up being about half the price of the brand I buy.  It's such a 70's thing to do! Seriously, I actually remember the first time I ever had home made granola and it was 1972.  Enjoy your week!  Run strong, eat well, drink some craft beer~

Monday Things

Finally, it feels like spring to me and I got out for the first trail run of the year!  Thought I would share a few things.....Monday things, to get the week going....

For lazy evening watching Dallas craft beer night: Stone, Enjoy by 04.20.14 IPA.  Good stuff.

 I bought new socks in Portland last week.  I have to say these Icebreaker merino socks?  Are way smarter than the other merino socks I usually wear.  Love the fit!  Like nothing on my feet.  Great spring color.  I also got a pair in orange (men's).  They may well move to the head of the smarty pants socks class. 

In LOVE with these trail shoes....The Brooks PUREGRIT.. Damn fine running shoe.  The trails I run are sandy to hardpack without a lot of rocks. The tread is grippy as hell!  Minimal feel but not super thin.  Seriously, I LOVE them.

Tomorrow is APRIL.  Happy Spring.  Get outside!