January 30, 2014

For Christmas this last year the boys got me one of those squishy, silicony baking molds for a cake or fruit bread.  I finally got around to making a cake this evening using the awesome little gift.  Here is my first attempt at chocolate wine cake.  WOW!  is it good!  Since I'm being careful about what I eat, this is NOT good.  I'm hoping the boys will finish up the remainder of this moist little treat while I'm in Hawaii for the weekend.


1 stick butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1 cup flour (I used whole wheat flour)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 t (heaping) baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/2 cup (overflowing) red wine

Cream together butter and sugar.  Add egg, blend. Add vanilla, blend.
Slowing mix in dry ingredients until stiff and lumpy.  Mix in red wine.  Scoop into a buttered/floured cake or loaf pan.  Bake in a 350˚ oven for 45 minutes or until set and a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool 5-10 minutes, turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.  You can sprinkle with powdered sugar, but I didn't bother.

Fox Island, Washington

January 29, 2014

Even though we've had lots of fog and overcast skies, I can still get out to take pictures.  Here's a little more evidence Spring is coming soon.  Some of the trees are getting ready for warmer weather.

Fox Island, Washington

January 28, 2014

Just little bit of Spring starting to show around here.  I think it's funny how the deep South is getting our winter weather.  If it makes y'all feel better, we still have lots of fog.  Stay warm!

I couldn't let this post go by without wishing my beautiful and amazing daughter happy birthday on her special day.  Love you, baby!

Fox Island, Washington

January 27, 2014

The fixings for vegetable lumpia.  Bright, colorful and tasty!  
Fox Island, Washington

January 26, 2014

This is the last of the winter type berry plant I could find while strolling the property.  I'm already seeing the early signs of Spring!

Fox Island, Washington

January 25, 2014

We met up with Jordan and her friend Daniel to celebrate Jordan's upcoming 22nd birthday.  Tandoori Chicken, Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Vindaloo, Papadum and Naan for all of us to share around the table.  Mouth watering amazing meal!  After dinner we went for a scoop of ice cream, per the birthday girl's request!

Seattle, Washington

January 24, 2014

I've never been so excited about an appliance being installed in my house.  I've been without a functioning dishwasher since the day after Thanksgiving and this just arrived late in the afternoon.  No more dry hands for me!

Fox Island, Washington

January 23, 2014

Yet another sunny day today!  I feel so lucky to be seeing the sunshine so much.  The pups enjoy getting to spend more time on their walks.  I think they take great pleasure in barking at and attempting to chase after the many crows that hang around near our dock.  This big guy didn't appreciate the enthusiasm from the boys today.

Fox Island, Washington

January 22, 2014

Spicy orange-ginger chicken, sauteed veggies and rice for dinner this evening.  Made from scratch... all the way down to the fresh squeezed orange juice.  The boys were thrilled to be served chicken twice in one month!

Fox Island, Washington

January 21, 2014

A little more sun again today!  That is, after the fog burned off.  As I was walking the pups after lunch, I discovered Some utility workers starting to put in the new and improved retaining wall.  It's nice to know the area will be safer, but it's also sad to see this older, more aesthetically pleasing seawall being covered up and buried over.  That's why I'm taking pictures now.

Fox Island, Washington 

January 20, 2014

It's been a beautiful, sunny day here on the island.  We really needed a day like today to get out, stretch and take in some fresh air.  The boys took off down the road with the dogs and my camera in search of photo opportunities.  They were gone for only about 30 minutes, but they came back with about 150 new pictures!  This is one of an old rusty staircase going down to the water (low tide) is the shot they like best.  Guest photographers:  Nathan and Samuel Cutter.

Fox Island, Washington

January 19, 2014

Well, we didn't have any sun today for the big Seahawks game, but we also did have any rain.   It didn't really matter much to me because I'm not attending, but Dave is.  I went to Hot Yoga class instead to get warmed up for the day.  This field of trees is one of the lighter, brighter, whiter ones around.  Most of the trees I see are coated with a thick layer of neon green moss.

Gig Harbor, Washington

January 18, 2014

Sam is a fish!  I asked him which exercise he likes better between swimming and running.... "Uhhhh, running hurts and isn't fun like swimming, Mom."  Got it.

Gig Harbor, Washington

January 17, 2014

"What is this?"  Ah... the remains of a Christmas stocking specialty candy cane left unattended for a nanosecond in Zachary's opened door bedroom.  Remi found it and devoured most of it while Zach was running down to the kitchen to get his backpack.  Wow, is he fast!  I'm referring to the dog not the boy in this case.  

Fox Island, Washington

January 16, 2014

Once again, Sam was asking for something other than chocolate for dessert.  Why?  What's wrong with chocolate?!?!  After being giving the healthy parameters, he came up with these.  A mix of plain Greek yogurt, hand squeezed mandarine juice and pulp and raw honey.  Very tasty!

Fox Island, Washington 

January 15, 2014

Dare I say it.... the sun was shining today!  When I walked down to get the mail (in the sunshine!) I saw this little flower bud.  It's either very confused or just now coming out of a thaw from last month.  To me it's a good sign this Winter will come to an end..... eventually.

Fox Island, Washington

January 14, 2014

Another day with little to no precipitation but the clouds hung low.  When this happens, very few things dry out and there seems to be a perpetual dampness in the air.  It also provides very good lighting for taking pictures.  

Fox Island, Washington

January 13, 2014

We had some okay weather today.  The clouds didn't clear away to reveal the sun or anything, but at least it didn't rain all day. The Gig Harbor Fire Department took advantage of the break and did a few maritime drills out in our little bay.  I'm not really sure what they're up to here, but there's no way it could have been fun.  Too cold, too windy, too unsteady.

Fox Island, Washington

January 12, 2014

The storm last night brought down a lot of debris.  It also knocked out the power to many of the people in the Puget Sound region.  Apparently, the boys were camping in a small rain shadow and didn't feel any of the effects of the storm!  Very nice camping situation!  Clean up around here is going to take some time.

Gig Harbor, Washington

January 11, 2014

A Saturday evening when all the kids are away!  The boys were up north at a Boy Scout camp out so it was just the two of us for dinner.  We decided to create a bright, flavorful blackened chicken spinach salad with a side of bruschetta and served with a French table red.  Very quiet around the house.....

Fox Island, Washington

January 10, 2014

It's a rough life around here.  Cold, wet weather has the pups snuggling up on my bed with squishy pillows and a fluffy down comforter.  If it were up to these guys, I'm certain there would be a fire blazing away in the fireplace as well.

Fox Island, Washington

January 9, 2014

I started the New Year by adding a new type of exercise to my repetoire.  It wasn't really my idea... it's all because of the bonus challenge put out there by my Diehard Dirty Girls challenge group.  Thank you, Alexa!  I love this class.  Okay.... I'll be honest, I didn't think I liked it during the first 1 1/2 hour session.  In fact, I thought I was going to pass out, have a heart attack, keel over from heat stroke or all of the above.  After one full week of attending class (after doing my regular T25, Insanity or trail running workout), I've been won over.  I'm hooked.  Amazing class, great instructors and encouraging classmates, I'll be attending regularly from now on.  Besides, it's the first time I've been warm (to the core!) since moving from Hawaii!

Gig Harbor, Washington

January 8, 2014

Rain, rain and more rain.  I've been told to expect this for the next couple of months.  At least it's better than slick, icy roads or having to shovel snow.

Fox Island, Washington

January 7, 2014

Chicken fajitas for dinner this evening.  Everything made from scratch with organic and free range.  Can't beat that!

Fox Island, Washington

January 6, 2014

While cleaning my home this morning (and into the afternoon) I heard a raucous going on just outside and close to the house.  I peered out the window to see this poor, tired little hawk trying to get some rest as two noisy and obnoxious crows continuously circle, caw and dive bomb him attempting to get him to fly away.   They did not succeed.  He stayed perched atop the giant tree for a good half hour before deciding to find another spot to watch for little critters.

Fox Island, Washington

January 5, 2014

I started the day early by driving Jordan back to the AOπ house.  Even though the weather was frigid and foggy along the way, we had sunshine in Seattle.  It wasn't wet and frozen for the entire drive and I got the spend some time with the girl in the city so I am a happy mom. 

Seattle, Washington

January 4, 2014

Finally!  A day when the weather was not too wet and everybody was at the house.  Our family picture for the year.

Fox Island, Washington

January 3, 2014

Since I stayed with Kelly in La Conner for the birthday celebration, we (of course!) had to run the trails in Anacortes in the morning.   We decided to run a muddy 6 miles around Hart Lake to keep the degree of difficulty ( not too many hills) lower than usual.  Along the way we encounter a couple of dogs and their owners, muckety muck, puddles, fallen trees, ducks, geese and a gaggle of swan.  Highly unusual for this area and a real treat for us.  Just so elegant, graceful and beautiful.

Anacortes, Washington

January 2, 2014

Diana decided to celebrate her birthday with friends trampoline jumping at Absolute Air Park followed by lunch at Red Robin.  We all had a blast working up a sweat jumping from place to place, doing flips and careening into a foam pit for over an hour before settling down to burgers, fries and sodas.  It's a good thing we didn't do lunch first!  Thanks for celebrating like a kid and including us older folk.  Happy Birthday to a wonderful person!

Arlington, Washington 

January 1, 2014

Citrus meringue tart.  Despite all the trickery, sweet talk, encouraging words and smoke and mirrors ploy..... it still sounds like lemon meringue pie to me.    The man finally caved, after 20+ years of marriage, and learned how to make a citrus meringue tart (lemon meringue pie).  Not from a box, but from scratch.  I'm liking the way this year is starting.

Fox Island, Washington