Yellow Plums Make My World Go Round

Over the weekend, Kevin and I cleaned his parents tree out of all of the plums that would have otherwise gone to the deer or rotted while they are on their vacation in Utah. I LOVE yellow plums. They are a most fantastic treat, especially straight from the tree when kissing on my husband! Kevin prefers his on the hard side, very tart, while I like them when they are just about to fall off the tree and super sweet! We picked a ton, and since they were all nearly ready to rot, we had to do something with them quickly!

When life gives you plums, make plum sauce!

Just peel the skins, moosh the flesh off the pit into a bowl, add a little sugar and some cinnamon, and enjoy! We froze a couple pints worth to savor the flavor later this year when yellow plums are the stuff my dreams are made of!

An Evening of Music

For my Father's Day present to my darling papa, Kevin and I decided to take him to see a concert at the zoo and out to dinner. When I found out that one of my all time favorite musicians, Nanci Griffith, was playing, I knew that was the concert we would be going to!

Nanci Griffith is one of those singers that means home to me. Growing up, my dad was always playing the guitar and singing, and there are certain artists that I hear and just feel close to my dad. My dad and I have always enjoyed singing together, and Nanci's songs have always been in a good range for my voice, and a good challenge for my dad on the guitar. The first time I sang in public was the Across the Great Divide, at Seabold Second Saturday. I was 13 years old I think, and completely petrified! I got up in front of a pretty big crowd, and just had the best time ever singing to everyone! When I got married last summer, I knew just what I wanted to have my father-daughter dance to, Turn Around. (Don't mind the video with it!) My dad used to sing this to me when I was young. There are so many songs that make me feel homesick and right at home all at the same time! So, Nanci holds a very special place in my heart, and I was beyond excited to take my favorite guys to see her last night!

Me and Daddy catching the last of the sun rays before the start of the show/

It was a fabulous concert, and if you don't know Nanci's music yet, I highly recommend getting to know her! Thanks for such a great evening guys!

Getaway with Nate the Great!

This last weekend, Kevin and I held our oldest nephew Nate hostage and took him out to the cabin on Vashon Island for a couple days. He has had a very full summer, including a month in Illinois visiting relatives on his dad's side of the family. He just got back last week, and has subsequently spent very little time with his parents since all his aunts and uncles and grandparents missed him so much! So after spending a few days with Grandma and Grandpa D on Bainbridge with his friend Avin, I picked him up on Friday from Bell Harbour to begin our adventure!

We got a sort of late start on Saturday morning after a breakfast of Froot Loops. I haven't had those since I don't even know when, and let me tell you, I finally get why adults don't eat cereal like that. It was nothing but poofy sugar bits! And yet, delicious. But we still have nearly a full box that I don't know who will eat!

Kevin's mom had stayed the night at the cabin on Friday, so she was there to greet us! Nate almost immediately headed to the awesome rope swing, and I hit the hammock!

Kevin tests out a sweet ride...with flat tires.

Of course there were Horse Shoes. And Bump. And Wiffle Ball. I was very sore after this weekend! Keeping a 10 year old occupied can be a little taxing when he wants you to do everything with him!

The boys went for a boat ride while I caught up on some reading.

We had awesome basil burgers and grilled squash for dinner, with cookies for dessert. We hit the sack pretty early since we played so hard! We woke up late, having slept a full 12 hours!!! This was the gorgeous sight that greeted me.

Don't let the pout fool you, this kid was ecstatic to eat bacon and eggs for breakfast!

Had to show Nate the bike tree!

After playing some more bump and wiffle ball, and having a nice lunch, we cleaned up and packed up to head back to the city. Matthew and Terri invited us to dinner at their place, and we enjoyed spending the evening with them and getting a little Jackson time in!

Those curls are just too much! So cute!

I was the recipient of Jackson's first kiss! Gotta teach him that tongue is not appropriate at this stage in his life, but it was exciting that he is giving them out now! But apparently only on his own terms, as seen above!

A great trip, and we can't wait to spend more time with our little men!

100th Post!

It's been the hottest week ever. Most of you know that, since you live here, but for those who do not reside in PNW, let me tell you, it has been nothing short of sucky! Our normally cool basement apartment decided that it had had enough of keeping us comfortable, and stayed in the mid to upper 80's inside all week, while outside we sweltered in upper 90's to the mid 100's on a couple days! OUCH! Talk about hot! Not only are we not used to heat like this, but we are not prepared in the way of fans and fancy air conditioning units most places, so we had to get creative in staying cool.

One genius way is to ask my parents to come save us in their boat and sit in the middle of the Puget Sound on the hottest day ever recorded in Seattle. It reached 103 degrees! My bus was 112 degrees in the afternoon! So Kevin and I picked up Totem Fish and Chips in Ballard, and met up with Mom and Dad at Shilshole Marina! We headed out onto the water, and it was incredible how quickly the temperature (and in direct correlation, my mood!) changed! Whew, I want a boat, too!

Don't I look darling in my nautical clothes? :)

Yeah, I love my parents' boat!

After cooling of for a couple of hours, my parents dropped us back off at the marina and headed off into the sunset back to Bainbridge. And what a spectacular sunset it was! The one upside to the heat, perhaps? Kevin and I headed down to Golden Gardens with the masses to catch some more refreshing breezes and check out the vibrant sunset. Beautiful way to end the evening!

Also, our garden is crazy! Anyone want some cucumber?!