Seattle Pictures - Day 1

Yes, yes, I'm aware that it has been nearly a month since I went to Seattle to visit Brandon and Sara, but pictures are better late than never I say.

Day One

Gorgeous, but disturbing eye-level view of Mt.Rainer as the plane neared Seattle.


At the dog park where Penny like to run. She also loves meeting other dogs and people, but seems confused at things that are her size rather than much larger.

Apricot Glazed Broiled Chicken

Adapted from a recipe found in Gourmet, June 2009.


2/3 c apricot or peach preserves
1/3 c soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1/2 tsp ginger, fresh minced [or powder]
[1/2 tsp dried mustard was substituted in place of ginger]
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
3-4 lbs chicken, wings are fun

Combine all ingredients except chicken with a whisk. Line the bottom of a sheet pan with foil. Season chicken with salt and pepper and place on pan. Brush with 1/2 of sauce. Broil 5 minutes or until slight charring, flip and coat with more sauce.

Broil for an additional 5-10 minutes, flipping once more if desired. NOTE: If you reach the desired charring, switch chicken to a 425 degree oven and continue baking until done.

Total cooking time for wings is about 25 minutes. For large pieces, cooking will be longer. Use a meat thermometer for safest results.

Apple Peach Pie

This recipe has been adapted from a Betty Crocker recipe.

Crust

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 c butter or shortening, cut into pieces

5-6 Tbs ice water

Combine ingredients in order above, adding enough water and mixing until smooth and elastic. Form into two small balls, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for an hour. Roll one ball until it fits neatly in the base of your 10" pie pan with some overhang to crimp later.

Filling

2 large peaches, peeled and sliced

3 medium to large apples (Granny Smith or other tart apple), peeled and sliced into 1/4-1/2" pieces

3/4 c sugar

1/4 c flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

pinch of salt

1/4 cup thinly sliced almonds

1 Tbs butter, cut into small pieces

1 Egg

Splash of water

Gently toss peaches, apples and almonds with sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt. Add mixture to crust and dot with butter.

Roll out the other ball of dough, cutting 3/4' strips to create a lattice top. (You could weave them for the most professional effect; I merely draped them). Brush top with mixture of beaten egg and water.

Bake at 425 degrees for 35-45 minutes, until the crust is brown and the insides bubbly. Cover the edges with foil if the crust gets too dark. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Plants update

It's been awhile since I've posted an update on the progress of my plants. It has now been about two months since planting and I'm worrying about their health.


You can see that the tomato plants have shot up and are filling out. Basil is still going strong, and the sage is hanging in there.


The basil seems to be growing, although it seems a bit crowded.


The sage is doing well, but my rosemary bit the dust. It might have been due to my 1 week vacation and the summer heat, just maybe.


The thyme is still bitty, but at least it's beginning to look like thyme. Perhaps, I should water it more.


Finally, the three tomato plants that I removed from the big pot seem to be doing well enough.

Beef Bourguignon (or fancy pot roast braised with wine)

This recipe has been modified from a library book, "SlowCooker Cooking" by Lora Brody.

I didn't remember to take pictures until I was packing up the leftovers for the freezer.

Marinade
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 cups dry red wine
1 bay leaf
3 springs of thyme and italian parsely
3 lbs of boneless chuck roast, cut into cubes

Combine the above, and refrigerate in a ziploc bag for 6 hours or overnight. Then drain, reserving the wine, meat, veggies, and herbs.

Main preparation
Reserved meat, veggies, and wine
1 large onion, roughly chopped
8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
4 ounces pancetta or good bacon
2 cloves of garlic, minced
3 T flour
1 c beef broth
1/2 lb whole wheat penna or farfelle

Cook the pancetta or bacon until crisp. Add to slow cooker. Brown the meat, in batches if necessary. Heat a bit of olive oil and saute veggies. Remember that garlic burns easily, so add it last. Place all remaining ingredients in the slow cooker, including the reserved wine and herbs. Mix to combine.

Cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8, stirring occasionally.

During the last hour, add the dry pasta and cook until the pasta is tender.

The Playground

June 30, 2009, first picture-taking opportunity of my visit with Debs and Kaitlyn--the playground!

Start with the swings.


Then the horseys.


Next to the slide. Look at daddy go!


Opps!


She's okay and ready to go again with mommy.


And he's, well...


Day 2's pictures are located here.

The California Academy of Sciences

On July 1, 2009, Debs and I went to the newly renovated California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. It was an extremely modern "green" building with state of the art exhibit features. The live animals included tons of fish, a white alligator, birds, butterflies, and lots of plants. Impressive enough, but the big takeaway from the experience was the lines.



The rainforest was quite interesting, but there were lines within the exhibits.



Here's the rare white alligator, as the sign says.


Cutest guys in the museum. As you can see, this one guy's a camera hog.


Day 3's pictures are located here.

Gilroy Gardens

On Thursday, July 2, 2009, we went to Gilroy Gardens. It is self-described as a family them park "designed to educate guests and to foster a greater appreciation of horticulture." Basically it's a kiddy theme park with lots of trees and flowers.



What, oh what to do first.


The carousel, of course.


Look at mommy. Kaitlyn is so much more photogenic than her daddy.


I got to ride a horsey too!


Then Kaitlyn rode a whole bunch of little rides that I was too big for ;(


Finally, an opportunity to sit down and take off.






Then we rode a train.


And walked around a lovely, man-made waterfall. I think this was the nature part of the park.



Finally, Debs, Santa and Kaitlyn road the ferris wheel while I went shopping.


After shopping, I tried to take a few pictures of them, but only Santa was tall enough to be seen from my perspective.


Lastly, a stop at the playground.



There was a "garlic bulbs" spinning teacup-like game, but we were too pooped from playing to try it out.


Day 4's pictures are located here.