Dizzy Swallows

Lately

September 4th, 2012

A few of the sights, tastes, and sounds that have filled my past weeks…

Spicy New Mexican hatch chiles stuffed with honeyed goat cheese and grilled on the barby. Amen.

Hiking at the ever gorgeous Mt. Rainier.

The breathtaking vistas at Snow Lake, in the Mt. Rainier National Park.

In the orchard of my childhood home, now Shipki Farms, a golden plum tree breaking under the weight of its own bounitful fruit. At once amazing and slightly depressing.

The plum harvest.

Once again out foraging blackberries. This time just blocks from our house. Hurrah.

A scrumptious cobbler made with the fresh picked berries.

Press play.

Least we forget, there’s always time for a dance party. Spontaneous, wine and Serge Gainsbourg fueled, madness at my mother’s.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Here’s to a beautiful week.… Continue reading

Then We Warmed Our House

August 16th, 2012

It was a perfect day for a housewarming. Perhaps to foreshadow our own imminent feasting, it began with the rustle and crunch of the local band of squirrels massacring our filberts.

The afternoon came on sunny and hot as any I’ve known, with just the right amount of breeze to keep the air fresh as only the Pacific Northwest can be.

Old friends, new friends, family, they all came and went throughout the afternoon and evening.

A huge steak of fresh, seared tuna, homemade burgers with all the fixings, jerk chicken, teriyaki chicken, vegetarian frankfurters, salads of every description, grilled peaches, grilled veggies, and everything in between were thoroughly enjoyed.

Bocce ball was played, slacklines were walked, beverages were consumed, and the Perseid meteor shower even made for late night entertainment.

And what’s a party without a little champagne.

A successful warming if I do say so myself. Thank you … Continue reading

The First Week

July 18th, 2012 2 Comments

Our move was as breezy as it could have been, thanks to the kindness and willing hands of both friends and family. The subsequent days have been racing by in a frenzy the likes of which I’ve never known – complete with gritty cleaning, mad nesting, and snatched celebration. Today, however, has offered me a quiet hour or two to sit down and share a bit of our first week in our new home.

Throughout the last week I’ve been trying to snatch the opportunity for photos whenever I could get it. With varying degrees of success. Nevertheless, here are a few highlights for your perusal.

Boxes waiting to be unpacked in the breakfast nook. Ah how I love my breakfast nook!

One of our first meals in the house was homemade pizza. Ya know, comfort food. I’m still getting used to the new range; a stout 40″ Whirlpool of … Continue reading

Happy 4th!

July 4th, 2012

Happy 4th of July to you all! I’m writing from the center of a heap of boxes and half-packed sundry in our deconstructed apartment. Rather than carrying on the rich tradition of lolling about in the sun (what sun, Seattle?), sipping on brews, and sniffing at the barbeque, we will be spending our day packing. Ah yes. However, we will reward ourselves with an evening of enjoying the spectacular Lake Union Fireworks display from my cousin’s 34th floor apartment.

I hope all of you are well, with plans for a lovely summer’s day!… Continue reading

Summer Harvest & Chocolate Blackberry Financiers

October 11th, 2011

The dying throes of summer have lingered in the occasional crisp autumnal sunshine, but that fairer season will soon be buried by blustery winds and the omnipresent Seattle rain. However,
I take comfort in the knowledge of the lustrous little morsels of summer tucked away in our freezer. Like good Northwesterners, we managed a last blackberry harvest before the Fall weather came rolling in. I wanted to share a few photos from that expedition as well as a delightful recipe for gluten-free, blackberry and chocolate financiers!

Our chosen spot is a coveted family secret, but I can tell you it is on Whidbey.

It offers a perfection of rolling bramble thickets, accessible from both sides, with a view and sweet little meadow that can’t be beat.

My fellow harvesters also happen to be two of my favorite men in the world, my dearest Jacob and my cousin Brad.

Industrious gentlemen … Continue reading