A Great Big Adventure!

It's hard to believe we've already been back almost a week - the time away, and the past few days have gone by in a blur. After a day of rest, we jumped right back into our normal lives-gardening, cooking, and of course going back to work. 

The (shy of) two weeks of was lovely, and I made a good decision coming back to work towards the end of the week. I am sitting here in a quiet house, it's close to midnight, and since kiddo and Nick are in bed, I thought I would update the blog's look-adding a new banner, and get to writing a quick blog here and over at blackberrysage.blogspot.com....

I had an amazing time on vacation-the sun. OH THE SUN!  It was so lovely, even when temperatures hit triple digits, it was still nice to get out in the sunshine and play. I can't say enough about how wonderful Yosemite and Mono Lake were, as well as the surrounding areas. If you have a chance, do check out Mariposa, Coarsegold, and Oakhurst-cute small towns with great shops and good people. Everyone we ran into were so warm and friendly-none of the Seattle Chill we're used to :) We met a fabulous couple in Coarsegold who ran Mountain Delights (an awesome shop, with a lovely sitting area under a giant fig tree)-they took us in and doted over Izzy. It's these kinds of stops that just make my heart happy!

It's late, so I won't spend too much time here, but here's a few pictures of our adventures! Things that these pics remind me: Everything was HUGE, my baby is growing way too fast (and has so many teeth now), and that we went on some fun hikes. Baby wearing sure helped, but an extra 25 lbs of weight kicked my butt!

I hope you are out and about enjoying adventures big and small! What do you have planned for fun this summer?

Best,
Raina

Memorial Days

       

I am just outside of Yosemite National Park, wrapping up a week long vacation. It's been over two years since Nick and I were on a proper vacation. It's also been two years since my Dad passed away. It's still hard, and I still miss him terribly, but I am still so relieved that he's no longer in pain. 

We decided to take Dad on one more trip to the places that he loved the most-Yosemite National Park and Mono Lake. He and I spent so much time here while I was in high school, and it's been almost 20 years since I have been back. 

I'll post more pictures of our trip soon, but for now, I leave you with the above pictures - places where we spread his ashes. I chose some of our favorite places. I also leave you with my new favorite picture of Izzy, visiting Grampa at the Veterans Cemetery. Lastly, please consider supporting organizations that help support Veterans, PTSD treatment, and suicide prevention. 20% of suicides in the US are by Veterans. Some of my favorite organizations are the DAV and Wounded Warrior Project. 

Yours in love and peace and of course, adventure!

Raina

Earthly Desires

Happy Earth Day all!

The skies have been mostly blue here in Seattle, and that means it has been time for sipping cocktails and using the grill (without having to use all of the rain gear)!

Recently I had a chance to try three tequilas from Casa Noble-their Blanco, Anejo, and Reposado. As an added bonus to spur my culinary whims, they sent a gift card for Whole Foods. Tequila and food?! Yes, please!

With Earth Day in mind, I wanted to stay as sustainable, go organic, and stick with non-GMO products. The great news? Case Noble fits that bill.

So knowing that Earth Day is a great chance to live sustainably, as well as to get outside and enjoy the sun, I put together a tasty menu to celebrate spring and all that is good with Seattle:

Welcome Drink:
The Mariposa, made with Casa Noble's Anejo Tequila

Main Dish:
Gulf Prawns, sustainably caught, marinated in lime, cilantro, scotch bonnet pepper and Casa Noble's Blanco Tequila.

Main Course Drink:
Bloody Maria, with house made organic veggie juice and seasonings, local bacon, and organic house made pickles made boozy by Casa Noble's Reposado Tequila.

Do I have your attention? No? How about some tasty eye candy and recipes? There you go, now I have you!  Read on!

I know, right?

Lets continue with the recipes!

The Welcome Drink, the Mariposa, 

Combine 2 ounces of tequila- I used the Anejo

1.5 ounces of elder flower liquor

2 ounces of blood orange simple syrup

the juice of one lime

1/2 of a large, very ripe grapfruit

Add seltzer to taste

Gently shake to combine

Coat the rim of the glass in vanilla sugar, and pour this delicious cocktail into your pretty glass. Enjoy with a side of great company and sunshine!

Round Two-The Bloody Maria

2 ounces Tequila-I used the Reposado (more if you like a heavy handed drink)

2 cups (approximately) Veggie Juice (I blended carrots, tomato, kale, beets and celery, and garlic to make mine, but you can also make your own with whatever veggies you have, or go easy and get something pre-made!)

Horseradish to taste

Pepper to taste

Worcestershire sauce-two hearty splashes

Hot sauce to taste (I like tapatio)

Splash of seltzer to thin it out a bit

-Shake your main ingredients up

-Coat the rim of a glass with a combination of smoked salt and chili powder, and garnish with your fave treats. I used:

Pickles (I make my own, so I have them on hand)

Bacon, delicious bacon...there's no recommended maximum, but you should include it!

Oh yes...so good.

And for the main course: Spicy prawns, marinated with tequila blanco, cilantro, lime and garlic; served of whole grain wild rice with organic bell pepper and black beans.

1 cup wild rice (Bluebird Farms makes a great one), cooked.

1/2 cup organic black beans

1/2 organic bell pepper, diced-your choice, keep it raw, or saute lightly with garlic and olive oil

1/2 lb shrimp or prawns-our prawns came from Whole Foods, and were sustainably caught in the gulf (also tested for contaminants)

The marinade:

1 lime, juiced (about 2 Tbspns)

1 hearty Tblspn Blanco Tequila (and a drink for you, dear chef!)

1/4 tspn smoked paprika

1 tspn olive oil

1/8 tspn fresh ground pepper

1 pinch kosher salt

1/4-1/8 scotch bonnet pepper (depending on how spicy you like it)

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients for the marinade, and add prawns, letting it all meld together in tasty goodness for 30 minutes. 

Sip one of your delicious cocktails and preheat your grill

Place the prawns on the grill and cook until they start to curl up and are no longer translucent.

Place shrimp over your rice, sprinkle with beans and bell peppers, topping with cilantro and hot sauce. Sit back, sip your cocktail and enjoy!

Thank you again to Casa Noble for the opportunity to try out the fun spirits!  Now, dear reader, it's your turn!

What are you cooking and drinking?

Raina

Beery Loves

I've been having a lot of fun lately-at work, at home, with South Park Arts. It's been keeping me busy. I'll write a full review soon, but to tide y'all over, I interviewed a brewer friend of mine!  You can read that interview here.

Read on, and if you're local, go check out Burdick Brewing!

Cheers,
Raina

On Loss and Happiness

Oh, that face. That smile. This is Missy and I a few months ago at a bonfire. The same bonfire where we spent hours. The same bonfire where she supported me in my decision to be single, and the same bonfire where she pushed me to ask a young man out.

That mischievous smile, that when it flashed, you knew you were in for a fun night.  That is what I will miss most about Missy.  

Missy passed away this morning after a valiant fight against cancer. She died enveloped in the arms of those who loved her, and with the love of an entire community by her side. Dear reader, I am so sorry that you never had a chance to meet her. To know that smile, to know the livelihood that existed inside of her.

I'm sad. For myself. For those who lost her. 

Years ago, when I was going through a break up, I was at a crossroads and Missy and I went for a drive. The question came up, "Do I try to make it work or do I walk away?". In true Missy style, she asked if I was happy. Simple. "Are you happy".  The answer was no.  She retorted, "There you go, problem solved", and that was that. She smiled and patted my knee. That was really that.

If it wasn't for Missy, I wouldn't have met my partner Nick. I wouldn't have dated him at her urging, and I wouldn't have my baby girl now.

Life is short. You find amazing people in your life, and don't let them go. Do what you can to be loved and give love and when all else fails, ask yourself, "are you happy?". 

To you Missy. 

Raina

My Love

This time last year, I was in labor and was in my delivery room being coached to breathe and waiting for my little one to come. I would have to wait another 15 hours, but it didn't matter.

I look at this picture and can't help but smile. She was brand new, maybe a minute old. I'm so tired, but so excited. I am thoroughly peaceful.

I can't believe how quickly the past year has flown by. Every day, I am so grateful for my Tiny Beast; her strength, her fluffy hair, the way she looks like me and my Dad. Everything.

When she was born, even with all that happened immediately after (and you can read about that here, if you want to catch up); I knew that everything in life would be ok. All that mattered was that I had her. After so many years of waiting for the right person and the right time, she was here and she was mine.

Having Isabella erased any anger I had. Every bad day just didn't matter. Even my Dad's death a few months before stung a little less. Looking into her big blue eyes, I knew (and know) that as long as I do my best for her, and keep her needs in mind, I can't and won't go wrong.

Every night, we snuggle her to sleep, and put her in her crib. I look forward to that time. I look forward to our weekend naps on the couch, snuggled under antique quilts, chasing the last of the sunbeams. She is truly my heart and my world and I can't imagine my life without her. I am truly blessed to have her.

Here's to many more years of love, happiness, and those big blue eyes.

To you, my love. Mommy loves you so, so much.
Raina

Best. Year. Ever.

Oh, 2013, you were pretty amazing.

2013 started off with friends and me being super pregnant.  The house would decide to revolt against us, resulting in a roof leak, the power box crapping out, and last minute home improvement projects (which really needed to happen anyway). Thank goodness for awesome neighbors who are super handy fix-it-all's!

My due date would come and go, and I was pretty sure that Izzy had made a fort in my womb. She would eventually make her appearance on her terms in her own time. The labor would be strong and steady, and mostly unmedicated. She arrived with a ferocious scream, and upon seeing her, finally knew what love truly was. We would spend the first week in the NICU and Specialty Care at Children's, but leave with what amounted to a detailed instruction manual on how to care for a baby.

We learned what parenthood was, and that we were an amazing team, despite the stress that is fueled by exhaustion and learning how best to care for a tube fed baby.

On the fun side, 2013 would bring Izzy's first camping trip at 2 months old, and then 2 more camp trips. Not bad for having to lug a feeding pump and an oxymeter along with us, in addition to my breast pump and all the related equipment. We would hit the road for short weekend adventures to the coast, to parks and in-city adventures.

It brought a start to my home business, Big Dill Pickles. I continued to craft, making books, quilts, and baby clothes. I spent many amazing hours snuggling Izzy, writing, as well as publishing a blog post for Blogher.com.

We cooked many amazing meals, and hosted lovely dinner parties for friends.  Lastly, we paired up with a local (baby friendly!) brewery to host dinner parties, with the first one being a beer and bratwurst party for 100. 

On the work front, 2013 brought new work projects for me, long days and great new responsibilities, gaining a new team and letting go of the team I had worked with for a few years. I would start with a research group, and eventually work on dismantling a bariatric program, and helping to transition another program into my department. It was a year of change at my company!

Nick continued on at his catering company for the 6th year, cooking for many events, including events for local politicians, on up to someone at a big white house. He did an amazing job keeping me fed as well (I am pretty sure that in itself was a full time job, too).  Nick worked on multiple house projects, played harmonica and guitar for Izzy to keep her happy. He spends his nights teaching Izzy Spanish, a love of history and geography, and how to play soccer (she’s still learning that one!). 

So what's on tap for 2014?

The big thing is Izzy's upcoming surgery in a few weeks to close up her pallet. In theory, she should be able to start eating on her own. We'll be working with the specialists to teach her to eat and make sure that we get ahead of any potential challenges to speech. 

I'll be attending a food bloggers conference, and plan to do more with my art's and crafts, and will put more energy into canning and pickling. We plan to work with the local brewery, Burdick Brewing (do check them out!), to do more food related events. I'm also looking forward to more events with South Park Arts.

We have some fun trips planned as well, the exciting one is a trip to Yosemite late spring/early summer, I used to go every summer when I lived in California, and Nick hasn't been. I can't wait to take the two of them on hikes and show them the spots that I loved so much. 

This year will be about going on adventures and exploring with Isabella and Nick and just having fun. 2013 was an amazing year, and I can't wait to see all that 2014 has to offer!

What are your hopes for 2014?

All our best,

Raina, Nick and Isabella Grace.