Two Great Weekends

OH summer weekends....they are so wonderful. This past weekend was great. Beautiful weather, good food, new places...yep it was good! On Friday, we tried a new restaurant (for us) called Bastille. Very good food for happy hour....fries (frites as the french call them), lamb burger, mussels, and a falafel! Everything was enjoyed while sitting out on their patio. The only downside but slightly funny aspect was our waiter who thought he was French but wasn't! Worst French accent ever! On Saturday, we walk all the way around Lake Union! It was long but beautiful. That afternoon we visited the Fisherman's pier for the first time! We bought fresh mussels to make for dinner! I really wanted to get the shrimp...huge!

The weekend previous to last was also great. We went to the Mobile Chowdown IV, which is where they bring together all the street food carts in one location. We ate at Skillet and El Camion. Brandon had a slider and fries (I may have helped with the fries!) and I had fish tacos. So tasty!

So, I realize we write about food a lot! But really it has a lot to due with the atmosphere and culture out in the area. People are so passionate about the food they make and it makes you want to be apart of it all! Brandon is soaking it all in and reading cookbooks everyday, every night...its been so neat to see him take ideas from restaurants and books and make the recipe his own. I am always amazed. So if you are bored with eating...a trip to Seattle might due you good (either eating out or eating Brandon's creations :) )


The weather has been amazing the last few weeks here...makes me love Seattle even more....also makes me wish this weather was year round!

Happy Birthday America!

Happy Fourth of July everyone! Wow, its hard to believe its July already! Before we get to the festivities of the Fourth...Happy Birthday Grandma Schuster!!! My grandma turned 80 this past week :) and doesn't look a day over thirty! She is an amazing woman who truly has embraced all that life has to offer. She has showered her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends and strangers with her love, generosity, and enthusiasm. We love you! (She also is the only one who can take normal pictures!)


The fourth was a crazy experience for us this year. Living in the Eastlake neighborhood is definitely proving to be exciting and fun during the summer. Starting on Saturday we watched the barge get pulled into place right in front of our apartment...this is where they would be setting off the fireworks on Sunday night! On Sunday as we got ready for friends to come over the boats were pouring into the area to get a good spot for the show. We had a few friends over for the festivities...Brandon made shrimp tacos complete with cabbage slaw, guacamole, and salsa! Everyone brought food and drinks so we were set for the evening!
The neighborhood came to life around 1pm with fireworks, yelling, people walking around. It was so fun to watch for our balcony. Then around 10:30 the fireworks started and were amazing. We had an amazing view!! Our neighbors continued the show well into the early morning hours...come Monday we were tired!



As we walked through the area Monday morning it looked like the outside of a frat house! There were remains of beer cans, bottles, fireworks, garbage....it was crazy! Thankfully, Starbucks sponsers a clean up Lake Union the day after. So hundreds of volunteers come through the area and pick up trash and recycle. Overall, it was a wonderful Fourth spent with friends, food, and fireworks :)

Novocain and Summer Solstice

Ahh...so we survived another crazy week! To explain the title of today's entry we will start with last Wednesday. I unfortunately had to get a cavity filled...my first one in eight years! So, I took off from work around 1 on Wednesday to go to the dentist. When I got there I explain my sensitivity to medicine and informed the dentist I probably didn't need a lot of Novocain. I explained how taking other medicine like Tylenol or Advil will sometimes knock me out for the night or day...So he nodded and filled the cavity. He finished up, I was filling good...no pain. I sat up and realized I couldn't feel my eye lid! I was blinking but all I could feel was my contact! My entire left side of my face was numb! I took the dentist and he told me it should wear off in an hour. I was having trouble talking so I decided to go home instead of heading back to work. On my way as I tried to smile at the bus driver I was a bit more numb than I realized. I got home took some photos of trying to smile and waiting for Brandon. Within minutes of him walking in the door we were rolling on the floor with laughter due to my inability to smile :) Saturday, the 19th, was the summer solstice celebration in Fremont. So as in years past, we joined friends at Paul and Jeannie's for early morning cocktails, food and then the parade. It was slightly rainy but nothing beats the craziness of people celebrating the start of summer...on their bicycles...and painted ;) Brandon and Ryan enjoying the beer garden.

Weekend with the Deurs

This past weekend summer finally came to Seattle...currently it has gone on vacation but this weekend it was here! The weekend also brought visitors! Garth and Mary came out for a weekend of adventure, fun, food, wine, and sun (surprisingly we were able to provide all!) On Friday, we hiked Mt. Si. According to Brandon, it was a moderate hike. Little did we know that this 8 mile round trip hike would go up about 3000 feet in elevation! We were all tired yet very proud when we reached the top! Little did we realize the pain of going back down! It was a beautiful hike! Brandon and I can't wait to hike it again on a clear day :) Of course, we still need a few weeks to recover! Friday night, Brandon blessed us with a wonderful dinner of Copper River salmon, a potato risotto, and zucchini. The main course was terrific but seeing his parents try the bone marrow appetizer was even more exciting! I think we may have a few more bone marrow fans. I captured their firsts bites so they can remember it forever! :) Saturday morning was spent slowly moving around Lake Union admiring huge boats followed by a lovely drive through Discovery Park. We were all a bit sore from the hike so a lot of walking was not appealing at all. The afternoon was spent wine tasting with the Kosters. The Michigan family finally got to meet the Washington family! It was nice for everyone to meet and share wonderful glasses of wine :) Sunday morning was spent at church with a quick lunch and then it was off to the airport. It was a great weekend! We were so glad to spend time with Garth and Mary while enjoying beautiful weather! :)

Weddings and Family

Hello All! I cannot believe is June already! So many things have happen...May was a fun month but very busy. Allysha got married to Andy :) Which means Brandon and I travelled to the Chicago area to partake in all the wedding happenings. I flew in on Tuesday, the 18th, allowing me to spend some extra time with the bride and some friends. Wednesday afternoon was spent with a few of the coolest people on earth! I had lunch with Emma, Mollie, Maddie and Nelly! The amazing thing is the I have know these three girls since the day they were born...I was Emma's age (13) when she was born...crazy! Wednesday evening was all about the bride! We had a shower to deck her out with beautiful outfits?!? You can figure that out....It was a lot of fun seeing all the bridesmaids and friends together for laughing, food, gift opening and even a game :) After the shower, all the girls took Allysha out for a few drinks with more laughing and catching up. It was a fun time! On Thursday, Brandon arrived and cooked a wonderful dinner for all the girls, Mom, Dad and a few groomsmen...who happened to sneak in...it was a fun and wild night! Brandon made steak fajitas and red rice while I made guacamole, a veggie salad and sangia. Dad added to the feast with some delicious (with a bit of kick) margaritas! As you can tell by the pictures everyone was having a good time! Friday was the rehearsal dinner and the food was super yummy! It was neat to see the whole wedding party together along with the Schuster and McGilliard families. I included a couple favorites of mine from the evening :) The wedding was on Saturday...a beautiful weather, beautiful bride and a beautiful new family! It was so great to celebrate Allysha and Andy's new life together. We can't wait to go visit them in St. Louis...we have some food places already picked out! Sunday after the wedding, we got together with Garth and Mary. It was great to spend a bit of time with them walking in downtown Naperville. They are coming to visit soon and we are so excited!
WOW...this was a bit long but I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into our past couple weeks :)

Catching up ;)

Well, its been a while...a long while. From March to now, there has been a whirling of activities, work, dinner parties, eating out, hanging out with friends, enjoying the nice weather....So I wish I would have kept this up to date but I didn't! So here is a recap of the last two months!! Enjoy!

I went home in March for Allysha's shower hosted by our wonderful Aunts! She got lots of wonderful kitcheny and homey things for her new life with Andy :) They are getting married on May 22...which is in less than a week!

Brandon made bone marrow for some friends (along with other delicious food). It was sooo good! For those who haven't have it before it tastes like salted creamy butter. We had it on toasted bread with a parlsey, caper, shallot salad...yummy! Our weather has been going from rainy to beautiful. The sunsets have been awesome! I wish my camera could capture the vibribant colors better but you get the idea.

Let there be meat! Steak! Two inches thick! Brandon was in meat heaven when we had some friends over and the theme was steak! They were huge! and good!

I think that takes us from March to now...maybe missing a bit ;)

Welcome Spring!

Happy Spring Everyone! Wow...we have have some great weather! Its been neat to see the flowers and plants blooming everywhere :) I have been planting seeds, flowers and just enjoying the sun! Brandon has enjoyed making fun of my attempts at gardening, well gardening in the sense of planting in pots. I recently planted some basil, thyme, and sage seeds. However, I didn't follow the directions...actually in my defense I knew what I was doing...I wanted a high success rate. So I put an entire packet of seeds in each pot! Brandon came home and was in disbelief! Although I think I am now having an excellent rate of return for all my efforts!
My plan is once they get a bit bigger I will take some out and give them to a few friends. It is so fun to see them pop through the soil!! Hooray for spring! Also....spring wouldn't be complete without Brandon trying some new recipes. He recently made mussels (so delicious!) and pepper steak with mushrooms.
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Hungry yet? The next project is making veal and chicken stock...oh boy!

Oh Seattle! You look good!

Spring is coming or here! The sun, clear skies....it is awesome to see Seattle at its best. Even better to see God at His best. His creation all around...showing his glory....its amazing!

Boston for the weekend!!!

This past weekend, we took a trip out to Boston to visit Erica and Kyle. It was a great trip! Brandon had been to Boston when he was younger and I had never been...so it was great to explore. We started at Erica and Kyle's new home! It really impressed us at how much work they have done and how great it looks. We saw Whitinsville....played Dutch bingo...just kidding! We did cook fresh lobsters (no screaming...I was disappointed) but they were delicious!
We went into Boston for a day to explore by riding on a historical trolley. I loved hearing about the history of the town while riding around seeing the sights. We went out on a cliff walk to see huge houses and the beautiful water. And of course we made time for watching the Olympics! Boston was great :)

Cioppino for dinner!!

Cioppino for those who didn't know is a type of seafood stew. Brandon decided to make it for dinner one night (about a month ago...we have been busy but I didn't want to ship this wonderful dinner!) He made a delicious, spicy, thick tomato soup base and loaded it with clams, shrimp, crab, scallops and halibut! It was great...so good that I would have thought it came from a restaurant! So if you ever come to town maybe Brandon will treat you to one of the best meals I have ever eaten!