A Chihuly Valentine

My wife and I recently visited Chihuly Garden and Glass at Seattle Center. The two great things about it are: 1. The glass work; it's beyond imagination, and 2. Photography is allowed. Additional features worth noting are descriptions of Chihuly's influences and his development as an artist, and periodic presentations from the staff on "how did they did that?"

Armed with my Lensbaby, Sweet 35, and single glass (with heart aperture) optics, I enjoyed the exhibit.  While I miss the retro feel of the Fun Forest, I have to say the Garden and Glass will be high on the list of things to do when friends and relatives visit.

Happy New Year 2012

Happy Thanksgiving

This year's menu.

Turkey:
   PC Willy's Green Chille Rub
   Onion/Celery loose stuffing
   Smoked in the Big Green Egg with one chunk of pecan
   ~300-325° F 3.5 hrs

Stuffing (2 bags rustic crumbs)
   Onion/Celery sautéed in one stick butter
   Four cups stock (chicken carcass, turkey neck, veggies)
   Bag of Mariani dried cherries
   Cup each chopped macadamia and pecan nuts
   Two chopped apples

Mashed potatoes with sour cream and chives

Roasted brussels sprouts
    Blanched
    Toss in lemon/olive oil/tarragon emulsion
    Bacon salt

Cranberries
    Water/sugar
    ~1/4 cup molasses
    Tbsp cherry balsamic
    Tbsp Cointreau orange liqueur

Sweet potatoes
    One big garnet yam, baked and sliced
    Chopped pecans roasted in butter
    Two Tbsp Bourbon
    Marshmallows

Mushroom medley
    Chantrelle, Shitake, Crimini
    Garlic, wine, and oil

Food Channel: Grilled Caesar Salad and Steak for May Day BBQ

Julie Reinhardt, owner of Pete's BBQ and author of She Smoke had a virtual BBQ today. I did not have time to BBQ, but grilling on my Big Green Egg is always a good thing to do.

Today's menu:  

• Grilled Ribeye
• Grilled Caesar Salad
• Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms

The onions and mushrooms go on first.

 When almost done put the meat on.

While the steaks rest, grill the romaine.

The caesar dressing came from cooks.com

anchovy paste 

2 tbsp. red wine vinegar 

1 tbsp. lemon juice 

1 1/2 tbsp. Dijon mustard 

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 

1 lg. clove garlic, minced 

1/2 c. olive oil 

1/3 c. Parmesan cheese

I put the cheese on top.

Tip Toeing Through the Tulips

The month of April is tulip month in Mt. Vernon, Washington. Home of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, this area is a destination event. We've been in Seattle for nearly 27 years and finally had the right convergence of remembering, having some time, and not caring about the traffic. We were not disappointed. The Tulip Festival web site has all the needed details.



The sun was bright and overhead. Not always ideal for bringing out the color, but on Sat. (4/23), it created some very nice highlights with both front and back lighting capabilities.





Additional tulip photos can be viewed at Sockeye Photography

Foggy Morning

This is why I keep a camera in my backpack.  Morning commute a few weeks back.

January Sunset

I have a great commute. Most days by bicycle. Somedays I get a treat.