Taste of Home Cooking School

When the Holiday season kicks off, I get the urge to cook.  I want to have people over and prepare warm, comfy food that makes your tummy happy.  I start breaking out the cookbooks and making shopping lists.  Tis' the season to try new foods, and new cooking techniques.  KIX 95.3 must agree with me, because tonight, November 1st, KIX is presenting the "Taste of Home Cooking School" at the D&R Theater. 

Sitting in this spacious theater, participants will be privy to live cooking demonstrations by Culinary Artist Kristi Larson.  Each year Taste of Home picks 10 recipies from their fall magazine to showcase at their cooking school demonstrations. Those who attend the school tonihgt will get to see each of these recipies made and take home goody bags with the recipies inside. 

Vendors and prizes will be available to peruse and win. 

The Doors will open at 5pm and the show starts at 6:30.

Hoptoberfest in October

Honoring Octoberfest, the two week beer festival in Munich, Germany, the East County Rotary Club is sponsoring Hoptoberfest 2012 .  This festival is featuring craft brews from Dick's, Fish Tale, Manny's, Mac & Jack's and many more.

Ocean Shores Quinault Beach Resort and Casino is hosting Hoptoberfest on Saturday October 20th from Noon to 10pm.  Stop by anytime during the festival to sample seasonal craft beers, food and hear live entertainment provided by Jackie Mitchell and Humptulips. 

The Mary Hill and Nicole's Red wineries will be represented as well.

Tickets will be available at the door as well as online at hoptoberfest.org.

10th annual Mushroom Festival

Webster dictionary defines a mushroom as

"an enlarged complex above ground fleshy fruiting body of a fungus ...

that consists typically of a stem bearing a pileus; especially : one that is edible". 

Sound yummy? 

To a mushroom enthusiast it sounds like the amazing Mushroom Festival at Lake Quinault Lodge

happening this weekend October 19-21. 

This yearly event is in its 10th year,

 and is packed full of events all weekend long that will make any fungi lover rejoice.

Beginning with a  welcome reception that includes a wine and cheese social to mix and mingle,

guests of the mushroom convention can enjoy chainsaw sculptures in the shape of mushrooms

 made by Jeff Coleman, and lectures from Dr. Steven Trudell and Heather Risher.

Saturday is the day for guided tours to forage, identify and collect native mushrooms including; chanterells, oysters, king boletus and chicken of the woods.

 

Demonstrations are happening all weekend, with cooking tips and recipes, a grow your own edible mushrooms class and lectures on the types of mushrooms that you can find here in the PNW.

Saturday ends with fungi-bingo

and all weekend long vendors will be peddling their mushroom goods.

Schedule of events Here.  Official website Here.

LUNCH- al fresco, please!

 We have been busy this summer. Between less than reliable weather and mega packed schedules, we have barely had enough time to enjoy the sunny days as they come. With September sneaking up on us, I feel like I have to make an extra effort to enjoy the good weather as it comes.

So yesterday, I made time. My kids are currently obsessed with the "bumpy slide" at Sam Benn Park so I surprised them with an impromptu picnic. We grabbed lunch at LUNCH and hopped up the hill to bask in the beautiful weather.

I chose the Chicken Bacon Avocado with a salad this time around. Did you know pretty much everything is made-from-scratch at Lunch? Even the little things you wouldn't expect. Like the vinaigrette. My pallette isn't refined enough to be sure if it was finely chopped onions or shallots in the dressing, but even an "unfoodie" would notice the difference in freshness. It's the little things that really make the difference.

It's not always easy to get away for lunch time, but having to sit down and to eat a meal is a good excuse to take some time out and make sure I don't miss the last rays of Summer. Maybe if I keep paying attention and appreciating the sun (like I should have been all summer!) Mother Nature will take notice and keep on shining through, oh, say November?

We'll see. But worst case scenario, the word on the street is Erin is conspiring to dust off some hearty, seasonal, and satisfying fall menu items. And Lunch's dining room has plenty of chairs and giant windows I can sit behind and admire autumn.

I would like to point out the proper distribution of bacon.

But I can worry about that in November. Now is the time to notice it's still summer.

Wonderful food awaits at LUNCH Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4pm. 

Call (360) 537-6095 to reserve a large table or just stop by 1006 North H Street in Aberdeen. Don't forget your picnic blanket!

Summer Music Festival

So much music, so little time!  End the summer on a high note out at the beach!

Seabrook is bringing the music to our warm summer nights. 

Friday, August 10 - Sunday, August 12

Seabrook's is hosting their first annual Summer Music Festival!

Starting with music at Mill 109 on Friday evening and continuing with live music on every street in Seabrook on Saturday. Saturday performances include Tom May, Jim Sanders, Oliver Mulholland, Peter Jordan, and John Basker.

The Dusty 45s from Seattle are the headliners on Sunday and will be playing on the Village Green.

Mill 109's wonderful food is the highlight of a cookout with hot dogs, burgers, and a Beer Garden!


photo courtesy of Seabrook Blog

Saturday

Event Stage

12-1:30pm - Oliver Mulholland

1:30-3pm - Jim Sanders

3-4:30pm - Tom May

4:30-6pm - Peter Jordan

Mill 109 Restaurant & Pub

6:30-9pm - John Baker

Sunday

Mill 109 Restaurant & Pub

11-3pm - Cronin Tierney

3-5pm - The Dusty 45s

County Fair Kicks Off Today

Wahoo! Today kicks off the annual County Fair in Elma! Are you going? What day are you going?! What's your favorite part? Food? Animals? Exhibits? Entertainment? Games? Rides? Rides!!!

If it seems like I'm excited about the County Fair, its because I am. The fair is the epitome of summer in a place where we aren't gauranteed other summer staples... you know, like sun and heat. I look forward to the fair every year as my opportunity to be a little country, have some fun and celebrate the summer season. And if you've ever been to another county's fair, you know that Grays Harbor puts on one impressive festival! And if you haven't....consider yourself lucky. I lived outside of Washington State for four years and I never encountered a fair that was as robust or country as Grays Harbor's.

I'd write more, but I'm way too excited to get there already!

This year's theme is "Our Colors, Our Country, Our County Fair" and the five days of fun starts today. Visit the GH County Fair website for more information on admission, events, entertainment times and more.

(The Kids and) I Do LUNCH

I feel like some magical cosmic convergence happened yesterday. I left my house exactly on schedule with both kids in tow (probably a miracle) just in time to stew in a line of cars waiting to drive over freshly pressed oil. Some time during those extra 30 minutes of waiting to eat, my brain had fainted dramatically and refused to make any productive decisions because it-was-probably-going-to-die. Like. Any second. I started believing it was right until I was beckoned by a friendly navy blue logo shouting "LUNCH customers only. Park here." Thank you, sign.

You know how they say "Never go grocery shopping hungry"? They should said "Never pass up LUNCH when you are hungry". Erin (Owner. Sandwich Chef. Server. Cacti enthusiast.) knows how to feed people. I rushed through the inviting dining room and stood in wonderment before the giant menu board filled with food descriptions. I'm not really sure I actually read anything. I just trusted my eyes to directly connect to my gut and followed it's orders. There is no wrong answer on that board. With power words like BACON in multiple menu items, I did not feel worried. I felt like I should high-five that massive menu. I didn't because I've never met Erin before and didn't want to give her the wrong impression.

My belly chose the Turkey and Swiss with Cucumbers and Sprouts, and a cup of Aunt Bev's Wild Mushroom soup. I'm glad it was in control, because if I had been in a more stable state I would have stood in front of that menu for far to long. Everything sounded great. I do wish I could've stopped to think about taking a photo of the tower of a sandwich and well coiffed soup placed before me. Unfortunately, I didn't remember to document it until I finished a good bit of my sandwich. That, and my 2 year old heartily volunteered to slurp up my soup, whether I gave him my spoon or not. This is not a normal cold-cut sandwich. There is real, quality flaked turkey on wheat with at least half of a cucumber embraced by a generous cloud of fresh and lightly peppery sprouts. And mayo? Not normal mayo. I am pretty sure there was something special in there. Mustard? Sunbeams? It was delightful, summery and satisfying. The mushroom soup was not what I expected, but exactly what I needed. The broth is very light and refreshing, but still creamy and filling. It was well seasoned and hearty chunks of different mushroom shapes were tender, meaty, and earthy. Just how a mushroom should taste.
 

I learned a few things while I devoured each crumb of my meal. I learned that Erin has traveled, studied, worked and eaten her way through some impressive places and then found her way back to Aberdeen to build a restaurant around a sense of community and thoughtful, seasonal dishes. I learned that each recipe on the menu can be traced to a beloved family member. And I learned that Erin is ridiculously patient with prying and redundant questions posed by my four-year old. Thank you for talking about cacti for 15 minutes while I shoved a sandwich in my face. You are a life saver.

If you are looking for a quiet place away from the office, I recommend stopping into LUNCH to savor your sandwich, salad, or soup in peace. The dining room is spacious but Sam Benn Park is right outside the window and would be a great place for a picnic. If you are simply too busy to slip out for a break, LUNCH is open at 7:30am. Grab your coffee from their full espresso bar, munch on a pastry, oatmeal or other breakfast goodie and ask them nicely to pack your lunch for later. Nothing says "Productive Morning" like knowing what you'll be eating before noon! OR, are you currently reading this from work? (We won't tell) Feel free to salivate over their online menu with your coworkers and have Lunch deliver to you. There is a $45 minimum order, but once these menus start circulating, you'll find someone to split the bill. If your commute does not bring you through Aberdeen, fear not! LUNCH now offers a selection of pre-crafted gourmet sandwiches at the Tully's in downtown Hoquiam, Tinderbox Coffee Roasters in Westport, and Central Station Espresso in Central Park. Wherever you find LUNCH, be sure to share it with friends and enjoy the rest of your afternoon with a full belly

Wonderful food awaits at LUNCH Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4pm. Call

(360) 537-6095 to reserve a large table or just stop by 1006 North H Street in Aberdeen. Your tummy will be glad you did.

Say Hello to our Brighter Summer Businesses

We are so excited for what is to come this summer. We are working on creating what we think will be the BEST booth at the summer festivals this year! Trust me, you'll want to come out and find us... so here's where we'll be:

Aberdeen Art Walk on July 28th

Hoquiam First Thursday (next to Gray's General Store) on August 2nd

The Kelpers Day Parade in Pacific Beach
-Want to be in the parade with us? We'd like to take our Bicycle Revolution to Pacific Beach! Email us for details. gogograysharbor@gmail.com

Logger's Playday

The Pacific Beach Sand Sculpture Competition
-We have a big announcement about this one too. Check back soon!


So, we want to introduce you to our lovely summer sponsors. You'll be hearing more from them as we have some fun this summer. We encourage you to go pay a visit to their fantastic establishments and tell them thanks for sponsoring this project of ours!

Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill

It's Saturday morning and you had a little too much fun at the bar last night - why not go grab a Bloody Mary from Half Moon Bay and enjoy the view of the Westport Marina? They also have great food, friendly service and live entertainment!

Vacations By The Sea

After a day of yummy seafood and fresh ocean air, you'll probably want to stay at the beach forever! Well, at the very least you can make a weekend of it and rent a condo right on the beach. The good people at Vacations By The Sea will help you plan the trip of your dreams!

Gray's General Store

If you're having trouble trying to find that perfect beach tote bag, why not make it yourself?! Gray's General Store in downtown Hoquiam has all of the supplies you need, and the knowledgeable staff, to get your summer crafty projects going. They also carry a wide selection of cute and quirky gifts for everyone on your list - many of which are locally made. And grab a cup of hot coffee or tea and stay a while on those foggy days while you wait for the sun to break through.

Lunch

If you want the freshest food in town, head over to Lunch in Aberdeen. Their selection of sandwiches, salads, and soups are drool worthy (I know I'm addicted - I eat there at least once a week!) and they also serve up espresso drinks and a yummy lemonade. Order at the counter and have a seat in their warm and inviting dining area. You can also find their sandwiches available at a variety of coffee shops across Grays Harbor! And make sure you like their page on Facebook to see what specials Chef Erin is cooking up this week!

Bergey Voice Studio

I'm sure you've been getting a lot of time singing in the car while you're on your summer road trip and maybe you've wondered "if I had a little training, I could probably be famous." Well, we think you're right so why not grab a lesson or two from Kelsey at Bergey Voice Studio located in downtown Aberdeen? Pick your favorite song and Kelsey will help you perfect it so you can start playing all of those open mic nights you've been dreaming about.

Pacific Beach Inn

Looking to get out of town, but want to keep it low key and somewhat local? We suggest you head up to Pacific Beach Inn. This is as close to the beach as it gets with ocean views and close proximity to a beach that isn't overloaded with vehicles. You are walking distance to all that Pacific Beach has to offer and the Inn Keepers Jen and John are very friendly and take pride in their recently renovated and clean rooms. Our blog team is even looking forward to a "corporate retreat" out there this summer!

Pure Clothing

We Grays Harborites love our jeans and t-shirts and we love getting them at Pure Clothing in Downtown Hoquiam! This little shop is filled to the rafters with unique, high quality used clothing. It's the perfect place to find a new outfit for relaxing this summer and for you music fans, you could probably spend hours in here looking for your favorite band t-shirt!

Queen B Quilts

If you find you've collected a few too many t-shirts over time, why not turn them into a quilt?! Queen B Quilts is a Hoquiam business that will turn your t-shirt collection into a cozy quilt. They make great graduation or Christmas gifts (might as well get a jump start on the holidays, right?) and they will work with you to create a memorable quilt that you can take to all of your beach bonfires and summer picnics this year.

The Salty Dog

For all the love your dogs give you, don't you think they deserve a little spoiling every once in a while? If you're looking for the cutest treats and toys for your pup, head up to The Salty Dog in Seabrook. Their shop is full of great gifts for dogs and those who love them. And many of them are perfect for beach lovers too! I saw the cutest knit sweater with a crab on it last time I stopped in and a crab toy made of rope to go with it!

So there you have it folks! Go say hello and thanks these Brighter Summer Businesses for their support! And visit us at all our summer festivals this year!

The Saturday Shopper: Lunch

Lunch   

Owned by Erin Worth

Established November 2011            

1006 North H Street

Aberdeen, WA 98520  

www.lunchatlunch.com    
https://www.facebook.com/lunchatlunch    

360.537.6095

Monday-Friday, 7:30-4:00     

All About the Business:  I started Lunch because I wanted to do food my way here on the Harbor.  My concept for Lunch was based on the fact that I actually love to go out to lunch with my mom and friends.  It's casual with no high expectations of greatness but the familiarity is there and it should make you feel at ease.  Not that I don't have high expectations for Lunch, I want it to come across to people as a fun place to eat and hide away from whatever is going on in their lives at the time; a great escape for an hour or two.

The Lunch Crew

Most of the ideas for the menu are recipes that I have collected from my time at Etta's and from old family recipes that I have worked to recreate for my customers.  I also draw inspiration from a collection of cookbooks and a stack of magazines that sit in my office.  I don't believe in recreating the wheel in culinary terms but I do want to provide you with good fresh food with a hint of sophistication.

We sell mostly sandwiches, soups, and salads. We have added Deep River snacks into the mix with their gluten free chips for the summer and they have really taken off.  We also have fresh scones in the morning, caramel brownies, and an assortment of Wow Baking gluten free desserts.

I try and stay as local as I can with my products.  If I do any name dropping it will be a product from the PNW because I want to promote local products.  Even most of my gifts and cards are coming from the west coast.

One of Lunch's delicious creations,
made with local products as much as possible.

What Makes Your Business So Unique? We make almost everything from scratch; from the mayo to the soups, there isn't anything here that comes pre-packaged or already made from concentrate.  I feel that my customers can taste the difference and it's a refreshing thing to see on the harbor.

This summer I am excited to announce that we are participating in a local farm share and we will be running farm share specials all summer.  It's going to be a little like Iron Chef/Chopped where we get a box of ingredients and we have to figure out to put them together for a fun culinary experience. 

It doesn't get much better than a from-scratch brownie.

                 

Any Advice for First Time Customers? You order at the front counter in the cafe.  We get some people who will sit down right away and expect someone to come to their table but unfortunately that isn't the way it works.  Once you order though we will bring the food out to you and clear your plate.

Oh, and have a good time.  Music is always playing and there are plenty of things to read if you are by yourself.  All else fails ask Callie Prat any question and she'll be able to help you.

Saturday Shopper: Voss Acres Produce Market in Copalis Crossing

Voss Acres Produce Market

Owned by Sharon Voss, Established May 2011

1683 Ocean Beach Road
Copalis Crossing, WA

www.vossacres.com

360-591-1287

Open Daily Mon-Sat:10-6, Sun: 11-6

           

All About the Business:        Voss Acres Produce Market receives quality fresh produce and floral items through Charlie's Produce in Seattle, they have relationships with conventional and organic growers all over the world to create a consistency in the market year round. My husband Steve has tended to his vegetable garden using organic practices on this property since 2002 and with the market we now share his items in the market as they are available. We also carry gifts, art, pottery, gift cards and additional floral arrangements made by area artists.

What Makes Your Business Unique?         Voss Acres Produce Market is just the center element that draws people to pull off of Ocean Beach Road. On one side of the property there is the history story that we share of our house dating back to the late 1800's as it was then the train depot and later post office for the area. On the other side of the property we share our farm life in the growing of a vegetable garden and raising farm animals; currently we have pigs, chickens, turkeys, and ducks. We collect eggs all week and sell them on Saturday morning.     

Advice for First Time Customers?  Tell me! I then will share the stories about this historical property and the interesting tidbits regarding the artifacts that are on display.  If you are interested in the garden, I will guide you through! Once the garden is layed out for the season there are easy to walk paths so you can enjoy seeing the whole garden up close however, country shoes are suggested for walking around after a rain! We invite you to "watch us grow" as we tend to the gardens and complete our projects so that it will become Voss Acres Produce Market and Historic Landmark Park! Come see us! We're open Daily!



Dating back to the 1800's, this house has a
rich history for the local area.



View Larger Map

Wine, Dine & Shop All in One Place: Westport Winery

Six years of marriage? That's a cause for celebration! As someone who always thought she was too independent to settle down and start a family, every wedding anniversary is a delightful notch in my proverbial belt of marriage. This last Friday my husband and I decided to spend our celebration for two at the Westport Winery, one of my favorite local places. 

Outside of the Winery, by the gardens. 

I promise I'm grimacing at my finicky phone, and not the fabulous company.

Every time I go to the Winery, I remember how much I love it. This was our first time eating dinner there, and the food was simply devine! In fact, I ate it all before I remembered that I should have taken pictures for this blog. Call me impatient. Really, the food was just too incredible to stop eating. And when I did stop eating, it was to drink delicious wine, not reach for the camera.

There's also a lunch menu. This patio seating
will be perfect for Saturdays in the summer.

As far as selections go, my husband and I are both steak fans when we're eating out. My husband had the Prime Rib and I had the Garlic Tenderloin, both served with sesame sauteed broccoli and mashed potatoes. As we both took our first bites, I looked up and it was like looking in the mirror- the savory pleasure I felt was mimicked in the expression on his face. My husband's first words, I believe, were a declaration of his new favorite restaurant. We've been on the search for a new favorite local restaurant ever since Saginaw's in Elma closed up shop (which is a shame - it really was a fantastic restaurant and I hope the proprietors will pop up elsewhere for us to enjoy again), so imagine how ideal it is for me, wine lover, to have this little culinary jewel right in the middle of my favorite winery. Someone pencil me in a standing reservation, please.

Speaking of wine, I paired my dinner with a glass of Fleur de Lis Pinot Gris then a glass of Bordello Blonde. My husband opted for Elk River Reisling (I suspect due to the elk we spotted on the way out). All were delicious, but my favorite still stands at the Fleur de Lis. Pinot Gris and I are just meant for each other. After dinner and a delectable dessert of 4-layer coconut cake, we stepped over into the gift shop & tasting area. I love the selection of local products & goodies! From chocolate to canned vegetables to cook books and wine accessories, the gift shop is categorized by color and makes for a fun shopping experience. Makes me want to throw a wine party. 

 

Some of the fun, Washington-specific goodies for sale at the Winery.

I also did a tasting to get some more Westport Wines under my belt. For $5 you can taste 5 wines. The fee is even waived if you buy a bottle! And since I was definitely going to buy myself a bottle of Fleur De Lis Pinot Gris, I took advantage.

Wine tasting station & by-the-bottle purchases 

in an elegant color coordinated display.

Overall, it was the perfect backdrop for our anniversary celebration. If you're looking for a place with good atmosphere, great food & wine and a true local touch to celebrate a special occasion or take a hot date, this is the place. It's romantic and sophisticated without forgetting where you're at. You don't escape Grays Harbor at the Westport Winery, you just get to see the classier side. Cheers!

Evening twilight at Westport Winery.

Friday Five: Creative Eggs

It looks like Spring is finally here, Grays Harbor! Yes we can look forward to at least another five weeks of tempermental bipolar weather, but at least the sun will continue to show it's face occasionally!

Anyway, Easter is this Sunday and I'm sure those of you who have tiny humans in tow have been busy knocking over other parents at Wal-Mart in search of some Peeps and Easter basket grass, both of which you will likely find wedged in the back of the couch sometime around Thanksgiving. Other things you might find around the house in the off-season? Easter eggs. That did actually happen to me once. Found an Easter egg behind a picture frame in the middle of summer. I was pretty excited... not gonna lie.

Anyway, again... let's dye some eggs, you guys! Or, rather, let's just make some eggs look kind of cool and then probably not eat them. Here are five ways to do it that you may not have tried before!

1. So, modern!

Drip rubber cement on the eggs and THEN dye them. Brilliant.I have many fond memories of rubber cement and elementary school... I'll tell you about it some time after a few drinks at the 8th St. Alehouse.

2. Chalk it up.

Paint your eggs with chalk board paint then write secret messages to your relatives at Easter brunch about how much you love quiche.

3. Keep it Natural.

Use these natural dyes to make eggs that will probably make your children a little bit sad on Easter morning.

4. Decoupage!

For those of you with absolutely nothing planned for the next 48 hours, this one is for you!

5. Nerd alert.

If you are really talented and think that a single egg will be plenty for your Easter celebration, you should try this.

I hope you all have a very happy Easter and if you need any more creative Easter ideas, just visit me at Gray's General Store!

Friday Five: Dig in the Dirt

I became inspired last weekend to go outside!  NOT working so well for this weekend, but it got me thinking about my veggie garden and my herbs that I want to plant this year.  It is tricky with all of our fog and drizzle to have a beautiful and bountiful garden, however the following five plants will get your fingers digging in the dirt and have you eating healthy this summer!

    Please.... plant peas!

Peas are such a universal veggie and they make a tasty snack.  Pasta, salad, or one of the many different dishes you can find here. 

The best thing about growing Peas in our soggy, cold Northwest weather?  They hate weather over
85 degrees.  Perfect for our not-so-warm growing season.

    Go out on a limb and try the exotic Artichoke

Believe it or not, Artichoke need our cool wet weather to grow and thrive!  Also, they make wonderful dip. Like, seriously wonderful, delicious dip.

    Lettuce, grow lettuce.

This should come as no surprise that lettuces grows best in cool temperatures, but what is so great about lettuce is the many varieties they come in! Seriously, many many varieties. (Arugula, Romaine, Butter, Boston, Little Gems, Mache, Iceberg, Black-seeded Simpson, Butter crunch,  shall I go on;)

Lettuce can be harvested most of the season and leaf lettuce will regrow once the leaves are harvested above two to four inches in length.

    Do like the Swiss and grow Swiss Chard

This veggie is much like spinach.  You can saute, dress or soup it and it will be delicious.  Don't overlook it because you haven't tried it.  It can tolerate summer heat and even a bit of frost!

    Care for a Carrot?

Carrots love loose soil and need watering three times a week, which in our wet growing season is not a problem.  Try rainbow varieties and plant them from January all the way to June!

Now this means that we all need to go outside, despite the rain and dig in the dirt! It will mean a yummy eating season if we grow this spring!

Seafood and Music, does it get any better?

I am a self proclaimed foodie.. actually a term given to me by one of my college roomates! We were drawing names for presents for Christmas and she was discussing what kind of present would best suit us.. and I am getting way way way off track!  It is this weekend that offers a great opportunity to taste the food of our shores to my hearts content.

The Sixth Annual Razor Clam Festival takes place in the Ocean Shores Convention Center in Downtown Ocean Shores.  Begining at 7 AM, Saturday, March 24, 2012 with the Firemen's Pancake Breakfast and food vendors including many of our beloved harbor restaurants;  

Emily's, North Shore Grill, Alec's, Home Port, and Bennett's. 

Check out the entire list of vendors here

If that doesn't start your mouth to watering, how about the Clam Chowder Cookoff?

Or the specialty adult drinks at Galway Bay Irish Pub and the Pirate's Cove Pub?

I also mentioned music.. a local favorite for sure! Drumroll please!

Ericka Corban will be the featured performer throughout the day.

On top of the Scrumptious Seafood and the amazing vendors and music, attendees can bid on decorted clam shovels and kids can enjoy Uncle Stinky's Magic show and pony rides.

The Sixth Annual Razor Clam Festival ends at 4 pm.  Admission to the Festival is $3.00 per person, but children 12 years old and under will be admitted free of charge!
 

Photo by John Clark

Friday Five: Where to hide your Chocolate stash

With Valentines Day over and the Chocolate on the Beach Festival just around the corner, I got to thinking;  a chocoholic like myself has many places to stash chocolate in the house.  But am I alone in this endeavor? Are there others out there like myself who hide their sweets from family and friends and maybe even from themselves?

A quick survey of the ladies at work told me that I was not alone (thank goodness, one less thing to worry about before bedtime tonight). Aparently, there are many places to hide "the goods" at home and at work.  Here are some of the best, just to name a few.

1.  Clean laundry and chocolate...don't nessesarily go together.  However when stashing your chocolate a perfect hidy hole might be the pockets of your clean laudry hanging in your closet!  This one was one out of my own personal arsenal.  However, it was pointed out to me that if you have a forgetful mind, this might not be the place to hide squishy yummy treats that when washed will most certainly ruin your favorite winter coat. Also, now having revealed my secret stash I am sure my husband now knows exactly where to look for the Whatchamacalits!

2. In the fridge was a popular runner up, but I did some research on this one.  Chocolate absorbs odor rather readily.  So the next time you bite into that special dark Hershey bar, you might also be tasting last nights meatloaf!  The freezer was also mentioned in this conversation, yet I can only imagine the number of cracked teeth from impatient nibbling on a morsel of chocolate that had not quite defrosted.

3. My favorite answer to the question where do you hide your chocolate stash?  What stash?  I eat it! 

4. For those not willing to risk the hazards of late night snacking, and if you really do trust your co-workers, stashing your candy at work seems like a wonderful option.  There are loads of places in our work spaces to hide the yummy goodies.  The desk, for one, preferably in a drawer that locks!  The top cabinet in the break room, or your work locker.  The list is endless and the chocolate cannot taunt you when you are relaxing on the couch at the end of the day...just when you are in the middle of a stressful meeting or deadline or ... on second thought, maybe having a work stash isn't such a good idea! 

5.  Fill in the blank... I really do need your help.  I couldn't come up with a final place to hide your candy stash and am seeking the help of the capable hands of Grays Harbor Residents!  Where do you hide those Cupcakes from The Recipe Box, and your Seattles chocolates from Harbor Drug and Gifts?  Leave a comment on this post and let me know! I am in search of a new spot since I am sure my husband will be wise to the pockets of my coats now;)

Chocolate on the Beach

Chocolate on the Beach

Date: February 24, 2012 - February 26, 2012

Chocolate bake sale,

chocolate crafts,

chocolate cocktail throwdown,

chocolate cooking classes and recipies, and
chocolate vendors.  

The 5th annual Chocolate on the Beach festival is the place to be if your not so secret indulgence is chocolate.  Events including cooking classes sponsored by the Ocean Crest Resort and a new kid's event at the "Palace of Treats" (Pacific Beach resort Conference Center)

(not an actual representation of the Palace of Treats)

A third venue, the "Hot Cocoa Hall" at the North Beach Community Center has been added to hold all the new vendors.

This year's annual Chocolate Recipe Contest guest judges are The Culinary Madman, Jess Owen from the Ocean Crest Resort and Art Sanders from KOMO News Radio. Once the festival is over, recipes collected from the first five years will be made into a collector's cookbook.

Did I mention that tickets were only $5? However, on Sunday, ALL professional and volunteer fire, EMS, law enforcement and 9-1-1 operators are invited to bring a guest for FREE! This is the Festival Board's way of saying, 'Thank You!' to these extaordinary people.