From the state of my Facebook feed, it seems that there are many, many, many Halloween procrastinators amongst us when it comes to shopping for a costume. Every other post for the past week says something similar to the following;
"Totally have a party tomorrow and have no idea what to dress up as!
Maybe I should just go as a cat...again."
This is just not acceptable harborites. We have got to use our imaginations when it comes to the last minute Halloween costume. Especially when we don't want to spend an inordinate amount of money at (ugh) Halloween overpriced City. Our solution here at GoGo? Shop our local stores for items that you can use even after Halloween to make a kick-butt costume that wont break your budget.
Lets start with our beloved local Dennis Co. While wondering the aisles on a random Tuesday a few weeks ago, a friend and fellow blogger noticed an entire wall of Boyscout pins, ribbons, scarves, belts and vests. Talk about a treasure trove for last minute costume planning. How easy to take a few patches and a vest and pair with a skirt or jeans and white sneakers for an instant costume!
Last weekend I was shopping in town for a new side table for my living room when I decided to stop in at the Variety Store in Elma for some fabric for pillows. Walking in this establishment is like taking a step back in time to the variety stores of the past. They literally have EVERYTHING you could ever need for your home and you life. As far as costumes ideas are concerned, the only thing i could think of is grandma..But in the spirit of Halloween dressing as grandma is just not enough, so I have a few options for you. The Variety store has gardening supplies and big floppy hats. Pair this with a pair of capri pants and a over sized button up shirt and presto... Martha Stewart. Secondly, how about an ensemble costume. Go for Little Red Riding Hood, The Big Bad Wolf and, you guessed it, Grandma.
Hometown feed is a frequent stop on my errand runs, our dog is a super demanding puppy and I love buying dog bones to keep him occupied. Walking around this store, several costume ideas come to mind. First, dog collars, cat collars.. you could go the traditional route and dress as an animal, or use one of the dog beds, cut open, as a potato!
Harbor Saw and Supply is my ultimate place for a costume that can double in your everyday life. How about the Brawny Paper Towel Man! You all probably have a pair of jeans hanging out in your closet and since you live on the harbor, I am going to assume here that you have a pair of work boots hiding out in the garage. Pick up a flannel at Harbor Saw and some paper towels at Swansons and Presto! Insta-costume.
There is an unmistakable crispness whispering through yellowing leaves. Fall is officially here and for some reason, Mother Nature doesn't dawdle with autumn the way she does with summer.
There is good news though! The flavors of the season are now making their way back onto menus. Summer is great for sunshine, but I'm a sucker for pretty much anything pumpkin. So bring it on Autumn! While you're at it, here's a Friday Five with some suggestions on where extra doses of pumpkin would be welcome:
Dentist's Office
We all know dental appointments are important and oral health is tantamount to overall health, but that doesn't mean a regular cleaning is always a choice way to spend a few hours. Consider a waiting room with complimentary Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Do I have to wait 6 months before my next cleaning?
Mechanics
Cars are wonderful and convenient. Except when they inconveniently break down. Waiting for a mystery prognosis on why your ride is making that clicky-buzzy-voom sound is never going to be pleasant. Imagine how the day would go if you traded your keys at the mechanic for a slice of Pumpkin Bread. I know I would respond to my "Change Oil" light a little quicker.
Tax Time
For most Americans, tax time doesn't coincide with the fall festivities, but it should. Especially if in exchange for your perfectly paid and truthful taxes you get a slice (or 8) Pumpkin Pie. I'd consider filing quarterly.
Department of Motor Vehicles
Lost your ID? Time for a new plate? Taking a driver's test? Fun. Yep. Turn that frown into a holiday party with a dozen or so Chai Pumpkin Spice Cookies. Look who updates their address on their license!
Grocery Shopping
When the cupboards are bare and no one wants to eat cereal for dinner again it means it's time to go grocery shopping. For me it means schlepping the kids to the store, breaking up arguments about who is on who's side of the shopping cart car, resolving the issue of why we don't need 50 mylar balloons and prying handfuls of candy bars out of my 2 year old's hands and casually restocking the candy shelves in the checkout line. I could motivate myself to shopping more with a complimentary Pumpkin Roll.
How about you? What is your favorite flavor for fall? And what part of your day needs to be pumped with pumpkin?
When I think of the word labor all I can picture is toiling away in my yard working on my flowerbeds and sweating profusely while trying to rip out the weeds that seem to be overtaking my yard.
Instead how about a great round-up (really bad pun there, sorry) of events that require no labor at all!
1. The 66th Annual Seafood festival in Westport on Saturday the 1st is a tradition on the harbor for the better part of the last century. If you are into salmon, white fish, shrimp cocktail, oysters, corn on the cob and clam chowder you just have to be in Westport this weekend! Just $15 dollars gets you a full meal.
2. The Kelpers Day Parade in Pacific Beach is an all weekend event that ts also sure to bring a smile to your face. What might Kelper mean you might ask? The parade honors the Shake-rats who have a rich logging tradition in PB and kelp is just kelp. The festival is a great chance to get out and celebrate the history of the area and watch some amazing demonstrations of log tossing!
3. If you are anything like this blogger, you adore the music of Journey. Don't Stop Believing (DSB) at Quinault Beach Resort and Casino this Saturday evening is just the thing to get your Journey fix. While the real band may be contemplating a reunion tour, you can enjoy their heart pounding music performed by DBS and have a few flashbacks of your own!
4. This weekend also marks the 4th Annual Salmon Bake in the Garden (Ocean Shores). Staring at noon you can enjoy delicious roasted salmon at Garden by the Sea on Ocean Shores Boulevard. What a way to enjoy the day on Saturday but with some delicious food and the ocean air.
5. If vehicles screaming around a track and kicking up dust is more your thing, you will not want to miss the big rigs of Rolling Thunder Big Rigs at Grays Harbor Raceway. Saturday night will be the only time Rolling Thunder will be at the raceway in 2012 and is sure to bring a great show. Saturday night $18.00 adult admission for raceway fun.
As we all sit back and reflect on that beautiful week of early July weather that made it just in time for the fireworks and ignore the fog that will most definitely loom around in the coming weeks, I wanted to reflect on a more summery topic.
Beaches.
I live right next to a beach. When this sea mist clears, I can usually look out my window on to waves. This Northern Pacific Beach is not like many other beaches around the world. For non-north-westerners, beach means warm sand, palm trees and crystal blue water you swim through at your leisure. This is not that kind of beach. Don't get me wrong. Tropical hideaways are pretty neat. I also am in the mindset that our beaches, though different than the beaches most are accustomed to, have some pretty interesting things to offer. Put down that Pina Colada and grab a frothy Hot Cocoa as you join me on this edition of the Friday Five:
Pacific Northwest Beaches and What to Do With One
1) Beach Comb
I'm sure there are interesting things washing up on beaches all around the world, but I have seen some pretty neat stuff regularly on these shores. From creatures to flotsam and jetsam, strolling along our beaches is a treasure hunt. Keep in mind, one man's treasure is another man's trash on these hunts. Storm season may not be the best time to fly kites, but beach combing is a year round sport. There is a devoted bunch of beach combers with tide charts in hand who rise with the first rays of sun to see what the Pacific dragged in. Sometimes it's only kelp. Sometimes it's styrofoam floats from the crab boats just off shore. The really diligent and storm savvy combers tell stories of antique glass floats and other mystery cargo that finally makes it's resting place after escaping Davy Jone's Locker of Fine Goods. The story I hear is the wind has a way of blowing the wrong way, and that's when they know it's time to walk the beach. (The news is also buzzing of the migrating debris from last year's Japan Tsunami. Grays Harbor County Emergency Management generally advises if the debris seems dangerous, do not attempt to remove it from the beach. Contact 911 immediately. If debris seems like general litter, or possessions suspected to be from Japan, contact 360-249-3911 or ghcdem@co.grays-harbor.wa.us and be as specific as possible without endangering yourself.)
2) Clam Dig
I wasn't too sure about this practice of "Catching Clams" when I first heard the local stories about clams out-witting the average digger. Apparently our razor clams have the ability to out run the average shoveler and guns are most clammer's weapon of choice. I'm not talking rifles or glocks, but tubes, usually made of PVC or metal that diggers plunge into promising holes or "clam shows" and suction up soil samples that (hopefully) contain a razor clam. Clam digs are not a year long activity, but if you get the chance to make it to the Olympic Peninsula beaches in Fall/Winter and early Spring during a scheduled dig, you'll be glad to get the opportunity to taste these evasive morsels. Even if you choose not to dig, watching the beaches fill with shellfish prospectors in waders, galoshes and head lamps is often more than worth the trip. Dig dates are set once populations on each beach are verified to be strong enough. A 3-day clam pass will set you back a measly $8.60, but combination licenses are also available if you plan to try your hand at any other foraging activities throughout the year.
3) Build a Sandcastle Sand Sculpture
Sand is getting serious. Challenge your friends and family to a friendly Sand Castle Competition (war) armed with the tricks of the masters! Does anyone else share the childhood memories of the points of those plastic sand castle molds breaking off mid cast? Or that miss measure of water to sand ratio that left you with a pile of mud instead of Rapunzel's tower? A very friendly onlooker pointed out to me once that the trick is bottomless buckets. I know, my mind was blown too. The plan is to fill your cylinder or cube with sand 1/2 way, wet with water, fill with more sand, pat like crazy and simply slide your mold right off. No weird suctioned sand. No muddy mess! This basic idea can be extrapolated to building giant molds out of 2x4s and plywood. Before you erect your massive mold, do remember someone will have to actually dig all the sand it takes to fill it. Once you get your supremo structure upright, get to work with whatever sharp-ish objects you can find around. Paint brushes, chop sticks, spoons, forks, butter knives, you name it, they make a shape! Remove sand bit by bit only the castle will remain. Or whatever it is you decided to make. Try creating something on the beach most people don't find here often, a mermaid, a narwhal, A cabana with a blender. The possibilities are endless! If the sand is crumbling and drying before the carving is finished, try a gentle mist from a spray bottle. Or you could just build anytime during the month of Fogust. (Get it?! Mist? Fog! August!? I wish I could take credit for it, too.)
4) Make a Fort
One of the most amazing things about our beaches is how incredibly close they are to the forests. This is a perfect combination for piles and piles of driftwood. Drift logs are building material waiting to happen. There are some pretty industrious beach goers around here and I've found their ruins to prove it. My kids and I have discovered forts ranging from trenches to the more utilitarian windbreak. Sometimes, the trick is just finding the right log because some are so massive, they create 1/2 of the fort on their own. Keep in mind most drift logs are soaked to the core and much heavier than they appear. Once you scout a good area clear of the incoming tide (because this is going to take a while) start collecting sturdy logs and get creative. Some forts I've seen stay assembled for weeks. They are either being added to by a community of buiding enthusiasts or doted on by the original architect, I can't say for sure, but I like finding them. Not interested in hauling large mounds of lumber through sand? Look for a convenient collection of logs near each other and align them in a series for an obstacle course. This activity is especially helpful for turning rambunctious toddlers into sleeping toddlers by a decent bed time. You can thank me when they are asleep.
5) Enjoy a Campfire (Safely)
You know what really stinks about hot, sunny beaches? No one wants to make s'mores there.
Yeah, I said it! After a long day soaking up heat rays the last thing anyone wants to think about is oozy, melty, chocolatey-marshmallows crammed inside some graham crackers. Can you imagine how they must feel? It's sad, really. I think cozying around a flickering ball of warmth is one of the most wonderful ways to spend an evening. Or morning. Or anytime, really. Even on the sunniest of days here, you can bet when the sun lets off it's final beams for the day, everyone on the beach is going to need a sweater. At least. So bring a close to your day at the beach with a night around a fire. Grab those stray logs left unused in your rendition of Stonehenge and circle them around a cozy pit of awesome. Bring some meats fit for roasting on a stick, some cold (or warm, I don't judge) beverages, and don't forget the marshmallows. No matter what you plan to char over that flame of fantasticness, you are guaranteed to go to bed with warm cheeks and wake up with a pile of clothes that will smell of fire for weeks. The rules for fires on my closest beach are to keep them under control at least 100 feet from the dunes. Make sure to check in with local officials before lighting a match and remember Smokey before leaving smoldering coals to their own devices.
No, we don't really swim here. Bikinis aren't really a good idea either. Our beaches are more than just spots for sunbathers. They are big, beautiful dunes of opportunity. How do you beach?
Judging by the fact that I was able to comfortably wear shorts and sandals today, I'm going to say summer has begun. And with summer comes many things: backyard badmitton, looking so cool on your sea-doo (am I the only one who thinks that's a terrible name for anything other than fish droppings?), luke-warm cans of cheap beer in a foam cozy and, wait for it... hot dogs.
Yes, the All American hot dog! I've bet you've consumed at least three this week and I also bet you've denied it to at least as many people (including yourself). Why are those strange tubes of mystery meats so delicious?! And why does every city seem to have their own hot dog tradition?
If you are ever in Chicago and order a hot dog DO NOT under any circumstances put ketchup on it. Did you see what happened to Jack McBrayer when he visited Chicago's popular Weiner's Circle? Anyway, let me break it down for you: You got an Vienna all-beef frankfurter (simply called a "beef") on a poppyseed bun, add yellow mustard, chopped white onions, neon green sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, a tomato wedge, a pickle sport pepper, and celery salt. Sounds like a lot, right? I ate a few while I was in Chicago and I'm a convert. It's delicious!
In Seattle, cream cheese is king. This is the stuff that can only be found from street vendors somewhere between 2am and Pike St. My favorite cream cheese hot dog comes from Zach's Shack in Portland - The James Brown Dog: Cream Cheese, Chili, Jalapeno and Sour Cream. It's terrible and amazing all at the same time.
I've decided we need a Grays Harbor specific hot dog and I've come up with five options. I have not actually tried any of these, but I think they all sound... ok.
1. The Sea Dog
Hot Dog + Halibut + Coleslaw + Fresh Squeezed Lemon + Sprinkled Sand
2. The Hot & Crabby Dog
Hot Dog + Jalepeno + Crab + Butter + Bib
3. The Taco Dog
Hot Dog in a tortilla + Shredded Pork + Chopped Onions + Cilantro + Tequila
4. The Hippie Dog
1/2 Hot Dog + 1/2 Tofu Dog + Whole Wheat Bun + Kelp Noodles + Sriracha Sauce
5. The Sasquatch Dog
Hot Dog roasted on a tree branch + Foraged Mushrooms + Mustard you found at a strangers camp site
Think you have a better suggestion? Please share with us. I'm going to get started on taste testing.
(PS - Will someone buy and reopen the Hotdog House?!)
Independance Day, The Fourth of July, is just around the corner. If you go all out for the big booms and keep your neighbors up until all hours of the night, you have been planning for next wednesday for almost a year. However, for those of us who prefer to keep the spending money in our pockets and refuse to take our an installment loan for fireworks ( i am not kidding), there are many options on the harbor to help you celebrate the 4th in style.
Have an Old Fashioned 4th in Westport this 4th of July. The hub of the activity is at the Maritime Museum in Westport and the event is 'done up right' by the Westport-South Beach Historical Society. The HUGE flag is in the spotlight during this wonderful celebration, and if you are one for picnics, pies and arts and crafts this is the place to be for Independence day.
Splash into the 4th at Morrison Riverfront in Aberdeen. Along the Chehalis River Waterfront, Splash boasts event booths galore, food and blow up bouce houses. A beautiful fireworks display that synchronizes to Bigfoot 93.7 radio as soon as dark hits. This festival brings together the spirit of play and independence for the fourth of July.
Watch the Fire O'er the Water in Ocean city. Billed as the best fireworks show on the washington coast, this extravaganza of sparklers is not to be missed and free!
Now for todays Friday Five... because what would a friday be with out our lists we are so found of? 1.Firecrackers
Cylinders filled with gunpowder. You light a fuse and stand back, and they explode
2.Rockets
Cylinders filled with gunpowder tied to a stick that shoot into the air after you light them
3.Fountains
Usually cylindrical and generally the bigger the package, the longer it will last and the higher it will go
they include a shower of colorful sparks with very little noise
4.Cakes
All include a single fuse which ignites a preset routine of shells, fountains, and rockets
5.Artillery
A reloadable tube with any number and variety of launchable of shells
The pirate of yesteryear is quite different from those modern pirates of today. You may be surprised to find out that some of your co-workers are pirates. They live a double life, and use the rules of modern piracy to balance and lead their lives.
In honor of the Rusty Scupper Pirate Daze this weekend (June 22-24) in Westport, I find it only mo'r th'n fittin to highlight the characteristics of the mo'drn pirate!
Do today's pirates keep a parrot? Have a peg leg? Bad teeth? An eye patch? Beards? Where did these images come from?
1. The image of today's pirate hark ens back to the old days. The beard is a must not only for the rugged appearance but for the sheer reason that when working days on end on the Tall Ships, shaving is just not a priority!
2. Today's pirate is part of a community, much like a family. The captain is in charge of his crew, much like he/she takes charge of their life. A ship is a disciplined place and most pirates practice this discipline in their own lives.
3. Those who sail the tall ships do have their own language. To see a glossary of terms click here.
4. Pirates and sailors be explorers! On the sea or in life, a pirate is adventurous. They are often the forward thinkers in a company. Shaking things up and moving a business toward the future.
5.Pirates and sailors of tall ships today are certainly not the scoundrels of the past, more like privateers who are commissioned by the government, pirates today are fun loving lighthearted women and men who have a true calling with the sea.
I pulled our smoker barbecue out of the garage the other day and my husband cleaned it off (which took a long time let me tell you). Prompting a week of grilling out and eating delicious food.
Let me start by saying that this happened a few weeks ago and the weather was much sunnier and less wet for sure. The cleaning of the grill began with soaking the grill pan in a Rubbermaid tub overnight with a mixture of vinegar and water in our backyard. A tub the our nutzo puppy thought was going to move so he barked at it madly for an hour before going to bed. After an over night soaking, the grill was then scoured with a brand new cleaning cloth that is now of absolutely no use in the kitchen any more. However, even though it took forever, the grill looks beautiful and the food was tasty!
1.Lime marinated Sea Bass with cilantro.
The marinade is simple and only needs to be in the fridge for an hour before cooking.
1/4 dry white wine
2 Tbsp of lime juice
2 Tbsp of olive oil
2 Tbsp fresh chopped cilantro
This weekend Safeway has fresh Mahi Mahi fillets on sale,
which would be a great substitute for sea bass.
Once you have the fish marinated, place on the grill ON ALUMINUM FOIL for 15 min and enjoy!
2.Pineapple soy marinated chicken kabobs with grilled bacon wrapped corn
1 cup pineapple juice
1/3 cup soy sauce
pinch of chili flakes
squeeze of lime juice
Corn is always fresh at Jay's Farm Stand, and you can pick up the bacon next door at Michael's meats. While you are at it get a few sweet peppers and a red onion for the kabobs!
A quick tip for the corn, before you wrap in a piece of raw bacon, cut cobs in half and sprinkle with paprika and salt then place in a foil packet with a pat of butter.
3.Gorgonzola stuffed burgers with sweet potato fries.
I believe that this is the PNW's answer to the Juicy Lucy. Something about how the cheese melts with the burger is so tasty!
Whether you make your own hamburger patties or buy pre made, make sure you seal the edges around the Gorgonzola cheese so that when you grill them the cheesy goodness stays sealed inside. If you are not a fan of Gorgonzola pick another type of cheese and experiment. Top Foods has a great selection of cheeses to suit any palate.
4.Coriander marinated skirt steak tacos with potato and onions
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/3 cup soy sauce
tsp coriander seeds
one clove garlic chopped
1/2 tsp chili flakes
(A little bit of this marinade goes a long way)
Halfway though grilling the steak on the bbq, place your soft taco shells on top of the meat to steam them to a smoky perfection. (no microwave and wet paper towel involved)
5. Pork Chops/ or Pork tenderloin
You will want to do the pork chops with high heat til they reach 140 internal temp. Just a simple rub of salt, pepper and garlic will do. However the pork tenderloin should be low and slow with indirect heat for about two hours. This works best if you have a smoker grill with a top rack.
We had a fun week of grilling outdoors, and so can you, harborites. Dennis Co. is running a Father's Day special that includes a Weber grill for $80.00. So buy some charcoal and make a fire and get outside.
I wanted to make this Friday Five a personal tribute to our own Mothers. The five of us bloggers, having grown up together, had more than one Mom at any point in our teenage years. More than one Mom to talk to, to complain to and to hear the sage old advice of what we should do and what we shouldn't. It was nice to know that so many people cared about us! So this week I gave a challenge to my fellow contributors. What was the best piece of advice your Mom has given you?
There are five of us, which means that this week is dedicated to our Moms. You know who you are and how much we appreciate you. We love you, and want you to know that the things that you stayed up nights worrying about, stuck with us. We listened and we learned. We just want to say thank you, over and over again. Happy Mother's Day!
1. Ali's Mom: The Giver of Clarity
Recently, I was lamenting to my mom about my constant fear that everyone is going to see me only for my mistakes, problems and shortfalls. My mom let me finish and asked, "Do you dwell on your own problems or someone elses?" Of course, I fired back, "My own! I think about them constantly!" To which she said, "Exactly. No one is focusing our your mistakes and problems- they're too busy focusing on their own." I had never stopped to think about this before and it was a true moment of clarity.
2. Chloe's Mom: The Giver of Knowledge
Finish school. She'd never say this, but to paraphrase, "just ******* do it." So I did it and I'm so glad I did.
3. Stefanie's Mom: The Giver of Happiness
Follow your gut and don't worry about what other people think. I know that I have been hearing those words since I was pretty little. My mom is the kind of person that will take the burnt piece of toast so that no one else has to eat something less appetizing. She is always making other people feel good and focusing on fixing the problems of others. Whenever I get worried that I am not doing the right thing or upset over how someone made me feel she reminds me that I know myself better than anyone else. "Follow your gut Stefanie, and you will never be unhappy."
4. Britta's Mom: The Giver of Support Part of the unspoken definition of Mom is "to support." It isn't so much in the saying as it is in the doing- from reading this blog daily to jointly embarking on small business proprietorship, Mom is there to support and encourage.
5. Ashley's Mom: The Giver of Friendship
Sometimes you just need a friend and you find it in Mom. As someone who knows you, and has been-there-done-that, Mom always makes for a good girls night full of advice and fun. From Manicures to Margaritas to Macy's, Mom is the perfect companion.
National Library Week has come and passed... April 8-11 this year, but that does not mean that we cant love our public libraries all year long.
1. Free Downloadable Ebooks. Timberland Library even gives free classes on how to use the Adobe software and how to move the eBooks to your eReader of choice.
2. Save money by borrowing hardcover bestsellers, nonfiction, fiction.. whatever suits your fancy.
3. Book reccomendations from Novelist. What is that you say? You have never tried Novelist! Well I am a huge book nerd and this is one of my favorite tools to help lost bibliophiles find their next novel to read!
4. View art exhibits in lobby. I love walking into the Aberdeen branch and seeing the unique pieces in the display case, not to mention the Gigantic Owl that makes me smile, even at the age of twentyseven! The only image I could find of the owl is here. (photo courtesy of dave ward photography)
5. Update Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Blogger, and any other social media your little heart desires.
Timberland has so many branches in Grays Harbor, including Aberdeen, Amanda Park, Hoquiam, Westport, Elma, McCleary and Oakville.
FYI...I have a list of about 100 reasons to love our public libraries and might just have to make this a recurring post!
In honor, or maybe in fear of Friday the 13th, ( a day this year that will occur three times.. all of them thirteen days apart ) I thought that today's Friday five would be a fun time to showcase superstitions and myths that go hand in hand with our natural world around us. More specifically, the beach, the river and the forest.
Myth #1
Grays Harbor thrived on the logging industry for many years as our forests provided the highly valued timber. I won't take the time to reflect on how that resource was depleted, and instead share with you the myth of the spirits of the forests.
Legend says that when walking through a forest, always ask permission from the spirits first or you will be lost forever! (Must have been what happened to Dorothy and the Scarecrow in the forest of apple trees, they didn't ask the trees first! Wouldn't you throw apples at someone who didn't ask you permission? ) Anyway... this myth makes me think that we would have had entirely too many lost loggers if it was true, or maybe we just had a lot of men stopping at the edge of the forest talking to themselves... you decide.
Myth #2
River myths might just be my favorite type of superstition. If you grew up in Grays Harbor.. or spent anytime as a teenage here in the summer, you spent a lot of time tubing our rivers. Had you grown up with parents believing the next myth though you might have thought twice about jumping into the Wynoochee or the Humptulips river.
A Grindylow is a water demon with long fingers that snatches children in the river and drags them down to the deep. Supposedly this creature was invented to discourage kids from falling into the cold rivers in Britain, but seriously, if my parents had told me that particular story there is no way I would have been able to enjoy any of my endless summer fun!
Myth #3
When you research Fishing Myths in Google... the computer crashes. Well, not literally, but there are so many fishing myths and superstitions out there that it boggles the mind. With the abundance of fishermen and women on the harbor I knew that including a few of these fishing gems was a must!
Shall we begin with the hat? A whirlwind of myth surrounds the hat of the fisher-person, and I do not even want to tell you what happens when you set a hat on a bed! Bad luck and enough said;) Also, please don't bring your fishing pole in the house if you plan on catching a fish that day! Fishing on a Friday is extremely unlucky, and if you don't catch a fish all day it is because "you were not holding your mouth right". No idea yet if I can use this particular excuse in my everyday work life but you can bet I am going to try!
Myth #4
Ah the Ocean. We are so lucky that we have ocean views so close. There is nothing quite like living on the coast. What is so lovely and fantastic about the ocean and the beach is also appreciated by sailors, of which the Pacific Northwest has had their fair share. Which brings a basket full of sailing superstitions and myths.
My favorite fondly reminds me of our resident wine expert, but instead of consuming the wine sailors would pour the spirits on the deck to bring the voyage good luck!
Myth #5
Speaking of the beach, the water, a picnic? We have all heard the superstition that those who do not wait an hour before swimming can drown in the water because of cramps. Hahahaha. More than likely this should be filed under the "can't swim" category!
Enjoy your Friday the 13th!
Let us know which superstitions and myths that you take part in!
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!
Ah, wine. If I didn't have amazing friends and no one found it odd to have a beverage as a BFF, wine would be my bestie. Like a true friend, she (white wine is obviously female) makes me feel better when I'm down and makes almost any situation go from good to great. While I usually get to enjoy her company in my living room with my cat in my pajamas after my daughter goes to bed, I sometimes like to enjoy her in public. Hey, she deserves to be shown off and besides, I like to think she makes me look classy.
So.... wine don't you get your class on and celebrate Friday in style at one of my favorite harbor wine spots?
Now this place is classy. Descend the unassuming entryway stairs into a complete wine haven. Vineyard decor, low lighting and comfortable furniture create a casual and intimate setting to relax with friends over a glass of wine. And the wine.... ahhhh. Not only is the selection devine here, but it features a hefty amount of Washington vineyards! I like to come here when I want to pretend I'm sophisticated. Sophisticated meaning I want to break out my fancy blouse and heels. Whoa! Blouse? See, I get all sophisticated just thinking about going here.
Best Winery 2010 by Evening Magazine's Best Northwest Escapes. No wonder! This place is awesome. You can taste wine here, drink wine here, buy wine here, and sign up to have wine shipped to your house here! It's award winning deliciousness themed after all things PNW. I love Float white wine and Shorebird Chardonnay and they have tons of other wines to suit your tastes. And wine cocktails! But wait... there's more! Don't forget to eat something while you're here from the delectable restaurant or bakery. Besides, I think if you eat more, you can drink more. No? Oh.
Mmmm, pasta and wine. There is no better pairing than Italy and wine (it just looks good together- check out the picture!). Amore is a great place to go for a quick date night (everything we do as parents of a 3 year old is programmed into us to be quick), a girls night out or a family dinner. The atmosphere is comfortably classy and I like the wine menu at Amore - it came into town just as I developed my adoration of the drink of the Gods. It features Washington wines, Italian wines and some classic wines for the not-so-adventurous enthusiast. I like to go for a different, yet consistently unpronounceable Italian wine each time I go. Food is another story - I can't pull myself away from ordering the Veal Piccata every time. Delicioso!
What! A wine shoppe on the harbor this adorable that I knew nothing about?! It's true! I just located them online through the magic of Google. Now I must go. How serendipitous that they have Fabulous Friday pourings and here we are talking about wine on a Friday. Or is that just coincidental? Regardless, I say we need to make a trip out for some perusing and tasting. Ooh it says they do wine flights - my favorite way to experience new wines. If you've been here and it's wonderful, let me know.
Let me start off by saying please don't actually drink the wine at Grocery Outlet. Not that I've tried it, but I bet they frown upon it. Seriously though, if you're heading for the couch instead of the bar this evening, they do have a pretty serious wine section and it features some incredible bargains! So, I'll admit it- this is where I buy almost all of my wine. I love spending just $2.99 on a bottle. It means I can buy 3 bottles at least. I think GO might like wine as much as I do; they have an entire portion of their Barganista Blog dedicated to their wine section and you can read it here. Now, they do stock mostly final runs or discontinued wine, so the selection is always changing and isn't consistent at all. But that's the fun in it! Try something new without breaking the bank. Now get to that couch and rewatch last week's Walking Dead!
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