Olallie Lake Hike

Yesterday I decided to test out my knees and go on an easy hike.  I've been having knee issues and got a cortisone shot to 'help' but ended up getting cortisone flare from it, so am just now starting to feel back to normal.  Anyways, the hike was really pretty and gradual elevation gain so it was perfect for the amount of effort I was looking to exude.  We parked at the Pratt Lake trailhead and hiked in old growth forest for about 6 miles total.  We passed a few waterfalls along the way and had an amazing view of Mt Rainier from our top elevation.  It was pretty amazing to look at and think 'Wow, I'll be at the top of that next weekend...hopefully!'  The weather has been great and we have a great forecast so far for our trip, so knees willing, we'll make it to the summit :)

At our high point yesterday, we looked down at Olallie Lake and even saw some signs of fall in the reddish and yellow leaves.

Cooking on a Lazy Sunday

I spent this past Sunday afternoon lounging around the house and felt inspired to do a little cooking.  I made two recipes, which I think are both worth sharing.  Feel free to use either one you like and let me know if you enjoy them.

This first recipe is courtesy of our friends from Dallas - Rich and Matthew.

Chickpea, Cherry, and Ginger Salad
Ingredients:
(2) 16 oz cans chickpeas
(1) 11 oz can mandarin orange (I use the kind without added sugar)
1/2 red onion
1 clove minced garlic
1 tbsp minced ginger
2/3 cup chopped cashews or pecans (I like cashews)
2/3 cup dried tart cherries (I use the no-sugar added kind)
1 minced, seeded jalapeno
1 cup chopped parsley
4 oz feta (fat free is fine)

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil

Rinse and combine the chickpeas and oranges.  In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, oranges, red onion, garlic, ginger, cashews, cherries, jalapeno, parsley and feta.  Whisk together the vinegar and oil in a separate bowl.  Pour vinegar mix over chickpea mix and stir well.  Add salt and pepper to taste.
Eat!

How easy is that?  And I promise, it's delicious.  The ingredients may not sound like they all go together, but they do.  And you can substitute the dried cherries for any dried fruit you like, and the same with the nuts.  And I left out the jalapeno this time b/c it somehow didn't make it home from the grocery store.

I've been eating this all week over lettuce and it makes a nice salad.  I've also been adding grilled chicken to this salad as a lunch for Will.

The second recipe I made is also super easy.
Healthy Banana Cookies
Ingredients:
3 ripe bananas
2 cup oats
1 cup dates (pitted and chopped)
1/3 cup applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
Dash nutmeg & allspice

Preheat oven to 350.
Mash up banana.  I find it easiest to do this on a cutting board/plate with a fork.  Add bananas to a large bowl, add oats, dates, applesauce, vanilla, and spices.  Mix well.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto an un-greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

I always rest my cookies on a rack before putting them up as well.  These are moist and very healthy cookies - they almost taste like a breakfast treat.

Enjoy!

I apologize, I didn't get any 'after' photos of these.

Gwen and The Gorge

My lovely friend, Gwen, came to visit from Dallas over Labor Day weekend.  We met at my old job about two months before I moved to Seattle.  In that two months, we became instant friends and found out that we also were in Junior League together and we lived two streets apart!  I really miss my friend Gwen and am so glad she came to visit us.

During her visit to the PNW, we went to see Dave Matthews Band at the Gorge Ampitheater in Eastern Washington.  We camped out in a field with hundreds of other fellow concert-goers, although I think since we came for day two of a three-day festival, we were with a more tame crowd.  As we drove through the camp site (I use that term loosely -- it's actually just an old cow field), there were crazy 'kids' everywhere and I'm guessing that most of them had not been sober or slept for 24-48 hours...made me think of my brother and his concerts :)  We saw lots of RV's and one guy had a lawn chair on the top of his RV and was wearing a t-shirt that said 'I don't get drunk, I get awesome.'  I had to laugh!

The concert was really good, even though we were in the nose-bleed lawn section.  The views were stunning - the amphitheater is naturally made and sits along the Columbia River.

http://www.gorgeamphitheatre.net/gorge-amphitheatre/

We all slept like babies after the concert in our little tent and awoke to a beautiful sunrise.  This was Gwen's first time camping and I think she really liked it :)

After our time at the Gorge, Gwen and I took the next day easy.  We walked around Queen Anne to all the little shops and went to Kerry Park, then got a spa pedicure.  I loved having her here and enjoying some quality 'girl time.'  Plus, she and Will (or 'Willis' as she nick-named him) got along really well.  Ironically, they never met in Dallas, so the first time they met they had to share a tent! 

 On her last day in Seattle, we did a few 'touristy' things, like go to Pike's Place market and had a cup of coffee at the original Starbucks.  After that, Gwen wanted to see where I work, so we headed over to South Lake Union and ended the afternoon with a nice lunch at Serious Pie.  It was seriously delicious.

Gwen, pretending to be me at work.

Delicious Tequila Bloody Mary

 Gwen's visit was super nice but super short!  She's such pleasant company and so fun to be around.  I'm already planning a date for this spring to go visit her in Dallas :)

Miss you, G!

Chelsea's Bachelorette Party

My friend Chelsea is getting married!  Unfortunately, I'll be hiking Rainier so won't be at the wedding, but that doesn't mean I haven't been attending all the fun pre-wedding parties!  Chelsea's sister put together a lovely bachelorette party that was arranged in stages. 

Stage 1: Diane's Market Kitchen
https://www.dianesmarketkitchen.com/

We gathered to eat and drink and learn how to cook delicious and local food.  Diane has an intimate kitchen and made us a fabulous meal!

The party!

Stage 2: The Tasting Room
http://tastingroomseattle.com/

We headed down the street to taste some local Washington wines.  There was also a special 'visitor' who came to visit but I won't post any photos of that :)  Let's just say that Chelsea was literally a 'blushing bride!'

Stage 3: Party and Beyond
We headed to a bar near Pike's Place after the wine tasting, but I left pretty soon after that.  I hear that the rest of the night was just as much fun as the first part.

Happy Wedding Chelsea!

Next Set of Visitors

Our next house guests hail from Griffin, Georgia.  And their names are.... Jim & Mary Eidson!  You guessed it, my in-laws came for a few days to visit us in Seattle.  We spent one day at Mt Rainier looking at the flowers at Paradise and had a nice meal at the Inn at Longmire.  While Will and I were at work, Mr & Mrs E 'Rode the Duck' and went antiquing.

Kerry Park

Will & Mr E went hiking, I think Will wore his dad out!

 

At Mt Rainier