Savory, salty, and sweet

I've been enjoying this cooking blog by a former co-worker and it seems to have inspired me.  I just can't stop taking photos while I cook lately.  So here's the salad I made for dinner last night using beets from the garden (yes, those old beets from last year).

Beet and Orange Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

Cook and slice 1-2 pounds of beets (I used 3 big ones)

Peel and slice one big orange

Whisk up vinaigrette:
3 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp raspberry vinegar (I used raspberry balsamic from Navidi's in Camas, WA)
2 cloves minced garlic
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 Tbsp minced ginger
1/2 tsp salt
fresh ground pepper

In hindsight some orange zest would have added a nice citrus kick.

Mix it all together and refrigerate for a few hours to let the flavors combine.  Voila! 

Oh well

I love finding little surprises.  While out and about running errands, something caught my eye outside the Rite Aid.  Do you see it?

There's a bird nest perched inside the 'e'.  What a nice sign of spring optimism!  And knowing the state of the Rite Aid, I can't really see anyone rushing out to remove it.  Live well baby birds.

My, Oh My!

Baseball season has officially started.  Today the Seattle Mariners played the Oakland Athletics at home and we brought Ole to his first baseball game. 

We caught a ride in this cool pedicab from our parking space to the stadium.

Once inside the stadium we headed to guest services where Ole was presented with a personalized certificate commemorating his first baseball game.  There was also has a nursing lounge for mothers. We hung out for a while waiting for the game to start.  Isn't this cute?

Soon the players began to enter the field, a procession of serious athletes.  Wait..what the hell are they wearing on their backs?  Is that a Patrick the starfish backpack?  Hmmm.

Here my favorite player, Ichiro Suzuki, warms up by tossing a ball back and forth with a kid in the stands.

Ole enjoyed some people-watching.

We visited the statue of Dave Niehaus, famous Mariners radio announcer from 1977-2010.  He was known for his catchphrases:

"My, oh my!"

"Swung on and belted!"
"Get out the rye bread and mustard, Grandma, it is grand salami time!" 

Ole caught a nap while we walked in the sunshine and checked out the many, many food options in the stadium.  I doubt that most baseball stadiums serve sushi.  I went for a salmon caesar salad and ice cream.

Good news!  The Mariners won five to three with two home runs. 

And we had a great day!

Cough sniff ah-choo!

My sweet boy is under the weather this week with a cold.  I hate that he's feeling poorly, but in his misery he has started crying "Mama" for me.  Last night it was even "Mom mom".  It is great to hear his first word, but I sure hope he feels better soon!

Tweeting

Ole, Pepper, and I headed into town the other day to visit Stephanie at home.  She had a busy day planned but was kind enough to let us barge in for a bit and say hello.  Pepper was thrilled to romp with Jackson and Stella, and Ole soaked up the attention.

Then we hit Woodlawn Park, right in Stephanie's backyard, for a swing.

Ole and I met up with Alex for an al fresco dinner at Screen Door, soaking up the spring warmth.  I had an evening appointment with Claudia after.  She was adopting out her two parakeets and I, strangely enough, wanted to take them home.  It seems that "the divas", as she calls them, were conflicting with her hipster aims of mixing and editing music--they tried to drown out the music with their singing.  Annoyingly loud birds?  They sound perfect, I said.

They've been nervous since I brought them home.  It's probably because Fin pounced on top of the cage within minutes; apparently he can jump much higher when there is tasty avian incentive.  So today I hung the cage up high and left the radio on for them when I went out, and they really seemed to appreciate the jazz station.  I've set them up with a nice view of the gorge, and Claudia sent along lots of toys and accessories for them.  Hopefully Mariah and Aretha (you can blame Claudia for that) will be very happy here.  Tweet!

Waitin' around

The electrical inspector was scheduled to come today to check out the work we've had done in our kitchen.  They didn't tell me what time to expect him, so I knew I was in for a wait.  I resisted the urge to venture out or even take a shower lest I miss him.  I tried to enjoy the day while I waited.

 I took advantage of the sunshine to hang the cloth diapers out to dry. 

Ole did some swinging in the sun and his new shades.

 We checked out the garden.  Last year's beets are still looking pretty good.

 I love these bright spring colors--very carroty.

 Milton's curls are starting to grow in again.  I just love the way his ears flip out at the end.

Ole spent a long time flipping through the Poky Little Puppy.  I've always had a sentimental spot for this cute book, but I'm not sure I'd ever read it.  Now that I have, I must say the plot line is not very compelling; the naughty puppies go to bed with no dessert and the poky puppy shows up late and eats it all until eventually the naughty puppies reform and then they get dessert and the poky little puppy gets none.  Is that it? The illustrations are great, though, and Ole sure seemed to enjoy it.

So we had a great day.  Of course, the inspector never did show up.

Chapeau Hut Cappello Sombrero Hat

Mom brought along great bounties from Minnesota for her weekend visit.  I may have mentioned to her once or twice that Ole had outgrown the baby hats she had knit for him.  He was even forced to wear (gasp!) a store-bought hat when the weather turned cold.  Our problems are solved, however, as she made him not one or two, but FIVE, cute new hats.

What a lucky boy!  Thanks, Grandma.