Sunday 24 September @ 1500

Greetings Fair Readers,

Here we are already to the last post for September! Fall is upon us here in the NW and we have been enjoying the mild weather and the turning of the leaves. There is a lot of activity in the neighborhood as everyone is getting yard work done in anticipation of the winter months and the fall festival season is on us as well locally.

Yesterday Henry participated in a local event call the Running of the Balls as part of a larger Everybody Plays Day. The kids rolled numbered tennis balls down one of the steep hills in town for prizes and there were organized clinics in baseball, football, soccer and basketball for the kids as well as food samples and fitness booths and music for all. It was a sunny day and everyone appeared to be having a great time. Henry was one of the volunteers that worked to set up the event with his Grandmother through the Edmonds Rotary Club. During this, he was able to meet with Edgar Martinez (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Martinez) one on one as he accompanied his Grandmother as she worked with "Gar" to autograph some of the prizes for the event. A nice little side trip for Henry as he had no school on Friday and that helped fill the day.

Kind of a fall cleaning and chore day around the ol' homestead today, mowed the lawn hopefully the for the last time yesterday and today I've been doing some chores and enjoying the lovely weather with the sun out and a nice breeze coming off the sound so all the windows are open and I'm alternating between cleaning the house and yard chores to enjoy the day while getting stuff done. It's a tough day for me as I met with my trainer yesterday and he ran me through a new routine @ the gym that beat me up. I could barely get out of bed this morning but with some patience and stretching I'm actually able to move around and accomplish my chores today.

I got a new boss this past week and she is #3 in the past 6 months now. I have worked with her a bit in the past but we are getting along fine so far as we start to work together. My work partner took a long weekend so the beginning of this week will prove to be quite busy but as usual, I'm keeping my head barely above water. As September ends so does our fiscal year so this is the busiest time of year for me just as it is for most in the support center. We are expected to open 200+ stores in this month alone and along with that come the inevitable support headaches as we work with our suppliers (my job) to get this all done as well as support all the existing store.

One of the best parts about fall is the harvest season. I love the fresh food that is continuing to make it to the local farmer's market and the wines that are being released as well as the knowledge that all the holiday foods and wines and beers are right around the corner. The best part of fall is the cooler weather so we can actually cook some of the hearty meals that I miss over the summer. Don't get me wrong, I love the grill and will continue to use it numerous times a week throughout the winter but now is time for long braised cheap cuts, stews and roasts along with root vegetables and the other bounty of the late summer. Last night it was pan roast pork loin chops with grilled fingerling potatoes and green beans. I reduced the pan drippings with some fresh garlic, added in my Mama Lil's wonder sauce and fortified it with a hint of dijon mustard and it is great. I will use the rest on a grilled chicken breast tonight with a risotto of chanterelles w/ just a hint of chevre and a pinch of rosemary and garlic. Perhaps a salad of romaine, red bell peppers and hazelnuts to top it off. Last night I had a bottle of 2003 Turley Old Vines Zinfandel to accompany, I wonder what sort of plonk I can come up with tonight?

It's almost whisky season too but that's for another post...

That's about it for this week, so until next time may your glasses always be filled...

Monday 18 September @ 0454

Greetings Fair Readers,

Well, another week gone by. I'm up early to go to work and thought I'd update you all on a very quiet week.

Henry began Fall league bowling and likes his one teammate so far. This is a 12 week league and so should be fun for all. He finally settled on the skateboard of his choice which was his Birthday gift from his Mother and I; it was a kit to build up himself and came with 2 decks so he had some fun with that and he is now getting used to this new ride. We spent 3 hours @ the local skatepark yesterday with him trying out the new board, me reading the paper and drinking coffee and both of us taking advantage of a non-rainy fall morning.

That's about it; I said it was quiet. Off to work for a couple hours before I get Henry up and off to school...

Sunday Evening 10 September 06

Greetings Fair Readers,


Here I am viewing the world from my home office. I just wrapped up some stuff for our happy UK team members that I committed to having on their desks prior to their arrival Monday am so it's time for a bit of catching up and then some relaxation.

Although this was not a Henry weekend for me, his Mom generously allowed him to stay with me for some extra time as he has been with her for the past couple weeks and weekends so we had us some fun. The annual Edmonds auto show, Hot Autumn Nites, was this weekend so we had big doing's just around the corner from the house between that and the Saturday market both taking place. Henry, Kristin and I walked the car show on Saturday morning and saw some fine vintage steel, both stock and rods. There were even a few beater vintage rides for sale if anyone was interested in picking up a hobby piece but not being mechanically inclined and not really any more of a fan than to say "nice ride", I didn't walk with a new albatross, I have plenty about my neck already.

Salmon has been inexpensive lately so I have been enjoying wild caught Alaska silvers a lot lately. One night grilled with some Mama Lil's pureed w/ frsh garlic & white balsamic to make a sauce. The next night, again grilled with blackberrys pushed through a sieve and some whole butter to tighten it up. Some grilled yukon golds & sauteed carrots rounded out the meal with a bit of Eyrie 2001 reserve pinot. I did have to wonder what the poor people were doing for sustenance.

School started this past week after the holiday and Henry enjoyed seeing his friends and hooking up on a daily basis once again. He has made good friends with some kids within walking distance to our house and a few short minutes from his Mom's house so he has been socializing well this summer but he seems to already be back in the routine. There is a new teacher that joined his center's team, Mr. Stee and Henry likes him so far. He still has the same home room teacher, Mary Ellin and of that we're very glad but this will be the last year in this center then off to another group of 4th, 5th & 6th graders all together again as it has been these past couple and this year.

As always with the beginning of the school year, it's been hectic but we've managed to keep up. I got the house semi-clean this past week, still made it to the gym 3 times and even got Butch out for a long walk one evening so at least we're still on track.

I have been asked for some inside photos of the house so I'll add a couple and then sign off. I'll do my best to update this once a week or so going forward even if it's short or just a couple photos. Just double click on any of these to enlarge

All the best, J & H




Living room & dining area from the office



















Two more views of the living room










The kitchen from the dining area doorway













And from the back door to the back yard and our alley parking. The door on the right is the laundry room

Summertime and the livin's easy; Sunday 3 September @ 1022

Greetings Fair Readers,

I have heard from a number of you that is has been a long time since I have updated the outside world so I will now attempt to remedy some of that.

It has been a very busy summer and Henry and I have a lot of fun. As all of you will know that have read the last post here, we spent the first week after school was out in Puerto Vallarta with a stop in Utah on the way. It was a bit hectic to travel so shortly after the school year and we may rethink that in the future but we had a good time nonetheless.
Here are a couple photos from the trip

Henry @ the pool

Henry playing bocce














Henry with new friends Jen & Lizzie





Henry & Jim after the Fiesta night












Henry ( in the blue swim shirt) @ the dolphin encounter





As you can tell, we had a great time and both want to go back sometime, even if it is during the hot rainy season.

We were home for the 4th of July and the parade runs right past our new house on 4th Avenue in Edmonds. I set up the shade tent and set out some snacks and cooler of drinks, had over some friends, Henry and his Mom and the outlaws. All was well with the world and we had a great time. They all left for the rest of the afternoon after the parade but returned for fine view of the fireworks @ the nearby Edmonds Memorial Stadium from the comfort of my back deck. Our new house (we've been living here 9 months and I still think of it as "the new house") is convenniently located for many of the civic functions we enjoy here in Edmonds.



Here are the kids in the shade for the parade










We were lucky enough to take a bit more vacation time later this summer as well. We went out to the Olympic Peninsula and camped for a few days n the coast and took in a few music shows back here in the Seattle area.





Henry lost a couple of teeth this summer










We loved the beaches...

...And hiking in the rain forest

...visiting new places...

...And taking in a little music

Los Lobos @ Woodland Park Zoo

Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile...Too bad summer's comin' to an end but we did manage to fit in a birthday party for one 8 year old. Yep, it's been 8 years now. We had a bouncer in the backyard and Henry invited some friends. A good time was had by all

A feast for an 8 year old king

Butch

Presents!

Last week we went for a sail with our roitating dinner party. Much fine food and wine but more importantly great friends out yachting...

Henry at the helm as we raise the sails and head into Lake Washington out of the Montlake Cut

Margaret & Cara

First Mate Dixie w/ Mark & Joe in the background

Captain Tori

Paul & Cassie

Lenard

Well, that about wraps up summertime for us. I hope to settle back into our routine since school starts Tuesday. I'll work tomorrow and get some stuff done and my work partner is on vacation this week so it will prove to be busy no doubt but I'll try and be more timely in my updates to you all. For now, may all your pains be champagnes...