The last week was strange. I think I am jinxed.
On Tuesday I cut off the tip of my finger (right through the fingernail and a big hunk of the pad) while chopping onions. Needless to say we didn't have onions that night. I located the tip of my finger & nail among the onion but I was so disgusted I tossed it all in the trash. Later I learned it might have been grafted back successfully, but now I am just going to live with a deformed finger. Thankfully I don't play the cello anymore, as it was my left index finger.
On Thursday, just as my husband left for a business trip, I had a flat tire. 3 hours at Costco tire center to get it repaired, but they did it for free (I LOVE Costco). A giant decking screw was in the tread. There is lots of development going on in our neighborhood and I probably drove through some construction debris.
Twice this week rocks hit my windshield and there is now a crack right in my line of vision. I've driven this van 80,000 miles and this was the first time I got a rock chip, ever, and I had to get two in a week. Another item for the to-do list: repair windshield.
Saturday started out with a dead battery. (In the photo above the friendly AAA guy is showing the girls how to read the battery life). My husband was still out of town, the jumper cables were in his car at the airport parking garage, and all of my neighbors were already gone for the day. Thank goodness for AAA! Amazingly the dedicated battery jumping truck arrived within minutes of my call. A is wearing her brownie uniform because we were on our way to a Girl Scout event, but we missed it because I had to take the van for a half hour lap up and down the freeway to recharge the battery.
Here are some photos from the better parts of our week:
We heard a sound like popcorn popping. It turned out to be pine cones popping open and releasing their seeds. The girls held a cone in their hands and laughed uproariously each time a scale popped open, tickling their hands. It was like holding a Mexican jumping bean. They each held a cone and placed bets on whose cone would pop next, and they stared ever so quietly, waiting, and then jumping and squealing when it happened. We spent quite some time watching the cones that day.
Nearby we heard a peeping sound...
It's duckling season!
On to some grocery shopping, but first we'll check on the doggies at the PetsHotel doggie daycare. The girls love to watch the dogs cavorting in the exercise rooms. It's so funny when the dogs come running over and drop a ball at your feet, not remembering that there is a wall of glass between them and us.
We went into Seattle and checked out a community garden, or p-patch as they're called here. Lots of people out working the soil and planting seeds. This garden is near sea-level so they're a few weeks ahead of us in the growing season. Since we're at about 1000 feet on the side of a mountain, we still have frost some nights in April. We love strolling gardens and getting inspired.
One of our favorite dining experiences is "conveyor belt sushi." Blue C is our preferred venue and the girls will eat everything. They love the Spinach Gome, which is blanched spinach with sesame ginger sauce. They'll also eat any fish, cooked, or raw!
Another fun place we like to visit in Seattle is Top Pot Doughnut.
Their doughnuts are divine, and their coffee is amazing. They make a really yummy Ovaltine malt latte, and the chocolate they use in their mochas is the best! We ate outside because it was a nice day, but the indoor eating area is worth a visit, as it is floor to ceiling books, most vintage reads. There are always half a dozen people parked at the tables with laptops as Top-Pot is also a wi-fi hotspot.
OK, now I'm really craving a good coffee. And pastry. I have some errands to run, so off I go, crossing my fingers (all 9 and 7/8ths of them) that the van starts, and doesn't get a flat tire or another rock on the windshield. Wish me luck!
Heather! I know this isn't your first chopping accident... your knives are TOO sharp, LOL!
I miss you guys, I can't wait to see you in July. Oh, and can I move in with you and be your adopted daughter?
Love ya!
Posted by: Leah | Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 11:08 AM