The Rhododendron Cafe

Ode to the Rhododendron Cafe


Oh, Rhododendron Cafe, you are marvelous, darling. 

Tucked away in the Skagit Valley, open Spring thru the Fall, I suggested we visit you and it made me look like I was really smart and cultured.  I remembered how great you were before, and my memory turns out to be pretty sharp. 

Let's start with your entrance.  I adore the love notes that cover your walls. 

I much appreciate your garden room.  It makes me feel like I'm eating in a garden. 

And I love your menu.

First up, Sopa de Quattro.  Spanish inspired soup, with a tomato based broth, clams, mussels, ham, and probably crack, because its amazing.

Next, roasted peppers with goat cheese and crusty grilled bread. 

And finally, Salted. Caramel. Ice. Cream.

Otherwise known, as Heaven. 

I mean, let's just take a moment here. 

I'm not exaggerating just for creative purposes.  This ice cream ruins all other ice cream. 

We even wrote our own love note in its honor.

I don't know which one is suppose to be me. 

I fully endorse The Rhododendron Cafe, located in Skagit County.  Each month features a new cusine from around the world.  I hope it always features Salted Caramel Ice Cream.  Otherwise, that would be cruel.

Go get some.

Busy Living

If I could describe everything right now, I'd have to go with rich.  Rich in blessings, rich in rewards for hard work, and rich in substance.  Our life is as sweet as the lilacs that are blooming outside the window that I write in front of.  Our days are colorful and fulfilling.  We go to bed with aching muscles, which reflect the days of gardening, running around with puppies, and stomping the pavement as we build upon the people we are trying to become in our new hometown 

I would have written more, but I've been busy living.  In fact, I've been meaning to write, yearning to write, and dreaming about writing.  No really, I dreamt I was reading blog posts which I didn't write yet, a la a Carrie Bradshaw style book reading.  Pictures have been shot, with words in mind describing their contents.  Still, we've been busy, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. 


Its been a couple of weeks, so let's do an old fashion four in one post. 




The Skagit Valley Trip or Why I'm Not Going to Let the Tulip Festival Break My Heart Again.

Before I loved to Pennsylvania, my mom and I visited the Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley.  Probably because we didn't think we'd ever get to do that again, ever.  And now we're living with her for a while, so ha to that! 

It was a sad little trip.  Dead tulip fields are so depressing, people, especially when you've been promised colors upon colors of vibrant flowers.  We maybe saw a total of four tulips that trip.  "We were too late," we rationalized.  Although, I think we went in March, so not so sure of that justification. 

But now, I have reemerged as a new citizen of this great land, and I just knew that all of my years in PA would produce a welcome home party at the fields this time.  So, K, N, and I ventured again, hopeful, excited, to the Valley. 



And you know what?  I think that the Tulip Festival is a grand hoax orchestrated by farmers and also the Seattle Times because they produced bogus aerial shots the week before.  Again, no tulips, except for their dead skeletal remains. 

The only thing we did find was a Tulip Field tourist trap that granted you access for 15 dollars. Roozengaarde, I think you're very wrong.  15 dollars.  You can't buy my love. 

We got a shot of the field from the parking lot.  And then drove home. 

Photo courtesy of @tnkoviak

On the way back, we stopped at The Rhododendron Cafe before we got on I-5.  Its so good, and so much better than its hometown festival, that it deserves its own post.  Stay tuned, I'm promising you pictures of the best Salted Caramel Ice Cream ever.  EVER!


Point-no-Point: Of Sand and Sandy Dogs

Feeling ambitious, and probably some sort of super mom to dogs, we packed up a picnic and headed out to my favorite beach with the pups for the day.  Point-no-Point is my little sanctuary, and one of the destinations I've missed the most since I was a PA resident.  Within five minutes, we were regretting fully our decision to bring both dogs.  The oldest dog was nervous because we were not at home, and the youngest followed suit because she's slightly more stupid than the oldest.  After twenty minutes of yelling "don't eat that, stay here, don't eat that, and why can't you just sit down?", I let them loose and showed them the way to the water. 

And then, everything was right in the world.  The water was unusually warm, full of tiny crabs, guppies, and green starfish.  The dogs ran in and out, splashing the salty ocean, pulling out bunches of seaweed, and searching earnestly for driftwood sticks.  We walked up and down the shore, each dog staying close to my side without the need to hold onto their leash. 

So many familiars sights, sounds, and smells flooded my body.  For the first real time, I felt fully back.  I'm here, doing something that I regularly day dreamed of, literally feet first living life.  It was one of those moments you wish you could bottle up. 


They got pretty wet, and then very sandy.  But, the great things about labs is that they were designed for such adventures.  They were dry by the time we got home. 

I'm hesitant to bring both of them again.  I think there was one point during the day when K said, "We should get them shirts that say I'm With Stupid."  I'm sure I'll forget though, just like I forgot how dangerous that mother f'in yellow rope is. 


Backyard Camping: Part One

I haven't used my tent in four years, so I figured I'd air it out, check for leaks, and sleep in it.

We had a ceremonial fire, complete with beers and local pizza.  I layered clothing and made a cozy bed inside.  K stayed inside, content with a bed to himself, while the dogs and I settled in for the night. 

Then the oldest dog started to get nervous because we weren't inside the house, and the youngest started wrestling with her, and then a dog from two miles away started barking, which prompted tent barking.  And it was like 39 degrees outside once midnight hit. 

Needless to say, we stayed for an hour and went inside.  K wasn't really content anymore.


Backyard Camping: Part Two

A couple of nights later, after an 80 degree day, Maggie and I stayed in the tent, while Lilly stayed inside the house.  We slept very well. 

Birthday Date Night and the Comedy Underground

We've decided with our other married couple couple that we will do activities, rather than gifts,  for our birthdays.   We had a bowling date for their birthday in March,  and they treated us to a Seattle date this weekend.  Not really balanced, if you'll notice.  They like to one up us. 

After dinner in Bremerton, we took the ferry over and walked to the Comedy Underground, in Pioneer Square.  Great place, great comedians.  I highly recommend it, although I have no idea how much it cost because our best friends spoil us so.  But they are deliciously wonderful people, so its all good.

Oh, how I love you, Seattle. 






We will probably have a busy upcoming Summer.  But, we're doing a good job with everything.  I promise more starry nights around a fire, more time laughing on the ferry with friends, more happy hours, more yelling at dogs to be good, more soul searching, more writing, and more living. 

Because we're so good at it. 

27th

I had an exceptional birthday this year. 

Come to think of it, I had an exceptional year.

I was repeatedly asked, “What do you want to do for your birthday?”  I came up with a day that wasn’t particularly out of the ordinary, but rather a day filled with lots of special little things.  Like breakfast at the bowling alley (complete with a rapping bunny doll and the first time ever I heard that 50cent song on my birthday), a bubble bath with Jason Mraz playing in the background, an afternoon stroll with the dogs, sushi for dinner, homemade cake from my best friend with purple flowers on it, painting my nails on the back porch, cards and voicemails from new and afar, a promise of a phone call from Australia, and simple presents with bigger meanings.

I woke up that morning with dirt under my nails from a full day of gardening the day before.  I went to bed with smoke in my hair from an outdoor fire at dusk. 

This is Living, I thought.  This is Life. 

And to celebrate life, I’ve decided to try something new. Borrowing from a blogger who I greatly admire, I’ve decided to start a new tradition. 

Here are 27 things that I am grateful for.  In no particular order.

1.  Surprise showings of Mt. Rainier.

2.  Dogs who go back to sleep an hour after we wake up.

3.  Sticky rice underneath a mound of salmon sashimi.

4.  Monthly breakfasts with my mom and her friends which start at 6:30 AM.

5.  Cardigans with buttons on the sleeves.

6.   Thinking about opening my bottle of Marilyn Monroe wine in about 25 years with the person who gave it to me.

7.   Those scent release beads that Downy make, even though they’re $6.

8.   Frozen waffles with chunky peanut butter on top.

9.   Instagram. It allows me to say more than anything on Facebook. 

10.  Pink Azalea bushes. 

11.  New cookbooks.

12.   This song.  And this one.  And this one too. 

13.   Finding out what happens on result shows 3 hours ahead of time.  Thanks East Coast.

14.   Getting to feel a little bit like a kid again in my parents house. 

15.    Late night writing.

16.    Watching K make Washington his home.

17.    Walks on the clear creek trail, with puppies who splash in rivers and jump off board walks.

18.    Camping trip day dreaming.

19.    Legos.

20.   Lemon scented geranium leaves.

21.   Bright pink toenails.

22.   The coldest beer possible at Hop Jacks.

23.    Fast approaching three years of blogging. I love this creative outlet and how it has transformed my outlook on life.

24.    Running errands with my mom and N. 

25.    A long Spring instead of a long Summer.

26.    Waking up to a chilly, rainy morning, and the sounds that come with it.

27.     Realizing how different you are this year than the last. 

That seemed daunting at first. I could probably go at least 15 more. 

It was an exceptional year, capping with an exceptional birthday.  I did everything I wanted to on Sunday, ate great food, used my legs to walk all over, and ended the day around the first bonfire of the season.  My parents, K, N, T and I sat around the fire, drinking pomegranate wine and Miller 64 (oh, yeah, its good!), talking about camping, Mariner’s games, and all of the times we will repeat this exact moment throughout the rest of the year.  It was a day filled with sunshine, unusually warm weather, and love. 

We had a crazy year and are better people because of it.  I am blessed.  I am loved.  I am very happy.

I’m 27. 

Isn't Love Grand???

Last month, on our fifth month anniversary, we were arguing about something very stupid.  We’ve been together for six years and now when we fight, we know we’ll make up soon, so we try to push as many buttons as possible. 

I pushed some button by saying something stupid in a very high pitched, whiney voice. 

He said something similar in return, but in a calmer voice, which is so annoying. 

Then I said, “I can’t believe you’re acting like this today.  Its our anniversary.”

To which he said, “All we have are anniversaries!  Who celebrates the fifth month!”

                                                   

So I threw my keys at his back. Well, maybe his head, but I didn't aim well. 

And he threw them up the driveway. 

The point is, well, I don’t know what the point is.  We’ve been together a long time, we (like everyone) fight, and its probably a good idea not to make a deal about every month. 

We did with the sixth month though. 

 Since the official day was on Easter, and we already had super plans with family and friends, we headed out for a night on the town the night before. I wore my wedding shoes, lipstick, perfume, and carried my wedding bag.  We listened to the songs that we danced to on the ride over. We made reservations at a restaurant on Bainbridge Island, and shared a bottle of wine and an appetizer of steamed mussels. 

 

We talked about the last six months and how they flew by, yet the wedding day seemed so long ago.  We talked about how much has changed and how little has, but how that feeling of “this is different” is underneath it all. 

I had crab fettuccine and he had eggplant parmesan.  We toasted each other and the night and I got buzzed off of two glasses of white wine.  Towards the end of dinner, in my buzz that made the whole world beautiful and love so so perfect, I declared, “Let’s take the ferry over to the city and go to the church we were married in!” and because I was still buzzed, “And then let’s get Dick’s burgers after!”

As it so happened, we pulled into the line for the ferry and got right on.  Anniversary miracle. 

The lights of the city were alive and the night was cool.  I pictured us sitting on the steps in front of the church, toasting each other and our life again, tearing up over how great the day was and how much we are in love.  But, we didn’t have anymore wine and, duh, tomorrow is Easter.  The church was packed with Easter Vigil participants.  It was also very dark too because that’s how an Easter Vigil rolls at the beginning.  We snuck in the back, my heels making a familiar click sound heard six months ago, and sat down in the pew.  Two readings and two songs later, the church slowly came alive as each candle was lit.  The altar that we stood on appeared, then the stairs, and finally the jewel-like lights came on above us.  And it was like a curtain was pulled down, revealing the place where we became man and wife. 

It did fly by.  But it does seem so long ago.  Like a foggy dream that you can’t fully remember.  And, at the same time, if I closed my eyes, I could probably remember everything. 

We didn’t stay for the whole service.  Instead, we drove across town, parked at Dicks Drive-In, and ordered burgers while I wore Manolo Blahnik shoes.  That has to be a first, at least at the Edmonds location.  Sitting in the car, toasting milk shakes and buns,  we realized how we were in the midst of our newly wed chapter.  Six months in, and we are just beginning. 

It was a great night.  And, although it took an hour in line for the ferry back home, I didn’t really care.  We know how to anniversary.  We know now when to celebrate. 

Oh Yeah, I Blog

Disclaimer: this post may be unusually long because I've slacked off lately.


Oh no, come back.  It will still be entertaining. 


Stay with me now. 


I told K the other day that I've been sleepy and pretty grumpy, and overall unmotivated to do anything. 

He responded, "Have you blogged lately?"


I knew he was right.  That's what was missing.  Its as essential to my life now as water and puppy kisses.  I'm a blogger and even if I don' t have a fan base (I'm not sure that's what this is all about anyways), writing down our everyday happenings and experiences is part of who I am. 



So, here's what has been happening:


Last weekend (I mean, two weekends ago)  was bananas.  I'm going to post seperately about our super duper anniversary.  Its too great to be smushed into a catch-up post.  Last weekend (shit, I haven't blogged for awhile), we celebrated Easter in a new way (Spring List, check!), and it was all about the eggs. 

Oh yeah, N and I displayed our crafty bad asses and made these beauties:

Wrap silk ties around eggs, cover with white cloth, boil as usual, and amazing.  We couldn't stop looking at them.  Seriously, I'm still proud. 


But, I can't linger on that because this can't be too long of a post.

No, seriously, aren't they amazing?  We couldn't take our eyes off of them and it was almost too painful to peel them. 

After an egg hunt orchestrated by my Dad (no shame on my part, I'm a young 26), we spent Easter at N's parent's house.  They had appetizers, wine, a table decorated with vintage tablecloth and plastic eggs, spinach and strawberry salda, blackberry crumble, and warmth that I'm not sure I could replicate.  I hope we started a new tradition, and not just because that was a goal on my Spring List. 

And the view?

Ha, that was a pinch-me-oh-yeah-I'm-back-in-Washington moment.

The air has finally shifted here, indicating Spring has arrived.  It was in full force on Easter and really hasn't let up since.  K went back home for two weeks and when he came back, boom green everywhere.  Light green I should say, as its pretty green here all year long.  This turn of the season is producing lovely seedlings of radishes, peas, beans, onions, and lettuce (I'm doing very well with my Spring List this year, eh?). Nothing to eat yet, but watch out June.  I think I will put off growing a tomato until next year.  Mainly because people around here laugh at me when I say I'm going to start them from seeds. 

I can't find a single thyme plant to save my life.  I find this very strange.

While K was gone, I realized what my life would be as a single woman.  Oh no, not expensive shoes, steamy love affairs, and late nights with my girlfriends.  That would't be me.  Instead, I would stay at home and hang out with my parents, and if I wasn't hanging out with them, then just my dogs, and all of this hanging out would make me exhausted and I'd go to bed every night around 930. I should be praising the heavens for my husband, because my boring self probably couldn't snag someone else. 

Still, we hit up a cool farmers market, and "we bought a zoo" is a pretty good movie.  It made me cry, alright?

I picked K up at the airport on Friday. Its always strange to go back to an airport to pick each other up, because the first year of our dating life was all about that. Now, instead of parting ways in a crowded group of insanely stupid people, we get to just resume life as it were.  No more tears and heart wrenching good-byes, no more being that girl in line at security looking back and back and back. 

Now, its all, "Where are you? The parking here is expensive, hurry up!"

Still, its always good to be reunited.  Especially when you don't hit rush hour traffic and get to go to the Tides for lunch afterwards. 

That's it.  That's all that I failed to blog on.  Pathetic

Salty Night Air

The strangest thing about this whole move is that I spend most of my day unaware of where I am.  The same thing often happened in Pennsylvania, and I'm wondering how much of the last four years was simply just a blur.  I identified it in PA but brushed it off as a coping mechanism.  I've also admitted that I am very hard on myself when it comes to pushing myself to be in the moment.  Still, it worries me that this is still an issue.  I'm where I want to be, and yet, why am I not present in this moment? 

Then something happens and its like I'm spun around quickly and pointed in the right direction.  Last night, it was a shot of air from the Sound.  We walked through a parking lot near the shore, and that salty, crisper than anything air, hit our face.

 Home.  I'm home.  That's all I could think.




I let the dogs outside the other night and realized that my tshirt was warm enough.  I know that its chill here, a lot colder than other parts of  the country, and much colder than it should be this time of the year.  But, my Washington born skin felt warm.  Not that uncomfortable, I can't believe its this hot at night, feeling.  Its a different sensation here, and I'm sure those who were raised here are nodding your head right now.  We rely on that breeze.  We welcome it.  We know what it feels like when its just right. 

It reminded me of my roots, in a strange way. 



Finally, that golden light that comes in the late evening has captivated me again.  Its my favorite. 

The sun hits the center of the forest and the light peaks through the trees.  As if that's the sources of enchantment.  Its something that is not seen in Pennsylvania, for their trees and light are different.  Its hard to convey in pictures.  But, its truly mesmerizing. 

It says, pay attention, you're going to miss some great stuff if you're not careful. 



This is a melting pot state.  A lot of residents are from California or a product of a Navy placement.  Many times, its hard to find someone who was born here.  I was though.  Its in my bones, in my skin, in my heart, and in each word that I write.  Sometime soon, very soon, I will reconnect and remember each step.  I will be back in full force, and the things that I'm going to do then will be amazing. 

In the meantime, I can't wait for the reminders and the surprises. 

What I Love Right Now

Oh man, I am high off of life right now.  I'm in the typing mood.  I want to write my little heart out.  This morning felt like Christmas to me.  We drove quickly to Barnes and Nobles, where I scanned the tables as fast as I could for that sky blue cover with the little froggy baby legs on it. 

Yes. 

It has arrived. 

And, it is fabulous. 


More on this later.  But, it got me in the mood for some genuine, this-is-what-i-love-right-this-minute celebration.  The weather is perking up and we're starting to settle into place.  So, why dwell on what's not working right now?  Why not shift our focus on those enjoying the small things moments? 


Life's too grand not to. 

Colorful bath companions.  They are far more peaceful than blond dogs who are thisclose to jumping in one of these days.

Welcoming birds.  As if they say, "cross our bridge and explore." 

Mountains in the background.  I will cherish you forever.

This wine.  Well, that may be a stretch because its pink and fizzy and started tasting good with Cheez-its tonight.  Still, its next to the computer in a glass Coke glass and I'm loving it more and more as the night progresses.

Dogs who'd rather just stand by you at the dog park. It balances out the other dog who is running like she's never run before. 



Hungry birds. And correct Aperture. 

Seeds in the ground.

Half way through.



And in no particular order:

Mint green toenails
Cute Vets
Second chances
Dogs who run without hesitation
Daffodils for $1.29 a bunch
Dads who rescue you when you have a flat tire
Trips to Fred Meyer
Excess Sunset magazine subscriptions
New cookbooks
Having someone to worry about
Blooming Forsythias