use real butter

Have you ever heard of degustation? a tasting menu? I had no idea what it was until I got an email from a stranger one day… she said she liked my web pages and had I ever dined at The Flagstaff House in Boulder? She lives in Sydney, but had been there the year prior and enjoyed the 9-course degustation. Needless to say, today Kell is one of my best pals and I even had the pleasure of visiting her in lovely Sydney earlier this year (and we had a great degustation at Restaurant Balzac).

So yes, a degustation is something to pace yourself through. Tiny plates. Many tiny courses that the chef has prepared for you to experience on your culinary journey. Seems that every time I am within 2 plates of the finish, I feel like I am going to burst, to die right there at the table (just one after dinner mint?). But if you ever get the opportunity – go for the degustation. It is so much fun.

And fun is what Kaweah is all about. Today it is her 9th birthday! I know what you’re thinking… “too much spare time?” Well yes. Doc’s instructions were to “take it easy” after surgery. Gawd – take it easy?! Not in my vocabulary, really. I’ve been chomping at the bit for a week, so grant me this diversion and I won’t make a rude gesture with my good arm…

Two weeks ago, Erin and I had exchanged emails about their celebration venue and the weather. She said that it was unfortunately, forecasting rain. I promised her that 15 days out means very little and that it could very well change 180. Indeed, by the following week it changed from rain to just overcast. Then Saturday morning, we discovered that Seattle was going to deliver full on sun with a few Simpsons style clouds for extra pretty in the mix. The weather was incredible. In fact, every time we’ve been to Seattle, we have enjoyed sunny and gorgeous weather. Not too hot either – low 70s. *gushing*

What do you call this event… a celebration really says it. It wasn’t a commitment ceremony as I had thought because Erin and Caroline exchanged rings the week before in the Olympic Mountains and made their promises to one another in a very private ceremony (just them and their photographer friend).

Jeremy and I generally loathe weddings, but this – this we felt we had to go to for two reasons… okay three reasons. 1) We absolutely adore both Erin and Caroline because they are not only loving and generous, but they stand for many things we believe in 2) it’s in freaking SEATTLE (LOVE IT!) and 3) we wanted to support this union because we knew some people had issues with the lesbian relationship.

But the fact that about 100 friends and family came to support these two incredible women spoke volumes about the love felt by all. Oh, I’m jumping ahead of myself here.

Jeremy and I arrived an hour early to discuss some logistics and to photograph the family when they arrived. Olympic Sculpture Park was the perfect setting with a view of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula to the west, tons of large sculptures scattered about the lovely grounds, and a glass pavilion where the reception took place. Cocktails and appetizers were served on the patio. I talked some shop with the head of catering and was totally impressed with their work (all local and organic – incredible food).

We have returned from the Land of Hot, that being New Mexico. Mind you, it’s a dry heat. And despite everyone who rolls their eyes when someone discusses dry heat, 100 is definitely tolerable dry than humid. Jeremy, being a native son of New Mexico, used to wax nostalgic for his homelands all the time. But these days I think the romance has faded just a little for him. I think Colorado is what puts an extra spring in his step, not to mention the immensely long ski season. There is something to be said for coming home to 58 degrees in the mountains to have the rich smell of pine forest fill your nostrils as you hose the dog down for a bath.

It was a bit of a mental shock to go from Grandma Darling’s lack of short term memory and endless repeat of the same 7 stories (at least it was 7 and not 1) to fully engaged discussions with my aunt. I’m lucky to have her in my closest circle of friends. We talk about food, relationships, professional issues, politics, gardening, more food, our family, raising children, raising pets, cultural issues, diversity, all sorts of stuff.

Elena and family have lived in Los Alamos for almost 5 years now. We drove down 2 years ago when they were in the midst of overhauling the backyard. It used to be a bit of a mess from the previous owners and Elena had a master plan. The woman has impeccable taste – classy, elegant, unique, beautiful. It shows in her art, her clothes, her house, her garden. In two years, I’ve let my yard grow more weeds. In two years, she transformed a dirt and grass yard into this: