use real butter

Tomorrow’s the fourth of July and that means barbecue installment #4: pork ribs. These are the meaty St. Louis style cut of ribs. I know everyone is all agog about baby back ribs, but honestly, it’s a sack of bones with not so much meat. I don’t relish the idea of cooking something for 10+ hours that has such a low yield of consumable material.

**Jump for more butter**

Recipe: shrimp and artichoke fettucine

So often, when I think of pasta, I feel uninspired. I shouldn’t, because I usually like it. I think my problem has been that I haven’t given enough of my attention to it, or perhaps haven’t been satisfied with too many of my experiments.

Last night, by a stroke of luck and perhaps a little forethought when I was at the store, I managed to throw together a keeper of recipe. I had these ripe tomatoes sitting on the counter that needed to be consumed ASAP, and a package of fettuccine that was accidentally opened last week, and some cream in the fridge leftover from making lemon curd and…

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).