use real butter

Dinner went very well considering that Beth double booked and arrived late. I didn’t mind her arriving late so much as I was a little surprised that she left her date with an empty seat for a few hours at a wedding reception while she drove his convertible up to our place to eat dinner with us. We were finally able to get Dave and Fran up to our place – which is nearly impossible because they are always traveling for work and play. Most of all though, I realized that I am going to miss Nicole and Andrew a lot when they move. It makes me sad. Well, all the more reason to visit Seattle!

Here’s the cross section of that strawberry everything cake I made for dinner last night:

With the trails on the upper mountain closed due to snow (sheesh), we could have attempted another steep trail this morning, except I was tired of the frenetic pace of waking early to hike hard and fast only to return to the timeshare to entertain my parents for the rest of the day. This morning I took my parents to Brandywine Falls, a nearby short hike to what turned out to be the best waterfall I’ve seen in the area.

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).