Beauty of the Sea

There's a window that overlooks the sea
where someone on a tiny ship is calling out to me.
I've dreamt of rainbows and golden fields
but never has more beautiful a vision been revealed.

The seagulls and the pelicans hovered round her sails
and up from the ocean came the dolphins and the whales.
She smiled at them all and then she turned to me.
I knew then that I would fall for the beauty of the sea.

Green-blue water sparkles
White lace dancing with sea wind
Sun-kissed lovers playing
Won't go back to being friends

I've got you in my life today
I pray you'll never go away
There's no place I would rather be
than with my beauty of the sea.

I swim out to meet you in the bay
and as I climb aboard your ship, the red sun sinks away.
If I return, it will be with you.
For now we'll sail the sea of life in a boat built for two.

Green-blue water sparkles
White lace dancing with sea wind
Sun-kissed lovers playing
Won't go back to being friends

I've got you in my life today
I pray you'll never go away
There's no place I would rather be
than with my beauty of the sea.



"Gabe Dixon Band"

Espresso Dreams

Never had a "hangout" before, You know, a place where they greet you as you walk in, start making your order..before you even order... the smell of hot espresso fills your nose and mind with comforting thoughts and you always find someone you know to chat with. The Useless Bay Coffee Company does this for me. One reason is Randall. I've called him Vladamir since we met because well, he looks like his name could be Vladamir. He is a great barista, fantastic Crema and every "pull" from the machines is sublime, I'll miss him. Vladamir is off to South America for the 2nd time to explore and live for the next 5 months. Good Luck Vlad!
~Jacki , one of the many Island Girls

Today's Recipe

Country Cottage Dutch Baby
with Caramelized Apples

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Milk
1/2 cup All-purpose flour
1/4 cup Sugar
2 large Eggs at room temperature
4 tablespoons Butter 1/2 stick
1/2-to 1 Apple or Pear peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar


Preheat oven to 425.
Whisk first four ingredients together until smooth. Melt 2 Tablespoons of Butter in 10 or 12 inch cast iron skillet. Add 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar and Apple or Pear slices, caramelize fruit in pan. When fruit is lightly browned melt 2 Tablespoons butter around sides of pan. Pour in batter and cook for 1 minute on stove then put in oven. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until puffed and golden. Dust with Powdered Sugar. Serve immediately.

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What to do on a Tuesday

While eating a quick lunch at one of favorite spots (Useless Bay Coffee Co) discussing our newest read... "Eat, Pray, Love", we decided Italy GOOD because food and lingerie are always good as well as tall, dark and handsome Italian men (I know most of you women must feel the same)?! India BAD... on account we can't cross our legs in those dang yoga positions and on to Bali, sitting and smiling is more up our alley. Have you read this #1 New York Times Bestseller yet? Elizabeth Gilbert in her early thirties sets out to examine three different aspects of her nature, set against the backdrop of three different cultures: Pleasure in Italy,Devotion in India, and on the island of Bali, a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence. And speaking of worldly enjoyment or I guess you could say transcendence after our good food and coffee we stopped by Angel Chocolates for something to take the the lunch taste out of our mouths. ~M had the coconut truffle and ~H had a truffle with chili powder and cinnamon... DE LISH! Reminds us a bit of France with always grabbing a little sweetness after every meal.


Usless Bay Coffee Roaster (watch on you-tube)

Stay tuned for what to do on a Wednesday... we are going to Eat Pray and love our way around Whidbey!! CIAO

Quote of the Day

We are vegetarian except for bacon



Recipe: Devils on Horseback
Makes 24 pieces

Ingredients:
24 Dates Pitted
24 Marcona Almonds (**Chefs Pantry in Langley)
12 bacon slices
wooden toothpicks (that have been soaked in water)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut each bacon slice in half so it's just long enough to wrap around a Date & Almond and overlap slightly.
Secure with a wooden toothpick and transfer to a sturdy baking sheet.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until bacon is crisp. Or preheat the broiler and broil, turning occasionally, until bacon is crisp.
** http://www.chefspantryonline.com/

Morning Hike

The morning was absolutely beautiful. Today we took a two hour hike around Double Bluff. Despite being a little crisp... the sun was shining and warmed us to our soul. The scenery warmed us as well.

Tess Bug

Pet Rules...


To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.

Dear Dog,

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate of food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years -- canine attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!



To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:

1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it 'fur'niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, she is an adopted daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Date night strikes again

Girls save the date... unless you have a lovely husband who's already planning a romantic interlude.
Join us for a night of public affection.. dinner and a movie included.

Your friends at http://www.whidbeydatenight.blogspot.com/ (website under construction)

When: Friday February 15th
Time: 5:30 for noshing 7:30 for movie viewing (P.S. I love you at the Clyde) 10:30 submarine races down at the marina

Free T-Shirt for first 5 couples who RSVP.
See comment section below of the blog.

Concert at Mukilteo Coffee

We have found a great new venue for "Date Night". The boys had just about as much fun as the girls. Donald met a new friend "Rob". Mynda met a new friend "Terry". Blane and Michele got a little Frisky in public (after all that's what Date Night is all about), Heathers got a new theme song, Misa (Nisa) got a new name and met someone who can hear as well as she can :) and Mark wants to be drummer.. god help us! LeRoy and Friends were great! Funky setting at the coffee house sitting on bags of coffee beans, drinking good beer and listening to Leroy Bell and band. Check out his music! MySpace URL: http://www.myspace.com/leroybell
We are all now on the edge of being considered groupies!




which one had too much coffee!?







Some would say that date night was a success. That would be Blane!!

New Tricks

Who knew that Ellie would have such talent. We can safely say it did not come from her mother! Can hardly wait for the next family get together around the campfire.
"Play it Sister"!

Tess "New Puppy"

The new baby "Tess", "Tessbug", "Noodles", "Naughty Dog", "Hey...Hey".
She will be 4 months old on January 9th, 2008. All of 31 lbs and in another couple months be the size of a small horse! Goofy little girl

Reflections and the New Year

We wish you a Happy, Healthy and Fun New Year

Heather and Mynda's Top 10 (plus) for the New Year 2008

1. Get more Vitamin D ... the natural way

2. Eat more cheese but only the finest french cheese


3. Champagne is our beverage of choice anytime of day or any occasion

4. Plan a trip of a lifetime and go on it!


5. Start talking less and doing more

6. Laugh more cry less (unless it's over recommended listening like Rosie Thomas "You and Me" or Robert Plant and Alison Krauss "Your Long Journey")

7. Start a few new traditions.....i.e. open an expensive bottle of champagne on New years eve day at 3:00pm after a lovely beach hike.

8. Take a cooking class then actually cook it later for a dinner party (note to self - plan more dinner parties)

9. Give away new puppy that chewed up the new bedding (just kidding Tess)



10. Go one month without spending money on yourself. Write us back and tell us how you did! (Girls.. let's split up the months so we can still go for coffee)

11. Learn a new trick... Heathers learning how to knit, cause according to Roberta.... any Idiot can do it!!


12. Clean less - Hike More (check blog for times and locations of next hike)


13. Always carry knife and lighter in your car

14. Celebrate the small moments.. sniff sniff

15. In case you ever run for public office.. never have your photo taken with an alcoholic beverage in hand or in the nude (good idea not to answer the door just getting out of the tub)

16. Kiss someone you shouldn't ....it's exciting. (I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus)


17. Do it outside while you're still limber

18. Speaking of... go on more road trips with picnics

19. Spend more money on skin care products

20. Take care of your teeth!

"Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that made you smile."