Beautiful Views...

Some great shots of our trip to Washington last year...

Solduc River

Olympic National Forest

Salt Creek State Park

Solduc Falls

 Sunset from Dad's Porch

Woodland Park Zoo

Bald Eagle on My Island

I've got the brains or Halloween belated...

This year for Halloween Raine and I went to a party at a friends house that is all about putting in the effort to make it spectacular, or should I say spooktacular.  We of course dressed up for this event as a Retiring Fairy Godmother (Me) and a Fairy Godmother in Training (Raine).  A lot of thought and creativity went into our outfits so that not only would they be original, but also not cost us an arm and a leg.  For mine, I recycled my old gypsy/witch (I've used this dress many times) costume and used fabri-tac to glue on some fabric patches that I cut out from my old sewing scraps.  I then added my own pretty pearl necklace and the amethyst earrings that my dad got me a few years ago because I thought that any retired fairy godmother worth her salt ought to have a few sparklies.  I purchased black and silver wings on clearance from a local craft store for 5.00 and bought some gray hairspray and gold granny spectacles in the costume section for just as cheap.  Old black nylons and some gold slippers out of my closet completed the ensemble.  Raine's dress was the one that we had gotten for the renaissance fair earlier this fall which we tricked out with some spunky black boots and fake silver spectacles.  Finally we tied little see through pouches full of glitter (fairy dust) to our wastes and made wands from a cut branch off our birch tree.  I loved how we looked and the gray hair for me was a hoot!  The costumes got rave reviews and made all the effort worthwhile.

There were lots of other great costumes there as well like a levitating vampire and good old father time.

Plenty of friends that we hadn't seen for a very long time.

Everyone was instructed to bring a dish for the huge ghoulish feast and I who just so happen to love any reason to pull out all the stops in the kitchen and have this awesome brain mold that is perfect for this type of occasion  was thrilled at the request.   Now a few years back I threw a Halloween party and catered it myself so I spent an obscene amount of time and research on scary and gross recipes of every kind.  One of the ones I came across this shrimp pate' that I have used ever since, because not only is it completely real looking but it tastes fantastic too!  I got it from an equally enthusiastic Halloween lover by the name of Britta (http://www.britta.com/hw/hwr.html).  So without further ado here it is in all it's g(l)ory!

Completely fantastic isn't it!  Here is the recipe courtesy of britta...

Bizarre Brain Pate

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup

8 ounces Philadelphia cream cheese, softened

1 (.25-ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin, softened in 1/4 cup water

1 bunch green onions, chopped

3 pounds cooked shrimp, coarsely chopped

(or 1 pound crab meat)

1 cup mayonnaise

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

Tabasco or creole seasoning to taste

Heat soup, undiluted, and mix in the cream cheese. Stir in softened gelatin and blend well. Fold in remaining ingredients and pour into a lightly-oiled mold. Chill until firm and serve with your favorite crackers.

Since the brain mold is only about 3 cups, I halved this recipe except for the amount of gelatin, left out the green onions, and finely chopped the shrimp in a food processor (a rough chop will do) into more of a paste for the sake of making it look more smooth-textured like a real brain.

Why being messy can save a life!

Take a look.  See that bird up there in my birch tree.  Now look a little more closely.  See his tail feathers or should I say lack there of.  Well let me tell you a little story of pride and triumph, of terror and freedom, of quick thinking and action, but more importantly of the towel on the floor that saved a life!

There was once a sweet kitty that went outside on a fall day.  She was called Tiger Lily and went looking for pray.  She was out but an hour before coming back into the house.  Though you would be wrong if you were thinking that she had brought back a mouse.  I let her in without knowing that in her mouth she did carry, a wee little bird much smaller than a canary.  So when came from the kitchen an odd sort of flutter, I was shocked and appalled at the sound of her kitty like stutter.  Oh no I thought running, because I recognized that cry.  It meant she was stalking a bird that was trying to fly. I was off the couch in a hurry afraid of what I might see, only to find a cat in hot pursuit and a bird desperate to flee.  So I looked around quickly for something  to throw, in hopes that the kitty might let it go.  Within my reach was a towel that I had dropped just that morning, which I threw across the room to startle and give warning. It fell down upon them and tiger lily an away, which left the bird under the towel and me with nothing to say. 

So I scooped up the wee one and brought it outside with me, and uncovered his body in hopes of setting him free. Away did he fly straight into my birch tree, none the worse for the wear minus a few tail feathers you see. So never let anyone tell you to hang up your towels right away, because leaving them on the floor may save a life some day...

Birthday Flowers

These arrived for me at work on my birthday.

They were a great surprise from my dad.

I say surprise because it is very hard to do that to me and I had no iea that they were coming!

They were beautiful and colorful and just what I needed.

Thanks Dad for a great gift!

Ode to Raine's class parties...

Oh, seasonal classroom parties how I love thee...

You bring my martha stewart soul to life and allow me to throw a party without ever having to stay and socialize.  You make it ok for my very shy self to pull out all the stops, sneak in under the cover of darkness(I have to be to work very early in the morning) and tranform Raine's classroom like some magickal decorating/baking fairy.

You let me buy adorable frankenstein candy cups and turn them into a spooky treat. 

You help me make applesauce with green sugar sprinkles into a completely awesome party favorite that kids will  be dying to eat.

You give me the chance to break out my mini fall cookie cutters and make my cupcakes a little bit wild.

It is because of you that I can turn tiny pumpkin erasers into super fun confetti and use green glitter to highlight my menu for all to see.  Though the thing I like best is the huge hugs I get from a special little girl that was on cloud nine all day!

Autumn Action Shots...

Renaissance Fair

Sunday we went to Beardsley Castle to attend our first renaissance fair. 

It turned out to be a dark and dreary day that I kind of thought was perfect for the whole affair.

We where dressed to the "times" and I payed special attention to Raine's magnificent tresses.  Her curls fit the style so well that people kept stopping to comment on her locks much more than our dresses :) 

The inside of the castle was beautiful and gave a real feel to the atmosphere of the event. It is even said to be haunted by some unfortunate warriors of Indian descent.

There were shops that took you back to a time of magick and intrigue.  Where one could easily get lost in all the treasures befitting of a queen.

There were many lords and ladies in attendance, a court jester, even an odd bird belonging to a woman in blue. 

  Although the most amazing of the lot was a knight that could ride his mighty steeds by standing between the two!

At midday we dined in the main hall on a simple peasants fare, but found it hard to focus with all that was going on out there.  

(Side note-Raine took this picture as my ax was flying through the air-so cool)

After lunch we felt fortified and ready for battle or so to speak, so we travaled across the grounds until we came upon the training keep.

It was destiny I tell you, because our dear Raine was hiding a seasoned warrior in princess clothing! The boys were so startled by our left handed archer that they stared at her with loathing!

(Look at that face)

After this triumphant feat, it was off to slinging rats and battle axes, with a look upon her face that said, "I'll get  medieval on your asses"!

Lots of friends were made, I even think at some point there was a rabbit on a leash, and in closing all I can say is that it was a day beyond belief...