Halibut for the Hellabit

I know I have been promising some pictures and I am really sorry that it has been taking a while to get them up. This weekend Rob was in Minneapolis for his guys weekend and when the cat’s away….. I went out with one of my coworker friends to Ballard (super trendy area of Seattle, which I rarely get to only because it’s not easy to get there). We bar hopped the night away and then somehow made it home after closing down the bars. It was fun.
Specific stops in Ballard:
The Station Bistro
The Jolly Roger Taproom
Kings Hardware
The Matador
Blue Mar

After a night like that I got home and needed some time off. On a whim, I decided to purchase a bread machine. I’ve always regretted not registering for one (along with the china), so I thought “enough is enough” and just went and bought one. I made a nice loaf for garlic and Parmesan cheese bread. Since I obviously have a love affair with garlic, the whole house smelled like garlic and it was wonderful and I’ve got a nice fresh piece of Halibut for dinner tonight.

In other notes, our 4th Anniversary is just around the corner and we just booked 3 nights away in the Willamette Valley wine country for 3 days of visiting tasting rooms and trying the finest Pinot Noir. I’m really excited, it should be really fun!

This is what happens when you spend the weekend partying with your old friends.
Stewie is taking advantage of the Real Estate.

Brian is sleeping in the sun

Stargazer Lily, I planted it last summer and it looks like I have about 9 buds that will bloom.
It also looks like I have an uninvited friend biting at the leaves that I need to get rid of.

My plants on the stairs. They get the most sun here and I can easily remember to water them when I see them outside. Strawberries, Tomatoes, Basil, & Rosemary.Peppers!

Last weekend I bought a sewing machine and made these pillows.A sneak peak at the backyard. The fence looks great so far, I can't wait till it is done.

I'm extremely happy to announce that it looks like the messy tenants have left the house across the street and it appears that they may be attempting to Flip It and possibly sell it? We've been watching all the work they are doing and are interested to see what they decide to do with it.

Busy Days

The last I wrote it was about 2 weeks ago. Can you believe that? Not only have we started revamping the backyard and installing the fence, but now we have the bathroom in the basement started. I got home from lawn bowling tonight and found that Rob had installed 1 whole side of the fencing by himself. It looks great. No pictures now, but this weekend I will post. What else have we been up to? Obviously, you know what Rob is up to.... house projects everywhere. I'm working on some crafty projects.
1. The front of mabel is complete. WHAT A PAIN! I've started over so many times, I cant even count anymore. All those yarnovers. OI.
2. The back of this little baby dress that I am making for one of my oldest friends, Brianne.

Pasties... Just like grandma used to make

I made pasties last weekend. I skipped the rutababies (as dad would say). They turned out really great and grandma would be proud. I was hoping they would be as good as the ones we used to get from her. And they aren't... but it was a step in the right direction. I haven't has a pasty in so long, it was a nice treat (And Rob was really excited).

I used this pasty recipe that has every pasty variation under the sun and is from my Alma Mater, MTU.

Original Pasty
3 c. flour
1 1/2 sticks butter (cold and cut into bits)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
6 tbsp. water

In a large bowl, combine flour, butter and salt. Blend ingredients until well combined and add water, one tablespoon at a time to form a dough. Toss mixture until it forms a ball. Kneed dough lightly against a smooth surface with heel of the hand to distribute fat evenly. Form into a ball, dust with flour, wrap in wax paper and chill for 30 minutes.

Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Divide the dough into 6 pieces, and roll one of the pieces into a 10-inch round on a lightly floured surface. Put 1 1/2 cups of filling on half of the round. Moisten the edges and fold the unfilled half over the filling to enclose it. Pinch the edges together to seal them and crimp them decoratively with a fork. Transfer pasty to lightly buttered baking sheet and cut several slits in the top. Roll out and fill the

filling
1 lb. round steak, coarsely ground
1 lb. boneless pork loin, coarsely ground
5 carrots, chopped
2 lg. onions, chopped
2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
1/2 c. rutabaga, chopped (can substitute turnip)
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

remaining dough in the same manner. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Put 1 tsp. butter through a slit in each pasty and continue baking for 30 minutes more. Remove from oven, cover with a damp tea towel, cool for 15 minutes.

Milwaukee Journal March 28, 1943 Welsh

Last Weekend

Last weekend we went hiking at Discovery Park with a friend who is new in town. It was my first time there and it was really nice. The 3 mile loop is actually pretty easy and would be really nice for us to take some out of town guests because the views were so great and rewarding.
The rest of the weekend was spent preparing the side yard for the fencing and fence posts. The posts are in and the next step will be to install the panels. Rob would tell you that this has been a real challenge since there is so much plant overgrowth to try to get around to get these fence posts up. Rob is doing most of the work though. I help by knitting, keeping him fed, and taking pictures (note: our Wisteria is in Bloom).