The Whale Wins

Who loves birthdays?

(Raising hand in the air, waving it frantically back and forth) Meeeeee!!

Birthdays 'round here are welcomed with open arms and, in the month of January, it's my turn to celebrate. On the 15th I celebrated turning 29 with Bryce at a restaurant called The Whale Wins in Fremont (Seattle). It's nested in a building that shares space between several restaurants and stores. The interior is full of fun and function alike.

Disney World Waffle Sandwiches

In November (2014) we made a family trip to Disney World in Florida. What began as two Grammies and my Mum (a non-Grammie) chatting over breakfast about bringing their grandkids to Disney one Sunday morning rapidly turned into a gang of 15 family members! With just 5 kids and 10 grown ups, we traveled from Hawaii, Washington, and Pennsylvania. There were Mommies and Grammies, Aunts, Uncles, Godparents, siblings, and cousins.

2014 - It Was a Very Good Year

This sure was a great year, wasn't it? 2014 was our first full year of married life, living in Seattle, our first trip to Europe, and the year we bought a house!

 

We had so many visitors and every single one of them obliged me on a visit to Pike Place Market and a corresponding photo! Food and photos, it's what I do.

 

My cousin Chloee was our very first visitor and we wandered in and out of the produce stands and shops in the market all day long.

 

Green Bean Casserole II

My green bean casserole (GBC) for this year's Thanksgiving was the best I've ever made. That's saying a lot since this recipe has been a work in progress since 2007! 

I began with my own GBC recipe from a few years back. Fresh green beans and mushrooms (baby portobellos) are the key.

Happy Holidays

This year, in the midst of all of the holiday madness, I'm feeling especially blessed. There are so many reasons to celebrate and be thankful. Allow me to list them, please!

Great company of both old friends and new friends alike. We had a great Thanksgiving with Michelle,  my friend from High School, her husband Jay, and their friends. Supporting roles also include: 22 pounds of turkey, the best green bean casserole I've ever made (recipe can be found here), 3 homemade pies, and countless bottles of wine.