My Second Island: Vashon

Although I have never been to a tropical island, I just visited my second island in the Pacific Northwest. My second island was the legendary Vashon Island. It’s about a 15-minute ferry ride from Seattle or Tacoma. I actually left from Tacoma. Visitors have the option to take the passenger only ferry/taxi(from Seattle) or the drive-on ferry (approximately $20, plus $5 for each additional person). The island is 12 miles from one end to the other, and is about the size of Manhattan. However, the island only has about 11,000 populations.

The first thing we did upon our arrival to Vashon Island is we drove over to Maury Island. These two islands use to be one but with the addition of a road along Tramp Harbor, they are now two separate islands. We timed our arrival so it was at low tide so we could walk along the beach more. On Maury Island is P. Robinson Lighthouse. This Lighthouse is still operational and visitors can stay in the Head Keepers Quarters.

After getting in a nice little hike along the beach it was off to Vashon’s downtown for lunch. We ate at a vegetarian restaurant called Snapdragon, and it was all kinds of yummiest! Their pizza, soups, and desserts were island perfection.

After lunch, we were off exploring a new place to hike, destination Shinglemill Creek/Fern Cove. It’s Vashon’s newest trail and is two-miles (4 miles round-trip). It was a moderate trail. The final stretch of Shinglemill Creek leads to Fern Cove.

I can definitely see the appeal of escaping the busy city life for this charming island, but I don’t think I could be a permanent resident. But I definitely could escape to this little oasis for a week and most definitely for a weekend.  I cannot wait to return!

Vashon Island from the Tacoma Ferry

 P. Robinson Lighthouse on Maury Island

P. Robinson Lighthouse on Maury Island

Flavors of Arabia

My Middle Eastern kitchen is pretty much nonexistent.  I have relatives that make wonderful Middle Eastern food, so I haven’t been tempted to butcher the cuisine with my cooking skills. However, now that I am far away from family, I am now motivate to cook it since I constantly have cravings for it. I was window shopping as I was walking downtown Seattle, and I came across the store City Kitchen,  within this store had the Middle Eastern recipe book for me.

The recipe book is Modern Flavors of Arabia, and I just recently attempted two recipes from the book.  The first recipe was Baby Okra and Sautéed Tomatoes, and the second was Rice and Lentil Pilaf (Mjadara). Both of these recipes were absolutely delicious, and so I am motivated to infiltrate my kitchen with a little bit more Middle Eastern flair!

Baby Okra and Sauteed Tomatoes

10 cloves garlic, finely sliced

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

1 package (14 oz) frozen baby okra (I used 16 oz package)

6 tomatoes, chopped

1 head of garlic, cloves separated, unpeeled (I used half a head and then used minced garlic)

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp allspice

2 Tbsp sugar (I used Truvia)

salt and pepper (I used a lot of pepper and just a dash of salt)

In a large frying pan put olive oil and sauté the garlic. Then add the okra. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and unpeeled garlic. (I have never cooked unpeeled garlic, so I was hesitant on what the texture was going to be. The garlic becomes really soft and absolutely delicious). Stir. Add spices. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. I wanted my okra to be really soft so I ended up cooking it for about 20-25 minutes. You are suppose to serve it cold or at room temperature but I prefer to eat it warm.

Rice and Lentil Pilaf

1 cup of brown lentils, rinsed (I used Spanish brown lentils)

4 cups of chicken stock

¼ cup olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 cup white basmati rice, presoaked and drained

1 tsp allspice

1 tsp cinnamon

salt and pepper (I used a lot of pepper and just a dash of salt)

In a pot place the lentils and cover them with the chicken stock. Bring to a boil and cook until they are dente. In a frying pan heat the olive oil and fry the onions. Pour on top of lentils. Add the drained rice and spices to the pot. Simmer until all liquid is absorbed (it took about 15-17 minutes).

My Guilty Pleasures

I would like to believe that everyone has a guilty pleasure. I presently have many!

• Wear my pjs under a coat during the winter when I just have a quick errand to do.
• I totally wear scrunchies in the comfort of my own home.
• When I am stressed I read fluff novels, and yes I still rate them on goodreads.
• Even though I am allergic to peanuts (I sneeze and break out in hives), I eat Peanut M&Ms, and I enjoy each and every one between the endless sneezes.
• I haven’t bought a tabloid magazine since high school, but I still thumb through them while in the check-out line.
• I totally still have N*Sync and Spice Girl songs on my iTunes and you betcha I jam out to them when they come on my iDevices.
• When I start watching a new TV series, I must watch all the available episodes, so it definitely turns into a hibernation day.
• In a book series, I flip to the end of the book to make sure all of my favorite characters are still present/alive.
• Games that I am interested in watching I record, I check the results online, and if my favorite player/team loses,  then I don’t even watch what I recorded.
• When visiting a new city, I am more excited to try restaurants that have appeared on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” than seeing sightseeing attractions.
• When I get a new book from the library, I buy a cupcake; since I just saved money by checking out the book and not buying it= Girl Money Management Logic
• Comparing weather in Seattle to the Midwest, since Seattle is almost always perfect.
• Getting Chinese/Thai carryout food, so I can peacefully eat with a fork instead of  struggling with chopsticks.
• My food addictions are Double Stuff Oreos (one of the few chocolate things that I will eat) and Crunchy Cheetos (I am definitely not a puff girl).
• Shopping while listening to music on my iPod.
• Pinning things on Pinterest that I never have any intention on buying or making.
• Open windows/patio door to let cool fresh air in and then put on a dozen blankets.
• Baking with my niece; therefore, if the recipe doesn’t come out right I have an available scapegoat.
• Since I only own 2 white things, I have never have had to separate my colors and whites when doing laundry.
• I probably dust my home maybe two times annually....I think dusting is the most pointless chore EVER!
• I only make my bed when my covers start to come off my bed......and yes, my mother is "oh-so-proud!"

Signs of Seattle

Since I live in downtown Seattle, everything is just a hop, skip, and jump away; therefore, of course I walk everywhere. Walking...slower than running, and much slower than driving; however, it gets me from point A to B while avoiding one way streets and road rage. I only have "walk rage" when I am shopping downtown because of holiday shoppers and tourists clogging up the sidewalks as they take pictures of pigeons and Subways (I kid you not).

However, throughout my many walks, I come across some reading material...through posted signs. Surprisingly, a lot of them pertain to dogs. 

Pepe Le Pew

A bilingual sign

Cautionary Signs

Most random prices for parking near the Space Needle

Yes...it is okay for you to turn.