At Luxor.

Walk like an Egyptian.

New York, New York

The strip

Lady Liberty

Parasol Up/Parasol Down - at the top of the staircase. 

 

 

 

Horse at The Wynn

END OF DAY ONE

First day in Vegas. Perhaps the longest day ever. Because the time zone didn't change, time seemed to stand still. Not at all that we weren't having a great time. But we kept checking the time thinking it was several hours later than it was. Even a two hour nap didn't help.

Stephanie and Dave picked us up from the airport and she had prepared a picnic basket for the ride home. Granted, it wasn't a long ride, but the treats were very welcomed. Fruit, cheese, candy, muffins, water. We tore into that. We eventually went to breakfast but Dave had to go to work. We girls went to Mimi's Cafe. Extremely yummy food and freshly made tomato juice! After several cups of coffee at Mimi's we hit a few stores then once home we sat by the pool and relaxed. I eventually crashed into a deep sleep for a couple of hours.

After the nap we took Lexi and Macy for a walk. Crazy mutts. There is a small patch of green within the development where they live and they had a good time pooping their way through it.

Back at home we headed for the hot tub. Though the evenings are quite cool, the hot tub and the pool are about 94 degrees. We eventually made our way into the pool and were well water-logged by the time we got out. Dave came home and we made dinner. I chopped some fresh tomatoes and basil and heaped it onto some sliced baguette with grated cheese for very tasty bruschetta. There was a veggie tray and fresh shrimp cocktail. I also whipped up a Washington Apple cocktail for Steph. This didn't stop her from conitnuing to drain Dave's drinks throughout the night. We introduced Dave and Steph to the card game Hand and Foot and they took to it right away. Julie and Dave had much better luck as a team than did Steph and I. But paybacks are a bitch so a re-match will probably be held tomorrow night.

Tomorrow Julie and I will hit the strip for some touristesque activity. Monday we head to Red Rock Canyon for a hike. Having fun!

A serious Lexi

Kiss me, dahling.

Macy

Damn cute

Walking the dog.

It was sure funny when this huge grasshopper jumped from a tree onto Steph's head. For all the screaming, you would have thought a Komodo Dragon was eating her leg.

Steph plays catch in the pool.

LEAVING (FOR) LAS VEGAS

That's right, it's 3:50 a.m. and the cab arrives at 4:15 a.m. to whisk us to Sea-Tac. We are headed to Las Vegas to visit Steph and Dave for four days. It's our first trip to LV. No doubt it will be fun.

It's one thing to stay up until all hours but it's completely another thing to be deeply sleeping and then have to get up in the middle of the night. I feel fine when I'm first awake but after a shower and getting dressed I just feel queasy. It will pass but it makes for a slow morning. But in 4 1/2 hours I will be where it is 70 degrees (later today) and sunny! Suppose to be 75 on Monday, the day we are to hike in Fern Canyon! I can't wait for the sun. Seattle has experienced a miserable last half of October and the first half of November isn't any better.

Back to preparation. Thanks to Diana for staying at our place while we are gone.

WENT TO A SEDENTARY MARCHING BAND CONCERT JUST FOR THE HALIBUT

After a few too many cocktails, I had a slow go of it on Sunday morning. Fortunately, we were not due to the Town Hall Seattle until 2 p.m. for our first experience with the Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band (BSSB). My new favorite band, BSSB has been not marching while playing John Phillip Sousa favorites for 20 years. In fact, November 6 was their 20th anniversary in addition to being John Phillip Sousa's 151st birthday! A further distinction was bestowed upon BSSB when an official edict by the mayor was read to the audience proclaiming November 6, 2005 to be Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band Day. What a proud moment. And twice during the performance, BSSB members presented director and band leader (and clarinet player) Liz Driesbach with
Sousabilia in recognition for her years of hard work and for founding the BSSB. Liz is also the performance's MC and she's a riot in a flaky, unaffected way. She might be 2 seconds from counting off the band into a new number when she will stop and turn and begin another Sousa story. She is a Sousa freak and not ashamed to show her admiration.

The BSSB will not march "under any circumstances" (according to the web site). And they boast the world's only sedentary majorette. She sits in a chair and twirls while the whole first row of musicians dons hardhats in case of an operator malfunction. They also display a colorful array of thrift store and homemade uniforms. The setting wasn't ideal for taking pictures but I managed to get a few decent ones. But I've snagged a group shot off the BSSB web site to give you a full shot of the group. This was certainly the best $10 spent in a long time. We hope to catch another performance at the Phinney Neighborhood Association Winter Festival on December 4.

For dinner we met up with Andrea and Shannon at Erin's house. Erin supplied the halibut caught by Bruce earlier this year. Julie supplied the knowledge for the garlic halibut recipe that is most delicious. There was acorn squash and salad and homemade pumpkin pie from Andrea. Don't forget the new kittens, Eva and Edie. They were more welcoming than last time and I actually got to hold them and play with them.

Here's the garlic halibut recipe. Make this immediately.

4 halibut filets (6-8 ounces each)

For the marinade:

6 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 tbsp minced fresh cilantro plus 1 tsp cilantro root (the stalk)
3 tbsp sugar
1/4 Asian fish sauce or soy sauce and more for brushing
3 tbsp sake, Chinese rice wine, or dry sherry
3 tbsp sesame oil plus more for brushing
coarse salt and ground pepper to taste

Prepare the marinade by pounding the garlic, ginger and cilantro root and sugar in a mortar with a pestle. Or puree in food processor. Work in fish sauce, sake, sesame oil, salt and pepper. Spoon it over the halibut and marinate for 30 minutes to an hour. Then broil or grill the fish 4-6 minutes per side.






Aren't they crazy?

Categories: recipes
cats ,Ballard