P.S.

It's also waaayyyy too croweded in here!! ......That being said, it is amazing what you can do in a small space and also how long it takes to clean up a mess in a small space! Every move must be calculated and before you put something down, you have to pick something else up so that there is a space to put something down in. Well, now you have something else in your arms, so you have to move something else so you can put the other thing down, and now you have a new thing in your hands. Oh! I'll put it over there on that chair that is blocking the door.....But wait, everything that was in the oven is on that chair. Dang it! ....What about my bed, "in the next room"? Great idea! Two steps later, shoot, it's covered in clean laundry. OK. Maybe I'll put this thing on the floor and put the laundry away so then I can put the thing that's on the floor on the bed. Shit! I can't move. I'm surrounded! If I move I will step on the thing on the floor. Bathtub?
The bagel recipe (which turned out really great, btw) soon turned into a recipe for insanity-claustrophobia-disorganizata to the third degree. Thank goodness for wine.....Happy New Year (almost) ox

What's going on in #403??

Bringing back the mortar and pestle....

........and giving the old cuisinart a healthy rest....just like the I-talians like to do.

Sun-dried Tomato Pesto!

One more......

SEASON'S GREETINGS! :)

So far.....these are some extra precious faves from the holiday season....

GLUHWEIN!!

Yes, German spiced wine.....pre-prepared (hee hee) and mulled for your cold weather drinking pleasure. Serve warm. Insanely delicious.

I am guessing to not drink more than 1 1/2 glasses at a time. It reeks of a potential headache.

STOLLEN! The Christmas cake of Germany and #403 in Chinatown.

For those of you that don't know, this little gem is a sweet bread that is packed with raisins, currants, citrus and tart cherries. There is also a ribbon of marzipan that lurks within. The outside is dusted/smothered with confectioner's sugar, and it makes great toast or is good for accidentally eating all by yourself in a day while working on "projects".

HANUKKAH!
I love blue and white, and man do I love the chance to eat latkes and matzo ball soup for a reason.

Dinner starts at 6:30.

Cheers!! ox

Where was Monika, now?!

Say "cheese" and try not to kill Stacia because she is constantly beseeching you to take cheesey pictures.....

The WSF is the Seattle version of The Irish Rover, minus the fact that it doesn't shipwreck, the captain doesn't sail with a dog, and the only cargo is people and automobiles. Other than that it's pretty much as fun and festive.
This picture is taken from deep within "the hull".

A little more Walla Walla......

How can you not love people that have a table for snacking in the middle of the grocery store?!

......and pinatas in the produce section!

This little Mexican treasure trove was my first stop/find when I landed in Walla Walla last month. I bought some pumpkin seeds and jamaica (dried Hibiscus flowers) so that I could make one of my favourite Aguas Frescas from Mexico.
Aguas Frescas are a popular everyday drink in the México. You will find these drinks being sold on main streets and markets and little drink stands in most towns and cities.

The flavors are unique, delicious, and endless. Some of the most common Aguas Frescas are: Jamaica, Horchata, Tamarindo, Piña (Pineapple), Melón (Cantaloupe), Limón (Lime) and Sandía (Watermelon).

Each region in the country has its own versions of Aguas Frescas using local fruits, like guayabas (guavas), plátanos (bananas), fresas (strawberries), Mango, naranjas (oranges), pepinos (cucumber), pitaya fruit, Guanábana, local plums, etc.… you get the idea?

An Agua Fresca is an easy and lovely to look at combination of fruit, sugar, water and ice.
Agua de Jamaica/Hibiscus Flowers Drink
Ingredients for 2 quarts:
1 ¼ cup of Jamaica Flowers
3 cups of water
4 cups of water to make 2 quarts of the final drink
½ cup of sugar
Ice cubes
1. Place the flowers in a small pot with the 3 cups of water. Bring them to a boil. Boil them for about 2-3 minutes over medium-high heat.
2. Set aside for at least 4 hours, you can also make this step overnight.

NOTE: Before adding sugar, taste to adjust to your taste. Maybe you would like more or less sugar? If you feel the consistency of the drink is too thick or dense , just add more water. Play around a little bit with it :)