Solid Gold

Hello again! In addition to Indy watching last weekend, we celebrated Justin's Golden Birthday...he turned 29 on May 29! Justin's always been lucky in that his birthday falls around Memorial Day so he has a nice three-day weekend to celebrate!
He was obviously more excited about turning 92.

We had gone to Windsor Friday night to visit my parents and our friends the Byes for a weekend of Indy and golden birthday excitement. I had plans to snap a picture of JT near the Golden Gate Bridge, but there was too much traffic on the way up and the bridge was completely covered in fog on the way back. However, I took full advantage of finding all things gold with which to decorate and even found a frozen yogurt shop called "The Golden Spoon" in Windsor!

On the morning of his birthday we opened some presents:
Then we all went out to explore the great town of Windsor and the road that lead to the coast:
It was really windy and a bit chilly, but it was a gorgeous day on the coast!

After lunch in Botega Bay we stopped by the old school house and church which were used in the Alfred Hitchcock movie The Birds. A family lives in the school (which they've since made into a house) and allow people to come in the front hall where they have a small gift shop. It was a fun little stop.

After that we went to play a round of mini golf where I was, coincidentally, pooped on by a bird. It landed right on top of my head. Blurg.

Haha, pictures of people golfing crack me up. Sorry, gang, I know they aren't that flattering :)

After golf we went back home so I could wash my hair before dinner.

We went to Johnny Garlic's for dinner - Johnny Garlic's is one of Guy Fieri's restaurants. It was a good pick and we definitely recommend it! They also offer a free delicious dessert for birthday folks, so I busted out a crown and some bling for JT to wear while we sang.
He loved it.
HAHAHAHAHA
Oh yeah...we all got sunburned during golf...but what's new there.

After dinner we went back to the condo for more birthday dessert.
Justin had such a great time celebrating, he couldn't keep his eyes open.

HAPPY GOLDEN BIRTHDAY, JUSTIN!

Start your engines!

Team Thompson joined my parents and our family friends, Gary and Kayleen Bye, last weekend up in Windsor, Calif. where they had rented out a timeshare/condo. The Emersons and the Byes get together each Memorial Day weekend to watch the Indy 500 -- now that both sets of parents are empty-nesters, they decided to take the annual gathering on the road each year and visit one of the kids in their new locations.

There are six children total and we're all one year apart. I'm the oldest (and the only girl). The order is as follows:

Christine E., Cody B., Joe E., Bryce B., Matt E., Tory B.

Last year they visited Cody and his family as it just so happens they lived in Indiana at the time and last year was the year the Emersons and the Byes attended their first Indy 500 all together.

Cody and I are the only ones that live out of state...Thus...this year, they came to California. I guess California sounded a little more tempting than Prosser, Wahluke or Pomeroy. Sorry Joe, Bryce and Tory!

The Emersons and the Byes have been getting together to watch the Indy 500 since before I was born...it all started in the 70s when my dad and Gary, who had been working for an agriculture publication in the D.C. area, snagged tickets to the actual race in Indianapolis from Tom Sneeva, an Indy racer at the time.

In the years that followed, they got together each Indy weekend to listen or watch the race. They'd rotate between each other's houses (the Byes live in Pomeroy. That's where my dad grew up farmin' wheat and raisin' cattle n' hogs) and they soon introduced ladies, who soon became wives, and eventually six children were added to their Indy madness.

Watching isn't all we do...the adults (a group into which I was finally inducted this year) draw names of drivers, tally up the starting positions, keep track of different events (first out, worst/best pit time, finishing positions, etc.) and have themselves a friendly competition. We even have a revolving trophy where we list a new winner each year. The losers also get trophies, because we're fair like that. The loser trophies are handsome, handmade creations made by the previous year's loser. Some of them are real gems.

I've actually been to a live Indy race! I went in 2005 with my friend Jen from Georgia whose family goes to the race each year. Jen's grandfather used to work at the track so the family has tickets they use each year and Jen, knowing my family has an annual Indy gathering, gave me a ticket for my birthday.

This was down on the track...through Gasoline Alley...we're not sure how we were able to make it in there because not "just anyone' is allowed. And, you're supposed to be wearing close-toed shoes and have some sort of a badge. We just walked in and were able to get this pic with a pit crew next to one of the cars!

Here is a team getting their driver ready. We were right near the start/finish line and directly across from pit stops for Dario Franchitti, Danica Patrick and Tony Kanaan.
Go Tony!! Tony Kanaan is one of my favorite drivers.

I met Jen during my semester abroad in Australia. Jen had heard me say something about the Indy-style (the Nikon Indy 300) race coming to Surfers Paradise (near our Uni) and we soon discovered we were meant to be friends for life. Who else randomly meets another girl in Australia and discovers their families both have a random only-the-Indy-500-race obsession with formula 1 racing?

So...we went to the race, though those Aussies were good about closing off the streets and hiding any glimpse of the action from people who didn't buy tickets. We had fun anyway, even though we walked and walked and walked and narrowly missed getting stuck in a horrible thunder storm.

This year, Justin was able to get in on the Indy action. We all drew names the night before -- I had GREAT starters: 1. Helio Castroneves (3-time winner), 2. Will Power (ha), 4. Ryan Briscoe, 11. Justin Wilson, 33. Sebastian Saavedra (Rookie). No one drew Dario Franchitti, who actually won the race. There were three names left over, and Dario was one of them.

Our rookie player, Justin, actually won the contest -- though most of his racers had poor starting positions, they had managed to wiggle their way up to decent finishing positions. He's hooked on Indy now, too!

It was good to get back in on the Indy action...I haven't been to an Indy gathering in five years! I was the first of the kids to opt out for a weekend, but I had a good reason...I was going to the real race!

However, the following year, I decided to stay in the Seattle area so I could spend the weekend with [my then boyfriend] Justin because it was his birthday. A chain reaction followed: Cody got married, moved away and had two baby boys, and the other boys eventually went off to college and the army. Joe and Bryce have been away from home for a few years pursuing careers in teaching and Tory, who graduated just a few weeks ago, has already landed himself a sweet job that will take him around the state and elsewhere.

We hope to join in on the Indy weekend action again soon. I think we should coordinate a reunion weekend!

To Washington and back: An executive summary

As promised, here is my recap of a quick trip to Washington for Nanny's 90th birthday! I'm thankful I got to go, even though I had to leave Justin behind.


After panicked phone calls to both Travelocity and United to make sure I could get through security and onto the plane with a boarding pass that said my name was Christineken, I boarded the plane at San Fran Friday night...it was a small plane, but it was packed.

All them there Washingtonians are good about goin' to see the mothers for Mother's Day, it seems.

I couldn't stop chuckling though once the stewardess started the greeting by saying, "Welcome aboard flight blah blah blah to...um...[longer than acceptable pause to anyone from eastern WA area]..."

"Pasco!" chimed the entire flight with great enthusiasm followed by happy laughs and a round of good-natured high-fives. Maggie summed it up well when I told her the story. She said, "if you're going direct from San Fran to Pasco, that's probably your final destination!" It's true...I think everyone on that plane headed to Pasco was happy to get their country mouse patooties out of the big city.

Mom and Dad met me at the airport - I just love getting picked up by loved ones at the airport...all the giddiness and big hugs make me feel so cared for and missed...no matter how long it's been since we saw each other last.

Saturday was the big day. All aunts, uncles and cousins were on site at 11:15 a.m. to help with set up at the Prosser museum. We had a posters up with pictures from Nanny's childhood, teenage years, adulthood, empty nesthood, grandparenthood and great-grandparenthood. We decorated with all things pink and brought in a beautiful birthday cake, plentiful veggie trays, marinated meatballs, ribbon sandwiches, a tiered cheese tray, assorted fruits, nuts, wine, punch and more. If this wasn't a 90th birthday party, I don't know what is.

The party started at 2 p.m. and while we all had moments of panic where we thought maybe no one saw the ad in the newspaper (Prosser is small, people...we put birthday party invites in the paper), we soon found ourselves directing people to overflow rooms so everyone had a place to enjoy the party. Lots of friends and family came by and Joe even brought his new lady friend and introduced her to the whole family!

Maggie, Kimberly and I were assigned to cake cutting duties. Courtney helped, too. Maggie and I get assigned to a lot of two-person tasks...gift taking, punch pouring, cake cutting. It's our fault though. We once made business cards for our gift-taking business and handed them out at our cousin Carrie's wedding reception. We were hot stuff until the dot-com bust.

It also works out nicely that Maggie is a lefty and I'm a righty...she cuts, I plate. Full disclosure: we only just realized this at Nanny's 90th.

To close out the party we all sang Nanny a song composed by Aunt Barbara. It's written to the tune of the WSU fight song, which I'm sure all of you know. Sing along now, don't be shy:

Cheer - cheer - cheer for Nanny so dear,
She's the birthday girl.
Come on and raise your glass
In toasting this lass,
Best in the west, you know
She gives us her best.
So cheer - cheer - cheer for Nanny so dear,
Hug her and tell her that you care.
Yes, cheer - cheer - cheer - for Nanny so dear,
'Cause she's NINE - TY!

Joe and his girlfriend, Brianna, arrive at the party.Nanny and her birthday cake. Nanny wore a fancy dress ensemble she once wore to the governor's ball as well as one of her kiddo's weddings. Isn't it great! "Brown is a good color on us redheads," she says.
Mom's tiered cheese display.Cousin Kimberly and Aunt Carol setting out pink napkins.

Nanny and Uncle Robert

Both my grandmothers are twins...that's Nanny on the right...she had twins herself. My uterus hurts. TMI...Sorry.

Nanny (middle, tallest) with her mother, Charlotte, and two sisters, Florence and Lois, aka Pat and Looie. I should use this as an opportunity to tell you Nanny's real name is Virginia.

Nanny as a young girl.

Nanny with her children and their spouses. Plus two museum mannequins...pretend they're not there.

Mom's cousins, minus Tom, in the famous cousin picture.

Maggie, me, Carrie, Kimberly and Nanny. I think the arrangement of the four of us and our hairdos is a fun coincidence.

Nanny and me. Maggie said she has a better picture. Ha!

Saturday night my dear old friend Erin came to visit so Maggie, Drew, Erin and I went to the Blues & Brews festival in Tri-Cities. Overall we had a nice time, but it was a low blow to get there and find out it'd been open all day, the taps were closing in 45 minutes, there was a $30 admission fee AND you had to pay for scrip once you made it to the beer garden. It's only slightly embarrassing when you're the one making sure all parties have enough cash only to find out you yourself don't have enough. Story of my life. Luckily I was in good company and taken care of at the Blues & Brews fest.

I saw a few familiar faces from high school and enjoyed catching up with them. None of them believe I actually have a husband, though, because I leave "him" in "California" when I come home to visit. I promise you'll meet this supposed husband of mine someday, folks! My favorite part though was getting in some face-to-face catch up time and laughs with Erin R. We'll be friends 'til the end of time.

Sunday was Mother's Day. I presented mom with new towels to match her new kitchen and we went on a walk to keep her 7 new bypasses in shape. Then we all went to Snipes for a fun brunch with the Olmsteads and the Rabes.

Mom and dad are redoing the kitchen...not all the tile is up on left in this picture, but you get the point. It looks great!

After brunch we went to Nanny's house to deliver Mother's Day gifts. I just love quick 1:1 moments with Nanny where she takes a deep breath, looks at you in the eye and says, "now, how are you doing." Sitting there with her at her kitchen table got me a little teary-eyed thinking of all the memories I have in that house and of her.

Back at home I helped mom and dad with a bit of yard work before everyone came for the BBQ.
Now, let's take a minute here to praise the genius who invented the leaf blower. I grew up in the same house where my parents currently live...they have a big yard full of deciduous trees which is surrounded by orchards with more trees...

Hand me a rake to this day and I'll automatically start spurting out excuses like, "I have a headache, I have a book report, I have a stomach ache, I have a blister on my hand, my brothers are annoying," just to see if you'll let me off the hook.

Hand me a leaf blower and I'll run right out to the yard and blow away every leaf, pine cone and stray branch until the cows come home. Those things...simply life changing.

Peeps came for the BBQ at 6 p.m., which we kicked off with a rousing set of the celebrity name game where one person names a celebrity and the next person names a celebrity whose first name starts with the first letter of the aforementioned celebrity's last name. I'm not one for knowing who sings what or who is who, so I had to skip around the circle early on in the game.

Momma and daddy grilled up some salmon and we all sat around chatting until it was time to get to bed. After saying my goodbyes to everyone and also to Joe who stuck around for a little while longer, the sad tears finally escaped. Only a few of them though.

Maggie and me on the patio Sunday night.

4 a.m. came early Monday as we met Team Chyterbok at Nanny's and carpooled to the Pasco airport :(

:(

:(

The super-strict lady at the security gate didn't bat an eye at my Christineken boarding pass, but she did make me take the chapstick out of my pocket.

I made it back to stupid California in time to stop at Starbucks on my way to work...and now, here we are at day 7 of my return.

As for the ribbon sandwiches...

They consist of layers of:

• white bread
• wheat bread
• chopped olives & cream cheese
• tuna and mayo
• egg salad
• Kraft pimento cheese mixed with cream cheese

Trust me...it's good. Choose three of the *fillings, I like the pimento, olive and tuna myself. Spread a filling on white, top it with wheat, spread the wheat with a filling, top it with white, spread white with the last filling and top it off with wheat. What you have is a cube. Set it aside and start over. Repeat as desired. Wrap the entire loaf(ves) tightly in saran wrap and refrigerate **overnight.

Once they're unwrapped, use an electric knife to slice off the crust. Sneakily take the crusts and go eat them in the other room with your dad and uncles Robert, Lou and Don. Then watch Uncle Lou skillfully carve the cubes in half and then carve the halves into fourths. Arrange on a fancy platter and watch them disappear.

*Be careful not to make the fillings too gooey as they'll make the bread soggy.
**Yes, overnight. The flavors meld and the sandwiches hold together better for cutting and serving.

Forever a Washingtonian,
Christineken

And many more!

Happy birthday to two of my favorite people! These are two people I do not often see, but was lucky enough to spend time with last weekend (post to follow).

Happy 90^th Birthday, Nanny!

I hope I'm in as good of shape and spirits at 90 as Nanny. I also hope my children throw me a 90th birthday party, make ribbon sandwiches and invite all my friends! As I said above...more on this party later.

Happy 27^th Birthday, Maggie!

With our powers combined, we can stop a mountain lion in its tracks. Maggie, though she is my cousin, is more like a sister (I don't actually have a sister...neither does she...we don't really know what having a sister is like...we hear it's nice and one of the best friendships two people can have, so we'll go with it). I love that no matter how long we go between phone calls or visits, we are able to pick up right where we left off.

All our fingers are crossed for another May 12^th birthday…we’re waiting on baby Rabe who is due any day!

Tarragon, Papaya and Jalapenos. Oh my!

I've been taking pictures of recipes, ingredients and dished up delights that have come into my kitchen over the past few months. Though I've finished a blog post about these pictures, I'm still not sure why I took them in the first place. As I went though my camera card tonight, I realized I'd taken A LOT of food prep pictures so I figured I would share them with you, my faithful 11 followers.

Hey, one more follower and I can call you the 12 disciples! Hold on...it seems we do have 12 followers. Wow! We're moving up in the world. I'm 99.9% positive that this morning we had 11 followers.

Anyway...a few things to remember: I'm not a food photographer, I'm by no means an expert chef (as you'll find out when you see the fish and bok choy) and sometimes the hubs and I eat the finished product before we take an "after" picture. Also, I'd like to note that I didn't call you "my disciples." Let's just get that out of the way now.

We'll start with the pictures I took back in January. I told you I've been doing this for a few months! One week in January I decided to flip through my spiral I wrote about earlier and I found a lot delicious treats.

Such as these Turkey Kebabs with Cabbage Slaw.
They were alright. We had a lot of slaw left over, but the turkey and a bit of slaw wrapped up in a tortilla made for a nice lunch the next day. Recipe here.

Then I made this fish dish:
Roasted Sweet & Sour Halibut with steamed Bok Choy. Justin wasn't too pumped about the bok choy, but he ate it anyway, even though I...
...very much over steamed the bok choy. It was a little slimy. Also...the end result does not look nearly as palate pleasing in my picture as it does in the magazine picture. It would seem that the magazine people cheated and removed the cilantro that was cooked with the fish and added new sprinkles before taking a picture. However, let me tell you, this fish dish is most certainly a palate pleaser. The fish exploded with flavor. Recipe here.

I had purchased some parsnips with the intention of trying a root vegetable puree, but thought they sounded better in this recipe:
Honey-Roasted Parsnips. These were so good we forgot to take a picture before we ate them all.

Same as with these two dishes:
Left: these ingredients, mango, cilantro, jalapeno and ginger, were put into a parchment paper pouch and baked all together over chicken. Fabulous. So fabulous, we ate it up quite quick.

Right: some sort of fruit salad featuring papaya. I'd read at work that papaya aids in digestion, and if you know Justin and I well...well, bring on the papaya. Again, this one disappeared before any "after" shots were taken.

This is the second time I've made this dish. The creaminess of the avocado lessens the punch of the cayenne while adding another layer of flavor all at once.
Cayenne-Rubbed Chicken with Avocado Salsa. Recipe here.

Now, moving on to the meal I prepared yesterday. The weather was definitely bbq weather on Sunday so Justin and I picked up a salmon and lots of fresh produce at the store after church. This is what I made with it all:
Appetizer: Giada's White Bean Dip, served with bagel chips. Recipe here.

"Extra-Special Tabbouleh with Avocado and Feta" salad.

And Grilled Salmon with Fresh Tarragon and Crushed Fennel [Butter].

The tabbouleh salad was so fresh and so flavorful. I sauteed some chicken tonight, diced it, piled it on top of left over tabbouleh and added a few chunks of avocado for our dinner. I'm definitely going to make this again, but I might skip the tarragon salmon and go straight for diced chicken.

The salmon was ok...I think I'll stick with just lemon and dill on my salmon though. I love me some salmon and the tarragon and fennel just didn't do it for me.

As a reminder, I never said I am a great food photographer. I'm sure there are rules about photographing such things as food (the lighting, placement, finished product layout, etc.), but I was more excited about eating the food than arranging it and letting it get cold.

If there is one thing that can make me upset, it's my dinner getting cold. And now you know.