Family Trip to the Market

Needing a nice family outing to get everyone out of the house and away from each other’s throats, we decided today to load up in the car and drive the 1/2 hour to Seattle’s Pike Place Market. I did have a vague hope that we would have a pleasant stroll through the market, find some perfect veggies and seafood for a delicious, seasonal meal. What was I thinking!?!?! It’s a Saturday in August, the market’s crowded and noisy and it’s hot.

After fighting through the traffic, we actually found a great parking spot that wasn’t too outrageously expensive and only involved climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest to get to the market. We started wandering, but it seemed like no matter where we were, it was in the midst of a chaotic mess of people. about an hour into it, I started to get crabby. It was time to find lunch.

Seattle. Waterfront. Tourists. Fish & Chips. Ivar’s. One seems to lead strait to the next, doesn’t it? We asked a couple of people where we could get good fish & chips, and we got 2 suggestions, one of which was Ivar’s. I know…you don’t have to lecture me. There are Ivar’s everywhere and totally commercialized, but I kept reminding myself that it wouldn’t be a chain if people didn’t like it. So they must be good. Seattle! Waterfront! Tourists! It had everything going for it!

Everything, that is, except comfort, value and taste. The fish was fine, but didn’t have much of a fish flavor, and the chips were limp and greasy. The only place to sit was in an outdoor seating area that had me telling the boys not to touch the table with their hands after they’d washed them. So I’m going to have to get me some cod soon and do fish & chips right.

We never did go back and get stuff for dinner. I didn’t want to face that crowd again. We just came home and made chili. So much for seasonal! But it was soul-comforting.

Summer Evenings

The good thing about having a sister who lives on a lake, is, well, having a sister who live on a lake invite everyone over for a sweet summer evening.

My aunt and uncle were in town from Arizona, so everyone went over to Anna’s for a family get-together. I took the Pasta Caprese as my potluck contribution and others provided veggies and salad and chips and dips and Anna and Sean made their delicious ribs for us all. I didn’t get pictures of the food, because I was helping to put it out, and by the time it was all out, so by the time I had the chance to grab my camera, it wasn’t very photogenic anymore, so I just grabbed a plate and joined in.

Of course, the only way to end a Summer’s night get together is roasted marshmallows. It’s been years since I’ve had one, I’d forgotten how delicious they are.

Note to Self…

Always read the labels on the spices before dumping them on top of ribs! Curry Powder is NOT the same as Cumin, and is what gives ribs that “unusual” flavor.

*Sigh*