Hot air balloon rides and learning to cross country ski in her 60's. Groovin' on Furby's antics. Taking a Chinese food cooking class culminating with a singlehandedly prepared family dinner upon graduation. Ferry rides to Victoria with her sisters Anna & Betsy. Trips to the Ballard Locks, picnic lunch in tow. Shopping trips to Uwajimaya, … Continue reading Weeds
The two plus hour drive to Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Kent from Yakima left plenty of time for Jen and Eric to repeatedly and very anxiously wonder if Santa would indeed find us for Christmas, away from home as we would soon be, and for me to map out possible diversions for Grandpa if … Continue reading Over the River and Through the Woods
If desserts were movie stars, my mom’s pies, crumbles, and crisps would be up for an Academy Award. She had a supporting cast of characters as well, Snickerdoodles, oatmeal cookies, steamed pudding, sour dough cinnamon bread to name a few. But the biggest contender for the Oscar would be Mom’s Apple Cake. Growing up my … Continue reading Don’t Judge a Book
Moth to the flame. Bee to the blossom. Lighthouse in a storm. The top of Grandma’s refrigerator. The first stop after welcome hugs. Check the top of the refrigerator. Cookie tin? Yes. A quick look inside. Would it be one of my favorites? This ritual was repeated with every visit to my Grandma and Grandpa’s … Continue reading Swedish Farmer
It’s not that anyone would call it being deprived, maybe just lack of life experience? Growing up I didn’t eat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, Chef Boyardee, Wonder Bread, or SpaghettiO’s. I don’t regret missing out on Wonder Bread. Watching kids roll slices of Wonder Bread into a dense white glutenous mass only to naw on it … Continue reading Not in a Box
Both sets of my grandparents lived in Kent, Washington, situated halfway between Seattle and Tacoma. My maternal grandparents lived in the country in a house my grandpa built. My grandpa, John, was a master craftsman, or so I have been told. As far back as I remember, my grandpa never held a full-time job. My grandma, Dorothy, … Continue reading Rock and a Hard Place
I spent my first two years of college at the University of Washington in Seattle. I lived in a sorority with 130+ other young women. At the time my mom worked for the Seattle School District and lived close by; given her work schedule we got together a couple of times a month. Both sets of … Continue reading College Bars
That was my grandparent's address from the time I was born until my grandma moved to assisted living and eventually out of state to live with my aunt Marilynn. My grandparent's house was one of my favorite places to be, or more specifically my grandma's kitchen. My grandma, Lillian, born in 1920 to Norwegian immigrants, was number … Continue reading 716 Hilltop Ave
Butter + Benedictions 