I'm Shrinking

Ever wonder why the term shrink is a term used for a therapist or counselor? Well if you see a counselor, then you get it. Your brain just feels “shrunk” after you see the “shrink.” Let’s face it, life has so many ups and downs, trials and tribulations, ecstasy and defeat. I used to just go to a counselor when an “event” happened, something with my mother, my spouse, a “situation” of some sort that I needed to sort out. But in fact, I’ve decided seeing a counselor should be an ongoing thing, because it’s not like there isn’t ALWAYS something one could discuss! Sometimes it’s nice to just vent, or get an opinion, or better yet…try to actually figure yourself out. Why you do things, and potentially work on trying to change the things you would like to… in you, in life, in your choices.

I figure there are two kinds of people in this world. People who ask questions and people who don’t. I for one want to ask the questions and try to answer them. If there is one person I know that I’d like to know better it’s myself. I want to BE better, I want to DO better, I want to LIVE authentically with no regrets. I want a future that’s better than the past, and an even better future for my kids.

I think for some there is a stigma with saying you are in therapy, but as a great friend of mine said…if you’re NOT in therapy, than your life just isn’t interesting enough! Amen. I like to admit I’m complex and complicated; it’s called having a PERSONALITY, and with that there are many facets to reflect on.

I highly recommend it, find a great counselor/therapist/shrink…bartenders don’t count.
Ask the questions, try to answer them. Look in the mirror and KNOW the person staring back.

Confidence, love, patience, acceptance, hopes and dreams grow from here.

HBO Series In Treatment

Mountain Mama…Take Me Home…Country Road…

Last week I went on a short little break away from my life in the city to the San Juan Islands. Amazing what a little connection with nature and being in the country for a few days does for the rhythm of your pulse. It just gives you a little “time-out” so to speak of all the hustle bustle, busy doing this, busy doing that.

I went on a walk down a country road and had to smile as I was getting hats tipped off to me as people in their pickups would drive by. Or that two finger wave off the steering wheel that is a sure indicator you are in a place where life moves at a slower pace. So slow the enthusiastic hand wave is reduced to a two finger lift. Just that can make you smile and feel welcomed in their neck of the woods.

Always nice to get away a few hours from where you live to feel the disconnect, but this reminds me that even on a lunch hour I could go to the beach, or a park with a lookout, and just take some time to…take some time.

Life does not need to be figured out in a day and it never will be anyway, so….breathe.

Light 'em if you got 'em

Candles, you have a million of them but isn’t it true that you don’t light them and enjoy them as often as you should? I happen to love candlelight. Everything just looks better next to candlelight.

It can change your mood after a hectic day and it is so peaceful to sit in the living room with something good to read and glance at the light that dances from candlelight.

The above candelabra of mine is from one of my favorite home stores Great Jones. Other very cool options can be found at Maison Luxe or Liberty 1,2, 3, or Tableau. All of these stores have fantastic home accents that just make you happy to be home.

Don’t save those candles for guests, use them for yourself. A tiny bit of “serenity now!” when you need it. In the bath, in your room, main room, kitchen, outside, let there be light!

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness – Chinese Proverb

Le Creuset

Overnight, Fall has blown into town. I do love the change in seasons. Sweaters, crisp walks with leaves falling around you, blazing fires in the fireplace, hot chocolate and tea. The other mainstay for me, year round really, but it really earns it's keep during Fall and Winter months...my Le Creuset dutch oven. Or I should say, French oven.

Every household should have one of these fantastic marvels of cookery. You can make anything in this, great for sauteeing those big giant vegetables like chard or kale or a delicious ratatouille, that most pans get overwhelmed with. I mostly like to make delicious soups in my Le Creuset on Sundays and then I have a go-to meal for the week that is an easy lunch or dinner.

The French company, Le Creuset, has been making enameled cast iron french ovens since 1925. They come in fabulous vibrant colors, red is my favorite, but my first was this French blue one. You can't help but feel like a real cook when using it, and food seems to just taste better!

I just made this soup I saw in Cookie Magazine....very good and will go in my Fall soup repetoire:

Tuscan Ribollita

3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

1 small onion, peeled and roughly chopped

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

1 celery stalk, chopped

4 oz pancetta or ham, chopped

1/2 cup olive oil

1 15-oz can whole peeled tomatoes

3 15-oz cans cannellini or great northern beans, drained and rinsed

2 cups chicken broth

1 sprig fresh rosemary

1 bunch kale, roughly chopped

1/2 cup toasted bread crumbs

Grated Parmesan

1. In a large pot over medium heat, saute the first 5 ingredients in 2 tbsp of the olive oil for 5 min.

2. Add the tomatoes and their juices, along with the beans, broth, and rosemary. Simmer, covered, until the beans break apart, about an hour.

3. Add the kale and cook for 5 to 7 minutes more. Stir in the bread crumbs and serve, drizzled with the remaining olive oil and sprinkled with the cheese.

So get cozy and snuggle in with some great soups and of course...don't forget the wine!

Up with two olives!

Okay, yes, I'm alive. I know I haven't posted in a while! Forgive me.

I have been surviving lately. All the summer travel, back to school, economy, search for income opportunities, relationship stress etc, had finally caught up with me.

Which brought me to this post so naturally....I need a DRINK!

And when you do, sometimes it's fun to stick to the basics and go DIVE bar. Don't get me wrong, I love going to the latest and swankiest watering holes, but sometimes the only thing that can cure a thing called the blues....is the dive bar.

Living in Seattle, we have a plethora of choices of such bars we call a DIVE. We can go straight old school with 5 point in Belltown, or a favorite in my hood...The Mecca (see photo of current marquis).

Next on the list is what to drink? Again, for me old school would dictate a good vodka cran. My current favorite that skips the phouf, and gets to the point...Greygoose martini, up, dirty with two olives...pretty please with sugar on top.

Another great thing about dives, is you don't generally run into people you'd rather not run into at the moment. You can just sit content among the rif raf, because for that moment, you are the rif raf.

Cheers.

Homegrown

Fall is approaching, and I’m all about milking the last few days of great weather!

What better way to spend a sunny afternoon than hopping on my bike and riding down to HOMEGROWN, a gem of a sandwich shop for the best sandwiches in Seattle. Okay, I know everyone has their FAV sandwich shop, but this one can certainly be included and could even take the poll position after you try any one of their incredible sandwiches…YUM.

The best is that it’s all 100% Green, Organic, Earth friendly, yada yada. So not only are you putting something good inside… your doing something good for the outside.

Oh and when on a bike, make sure you find a great big hill to ride down, and throw your legs out to the sides...makes you feel like a kid again!

GO.

Parisian beats

Last week in France was perfect. No rush to do anything, the contrary. Soaked up the last few days of fresh baguettes and great champagne. Have you ever tried Rose Champagne? A must. I love champagne, and this is just a pretty twist on the traditional...I mean, it's pink! Why not.

Oh, and another thing I enjoyed while in France was listening to Radio Nova. A funky radio station that plays all sorts of new music, world music, jazz, electronica, an eclectic mix of stuff I probably would never listen to. I don't like all of the music, but it's just fun to listen to something different for a change. Have a listen, some of the French commercials can get annoying but they're funny to listen to as well. Maybe it will make you feel like you are in France while you work away on your spreadsheets, or surfing the web. No matter, just something new to tap your feet to.

It's always good to see the world, but it's also always good to be home. I love the duplicity in that.

Hej from Sweden!

Sweden: famous for blondes, Aquavit, and IKEA. I can tell you there is a ton more about Sweden you should discover. It is such a stunning place! The famous Archipelago outside of Stockholm consists of 24,000 miniature islands, many replete with picturesque seaside villages, cozy cottages and restaurants to serve the many boaters and visitors. We chose to stay on an island called Sandhamn, a two hour ferry ride from downtown Stockholm.

Everyone looks like they just stepped out of a Ralph Lauren catalogue, even the children, with their nautical stripes and rosy red cheeks from being outdoors all day. The islands are amazing for boating around, exploring tiny inlets, biking in the forests, swimming and of course having time in the sauna between swims. You haven’t been to Sweden if you haven’t spent time in their saunas! It really is a cultural phenomenon, and many people have saunas in their homes.

Then on to discover Stockholm. This place really rocks. The city is built on 14 islands, connected by 57 bridges, and is set amongst gorgeous old buildings and castles (Sweden, like England still has a monarchy) all situated on the Baltic Sea. People here are very fashion forward and eclectic, and despite the old surroundings, the city has a very modern outlook. The food is fabulous and seafood in particular is inspiring. In August, crayfish are a must and the shrimps are a year round obsession.

As any city that endures harsh winters, summers here are celebrated to the max. Many cafes and restaurants have a post outside with sofas, so it is a very cozy social scene. These places are filled all day long from coffee, to lunch, to afternoon coffee, to after work drinks, to dinner.

So crank your ABBA, get on your skinny jeans and get over to Stockholm at some point…this place is a breath of fresh air!

Oui, Oui...Paris!

Had a perfect day in Paris today all to myself. My perfect day consisted of five hours of walking aimlessly with no agenda all through the streets stopping in to any store that attracted me, or just standing on the Pont Neuf to watch people on the river go by. It also consisted of a two hour lunch at Café Flore with my usual…small salad verte with goat cheese crouton, and of course a café au lait après. I had time to watch people pass and dive into the book I’m reading. Perfect!

So many things about Paris please me. The awe inspiring buildings and apartments, the eclectic mix of people, the creativity in design and fashion (I especially love the window displays of most stores), the public transportation – I really like the Velib which is the practically free bike rental all throughout the city, and of course the beautiful parks throughout and the infamous, although touristy, Tour Eiffel. I will never get tired of seeing it light up at night, there is a magic about it.

Every year there are a few things I appreciate about being in the city. Most Parisians going to and from work are very well dressed. Men in their suits and woman with their stylish ensembles are fun to discover. Always inspirational on what the new look is, as the fashion in Paris is usually a year ahead of us stateside. For instance “the color” last fall in Paris was Purple, and this year it’s hitting the states. This year in France “the color” is Blue Marine, which is a range between grayish blue and electric blue. They are also throwing in some hints of pink.

Check out one of my favorite stores, Sisley, and click on the backstage video (bottom left of screen) to see the HOT photo shoot of the latest collection. Then click on Collection to actually see the clothes!

Tavira, Portugal

Bon Dia from Portugal! I’m telling you right now this is a gem of a place to visit. I think as Americans the usuals come to mind when wanting to visit Europe…France, Italy, Spain. Those destinations are obviously worthy, but if you want to go “off the beaten path”…Portugal is an excellent option. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of tourists here, but mostly all European or Eastern European.

The Algarve Coast is the southernmost part of Portugal, which is comprised of many small cities and fishing villages all along the coast. There are a lot of sea caves and rock formations that make the coastline very interesting. I really like it because it feels casual and cozy, a great place for families. The French Riviera for instance is so chic and party oriented, which is also fantastic, it’s a different ambience for sure.

We are in the charming town of Tavira only 30km from the Spanish border. Our amazing little enclave we call home this week is the Pousada Convento de Graca. It is a 500 year old convent completely remodeled to be a gorgeous little hotel that boast 39 rooms, a restaurant and pool. Just the perfect spot if you ask me to rest and relax and explore the coast of the Algarve.

The weather here most of the year is H.O.T., but the sea breeze makes it very enjoyable and comfortable. The beaches here are full on communities of restaurants, bars and activities for children. So you can’t get bored going to the beach all day. It is so much fun to explore. The sea is cold, but refreshing, there are plenty of sea shells everywhere to collect and examine. In true Euro style there is a steady stream of techno beats (now called Electronica btw) provided by the clubs on the beach and many young lovers bodies entangled in the heat.

The fresh seafood here is a great specialty; simple grilled fish on the beach has never tasted so good. The constant sun provides this region with fantastic oranges, tomatoes and melons and there is a stand in the middle of town where people come buy big jugs of fresh squeezed o.j.

Like a lot of small European towns there is a town square or “plaza” where people gather to have their coffee at one of the many bars that surround the square. At night it’s a place to sit and have a drink, or dessert, and on some evenings they have concerts there. The plaza is near a 16th century walking bridge, built by the Romans, that crosses the river. This is also a place where people gather at night.

All in all, I find Portugal a fantastic place to discover…moreover a place to be undiscovered.
Ciao, ciao!

Frommage anyone?

Okay, there are some things that are just so…”French” when it comes to dining. I was thinking about these things today as I was preparing a dinner for friends and family.
Here are some unwritten “rules” I thought I’d share.

First, you would never invite someone to your house for dinner before 20:00, which is 8pm. That means all of the guests really won’t arrive until 9p. Actual meal usually starts by 10p.

You typically start with Champagne and very light appetizers, like nuts or olives served in the living room or outside…no heavy appetizers to ruin your appetite for the meal.

The hosts will usually seat the guests and the hosts don’t occupy the ends of the table, but rather they sit in the middle seats of the table, easier to talk with all of the guests.

Seating alternate’s male, female and spouses are not seated next to each other. (they figure you see them enough, time to have interesting conversation with someone else – so French!).

Speaking of conversation…French conversations are generally NOT about work. More about your personal life, your interests, politics and world news, current events. People are not P.C. and in fact will disagree with your opinion as to make the conversation more interesting. They are quite direct and say what they are thinking.

The man is always in charge of serving the lady he is sat next to. Making sure her glass is never empty and she has everything she needs for her meal. A woman is generally not supposed to help herself to wine or water at anytime.

Cheese. Big part of the meal, so there are rules here. When serving cheese, this is the etiquette:
Round cheeses need to be cut like cake or pie. A big wedge of cheese needs to be sliced standing up, from back to front. As if you were slicing one piece of cake into two pieces of cake. NEVER slice the “nose” (the tip) of the cheese off. Quel faux pas! When that piece gets too thin, then it can be put on the side and then cut from front to back.

Sunday lunch is also a big deal. It’s usually a family/friends lunch day when everyone comes together. We love to do this in Seattle too. It allows us to invite friends and their children over, enjoy long lunches, let the kids play and you don’t really need to eat dinner Sunday night, because you had such a nice lunch that took four hours to eat!

Eating, drinking, talking, sharing, laughing…Quel Bonnheur! Bon Appetit!