I am baker

A moment. Moment after moment. Each tick of the clock is all we have, each second that passes is an opportunity.

Life is full of possibilities. Endless possibilities.

Just as I had imagined or created depending on how one views life, as soon as we move back to Bellingham life blossomed. Don't get me wrong for a second, I do miss the sun, bikinis, sagebrush, the Columbia River and a few very special people that call Eastern Washington home; my heart is at home in the trees.

As life unfolds I am in awe of the sheer abundance of opportunities that are at my fingertips.  Choosing between the opportunities is the crux of life. Weighing options, calculating risks, understanding the ramifications. A lot of thought needs to be given to some while other choices are as easy as a warm embrace.

I dove in, made a bold decision and holding on for the ride in which I am in full control.

I decided and was equally given the opportunity to be a baker at a unique little bistro in Bellingham. The decision was not an easy one, my heart went one way and my sensible side went the other. I didn't sleep or think about anything other than this decision, to accept the offer or not, for a good couple of days. Come last Monday I turned the key and warmed the ovens in the restaurant and went about my merry way, doing what comes absolutely naturally to me, baking up an array of delectables.

Flours, sugars, fruits, fillings, butter, cream, mixers, rolling pins and warm ovens.

I am a baker. 

I have a lot to learn, everyday I stumble but grasp my mistakes and move on. It has been a week and I can proudly sat that I am settling in, absorbing the vibe that is alive in the kitchen, understanding the personalities that create the atmosphere, getting to know the tools that I have to work with but most of all I look forward to creating products that have people come back time and time again.

I have had my nose buried deep in a few of my favorite cookbooks as soon as I get home and before bed each night, mining out recipes that I trust and others that I have been dreaming of making. Techniques and tips are hidden within the pages of each cookbook one just needs to be patient enough to read between the lines. There are books, thousands of books, millions of recipes, with the endless hours that I have poured over the inter webs and browsed countless books there is nothing that matches the confidence gained from on the job experience from some very talented people. I am blessed to share the kitchen with a woman that I am very excited to get to know and learn from.  She understands my passion and is eager to help fuel the flame. She pulls recipes out of her head for everything imaginable and is willing to share her techniques that she has honed for over 20 years. I look forward to collecting a pile of her hand written tried and true recipes. I look forward to creating new recipes for you and everyone who happens to come by and try something sweet or savory. These two hands will be busy producing in the wee hours of the morning and fill a case by the time people stumble to work in the name of creativity, passion and desire.

This is one hell of a possibility. I can't wait to see where it goes, where I will take it.

I promise many wonderful recipes next week!

Have a great weekend!

Neck Deep

DESIGN LOVE FEST

It ain't no thing really.

Just packing up all our shit and getting out of the desert and back to the rain forest. Why can't we have the best of both worlds? Sunshine and evergreen forests.

Wait I think we can, we just have to find it....

Where do you suggest?

As we swim in a sea of boxes I laugh as I pack multiple boxes of shoes. Wee bit of a shoe fetish LadyStiles?

I am not even going to admit to the magnitude that came out of the kitchen. WOW. Cake tins anyone?

Bellingham here we come! Back....

I must admit as soon as we put the perishables in the box we will point the things that matter north (bikes, climbing gear and loved ones) and explore old stomping grounds and explore new places. Sunshine Coast... Revelstoke.... The possibilities are kind of mind numbing. September is the best time to be in the Pacific Northwest.

Speaking of mind numbing experiences, Las Vegas was all the hype and a little more. I will post a few photos in a bit but you can also peek at them on Facebook. I let you in on the good deats and none of the garbage.

Right now I am swimming in boxes and creativity, stoked to dive back into the things I love with all the knowledge I have gained here on my sabbatical in the desert.

Back to the boxes for now.

Take care friends!

Cookies for Father's Day

These feet are headed west. 

Those toes are going home.

Grads and Dads.

Friends.

Beer gardens. Live music.

Mountain bikes. 

Coffee.

My Dad is picking as much rhubarb that can fit my car. 

I love my Dad and his green thumb.

I kind of look like my Dad.

Happy Father's Day to you Dad.

I could not be prouder to call you my Dad.

Go make some cookies for your Dad.

I have never met a Dad that will pass up cookies, if they do I think mine will eat their share and then some.

Chocolate Chip

Snickerdoodle

Toasted Coconut Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip

The beer drinkers guide to Bellingham

I miss a few things about Bellingham.

Well actually the list is pretty long, good thing the bustling little town is a stone's throw away. A throw that maybe only a professional stone thrower could make. Never mind.  I love going back to see my friends and get a dose funky patchouli drenched, fern worshiping, dirty tree thumping culture.

I miss the men with facial hair. The women with armpit hair - yep - sad but true. Sandals with socks. The sea of Subarus, dreads, guys in tight jeans and ladies in lots of linen. The coffee, the beer, the bakeries, how sweet is their nectar.

How else does one survive insurmountable rain all year long?

Caffeine, booze, baked goods.

I miss our hang outs. J and I could post up at numerous locations, they seem like extensions of our house. Bellingham is comfortable like that. I think it is all the rain, people tend to congregate around libations and caffeinated bevies wearing house shoes.

Fresh beer is to be revered. On tap, poured into a sturdy pint glasses.  Proper fresh beer worth indulging in. J teaches me important things like this and that beer and peanuts are a complete meal on some occasions. He is smart like that. Smarty pants!

Where in Bellingham do you get good beer you might ask?

OH I have been hoping that you would ask!

Here is my beer drinking guide to Bellingham:

Chuckanut Brewery
In a town obsessed with mind numbingly over hopped beers, people clutch to their frosty IPAs with a passion.  The Chuckanut Brewery sets the bar high with their lagers. They are good. They win awards. They are not the typical Pacific Northwest crafts - I would wager that you will enjoy unique and quality driven brews they offer.

Boundary Bay Brewery
Boundary is an institution in Bellingham. You are going to have to wait in line to get a table most days of the week. You should do it though. It is what the locals are doing. Go squeeze your belly up to the bar. The community that is created at this brewery is astounding, the art is always rotating, there are always musicians close at hand, they have well worn old wood floors, mismatched tables and there is something on the menu for anyone, including YOU. Their beer brings home a some awards as well. You will get hooked. Most people have.

Northfork Brewery
Pizzeria, beer shrine, wedding chapel.
If we had got married state side it would have been here. Yep, at a brew pub. My eyes are welling up, I adore this place. The small batch, British style ales will win your heart. The pizza will have you begging for more. You will stay for more because the rustic atmosphere is for real and will have you grabbing games off the shelves, playing for tab or simply listening to the locals can provide hours of entertainment. It is a short and scenic drive east from Bellingham, but what draws the crowds seems to be the universal necessity of a pint and a slice on the way home from Mt. Baker. It is a sacred place.

Green Frog Acoustic Tavern
If you are strolling around downtown Bellingham, this is a bar not to miss. They bring in great music most nights of the week, which attracts a humble following. The taps are ever rotating, 23 beers to be exact and they feature predominantly Northwest breweries. There is no crap on tap. It will make a beer drinker out of anyone. You can eat peanuts and toss the shells on the ground, play numerous instruments that adorn the walls and the neighboring pizza joint will deliver you a pizza. The Green Frog is a keeper.

Back Country Essentials
They have gear and beer. They have like 100 bottles of beer on the wall. Life is simple. That is all there is to it folks. This shop, staffed by fantastic outdoor enthusiasts and is located in the heart of downtown Bellingham. A must stop anytime you are in the area. You can grab a six pack of mix and match beers from across the world as you squeeze puffy jackets, flex skies, click cams and talk shop with friends. Keeping it real, go playing outside.

Now there is some beer high quality beer for a quaint little town. Are you ready to make a trip? Drop me a line if you want to know more. I love to talk.

We lack a sufficient hangout here in the desert. It is unfortunate.  A reliable hang out is a must, especially when you live in a dinky apartment or a rainy college town.

We give props BCE over here in the desert

Beer brought home in a mason jar is cool too.

We are adjusting to a different life style. Change is good.

The pour technique from a small mouth mason is a wee bit challenging. J can master anything.

J stopped in at Laht Neppur in Waitsburg to have a pint and peanuts on his way home from skiing at Bluewood. Lucky me, he brought home a mason jar of the Waitsburg Winter Warmer. He was incredibly stoked to share it with me, he knew I would love it. He had a great day skiing

Me like. I did drink. I drank two pints.

Everything is good.

End of story.

Blissing out in Bellingham

It is such a nice day out - SUN - just breaking sixty degrees - blue skies. I have my running pants and wind shirt on, trying to summon some motivation to go out and play, or at least walk the dog around the island. I know the weather is about to change, change for a long winter. Instead, I am finding every excuses not to step foot outside (sorry Natasha) and the biggest excuses is that Bellingham and all its great parties gave me a cold and my body aches awfully bad.

When I was a child I never lost my appetite when I got sick, and still to this day I get sick and try to eat it away. I sit here today and just tried to vanish a cold through some comfort food. Today the choices have been less than productive to a compromised immune system (what - a bag of Sun Chips can't be that bad - I am just saying - garden salsa in a compostable bag).

Yesterday I had company in trying to win over the cold by feeding it sweets and creamy spicy tea in a fancy new little bakery/coffee bar/wine/beer/port cute and cuddly space.  My sweet friend and Bellingham hostess for the weekend ventured down to Pure Bliss Desserts, a friends' newest addition to the core of Bellingham's downtown. 

Pure Bliss is the cute, hip, fancy, and welcoming intimate gathering spot that Bellingham can use. Open in the evenings, we can now venture out for a slice of cake (chocolate of course) and a glass of port, pure bliss (that is if I was still in the frumpy town). I can't forget, one of the best parts of this experience is that the dear writer of One Hungry Soul (she is a gem) a local, here in Bellingham by choice (it seems) is the cuttie pie behind the counter along with her darling younger sister. Do I have your attention now!?!

The colors are cohesive, crisp and cheerful while creating a warm space dotted with glittering chandeliers and pulled together with fresh flowers. The selection of dessert ranges from bars, a handful of cakes, a few cupcakes and several choices of cookies. I had a molasses cookie that was a texture that I enjoyed, not too sweet, buttery, or heavy. It was gone in just a few minutes, I approve. I brought John home three different varieties of short bread (the verdict is yet to come in).

Next time you happen to be wandering the streets of Bellingham, pop in and give the ladies a warm smile, they are sweet as the treats and cute as can be.

Cookies couldn't make me feel better, savory chips didn't do the trick, I needed to bake something myself. I needed something out of my (temporary) kitchen. I needed banana bread. I made banana bread. I put flax in it because I needed crunch and it makes the dough pretty.

Tuck this away. It soothes colds, with butter it can comfort a hangover. Tuck it away. 

Banana Bread
Makes one 9-inch loaf

Adapted from The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook
If you don't own this book yet, get it, thank me later. 

The key to great banana bread is ripe bananas. If your naners are yellow, which are too starchy to cook with, you can give them a 15 minute sunbath to really bring out the sugars that have develop in brown, ripened bananas. When you start to preheat the oven, plop the unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet in the oven and let them roast for 15 to 20 minutes, remove, cool slightly and peel. Sweetness!

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 ripe bananas, 1 1/2 cups mashed
6 tablespoons butter slightly melted
2 large eggs
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup whole flax seed

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan.

2. Whisk flour sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk the mashed bananas, melted butter, eggs, yogurt, and vanilla together in a separate bowl. Gently fold the banana mixture into the flour mixture with a spatula don't forget the flax. Do not over mix, just let it be bumpy and frumpy.

3. Scrape the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake until golden brown and the tooth pick inserted into the center comes out close to clean, about 50 - 55 minutes.

4. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes then remove to a wire rack for an hour.

Enjoy!

A good bye of sorts

I truly feel speechless, almost breathless at times, thinking of how fortunate I am. I have a winning hand of cards and everything is falling into place.

You know the age old saying that you don’t know what you have until it is gone. Yeah, I get it. I honestly didn’t know what I had until I was faced to let it go.

I love Bellingham - this place is extremely special. I like the self proclaimed "subdudeness"of the small city. Subduded excitement - that is Bellingham for you. The small town nestled in the corner of the pacific northwest is green, lush, progressive, intelligent, surrounded by bays, mountains, and every thing in between.

I have lived here all my life, by choice, or by ignorance, but I don't think that there are many places in the United States that can hold a flame to the PNW. Yet, it is finally time for me to let Bellingham go for the time being (?). In my last few weeks in this cozy little town -  I want it to be filled with friends, friends and more friends, bike rides (in the rain and mud), my favorite restaurants and bars, run/walks in my favorite parks (in the trees) and whatever else my little sense of adventure takes me.

Where ever this fine life may take me I will always be a child of my environment. I was raised in the trees and will forever feel very comforted by a low fog as it nestles into the tall trees. The ferns and moss will always pad my landing of far fetched dreams.

I will miss you Bellingham, you were very good to me.

I will miss good laughs from friends like these - I don't know of anyone who can hold a flame to BD's whit and character.

I will miss dinner parties, bike rides, and climbing trips with these great friends. I will really miss you AZ!

This simple little house will provide enduring memories...

Madness

There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.
- Friedrich Nietzsche

I would rather do ANYTHING right now than pack my house.

I will even revive my blog - twice in a day - to avoid wrapping another item in paper, move another box, and most of all: decide if we really need all this stuff. Piece by piece - everything must go someplace. Piece by piece.

Moving is a great exercise - it needs to happen every couple of years in order to truly purge all these items that accumulate and weigh us down. Keep it light - moving is hell.

I should clarify a minor detail right off the bat - I am the pack rat in my little family. I know this has caused tension with everyone that I have ever lived with. My Mom told me that when I left, the house was just so much cleaner. Zara, my first roommate was completely the opposite than I, clean and just as organized as a china store. Her closet was so well thought out it hurts just thinking about it, she sorted by color, sleeve length and who knows how. I never learned from her, I should have. John despises, cringes and despises more things that we don't need, use, or that have no purpose. I am learning. I resisted for a long time, resistance is futile, I am willing to be open. He has resolved to the fact that I am going to pack eight or so I my Grandma's quilts around for the rest of our lives and I might have a slight shoe fetish, oh yeah, and like my Grandma, I overstock our pantries.

Craig's list, Goodwill, the curbside, friends and family - ones man trash is an others treasure. I am letting go of this clutter (honestly I still have a very robust closet and kitchen). Moving is going to be a fact of our lives. I know that I am going to be packing this stuff several more times in the coming years. I am going to try my hardest to keep it light.

Well, that is a wrap for the day. The kitchen in 90% packed and feels a bit desolate. A list is prepared for another busy day tomorrow. Piece by piece.

It is starting to hit home. I am leaving - we are leaving. Yep we are leaving! It is in the 70's on the east side while it has rained here all day and looks like it is going to continue to rain for the next 8 months solid. Change is good.  



Tightwad Tuesday in the ‘Ham

Oh Bellingham how I love you. Last night reaffirmed my affection to the ‘City of Subdued Excitement.’

J and I know for scoping out happy hours and I can ramble off about a dozen locations around town and what libations they offer as well as the hours. Last night, with reason to toast J and his new challenge, we (he) assembled my new toy and we decided that the best way to spend the evening was over a pint at the Green Frog Acoustic Tavern.

The Green Frog (for those “not from these parts”) is a little hole in that wall touts, “no crap on tap” including my FAVORITE beer on tap (of the maybe six or so that I have ever ordered in my life, but I am learning...) but what I love even more are the posters on the wall and the music that they bring in. The walls are littered with framed memorabilia that makes my heart skip a beat. Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, and about a dozen different stringed instruments line the walls for anyone to play, peanut shells cover the ground making the floor slide under foot and the air smell sweet, need we forget that dogs roam about. It is as close as Bellingham will ever get to southern culture. I will take it and I think it makes J a little soft on the inside (as far as we could tell he was more Texan than anything in the bar last night).

On Tuesdays they offer $3 pints and some live music later on in the evening. The pizza joint that is next door will deliver any pizza to your stoop at the bar (7 bones on Tuesday gets you any 10” pie) making this the best Tuesday night outing in Bellingham.

See you next Tuesday, pint and pizza in hand!

Avioding big box thinking

I have tried to not cross a certain line with this blog. It has gathered dust for days, and then weeks, I may have even gone a month. I have tried to keep it positive (because that is the only way to BE) and not ramble about the details of my job. I don't think that I talking about my job would be neither very professional nor very exciting to people who don’t live or are familiar with Whatcom County. It is very interesting, political, controversial, meaningful (I keep trying to tell myself and coworkers this) and a job in a crappy economy.


Don't worry; this post is not about work, the county council, the current election results and what that means for our county, budget cuts..... Wipe your eyes NOW if they are glazed over already!

I want you to imagine a county that put the highest value on agricultural land, on open spaces, on the preservation of large parcels of land, on healthy drinking water, on future water demands, on watersheds. I can imagine here in Whatcom County, a five lane highway (atrocity) that is NOT lined with big box stores, commercial strip malls, fast food joints, PARKING LOTS (!). Whatcom County can be that county, the one to say NO to strip development. Just because there is a five lane highway does not mean there needs to be stores and houses bursting at the gills. I drove down the Guide here in Whatcom County. There is hope, it is not "too far gone for help" as some people say. We don't have to live in strip mall hell. We don't have to put ourselves through it, there are other ways!

Stepping down off my soap box! PHEW!

Seeking shelter from the storm

http://www.thefoodinmybeard.com/content/asianpork/asianpork08.jpg

In an attempt to warm my co-workers and of course our hungry, wet, wind blown, cold bellies I cooked up my new found comfort food of choice: Asian noodles. I am new to asian cooking and for the most part asian cusine in general. I love it and can't get enough right now. My office mate and I have been drooling over this recipe for some time. I finally made it and it was a winner. The crock pot is a gal's best friend and it pulled through yet again. Done right, the slow cooker makes the house smell like you have been in the kitchen all day, but really all that needs to be done is throwing a pork roast, garlic, soy sauce, wine, water, pepper, ginger and what ever else you see fit int to the pot, turn to low and leave. As soon as you open the door after a day of work, wahlah! Perfect pork, bursting with flavor, savory broth that is just begging for noodles and some veggies.

The Northwest can be hard to hanndle this time of year. Storm after storm, rain day in and day out, and the wind... the type of wind that falls the biggest trees around like toothpicks, the wind that wakes you up at night, the force so fierce that the next morning the yard is often a tresure chest of random articles swept off of neighboring properties. These last couple of weeks have been blustery to say the least. The amount of rain that has been falling is unimaginable and is testing the strength of our roof (the rain won).

What do we fine people do to battle this absolute nonsence? We buy lots of GORETEX, go to the gym, drink insane amounts of coffee, drink alot of beer, and eat! EAT! EAT! EAT! and talk about the weather (sometimes).  Last night the house was full of wonderful people, seeking shelter from the storm, feasting on warm, gooey, pork asian noodles, waiting out this long winter together.

This and That

Tech question! Where is spell check in the new blogger editor?
Sorry for any misspelled words. It is obviously my shortfall!

Another week down, days closer to the holidays, days closer to getting my knee taken care of and best of all... the weekend is here! There is nothing sweeter in my life these days than leaving work on a Friday afternoon, picking up J and not having to worry about the dreaded four letter "w" for a couple of days. Our Fridays usually entail a celbratory dinner date, friends and usually a few cocktails in the evening. Tonight..... where to go...mmm......Pho? Bellweather? Casa? The usual delimea... Life is full of these important decisions. Pho because it is 1. cold (STORMY!) outside 2. it is the perfect comfort food for me. Or Bellweather because it is 1. cheap 2. we "know" the waitress 3. I like the menu 4. did I mention that the menu is half price for happy hour? 4. glasses of wine are $4. Or Casa because we  1.can share a $6 burrito and be stuffed 2. have friends gladly meet us there 3. drink margarits (J's poison of chose) 4. it is a loud, dirty, full bar.

Then on to the weekend! We are going to Lummi Island Saturday afternoon. It will be J's first time on the island. We are going to a friends house for a hike around the island and then a BBQ with co workers. What to bring..... hmmmm..... I think THIS! Thank you Smitten Kitchen.
Saturday night is one of my all time favorite girl friends 40th! Sorry to broadcast it but she doesn't look a day over 25. Seriously! And what to bring..... How about a little of THAT! Because I have a wonderful fresh bag of Texas pecans in my freezer!

Mmmm.... weekend....

Five songs of fame

I think I can say I am one more experience closer to dying living a full life.

Last night (yes a Sunday, yes a work night) I busted loose from the routine and watched a band that holds a fond spot in my heart. Southern Culture on the Skids made their appearance at Bellingham's staple for good shows: The Nightlight.

The first time I heard Southern Culture on the Skids (SCOTS) was memorable. I can admit it was one of the times where I was by myself and laughing out loud. To be exact, I was painting our bed room, in the midst of our complete remodel of our house, a time before we had moved in. This was the second attempt to paint the room a shade of gold ( the first color made your retinas burn, the second time it was the color of the sun ). It was late and I was sooooo over being there. I had my head phone turned up and on shuffle. J had loaded some new music for me and SCOTS comes on, Dirt Track Date. WOW! I quick found the entire album. WoW! Camel Walk, Snack Cracker.....

I listened to the album compulsively for months.

So I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see them in Bellingham last night.

When I go to the Nightlight I can't help go to the front, right to the stage, usually front and center. And I dance. I dance and dance. Every show, the entire show. I Sweat and sweat. I leave sore, tired and hungry. I love it.

Last night I thought I was going to play it safe. I really thought that I was going to sit down and watch the show. HA! I was about five people deep the first song. Instantly I was plotting and scheming my way to the front. By the second song, there I was, against the stage, taking off layers ditching a cumbersome cocktail glass and donning my dancing feet (foot) I wiggled my way between a woman who was absolutely worshiping Mary (she was actually bowing to her during several parts of the show) and another guy who was in a dress shirt and a winter fleece jacket (he has obviously not been to the Nightlight before) and seemed way too concerned and occupied with geeking out over their guitars and other technical devices. The women in the crowd ( all 5 of them) seemed to think that the most appropriate way to dance to the music was banging their heads. Really? I had to stop and just watch for a while. This looked really uncomfortable. I started to dance and slowly the statue of a man next to me took his hands out of his pockets. He kept on glancing at me and then he would bobble his head a bit. I made it my mission to get him to wiggle just a tad before the night was through. I am pretty sure he did and I am sure it made him realize that if you are going to stand front and center, taking up way too much space, you had better be dancing and not acting like a stack of bricks.

So there I was, the one legged dance wonder woman. The band was full of life and energy and so was I. When they asked for a "go-go dancer" to join them on stage, I was the first one to jump up and get my boogie on... in front of a packed bar, on stage.... and I was hardly even tipsy as you would probably imagine. Never in my life would I ever imagine that I would be so excited to jump on stage and yes I stepped up for "Camel Walk" and strutted across the front of the stage, ate fried chicken on stage (no chicken, no show) and then threw it in the audience ( you would really have to be there to understand, it is part of every show).

My five songs of fame. A night that I will surly remember for years to come. Never in my life would I ever imagine that I would get on stage and dance, but I did. Hey you only live once. Live it up!

The moment I find some pictures of the night I will post them to prove that this really did happen!

Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted. - Aldous Huxley

Thank you letter to Smart Trips

2509 Huron Street
Bellingham, WA 98226
September 2, 2009

Dear Smart Trips,
Every couple of months I get a reward delivered to my house. It is not a van with a large card board check and balloons; it comes modestly in an envelope from Smart Trips. It started off as ice cream, then a t-shirt, bagels, and even a movie rental, all from my favorite local shops. These little treats have landed in my hands and put a smile on my face. Someone out there is recognizing the fact that I make active transportation trips here in Whatcom County. The latest reward made me stop and think that maybe I am making a difference by getting on my bike instead of getting in my car.

This most recent gift couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.
I have always dreamed of being a “one car family,” my husband and I got rid of our second car this year. It has been a rather easy transition even considering we both work about 10 miles from our jobs. This is the first time that we have made a conscious choice to have one car and put effort forward to make it work. Living in the car centric culture that we do one car can be difficult, and I must admit a car of my own is still in the back of my mind. I was ready to go back to having my personal car. I justified it every way imaginable, the next thing I knew; I had convinced myself that I had to have my own car. Ironically when I got the mail that day there was a card from Smart Trips congratulating me for making at least 200 active transportation trips in a year. I took a step back in awe, I was getting formally acknowledged for commuting by bike. I am making a difference by simply choosing to get on my bike, something that brings me joy and happiness at no cost.
I have since then reconsidered my want for a car and it was the simple gesture from the people working at Smart Trips. Fifteen dollars to spend at the Farmers Market and a slice of cake kept the fire alive. I have put almost 4,000 miles on my bike in less than two years by simply ridding to work. The second car can wait, maybe indefinitely because I can do everything on my bike (even in a mini skirt) and the occasional carpool.
Most of the people I know travel by means other than the bicycle. For the most part, they're still automobiles. Automobile drivers. It's the norm, isn't it? In a society like ours--where more money is spent advertising automobiles than is spent on the entire national mass transit system, where everyone's background assumption equates travel with driving--it isn't easy to make the shift to bicycle commuting.
High gas prices. Expensive car payments. Traffic delays. Road rage. Expanding waistlines. There are many great reasons to consider traveling to work by bicycle. It's an effective, healthy, inexpensive, and fun alternative that is attracting more and more commuters all over the world. One or a combination of reasons got me hooked on the bike as my primary means of transportation to my place of work. Now that I have started commuting by bike, I have a hard time imaging anything besides “Orangette” (yes I am one of those people who has named my bike).
At first I would ride just a couple times a week and most often I would call my husband to give me a ride on his way home. Now, every morning I roll up my pant leg, put on my bright yellow jacket, load my pannier and hop on my bike. I usually don’t consider getting in a car for work, it doesn’t even sound attractive anymore. The bike ride to work is the perfect way to start the day and get around town. It wasn’t always like this. What keeps me biking 11 miles work and then another 11 miles home everyday is simple.
Like so many other bike commuters the bike simple replaces or supplements the car. Getting on my bike is a habit, I am programmed to get on my bike rather than getting in the car, I don’t even think twice about it. I get exercise, fresh air, make snappy shortcuts, ride through grass and get home on trails and not stuck in intersections or busy roads. I know the other commuters on my route by first name and wave at them everyday. We are going to stay a one car family, avoiding all the costs associated with owning a second car. As I get more accustomed to riding I realize just as convenient biking is and as usually takes the same or less time as driving.
I am making a difference in my life and the people around me. The best way is to show is by action. If people see me, complete strangers, my coworkers and friends who listen to me get excited and praise commuting by bike sees me out on the roads, they may consider what it would be like to make less car trips. Someone may realize that I am going all the same places by bike as by car; soon they try it and experience just how easy it is. Slowly, one person at a time, we can make a difference.
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to making this a healthier community for everyone.
Michelle Stiles

The view from the living room

The weekend is here... ***AAAHHHHHHH****Sigh****

Some weeks it takes an act of great will to get through the week. This was one of those weeks.

I had a couple code amendments that I presented to Planning Commission on Thursday (mind you a room full of men... all men commissioners and audience, I think it was myself and Becky). I left questioning what the heck I was doing at my job, little, anxious, and glad that I had to pedal home 9 miles to get all this nasty experience out of my system.

I came home to flowers. Oh, did I mention I came home to daffodils...

My appetite finally backed off from the post race recovery. My legs are well, my endurance is there. I got a massage Monday. I went in with sore legs and the next day they were loose and limber. I am going to make a habit of getting massages after any big effort. I felt so much better. I managed not to run all week as well, I think I am recovered now!

Heather and Darrin had their first baby boy. They are the first ones of "my generation" to have a baby. I am so excited for them. I am going to go see him today for the first time! Yeah! What a joyous feeling they must have right now. I can hardly imagine. I wish them only the best.

Friday was a good day. I planted what I could in my garden. Peas, early beets, onions, leeks, and parsley. I have learned from John to not create too much work for myself, I can't help but plant a garden. There is something I love about it. It will take a lot of work, I will have to compromise the valuable time I have, but well worth it. It is going to be the best garden yet.

Saturday..... it is early in the morning still. I want to go ride my bike with John so bad. It is grey and looks like the skies are going to open at any second. The view from the living room is nice. It is going to be hard to get out. Oh the Northwest weather. After 25 years, I would like to just have some sun. I need some blue sky... today!

Happy weekend everyone!

Loving the ride

There is nothing like a vacation for me to rejuvenate my soul and lite the fire in me.
Our mini trip to Tennessee was lovely. We spent quality time with family, enjoyed the outdoors, relaxed, reminisced, and ate lots of food. I disconnected from the Internet for the trip, turned my cell phone off and returned to somewhat of a simpler existence. **deep breath** What a relief. John and I took up walking together which never happens at home, we also went on a couple runs together at Montgomery Bell State Park. What a treat.
My now extended family couldn't be better to me. They have brought me into their lives with open arms and hearts. With Corrie flying in from Colorado, Bill and Betsy driving from Dallas, JR, Teresa, Bailey, Jack all living a ten minute walk from Jonny, we got to spend some quality time with everyone. This trip I felt that I was able to connect with a few more than before, which warms my heart with just the thought. I was able to let go and take everyone in, how ever it happened. With this I must say that I enjoyed everyone and all my time.
Now back home, we came home to a clean house, a lovely dog, crazy cat, longer days, spring bulbs, and the passion that is released here at home. I have got back on my commuter, enjoying the ride before and after work, I have found new drive at work, and most important I feel even more blessed to have John in my life. He is my soul mate.

Have a great afternoon!