For the most part my friends know that I am pretty provincial, preferring to avoid spending much time in the city.The older I get the less I enjoy it. However, this last Saturday I had the opportunity to spend the day on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle. It is an area filled with beautiful neighborhoods, thriving small business and streets lined with lovely old Oak and Maple trees.
I was there with a group of friends from my book club to visit The Queen Ann Olive Oil Company which one of our members, and my good friend, had recently acquired.
I had only visited an olive oil store once before and I had never been to a sampling. I was not disappointed. There were dozens of different flavors of olive oil and balsamic vinegars. What a fun and tasty place! Of course, there were non food items as well.
We were given an informational talk on the various types of olive oils and where they come from. Guess what? It's not just Italy.
After that we were able to do some tasting. The choices were amazing! I was most interested in the flavored oils.
Each container let us know in detail about that oil and how to use it as well as, what to pair it with. After several tastings, I chose this Herbes De Provence and paired it with Neapoliton Balsamic. I think it's going to go great on chicken and roasted vegetables.
After our shopping was done we all walked around the block for lunch. (Yes, I walked, but with a cane.) After all that tasting, what did I choose but a chopped salad with oil and vinegar dressing of course!
When lunch was over my friend and I stayed a little longer in Seattle and she took me up to Kerry Park which has a gorgeous view overlooking the city. Once again I was really missing my good camera.
The clouds were rolling back in and it was windy and cold, so we ended our day with visit to a local coffee house. My friend had a Turkish coffee while I indulged in a flavored latte served in a real cup! I was impressed when it arrived and complimented my barista. This wasn't the local Starbucks by any means. I guess this is the city life. whoo hoo!!
Finally, I arrived home to unpack my bag. In addition to my olive oil flavors, I also selected some Apricot Balsamic as well as a Cranberry Pear Balsamic. Mix a little of either one of those with some sparkling water and you have a delicious low calorie drink called a Shrub. My friend introduced me to one of those at Book Club and I can't wait to try it at home.
I hope you enjoyed my little tour of Queen Ann and the Olive Oil Company. Please feel free to leave a note and let me know you stopped by, and if you have some suggestions on how you use olive oils or balsamic vinegars I can't wait to hear them. Have a Blessed Day. Adieu!
Yesterday after meeting a friend for breakfast I decided to take a little drive around the lake. We have a new craft shop in town so I stopped there first to see what new things were on display. I was expecting autumn decor but low and behold it's now Christmas! No! No! No! It's way too soon! Remember when the Christmas decorations didn't go up until after Thanksgiving? Needless to say, I am not ready for that, so I quickly left.
Next, I drove down to the local park. The air was brisk and clean and I had the place to myself. I took my very first walk by myself without a cane! Yay!! It was just a short one but that's OK. Thank you Lord for your blessings!
A little group of ducks came to greet me. No doubt checking to see if I had a treat for them. Sorry guys.
I was able to walk out to the end of the dock and back. The view from there is beautiful. I am really missing my good camera!
We brought our granddaughter to this park area to play a couple of times over the summer. My mother just lives around the corner from here.
I didn't stay too long as there was a storm coming in. The wind had already blown many of the leaves down to the ground. I loved being outside all bundled up, but I still couldn't have moved quickly enough to stay dry if it suddenly started to rain, so I slowly headed back to my car.
Once I was back in my car, I drove on around the lake until I arrived at our little village. Here I stopped and again walked a short distance to the boat dock. In the summer, this spot is hopping with little boats busily arriving and leaving the water, but now all was quiet. It was a good spot to watch the clouds roll in.
Looking across the lake from here my house would be up a hill behind the tall trees in the center of this photo. I used to walk from there around the lake and to this spot at least once a week. Lord willing I will again, but right now I am so happy to be able to do what I can now.
The sky was getting darker so it was time to head for home. Autumn color is still vivid in my back yard.
even in the wind,
And inside too,
I finished my front entryway display. A few little pumpkins and a couple of pine cones filled in the spaces and made it complete. I think I like it and will enjoy having it greet me throughout the rest of the autumn season as I come into the house
Thank you for stopping by. May the Lord bless and keep you. Adieu!
