Picnic in the Park

Isn't is BEAUTIFUL!?!?!

Yes. This is my morning commute on my bike - isn't it lovely?

 I LOVE that Bellingham has many "rustic sidewalks" that you can enjoy on your way from home to school, work or play. There is also talk about expanding and improving them. 

Today was a combination of all three - school, work and play! 

All three happened here at Avellino - wonderful local little coffee house.

 Everything they make is top notch. 

Like the [homemade] caramel americano I enjoyed so much I nearly drank it all before a picture! 

And their quiche which had so many wonderful ingredients I can't remember them all!

Play included catching up with my friend Sarah (the one who taught me how to make Beer Bread!) over iced coffee. We caught up on life and dreams and talked about one of my favorite topics - food! She told me about a book she just finished reading called Eat Right for Your Type - your blood type! Interesting stuff! 

Then she had to be a good student and head to cognitive psychology, so I went to work entering in 400-some test scores from the Environmental class I am a TA for. Then I used some time to finish up a school project I have been working on for the Environmental Education program at Lutherwood before meeting Ross for more play at Cornwall Park for a picnic! 

 Ross proposed to me while we were both on summer staff at Lutherwood in 2009... if you want to know how, just go dig out your childhood board game Mouse Trap. 'Nuff said. 

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Sun +

Husband & Wife +

A park +

A picnic blanket from Nicaragua +

a turkey sandwich +

an orange + 

 = A PICNIC!

I HATE PEELING ORANGES. Thankfully my mother-in-law gave me an orange peeler! 

One side is for slicing the peel - 

The other flat side is for digging under it and peeling it off! Like magic. 

Now I eat oranges more often - silly, but I will not eat an orange if I have to peel it with my fingers, I just can't stand it. One of my quirks? Perhaps. 

After lunch we chatted, Ross read his book which always sparks fascinating conversation, I practiced Yoga in the grass, and we even napped a little in the sun.  Then it was time for Ross to head to work, so we biked our separate ways.  

I came home and decided it was time to transplant a few seedlings...

And to plant a few other things... I am trying "compact" cucumbers, mini-rainbow carrots, radishes, some lettuce and herbs. I have no idea what I'm doing - but I hope something grows!!! 

Then it was time to make dinner, watch a few episodes of The Office (I'm a latecomer to the show - I just started watching last month from the beginning!), wish Ross good luck in his hockey game... and off to bed! I was exhausted! 

Are you planting a garden of some sort this summer? 

Last year I had a mini herb garden on our balcony that I made the mistake of calling my "pot garden." Lesson learned, it is a container garden. Geez. 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! 

Jesus is Risen!

He is Risen indeed! 

If you have ever wondered how I came upon the title of my blog, it came from my favorite Easter hymn: 

Let us talents and tongues employ,
reaching out with a shout of joy:
bread is broken, the wine is poured,
Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again.
Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Christ is able to make us one,
at his table he set the tone,
teaching people to live to bless,
love in word and in deed express.
Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again.
Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Jesus calls us in, sends us out
bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
gives us love to tell, bread to share:
God (Immanuel) everywhere!
Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again.
Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Words by: Fred Kaan, 1975
Music by: Adapt. Doreen Potter, 1975

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After church this morning we enjoyed the traditional Easter breakfast from Ross' family: Egg Bake with orange slices and cinnamon rolls. 

I did not wake up early enough or plan ahead for cinnamon rolls, so we settled from a pinwheel from LaFeen's. It wasn't exactly settling, however. =)

I also tried an herbal coffee that we received as a sample at the Earth Day Celebration yesterday. 

It is a non-caffeinated and non-acidic herbal coffee substitute. 

While I was excited for "chocolate tea," I really wasn't a fan of it. It was a bit too sweet for me; after all, I do love my coffee, and I almost always drink my coffee black. I think the thing I really love about it is the nostalgic memories of when I was living in Costa Rica. 

If you like a sweet coffee though, you might like this! 

Happy Easter to you and your family wherever you are and however you celebrate! 

Peace, 

Jenn

Coffee Date that Ran Late

After work today (I teach Nutrition classes at an elementary school with Food $ense), I met my dear friend Lydia for coffee at the Woods in Ferndale, WA. I really like The Woods Coffee , it's a local, green business with locations in Bellingham, Lynden and Ferndale. It has a cozy "Woods" atmosphere, and their drinks are uncompromising. Considering the evergreen tree was a major element of our wedding decor, the tree theme is particularly appealing to me.

This is their Ferndale location - right off of Main Street.

However, their best location by far is the one in Boulevard Park in Bellingham. Right on the bay! 

As it was getting dark and the rich conversation was turning to our future evening plans, we discovered that both of our husbands were off doing other things - mine, watching the BCS National Championship Game, and Lydia's... running an errand to the south of Seattle. So, on a whim, we decided to also enjoy dinner together at the Curry House - just a short walk from The Woods!

(As it was dark...this photo is courtesy of urbandspoon.com)

The food was absolutely mouth-watering! These pictures just don't do it justice... I did not have my camera with me today, so these are all from my phone. I am not thrilled about the quality of the pictures, but since I was thrilled about the quality of the food and service, I do have to share! 

If you love Indian Food, or ethnic food at all, you absolutely must go eat at the Curry House. 

 Beautiful paintings on the walls!

Vegetable Samosas - crisp, hot, filled with spices and potatoes.

 A simple vegetable and bean soup.

This was Navaratan Special Korma - Vegetables and house-made cheese and nuts in a creamy sauce - so tasty with a nice spicy flavor. 

Followed by Began Bharta - a mesquite smoked eggplant with cooked onion, tomatoes, and spices. The smokey flavor was strong and welcomed! 

And my favorite part - the BREAD! 

Allu Partha - whole wheat bread stuffed with potatoes. 

And Garlic Nan. 

I have been looking a some soup recipes that called for Saffron threads - which I found at the Food Coop. Turns out I want looking for the most expensive spice in the world! $15.00 for a 1/8 oz! However, tonight at the restaurant I noticed that some of their dishes included saffron - so I inquired about where their purchased their spices. Turns out there is a wholesaler on Meridian where you can buy it at a much more reasonable price... I will have to investigate! 

source

 These are what saffron threads look like, and they come from this flower, the saffron crocus. 

Because the journey of saffron from field to spice is fascinating, I wanted to share this link (where I found the photo) to a website that will tell you all about saffron - the history, culture, and blood shed over this spice. Be sure to read Parts I, II, and but mostly III. 

Well - I suppose that is all for tonight. One thing for sure - I will be looking for a homemade Nan recipe to try out soon, can't wait to share it with you!