Weekly: Nov. 3 - 10

Where I went: This weekend we made a verrrrrrry quick trip to Seattle for a birthday surprise. It ended up being one of those experiences you know you'll laugh about later, though we were already laughing about everything (with exhaustion, maybe) before the day was over. Lessons learned: don't leave Spokane the day of the Seahawks game when it's snowing if you want to watch the whole game; always carry chains; know how to put on chains; expect delays; Jerroll's and Winegars is not a bad place to kill a couple hours in Ellensburg. Despite what you may have inferred from what I just listed, the surprise worked out, and we were all surprised it did.

View from our room at the Best Western the next day

What I ate: In Seattle, we enjoyed a Thai dinner at Soi, donuts at Top Pot the next morning, and lunch at Uneeda Burger in Fremont (I was feeling guilty about the donut and enjoyed a kale salad - but ate a bite or two of the philly burger and fries and boy, oh boy). I also made the recipe for Coq au Vin Rose from Dinner in an Instant. I highly recommend it - though next time I'll opt for simple cuts of chicken thighs and drumsticks (she calls for whole leg quarters which took forever to brown).

What I read: As we neared the one-year mark for Trump, I began Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance. This past year has brought some important insight for me as I examine the bubbles in which I have chosen to surround myself, and how I can challenge and broaden my own perspectives on issues. This felt like good thing to read. So far, so good.

Also, when we were in Fremont we went to The Book Larder, which is the bookstore of my dreams. Because it is a cookbook store! Nothing but cookbooks, young and old. They were even holding a class with a Seattle chef when we tiptoed in (it was a small space and it felt like we were interrupting, though they were very welcoming). More reasons to love a big city like Seattle. Little delights everywhere - on a Monday, even! I had to give myself a time limit, otherwise I could have easily spent the entire afternoon there and we would have returned to Spokane long after dark. But before I left, I picked up a sweet little book, Fika, which is all about Swedish coffee culture, and the importance of slowing down to sip and eat treats. Good winter goal, no?

Eastbound on I-90, somewhere between George and Moses Lake

What I listened to: When the snow hit on Saturday, I queued up a winning playlist of Sinatra, Harry Connick, Jr. (We Are in Love and When Harry Met Sally soundtrack, specifically), and Nat King Cole. Cozy weather is made for this stuff. I also listened to Count Basie's "Li'l Darlin'" no less than eight times after hearing it on the new Whitworth jazz band CD (it shows up in my work mailbox and I'm always delighted). Talk about slowing down to enjoy stuff. I remember when my jazz choir director used this tune to demonstrate how to "walk the dog," i.e., leaning back as far as you can go and not losing control of it. Those Whitworth kids got it right.

Other excitement: 

File under: Money You Can Feel. We insulated the attic this spring, and this week we insulated the crawl space under the bedroom and laundry room. Someone told me yesterday we're expected to have 90 days of snow on the ground this winter. How do they know this stuff?!!

We've been playing Mille Bornes off and on over the last 7 or so years and have a running score on the whiteboard in the kitchen. I'm nearly in the lead and as of last Saturday night we're both about to crack 100,000 points (an average game score earns about 1,500 for the winner).

I also learned how to play Texas Hold 'Em (bargaining with beans) while the family was in town and I still wonder if I'll ever understand poker. Not likely.

A Mille Bornes game I did not win