gas station man

A few days ago, we were headed back from a relaxing 24 hours in Eugene to celebrate Jeff's mom's birthday as well as Father's Day. We stopped to get gas in Junction City, by Jeff's dad's house (no offense, but it's out way in the boon-docks). After pulling in and turning off the engine, I found myself getting irritable over the fact that the gas station attendant - mid 50s, gray hair, tall guy - was standing there yacking away with the driver in the car in front of us. I grumbled at Jeff, "gosh, look at the nerve of this guy" or something like that. He had finished filling up their tank, and was apparently giving them his life story along with it. We waited for a couple of minutes, and then he came over and - to my astonishment - in a friendly, country-bumpkin-type manner, asked us how he could help. He began filling up the tank, and then...took out a squeegee and washed our entire front window....flawlessly. Well, you older folks may find it hilarious that I was shocked by this, because I know that's how they used to do it in the good-ole-days. But in my generation, people do not wash your windshield for you anymore. After he was done, he wished us a good afternoon and left with a huge smile.

I wanted to blog about this incident, because I found myself being especially negative all week prior to this incident, complaining about little things here and there. Then on Sunday, after my strong irritation at the man who was going "too slow" for my schedule, I found myself somewhat slapped in the face at the way he then turned around and was such a gentle, kind, and helpful man who was only trying to serve us (and no doubt improve the day of the person in front of us by chatting happily to them as he finished their gas). It's a reminder to me, and to us all, that these small details I choose to get annoyed over, should not be details I get annoyed over! Also, that I need to get rid of any negative thinking. The world teaches us to think in a negative way - I wish I had recognized this man for who he was, rather than thinking he must be a rude guy who just wanted to waste my time. I don't think he realized how much he improved my attitude through his simple actions.

I wish there were more people in the world like this. I want to strive to be one. Okay that's it - deep thought for the day from the mouth of Kelly. ha. :)

wine: located!

Just an update:

The Mohua Sauvignon Blanc can be found at Market of Choice (another of my favorite grocery stores, found here in the Portland area and also in Eugene). Yay! Hurry and go buy some!

if dogs could smile, this is what it would look like

chicken cordon bleu

I will definitely be making this one for my dad next time he comes to visit - he loves chicken cordon bleu. Who doesn't? Cheese, chicken, and ham all rolled up into a tight little pocket of gooey goodness, breaded, and then baked. And even though sometimes I think chicken can be just downright nasty, I love this recipe. Last night was the first time I made it, and it turned out wonderful - everyone loved it!

*4 chicken breasts, pounded thin (the bigger the better - try to pound them so they are rectangular shape)
*8 slices swiss cheese
*8 slices canadian ham (or whatever kind you like)
*Italian breadcrumbs
*2 eggs
*Flour
*Canola/olive oil
*Toothpicks!

1. Start by pounding each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap.
2. Begin the wrapping process: On each piece of flattened chicken, lay down 2 slices of ham first, and then 2 slices of cheese, somewhat overlapping but covering most of the chicken breast. You will want to leave a small border so that you can fold each side inwards (like a burrito).
3. Fold the sides of each chicken breast in a little and then roll it up like a burrito. You can use the plastic to roll it if that helps.
4. Anchor the top and sides with toothpicks. Make sure to pin it fairly well, otherwise the cheese will melt out.
5. Drag each chicken through the flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Shake excess off.
6. Brown each piece of chicken in oil for a few minutes, turning so all sides are browned.
7. Arrange in baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

SOOO YUMMY!

my new favorite vino!

A MUST TRY! My mom introduced me to this wine last weekend. She does her grocery shopping at Metropolitan Market, which I am convinced is one of the best grocery stores ever - the wine selection here is quite diverse and there is always an expert nearby to help out if you have questions. A must-visit if you are in the Seattle area.

This Mohua wine is a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. From the minute I picked up my glass and took a sniff, I was amazed. Such a passion fruity aroma, with a very peach and grapefruit-y taste. Crisp, not sweet, and similar to a Pinot Gris. And only around $12. I will NEVER get sick of this wine. Watch out for updates - I will post as soon as I locate a retailer for this wine in P-town!

weekend eats

Ahh, just had to share with you the delightful foods I saw and ate while in Seattle this past weekend - reason being: isn't food just wonderful to look at? Also, maybe this will give you ideas about what to do when making your own food at home. :) Most recipes I try are inspired by foods I have eaten at some of my favorite local restaurants! Simple as these are, I found them delightful...

Homemade ricotta gnocchi tossed with with housemade sausage and fresh tomato sauce
(La Rustica in West Seattle)

Okay, so this wasn't mine; it was Karrie's, but it looked amazing. Salmon pesto skewer over dark greens, tossed with almonds, cranberries, and blue cheese
(Steamers on the pier in downtown Seattle)

This one was mine :) Fried scallops which I saturated in fresh lemon juice - heavenly!! Someone else ate those fries!
(Steamers)

sunshine at last!

Last weekend we finally got what we have been waiting for - sunshine! I spent the weekend in Seattle with my family, Karrie and Mark, my aunt Chris and her boyfriend Tom. My aunt was visiting from the east coast, so we bounced around the city all weekend doing tourist type stuff. Saturday we took a morning walk along Alki beach, then rode the water taxi from my parents' neighborhood to downtown, then walked around Pike Place Market, took a visit to my mom's and dad's offices, ate a yummy seafood lunch out on the pier, and soaked up the wonderful sunshine. It was 75 degrees in Seattle! Finished off the day with a BBQ of fresh salmon purchased that day at Pike Place. Yum yum. I just love our local seafood in my 2nd home away from home!


Ahh, I love this city!


View from my dad's desk/office in downtown Seattle


Karrie and I on the water taxi


Walking down the hill from my parents' house, to the water taxi

View from La Rustica, Friday night Italian restaurant

oh joy eats

I am proud to be a foodie. Definition: foodie is an informal term for a particular class of aficionado of food and drink; foodies are amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news. Nothing to hide here folks - everyone knows I am obsessed with food. If I could, I would make it my job to taste all of the latest and greatest foods at local restaurants and blog about them (dream #2 is that I would be getting paid for this :).

Which brings me to . . . you simply must check out www.ohjoyeats.com. Glorious!! My good friend and fellow blogger, Andrea, turned me on to this amazing blog about food! The site describes food as it should be - an art. Something to be cherished. Something to be lusted after. I hope you like it.

Watch out - if I ever get time to start blog #2, it will be about food. I adore the idea of documenting beautiful meals and fresh, local food.

Life is too short not to enjoy whatever food you like. What do they say? All in moderation! Sometimes just a bite will do. Other times, NOT. :)

time with the bros

This past weekend, Jeff got to spend some much needed guy-time with his two brothers. Andy flew in from San Francisco, and Phil lives here in Portland. I was a fly on the wall at some points of the weekend, and was constantly chuckling at these three. Below are some pictures of their adventures (wish I had documentation of the 6-hour golf game they played, when they were splattered in mud from head to toe because the golf cart got stuck in the ground). They had such a great weekend catching up and doing brother stuff. There's something about those Meakins boys when they are all together - it's their own language they speak, I swear! One thing I observe every time I am around them, though, is that their bond is unique. Their strong relationships with one another will always exist, no matter what happens in life.
Other weekend highlights:

• Hawaiian Time for lunch (yep, it's here in Portland now!)
  
• Sunny, 77 degree weather
• Sitting out in the sun at Rogue Ale House, enjoying a beer and the weather
  
• Late night BBQ at home after long golf game on Saturday night
• Yummy pizza at Hot Lips
• Cribbage
• Night out at Ciao Vita, Branch, and Prost with Dane and Bryan - good times!
  

Enjoying the warm weather at Hawaiian Time

At Prost (a German bar on Mississippi Ave.), they all shared this "boot" of beer

Drinking out of the boot was hilarious to say the least

frog lake

Memorial Day weekend we went camping at Frog Lake - silly weathermen kept changing their minds - rain - then sun - then rain...so, we went anyway.

Sunday morning we started off the trip with a huge breakfast at Mt. Hood's Timberline Lodge (stuffed ourselves silly) - oh the fresh squeezed orange juice alone makes the $12.95 well worth it. Not to mention the omelet bar, fresh belgian waffles, pastries, bacon, sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy....it's pure wonderfulness.


Once we arrived at our campsite, we set up camp, made a fire, and read books the rest of the morning. Afternoon rolled around...the guys left and returned with fishing poles and year-round fishing license from the local Chevron station. Awesome. So the afternoon consisted of watching the guys fish on the shore of the lake, right next to a very loud family with insanely amazing fishing poles that somehow managed to catch a huge fish with every cast. It was a frustrating sight. The day also included some BB-gun practice with soda cans, eating yummy homemade spaghetti, and getting rained on all night long. Luckily we all stayed completely dry in our tents. By morning we were ready to pack it all up and get home.