Frozen yogurt...FAST!

I just need to say for the millionth time...I love my ice cream maker!!!!  It took years, seriously, to finally buy an ice cream maker.  Fear of "one more appliance", the horror of having my own ice cream maker, "I'll gain so much weight!!"  Who cares.  If you like ice cream and kinda like frozen yogurt, get an ice cream maker.

I usually have the stuff I need to make a frozen treat, milk, heavy whipping cream, yogurt, fresh fruit, sugar, nuts, chocolate chips, maybe not everything, but enough.  Today I found fresh cherries, almonds, and amaretto.  I had lowfat organic plain yogurt, so off I went to frozen yogurt land

Don't waste your money on a cherry pitter, I used a straw...easy.  You waste a little cherry, but at least you don't need to buy another gadget that will sit until who-knows-when?

I always put the ice cream container in the freezer after I clean it, so I don't have to wait for hours to use it.  So, assemble the ice cream maker, mix all the ingredients, pour in the ice cream maker, turn ON, wait 20 minutes...DONE.  Frozen treat ready.

Twenty minutes and yummy Cherry-Almond-Amaretto Frozen Yogurt.  So easy, so good!!!

Pancakes for Dinner

Breakfast at Gilbert's On Main

Last night I made pancakes for dinner.  Why?  A few months back, John and I had a late breakfast at Gilbert's On Main, before heading out to Washington State University to pick up our son from school.  I have been craving the Marion berry and brandied walnut pancakes for the last few days.  OK, I didn't make the fluffy buttermilk pancakes like Gilbert's, I wanted to be a little healthier.  I made Whole Wheat & Honey pancakes some with blackberries and some with mini chocolate chips.

So, my son and his friends joined us for pancake dinner with butter, maple syrup, a side of thick cut bacon and scrambled eggs...satisfied my craving!!! 

I have to admit, my healthy version of Gilbert's pancakes were not bad, but not the same.  I should've made old fashion white flour, buttermilk pancakes.  Now I think I will need to go back to Gilbert's.  For $9.95, you get 2 big fat fluffy pancakes with a huge scoop of whipped butter and syrup...YUMMY.

There are other good menu items at Gilbert's like their breakfast bagels and omelette's. I would highly recommend the Nova Scotia Lox, Red Onion, Caper and Roma Tomato Omelette served with potatoes and a bagel, $13.95.  OK, huge portions, but just go with another person and midway through your selection, switch, then you can have  little of both before getting sick of what you picked.  Good Idea!

blackberry blogging

so I just figured out how to blog from my blackberry...don't judge!

On a very recent trip to San Francisco, first stop, check-in at Hotel Vitale, then straight over to the Farmer's Market!!!  Oysters and a cold glass of bubbly...mmmm!

Big Secret...I'm not telling!!!

This is my absolute favorite place for Happy Hour.  I love this place for dinner, big meat-fest and hardly any waiting.  I am not telling you what restaurant I am talking about, because I don't want to go there one day and not be able to get a seat.  Yum, Yum...I hope you don't find me, hee, hee!!!

Funny Finger Food...Deviled Eggs



Chelsea's Deviled Eggs ROCK!!!

I use to always laugh when I would see deviled eggs make an appearance at parties, but I always eat them.  My sister Cindy owns deviled eggs in my family and makes them for most holiday parties.  This year her daughter, my niece Chelsea, made the deviled eggs.  Chelsea is a ROCK STAR baker and she is also a ROCK STAR cook!!!    Her deviled eggs were awesome!!!  Actually, without the deviled eggs, we'd be stuck with chips, dips and a boring veggie tray. 

I thought to myself, wouldn't it be nice to have the sassy deviled eggs when we're out. After all, I don't always want a fancy appetizer or a bowl of the spiced nuts when I am sipping a cocktail...a deviled egg...PERFECT!

roe vs. egg at Black Bottle Postern



I guess the deviled eggs have always been out there, but I never order them.  Well my friends times have changed.  The designer deviled eggs are here and I love them.

I love what Black Bottle Postern is doing with deviled eggs, salty, spicy, creamy and delicious.  Bargain at $5.00 for 4 or 5 pieces.  Just enough to go with my Manhattan.

OK, I wanted to keep these a secret, because they are not on the regular menu at Peyrassol Cafe at Southport...YES...Deviled Eggs!!!  On occation, Peyrassol closes for special dinners and I went to one a few months ago.  I can't remember if each person was served the tiny little bowl with the deviled quail eggs, but I wanted more, More, MORE!!!  If you haven't been to Peyrassol Cafe, you need to find it and go there.  Owner, Pastry Chef, and Chef Sashia, along with her husband Co-Owner, Sommelier, Scott serve a flawless meal.

Best Manhattan on the Eastside...truly madly deeply, I'm serious.

I love a good Manhattan. I have to say the best one on the eastside has got to be at Bis on Main.  Maybe it was the bartender, maybe I was in a good mood, whatever it was...YUM!

Make your own Energy Drink..."Bonne Sante"

Next time you want a refreshing beverage on a hot day (if it ever comes) or after a run, or any time, don't grab an energy drink or pop.  Although water is the best choice, sometimes, it doesn't do the trick.  My son made the best drink the other day and soooo simple.

He brewed organic green tea, chilled it and added slices of orange and a few mint leaves.  No sugar needed.  Brilliant and so good!

Try it, you'll love it.