Back to the roller rink

Seattle, Washington
Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Spent two super fun hours with the girls zooming around the Southgate roller rink. I highly recommend it, for young and old...

Getting closer

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

We got up this morning before 4am to catch a flight between Phuket and Siem Reap. We are spending the day recovering by the pool and wandering around a bit before we head to the main event tomorrow: Angkor Wat!

Fun to look at, boring to eat

Chumpon, Thailand

Friday, November 17, 2017

Today we drove into the city of Chumpon because Frank was on a quest for mangosteens. But, alas, they were not to be found. Pictured here are the dragon fruit we did find: pretty to look at, but truly not very interesting at all to eat.

Transit bus

Incheon Airport, South Korea

Saturday, November 11, 2017

On the bus to our transit hotel for the night. (The Golden Tulip!) I had no idea bus interiors could be so crazy. What a light show!

Break time

Incheon Airport, South Korea

Saturday, November 11, 2017

While waiting for our transit hotel here in Incheon, A discovered the Airport Cleaning Robot, who, according to the sign, was "on break." Recharging, so to speak. We were only disappointed that we didn't get to see it in action...

Work party

Tukwila, Washington
Saturday, September 23, 2017

Spent a beautiful fall day working on a service project with some students from our department. Met interesting people, re-learned a bunch of power tools, built a handrail, ate some good snacks, admired the homeowner's garden, and enjoyed the weather. Someone said, "Thanks for giving up your Saturday for this project." What did I give up? It all felt like a GIFT to me.

Work PARTY, indeed.

Kubota Garden on a grayish day

Seattle, Washington
Thursday, September 7, 2017

Am proud to report that I bicycled all the way to Kubota Garden from the Central District today. Had a bit of trouble following the Google map on my phone but made it, finally. Fall is just coming to Kubota Garden--still mostly green with some gorgeous fall flowers, too. Lovely.

Blueberry peppers

Seattle, Washington
Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Another Wednesday, another CSA delivery. This time Blueberry Peppers were the item I'd never seen (or heard) of before. Kind of a lot of work to cut up since they're so small, but they're pretty and just faintly spicy.

The Leavers

Seattle, Washington
Monday, July 31, 2017

Just finished "The Leavers" by Lisa Ko. Great book. Found the recommendation on the New York Times, and it did not disappoint.

Birthday salad and birthday cake

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, May 28, 2017

I celebrated my birthday this weekend with good friends. And birthday salad and birthday cake.

I don't think I need anything else.

Thing 1 and Thing 2

Vashon Island, Washington
Saturday, May 20, 2017

This weekend's Girl Scout camping adventure at Camp Sealth had a Dr. Seuss theme. Lots of fun activities, but my (math teacher) heart leapt with joy when I saw a mom wearing this very fine t-shirt.

Sigma Lambda Chi

Seattle, Washington
Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Just came home from a fun evening: I am now an honorary member of Sigma Lambda Chi: the honor society for Construction Management students...

Kerupuk redux

Seattle, Washington

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

It's Spring Break, so I decided it was time for another scavenger hunt down at Viet Wah. To my surprise and delight, I came upon this food item: kerupuk. The first (and last) time I ate these was five years ago in a ger in Mongolia with my Dutch-German friends. It really is fascinating the way the brain makes associations with seemingly disparate things...

Almost five years ago to the day! 

Easter baking

Seattle, Washington
Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Get out the sprinkles! Easter is almost here...

The steppe in a shoebox

Seattle, Washington
Tuesday, March 28, 2017

This evening A finished her habitat project for school: each student had to choose a habitat, make a diorama, and present it to the class. A chose the Mongolian steppe, which may not the first habitat one always thinks about for these kinds of projects. Rainforests, deserts, or tidal zones, maybe.

One never knows the seeds that are sown when one is young.

Seoul Plaza redux

Edmonds, Washington
Saturday, March 18, 2017

I don't think the location is called Seoul Plaza anymore, but Hosoonyi Korean Restaurant still stands after all these years. It's been at least a decade since Frank and I were last here. Great to be back after so long. Yum!

Yesler Swamp and its beaver friends

Seattle, Washington
Friday, March 17, 2017

Took a tour of Yesler Swamp today with its newly cleared/built trails. We saw signs of busy beaver friends who seem to have some dams to build... Spring is a-comin'!

Pi Day rolls around again

Seattle, Washington
Tuesday, March 14, 2017

You'd think that the novelty of celebrating Pi Day would wear off at some point, but for me that doesn't seem to be the case. Today, I shared the joy of pi with colleagues, friends, and anyone else who happened by.

Before long, all that was left in the cookie tin was the square root of 2...

Presidents' Day 2017

Seattle, Washington
Monday, February 20, 2017

This afternoon I hosted my first Presidents' Day party. All comers were invited to participate--whether it was eating Presidential Jelly Beans, answering presidential trivia, pinning the tail on the Elephonkey, or defending their favorite PAST American president.

No lie: I had a good time.

Snow day!

Seattle, Washington
Monday, February 6, 2017

Wow! A real Snow Day--and one that caught most of us by surprise. 5-6 inches here in the Central District: enough snow for good sledding and lots of pretty pictures, too.

Parents' night in

Seattle, Washington
Saturday, February 4, 2017

It was unexpectedly Parents' Night Out--but we opted for take-out sushi from Uwajimaya and a Night In instead. The simple pleasures are my favorite.

Baby quilt #??

Seattle, Washington
Friday, February 3, 2017

Surprised myself this evening by almost completing another baby quilt. Something about winter just makes me want to sew...

The Tea Set

Seattle, Washington
Wednesday, February 1, 2017

My mother just keeps uncovering lost treasures from somewhere in her basement. The latest item to emerge is this glass tea set that I played with in the 1970's--and SHE played with in the 1940's. A and I enjoyed our first "tea party" this evening. The tradition continues.

Be brave, America

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, January 29, 2017

Went downtown this evening to join the throngs of people protesting the President's ban on refugees. Lots of people and lots of great signs. One of my favorites is pictured here.

Sholeh zard

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, January 1, 2017

New Year's Day with friends and time to try another Persian treat--this time a kind of saffron rice pudding--or perhaps more of a congee--that is traditional for special occasions. One day, I will find a way to visit Iran!

Here's one sholeh zard recipe...