Construction Weekend with Great Food

So this weekend was insane and crazy. Starting early Thursday morning I headed over to the beach house on Vashon Island. This is our second home right on the waters edge of the Puget Sound. Below is a picture of the view, straight out is dash point and Federal Way, to the right is the port of Tacoma and to the left is the Des Moines marina.

Disclaimer: The panorama makes the mainland look miles away it's much closer.

So this house is very much a never ending project. There is a laundry room that is just a hole in the wall. Part of the deck railing is rotten. There is just never ending projects but we love our little money pit. Anyway this last weekend my parents and I decided we were going to work on the deck. I knew this was going to be a tough weekend.

First thing we did was get all of the wood down to the beach. Now the parking lot is a good 10 minute walk to the house and that's only carrying normal bags. We had to bring all of the lumber down to the house, that was a giant pain. thankfully we were able to drive the truck down onto the beach for the bulk of the lumber. The rest we carried by hand...yeah it sucked...and it was 80 degrees on top of that...

Next we had to get all of the demolition done. We went though and pulled out all of the rotten pieces of wood and developed a plan. That took 1 day.

Day 2, we started replacing the few structural boards that needed to be replaced. The structure was all we got home on Friday. And because I talk about food we had taco salad that night.

Day 3, we started bright and early and really sore again Saturday morning. We worked on doing a little more deconstruction and assembling the railing. This night I homemade meatballs with the Swedish gravy from Ikea. I'll post that recipe later cause they turned out delicious.

Day 4, Sunday we had a little slower start because after 4 days we didn't want to work anymore. The last of the projects were beginning. We started reassembling the rest of the railing. We called it quits at about 1:30 and 90% of the railing was done. There still isn't a top and we want to do more now that we're done.

Here is a picture of the delicious sandwich we ate to celebrate the end of the weekend.

Ham and turkey, with avocado, cheese, mayo, and lettuce! and Mimosas to top!

Low Carb Carbonara

So my family and I have been doing a low-carb diet. My mom and I both have thyroid issues which in result screws with out weight and cholesterol. To help lower the entire families cholesterol and just to eat healthier in general we've been substituting our pasta with spaghetti squash.

Here is another one of these fabulous Pinterest recipes with a low-carb twist. Roasted Cauliflower and Mushroom Carbonara. Ever since I've visited Italy in 2008 and again in 2012, I have been hooked on Carbonara. But as you all know Italy is carb central, you can't go anywhere and not eat 300lbs of carbs.

Ingredients:

• Spaghetti Squash
• 4 Eggs
• 1 Small Head of Cauliflower
• 2 Cup of Mushrooms
• Parmesan Cheese
• 3 Cups of Bacon
• Olive Oil
• Garlic

Instructions:

1. Start the Spaghetti Squash, bake at 375 for 60-75 minutes.
2. While waiting for this I use the George Foreman grill to cook the bacon because it's easier.
3. Start to roast the cauliflower and mushroom in a large skillet, let these cook covered with garlic and olive oil for about 20 minutes, or until the cauliflower and mushrooms are soft. 
4. Cut spaghetti squash in half and discard the seeds. Use a fork to scrape out the squash and add it to the pan with the cauliflower and mushrooms. add the bacon (chopped) and place on high heat.
5. Mix the squash and other vegetables. Open up a spot in the center and break the eggs into the middle of the pan. Let the eggs cook just a little then start to mix the egg into the squash.
6. Turn off heat once eggs are moist but not fully cooked. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve.

Vibrant DIY Stools

So here is another project from 4th of July weekend. My parents own a house on Vashon Island and some of the furniture is getting to be a little old and it being a beach house means that funky colors and hand-me-down furniture is totally cool. I know that you can easily find stools similar to these at places like salvation army, goodwill, and other thrift shops. Even garage sales since its SUMMER!!

Here are some great 80s stools that still have great shape and lines. These stools have been at the house since it was rebuilt in the 1980s. Originally they were a yellowish stain on the seat and white legs. The white and wood was starting to date them. 

So to freshen them up my mom and I painted the legs a bright and cheery teal blue (Picture doesn't show true color.). 

We also sanded the tops and added a thin coat of varnish to seal the tops. This gave us a new look on their legs and a fresh coat on the seat. 

Here is the final DIY...old stools with a new life. 

Butter Beer

Here is my attempt at Butter Beer...did I mention I was a nerd. So at the beginning of this summer my family and I went to Universal Studios and of course we spent most of our time at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Which I recommend highly. So obviously there are a few things that you must try when you go. The rides, the candy store, and of course the best part BUTTER BEER.

I know your probably thinking why would I want a hot drink in Florida. First, this is the cold version, and second it is way to delicious to turn down. I will warn you it is defiantly filling, and sweet. It is dessert in a cup.

So I'm going to tell you how to do it with bottled cream soda or homemade. 

Bottled Soda:

• 2 Tablespoons of Butter Extract
• 2 Tablespoons of Rum Extract
• 2 Liters of Cream Soda

Homemade Soda (2.5 gallons):

• 2.5 Pounds of Cane Sugar
• 2 Ounces of Vanilla Extract (Gnome Brand)
• Water
• 4 Ounces of Butter Extract
• 4 Ounces of Rum Extract

So I made the home made version but it is only possible if you have a way to carbonate the soda.

Mix all of your ingredients together now for the topping. THE BEST PART!

Topping:

• Butterscotch Topping
• Heavy Whipping Cream

Whip about a quart of heavy whipping cream with about a half of a cup to three quarters of a cup of butterscotch. Use an electric beater to whip it into a fluffy whipped cream. 

Now top the soda with some cream and enjoy!

Penne Pasta With Squash and Sausage

Ok I haven't posted in a while it's been a crazy week. So here is a recipe from last week that I tried. It is penne pasta squash and sausage with red sauce.

Ingredients:

• Penne Pasta
• Sausage
• Mini Green and Yellow Squash
• Mini Zucchini
• Pesto
• Organic Crushed Tomatoes
• Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper
• Parmesan Cheese

What you need to do is start the pasta so that the noodles begin cooking. In a large pan at medium heat add olive oil squash, zucchini, and sausage. Cook ingredients in the pan until squash is tender and the sausage is cooked completely. Once the squash and sausage is cooked add the organic crushed tomatoes. Begin to warm the sauce, while stirring in the tomatoes make sure to add pesto to give the sauce some flavor.

Now to check on the pasta. The noodles should boil for the amount of time mentioned on the package. You want to make sure they are as the Italians would say "al dente" or to the tooth. You don't want the noodles to be too soft because they continue to cook after you shut off the water and add the sauce.

Take the noodles out of the water and add them to another bowl. Top the noodles with the sauce, veggies, and sausage in the other pan. Finally add Parmesan.

Life So Far...

So since I've graduated college I have probably put in upwords of 100 applications. At first part of me felt like the companies weren't getting them or I was doing something wrong. Why do all of these people hate my applications. Only a couple weeks ago my mom helped me out and got me the email of a coworkers friend who is a graphic designer. I sent her my resume and portfolio, thinking, like the last people I contacted personally that she would just never get back to me. My luck had changed! She contacted me back and she liked my portfolio. So I'm not crazy, graphic design is just a really hard field to get started in. I know I'll probably have better luck once the college kids go back to school in August. Maybe I can get an internship or a starting position.

So after gaining a little confidence about my designs, I have opened my own Etsy Store and started freelancing. If you want any work done you can visit my Thumbtack Page. I have sent in my first quote it was scary and I'm not sure that I will win the bid but it felt good to have a chance.

In other news I got my first ever filling today. It hadn't formed in to a full on cavity yet but it was on it's way. I've also never had Novocaine before. Talk about a weird sensation having half of your face tingly and numb. Then in one fast sweeping movement I gained all of the feeling back and my jaw and tooth is quite sore. Why not do I have to get a cavity. This sucks...oh and I have to go back in on July 11th to get the other side done.

So let's see...anything else. I can't wait for the 4th of July. Not for the fireworks or the drinking, ok a little for the drinking, but I'm excited to do something other than apply for jobs. I know that probably doesn't sound that tiring but it's more mundane and boring. Well stay tuned for another recipe!

Pesto and Prosciutto Panini

Today I wasn't feeling like creating a crazy elaborate meal so I decided to make paninis. They are simple and delicious, and if you are rushing for dinner these are quick.

Ingredients:

• Torta Bread (or another Panini Type Bread)
• Pesto
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Prosciutto (or Salami)

First spread the pesto on one side of the bread. Add a couple thicker slices of mozzarella and finish it off with a couple slices of prosciutto. 

To cook I find it easiest to pop it on the George Foreman, by the way if you don't have one get one. That thing got me though college! Like a grilled cheese wait until the cheese is melted then it's ready to eat.

These sandwiches are easy and can be customized so you can switch it up! I have substituted prosciutto for salami or even have it vegetarian style with no meat. That makes it more of a fancy grilled cheese but still just a delicious. 

Chicken Fajitas

So today I made my dinner from scratch! I designed my own chicken fajitas, which ended up to be delicious.

First you have to start the rice and beans. I bought a black beans and rice that was dry. To cook follow the instructions on the back of the bag. This specific brand (Vigo) is just water, olive oil, and the rice mix.

While that is cooking start to prepare the meat and veggie stir fry.

Ingredients:

• Chicken Thighs (sliced into small strips)
• 1 Red Bell Pepper (sliced into strips)
• 1 1/2 Cups of Mushrooms (sliced thin)
• Ortega Fajita Skillet Sauce

In a large fry pan cook chicken on high. Brown and make sure the chicken is mostly cooked. Add bell pepper and mushrooms to the pan. Cook chicken, peppers, and mushrooms until vegetables are soft and chicken is fully cooked. Add fajita sauce and turn heat down to a simmer to warm sauce.

Now when making your fajita use handmade corn tortillas I found some great ones at Fred Meyers. I also have cabbage, cheese, and sour cream as my extras make the fajitas.

CUSTOMIZE AND ENJOY!!!!!!!

Graphic Design

So I know I haven't posted a ton but I've been working on graphic design stuff. But anyway I have opened an Etsy store. Right now there is just doctor who related posters but I've been working on expanding my merchandise. First digital downloads! Mostly so people outside the United States can buy my work. Here is a link to my store Greene Graphics on Etsy.

If  you would like to hire me I also do logos, graphics, custom print designs, and branding.

You can find my contact information on this site. Greene Graphic Design.

Fremont Fair

Today I went the Fremont Fair for the first time. I have lived in Seattle (just outside) for my entire life and have never spent a large amount of time in Fremont. Let's just say that after today I want to live in Fremont! It is such a cool part of the city, you can walk for blocks and see so much new stuff, art, food, stores, and people. It feels like such a great community to live in! Ah I need a job so that I can move out and into a place like that.

So today at the fair my parents and I walked around the booths checking everything out. I grabbed lunch at this place that did Caribbean fusion food. I got pork tacos that were absolutely amazing. Corn Tortilla, shredded pork and onions, coleslaw, and curry sauce. It was delicious, let's just say that I will be attempting to make these sometime in the near future.

Next we headed to this bar called the George and Dragon to watch the world cup game (Germany vs. Ghana). Which was a great game tied 2-2. It was a great bar small English style pub with a great outdoor beer garden. They place these TVs in the beer garden so that you could drink and watch the game outside, let's just say that I got sunburned but it was such a great game it was worth having a crispy nose.

After the game we started walking back towards the car which was parked on 34th and Stone Way. So we grabbed a spot on the curb for the parade on 34th street. The naked bike riders were pretty funny some of the body paint and costumes were pretty crazy and amazing. The people who went full naked pain or some without paint, that takes some serious balls, and I applaud you!

During the parade we went in to a little shop called Blue Moon Burger, another delicious place to eat. ONce the parade ended we started walking back to the car. Once we got back to the car we stopped and grabbed some coffee (cold), it had been a long and hot day. We chose to follow the rest of the parade down to gasworks park where there was a bunch of brass and marching bands playing.

We heard the Sound Wave play, the Sounders FC band. They were great! It had been a long day so we headed back home but it was by far one of the best parades/fairs that I have been too!