International Delight

You know,  I really should just make this a food blog, considering the majority of my posts are food-focused!  I actually have ideas for a sweets blog in the making, but it's nowhere near ready to debut yet.  It may be many months before I get around to that.  This summer is flying by, and I think you'll agree with me that the best way to spend these incredible summer days is outside, not inside.  Unless it's over 100 degrees.  Which it is right now, here in this little "northwest" town called Boise.

I flew to Chicago recently to visit Jerry and Bernice and the little guys.  Bernice, as you all know, is a great cook and baker, and she fulfilled my "almond paste at a time other than Christmas?! cool!" and "wait, it's not banket?" musings by making some fabulous almond rolls.  Think cinnamon rolls, but with an almond filling instead.  So good!

Sitting in an American airport eating a Dutch food with Chinese utensils.

Playing with my food

On Friday night, I went to a friend's house for homemade sushi, dim sum, spring rolls, and other decadent Asian delights.  I was fortunate enough to get sent home with leftovers!  This is my imagination running wil- ....tired on Saturday afternoon.

Complacent Sushi

Happy Sushi!

Tyrannosaurus Sushi... rawr!

Fruit Futbol!

Oh watermelon*, how I love thee...

*Now premiering in the new personal size!  Perfect for one person.  Actually, I have seen them in "personal size" before this year, but have never bought one because they are expensive on a per pound basis.  I finally caved.

Ugh.

I had such a great Saturday.  Tennis lessons, crossfit, making ice cream with a friend, going out to dinner and then to the Twilight Criterium bike race downtown.  Only to be followed by this:

First of all, waking up at 3am with stomach problems is never a good sign. 

Second, I'm so thankful for friends who will go to the store for you on short notice, to get your favorite - if somewhat obscure - things, such as ginger tea.  Also thankful for moms who will listen to the whole detailed story at 8am. 

I don't think I've been this sick since I was in junior high.  I had food poisoning and Gary's mom had to drive me home from the math contest, about 20 minutes from our school, I think.  She was a brave lady for letting me ride with her.  At least I didn't treat her car the way I did my bathroom yesterday morning. 

Ugh.

In the latest Weird News From Boise

Recently spotted at the Saturday morning farmer's market, I present to you:

The Fish Bicycle!

Mountain Biking

My latest hobby is mountain biking.  Some co-workers helped educate me a bit on biking, and this spring I took the plunge and invested in an older, but still good, bike.  It has full suspension, which comes in very handy on rocky foothill trails.  Co-workers Colin and Shannon are part of a Thursday night riding group, which I have also joined... sort of.  I don't like loading my bike in my car and buying a bike rack is not a priority for me right now, so I only join them when they ride at the Military Reserve, which is right around the corner from my apartment.  Here we are on a recent ride, surrounded by gorgeous fields of little purple flowers...

Rainbow Brite!

Retro

My friend Catherine and I have started a fun little ritual of going to the farmer's market and garage sales after tennis every Saturday morning.  Last weekend, we stopped by an estate sale in the North End (picture cute, renovated Old Town area of any large city).  The house was in mint condition, right down to the soft peach carpet, the built-in cabinets in every room, and the mid-50's furniture. But the crowning element (in my eyes) was the kitchen...

Jaw drop!