The Akamines come to Seattle!

 

In October (I think it was October...it was so long ago), Pua and Kalama came to town to watch their daughter play volleyball. Jim and Cherie hosted a dinner at their home and we converge there for an evening of food and fun. We talked about Hawaii, ate great food, and sang songs. Unbelievable, but we did end up singing theme songs from TV shows. I think that's what happens when you don't drink. Thanks Jim & Cherie (for the food and warm hospitality - not the other part about not drinking)!

Kevin, Mary and Eric

 

See the plate of appetizers??? I made those. Bacon wrapped dates stuffed with gorgonzola cheese. They took hours to make. Literally. I won't make them again.

Predinner conversation

 

The Host and Hostess

 

Jim and Cherie were the hosts of this evening dinner. Altogether there were 9 of us...3 Akamines, 2 Heugels, Mary, Kevin, Eric and me.

Cool Centerpiece

 

Cherie made these interesting centerpieces by placing black stones and peppers into a glass vase. Nice, hey? Sorry that we cut off your face, Mary.

The spread

 

The Entree - Grilled Salmon

 

This was so ono!

Green Apple with Wild Greens

 

Mmmm...tortellini

 

Apologies, Day Trips, and Pictures

 

First of all, I can't believe I haven't updated in so long. Ugh. I blame it on losing my card reader (to download pics) and certainly not on being lazy. Maybe a little lazy. But I have found said card reader and have downloaded a bunch of pics, so I'll be posting them...slowly.

Here are some pics from a daytrip that I took with Susan and Nic. We headed to Whidbey Island by ferry and then drove north eventually connecting with I-5. "Connecting" makes it sound so direct...but it really wasn't a direct drive to I-5, but that's neither here nor there. It was a great sunny day - unlike today which was dreary and gray. And it's 5pm and pitch black.

Admiring the trees

 

While I don't have an artistic eye, I liked this photo.

Signage at Deception Pass

 

I had to remind myself about the seriousness of Sign #2. It would be me to take a slip and fall. All the way down. To the bottom.

We saw one of these...

 

After getting off the ferry, we headed to Langley where they were having a festival (Labor Day?). There was a Soap Box Derby race and tons of shopping. Anyway, I saw one of these there. I don't know what it is, but it was pretty cool.

Poor Nic

 

Nick (aka Unemployed Nic...but we had to change his name when he got a job) was part of the trio to Whidbey Island. He took a lot of pics with his fancy-shmancy camera. Still waiting on those pics, Nic.