Speed Queen and Feeling Fine

Lately I just have this undeniable feeling of vitality filling my senses. The fine spring weather here in the northwest helps tremendously, but I have optimism for an improved future. We've continued to go walking and hiking in our local area, which I enjoy. I've also spent one day a week with my vaccinated parents to do our laundry. We usually walked (they walk every day) while the first load was running. Our dryer stopped working, so I ordered a new laundry set since both machines were 22 years old. I took some time to find replacements made in America to a more robust standard that should last another 20 years, a brand called Speed Queen. Unfortunately, everything is in short supply, so we waited a month for delivery. I did enjoy spending several hours a week with my parents, but I'm glad to have in-house laundry again. 

Mom and Dad with their dog, Chili.

 

Ready for loads.

Delivery team.

 

We walked at Chambers Bay again, and also hiked a new-to-us trail, the Tiger Mountain Trail. We usually do these adventures on Tuesdays. We drive by this one frequently and the parking lot is always packed full. Going out mid-week is the best way to avoid crowds around here. We only saw 6 people all day on Tiger Mountain. It was a beautiful day out with a surprise view of the Olympic Mountains from the Cascade Foothills.

We did see three riders.

Avalanche Lily

Distant Olympic Mountains with power lines.

Chambers Bay's lone tree.

Train, barge, and golfers only.

Our local farmer's market is open again, so I'm appreciating the fresh food that is now available. Last week, beets, arugula, and goat cheese were all there, so I made a beet risotto with goat cheese and arugula. So yummy. It's good to try a new recipe and like how it turns out. The market also provided some salad greens (greenhouse grown), so we ate salad for the first time since the season shut down salads last year. What a treat!

Beet Risotto.

Shrimp and grits with beet greens and broccoli rabe.

Wild mushroom quiche.

The quiche with a blue cheese and pear salad.

Potato soup.

 

Easter felt weird this year. We usually have a lovey meal with family and friends, this year, nothing. But I did take a picture of the colored eggs I bought at the farmer's market. I guess the farmer has several varieties of chicken making a rainbow of eggs.