in search of persimmon pulp

Do you believe people are basically good?
This is a tough one… if you watch a toddler for an hour, you will decide that people will inherently push the boundaries and test the limits set upon them.  Constantly. Then look at the typical teenage boy… ’nuff said.  Vandalism is something that I just don’t get.  Anger, depression, filthy language, sarcasm, violence and more seem to be becoming more and more prevalent in our society - unfortunately.

But, I want to believe that the majority of the population will try to be “good” even though it is impossible for us to truly be good.  We are born evil… we are born with a sin nature, and cannot ever (in our own strength) come to a place where we in and of ourselves are good.

So, I guess my answer is yes and no.  Many of us want to be, but we are inherently “not good”

If you could change the custom of shaking hands, what would you replace it with?
I’m not sure… waving?  I wouldn’t want to replace it with hugging, because I’m not comfortable with total strangers that close to me.  I like having my bubble of space around me.  Kissing on the cheek would fall under that “uncomfortable” category.  Yes, it’s sad, but it’s true!  I’m not the most “open” person if I don’t know you.  If I know you well, however, expect to recieve a hug instead!

What is something that you enjoy that is a chore for most other people?
Baking bread?  Cooking?  Do most people consider these a chore?  There are days that I do, but in general I really do enjoy preparing things to bless my family.

That’s just a bit more about me!  How about you?

I’m taking part in some of the meme madness that is flitting about the blog-o-sphere… yep, this is officially my first meme!  Enjoy..

What was the first thing you thought when you looked at yourself in the mirror today?

Ugh - so THAT’S why my eye is so itchy!
Do you have a recurring nightmare? If so, explain.
Not that I know of…  fortunately I don’t generally have nightmares.
List three foods you can’t stand:

Beets.  They seem to be a staple of CSA farm produce, but I just can’t do it.  I will occasionally dice one or two and add them to a roasted root veggie dish, but outside of that, I just don’t get the attraction.

Tomatoes:  Yes, I like salsa and the occasional spaghetti sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes are a good thing to have around, but to just eat a raw tomato?  Blech.  No thank you.  Oh, and by salsa I do NOT mean pico de gallo.  That would simply be raw tomatoes, peppers and onions.

Avocados:  I really think it’s a texture thing, but I just can’t get into the whole avocado/guacamole thing.  Squishy, slimy and gross is what comes to mind.  I know, “but they are so good for you!” but I just can’t do it.

BONUS FOOD

Celery:  Try as I might, I just can’t get past a natural gag reflex when I bite into a celery stick.  Do I use them in cooking?  Absolutely.  They add a certain something to so many dishes, I just can’t eat it raw… or in a size larger than finely minced.

Now that you know a bit more about my neurosis you can get on with your day!

There is a new walk about that has hit the internet… and this one is for a great cause!

The Gal to Gal Foundation is holding their second annual Gal to Gal Walk to raise funds to help women with stage IV breast cancer. It runs the month of October, and it is $5 to join in.

I would love to have you join on my team! Just head over to GalToGalWalk.org and design your gal (or guy!) and join in! They are walking in a different city each day - today happens to be New York.

It seems that everyone knows someone who has had a battle with cancer. My grandma has had breast cancer twice - and has survived Praise God! We also have loved ones that have lost thir battles, as well as those who are currently on that battlefield. Cancer has become so prevalent in our society… it is affecting just about everyone on some level. It has almost become a way of life.

This is an opportunity to help those who are currently on that battlefield - and you don’t have to exert the effort of walking yourself (I love that part!). Spread the word, join in, and walk with us!

If you join in, leave a message here - I’d love to know who is joining in!

*** UPDATE ***

If you join team Mimsi, leave a comment over at Design-My-Handbag.com - I will be doing a drawing over there at the end of the month for a free Rachel Purse from everyone who joins in!

First, I want to thank everyone who has voted for me! You are all so very sweet.

Second… for those who are on the fence, might I offer up a bribe? If you look me up on facebook, I will gladly send you sweet and savory treats! Chocolate Dipped Strawberries anyone? Animal Fries from In-N-Out perhaps? How about some yakisoba?

I can also send beautiful flowers…

And in the spirit of the competition, I actually made a little picture for you all! Yes, I have chopped off my hair since then, but it is still fairly recent

It’s not too presumptuous is it? I just really liked the crown… The sash proved to be a bit more difficult, but I made due.

For those that haven’t voted yet - or have no idea where to go - just head over to MomDot.com to place your vote today! Hurry - the voting ends on Sept 22nd (that is Monday).

Thank you so much, and I hope you all have a fabulous weekend..

And I don’t mean the presidential elections!

I stopped over at MomDot.com this morning to see what’s going on, and lo and behold, I have been nominated for Miss Congeniality in The Dottie Awards!

I am amazed… dumbfounded… flabbergasted… you choose the adjective. I am also touched and honored. I think this is the first time I have been nominated for ANYTHING online, and I have to say, it’s pretty cool.

Miss Congeniality is the award that is generally given to the contestant that is most liked and respected by her peers. “The current definition of the award is that it ‘reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate’s peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant.” - according to wikipedia.

Wow… this is a big honor to even be nominated!

Again, I am rendered *almost* speechless!

So, why am I sharing this with you (besides the fact that I am still slightly in shock)? So that YOU can go vote!

I’m seeking votes to win this thing, I will freely admit it! Yes, the honor is in being nominated (and it really is!) but to win would be so totally cool!

I Want YOU To Vote For ME in The Dottie Awards!

Just head over to MomDot.com and place your vote for me, Jennifer Hudson, keeper of the Design-my-handbag.com blog as Miss Congeniality! Hurry! Go Now! The voting ends Sept 22nd!

Oh, and tell all of your friends…

And, of course, THANK YOU!!!

Isn’t it pretty! I decided that I am now posting regularly enough that I need to have a button. I made this one over a Picnik.com - a WAY cool site if you’ve never been there - for free. Lots of fun fonts and shapes that you can use to make your pictures look great

I also have a banner:

Copy this code to your website to display this banner!
<a href=”http://blog.alexandari.com/” mce_href=”http://blog.alexandari.com/” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7863/mybanner48cabaa862ec2yt9.jpg” mce_src=”http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7863/mybanner48cabaa862ec2yt9.jpg” border=0 /></a><br><a href=”http://www.mybannermaker.com/” mce_href=”http://www.mybannermaker.com/”></a>

And last but definitely not least… I now have a rss dolly!

Isn’t she cool!  She was made by Emila over at emilayusof.com and I couldn’t be more pleased with how it turned out.

What do you think? Do you like them?

Shorter than it’s been since 7th grade…

Well, I’m a little later getting this last post than I planned on, but I couldn’t leave everyone hanging!

Seattle… the best city anywhere!  The must-visit spots are as follows:

• Pike Place Market
• Seattle Center - including the Space Needle
• Pioneer Square - tour the underground for lots of interesting facts!
• The Pier
• Alki Beach

When you visit Pike’s, bring your appetite.  There is  Piroshky Piroshky, Le Panier - a french bakery, Beecher’s cheese, Chez Shea, Pike Place Chowder, PIke Place Bakery, Cinnamon Works, gyros… there is so much food that a company has started offering food tours.  Oh!  I almost forgot The Confectional!  You HAVE TO TRY the hot chocolate - the cheesecake is a bonus.  There is a reason that they serve it in small paper cups like Wendy’s serves ketchup in though… this chocolate is RICH.  So good.  Stop by to say hi to Rachel the Pig.

Oh yeah, the original Starbucks is here too.

Walking down the market is a treat for the senses.  There are musical groups performing on the corners - look for the music notes painted on the sidewalks to know where to find more on the weekends - flower vendors, fish markets (watch for flying fish), farmers selling produce, and ton of vendors selling hand made and hand crafted everything.  Becoming a vendor at the market is no easy feat - the jury process alone is quite strict!

If you head down the underground, you will find even more eclectic shops that aren’t necessarily hand-made _there is a great comics shop - and you will also find Pike Brewery in the middle of it all.  Keep going to the end, and you will find the most amazing music shop - A Lark In The Morning - right next door to an Asian tea house that has tea tasting available.

Seattle is such a cool city.  I love it here.

Head up the hill towards Pioneer Square to see some of old Seattle.  Lots of little shops & food here too - Cow Chip Cookies, Fireworks, Zeitgeist Coffee and Elliott Bay Books to name a few.  If you have the time, take the Underground tour - you will get a glimpse into the sordid past of Seattle, and learn why there is glass block in the sidewalks around Seattle.

If you are here on Labor Day weekend, avoid Seattle Center unless you are headed for Bumbershoot.  Wait, I take it back.  Go to Bumbershoot!  Other than that weekend, Seattle Center is a fun place for kids of all ages.  The Pacific Science Center is fabulous - kids will thoroughly enjoy the exhibits, and you may learn a thing or two as well!  The Imax theater is here too.

The Center House has food, the Fun Forest and the Seattle Children’s Museum.  Be sure to look for the brass slug over by the fudge.  There is also a children’s theater here, and the Sonics play here… well, they did at least.  The Seattle Storm plays here!

Experience Music Project is here - along with the Sci Fi Museum - and the monorail will take you down to Westlake for shopping.  Good shopping is found there.  Really good shopping.

Seattle Center is also the home of many festivals throughout the year.  The Cherry Blossom Festival and Bite of Seattle are among our favorites.

The Pier is where we came in on the ferry yesterday, and it deserves a visit as well.  Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe has some fun things… shrunken heads (yes, they are real), the tooth from a narwal, and lots of other eye candy to keep you busy for quite a while.

Wander on up the street to have lunch at Steamers (great fish & chips) or dinner behind it at Elliott’s.  A personal fav, as Elliott is my maiden name… oh, and the food is good.  Ivar’s is also here.

Keep going up the road to get to the Aquarium - they just had a renovation that doubled their space.

If you are up for it, the Pike’s Hillclimb starts down here too.  There is a Impanema, a Brazillian steakhouse at the top to make it worth your while.  All you can eat meat… and then some more meat… meat until you don’t want to see more meat, but it tastes so good that you can’t stop eating it.  Sooooooo good.

And that is how all of this meat is served.  I’m getting hungry again.

Well, I’ve got to get ready for a party this evening, so I’ll leave you with all of that food!

Thanks for visiting!

Whew!  Now that the girls are at school, we can get down to business!

Where were we… Oh yes!  Enjoying the wonderful fragrance of lavender fields…  I know, it smells heavenly here, but we really must move on!

Getting to Seattle requires a drive through Port Gamble… or the twilight zone as we like to call it.  Why?  Because you are driving through lush, wild forests, you come around a corner and EVERYTHING is PERFECT.  No, really.  It’s scary perfect.  Manicured lawns, beautiful houses, EVERYTHING.  I could not live here… they would kick me out.

Yep, white picket fences and the whole bit.  It is a very historic town, and very beautiful.  I’m just scared to get out of the car - too much perfection.  It is a very beautiful setting for a wedding though - the main church in town is gorgeous.  If I were getting married, I’d sure try to do it there!  Perhaps we should renew our vows…

Onward!

If you have the time, a stop over in Port Townsend is good… it was once called the New York of the West.  I mean, you don’t see buildings like that every day!  it is simply gorgeous.

Did I mention that they have a castle?

Simply Stunning

Let’s head towards the Bremerton ferry… with a stop over in Poulsbo - or Little Norway as we call it.

My husbands grandparents met here - she was a barmaid, he was headed off to fight in the war.  They were married 2 weeks after they met, and were married for 58 years when he passed away.

You have to try the Lefse at the little bakery on the main street, and yes, you can sample some of the other goodies as well - it’s just so hard to resist!

Before that, however, you need to go down by the water to the little downstairs restaurant on the pier and have chowder and thick cut sourdough.  The slices are ONE INCH thick!  Lightly toasted, buttered… ahhhhhh, heaven!  And then you add the delicious chowder!  It truly doesn’t get much better ladies!

Moving on… I did warn you that I love food!

We will be getting on another ferry in Bremerton and going across the sound to Seattle.  This is a very scenic ride at any time of the day… but at night the Seattle skyline is just gorgeous.

That is actually a view from Alki Beach… but I digress.

We will pick up here in a bit!