Taco Stew: waste not, want not

Nom, nom!

   It is a cardinal sin to throw away food: a sentiment taught to me by my father, echoed from his Italian heritage, and by my Nana who survived the Great Depression. So, when Madilyn and I shared a rotisserie chicken a couple of days ago, we had plenty left over. What to do, what to do? There it sat on the second shelf lurking, taunting me from inside the refrigerator. With stern frugality I answered, "I shall make Taco Stew out of you." 

    Not only can you use leftover chicken, but Taco Stew is also a great time saver because you can make it in the crock-pot.  If you don't have leftover chicken, then first poach or bake 2-3 chicken breasts instead. 

Ingredients needed: 

Chicken

Drained cans of:
2 cans of Ranch Style beans

    (One with jalapeños if you like spicy)

1 can of Rotel
1 can of diced tomatoes

1can of tomato soup

1can of corn

1 package of taco seasoning

1 package of Ranch dressing mix

Dash of chili powder (optional)

Dash of garlic powder (optional)

Shred the chicken into the pot and add the rest of the ingredients. Stir and simmer on low for 4 hours. 

Ready to sir and simmer!

Easy-peasy! Serve with tortilla chips or crackers and a side salad. Perfect for a chilly winter's night. 

Made With Love

  Sifting through my recipe box is like rummaging through a time capsule filled with culinary memories. Card edges are lovingly crinkled and soiled by splatters of food prepared with love, honored by tradition. Throughout the holiday season my little treasure box is "loved" on even more! I frequently reach into my crowded pantry to pull out the box adorned in a vibrant print of grapes and pears. I place it on the kitchen counter so that I can sort, sort through moments photographed in casseroles and cookies. Even the box itself was a gift from a dear friend. She gave me the box as a birthday gift and put a few of her stand-out recipes inside. Recipes like Shortbread Sugar cookies; actually, she taught me, hands-on, how to make them during the Christmas season so that my girls could leave goodies for Santa.
      My mother didn't cook...ever. Every dish or dessert I've ever prepared has come from someone or somewhere else.  Recipes are collected like postcards, I choose the ones that best represent the time and place of a moment.  Sometimes I wonder what recipe box I would own if the cards were my mother's, but I don't dwell on this long because in that fantasy kitchen I wouldn't possess the cornucopia of delights I have now.  Like the recipe for fudge borrowed from Country Cooking, the First Baptist Church of Smalltown, Texas' cookbook or a recipe for cornbread dressing taken from an excellent cook with whom I used to work; I might not have Nana's green jello salad delight or Donna's pecan pie.  Some of my favorite recipes have been given to me by The Cheryls, women who have positively impacted my life, significantly changing its course for the better. My pseudo mom, Cheryl T's recipe for breakfast casserole is the perfect brunch dish for a family gathering; my sweet Step-Mama, Cheryl C's recipe for lasagne, or comfort roast, or the holiday delight, cherries in the snow are all crowd pleasing recipes. I cannot imagine a collection without these dishes in its repertoire.
    As Christmas approaches, I plan to cherish every recipe, every dish made.  To cook with love means to honor the recipe maker, and mark the memories with good food and loving family.

Ten Steps to Maximize Your Time!

I am writing this while sitting at Love Field waiting for my daughter to board.  Then, when I leave here I'm booked with clients who are ready to get their holiday hair on! On the drive over here, I pondered over ideas on how I want teach the Dystopian unit in my classroom.  I attempt to utilize every minute given. Yes, I am a energetic enigma, hairdresser and school teacher, but we all wear different hats and shift from one role to another in our daily lives.  With all this changing and moving, how do we best maximize our time?  Here are ten tips that help me and and might help you. 

Ten ways to make the most out of every minute.

1. Live your life; don't watch someone else's on television.

Americans spend an average of five hours a day watching television according to New York Daily News.  We spend another three hours perusing social media (New York Times) and although there are some benefits (like finding awesome projects on Pinterest or de-compressing with a fun episode of the Voice), most of those hours are buried in wasted time graveyard. Think about what might happen if instead of watching mindless hours of television or spending countless minutes checking out "the Joneses," people spent quality time with their families, served their community, or even read a great book.  Honestly, we could pioneer a new world with that kind of time. Now I'm not advocating TV or Social Media abstinence, (we all know that Twitter celibacy is impractical) but practice safe tweeting!  Set boundaries like designating a time limit on how long you allow yourself to creep on Instagram or Facebook.  Don't fall prey to a life lost to voyeurism.  The next time you sit in front of the tube or go for your phone, ask yourself if what your watching is worth your time? Then ask if your time could be spent better doing something else?  

2. Prioritize your time.

Life happens but don't let life "happen" to you.  Create your moments.  That diabolical Father Time will rob you a life well-lived if you don't consciously schedule your days. Decide at the beginning of the month what makes the calendar. Your time is important--keep this in mind as you schedule. Get mandatory events penciled in first then begin scheduling the "other." And remember, people matter not things. Make time for the ones you love first, then schedule the rest. Of course, we all must spend X amount of time on our responsibilities (like our jobs) but most of us create obligations that aren't necessary. Do you really need to join another committee or register your kiddo in another extracurricular? Leave a little free time for serendipity; every second passed is lost forever to Father Time.  Make your seconds count. 

3. Learn to say goodbye.

Do you ever find yourself in a exhausting conversation with someone who possesses a negative outlook on life?  These "energy vampires" will suck out all the inspiration from you. Learn to kindly step away or redirect the energy curmudgeon. Remember, you author your book. Write the moments the way you want and don't allow others to take away your pen. 

4. Invest your time in who and what matters.

Make time for family and good friends because the return on this investment is priceless! When I reflect on choices I've made over the years, I never regret spending time with my girls. If anything, the regrets are that I have not spent more time with them. Also, hanging out with friends is good for the soul.  Best friends make the hard times better and good times great.  I couldn't live without my fabulous girlfriends.  Lastly, organize your work schedule that reflects value. What I mean is prioritize the hours spent at work to gain the most from them. Now I'm preaching to the choir because I am the worst when it comes to spending countless hours on a task when it should have taken one. I envy those who have the gift of "assess and act." My problem is that during the assessment stage, I assess EVERYTHING and end up racing down the rabbit's trail. I end up losing track of the rabbit I was supposed to be chasing! Sooo....

5. Avoid the rabbit's trail and forget about perfectionism.
When you find yourself obsessing over details--STEP-AWAY! Walk away, grab a drink, and relax a minute. Chances are when you go back you will notice what needs to be changed. Make a conscious decision to leave it alone and move on. When you think about it, even perfect can be improved.  Be confident in your strengths and recognize your growth. The rest is blurred in the background. 

6. Sift and chunk the junk.

De-clutter your mind and your environment. Stay organized to maximize time by purging stuff you don't need.  When your mind gets cluttered, focus on what matters. News flash: you control your thoughts. When you find yourself agonizing over situations that are out of your control-stop thinking about it. Let it go and don't crowd your mind with useless, counter-productive thoughts. 

7. Less is more. 
The more "stuff" you manage, the more time it takes.  Simplify your life.

8. You're not tired; you're inspired.
When you feel exhausted and your list is long, make this your mantra. Think about how much energy you have when you are looking forward to a vacation.  You are pumped and it doesn't matter that you stayed up late packing and your flight leaves at 6 am: You are inspired!  Harness that energy and apply it to the ordinary Monday night when you have worked all day, and you still need to cook dinner, help the kids with homework, and prepare for work the next day. You can do it and do it well because the payoff is that you've provided for your family, you have made a healthy home-cooked meal, and you have contributed to the success of your children. 

9. Use every second.
Everyone needs down time to rest and relax but do so with intent.  Take advantage of spare minutes. Check your email while waiting in line, listen to an audio-book while driving across town, listen to the news while getting ready in the morning; seize the day! 

10. Fear not.
We only get so many minutes around the clock, so I plan to wear my best party dress and have a heck of time spinning!  Don't be afraid to make time for new adventures. When the dance ends, when the clock stops, go...go knowing you made the minutes count.

~Truly, Cinderella (the middle-class, thirty-something, working mom Cinderella, of course) 

REAL Life in October

I arose this gorgeous Sunday morning to crisp cool Autumn air, then poured a steaming cup of rich coffee into my favorite mug and savored a moment of serenity.  Snuggling into my red comfy chair I gazed onto the flowerbeds in the front.  Feeling an artificial sense of proficiency, I zealously planned to plant mums and decorate with pumpkins and hay bales during the afternoon following church.  Yes, after Sunday brunch, after Madilyn's tennis matches, I would cultivate the garden and adorn my home with welcoming Fall decor.  (Yeah, right!)

Real life:  Actually made it to church, but arrived overdressed.  It's like when an invitation says business casual and everyone else takes that to mean casual.  There IS a difference.  Apparently we missed the invitation that read, athletic casual because we rocked Sunday dress; the congregation wore shorts, t-shirts, pearl snaps?  Of course my husband took this opportunity to lean over and whisper indignantly, "I could have worn my jeans."  Anyway, I'd like to pretend that we are stellar Christians who lead life groups and listen to Hillsong in our cars but in truth this was our first time in church since the beginning of the summer!  (I know...heathens!)  You see, since we moved to the FloMo community we haven't found a church...like pastors haven't walked into our home carrying their flock to minister to us!  I suppose it doesn't work like that...something about SEEK and you shall find.  Guess we'd better do a little more seeking and a little less sleeping.

More real life: We practically jogged out of the sanctuary because Madilyn had to be at her tennis tournament at 1:15 and it was 12:20.  Forget brunch, we managed a drive through at Rosa's.  Scarfing it down, Madi quickly changed clothes and we were out the door headed for the courts.  She played two matches, lost them both, but it's totally fine because she really is improving in skill.  She played tough competitors and I'm so proud of her!

Real life continues: At 4:00 Madilyn, aka diva, reminded me that I promised her I would do her hair this afternoon. Fact: my hairdressing skills work as a blessing and a curse. I rejoice that we don't have to pay for our colors and cuts, but the downside is that I have yet another chore to add to the to-do list for the fam. Luckily, it's a chore that I enjoy.  While applying highlights to her hair I noticed the roots on mine, so while hers was processing I slapped on a medium brown.  Not exactly ultra glam, but it'll do.

The rest of the story: So after church when we were hurrying up the steps to the house (because Matt's side of the garage looks like an episode of hoarders thereby impairing our ability to park the truck inside) our neighbor stopped us to invite us to dinner, yet again.  We haven't been able to commit because our schedule is nuts, but I figured since they keep asking we ought to be decent neighbors and have dinner with them! They seem so sweet and we'd enjoy getting to know them. I pulled out my phone to schedule on iCal, and while checking dates, afore mentioned adorable, braided hair, bo-ho chic, perfect figure, neighbor says, "we eat Paleo so we look forward to grilling lean steaks for y'all." I responded appropriately with a "that's wonderful," and Matt looked completely confounded.  We said goodbye and before the front door was closed, he was asking "what the heck does Paleo mean" and I told him it means we suck at life and they don't.  I explained that it means we eat fajita burritos for lunch and they eat vegetables.  We dessert on chips and queso and they eat blueberries.

Naturally, when I begin thinking of one, I obsess over another, and my mind wandered to the working mom I know who runs every morning at five am and still commutes thirty minutes to work! Meanwhile I have a five minute commute and get out of bed about the time her workout is over.  There is no stopping this envy train once it's rolling, and I visit town after town of people who "are doing it right." I stop in at the station long enough to berate myself for not living life better.  Sure, I jog, until I don't.  I eat healthy, until I stop.  I save money, until I buy. I'm totally organized, until I'm not. I crawl back on the train hoping to find my magical godmother on board who will save me from myself and take me to the land of accomplishment. Wishful thinking goes on until I finally depart arriving at Gratefulness.

I'm not perfect, and if I'm honest no-one is...not even Mr. and Mrs. Paleo.  I remind my myself that even though we might not yet be the best versions of ourselves, our family has been blessed beyond measure.  No, I can't do it all (like write this blog as often as I'd like) or BE it all but I can remember to say thank you to the Divine who has lent me the minutes to create the moments.

The purpose:  Living each day better than yesterday and showing love to the travelers along the journey.

Tonight the front porch lacks pumpkins and hay bales, but my heart holds all the happy memories of Autumn's past, the perfect and the not-so perfect.  I'm grateful for the seasons, no matter whether they're decorated or not.

~Truly, Cinderella

The Maddis @ The Lake House-Hilarious!

Bags draped across our shoulders while the dog raced past our feet, bypassing the house to drink from cool lake water; we headed straight for the bedrooms, unloaded our bags and then shucked off clothes replaced by attire more fitting for the day: swimsuits.  The psychedelic wallpaper and green shag carpet catapult visitors through a time warp back into the easygoing sixties, where moms were still housewives, dads took two consecutive weeks vacation, and life generally moved at a slower pace.  Last weekend our crew had a wonderful time at the lake, Possum Kingdom.  The best part of a weekender on the water is that we were able to completely clear our minds and focus simply on spending time together.  No work, no stress.  Our dear friends Harold and Cheryl T., who are like a bonus set of parents to Matt and I, invited us over for our annual lake trip.  We cruised on the pontoon, zipped atop waves on the sea-doos, tubed, skied, and then floated.  At night we played board games and ate ice cream.  Ah, why can't summer last forever? 

Out of all the fun we had, my most memorable moment was a conversation I had with the girls, the Maddis.  Matt and I laugh at their zany antics ALL the time!  They are smart girls, but WOW, they have some blond moments!  Don't believe me? (Well, if you know them you believe me!) Check out this video in which they answer questions over history, geography, and current events.  Get ready to laugh!

                                        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_7daw5lZ2U


~Mother Hubbard [AKA Cinderella (the middle-class, thirty-something, working-mom Cindey)]

Loving You From Olney

For the first two years of our relationship, Matt and I lived apart.  We commuted back and forth from Dallas to Lubbock (345 miles) every weekend and believe me, it was brutal!  On our journey to see one another we'd pass through an itty-bitty town named Loving, TX.  One day I had the thought to send him a text that said, "Loving you from Loving."  It became our thing--when one of us traveled through town we'd send the other a text.  Eventually, we texted "Loving you from Olney."  Matt and I discussed the reason for the change a few days ago, and I think we did it because Loving is such a blip in the road that Matt would forget to text.  So when he stopped at the light in Olney, he would text me. [I won't tell you what Matt said....he thought we changed it for a different reason...a loving reason ;)]

This past weekend I drove to Lubbock to pick up Madilyn and sent my love to Matt.  On the way back home to Dallas, I sent it again.

Although, my favorite part of this message is that Matt asked about a Pitbull concert!  My husband adores Pitbull. (Weird, right?  My forty-two year old, born and bred, small-town Texan thinks that Pitbull is da man!) Matt had traveled to California for work Monday morning and his first message to me once he arrived was about a Pitbull concert!  I guess we're going to see "Mr. Worldwide" in October!  Ah, I love you honey. 

Back to School Steals!

Some of you saw my picture on FB titled EPIC buy of the day: 3 pairs of shoes under $35!  Let me tell you how.

Kohls is having a clearance sale on shoes plus I had a 15% off coupon.  First, I lucked out and found an adorable pair of Lauren Conrad ankle boots that were marked down to $7.99.  They were in a box labeled size 6 when the boots were actually larger in size, explaining why they hadn't sold.  I also jumped on a pair of comfortable Naturalizer wedges marked down to 13.99 and Madilyn scored a super cute pair of gladiator sandals for 14.97!  Always shop the clearance aisle, even when you don't spot anything at first glance.  Spending a little time scavenging can save you big bucks, and it's fun, too! 

When Madilyn and I ventured out on our back to school shopping, aka treasure hunt, I told her how much she had to spend.  Deciding on a budget before you ever leave home is so important, and I believe that teenagers should partake in the process. Therefore, Madilyn kept her number in mind and in turn, this made her a smarter shopper.  She actually decided against a blouse she originally liked because she decided that she didn't want to use her allotted money for something so expensive.  So, she ended up spending $100 at Kohls and purchased 5 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, and 1 pair of shoes!  Not too shabby!

Next we went to American Eagle who currently have all their jeans marked down to $30!  We LOVE AE jeans at our house, so I stocked up!  Madilyn bought 2 pairs of jegging jeans that will look fab with one of the oversized shirts she bought yesterday. 


By the way, I haven't made it by JCPenney's yet, but Katie B. just told me that they have men's tees on sale for $5! 


~Truly, Cinderella (the middle-class, thirty-something, working-mom Cinde, of course)

Vitamin Chart from Food Sources

We all know that we should eat a balanced diet, but knowing and doing are different, right?  I've created a chart to help us on our quest to eat smarter. 

Link for PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5sAozhsb8u-aUxaSjhwLVNqck0/edit?usp=sharing

Disclaimer: I'm no dietician, so I constructed my chart with limited knowledge and rudimentary research.  However, I found some common info at Medical News Today and Health-Alicious-Ness  that helped me choose which foods contained which vitamins; all of the foods listed above contain specific vitamins that we need to increase our well-being.  I listed common foods from which I can easily develop a weekly menu.  While researching I discovered the difference between water and fat soluble vitamins.  Water soluble vitamins are extracted frequently; thereby we need to consume these more often, and fat soluble vitamins remain in our system longer, stored in our... yep, you guessed it....our fat tissue! (Unfortunately, I don't think this means that if we carry extra fat we are healthier: bummer!)  Vitamins are best consumed through food sources, so no, you cannot simply take a multivitamin and proceed to eat chips and bean dip all day (sorry, honey).  Vegans might have a difficult time getting enough B12 so I've included a link with more information at The Vegetarian Resource Group. 

And why did I do all this?  After my latest check-up, the nurse called to tell me that my blood work indicated that I was low on vitamin D.  As I get older, I think more and more about how I need to eat better, not only to control my weight but also to increase vitality, energy, and longevity.  Psst: I didn't say I was OLD, just that I'm moving up on the number line, proof that I'm not kin to Benjamin Button.  I'm really young; I mean, if forty is the new thirty, and I'm not even forty yet, then I'm practically in my twenties! And since I act twenty-two, then I must be young because everyone says age is about how you act, feel, and think!  Thanks Taylor Swift, "I'm feeling twenty-two!" ;) Yet, I digress.

Anyway, I'm super excited about my upcoming menu for the upcoming school year.  Check back to see which combinations I use to build a plan chock-full of healthy nutrients, and follow along to see how my family improves on eating well. Hopefully you will join me. Take that, Vitamin D!

~Truly, Cinderella (the middle-class, thirty-something, working-mom Cinde, of course)

P.S. Comments are welcome.  If I missed something or I should add something to my chart, please let me know. Thanks!

Piaggio BV500 Scooter-Bella's new ride!

Piaggio BV500 Scooter

Bella is ready to join the ranks of other cruising enthusiasts who scoot from coffee shop to class, home to work.  Her gently used Piaggo scooter provides the perfect balance of speedy transportation with environmental conservation.  Her new ride gets 50 miles to the gallon, which means she'll save tons of money on gas leaving her extra cash to buy Ramen.  And what about when she needs to restock those noodles?  Groceries=No prob!  Both sides of her new ride have hard-cased side compartments, plus a storage trunk on the back.     Bella's scooter is Euro-fab and affirmed my desire to get a Can-Am Spyder.  I've wanted the three-wheeled beauty lacquered in crisp white for years.  I'd better start saving my pennies because Matt said he could find no good reason to buy me one.  Since my commute is all of five minutes, I can't use that as an excuse.  I could sell my car, which might bring in enough for me to buy one, but I'd still have that pesky chauffeur problem. Logistically, how will I drive around "the Maddis" and friends around town? Hmmm, I'll have to think on that one....

When (notice I didn't say if but when) I did get one, I'd need to take a motorcycle class first.  Bella took a class last week at Freedom Power Sports in Lewisville and had a great time.  She raved so much about her instructor on the first day,  that I went to meet her the second.  Danielle was friendly and helpful; she possessed a confidence in riding and relayed those skills in such a way that eased any fears Bella might have had.  Bella agreed to let me video her in motion:

Warming up.

Doesn't she look great?  Today she went to the DPS office and got her M license! 

As for me, maybe when my hair is completely grey (although, why would I ever stop coloring it?) and I eat my dinners at Cotton Patch, then maybe I can afford to buy a Can-Am!  Until then, I tried on this one for size. 
"Honey, take my picture?  Don't I look cute?  I think I need one too." I said.  
Matt was not amused.  He was busy trying to mow the lawn and there I stood, jumping up and down, trying to gain his attention.  He turned off the motor and gave me "the look."  The look I've grown quite accustomed to seeing over the past few years.  The look that says, you suffer from dreams of grandeur, you're a lunatic, and why must I always drop everything because you want a picture taken?!  Really?
I responded by doing what I always do--I ignored the look. "Honey, it will only take a minute.  Please??"

~Truly, Cinderella

Use dry shampoo for volume!

Katie R., one of my dear friends from college is getting married down in the Hill Country in November. She asked me to style her hair and do her makeup for the big day, and I said yes, honored that she asked me.  So this past Saturday she came into town for a quick hair and make-up rehearsal. I took a couple of before and after pics that I will share.  Katie is a beautiful canvas, which made my job easy!

Before

After

She prefers a natural look and typically only wears make-up for special occasions.  Her hair, straight and silky, is gorgeous but presents the problem of holding curl.  One of first questions she'd asked me was about using dry shampoo on the day of the wedding.  She'd heard that day-old hair works better for up styles but she would rather have fresh, clean hair on her wedding day. 

About dry shampoo:  Ladies who use it know that this stuff rocks!  I have long hair... have I mentioned I'm a working mom? Dry shampoo makes it possible for me to keep my long hair. I do NOT have time to wash my hair every day. In fact, I wash it every 3 days!  Tresemmé Fresh Start is a good inexpensive product and Sebastian Dry Clean Only is my favorite professional product. There are many options out there: I have a friend who uses Not Your Mother's Clean Freak and swears by it.  No matter which one you use, you'll find that applied on three days dirty hair, DS (dry shampoo) strips away excess oil while infusing it with floral crisp aroma.

So, I had good news for Katie.  She could wash her hair AND we would still use dry-shampoo.  Why use dry-shampoo on clean hair, you ask?  Because the dry shampoo provides a texture base to set the style.  Stylists often tell their clients not to wash their hair when getting an up style. And while hair that is slightly dirty seems to hold better, some women are uncomfortable with not washing their hair on the day of a big event, especially if they tend to have oily hair.  DS creates the big V as in olume, just what a gal needs on her wedding day!  Texan women know a lady would be committing a cardinal sin if she had flat hair on the big day. Don't think of dry shampoo only as hair refresher, but also as a product that will create volume and provide a base for backcombing.  DS will give Katie the best of both, staying power with volume AND clean hair for the honeymoon. I mean, a gal doesn't want her new hubby running his fingers through greasy hair!

Another tip to create volume: after applying DS, roll hair using Velcro rollers!  (Marci G., you got me on this one, I know!)  Wrap sections of the hair around a heated styling wand, then while the strands are still warm, wrap them around large rollers and pin.  Apply your make-up while the rollers set, and then unroll.  Voila--A voluptuous coif that even the Kardashians might envy.

For more info check out The Beauty Department's blog on the topic.

Spicy, Tangy Tilapia

SPICY, TANGY TILAPIA

Photograph doesn't accurately depict tastiness!

We ate this for dinner last night, and my step-daughter, Maddie H., who typically hates seafood will eat this one because of the kick from the red-pepper.  The spice masks the "fishy" taste that she doesn't like.  This dish is EASY and QUICK.  Let's get real: it's fun to spend time baking a delicacy passed on from our grandmothers, but usually, busy moms (and dads) don't have that kind of time! I created this dish out of need for something healthy that I could throw together in a few minutes.  Enjoy.

Ingredients:

1/2 stick of butter (Challenge is my fave because it's so creamy)
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic 
1 lemon (for fresh squeezed lemon juice)
1 pound of tilapia (feeds a family of four; you'll need more for those big-boy eaters)
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 TBS (ish) dill relish
Season with Red-Pepper Flakes

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray 9x13 Pyrex pan with cooking spray. In the microwave, melt butter.  Mix in garlic with a fork.

Using a brush, spread garlic butter over fish.  Next, squeeze lemon and drizzle fresh juice over fillets. 

Season with sea salt (use sparingly) and spoon dill relish on top.  Sprinkle with Crushed Red Pepper Flakes.  Bake for 25 minutes until flaky.  Serve with roasted asparagus (I like mine seasoned with Parmesan) and within 35 minutes from start to finish you have a healthy, delicious dinner for the fam!

~Truly, Cinderella

Seattle, Until Next Time...

Beneath Seattle, lies an intricate system of sidewalks and barrier walls, remnants of a bustling city from over one hundred years ago.  If you are going to visit Seattle you MUST take the Bill Speidel's Underground Tour!  To join the tour, go to Pioneer Square where you'll find Doc Maynard's Public House, a restored 1890's saloon, and if you buy a drink while you wait (come on, you're in a saloon!) then you get first dibs on seating when the tour begins.  The tour guides are highly entertaining, hilarious really, and also informative.  Matt and I learned bookoos about the early days of this remarkable city.  Fascinating facts like after the Great Seattle Fire, the business men were anxious to build again, (naturally) but the city planners knew they needed to raise the level of the city.  Business vs. Government, sound familiar?  So they worked out this plan of erecting business first, then the city engineers built retaining walls, and after they covered the original sidewalks with iron support beams and concrete, essentially raising the street one level on each block.  The first floor of these buildings became the basement.  Interesting, right?

Before we took the tour on day four, Matt and I joined a couple of his work friends for a full day of sight-seeing!  After breakfast, we strolled beside the bay, inhaling the crisp morning air while a cool breeze whisked through our hair as we took in a gorgeous view of the bright, blue water.

From the Pier

Kissy, kissy!

Smack dab in the middle of the pier was a random piano!  Uh-huh, your guess is as good as mine, but the sign said something about bringing arts into the city.  Sounds good to me!  I video "creeped" on another tourist who obliged me a tune!

On our walk to the iconic Space Needle we passed by the Sculpture Gardens. Although we didn't have time to walk through, I was able to snap a pic of a.... wait for it....metal tree.

 

Alas!  After a uphill climb that could have been Mount Rainier to my jello legs, we arrived!

Excuse the narcissistic Kardashian selfie: I couldn't help it. ;)

 The Seattle Space Needle hovers at 500 ft in the sky offering breathtaking 360 views of the city! Located inside the monument is the SkyCity Restaurant offering both brunch and dinner.  We didn't eat there because they were booked when I called to make reservations! Call early.  Brunch runs around $45 dollars and dinners can cost upwards of $60.  Sounds pricey, but you'll pay $15-$25 for a decent lunch in Seattle anyway.  Combine lunch with the price of a deck ticket and it costs the same.  Since we couldn't get reservations, we purchased a ticket to ride the glass elevator to the viewing deck for $26 and grabbed a coffee in the cafe.  Once inside, visitors can sign an electronic guestbook and view their name and home city on the map.  The Hubbards are in!

Whew! All this exercise and sight-seeing made us hungry, so we rode (because we darn sure weren't going to walk again--heaven forbid!)  the Seattle monorail into downtown only to walk, yet again, to Etta's,  for lunch.  I had the "Rub with Love" SALMON and it was tasty!

Refueled and ready for action, we leisurely strolled through downtown to Pioneer Square for the above mentioned Underground Tour.  Afterwards, on our way back to Pike's Market we grabbed a margarita, chips, and salsa from some cantina with an open patio.  Note: if you're from Texas do NOT bother buying Mexican food in Seattle.  The margarita wasn't good and the salsa didn't taste like salsa but more like straight tomato sauce.  The view was nice and the chairs were fantastic--really, any chair would have worked after trucking the hills of Seattle.  I'll tell you what, people aren't fat in Seattle! Incline of 50 on the treadmill!

So Matt and have this joke; anytime a place closes early we'll say, "Is this Sweden?"  because in Sweden when the shops close at 6:00 pm (if you're lucky), they WILL kick you out.  Like, in line to try on an outfit, a store associate will come up to you and say, "we're closing and you'll have to come back tomorrow." NEVER does this happen in the USofA because we ARE greedy capitalists who will NOT turn down a possible sell.  Come on! 
So we made our way back to Pike's at 6:00 pm on a FRIDAY in the MIDDLE OF PEAK TOURISM SEASON, and the place was a ghost town! We said, "Are we in Sweden?"All the market vendors had closed up shop!  I kid you not.  If you're reading this and planning a trip to Seattle, make sure to plan accordingly.  (The next day, before we flew out to catch our flight we returned so that Matt could experience all that is Pike's Public Market.)  However, we did spend the evening sampling beers at the lively Pike's Pub and had a wonderful time with our friends. My favorite sample, Pike Kilt Lifter.  Watch out!

As I mentioned, we drove back on Saturday before we left, and the big take-away from the morning was Ellenos real Greek yogurt!  This isn't your supermarket yogurt: this stuff is other-worldly delicious! Best news ever: they accept online orders!  This screenshot from Twitter best sums up our tasting experience:

After enjoying the exceptional yogurt, we drove to airport, luggage in tow. 

   ~Truly, Cinderella

Seattle, Day Three

Locks, chocolate, and books: three words that summarize Day Three in Seattle.

Back inside the rental, GPS led me past the charming Freemont neighborhood, through Ballard, and into a crowded parking lot in front of Hiram M. Chittenden Locks.  Parking paid, I received an unexpected gift of FREE admission onto the grounds! Inside the visitors center a kind gentleman invited me to join the hour long visitor's tour.  I highly recommend it because:
1. a well-informed tour guide gives the history of the canal,
2. at the channel she explains the inner-workings and process of the locks,
3. and she provides interesting information about the fish ladder and the types of salmon that navigate those waters, which flow from the fresh water of Lake Washington to the salt water of Puget Sound. 
Definitely worth the drive, but another option is to see it by boat. If time permits, take an Argosy Cruise and travel through the locks.

Under the water, on ladder 18 of the salmon run, visitors can view the fish that are making the journey to lay their eggs.

 

After seeing all those fish, I felt a bit hungry, so I made my way back towards Fremont to tour a chocolate factory about which I'd read. Theo Chocolate is an all natural, organic chocolate company that pays fair wages to workers in parts of the Southern Hemisphere (making it a fair trade co). Located in an unassuming brick building close to the water I was able to find free parking nearby on the street. Stepping out of my car, fragrant smells of sweet chocolate sailed atop the breeze that blew beneath my nose.  Heaven, really. 

Tours are given on the hour and cost $10.  I was able to purchase a ticket from the friendly lady working the front desk and I didn't need a reservation.  She gave me a fashionable blue hairnet to wear and verified that I wore closed toe shoes.  (Required for the tour and I'd brought along a pair of "tennys" just for this!) The tour guide was super: she explained the entire growing process, (Did you know that cocoa beans grow from huge pods on the trunk of skinny trees?)

gave us samples,

 

and taught us more about chocolate in general.  For example, I learned that the amount of cocoa bean that is required for a chocolate bar to be considered "chocolate" is extremely low, like 10%.  Theo's dark chocolate contains 70% and their milk chocolate contains 45%.  After the tour and sampling some downright delicious chocolate, I felt like a connoisseur!  Seriously, I now can taste the difference between mass-produced cheap stuff and high quality chocolate.  Chili was my favorite!

Inside the conference room before we toured the factory.

Our amazing tour guide!

The holding tank: where all that liquid chocolate is kept!

Don't we look fancy?

The good news: I don't have to travel to Seattle to buy it because Market Street carries the Theo brand!  Morally delicious! Score!  

The last place I journeyed on day three was The Elliott Bay Book Company.  A cool bookstore located in what seemed like a "sketchy" neighborhood.  I didn't feel unsafe, but I was careful to triple check that I locked the car.  I also didn't linger on the sidewalk to take in the scenery. Pretty sure I watched a drug deal go down, but hey, I'm not judging.  Whatever gets ya through the day.  Anyway, I would have liked to venture into other local bookstores in the area, but I only had time for one. I walked upstairs, read a few pages from 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times by Bernie Trilling and Charles Fadel.

When I got back to the hotel, Matt and friends had already chosen the restaurant for dinner and it was nearby in Bellevue, the suburb in which they were working. No need to "write home" about it, because it wasn't all that great.  

Around eleven I snuggled into bed, eager for sleep and ready to explore on day four!

~Truly, Cinderella