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

Seattle, Take One

When Matt told me that he would be working in Seattle for a week and asked me if I'd like to go, I answered "YES!" without hesitation.  I envisioned breathtaking, lush landscapes nurtured by grey rainy mornings; I imagined a steaming-hot latte purchased from the first Starbucks, a latte in which I'd  sip indulgently, thus inspiring me to write the next great Dystopian young adult fiction novel; I pictured a cerulean blue sea juxtaposed against a pale granite sky where nature and mankind fuse in mutual, respected balance; I saw vibrant outdoor markets where gluten-free granola eating, vegan, yogi hipsters, who carry satchels and travel via Vespas, would shop for fresh produce--a group entirely too culturally cool for me to ever belong.  Yes, I was destined to meet Seattle. 

Day One: After arriving late Monday night, I wasted away Tuesday's hours staring at beige walls inside an Embassy Suites.  I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't leave the hotel until we traveled downtown for dinner, but I felt perfectly content to call an old friend, write, and just relax.  (Never happens!)  And the second most embarrassing confession is that when we did go to dinner we went to Benihana's!  Listen, I was the guest on this trip, and Matt's über trendy, telecom geeky friends chose the venue.  Hey, who doesn't enjoy a replicated Seattle monorail made of onion that steams and "chu-chus" followed by an eruption of said onion, a Mount St. Helen volcano atop a scorching over-sized skillet? Exactly, hibachi is king. (Seriously, I really do like Japanese food.) Anyway, while waiting I took in the scenery outdoors.  Directly above the restaurant sat a uniquely circular white church christened by a huge cross, which just goes to show that Jesus loves fried rice, too.  

Next door was this place: 

http://www.mustardseedcafeseattle.com/

 Anytime I am faced with a problem, I remember the parable about a mustard seed, so I clicked a pic to acknowledge hope. Yes, I was surrounded by celestial signs, a Biblical prophesy, one that said, "if you have faith, you can move Mount Rainier," or at least navigate through crowded Pike's Place to buy Rainier Cherries. Regardless, I monumentalized the the gorgeous city at dusk, my favorite time of day, with this picture:

Day Two: After enjoying a complimentary waffle made to order (because I made it), coffee, and fresh fruit, I hopped in the rental, traversed I90, 

 and landed inside a public parking garage between Pike's and Elliott Bay.  

I planned to visit the outdoor market first, but I missed my intended destination by taking the elevator down instead of up to street level.  No worries, I made my way to the Great Wheel.  

 Now, I have no idea why I meandered to a ride that peaks at 175 feet above the ground when I'm afraid of heights, but the Ferris wheel beckoned me to her and I answered the call.  I guess I figured first impressions ought to be grand and with such perfect weather for viewing the city, our introduction was made. Seagulls soared above the docks, the sun bounced warmth against the sidewalks, and the air felt crisp and clean.  It was a gorgeous morning.  While I was in line I met the nicest ladies from Maryland. They invited me to ride with them and told me all about their trip across the country.  

 

 These adventurous two planned a week of sightseeing in Seattle, and this was after they'd driven the Oregon coastline.  It's no wonder the pair felt at ease at such dizzying heights. Nonetheless, we three enjoyed the magnificent scene surrounding us. From above I saw giant jelly fish floating in the water below; then I scoped out the best sea-side decks on which to have dinner--my choice this time ;).

 

 In the distance I scouted the Seattle Space Needle, and I watched a Cruise ship sail into the harbor. Ethereal indeed.

Back on solid ground, I said goodbye, perused a nearby gift shop, and walked up to Pike Place Public Market. 

 For a Wednesday, this place was hoppin'! Naturally, the first task: get in line for coffee.  By mistake, I went into the wrong Starbucks (1st and Pike) but soon realized that this shop couldn't be "the one" when I merged into a long line of four and noticed the place didn't look like the pictures I'd seen of the orig.  I almost asked the chic, urban Asian in front of me, but saved myself the regret and Google Mapped it.  Nerdy tourister judgement avoided.  Whew! So, back at the original 'Bucks (Starbucks, 1912 Pike Place, Seattle, WA 98101, in case you visit) 

I stood in line and listened not-so-attentively to a "starving" musician playing out front.  I read that in Seattle they call them Buskers, but I call them "trade in your day job because right now you're playing unsolicited music, free, for clichéd tourists who care more about a latte than they do downloading any future potential track of yours from iTunes (Correction, Spotify).  Don't get me wrong, ordinarily I enjoy these street artists/musicians/talent but this gal was terrible!  A cacophony of squawks sounded from seagulls flying above sounded better.  Mid-set she announced, loudly, that she wanted to leave Seattle to make it big, so if there were any agents or producers in the crowd she'd love an opportunity.  Right, because big-shot music producers also hang out in long lines with middlings, waiting to get a glimpse inside the iconic Starbucks.  More power to her; after all, this is America!  The line progressed and I made way inside, and veritable truth: I was standing inside the place where the coffee shop revolution began! Awesome!!  Even the sign is original--naked mermaid logo!  And the barista?  He was from Dallas so we chatted a little about home.  

 Silly me to think that they'd have tables and chairs (Ergo!  I shall not write the next great Dystopian novel at Starbucks!  Bummer.) Anyway, the floor was filled with wall-to-wall people and left no room to actually sit and enjoy coffee.  

However, the latte tasted the same as any other Starbucks latte, but isn't the magic of Starbucks consistency? My latte was great and overall I felt satisfied with the experience.  I would definitely recommend the visit.  Check.

Because I could blog on forever, I'll attempt to cut this short, or as one would say, "to make a long story short" but then in my head I respond by saying, "or to make a long story longer." (See, I'm doing it again.)  Anyway, Pike's Place was everything I dreamed of and more.  All types of people shopping for all types of merchandise.  The produce was amazing!  I purchased Mount Rainier cherries that somehow tasted better than ordinary cherries, and afterwards, I asked the vendor if I could take his picture.  (Secretly, I'm sure he was rolling his eyes, but he was sweet to oblige.) 

 I ate lunch at Matt's in the Market, chosen in honor of my hubby, and just like him the meal was divine!  (Sorry, had to.)  I had halibut sandwich with a tangy tarter sauce inside served on a brioche bun, an out-of-this-world cold gazpacho soup, and a glass of rosé wine: a befitting meal to complement a sublime day.  Exquisite.

I spent the afternoon sifting through underground stores and stumbled across a gem, the Old Seattle Paperworks store.  The old Time magazines propping open the door first garnered my attention.  I'm nostalgic for nostalgia and this place was my paradise.  (I mean, our guest book for our wedding wasn't a guestbook at all; instead guests signed the backs of old postcards from around the country.  Our centerpieces were designed around old, old family photographs.)  They carry vintage posters, postcards, magazines, maps, newspapers, you name it!  I combed through numerous headlines and when I tired, I realized something that we all know but forget:  Nothing really changes, our problems, our perfections, they all are recycled.  Society creates the new look, the refurbished modern design, but quintessentially, they're all the same.  From hippies to hipsters, the world turns round. Life.

Finally, at day's end the crew and I ate at Elliott's Oyster House.  We sat outside overlooking the bay.  I ordered Grilled Scampi Prawn Risotto and my dad (who was there coincidentally, on business) ordered Seafood Fettuccine and we sampled both, because neither of us could decide :).  I thoroughly enjoyed the food, the company, and the view.  An exemplary close to a wonderful day in Seattle.

~Truly, Cinderella

(Check back for Seattle, Take Two)