Rivs & Mia #3

Our friends, Emily and River, came to visit us last week while Dad was on an adventure. Our idealism gets the better of us as we encourage frequent reunions between Mia and Rivs...

Toothbrush & Nightgown

Me, circa 1985
Mia, last week

The Woman in White

Considered the first mystery novel ever written (along with The Moonstone by the same author), this is one of the juiciest books sans sex that I have ever read. It doesn't say much for all subsequent mysteries that the first in their genre was the most riveting. Scandal can only take so many forms, I suppose.

Paseo Cuban Sandwich

If you are ever in Seattle, you need to have lunch at Paseo. In an effort to mimic our other-worldly experience with the cuban pork sandwich, I experimented in my kitchen. The results were pretty close to the real deal-

Marinate a pork shoulder for at least 5 hours in the following:

2 cups orange juice
3 TBSP olive oil
3 TBSP lime juice
5 cloves garlic, chopped
2 TBSP brown sugar
2 tsp fresh or dried oregano
3/4 tsp each salt & pepper


After marinating, sear the outside of the pork for about 10 minutes on high. Then roast in oven at 300 degrees in the marinade and with tented foil for about 45 min. (this, of course depends on the size of your pork-mine was about 5 lbs.), basting frequently.

Flip the meat, remove foil and cook for another hour and a half. Let rest for 10 minutes before cutting.

In the mean time, slice two onions and saute in olive oil and a little salt until carmelized.

Also, mix 3-4 cloves of garlic (diced) and a tablespoon of relish into about 1/2 cup of olive oil mayo. Spread the mayo onto a baguette- you want a chewy interior on your bread b.t.w.- and toast it in the broiler for a few minutes. The mayo should puff up a little and the flavors will seep into the bread. Lay a few leaves of romaine, preferably crispy pieces, on the bottom half of the bread. Layer the sliced meat, a generous amount of carmelized onions, and some chopped cilantro over the romaine. If you want to spice it up, add some pickled jalepenos. In order to preserve the innards of the sandwich, wrap it in foil and peel it back a little at a time to eat.

YUM!

Aventuras del 4 de Julio

We thoroughly enjoyed our annual Priest Lake camping trip last weekend- especially because Mia can now be an active participant (as opposed to her last year's blob status).

David tried out and coveted his brother's new-found sport: mountain boarding.

Mia giggled a lot with Gma R-

She did some official hiking of her own.

Paradise (literally):

Communing with Gpa R

Look closely...Do you see what I see? Yikes!

Mia is not shy about her boat-ride enthusiasm. Next time, we are going to try the tube.
Each year, David has to get his fix of neuron-zapping 33 degree water:

Seattle Excursions

While cheering for Mom R & Uncle Joe at the Rock n' Roll Marathon in Seattle, we made a few stops including an IKEA spree (I'm pretty sure I had a nightmare that night about being trapped in the block-wide compound), lunch at Paseo (Cuban sandwiches TO-DIE-FOR), and the zoo. This part was a big hit for Mia- especially when she got to be up close and personal:

She took a liking to this particular goat. She wouldn't pet any others.

Mia fed the birds with dad. This is probably the same bird that pooped in my hair.

This gorilla seemed to be sending a message. Every few moments, it (she?) would peek to make sure we were getting it.
Swinging is Mia's new thrill. To her, something about each approach toward the pusher is just too funny handle.

With her new sippy cup skills, Mia can throw a few back wherever she likes.

Does Mia look like a grown-up in this picture, or what? All these changes are so bittersweet!