Pumpkin & Pomegranate

I hope you are all having a wonderful Friday! I am in a great mood because my father is visiting me. I haven’t seen him for a year, and that is the longest I have ever gone without seeing him. I don’t want it to go this long again. I love my dad very very much, and I have missed him a lot. We do call each other a few times a week, so it isn’t like we are out of touch, but still…

Anyway, we had a lovely dinner last night at Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe. Chaco Canyon is one of the 3 places in Seattle (that I know of) who offer a large selection of raw items. My father isn’t as hippie dippie into nutrition as I am, so he opted for the avocado, tomato, and sprout sandwich plus a bowl of lentil soup. I couldn’t resist the raw coconut green curry. I wanted the Cucumber and Sea Vegetable Salad, but sadly they ran out earlier in the day. My curry was spicy and wonderful, and my father really enjoyed his vegan soup and sandwich! We spoke a lot about nutrition, and he seems open to my help seeing as I have done so well for myself with my weight loss. I am going to work hard at getting him off grains. Luckily, he recently went to a nutritionist who apparently told him that people who gain weight around the middle need to stay away from “carbs” so he seems very open to my suggestions. This makes me really happy. He has seen my brother lost 50 lbs in the past 6 months, and my weight loss as well, and it would be REALLY nice if he could lose some weight. I’d love to see him get off all his medications, and I think the weight loss would help a lot. I am going to do my best to get healthy recipes to him that taste good. i know the only way I can get him to eat them is if he doesn’t feel deprived.

Tomorrow we are headed to the Seattle Art Museum. I have never been, and I just found out that tomorrow is “Museum Day” and select museums all over the country will have FREE admission to those who have an admission card. The admission card gets you and a guest in for free, so I just saved us a little dough! I found this out via FeliciaDay on Twitter. It amazes me what wonderful things happen to me because of things I find on Twitter. I believe my father wants to see a photo exhibit at S.A.M. Not only is my father a charming man to be around, but he is also a photographer, woodworker, and a potter as well. I just recently received a box full of photos from his recent trip to France, and another box of lovely wooden bowls he made from found wood. I am glad he was able to retire a couple of years ago. He now has the time to devote to his artistic interests, and I have a way to fill my house with lovely things he makes!

This morning I made a scramble with 2 Pastured eggs, 1/4 an onion, and 1 poblano pepper. I had already cooked it when I realized I was going to add radish tops to the mix! I stood there for a second wondering if I could just toss it all back into the pan, but no. I bagged the radish tops (yes, you can eat them! Don’t toss them…nutrition!!) and put them in the fridge for later. I topped the scramble with about a cup of my home made refried beans. Yum!

For a snack I had a defrosted piece of pumpkin cake (the one I need to work on before giving a recipe, as this was not to be um…well I just think it could be better). I also had a cup of Earl Grey tea. It’s amazing how a flavor or a scent can bring back memories. Earl Grey is one of those that immediately transports me back in time. Specifically to a very happy time. We used to vacation up here when I was a child, and my favorite bed and breakfast we ever stayed in was the Sylvia Beach Hotel in Nye Beach, Oregon. We stayed her twice and it left such a lasting memory. The hotel is a hotel made for book lovers. Each room is decorated with a specific author in mind, and it is one of the coziest places I have ever been to! I adored the attic library and tea room as a child, and would go up there at age 8, get a cup of Earl Grey tea, and read. Pure bliss. I look forward to the day when I can afford to go there again for a weekend. I have stayed in the Dr. Seuss room and also my parents booked the Colette room (or the Bridal suite) for me and my little sister on one visit. I remember hearing another guest comment on this and feeling SO special. Really, it was just because it was right next to the Mark Twain room that my parents were occupying. My little dream is to stay in the Poe room, because yes, I am actually pretty dark ;-)

I’m sorry about no photos today, but I promise to have more soon. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!