Memorial Day

This weekend so far has been both productive and relaxing. It started off with a night at the movies with my friend Ashley. We saw Price of Persia, which was okay...very Disney. I couldn't get past how everyone had a british accent in Persia...I guess a British accent is more believable than an American. I always have found it pretty funny that when the movies want to portray a different time in a far away land they all speak proper English. But I know, I am nit-picking. After a night of movies and driving in some unknown hood, I got to bed and slept in until - get this - 8AM! Wooohooo! Matthew has been waiting for me to take him to the Farmers' Market in Puyallup all week. He went to bed early while I was out and was a very good boy when I was gone. He was so excited that he woke up with a big smile on his face and asked "mommy, when can we get up and go to the Parmers mahkit?" He asked at 5am, so I told him in a little bit it is time to get up and we can get dressed and go. So he rolled over and went to bed (he was sleeping in my bed that night). At 8am he woke up eyes twinkling and smile from ear to ear - "Mommy can we go now?" I was groggy and I said, yes, just go get dressed, so I could just sleep in a few more minutes. He did. He came back in with his shirt buttoned lop-sided, but completely dressed. So I rolled out of bed and we headed out. It was misty and cold, but we braved it. We first went to a coffee shop where he indulged in a hot chocolate and I in an americano. We walked around a few hours and he got a balloon AND a balloon animal. He also got a soft pretzel from a german bakery stand.

I LOVE farmers' markets. I especially love the one in Downtown Puyallup. Its ALL local. Some of the markets around here consider local to include Oregon, but this one is for Washington state only. Most of the stands are very local, Puyallup and surrounding towns. It is also dog friendly, which is not easy to find. I don't have a dog right now, but I will hopefully soon.

The first stand we went to was a church selling locally roasted and flavored. Matthew got a free balloon and I got Orange Spice flavored coffee. It was okay. I drink coffee black most the time without flavor. But it was definately different and the church was working torwards a mission trip to Africa.

Next we went to my favorite dip mix stand. This place has these little powdered dip mixes that you mix with Sour Cream, Mayo and Lemon Juice. They are DELICIOUS! I always have them on hand incase I have some inpromptu entertaining to do. It is also great for marinades and pastas.

Speaking of Pasta, next was the Pacific Pasta company. Fresh made pastas, of all flavors. I was lucky, I got there in time to have a pick. Usually this place sells out quick. This time I bought the Smoked Paprika Fettacini. I usually buy these with no idea what to make them with. But luck would have it next to that stand was the Sheep Creamery Stand. Fresh Sheeps milk cheese in a variety of flavors. I bought Chipotle and tomato flavored and Orange Cumin. I instantly decided the smoked chipotle would be FABULOUS with the Smoked Paprika pasta...and it was. I mixed in some of my homemade BBQ Sauce and it was deeelish! I plan to use the Orange Cumin Cheese with some chilled cucumber soup. mmmmm......

A wonderful thing about washington is the local seafood. SALMON. If I felt the urge I could head down to a Salmon run and fish for my own. Luckily there are tons of stands at the farmers marke that already have local salmon. I got brown sugar and garlic smoked salmon. The stands there carry all kinds of local seafood; to include, razor clams, butter clams, mussels, oysters, crab and trout. I only wish matthew and I were not the only ones in the house who ate seafood. Matthew had some of the smoked salmon and instantly asked for more. I will one day get a nice mix of fresh seafood and make some pallea.

Cupcakes. There is always a cupcake stand. This time there were two! I went to the new one, and was pleasantly surprised on how good they were. I got 2 packages of mini cupcakes. One of Strawberry (made with fresh strawberries) topped with cream cheese frosting, and the other Raspberry Cheesecake (white cake with raspberry filling and cream cheese frosting). The raspberry ones were for my brother. Me and Matthew devoured the Strawberry ones. They were soooo moist and the frosting was perfect.

We finished off our trip with a bouquet of locally grown flowers. Matthew picked it out. Maroon Peonies and White Irises. It's beautiful.
I was really hoping he would pick that one. :) I took some of the extra green out, I am not one for the "fillers" that they use in the boquets, but I was so happy we got them. They smell wonderful and make my dining area bright and cheery. We finished our trip with a trip to the library where he picked out 5 books. All about insects, animals and birds. I can't say no to some education.

Today, Sunday, Matthew got up and decided to go number 2 in the toilet. We have been battling this problem for sometime. So when he actually decided to go, I was thrilled. I thought it would be the perfect time to spend his 50 dollar gift certificate he got from his Grandma and Grandpa Perry. So off to Toys R us we went. The first thing he did was insist on getting Uncle Danny and Krystal something. After we picked out some small things for them, he asked if he can get a toy. He is so cute. So he picked out an Iron Man figure and a car garage. He was sooo determined to get those two things. I also got him a pair of iron man headphones and a robot claw. Then I let him get something out one of those machines with the claw. He got four things out! He gave two of them away. He was soo proud of himself, and I was proud of him too. Now, I have to finish this blog, becuase someone wants to play cars. He has told me a few times already thank you and how much he loves me. I know as long as I have him, I will never feel lonely or unloved.