A little break from my craziness

I just watched You, Me and Everyone Else, an odd movie that makes you uncomfortable, smile and question things. Mark would consider it, one of my arts-y flicks. Here is my favorite moment in the whole movie that you might like. Minute 1:48 is where it gets super real...that delicious uncomfortable squirmy love feeling and it's done so well. One of my favorite quotes of the movie- not mentioned in this clip is



"I want to be swept off my feet you know, I want my children to have magical powers, I am prepared for amazing things to happen."

I couldn't agree more.

Be the Jellyfish

 I was waiting for the Orcas Island Ferry in early August and witnessed this stunning jellyfish, just off the shore. I took several photos of it just riding the currents and was instantly captivated at its ghostlike form. Mark reminded me that jellyfish are an example of one of the very first nervous systems, also known as a  Medusa. Jellyfish don't have a brain, they are simply a large jelly mass of nerves, going with the flow.

I spent a little bit of time on Orcas Island this summer preparing and then actually cooking for a gorgeous country-style wedding. An American marrying an New Zealander all the way over on Orcas. It was a magical weekend and the food wasn't too bad either. 

I snapped this picture for my darling Prunella

 

A cool "urban farmer" at a Slow Food meet-up introduced me to a new flavor I had never experienced before: Ground Cherries. They are these cute paper-wrapped fruit, looking like baby tomatillos, but tasting of perfume.

I snapped a quick picture of the "cow," a manual wine bottling contraption, while bottling the Elsom Cellars Lewis Vineyard Cabernet Rose. It's a very dry, Spanish style rose. 

Getting the Elsom bins ready for harvest. (Currently in full swing of harvest- more pics to come)

A peak into blending trials. Basically take a sample of all 70 Elsom Barrels and attempt to see which barrels should blend with which. Stir and taste. Repeat. There was one barrel of malbec that tasted just like curry.

I bought this wine because I thought it read "I'm Fine."A kind of, yes I'll buy this bottle and drink it like Alice in Wonderland. This bottle will make my troubles go away and make everything fine.   It actually reads, In Fine, which means "In the End," in Latin.   I think that's pretty funny. With this power of suggestion, I should start labeling everything; "Satisfying soup bowl," "Female power pea coat," "Deepest sleep comforter." Regardless, I think I'm on to something.

"Nice People with Common Sense do not make Interesting Characters"

That quote is by  Isabel Allende, which ends ..."They only make good former spouses." Isabel is a Chilean-American writer whose work is described as mythical- realism. Sometimes you get sent a TED talk or stumble upon one by accident, and I tell you what, they are small gifts. Most of them I'd pay a ton of money to see in person, but you get to see them all free on Ted.com. I was inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert's TED speech on creativity and I just got sucked in.

Then there is the TED talk by Helen Fisher... who talks about romantic love and sex. Fascinating research regarding why we fall in love with one person rather than another. Her answer, "Timing, proximity, mystery. Mystery elevates dopamine and the brain pushes you over the threshold to fall in love with someone who fits in your 'love map'- a conscious list of traits that you hold onto when you grow up, and you gravitate towards people with complimentary brain systems."

I completely believe in manifesting reality. I wish I had access to some shortcuts however. Sometimes I wonder how certain things surface and become apart of my life. Everything is a learning experience and I often wonder "why the hell is this happening," until after it's over and I am a changed person with new vision, or at least, sharper lenses. Most of us have very round edges or somewhat fuzzy vision until we have a few experiences to make things clear.You know what they say, "enjoy the journey.." but what if your journey is a rusting, rattling bus with no brakes or seat belts and you want to get off? I suppose that's when you jump up into the driver seat and take the wheel.

Lot's coming up! Bottling at Elsom Cellars is around the corner, then harvest! Other dinners, Slow Food Seattle and freelance projects in the works. AND little Prunella turns one in September!

Mark and I as Snow Leopards...of course