Pew - awl - ep

Puyallup, Washington is about 35 miles south of Seattle.  Pew-awl-ep is also where I spent my Thanksgiving.  I was visiting my aunt, my father's sister, and her chldren who also live in the Seattle area.  I've been out to Seattle a few times either for work or to visit the same family. 

This time, I fnally asked my aunt the question I've been wanting to ask her forever.  How in the world did you get way out here?  She was born and raised in North Augusta, South Carolina and went to college a few miles away at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia.  Five of  her 7 sibblings got up out of the South to continue their education and in search of job opportunities that just weren't possible in the South.  So they ended up in New York, Maryland, Indiana and Pensylvania. 

Aunt Olivia met her husband James while at Paine College.  After school, they married in New York.  And your parents gave me a wedding reception.  Did you know that?  Yes, they did...says Aunt Olivia proudly.  That was very interesting to me as I did not know this about my parents.  Uncle James joined the military and at some point was stationed in the Seattle area.  The rest is history.  They raised their three children in Tacoma, Washington and now they have their own families and live in the greater Seattle area.  This was a rather practical explanation that I had not considered. 

I mentioned to my cousins that I wanted to check out downtown Puyallup.  They all laughed me under the table.  There's nothing there!  In fact, these cousins of mine chuckled about this request from the time of my arrival on Tuesday until my departure on Saturday.  However, my cousin Alicia fondly remembered having half days at school and getting tickets to the Puyallup Fair.  Her fiance' once took her to the library for a date.  She also admitted that there is a really nice farmers' market from April to October in Pioneer Park.       

Of course, on the day of my visit to downtown Puyallup, the weather was rainy and overcast.  The Pacific Ocean is the source of so much moisture.  After doing a little research, I was surprised that the Seattle area actually has less rainfall (inches per year) than many other cities.  However, the average number of days of precipitation is very high at 157 days a year.  On a similar note, there are about 226 cloudy days a year which would severely impact my happiness quotient. 

In spite of the weather, and nary a farmers' market nor fair, I found downtown Puyallup to be quite interesting.

 

 

The location of the farmers' market and Native American art...

Puyallup Public Library...

The streets...

Blue Eyed Daisy Bakeshop

I was in Serenbe with my friend Teresa for a 5K trail race.  After the race, the sponsors offered up burritos and beer.  Neither of these were appealing, so we walked to the Blue Eyed Daisy Bakeshop for breakfast.  We both ordered a traditional breakfast of eggs, sausage, scrambled eggs and biscuits.

I really liked the stone ground grits supplied to the restaurant from Jenny Jack Sun Farm.  I wasn't sure that I would like these grits as they looked too granular or lumpy.  However, I found them to be delicious.  They had texture but were also creamy.   I would like to try to make these grits.  I'm not sure how widely available these grits are so I'll probably get some on my next visit to Serenbe.   I found a recipe online for these grits on a wonderful blog post with an even more wonderful photo of the grits.  The recipe looks promising as it includes milk and the grits cook for at least 45 minutes.

The orange juice was fresh-squeezed and delicious.  I hadn't had fresh-squeezed OJ in a long time.  The sausage was very tasty and I wondered if it was supplied from one of the local farms.  This was something I forgot to confirm.  The other elements of the meal, the biscuit and eggs, were fair to midland.   We also had coffee which was good.

At the counter Teresa noticed a jar of blueberry preserves.  Teresa held up the jar and we marveled at the beauty of the preserves.  Then, she turned it over and we both saw the price tag of $12.  In a knee-jerk reaction, and with great indignance, I proclaimed "Teresa, we can make our own blueberry preserves!"  She, being more polite than me, pleasantly smiled and gently placed the preserves back on the counter. 

Overall, the service was pretty good considering that 1200 runners had decended upon the community that morning.  The restaurant was packed with people who probably weren't interested in beer or burritos before noon.  Our food was brought out pretty quickly.  The few staff that were working were pleasant and responsive. 

The Serenbe community is located 32 miles south of Atlanta.   If you happen to be visiting and want a decent breakfast, I would suggest The Blue Eyed Daisy.  The Blue Eyed Daisy's website doesn't offer much information and it appears that a new website is on the way.   I like their facebook page much better.    There are a lot of photos of cakes, pies and cookies that look scrumptious. 

Thai Soup

Just recently, I was shopping in Publix where shopping truly is a pleasure.  I was perusing the soup isle and comparing the price of chicken broth.  I like to keep chicken and beef broth in my pantry as I tend to make soup and stews year round.  I was pleased to discover a variety of broths beyond the expected vegetable, chicken or beef broth.  When I saw a Thai coconut curry broth; I had to get it.  I love Thai food.

Although I wasn't sure of what to do with the broth, I knew I would come up with something tasty.  I noticed a recipe on the side of the box for Thai Vegetable Noodle Soup.  I decided to try it with a few alterations.  On this particular day, I really wasn't in the mood for noodles.  So, I eliminated them.  I added mushrooms and chicken.  On the same day, I boiled some chicken breasts (with bone in and skin on) to make chicken salad. 

This recipe called for a cup of light coconut milk.  I used the entire can,  It was highly unlikely that I would use up the rest of the coconut milk anytime soon.   I didn't want to waste it. 

Voilà!  A delicious bowl of soup.  I would make this soup again and again.  A heartier version of this soup could be made with the addition of noodles or even dumplings. 

Thai Chicken and Vegetable Soup

1 medium onion, chopped

1 cup of broccoli florets

2 carrots diced

1 cup of mushrooms, chopped

2 tsp of fresh ginger, grated

1 tsp of curry powder or more

½ tsp of red pepper flakes

2 tbs of olive oil

1 carton of Thai coconut broth

Juice of half of a lime

1 can of light coconut milk 13.5 ounce

1 cooked chicken breast, diced

Cook vegetables and spices in olive oil for 5 minutes to soften. Add broth and lime juice. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Stir in coconut milk. Garnish with cilantro or green onions. The prep time for this meal is about 20 minutes and it will be ready within 10 minutes.  It serves 4-6 people.



Serenbe 5K

Yesterday was the Hill Country 15 K and 5KTrail Race at Serenbe.  The Hill Country Trail Race is in it's 4th season. Serenbe is located about 32 miles south of Atlanta in Palmetto, GA.  I first heard about this beautiful piece of country from my friend Teresa who celebrated her 40th birthday here with her lady friends. Teresa  participated in the 5K last year and sent out an invitation on facebook to join her. 

I was excited to participate in my second 5K.  I was looking forward to the challenge and the experience of running in cooler weather.  My first 5K run was in June and the heat and humidity were rather formidable.  I had continued to run intermittently since the last race and  had enough time to give more focused attention to running. 

During those 41 days, I didn't give a more focused attention to running.  And in the last two weeks, I might have walked a few times.  As they say, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.   I could always run as much as I could and walk as needed.  I was still excited about the race.

Here's my t shirt, race number and timing chip for my shoe. 

This is what I actually wore on race day.  I came down with something evidenced by a scratchy throat, swollen glands and an achy body.  With morning temperatures below freezing and important events in the next two weeks, I was unwilling to do anything that just might send me over the edge.  

This didn't prevent me from participating in some way and supporting good 'ole Teresa.  I also wanted to visit Serenbe.  From all accounts from Teresa and friends, it seemed like my kind of place.  We met up at 6:45 am and headed to Serenbe which was about an hour away. The 5K race began at 8:15 am.

We parked in the designated location for runners and walked to the event.  It was nice to be out in the open country. 

We passed this decorated tree on the way to the course...

Porta pottyies were available.  As a new runner, I don't know enough about races and access to bathrooms.  I tend to be worried about the bathroom situation at public events.  Handwashing stations with soap, water and hand sanitizers were provided.   

There was a saxophonist who played the national anthem. 

The 5K race started closer to 8:40 a.m., 15 minutes after the 15K.

Go Teresa (#1571)...go!

The last of the runners (top of photo) headed to the trails and the others (foreground) hung out.   

 

I walked around the village and took photos.  I  met one of the residents who's been living in Serenbe for almost a year.  I wondered how in the world she ended up living in Serenbe.  She has a horse and wanted to find a place where she and the horse could be closer.  She had lived in metro Atlanta for many years. 

Before I knew it, Teresa was finished.  I couldn't get my camera phone together in time to catch her as she approached but I caught her from behind (tiny speck in the center of the photo).

Teresa finished and improved her time from last year.

We walked around afterwards and took in the sites. 

Beer and burritos were provided for all of the participants.  We weren't in the mood for either.  Instead, we enjoyed a nice breakfast at the Blue Eyed Daisy Restaurant in the village.

Pastries A Go Go

I've been going to Pastries a Go Go for years.  It is located in the City of Decatur, AKA Downtown Decatur and the seat of DeKalb County Government.   I worked for DeKalb County for many years and I would walk a few blocks over to the restaurant which is located in Commerce Square at the corner of Commerce Drive and West Ponce de Leon Avenue.   

Every meal I've had at Pastries has been very good.  Recently, I was there with my friend Thayra (sounds like Tyra) and we were talking about how long we've been coming to this restaurant.  We've watched Bob, the owner, physically change over the years - not in a bad way but just in the same way that we all do.  When we first started going there we would see his wife and baby from time to time.  She was just a toddler then but now has to be in the second or third grade. 

Over the years, I've had breakfast and lunch at Pastries with friends, co-workers and book club buddies.  There was even a time when I was a part of a small group of four women who were meeting monthly to encourage each other to live intentionally.  That didn't last long.  How many groups and clubs can one intentionally be a part of anyway? 

When I was at the County, I would meet colleagues at Pastries for lunch and we would talk about work.  Some topics would require that we first look all around the restaurant for familiar faces.  No matter what we saw, we would still hunch over our food, and talk in code or in  hushed voices.  When another person from the County would enter the restaurant we would either wave exhuberantly or try to hide behind our menus.  Oh...hey!  I didn't see you!  How are things going?  Ok...ok...oh wow...interesting.  Well...see you around!   These were good times. 

Thayra had the Eggs Benedict with the hollandaise on the side.  She said that the hollandaise was amazing.  She had a cup of fruit as her side.  This cup of fruit is worth mentioning.  In the 7 years that I've gone to this restaurant, every piece of fruit in the cup has been ripe.  I don't know how Pastries accomplishes this feat year round.  They make a low fat Honey Yogurt Poppy Seed dressing in-house that I order with the fruit.  I became aware of this salad dressing from ordering the Chicken Salad for lunch which comes with fresh fruit, fresh baked lavosh and poppy seed dressing.  The Chicken Salad is another winner.

I almost always get the same thing for breakfast.  In the past, I've ordered the Traditional Southern Breakfast and I've had the pancakes.  The traditional breakfast is like something you would get from a diner but tastes much better.  In fact, the Decatur Diner is just down the street and it doesn't compare to Pastries.   I only had the pancakes once and they were just ok to me.  It was so long ago that it wouldn't be fair for me to judge them.  On this day, and for the last few years, I ordered a turkey sausage biscuit and a side of fruit.  Pastries makes their own pork and turkey sausage.  The biscuits are also made in-house.  I have the utmost respect for a small restaurant owner who makes their own sausage and biscuits.

This time, I inquired about the delicious strawberry preserves.  For years, me and mi amigas would rave about the strawberry preserves.  The preserves weren't consistently on the table so we thought they had run out and needed to make more.  We had created a pretty lavish story about these preserves.  We always assumed they were made in-house but the waitress clarified upon questioning, Nope, it's Smuckers.

This is how we leave our plates.

Pastries has free parking.  It is located in Commerce Square with a few other businesses, restaurants and a CVS/Pharmacy.  I always joke with Thayra about her CVS addiction.   During the weekday, there used to be a security guard hovering over the parking.  In other words, don't park your car in this plaza and then walk across the street to Ted's or Taco Mac.  Security will appear.  I'm not sure if they will actually tow your car but I wouldn't chance it. 

Pastries has an outdoor seating area which seems nice enough.  I like eating outdoors but I've never felt compelled to sit outside.  On nice days, I see quite a few people eating outside.

This place isn't called Pastries A Go Go for nothing.  When you walk into the restaurant, the first thing on display is an assortment of pastries.  Bob is an Executive Pastry Chef. Although not on the menu, Thayra has ordered birthday cakes from Pastries.  I'm sure that all of the minicakes on the menu could be made into a large cake upon request.  For her son's, AKA my godchild, last birthday party, Thayra ordered red velvet cupcakes.  Those were the best red velvet cupcakes I've tasted.    She said that they were more reasonably priced than the other bakery shops in the area. 

After our delicious meal, we walked across the street to where Pastries used to be located about 7 years ago.  We couldn't remember if it was the 2cnd or the 3rd store from the intersection of  West Ponce de Leon and Ponce de Leon Place.  We noticed that the current business owner had not been successful in  covering up the Pastries sign as it was still visible on the black awning. 

Pastries a Go Go is a must must.  The service is very good although the wait staff gets a little busy at times.  We arrived at 9:30 am on a Saturday morning and there was a 15 minute wait.  The City of Decatur is very walkable so after a good meal you can enjoy a nice walk around the city.