Category Archives: Weekends

Kalamazoo for the weekend

July 10, 2012

This past weekend some good friends of mine from college were having a baby shower. Since I didn’t have a car in Austin and won’t be in Michigan long enough to justify getting a car I decided to take the bus. It was actually not quite as bad as I expected. It was nice and cool, I had my own 2 seats with a charger, and I had plenty of time to work on my knitting baby shower gifts (about 9 hours, it would take 5 if one were to drive).

I went to school in Kalamazoo and still have a handful of friends there. I love the feeling I get when I’m there. It’s such a familiar place with so many memories. Since I left about 4 years ago this is only my second trip back. I’m glad I had a bit more time on this particular trip to visit some of my favorite places.

I stayed with my friends who are expecting and on Saturday I borrowed a bike to visit the farmer’s market. You know I’m a sucker for a farmer’s market and I do remember how much I loved it when I lived there. Despite the souring temperatures I rode all the way there with out passing out from heat stroke and had a nice time shopping around and chatting with an old friend once I stopped sweating so much and hydrated. Ha!

It was a bit of a dry weekend, as far as drinking goes, with a baby coming.  On my last day though when I was on my own and waiting for the bus I stopped into Bell’s Brewery for a beer before boarding the bus. Good thing it was only a quarter of a mile away. I got back just in time to head back home. Next time I visit I get to meet a new friend, a sweet baby girl. I can’t wait!

Grilled figs

June 28, 2012

I have been eating figs for about a week straight now. While I enjoy them most just plain and fresh I have been experimenting with different fig recipes. This one below was rather interesting and quite the crowd pleaser. I was heading to a volleyball and bbq outing so what better to bring than figs to grill!

I stuffed each one with goat cheese, wrapped them all in prosciutto, and headed out in search of a rosemary bush. I finally found one near where I was headed so I grabbed a few springs and used the sticks to skewer the figs. Then they were grilled and enjoyed.

Seattle-a day in Ballard

June 5, 2012

On Sunday we had made plans to meet up with an old friend of mine from high school. While that didn’t quite work out due to unexpected events in her day we had a great day. We had planned to meet her at the Ballard Sunday farmer’s market. Since you may have guessed by now (or so I’ve told you) I love farmer’s markets! I am sad to be leaving mine but after visiting this one I think I won’t have too big of a problem replacing it. The vibe is quite different, it runs down a street vs in a park, but it has everything and more than I could ask for. I loved the tiny doughnut stand (I got cinnamon and sugar-mmm), the tiny plant stand, the wild foraged plant booth, all the cheese, oh and the flowers!

After the market we just walked in and out of all the cool shops in the area. It’s such a cool neighborhood. While walking between shops I heard someone say my name. Thinking Jessica is quite common and I know no one here I paid not attention until it was clear it was directed at me. I looked over and saw a guy I went on alternative spring break with in college 5 years ago! What?! We were both shocked! We talked quickly because he had to get to work (the restaurant we happened to be standing in front of) and exchanged numbers to get together while I’m in town and maybe be a friend to Walker while I’m away. Before we parted ways he gifted us a delicious container of food to enjoy! How wonderful is that!?

Before we headed in for the night we checked out one last shop which turned out to be a game shop attached to a bar. This way you can drink while testing out games! This was right up Walker’s alley. He loves those games that take hours to play. I’ll humor him a few times a year but it’s not my thing. We did play a new game but it didn’t take long to learn or play.

Overall I really liked this area. I wouldn’t mind living up that way but it might be too long of a commute for Walker. We’ll see what happens!