Mussel Hunting

Two weekends ago we headed out of the city for an adventure! Kevin deserves pretty much all the credit for this adventure. He had a vision. A vision of mussels and frites. That vision took us out to the beaches of the Olympic Peninsula! We stayed the night in the lodges at Kalaloch beach so that we'd have a kitchen to cook in after we had picked our mussels, and it worked out very well.

We made so many good memories over the weekend. We got up early on Saturday morning and made a sort of leisurely drive to Kalaloch, stopping at a few thrifts on our way. By the time we go there, it was a few hours from high tide, so we had to move quickly to collect our mussel dinner! We headed straight out and found a few good spots that were still above the tideline...but not for long. At one point, I was leaning down over a shelf trying to pry a mussel free when the boys warned me there was a wave coming it. I jumped up in enough time to not be in any danger...but not in enough time to avoid being drenched by the wave as it crashed against the rocks! Even the boys got drenched by that first wave. We were much more careful of the waves after that. I don't think we were ever in any real danger. We're all pretty careful folks. But it was an adrenaline rush to watch for the waves coming in, yell out to each other, and quickly jump out of the way. The whole weekend was a bit rainy and gray, but not too cold. We bundled. It probably is not what you would typically think of as a day at the beach, but we liked it. Everyone was sporting their wool hats, which kept our heads warm and dry.

In addition to gathering mussels, we also took a nice long walk down the beach on Sunday morning. The tide was going out as we took our walk, but we still had to dodge the swell a few times as we. At one point we were walking pretty far from the water line when we noticed a big wave coming in. The wave was pushing the water line up our way fairly quickly...then really quickly...and we all simultaneously took off at a full sprint up the beach to higher ground. It just so happened that there was a huge felled driftwood tree lying parallel to the water line in our way. And it was a pretty big tree, too! At least waist high and I don't think I'm exaggerating. In what seemed like complete synchronization we all somehow managed to vault ourselves over the tree, but I'm really not sure how. We laughed afterwards that we wished someone would have been video taping us! 

Kevin also tried his hand at fishing for surf perch, but with no luck. We concluded that the surf is just too high during the day this time of year to have a chance. At least at the beaches we were at. He did make an honest effort at it, braving the waves and all. I have to say “braving” is a fair word, too! He definitely took a beating from the waves as he stood out there in his waders.

Oh! I can't forget to say that Kevin's vision of mussels and frites was a success! He painstakingly double fried the potatoes to perfection. They were delicious. The mussels were equally good, and we all got a kick out of the fact that we cooked them on our little cabin's wood fired heater instead of on the stovetop (which was doing full time frites duty).

 

FO(s): Man Hats

Both Kevin and Scottie got new wool hats in time for winter this year. I gifted Kevin's to him for his birthday back in September and Scott got his for Christmas. Both of these hats are patterns from Jared Flood. He's sort of my go-to man hat designer. Actually, everything he designs is swoon worthy, it's just that I've only actually made his hats so far. Although I've spent plenty of time swooning over his other designs. I love how thoughtful, classic, and yet modern his pieces are. Next up I think I might try one of these. Anyway. Let's not digress into discussing future knitting projects. That could be a very long digression indeed.

The yarn I used for both is recycled. Meaning it was an item that I bought at a thrift store, ripped out, wound into a ball, and knit up again into something new. Kevin's used to be a scarf and Scott's was a sweater. Size US 7 needles. My only modification was doing 4" of ribbing. I like to make the ribbing extra long so that it can be folded up and worn like they're wearing them in these photos.

Kevin is sporting a Habitat. I think there's something both contemporary and timeless about this hat. Like you could find it either on the shelves at some swanky store or in the back of your grandfather's closet - looking the same as the day it was made. I've made this pattern once before already - way back when - and I know it's a pattern I'll be repeating often.

Scott's hat is called Koolhass. This was the first time I'd made this hat and I really enjoyed it. I love how it came out and expect this will become another favorite. In fact, this hat has a Seattle connection as it was inspired by the Seattle Public Library building. It's name comes from the building's architect Rem Koolhass. This hat definitely has a more modern feel, but I think making it with this wool and the extra long ribbing give it a classic fisherman hat feel as well. 

Christmas Away: San Francisco!

This year for our Christmas, Kevin and I decided to head to San Francisco to celebrate!  He had quite a bit of time off this year, but I only had the 24th and 25th. It wasn't enough time to head back home to Wisconsin...but it was enough time to do something. We've been talking about going to San Francisco since we moved west, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity. First of all, let me just say that travelling around the holidays kinda rocked.  The Seattle airport was super festive with carolers, jugglers on unicycles, a Santa roaming around, and even a magician. San Francisco was equally festive. So many beautiful decorations! I squealed every time we saw a pretty tree. It's true. Ask Kevin. 

Our first night we went to a place called The Crustacean on a recommendation and ordered their specialty: garlic roasted whole crab and garlic noodles. It was...interesting. The food was just "meh" but we had a good time anyway making a few funny memories. First, you had to ride this strange, incredibly slow, somewhat unmarked elevator up what seemed like half a level to get there. Second, at one point a waiter came over to our table and asked if "we ladies needed anything". Um...I know his beard is a little patchy, but "ladies"? Kevin had fun digging into that crab, too, and kindly kept putting little pieces on my plate, too. Since of course I couldn't dismantle a crab. I have this thing about touching things while they still have their faces on - with the intention of eating them. We also took our first cable car ride that night when there were only a handful of other people on board. It was instant love. I really want a cable car to be my commute to work every morning.  

The next morning we were up early and headed to the Mission. Our first top was Tartine. They are famed to have the beast bread in, I dunno, everywhere. The baker has also put out a book of the same name, which is one of Kevin's favorite bread books.  Even though we got their early the line was long. But it was expected and we didn't mind waiting. Especially since you got to peek in the kitchen as you waited. We ordered a croque monsieur (to sample the bread), an almond croissant, a quiche, and were lucky enough to get a table and dry off a bit.  Did I mention it rained for three of the four days we were there??? It was a bit of a downer, but we made the most of it. Before we left the Mission we also popped into a random burrito place with a good sized line and had a delicious burrito. It really was delicious. Spicy and savory and just yum. Our second destination that day was the Ferry Terminal, which as lots of little shops. By that time we were thoroughly drenched, so we decided to get some  Anchor Steam and Christmas Ale - a San Francisco made beer - and enjoy them in our (dry) hotel room.

The next day we had our perfect weather day. Sunny and perfect all day with no rain. We took advantage by going to Golden Gate Park and the beaches. It was my favorite day. To be more specific, we first went to Trouble Coffee for a toast, coffee, and coconut. That's right. A whole coconut. It was kind of an amazing breakfast.  Dehydrate. Rehydrate. Then go for a long walk on the beach. It was still a bit chilly on the beach, but we still saw some surfers. This bit's probably going to be better in pictures. I'll let them speak for themselves. 

After the long walk through the park, beach, and coastal trail we headed back into the city and down to Fisherman's Wharf for late lunch early dinner. Insert obligatory clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. Obligatory but still delicious. And another Christmas tree. 

The night wrapped up with a Christmas Eve service at Grace Cathedral at the top of Nob Hill. The cathedral itself was beautiful and the Christmas Eve service is just what I like in a church service. Traditional Christmas hymns, a choir, a good message (which happened to be delivered in a British accent...double score), lots of people, and plenty of moments of silence.  It also helped that we got to ride a cable car up the hill and back down. And still no rain!!

Christmas Day it was, unfortunately, back to rain. Kevin found a spot that was open for Christmas brunch and not too busy. With food in our bellies we braved the rain again and headed to Coit Tower for a view of the city. Unfortunately, we didn't see any of the famous parrots on our walk up the steps of Telegraph Hill. I blame the rain.

Overall, it was a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas with my favorite person. We'd love to go back to San Francisco in the summertime or fall to experience it in non-rainy form. It's a pretty quick flight from Seattle, so there's a good chance that will happen sooner or later. For now, San Francisco: we liked you, even if you were a bit wet.