Taking The Long Way Home

We're heading for home now, but definitely taking the long way, with stops in Ashland, San Jose, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon.  At a rest stop in Oregon. I'm always amazed by the loveliness of moss. Emigrant Lake, where we were camp hosts for a year. Looks like it's doing just fine without us. Making spring rolls in my cousin's kitchen in Ashland. Mt Shasta was hiding behind clouds. I was disappointed to not see it but happy to know were were in the presence of the base chakra of Planet Earth - the Inspiration Center of the planet. Pretty powerful place. Lake Shasta was full to the brim, and healthier looking than I've seen it in years. I think it would be fun to hold a cooking class on a houseboat... anybody interested? I wonder if we're related? Three giant dogs share my sister's house in San Jose. Samantha, the "baby,"  is such a sweet silly girl. I'm back in San Jose, in the neighborhood I grew up i...

Kim: I'm really sorry - I have nothing for this post this week. School is out, but it's still at the front of my focus. We're on our way home now, by way of Ashland, San Jose, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon. If I'm lucky, I'll get to run on the Rim Trail. If not, I'll pick it all back up when we get back to Taos. For now, I'm just too distracted to even think about the race. I have time though. Plenty of time. I'll check in again next week... Lauren: Shit Happens Last week I ran my butt off. I was strong and determined. I was excited and proud to share my life and running successes with the people I cared about. My mom was in town and I was on top of the world. On Wednesday there was a huge personal jolt in my life.... CRASH. Shit happens, people make new decisions, stuff changes and people like me don't deal with that very well. When all I could feel was my world crashing around me I sought comfort in the family I was lucky to have around an...

It was a great last day of class. I was well prepared for my spanakopita demo, and spent some extra time this morning making sure of it. I was fourth in line today, so had lots of time to be nervous, but I still feel like I did really well, especially for someone who has no real experience in public speaking, and who rarely leaves her house. It was all sort of a blur... ... but look how beautiful my spanakopita turned out. A farewell dinner with the kids was the best way to finish our time in Seattle. Good night Seattle. We're heading out in the morning. You've been splendid, on so many levels! Wish You Were Here! xo Kim

The Fremont Market is where I sold beads a million years ago. Well, fifteen. The market has changed over the years, but it's still fun, and I was glad to have time for a wander through it before class started. I could live here. Yes, that is a rocket ship, and Fremont is the Center of the Universe. Fremont Market The coolest food truck ever... ... But I'm pretty sure I don't want to know what sort of food they serve... I was first up to do my demo in class today. I think I did OK, and it was fun, and not as scary as I thought it would be. I made a killer cornbread that turned out just like it was supposed to. How 'bout that. First we went grocery shopping. My lovely audience. Here goes.. Talk talk, stir stir... Show and tell. In the pan. Let's bake this beauty. Looks good. Is good. Tomorrow is the last day of class, and another day of demos. I'm doing spanakopita triangles, which I've jus...

With only a few hours to catch my breath between classes, the wonderful 10-Day Vegan Cooking Immersion ended, and Teacher Training began. The 10-Day was truly an amazing, eye-opening, potentially life-course altering experience, and I recommend it with a happy heart and a full stomach. Find out more about all of Mark's classes and delicious vegan retreats at Vegan Fusion.com . Rick and I took Lauren to breakfast yesterday morning before class, and there was time to wander through one of the many farmers markets in Seattle, this one in the University District. With a little bit of time to spare before class, we went for a walk around Greenlake, to finally try out my new shoes. It was an unscheduled lake walk, so I had to make do with the socks I had on under my boots. The shoes are just dreamy, and the baby ducks didn't even notice my silly outfit. No pics from Teacher Training yesterday, but today I'll be making corn bread for the class, and w...

The last day of the 10-Day was yet another Big Food Day, and sort of bitter-sweet, to come to the end of 2 weeks with new friends. We all felt a little bit like kids at the end of summer camp. I think most of us will stay in touch, because this truly was a life changing time for all of us. Today's food... Granola Kale chips Cacao elixer Ravioli Tacos, pizza, ravioli, and many trimmings And at the end of the day, a very nice and well-earned certificate... I wonder, at what point does a cook become a chef? Wish You Were Here! xo Kim

Rick is getting out and about a lot more than I am, since he has all day while I'm in class to do whatever he wants. Yesterday he took this picture of the Space Needle, which is being painted back to its original "gold" color... sure looks orange to me... Yesterday was day two of raw foods, which I'm learning are pretty labor intensive to make, and usually take a lot longer than cooked foods. It's worth the wait though, especially when it comes to the dehydrated flax seed crackers. On my... I want these in my life on a regular basis. Much of what we prepared will be ready to eat today. Things like sauerkraut, that's been culturing for almost 3 days now, a cashew cheese that also gets cultured, and these amazing little pizza crusts and chocolate tortillas... We sampled a wonderful un-stirfry made from cauliflower and macadamia nut "rice" and saucy veggies. Dessert was a parfait plate, with three different mousses (two made with ...