Views From Kennewick

Saturday, February 11, 2006

EARTHQUAKE...
cake?

I got to thinking about Deb's gallery and coffeehouse today, and how much I'm going to miss her, and Dave, and the ambiance of the gallery. Since the coffeehouse has been toast for a couple of months now, Death By Triple Chocolate Cake isn't an issue anymore.

WELL YES IT IS, DARN IT!!!

I'm having severe withdrawals. A menopausal woman with a fat dog that wears red high heels and carries a whip MUST have an alternative!

Ok I'm not a cook and fortunately no one's reading this blog, so I'll just spit it out, no pun intended.

I do as little cooking as I can get away with. I don't usually save recipies. I'm not a domestic diva. However, a friend asked for kosher recipies (see Shiloh Musing link). Well, I'm not Jewish and I don't have a kosher kitchen but she asked me to post it, so I will.

This one's for you, Batya!

German Chocolate Cake Mix
prepare as directed and pour into baking pan
Mix a package of cream cheese and a BOX of powdered sugar.
(take care that your mixer does not burn up--or soften the cream cheese
first)

Plop the cream cheese and sugar mixture onto the cake batter.

Bake per package directions.


This is critical-----EAT IT WHEN IT IS WARM


Mercy, I need some chocolate.



Friday, February 10, 2006

D.S.Watkins Gallery and Coffeehouse

When we first came to Kennewick, we were blessed to find D.S. Watkins Gallery and Coffeehouse. It's been a focal point of Downtown Kennewick for a few years, and fabulous gathering place.

It's not the building that we were blessed to find...it is the people that own it.

Deb and Dave Watkins bought the building, and restored it. They did a remarkable job. Beautiful old wood plank floors, original brickwork, it's just beautiful. Deb decided to open the coffeehouse as she knew it would be a while until Kennewick would support a serious art gallery.

A few months ago, she decided to do away with the coffee house (I can't tell you how much I miss it, and the triple death by chocolate cake) and keep the gallery.

Deb's a fine business woman, and a very classy lady. She'd cultivated quite a large number of friends and buyers, and the gallery has been successful.

All good things come to an end. Dave found a job he wanted in Portland, Oregon, and they'll be gone by the end of March. Deb's working on keeping the gallery going for now, and they'll keep their home upstairs.

They're such fine people...I really don't want to see them leave, I barely got to know them. But, of course, I wish them well, and great success.

No doubt, they will have that success.

I'll miss them.


Thursday, February 09, 2006

Toto, We're Not In Kansas Anymore!

There's tornadic activity... it's not the weather, it's just me.

I don't believe I've ever been so busy in my life. Trying to put in place what was learned at the seminar in San Francisco (sure wish we were all back there still) trying to maintain some semblance of a life, my other job, the Prodigal Son back from his adventures, way too much testosterone around, a fat dog with red high heels and a whip.

What more could a menopausal woman want?

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

A Dear Friend

Maurice lives in Canada, far from Kennewick. He's been and will always be a very good friend, though we've never met.

Mercy, that man can cook! He sends me his menu list and I don't know how many times I've asked him to adopt me! But it's not his cooking, it's his companionship that I cherish. Over the years I've known him online, we've gone through the grist mill of life, in Canada, in Tucson--then to Kennewick.

He's kept my spirits up, given me a good "talkin' to" when I needed it, made me laugh, and just listened. We have much in common, including way-ward children that still struggle to find their way in the world. I've become a part of his family, as he's become a part of mine.

We tell each other stories about what happened during the day, and we noodle the possibilities of everything from world peace to how fix my terminally strange computer.

I've met his sister, who lives in England, and his wife, and of course his grandchildren, of whom we're both quite proud! Someday soon, his grandson will be a famous musician. That 13 year old can play guitar with the best of them.

If there's a small miracle coming my way, it would be to meet Maurice and his family in person some day.

I'm counting on that miracle.