Reset, Reincarnate, Renew
Rest assured, we're not going all new age-y, self help buzz kill on you. We're just acknowledging our current Zen (okay, that's probably pushing it for the true Type A's that we are) states of mind.
A friend asked us recently how we're enjoying "life in the slow lane." She's right. The pace of our lives has decelerated significantly living on this island. The responsibilities we shed shortly before we left Jackson last month helped in the transition from pretty busy to really not busy at all, aside from our incredibly demanding gate opening and closing schedule. We have reset the cadence of our day-to-day existence.
Another friend said, knowing us, we'd be bored within a week. Surprisingly, we are not. We (mostly Cliff) feared that being on an island would drive us to drink. Oh, wait, that wouldn't be the reason. :-} Instead, we changed our mindsets and adjusted our expectations. The result is we are relaxing more, reading more, focusing more attention on our furry family members, and finding enjoyment in the solitude of our setting.
This is all to say that we both no longer have sore jaws and creaky necks and that this post will be boring...
The Mundane
Dirty Laundry
Our biggest stress so far has been laundry. Yup. There is not a laundromat on the island so our choices are to haul our dirty clothes to the mainland and spend quality time shoving quarters into washers and dryers or hope that someone on the island feels sorry for us.
Well, John Larsen, who hired us, and his wife, Dianne, have been incredibly gracious in allowing us to wash our clothes in a rental home they own when it's not in use. The home features a stunning view of Mt Rainier, a private setting, and a quiet gravel beach.
Doing laundry is never a pleasure but this view deserves a five star rating.
Foodie Fix
Many of you know how we love to feed our foodie habit. Because there are only two restaurants on the island, we have had to get creative in how we cook in our motor home. Lots of cleaning dishes and pots as we go because there is approximately 2 1/2 feet of counter space.
Last week, Anne Marie decided to make Birria tacos. We first had Birria earlier this spring when our friends Jim and Pam introduced us to it in the Palm Springs area. Birria is a mainstay of cuisine from Jalisco, Mexico. The meat marinates in adobo sauce, then cooks slowly in broth until it's fork-tender. In addition, the tortilla shells are dipped in the broth prior to being pan seared. Anne Marie adapted the recipe from several hours of low and slow in the oven to one hour in the Instant Pot. It turned out to be very authentic and really, really, tasty. Happy tummies.
Off Island
We still have the desire to go off island not only for supply runs, but to, well, get the hell off the island. Last week we drove to Gig Harbor, a popular tourist destination about a half hour from Steilacoom. It's a pretty, picturesque town that was named for a small boat (a gig) that Captain Charles Wilkes brought into the harbor for protection from a storm in 1840.
On our way back, we dropped into Costco to stock up on much needed supplies. We then stopped off in Tacoma for a heart-healthy lunch of fish and chips before heading back to the ferry.
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way to turn a smelly situation into a beautiful view. hope all is well
Sounds wonderful. I am so happy for both of you. But I miss both of you at the winery. Love your blog and enjoy every bit . Keep living a life you deserve. See you when you get back. Keep writing.
Sounds like this place of ours, very pretty and restful, enjoy
Well this post sure was boring! :)
Hello! Great update! I love hearing about slow lane adventures. Changing the mindset is so healthy. We tend to look at the world around us and take on its stresses and craziness and make them our own. Life on an island must be insulating… Miss you both!
I expect some tacos when we arrive in Gig Harbor in August. 3 for me and 2 for Pam. How’s your flan recipe?
I love how you are adjusting. Isn't it nice to be able to slow down? Time passes too quickly as is.
I can't imagine not having a laundry place, or at least, having to schlep laundry on a ferry to the mainland! Thank goodness the Larsens have a solution, and with a lovely view at that.
Miss you guys...
Will the title of your next blog post be "Eat. Pray. Love."? ;) Just kidding around. I love that you've been able to adjust to the slow island life!