Phở Bo

IMG_0698, originally uploaded by seattleforge.

I made Phở for the first time and it was really good. Did it taste the same as the best restaurant Phở? Nope. Was it a really delicious take on it? Yep.
I've got some ideas of how I want to do things differently next time. Om NOM NOM!

The family is whole again..

My lovely spouse's Dad finally passed and now she's back home with us. It was quite an ordeal seeing the old man out. Jackie's siblings never quite passed into adulthood. The petty rivalries were in full force and without Pop to straighten things out they did their best to hurt each other with every minute they were in each other's presence.
I'm quite pleased my wife is out of there. Quite pleased that Jack is no longer in pain.

Poor sick kid

It's a hell of a cold that's kicking my kid's ass. Fevers, chills, coughs, sore throat.. the gamut, one at a time, one day at a time like a theme. He's a one man diseased bear jamboree where every bear has its own malady.
On top of that the boy misses his mother. I can do my best, but when really sick what boy doesn't miss his Mum.

Snowpocalypse Parking Lot (too much fartsy - not enough artsy) (1 of 4)

Snowpocalypse Parking Lot (too much fartsy - not enough artsy) (1 of 4), originally uploaded by seattleforge.

Spent a few minutes out in the parking lot with my shutter release getting a few snaps of the snow while it is here. It's been coming down lightly, but all dang day. It's starting to turn to ice and I can hear cars sliding around and down Simonds road including the occasional crunch. But mostly I hear the slithering of tires on the ice trying to find traction on too high a grade on ice that is polished smooth.
Henry is feeling much, much better tonight. He's elected to sleep in my room with me tonight, so he must still be ill. This evening we watched There's Something About Mary. I told Jackie that this evening and she commented that it is probably only a matter of days before I get the boy a hooker. Henry said he prefers Asian. Well, we all do at your age, young man.

New Passion or Flushing Money Down the Toilet?

B&W Camping Photo, originally uploaded by seattleforge.

Every time I go on a camping trip I know I want to do more of it. But time away from the family is a big commitment. I can tell myself that I'm a better person when I come home, but I'm good at telling myself things like this.
I'd definitely need my own gear. Much of it is borrowed when I go. Something to consider after the holidays.

My family is good at knicknames..

Alaska 2010 (39 of 151), originally uploaded by seattleforge.

You might think to yourself, "why did Scott keep this picture of Henry that is obviously distorted, his eyes are half closed and he looks special needs?"
The answer to your question is.. check out the couple in the background. The woman is perhaps the creepiest person we met on this cruise. She is French, dresses like a teen-tart from a Disney kid's show, she's had a massive amount of plastic surgery and she was at LEAST 75 years old. Henry dubbed her "Nana Montana". This either proves that he's my son or that nurture dictates talents and behaviour.

Vacation Anticipation

Every time we travel there are some predictable behaviours. Jackie packs, re-packs and frets over what is packed. If she discovers she's forgot even one thing she damns herself to hell for the rest of the trip. The dog knows something is up and doesn't like it. She's been doing her usual and throwing up all over the carpets this morning. Henry is underfoot, playing with the DVR and not paying attention to what he should bring. There will be tears.
I'm packed. This isn't hard. Socks, undershirts and pants for every day I'm gone. Two collared shirts, a cardigan, 25 gold guineas, a pair of jeans, a pair of chinos, a rain parka, cap, wine opener, pocket knife, ipod, headphones, chargers, two bottles of meritage, cufflinks, nail trimmers, orc bait, lens wipes, camera, lenses, short sword, mobile phone, mail shirt, lembas bread, 3 torches, tinderbox and some lip balm.
It couldn't be easier.