Family and Keto.....

     Over the years, the Bradley family on my mother's side gathered regularly, so we all came to know one another, creating lasting friendships, and these friendships are blessings.  We touch base with one another occasionally, and it's always great fun.  This past week we're enjoying a visit with my precious cousin Jo Ann's daughter Traci and grandson Jake.  Traci has visited before, but this is Jake's first time.  It is such a pleasure to have them here as always!  They've visited several sites around Puget Sound, including Deception Pass and Anacortes, and participated in several local activities, including whale watching.  We're fortunate to own several vehicles, so they can take off whenever they want, unencumbered by old folks.  However, we've participated in several of their outings.  They invited us to go with them to Whistler, and we happily accepted the offer.  We've not been there for such a long time.  It is a glorious drive from Vancouver to Whistler, and the weather was lovely.  We enjoyed the beautiful view of the bay and the mountains all the way there.  We rode the gondola to the top of the glacier when we arrived.  Traci has done this before, but it is a trip worth repeating.  We were happy to share this gorgeous area with Jake, who enjoyed the views as much as the rest of us.  On our way home, we stopped in White Rock and had dinner at our favorite Indian food restaurant, Cilantro's, where I avoided the rice and nan but ate plenty of the various sauce-laden dishes, which were delicious as always.  On Friday, while Steve and Jake went boating and fishing, Traci and I returned to White Rock for sushi.  I ate many pieces containing rice, clearly exceeding my carb limit, but I'll survive.  We had a lovely visit as we walked along the pier.  Yesterday, Father's Day, we spent in B.C.  First, we worked out at Grandview Aquatic Center, then drove by Crescent Beach in White Rock.  It's a lovely park with a sandy beach stretching along the bay.  Then we decided to try a restaurant serving dim sum because that is Steve's favorite, next to the Indian food.  It was Cantonese-style which is different from his favorite, but he liked most of it.  Our home meals work out well because Traci is following the keto diet, and Jake is a vegetarian.  So everything I'm cooking works for all of us with the addition of rice or beans.  I was surprised that Traci and Jake enjoyed my green chili stew, mainly because it's made with a large radish instead of potatoes, but they loved it!  I also made my vegetarian tikka masala served over stir-fried cabbage or rice for Jake and Steve.  Steve requested the cauliflower bake, which our guests liked as well.  Lots of leftover food is available in the fridge, so I won't be cooking anything special.  Today, Traci and Jake are off to Vancouver Island by ferry, so they'll probably enjoy some excellent meals.  If they return hungry, we've plenty of things to eat.  They leave tomorrow, and we'll miss them!  Steve and I love sharing the sights, sounds, and beauty of Northwest Washington and areas within British Columbia.  We plan to be here a while, so here's hoping for a healthy, long-lasting life in Birch Bay filled with food, folks, and fun!