23 - FBA and Spenser Are Sleepless in Seattle

Woo Hoo! Hang on there, Spenser!

Well folks, Flat AB *finally* emptied out his digital camera.
The Seattle trip!
Score!

Back while his brother, Flat BA, was vacationing in Spearfish, South Dakota with Kathy, Flat AB was leaving on a jet plane. Heading off to meet up with Carrie, Geof and Spense in Seattle.

Now, this was a vacation. These folks are actually from Missouri - The "Show Me State." Looks like they showed Flat AB a good time!


Before heading to Seattle, there was a pit stop in Phoenix to gather all parties. FAB was pleased to see the flight was on time. (Er, that NEVER happens at O'Hare. Just saying.)

Wow, Flat AB - is that YOU?
You're tiny!
Is that...a NOSE?

The first stop was the Fremont Troll.
According to the Fremont Chamber of Commerce:
"Fremont has always been a vague and mysterious place. Some of the old timers here will tell you there were troll sightings ever since the Aurora Bridge went up in '32. Of course, nowadays there's plenty of sightings. It seems the sculpture has made Fremont into a regular magnet for Trolls, especially around the summer solstice and Halloween." Oooh, spooky!
Next stop was "Waiting for the Interurban." FAB didn't understand why there was an aluminum statue of people waiting in line. And, why was the statue decorated? Well, he jumped on line...this time on the Internet, and found out apparently it happens all the time. There are actual Guidlines for Decorating the Interurban. Who knew?

According to the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, again:
Made from cast aluminum, the statue has attracted the imagination, mischief and creativity of hundreds of neighbors each year. The Interurban has hosted costumes, displays and "art attacks" celebrating everything from weddings, birthdays, bon voyages, congratulations, I-love-you's, memorials, good times and friendships to popular causes, and demonstrations. This continuous stream of interactive genius has made the Interurban Fremont's most recognizable landmark and a symbol of the fun and creative energy for which the neighborhood has become famous.
Next, Spense, FAB and the gang stopped for brunch at Etta's Seafood. Nice place, good eats.

Next, they wandered over to Pike Place Fish at the other end of the market.
And, Spense jumped on "Rachel the Pig" there.

Hey FAB, how much to you like fresh fish?
Oh, *THIS* much.
Got it.

What a fun place! FAB said that the guys were yelling back and forth and the fish were flying. Actually, flying overhead. Pretty cool.

Ahem, FAB.
Don't try that fish thing at home, okay?

Well we've seen our troll, and now it's ferry time.
Fairy? Get it?
Yeah, FAB didn't think it was all that great either.

Hi there, Spenser!

Across the Sound, the gaggle headed over to MORA Ice Creamery for some sweet stuff.
Yum!
And, they...SHIP!

After the ice cream had a chance to settle, they headed back to Seattle.
(Hey...was that James Norton? Naw, couldn't be.)
FAB told me to put that in there. He said it was an inside joke. Way inside.

Finally on the last day in town they stopped at Dahlia Bakery. FAB said the smell was sooooo yummy.

And, then Flat AB explained why he was "Sleepless in Seattle." You see that sign in the picture above? Sweet Corn Bread? Well, Flat AB never got the chance to ask. Was that Sweet "Corn Bread"? Or, "Sweet Corn" bread? In other words, sugar or no sugar.

Ah, the mysteries of life.
Truth be told, Flat AB will eat any kind of corn bread put in front of him.

He says he does have a preference.
But, any corn bread is better than no corn bread.
Preach it, FAB!

So, such is the tale of Spenser and FAB in Seattle.
(Oh, and Spenser's family, too.)
Hey, Spenser, Flat AB says he had a FABulous time.
Thank you sooooo much!

Next up?
Flat BA in Nashville with Geimerst to see Alton Brown.
And, we get to celebrate another birthday, this time with Kathy and FBA.
And, lastly, a trip with FAB and GameCook definitely "goes to the dogs."

Stay tuned,
Same Flat time.
Same Flat channel.

22 - FBA and the Sturgis Rally in South Dakota! ....Sorta...

Flat BA has been driving me nuts...
With talk about the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

For months now he's been zooming around.
"Vroom, vroom...screeeech!"
(Repeat ad nauseam.)

Finally, I gave him a map, pointed west...
And, sent him out to meet Kathy over in South Dakota.

Okay...so, I tricked him.
Kathy lives in Spearfish, S.D.
Not Sturgis.
So, Flat BA really didn't get all the way to the rally.
But, he DID have a good time, all the same.

First, FBA got his groove on and grabbed some breakfast with the bikers.

And, Flat BA checked out some really cool choppers.

(Click on the pic to see a large version.)
Wanna see the bike without FBA?

There were lots and lots of bikes.
Kathy said she just sat under a tree eating an ice cream cone. As long as she heard his "Vroom, vroom!" she knew FBA wasn't too far off.
*wink*

Finally he tuckered himself out.
There was still one more thing to see.
This is the other part of the "Welcome to Spearfish" sign.
And, how her town got its name.

Kathy thought she might be able to take FBA to Mount Rushmore. But, the roads are far too busy when with bikes this time of year.

Hopefully someday Flat BA will get there.
Ever since seeing Cary Grant in "North By Northwest" he's wanted to climb the faces.

Someday, this could be you!
Patience, FBA.

Thanks for showing him a great time, Kathy!

21 - FBA celebrate's LucyLu's Birthday And More Monterey Bay Museum Pics!

Dear LucyLu celebrated her birthday with Flat BA.
I've been remiss in posting her darling photos.
(I'm employing the magic of backdating.)

Here's her report of FBA's visit.
Dana

LucyLu:
I had the honor of hosting Flat BA this past week.
I picked him up at the Monterey Bay Aquarium book signing.
So I'll start there:

This is Alton in the Kelp Forest:
Very funny guy, even under water.
Did a great Darth Vader impression!

Alton telling me what he thinks of Anthony Bourdain.

Looking at the pictures of the cake I made for myself.
(Even though it was really for him.)
Pictures of cake below.

All together now!
Awwwwwww!
Flat BA and me feeling cool after the signing.

Flat BA on the way home, driving across the Golden Gate Bridge.

And now on to the cake!
I made this cake as a belated birthday cake for myself...
And in honor of the Alton signing and of Flat BA's visit.

Here's a shot of Flat BA appreciating his likeness.

Flat BA said he didn't take the first piece, but I believe otherwise.
*smile*
And finally, I took Flat BA around town to see some of the many Charlie Brown and Snoopy statues honoring the Peanuts and Charles M. Schulz.

He had a good time!
Hope you all enjoyed.
Miss the little guy already.

-L

20b - Monterey Bay Report

Note:
First, an apology. Due to an unusually hectic work schedule, I had to take a short "sabbatical" from being agent to the Flats. (The boys didn't seem to mind, they had logged quite a few frequent flier miles recently and appreciated the rest.) Sorry for the delay. Thank you for your understanding.
--Dana

Since Flat BA is a man of few words and I'm a woman of many, I agreed to let FBA give you the short version of the Cooking Demo with Alton Brown and Darina Allen at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cooking for Solutions event on Friday evening, May 16, 2008. Take it away, FBA.
--GoldenGirl

Thanks, GoldenGirl.
If you want the long-winded version, you'll have to read her posts. I hope you have a comfy chair!

First off, bernabee was an awesome hostess and a really sweet person. I got to hang out with her and GG Friday night and then we hooked up with LucyLu, cornchili, Missjane and her daughter, Elizabeth, the next day (more on that later).

The cooking demo with Alton and Darina was pretty cool especially since Darina is this big deal chef from Ireland (International Cooking Teacher of the Year) with a TV show, a fancy cooking school and best-selling cookbooks AND she'd never even heard of Alton Brown! She called him "Alvin" -- twice!! Man, that was just too funny.

Darina cooked a whole flounder with herb butter which did look tasty. Alton, being Alton, kept asking "why are you doing that" questions but I don't think she's used to working with a sidekick so it kind of threw her in the beginning. You could tell the audience was filled with Good Eats fans and they really got AB's humor -- Darina, not so much. In the end, Darina and Alton made a funny comedy team and I'd watch their act on TV anytime. Also, you could tell they both share the same passions for quality food prepared simply but well AND for choosing foods with an eye toward sustainability -- especially seafood.
**Darina and Alton working as a team

Following the demo, bernabee and GoldenGirl made a beeline for the stage in order to ask Alton for his signature. (Those wacky girls, don't they know they can wait and do that at the wine and hors d'oeuvre reception that follows? -- Apparently NOT.) Here's how the conversation went. (Oh, and notice that bernabee has NO lines. At this point she was just awestruck -- I don't think AB noticed she was standing there with GG who was doing ALL the talking.)

**That's me, Flat BA, with Alton. GG is the blond on the left; bernabee is the brunette on the right.
(I'm calling that guy in the back "Alton's assistant" but he probably has a better title than that.)

AB: "Oh, now YOU have him . . . is this guy just going to keep following me?"

GG: "Yes. Well, this guy (Flat BA) and the other guy (Flat AB)."

GG: "Would you do us a really big favor and add 'Chicago 3/15/08' and 'Atlanta 3/29/08' to our Flat BA clone since those original signatures weren't copied?"

AB: "You want me to LIE?!!!"

GG: "No, not 'lie' just document the previous signings since those signatures were lost when, you know . . . "

AB: "What's in is for me?"

GG: "It would just make us really, really happy."

AB: "Oh, all right."

AB (writes): "Chicago 3/15/08 AB"

AB (to his assistant): "Hey, when was I in Atlanta? I don't remember doing anything in Atlanta."
GG: "Actually, that was the Cobb County Library fundraiser on March 29th. See, here's a photograph of your original signature on the back of the original Flat BA."
AB: "Oh yeah, okay."

AB (writes): "Atlanta 3/29/08 AB"

AB (writes): "Monterey 5/16/08 AB"

GG: "Thank you!"

AB: "Hey, I didn't sign that . . . what's THAT?!"


GG (puzzled): "I don't know." [It says CLONED 4/13/08]

FBA (turns to bernabee, who is looking at AB all starry-eyed):
"Uh, are you still alive??? Earth to bernabee! Look, she's starting to catch flies in her mouth!"

AB: "C'mon . . . don't you want wine?! Let's all go get some wine!"

By all accounts, the Monterey event was a wonderful experience. Please visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium's website for information on future events.

20a - FBA meets Alton at Monterey Bay, CA!

Here's a sneak peek at the Monterey Bay Aquarium event.
Just a taste... of what's to come!

Bernabee, Alton, Flat BA, and Golden Girl.

Alton - swimming in the Kelp Forest!

Bernabee, Flat BA, Golden Girl, and LucyLu.
What a darling picture!

Stay tuned for more pics and details...
--Dana

19 - FAB and Alton in the Gateway City! -And Good Eats With Friends

FAB went to visit with "eye4got" so he would be in town for Alton's appearance and booksigning. This is another stop on his "Feasting on Asphalt - The River Run Book Tour."
I'll let eye4got fill you in on the rest
--Dana

Hi everyone, it's me - eye4got,
FAB came to visit St. Louis.
Our first stop was the warehouse at my 2nd job.
An apron just wasn't going to cut it there.
So, we got him some proper safety gear.
(Like the hat?)
This alcohol may be 190 proof but it is not good eats (or drinks).

Is this the secret ingredient that gives Twinkies their 20-year shelf life?

FAB helped me ship some orders.

This is a street sign near my house. There wasn't any place to park near the intersection so I had to stop on the shoulder about a quarter mile away and walk up.Eye got some strange looks while taking this picture.

Mystic, Tena, Steve, Daniel, FAB, Kristina and Itchyfoot at the Thai Restaurant.
FAB was surprisingly adept at using chopsticks and he liked his first taste of Thai food.
After dinner, Itchyfoot and Eye made our way down to Ted Drewe's for some frozen custard.FAB remembered seeing Ted Drewes spotlighted on Alton's Feasting on Asphalt show during season 1.The next morning, the group met for brunch. After all that ice cream the night before - coffee and orange juice seemed a healthy choice for FAB. (Well, at least the juice part.)Tena and FAB smile for the camera.

Little Daniel summed up our experience nicely.

FAB never seems to pass up an opportunity to stop and smell the roses - er, tulips.
*FAB waves to Honeycomb and give her permission to release the stranglehold she has had on the Groundhog since February.*
Waiting to be let in to the book signing, we chatted with Amy whose husband was going through military orientation prior to being deployed. Eye told her about the GEFP and invited her to join. She seemed like she'd fit in well with us. FAB says her hubby later joined up - soldiermedic.
Next we headed up to a private reception for friends of the bookstore and their friends. (Kudos to JJ.)FAB poses with Rotten and Jugglergirl.

After the private reception Alton had a little Q and A.
FAB says "Alton spoke to the masses."
Yep, this is a former church.

Alton recognized Flat AB.

And, finally here's a shot of the 3 of us - Alton, Flat AB...and eye4got.

Thanks for the recap and fantastic photos, eye4got!

While Flat AB was off exploring St. Louis, his brother Flat BA, headed off to California. Alton will be hosting the Monterey Bay Aquarium's events on sustainable seafood choices, "Cooking for Solutions" this weekend, May 15-17, 2008.

There are rumors that Alton will be "swimmin' with da fishes"
and FBA just can't wait to see that!

--Dana