The Ocean

 After Christmas we took a weekend trip to Pacific Beach on the Washington coast.  We lucked out with one beautiful day and one non raining day.  That is lucky.  This is the Washington coast we're talking about.

I took some pics there using my Hipstamatic app which I haven't used it a while.  I like the John S lens with the Ina film.  Somewhere along the line my lens switched to Jimmy which gives everything a yellowish tint.  I usually don't care for this look but I ended up with a few pics that I really like.  See if you can tell the lenses apart - John S gives a blue picture, Jimmy yellow.

 

Do you use the Hipstamatic app or are you an Instagramer?  

Snow!

No, not in Seattle, in the mountains! After Thanksgiving we took an overnight to my in-laws for a little visiting, Christmas tree hunting and sledding. Here's proof -

 

Soaking it up

There is another weather condition that causes Seattlites to freak out and that is springtime sunshine.  This, of course, is a completely natural response after being deprived of light and warmth for so long.  We can only take so much gray.  So we joined the rest of the city outside this weekend and basked in the warmth.

When the sun comes out I'm always reminded of what an amazingly beautiful area the Pacific Northwest is.  It almost makes up for the days and days of gray drizzle.  Almost.  From the beach where we stationed ourselves on Sunday we could see the Olympics in the distance, boats out on the Puget Sound and sea lions (possibly seals?) barking at us as they swam by.  Ah, a glorious day to be in Seattle.  We know enough to get out in it while we can.  After all it is only April and the gray will return.

Surrounded

I went from being surrounded by squares to being surrounded by 4 giggly girls. Our nieces spent the weekend with us. Somehow I got the 4 cousins to slow down long enough for a few pictures.







How was your weekend?

Table Topics

I'd often noticed that our dinner table was quiet.  Our attempts at spurring on a conversation with the girls rarely went beyond -   How was your day?  What did you do today at school?  To which we would inevitably get one word answers.  In the back of my mind I remembered hearing about conversation starters you could use with your kids.  I thought something like this may really faciliate a conversation with us at dinner time.  So off I went to find something like this. 

I poked around a bit on Amazon and ended up buying a set of cards called Table Topics.  We've used them for the last week or so and it has made an *incredible* difference in our dinner conversation.  For starters, the girls LOVE them.  I mean, LOVE.  So far the topics have been engaging and interesting for the girls and for us.  Our first card had us talking about when we were babies.  Another notable one had us choose who we'd rather have for a babysitter - Willy Wonka or Mary Poppins.  I was the only one who chose Mary!!  Last night we got to create an invention.

Honestly, I look forward to dinner time more now.  I love the girls' enthusiasm about the cards.  They really do get us talking.  A lot.  Dinner feels more relaxed and we're getting to know each other better.

Do you have any dinner time rituals?

Do the Puyallup

We took the girls to the Puyallup Fair this weekend.  The Puyallup Fair means one thing to me - scones.  Fisher scones are a Fair tradition.  Their tender pastry and generous dollop of raspberry jam are worth making the 1 hour trek down south from Seattle.  Let me tell you, they did not disappoint.

Many people have a favorite Puyallup Fair food, the scones just happen to be mine.  There are hurricane burgers, krusty pups, curly fries, grilled corn on the cob, funnel cakes and elephant ears.  Speaking of elephant ears, Bryce uncharacteristically bought one. We watched as they stretched the dough, threw it in the deep fryer, slathered it with butter (not joking) and sprinkled it with cinnamon sugar.  Then the four of us ripped off pieces and indulged.  I'm pretty sure I could hear Dr. Oz crying in horror in the background.

But, it was the fair and at the fair you eat fair food.  We did more than eat, though.  There were a few rides, a trip into the Hobby House to see the collections, a visit to the 4H cats and a quick dash through the quilts.  We also talked about Scheuberfour in Luxembourg, the annual fair (really more of a carnival) we visited when we lived there.  The potato pancakes, curry wurst, cremant & beer stands seemed like a distant memory.  The one thing the fairs did have in common though was the expense! 

We came, we saw, we ate - we Did the Puyallup!

Summer Summary or

a bunch of blog posts thrown together into one.

Poor, neglected blog I do apologize for my unplanned hiatus. I'm back now to tell you where I'm been and to promise to never, ever disappear like that one you again. Now, in no particular order here is my August and some bits of July just for good measure:

:: A little angel I know turned 5!

:: The annual Pine Cone Drive-In at my in-laws was as wonderful as ever. Movies under the stars, matching cousin outfits, one brave soul who unearthed a snake and a skink, a slip and slide and sleeping in a tent. Good times! Oh, did I mention the tree house?!?! So, yeah the Grandparents surprised the grand kids with a tree house this summer. Not joking. Pretty amazing, huh?

:: I went to my 20th high school reunion. Did I say 20th? Pretty sure that is a typo.

:: My SIL took us to the most amazing blueberry farm. It is on Pine Lake in Sammamish. It is an organic farm that operates on the honor system for paying. Berries are $1.25 a pound. Did I just say $1.25? Yep. The bushes are loaded with berries. Other than going on the hottest day of the summer we had a great time. Now if I only had my blender so I could make some smoothies.

:: I took an amazing weekend trip to San Juan Island with a few friends. We enjoyed our coffee while watching harbor seas frolic in the bay, eagles fly overhead, and a family of deer resting in the front lawn. Not exaggerating any of it. Came home with an awesome souvenir - a bald eagle feather!
:: Bryce and I took the kids down to the new(ish) park on South Lake Union for a picnic and a sprint through the fountain there. I just love what they've done with that area. We had a wonderful time.:: In between activities I've been agonizing over paint for our kitchen (which is soo close to being finished.) Looking for a blueish gray that reads gray first, blue second is much harder than you think. Lucky for us the tile showed up and this lot had no blue tones so we went with a *gorgeous* warm gray from Benjamin Moore - Revere Pewter. I've almost gotten over all the time and energy I wasted on my blue/gray quest. Almost. Now onto the living room, entryway and our bedroom. Any color suggestions for our bedroom? No blue or gray.

:: We're still in corporate housing, waiting for our shipment. Fingers crossed it arrives in the next few weeks.
:: We are so in love with Seattle and have enjoyed seeing all the familiar sights again. Mount Rainier has never looked prettier. We've been to local zoos, beaches, lakes and wading pools with friends and family.

:: My cousin has been hosting her Wednesday night dinners and they've been so fun. So far there has been a luau, Americana, Greek and a slider evening.

:: Only a few more days of my Hipstamatic August.

I hope you've had a wonderful summer! Leave a comment and let me know what you've been up to.

Where I've Been

We have family in town! I've been delightfully busy being the hostess and the tour guide with the mostess. My MIL is here with her brother and sister - a sibling trip. Pretty cool, right?

We've been to Luxembourg's Petite Switzerland.

To Metz; around the city and to the Pompidou Center.

And touring Lux City, of course.

The gang is off to Paris now but back in time for Easter.

Hope you're having a great week!

I've heard it is great . . .

being 38!

I disappeared on you again, this time to have a birthday. Bryce and the girls made it very special. Bryce and I met for a nice lunch on Monday. That evening we all had dinner together and enjoyed the cake that Bryce and the girls made. They *totally* surprised me with a bicycle, a beautiful silvery-blue cruiser. I was the only in the family not to have a bike. Now, as Eva informed me, I can ride my bike down to the bakery anytime I want. Good thinking, my sweet girl!

To my fellow Americans I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! I think I said this last year, but enjoy the holiday chaos. You'll notice it if it's gone. xo

Kids in Paris

You don't need to guess what 3 girls ages 4, 5, and 6 wanted to do in Paris, do you? Go up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, of course! We tried to book tickets online, but found they were all sold out. Instead we decided to take Rick Steves' advice and get there first thing in the morning. Worked like a charm! There was a small line and we were through it in no time.

We were sadden to see that the tip top was closed that day. But it's hard to be sad standing in front of the Eiffel Tower so up we went to the 2nd floor. Pictures were taken, views were enjoyed. See for yourself ~

Buying tickets

Looking up.

Looking from the elevator.

Taking in the view (or trying to fit face in metal circle)

Ah, Paris!

Mama and daughter.

Tower shadow.

Time to go down.