Beach time

Friends - apologies.  Its been too long since i have tapped away at the keyboard.  Mostly this long hiatus has been due to us being away and off the grid for a few days.

We decided, with it being Mr Bigs birthday weekend and all, that we should head to the ocean.  Originally this was planned to be a visit to Ocean Village, Tofino in British Columbia

But sadly work took too long with a decision on whether to let me vacay or not...so we decided to venture to another ocean side paradise that we've never been to before....Ocean Shores Washington and the Oceanside condo complex of the Nautilus

This picture was not taken by me - and see that blue sky in the background, that did not make an appearance through out the 4 days we were there.  Note my notes on the picture.  Yes friends, not making it up.  If you decide to stay here (and its very reasonable, extremely clean and quiet)...just be aware that if you want to see the ocean you need to stay on the third floor AKA you have to schlep (or have your own Mr Big) your bags up not one, not two but 6 sets of stairs, its similar to the thousand steps to see Buddha but the difference is your mecca is actually a view of the ocean and a room filled to the brim with about 50 bazillion schmultzy ocean side nicky nacky noos.  I think that I counted (WITHOUT aide of leaving my blue velvet and skirted recliner) 7 lighthouses, a ship steering wheel, 3 gulls.  This was just in the living room.  Mr Big also pointed out that just to complete the retirement home feel...they had not one, but two stereo systems in the same shelving unit that held the worlds teensiest telly as can be seen below. 

One of my favs though was the stick on birds on the mirror....

Actually, scratch that - THIS is my favorite

yip - a fricken GRAVY BOAT as decoration right above the thunder box.  What the....?  I'm not certain who the interior designer was here, but hopefully the economy has set them into a more befitting career for them.  A GRAVY BOAT?  I ask you....

Ok, on to more pleasant things - look what Mr Big screeched to a halt for right by our temporary Castle Allen.  DEER, real, live deer.  They look unreal due to the tiltshift I was using on the camera but I can assure you they were real, and they seemed very unconcerned about us rolling up in Dora. 

Ocean Shores is like many west coast beaches ... you can drive on it.  On. The. Beach.  Though Mr Big relishes this, but maybe its because its where I'm from, but it just doesn't feel right to drive the rig down the shores...still, we did it...If you look through the drizzle you will see her there in the background

and though it was freezing with the rain and the wind and the sea spray there were a couple of nice pictures

While we were down on the coast we decided to drive to Ruby Beach, somewhere I discovered quite by accident when looking for perfect spots to visit on a road trip with a friend which we never ended up doing (sad face)..anyhoo, the drive up to Ruby is really beautiful.  You drive through a couple of forests including Quinault where there is an awesome lodge Mr and Mrs Allen will sometime stay - I give you Quinault Lodge

 so pretty around the lake and lodge - the lake even gave us a fleeting glimpse of a rainbow (look carefully)

OMG - the cottages, I heart

and the drippy moss all over the trees, just sensational

There was soooo much rain the right before so the river was really going for it, and the ferns, reminded me of NZ, making me all the more homesick for my country

so much water, that the access to the campground, in-pass-able, unless you have a canoe

ferns again, love em, and look how shinyyyyy

and who knew?  The worlds most giantist cedar tree..right here in this neck of the woods (pun intended).  Keep in mind.  My mister is 6 foot 5inches tall.

isn't this pretty, its a runner from the momma tree

We are standing under the big cedar in this next picture.  Though it might look like I'm standing on Mr Big's toe, he's actually laughing his a** off at something I cant remember at this time.  I'm unadorned with makeup sadly so this is moi, au naturel

oh wowwee - back on the road again and found an absolute stunning stunning lodge locale, smack bang in the middle of Quinault Forest and the Hoh Rainforest.  Kalaloch Lodge.  I REALLY wanted to take some pictures but it was pouring with rain again so thank you Internet...

http://www.muche-net.de/sea2002/pics/kalaloch_cabin.JPG

Its just a breathtaking view from this place straight onto the Pacific.  I can't wait to go back...but Ruby Beach was calling our name so on the road again....

and before we knew it, we were there.  Even the little hike down the path to the beach was delish

Majesty of nature in full effect, cue angels, part clouds...voila.  Ruby Beach all to ourselves (you cant really tell in this picture, but we are snogging.

Yes sir, sooo happy, even with the little bit of rain and wind we had

Stun-ning

I love that there are trees for driftwood, reminds me of Rarangi Beach in New Zealand - but with the large sea stacks its better

and as you walk along you see all kinds of beauty, even the simplest of things like a dip in the wood filled with rainwater

I honestly put alot of though into how the flippen heck to get over to this rock - there was no way over aside from using the zoom

I heart you Ruby Beach

We went to Forks.  A dismal disappointment.  For those non-yankies and non-Twilight fans this is the Northwest town where the Twilight saga was set and partially where it was filmed.  Sorry to anyone reading this from Forks originally or residing here now, but friends, what a dump...so.....hardly any pictures.  Two to be precise.  One must have, Bella's truck WITH smurfette on the hood:

We didn't stay in Forks long - mostly because everywhere we went I felt like someone was behind me

Anyway Ocean Shores, thanks for the memories.  It was nice to spend a few days in the company of my number one.  I wish it had been longer.



Nautalis lodge

Mr big and I are Ar the nautilus lodge at ocean shores. It's supposed to be a sexy romantic getaway. It's hard for that kind of ambience to be fostered when this kind of thing greets you in your suite....

A blissful bite

Yes readers, I am down 4lbs. Please, hold your applause till you see/read the following...
Remember I told you about my work uncle being such a love, and remember he brought chocolate almonds a couple if weeks ago?

Well yesterday was Jim's birthday. I don't know how this escaped my notation last year but it did. Thank heavens for miss Carrie's eagle eye noticing said birthday prior to my arrival at work so u could rush in and give him the gift that all people delight in... My own special rendition of happy birthday. Of course it goes without saying it was the highlight of his birthday (I'm sure). Once the encores and standing "o's" were over Jim revealed a giant black box and said " ok boys, she's here - it's time". That's right.....a box filled with frost donuts. Oh crickey - I'm screwed. It's Jim's birthday, he'd waited for my arrival at work to start eating them. I couldn't say no right?

Actually I was ready to till the moment the lid opened and all of gods angels started singing hallelujah as I saw ( drumroll ) A BACON TOPPED MAPLE BAR Aka the mist delicious mouthful of flavors known to the western world.

You'll be proud of me Kirsten - only sawed off an inch of it, took my napkin and made a speedy exit ( kind of like a crocodile death spiraling to the riverbed with it's catch ).

Happy birthday Jim - you know how to party sir.

Last evening

Many of my friends are needle phobes.  Dear reader - believe it or not I too am scared to death of them, in fact when the doctor tells me I have to have a blood test I go into a cold sweat..I've been known to NOT go to the lab in the past - and now Mr Big comes to hold my hand (literally) anytime I have to go.  With this in mind it may come as a surprise to you that I am currently seeing an accupuncturist. 

I have no idea why, but having accupuncture is like going to the spa for me - its so deeply relaxing and the sense of well being after a treatment is wonderful.  So for all of you that have thought this was something you would never do BECAUSE of the needles, you should think again.  Honest to goodness, I never feel the needles going in (or out)...I even have them in my head as you can see here (sorry about the eye makeup, it was quite smudgey after 11 hours)

I think in the end I had a couple of dozen needles in, all of which were hooked up to a low electrical current

Ahhhhhhhhh relaxing, I almost fell asleep while the treatment was going on.  Highly highly recommend it ladies and gents. 

Mr Big and I are off for a few days to the ocean.  So you wont see an update for a few days...love to you all

What are the chances

As you know I'm on a diet and eating healthier - but who would have thought delight was in store for me this morning when I selected turkey bacon to start the day .... I pulled it out of the packet and BEHOLD a heart shaped hole. It's a sign to carry on, Roger big guy in the sky!!

Surprisingly delicious drop

It's amazing that $2.99 can buy delicious wine

A chilly Castle Allen

I think its so fun to watch the news through the winter season here in the states because they do forecasting not for the day  - not for the afternoon, but these meteorologists will actually forecast by telling you that snow will begin at 5:06pm.  Isn't that awesome.  No, not awesome actually - when you are on high snow alert it sucks eggs waiting for a perfectly formed icey flake to waft  down ..... 5:06pm..... nothing ..... 6:10pm .... nothing .....11:37pm YES - its here, finally!

Anyhoo faithful reader, sadly AkeeweeGirl is not skilled and adept at night photography so this was last night looking over at the neighbors place (see those Christmas lights?  You know I love Christmas more than the average bear but neighbor man...CHRISTMAS IS OVER.  Now that I have that off my chest, I must admit that those lights were quite delightful to look at as the flakes rained down.....)

and then this morning it was almost all gone. 

 

Depression.  Made worse when we rolled up to Metropolitan Market to see spring flowers.  Mother Nature - I want to be in the cocoon of my home hibernating for a while longer.  I am not ready for your buds to burst and stuff like that.  I like the dark for right now kay?  I also like the crinkly blossoms that are hanging on.  Last summer we were quite thrilled that one lonely hydrangea popped up .... so I couldn't bear to hack it down like we did the rest of the jardeen....look how pretty

Nice huh?  Anyhow dolls, I must run.  Time to deliver 3 kids back to their Mom.  May your week bring you unbridled happy times and may your evenings be cozy as you enjoy cocooning, just like I will be!

Coffee filter wreath

Its been coffee filterville here at Castle Allen.  Its amazing the pretty things you can construct with a few inexpensive items.  This wreath cost $10 - a wreath form from Micheals and a packet of coffee filters.  So pretty - it looks like its made from a bunch of carnations dont you think?

Course, we didn't stop here.  Now we were thinking pom-pom garlands...

Here is how you make these, as you will see easy peasy !

Start with a basket coffee filter

fold into quarters

thread onto yarn

(about 50 of these per pom pom) - do so with a joy filled heart

the tie the yarn ends together.  Fluff out the layers and Bob's your uncle,

you have yourself a beautious pom pom

I'm going to string these on ribbon, but for now they are hanging

I had team Allen dye some ocean blue so we could make a garland for the girlies boudair and I will show you those when they are done, they are drying (still) out in the freezer box aka garage. 

Tucker visit

In NZ we refer to food as Tucker. Today I discovered a new definition of the word when Brumfield was visited today by his furry brother whose name is Tucker - he was positively silken and so good while everyone rushed to pet him. New definition for Tucker "gorgeous snuggly sweet natured pupadoo."

Snowfield at castle Allen?

..........tres chilly last eve as is evidenced by the following.....



No, this isnt a snowfield this is the roof of the explorer following a really heavy frost

Happy New Year

Welcome 2011.  This is going to be a wonderful year, I can feel it.  And it kicked off with wonderful friends joining at at Castle Allen for pre party beverages

This is a picture of Tads bottom, yes you are seeing it correctly.  He is rocking the Elmo Sesame Street undies.  He loves these undies and they make him happy.  They make me happy too and thought you might enjoy a peek at them.  This was just the start of our New Years Eve, and not the last time we would see Elmo.

While Tad was dropping trou, Ronnie was making spiced mulled wine

Mr Big was proping up the wall and watching over the beverage preperation in between poker hands....

he's a hunk of delicious man isn't he!  I wasn't really a fan of the wine thing, so I mixed a blackcurrent martini which was quite delicious and seemed even more so served in a vintage martini glass ala Mollie Lynn.  I love these glasses, thanks Moll.

and all of a sudden it was time to make the pilgramage....to Marakesh.  No silly, not Marakesh Morrocco - Marakesh in Belltown Seattle!

Hello Marakesh

and it can't be a Moroccon Restaurant without belly dancing!  WAIT A SECOND.  ISNT THAT.....

Nope - we have to save our dollars for the lady

then it was time to share a New Year kiss with the greatest guy ever.  Love you Mr Big

Last day of the decade

Jim Menzies is one of the finest people I know, and lucky for me, I work along side him. 

Today as my last gift of the decade he brought me a dark chocolate covered almond (as shown above),

salty - sweet - perfect. 

Im so blessed to be surrounded by such good people in my life and as we leave this decade behind I find myself being more reflective than I usually am at this time of year.  Im a lucky lamb with the life I lead, and I never take it for granted.  If you are reading this know that I love you and know that I am so blessed you are a part of my life - you are my dark chocolate covered almond, you are perfection.

May 2011 bring us all closer to one another, may it bless us with prosperity, good health and an abundance of goodness in all shapes and forms.  HAPPY NEW YEAR and thanks for the memories 2010.