Good day dear readers!!  What a lovely weekend I had spent in the company of my nearest and dearest.  I dont know if I have mentioned to you yet but Mr Big and I are trying really hard to loose weight right now.  We started last Monday and he is down 31 pounds (uh-mazing!!) and Im down 15.2 pounds (grateful...but I wish it were closer to Gary's loss), and though we are both missing all the naughty foods we are liking feeling healthier.

So this weekend we decided to add a little extra healthiness to the regime and went for a little walk - there are loads of lovely walks in Snohomish county: 

http://www.snohomish.org/files/documents/Snohomish%20Hiking%20Guide.pdf

some more challenging the others.  We decided to go with the closest, least challenging one with a walk on Spencer Island. 

PLUS, we roped in Geneva, Tad, Ronnie, Mollie and Ashley.  Interesting walk!

1.  It was RIGHT next to the poo ponds.  As you can see it was a stunning day, what you dont see is that there was a warm breeze...normally welcome, on this day not so much because with the warm breeze came fraygrance du pupu...gag worthy at the best of times.  Still we soldiered on

2.  Unfriendly bird watchers.  Spencer Island is loaded with bird life including the gold finch

grey herons (or are they blue...you decide) and other species I havent seen before.  After seeing such a bird I saw a dude standing there with giant binoculars and I thought to myself that he would be the perfect person to ask what kind of bird it was. 

Me:  Excuse me, I was just looking in the same direction as you were - do you know what kind of bird that was?

Him: Which one?

Me:  The one that is bigger than the others and did the little dip and dive and swoop before landing on the bough of that tree

Him: I was observing the osprey so I have no idea which bird you were looking at

Me: Um..kay.  Have a good afternoon sir

From there forward I just referred to the birds as grey bird, greyer bird, etc so I wouldnt disturb anyone else.

3.  Duck Blinds.  These are very cool things and Spencer Island has a couple of them.  If you havent seen these before they basically look like big square boxes covered in nature.  There was a couple out in the water AND one actually on the river bank which of course we had to go visit.  It isnt hunting season so Ronnie and Gary and Geneva were just about to pop inside to look around when they realized there was a hobo that had taken up residence, a summer home if you will.  A speedy retreat was made and we were on our way again.  We decided not to stop and visit at any of the other structures on Spencer....though this trailer made for a very cool image, courtesy of Mr Big :

It was fun being able to test out the new hipstamatic app I had, I loved what it did in this picture (a rare one) with Ronnie - the sky looks amazing dosent it!

 and I loved the vintage feel of this picture (this is looking towards the Everett Bellagio Fountians AKA Waste Management airation - I hear they are magnificent in the moonlight.)

oh and the view of the mountians is spectacular...

All in all a wonderful, poo scented afternoon.  I shall be walking this trail again soon, but maybe not on a breezy day.

Thursday

Thursdays are my favorite days.  I love having the day to myself to "potter" as I call it.  Yesterday was one such day, but my usual sleep in was thwarted thanks to the 4th of July holiday.  Because I work four ten hour days if one of those days is a holiday...its only 8 hours worth of holiday pay and I need to make up the time somewhere...so yesterday started with 2 hours of work, 7am till 9am, to make up that time.

My grand plan was to then drive to Ikea, buy picture frames for the gallery wall I want in the stairwell...drive home...choose family pictures to frame, go to Costco - print pictures and then have them all framed and ready to go for my long armed beloved to hang this weekend.  Instead I drove north instead of south, went to Target while I waited for TJ Maxx to open...scored a wicked bargin, and am proudly wearing a $6 dress as we speak.  At TJ Maxx the heavens opened and two objays of desire made their way to my eyes.

Number one...a right facing (gasp) chaise lounge (ohhhhhh) WITH french script writing upholstery (sigh).  It was a sight to behold.  I should have taken a photo but why, to sit and drool, to wish upon a star?  It was less than half the retail price at $399.  Still too much for the pocket book but OH I WANTED IT.  I sat on it, I petted the fabric, I whispered to it (right up until the TJ Maxx person gave me THAT LOOK).

Number two...Fiore Snakeskin bag in natural colors.  Originally $199...discounted to $99.  MMKay.  You are soooo pretty handbaggy.  I have been a good girl, I deserve a lovely handbag, I support this kind of use for snakes, I fact bags and handbags are the ONLY thing that a snake is good for (but thats a story for another day)....IF ONLY you were on the clearance rack.  OH PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PUH Leeeze be on the clearance rack.... I saunter to the clearance rack...I casually look on the left side...nothing worth a second look...I side step to the middle...meh...michael kors, jessica simpson, kate spade (oh! Kate Spade, delicious yellow buttery leather bag,  I like you but you wont go with anything I own) side step again...my breath catches...OH....MY....GODDDDDDDDDDD FIORE SNAKESKIN BAG IN THE CLEARANCE SECTION HELLO BEAUTIFUL!!!! I turn the tag ever so slowly, $69.  COME ON!  This is clearance baby, shouldnt it be like $29?

I held it close and walked back to the chaise lounge and we all sat together for a while, me, fiore snakeskin bag, chaise lounge (and a beautiful white urn with a bird on top) and breathed in quiet contemplation for a few minutes.  No treats today. 

The rest of the day was spent lamenting what could have been, oh and a nap which was delicious.

I still love you Thursday, even though you didnt bring any treats.

Berry Good

The humble strawberry.

I just snarfed 7 of these bad boys for breakfast and I have to say - you disappointed.  Strawberries always make me think of Christmas so usually I automatically have my happy meter pegged when I see them, smell them or taste them.  In NZ its summer time at Christmas - strawberries are everywhere, in "punnets"

and of course...in trifles

and best of all on Pavlovas

but todays strawberry, though beautiful, didnt have the delicious berry scent or taste to transport me back to Christmas in the summer.  They were actually bitter, which is weird because if your job was to be a strawb and you looked beautifully ripe wouldnt you be sweet?  Im sorta off them for now and onto red ruby grapefruit, delicious.  Happy day to you!

The Fourth

Not being American I prefer to refer to this holiday from a different angle - retreating, like the Brits from the congress as they were signing the declaration of independence.... Retreat its the trend I more favor to celebrate Independence Day. Ahhhh - sweet, relaxing retreat. Perhaps a mimosa to begin the day, a good book to read - something delicious for lunch, time languishing with Mr Big.

Sadly - this is not the holiday I have ever had on the fourth. That said, I do love being a part of Mr Big's most favorite of holidays the 4th of July. I also really love his family and the traditions they have surrounding this day. The game day plan pretty much always follows the same schedule:

1. Get up early
2. Motor through breakfast
3. Get everyone showered and dressed in matching 4th of July t-shirts (there is almost always way too much argy bargy re this, so this year they were allowed to wear anything they wanted)
3. Drive from to Bothell
4. Spend 5 million hours looking for a parking space OR park illegally and pray to the big guy we don't get ticketed or towed (its the uge that we park illegally)
5. Gather in the same spot with the rest of the fam (the same corner that they have stood on for the last 45 years)
6. Resist buying beads (ooohhhh they are SO sparkly and pretty colored!) and balloons (more of the same re the beads PLUS a dolphin balloon .... oh i wanted it bad) from the vendors
7. Keep ears tightly held when the pirates shoot the canon
8. Make our way through parade traffic to Blythe Park
9. Join in park games with the fam and chit chat with the fam (that's my favorite part) and then share in a pot luck of sorts (this year I made a blueberry vanilla cake....I hear it was sumptuously M.O.I.S.T Hailey Hansen)
10. Finish up at park and speed to the "after function" usually a sporting event or vantage point to view fireworks
11. Oh and Ahhh and fireworks
12. Flop into bed by midnight

As you can see,.....busy.

Prior to the Parade we also upped the schedule by adding in a walk around the Everett Parade route.  BEE AUT IFUL bicycle complete with basket.  Me wanty (except it would be purely ornamental, I'm too pretty to ride a bike)

we were actually on our way to a Democratic Rally LOVE YOU OBAMA

Though I thought this gentleman was less than a gleeming advertisement for Prez Obama..yes its the 4th of July..but dude, a blue jacket with red seersucker pants.  This is not a carnival.

and because this was lame and there wasn't even the promised hot coffee we looped around towards home and looked at the parade starting to come together.  The tractors were glorious.  Specially you Oliver

Here's me and Geneva (15) on the left and Dottie (13) on the right, waiting for the Bothell Parade to begin

There will be more parade pictures in a different update......

Fast forward to.... #10 Finish up at park and speed to the "after function" usually a sporting event or vantage point to view fireworks:

We decided on an Aquasox Game because they have fireworks at the end AND we could tease Elliott like crazy because he was working there as a vendor.

It was such a stunning day and evening, though notice in the photos - once the sun dipped low it was not just cold, uh uh.  It was ARTIC.

Ohhh - and we were there with friends Hailey, Kristen, Clay and Miss Sophie

and soon enough the day was gone and the lights went on

and the forth of July was done for another year.  It was a good day even though it was so busy.  I am so fortune to have the love of a great man, have such great family and friends, and be blessed with so much simple goodness.  That's what the fouth of July is all about after all.

Dora, the attack vehicle

Dear readers - who would have known that a vehicle, an inanimate object, could be so wicked?  I am here to tell you my woeful tale, that ends in injury. So fair warning, this may be disturbing to some people.

It all started one sunny, warm summers day - you know the kind, bees buzzing - the sky blue and beautiful, children laughing...so warm in fact that you decide to roll you window down low and use your hand to surf the breeze as you are motoring along..  I was innocently doing such a thing, I had my hand out the window.  We had just dropped Geneva's friend off and I had placed the crook of my arm on the window sill of Dora and we drove off.  Thats when Dora snapped from being mild mannered, sweet and reliable Ford Explorer to a snarky b*#!@..... we were no more than 2 seconds from the house and she snapped shut her locking mechanisim jamming my tender flesh in it.  Of course, the vehicle was loaded to the gunnels with Mr Big, Geneva and her two pals so I was careful in my selection of language to express my displeasure at Dora and my agony and having my flesh peeled from my bone:

 "GOD DAMN IT I HATE THIS CAR"

Strangely, the car ride back to the park seemed quiet after that....

Yawnville

So exciting, Mr Big won tickets to a Zoo concert.  It was an easy win - reply to said text message and be in the running for free tickets. 

SHAZAM!

Moments later he was the happy holder of tickets to see Mary Chapin Carpenter and Marc Cohen at the Zoo.  For those of you who have been to Woodland Park Zoo you know, its awesome.  I've been to three concerts there, all with Mr Big - 1st was to Nanci Griffin (wonderful) 2nd was Carbon Leaf (Lame sauce) and now this concert.  The highlight of the concert was certainly to be able to sit close with my sweetie in a warm (55 degree) for Seattle evening ... and I like these two artists, but honestly - the concert sucked eggs.  Boring boring BORING.  We stayed for Marc Cohen's set and only for 1/2 of Mary's. 

So we made our way out of the zoo, past the penguins...but wait....whats that?  A PEACOCK, a huge brightly colored PEACOCK sitting quietly and unassumingly on the wall above the penguin enclosure.  Honestly friends, if I were a peacock and lived at the zoo, that's where I would perch - #1 penguins are very fun to watch (and mock), #2 if I lost my footing and fell in the enclosure I wouldn't be someones dinner - penguins are civilized, #3 from this lofty perch I could be properly adored by all the zoo goers.  And that's what I was doing, adoring - inching closer and closer with my camera to snap a memory of the peacocks splendid colors ... i was almost right under him and THRILLED that he hadn't noticed me when I heard a faint voice "Maam, MAAM - DON'T.GET.ANY.CLOSER - It's mating season and hes been jumping on people and biting them".  Say no more zoo person - I'm asses and elbows out of there....at least I got my shot right? BAAAA no shot. DAMN IT.

A visit to Bastyr

Our friend Sally is getting married on July 2nd and I was so thrilled when 1.  she invited Mr Big, Little Mr Big and I to the soiree and 2. she asked me to take the photos.  Of course a flurry of activity ensued including a little field trip to the location, Bastyr University in Kenmore. 

Thursday is my day off so I picked up Mr Big

and Tadpole

and we headed out to Kenmore. 

Course what field trip is complete without a special delicious coffee....Coconut Dream to be precise.  If you find yourself at Tully's and are a coconut fan like moi DO NOT get this drink.  You will be bitterly disappointed.  Is it a good coffee?  Sure.  Does it remotely taste like coconut? No.  Sad Day.  At least I snapped a groovy picture in a puddle

Thats the reflection of me and the clouds in a puddle with a vintage filter on the photo - its a break away from my usual type of work but I quite fancy this... anyways...of to Bastyr!

This is the entrance to one of many couryards.  Its quite a beautiful campus housed in what used to be a monestary.  It still maintains its serenity and we found ourselves whispering to one another and feeling like we should have asked permission to be walking around. 


As you can see, it is still like winter here in Seattle.  Sigh.  Im sure that the blue skies and warmth will be arriving any day now! Fingers crossed for Sally's wedding!

As well as the lovely buildings and chapel Bastyr also houses a wonderful medicinal plant garden, and that gave pause for lots of lovely pictures

This plant had probably 5 or more bees on this one flower head! Plus, guess what else they had there?

TURTLES.  And quite a few of them too!  They were nestled in a beautiful triangular pond and heaven only knows how they dont get out of there...mind you, its a lovely spot if you are a turtle, gorgeous orange Koy, deep green leaves and lillies - what could be better?

Here's one in for a dip.  I loved that the water was so still that it reflected the clouds.

After taking a good look around we decided to head out for dinner at Tai-Ho in Kenmore.  As we were on our way good news - the sun came out

Mr Big and I have always wanted to sample the hand made noodles (thats the major draw) AND you can watch them do it which I love....

So I can report our noodles (in the hands of this expert noodle man) are voondabar.

Pike Place Market

This past weekend we had a lovely time visiting with Tadpole and Ronnie.  We had hoped to go to the Fremont Solstice Parade but we were cursed with the poor weather ..and so decided to go to Pike Place Market instead.  I think that the rest of Western Washington decided the exact same thing because we were packed in there like sardines.  Luckily there was a little corner for us at the Athenian (my favorite place to hang out)

and we had a delicious breakfast and view all at once.  Even though my phone was almost out of juice I had enough to shoot a few wonderful pictures, how can you not when you are there?

Rachel was back.  There was actually a guy STRADDLING poor Rachel's face so instead of photographing him I took pictures of her hoof prints

and there was a million bikes there too...

and the balloon man.  How much more delicious could he be you ask?  I'll just say he is RIGHT IN FRONT of the mini-donut stand, so his aroma is delectable  (ewwwwwww) ...but at least it cancels out the weird bubblegum and dna smell wafting from gum wall right?

I don't know why, but I never noticed that there is a clock under the famous Pike Place sign...am I the only one thats never noticed this?

then...my phone died, and in my hurry to leave the house I also left my main camera.  So this friends is where we leave off ... just know that there were a million wonderous photo opportunities at the museum of glass, all of which I missed. ...

Cats with wings?

Woah, uh mazing
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1049610/Ready-Tiddles-Meet-cats-sprouted-wings.html

17

Before I talk about 17, let me talk about something close to my heart. 

I love this bath.  Everytime we go to Lowes I have to visit with it.  I did'nt actually get IN IT last night but I did visit with it again, and I hugged it, just a little bit ... before people crowded around to mock me.  I love the curves, the silver metal feet - plus, its so shiny.  Basically - whats not to love?  One day I shall have you...

And now, 17.

Remember 17?  17 was a weird year for me - I finished up high school then returned again at my Dad's insistence.  I was soooo ready to be done with school and sooooo ready to be working.  I was also ready to leave home and be on my own - despite being ready, life had other plans for me and I ended up enduring another year at high school and another year at home.  I say enduring because at the time it seemed like a chore, looking back it was the perfect thing to be happening!  It really was a glorious last year before entering the real world of relationships, heartbreak, bills, working and so on. 

My stepson Elliott turned 17 today.  Mr Big and I woke him at by storming his room in the early hours shouting happy birthday greetings and shooting him with confetti cannons.  Because it was 5.45am I didnt have my camera with me to capture the moment...I did later though...and here was one of El's gifties. 

These are treking/walking/running shoes that Elliott has been wanting.  I love that he isnt afraid to wear fun things like this.  Its inspirational!  You're an awesome fellow Elliott!



15 days...

Dear Reader
Sorry.  Its been 15 days.  And I have no actually real excuse aside from a lame "i've been busy" to offer you.  Anyhoo, recap on the past goings on that have kept me from you:

SOPHIE's 3rd Birthday

There's something about Soph that's so charming.  It's not only that she looks like a fairy with her whisps of blonde hair and tinyness, but its her personality (hilarious) and her scary incredible intelligence. 

MOM TO SOPHIE:  I see you are drawing lots of circles.  Can you draw me a square

SOPHIE TO MOM: No, but I can draw an octagon, would you like that....

See what I mean.  Scary - and yet charming all at once. 

We really enjoyed Soph's third birthday - it was a princess theme and Kirsten her mom did an amazing job with the part design.

THE WEATHER

Even though it is June and its supposed to be delightful easy breezy blue skied days the above has been more the norm for us.  Those of you that know me well know that usually I prefer the rain, love the grey and chilly.  Usually.  Right now I want to punch rain clouds in the snoot.  Im sick of them.  I want my fill of vitamin d.  Mooooooaaaaan.....

ELLIOTT

Have I mentioned to you that El has come to live with us permenently?  Its actually been awesome.  He is a terrific person and I love having him with us.  We've been able to be a part of some milestones - first up was the milestone of part one of his drivers test for learners permit...he was close to passing but not quite.  Better luck next time bud.  I love that we celebrated PRIOR to the testing. We are an affirmative positive family us Allens.  Soon friend, soon you will need to be weary of driving when Mr Elliott is on the roads (but I know he will be a terrific driver).

BILL AND MELINDA GATES

One of the rare sunny days in Seattle this spring happened a couple of weekends ago and it coincided with Mr Big and I attending the opening of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  There were quite a few people waiting to view the beautiful facility but it didnt take long before we were in schmoozing with other members of the community. 

This building cost millions - they were very thoughtful and responsible in how the built on the site and what the used to construct the buildings with (very enviromentally concious).  Plus, what a wicked spot for it, right under the space needle...

Im not sure if you are familiar with the humanitarian work that is done here.  Its spectacular.  They are really making a change in the world.  I actually was very emotional walking around the building knowing how much they do.  Thank you Bill and Melinda Gates.

FREMONT MARKET

This was our first time at the market...and I loved it!  I had no idea that it was so large, its really a nook and cranny kind of place with most of the usual things - stores with sterling silver creation, stores with crazy garden ornaments, a cool vintage section and then some less usual things.  Case in point Danish Ebelskiver's.  Basically these are a pancake BALL filled with delightful things.  I went for nutella (how can any sane person resist it?) and raspberry jam with cream cheese.  Mr Big went for lemon curd and butter and salmon, cream cheese:

While we were sitting eating these delights a lady came up to me and held out the lead to her pup and asked if I would take care of him while she shopped....ackward pause...of course I will look after a strangers dog.  Actually he was a darling sweet boy, part pug, part something scruffy and his name was pepper...isnt he sweet...

after we pup-sat Pepper we continued our walk around and snapped up the deal of the century - two antique Chinese window screens for only $50 (for the two)

GENEVA

Who knew?  Geneva has been going to dance classes and is, according to Dot, third best in her class.  As you know, I am not known for my graceful ways, and sadly - neither is my beloved.  So Dots news fell on grateful ears and so it was with great excitement that we headed to Gen's first dance receital in "tree of life" at the Mountlake Performing Arts Center.  Great facility incidentally and it was such a pretty pretty evening

I find it hard to believe Gen is third best - she was the best dancer by far.  It was a very enjoyable 2 hours

and as if it couldnt be topped guess what else.  I had a profetic moment.  Gen had danced, the little kids came out and danced for an awwww moment, and then they all came out for their bows and curtseys.  At that moment I said to Dot and Gary..."the only thing that would make this better is confetti cannons".  Within seconds there was a double boom and confetti blasting out everywhere! YES!  Basically I think every performance should cresendo with this. 

So thats what we've been up to....see, busy right?

Thank you to Born to fly bloggie for posting this beautiful quote.  So true.  I've always love Bronte