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.

Christmas, a retrospective

Sorry - this is really late, I know you have all been waiting at the edge of your seats (all 15 of you) waiting, waiting, waiting for the details on Feefee's Christmas.  Here it is, albeit late friends....my Christmas 2010.

We had a delightful time with brother Pat, Mom Evelyn and Dear Sweet Mr Big on Christmas Eve with a nummy dinner - I love being able to use my 12 days of Christmas plates....

and then we were off to church.  Before we knew it it was Christmas morning, a little odd this year because the kids were with their Mom..

I don't know why you are looking so stinking happy Mr Snowman, its now 365 sleeps till Christmas...sorry, was that Grinchy?  Anyways, it's Christmas morning at Castle Allen, a little odd this year because the kids were with their Mom..but still wonderful, Mr Big and I were together, and happy and healthy - and look how spoilt I was

Mr Big is such a great gift purchaser, thank you darling, everything was just perfect!  We had a really nice morning in one anothers company and then it was time to head off to Chateau Martine.  When you walk into Mike and Teresa's home you see this lovely slogan, and isn't this really what Christmas is about - family being together?  Course as soon as I read this I had to fight back the tears - I was missing my family from NZ more than ever and was homesick but when I saw this *sniff* I missed them more.  Thanks for calling on the day Momma and Al, that was wonderous!

Whats the perfect followup to that niceity?  My toes.  Perfect.  The toe socks Mr Big got me were orsome but my kiwi toes did not really want to be in toe bondage....as is evidenced here

A beautiful meal was had by all - and we started to settle into games.  While doing so Miss Teresa brought my attention to Mikes uncanny resemblance to one Mr Spencer Tracey.  Ok, I see it T.

speaking of games....I think I did not too shabbily, though I think that you guys were mean in not allowing some of my creative words including:

Thank you Teresa for opening your home to us for another wonderful family occasion, for another wonderful Chrismas.  What a beautiful family we have.  Though I didn't dare ask for the fam to squish together for a family picture, I did manage to snap a little picture of the three gals - Mindaroo, Evelyn and Teresa.  love you guys.

What you cant see over their shoulders (or hear) is the snoring of one Mr Patrick Allen, bachelor at large of Lake Stevens.  Here he is, dreaming no doubt, of a white Christmas.

Only 364 sleeps to go, it was the best Christmas ever.

Fogalicious

Pea soup is what we woke to this morning - I think Tony the deer is glad he's an indoor deer as he looks out to the fog shrouded Clark park

Owl pajamas

These were the perfect gift. Thank you tarjay for making them, thank you Tadpole for hearing my screams of delight when I saw them and thinking to tell Mr Big they would be a good Christmas Gift, thank you honey for not returning them when I used my witchy psychic powers to guess what they were. I love you OP's !!!!!!

Let it snow park deux

 Ok I'm pissed.  I was promised snow and though I was on high snow alert all evening (11pm, 1am, 2.30am and 3am I woke and threw open the blinds hoping to see nothing but a blanket of white and tiny snowflake whizzing by my second story window blizzard style.  Sadly, and quite remarkable, North Everett was slighted friends, SLIGHTED by the snow.  Neary a flake fell.  Downhearted and head hung low I made way to work down broadway...still nothing...(though there were many cars with snow drifts ontop of their cars, almost mocking up with their snowiness)...onto I5...nothing....then we got to South Everett and BAM - snowmageden.  PRAISE GOD for the fact that we were car pooling and able to use that lane otherwise it would have taken me hours to get to work.

You wouldn't know it from looking at this picture but this was definitely the calm before the cluster.  This is 164th in Lynnwood, typically a mild mannered street with nothing very exciting happening (ok, there IS an artisinal well here but that's it)  If you look really hard in the distance down this hill lookie at the carnage of people who have no business driving, let alone in 1 inch of snow....BUT FRIENDS, part of my new mantra as we walk into this new decade is to not get so frustrated at others - so I digressed and enjoyed the incredible beauty (around the carnage).  Just check out the sky

and each tree was just a miracle

and then there was the sky....again....

I did get to see some flurries whispering past my office window and this filled my happiness meter to overflowing, amazing what a little slightly frozen water can do for a gals demeanor!

Goating around

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U24ieRZO3s

Nigerian Dwarf Goat - please be mine next Christmas!!!!

363 sleeps to go

See ya Christmas - its been grand, see you in 363 sleeps - I miss you already.

Is it just me or do you feel depressed about the plain and simple fact that Christmas goes so quick.  I'm a fan of the stores starting in October - it draws it out longer.  And with it being the best holiday/time of the year who wouldn't want to make it last longer?

As you know, at Castle Allen the tree and accompanying decorations must come down on Boxing Day, otherwise depression sets in. Deep.  Thanks to Mr Big we got most things packed up and stashed in the attic, just a couple of outdoor lights to come down this weekend and we will be done.  But now I am left with a dilemma - WHAT DO I DECORATE FOR??? Winter? Spring? I'm stuck!  Your comments suggesting the best decor accoutrement's would be appreciated.

Segwaying here's another question.  Why are the bathrooms in Chinese restaurants so friggin disgusting?  Mr Big treated me to a Dim Sum lunch in the elusive Zen Garden (PS - though this isn't my favorite dim sum place the garden in the back is magnifeek)...and it was all quite nice right up until I had the misfortune of needing to use the facilities.  For some reason the proprietors of this style of restaurant must not place high importance of the hygiene of the loo - this one was a delight with a recently flooded floor (sweet Jesus I pray that it was water and not.....you know...), plus to add to the general ambiance, there was feminine hygiene products lying about the loo area.  Needless to say I did the hover AND closed my eyes so I didn't have to see the carnage.  Yikkes.  Bad.  Don't think I will be returning there anytime soon.

Christmas Hilariousness

I know you are always rolling in the streets reading my bloggy, but it is nothing compared to this genius writing



http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/12/year-kenny-loggins-ruined-christmas.html

High on the hills

Leavenworth WA.  Our annual pilgramage to the holy land of Christmasness.  Peppermint schnapps-check, friends- check, every scrap of warm clothing - check.  It's time to hit the road.

First matter of business...the stomach.  Where else would one eat but THE SULTAN BAKERY!!!! OHHH YEAAAAAAA.  We had warned unnamed friend and her sharkboy that the meals were gianormic there but I think that mayhaps they might have thought we were over-exaggerating.  Imagine their surprise when "the Trainwreck" unnamed friend had ordered arrived by forklift...

Actually, I have officially been given the nod to reveal unknown friend as one miss Hailey Hansen...and now allow me to introduce her luffa - Mr Chris

after breakkie we headed up the Tumwater Canyon and on the way we stopped for a few photo opportunities.  Tad found a wonderful forest road and as we were making our way up what should Hailey (aka unnamed friend) find rolling around in the back of the suburban?  A HATCHET.  Some of my faithful readers may or may not know that Hailey talks about shanking.  ALOT.  So it came as no surprise to the occupants of the gleemobile that her happiness meter was redlined when she spied this tool and immediately signalled for Tadpole to halt the car so she could hatchet something.  Fortunately for us and civilized society, the blackberry bushes where the only victims

Queue maniacal laughing

....and yet more....

ah, but the mountains took me away from the carnage

We were then on our way again...but had to stop to take a picture or 15 of the moss literally glowing on the trees with the sunshine on it

There were so many places along the trip that we wanted to stop - even a snow drift wouldn't stand in our way and by our I mean me and Tad, the other turkeys stayed in the warmth of the burban while we scaled this mountain of snow

but the payoff was well worth it!

There were icicles on the sides of the composting long drop loo - and Tadpole thought he would take them back to the car as a treat for the guys to suck on, sadly they cottoned on that it might be unsanitary to do so and sent him packing!

More yummy mountains

Praise God, there was fudge in them there mountains - chewy praline vanilla was my fav

I think I'm addicted to this scenery

and then...we were there, with 50,000 of our closest friends

look at this saucy lil elf

Time for beer.....

and gobbling sausages as ably demonstrated in this mural (Tad did not pose for this photo)

ahh- a warm fire, Mr Big, good friends and sausage.  Who could ask for anything more?

and then the town and the tree were lit - so beautiful ESPECIALLY with the snow lightly floating down

also - one of the must do's in Leavenworth is the hat shop - Mr Big rocks any look, especially a Plymouth Pioneer - this hat would make him around 9 ft tall

and as you all know I've always wanted a teacup pig, but maybe a TADPOLE PIG would be even better

Adieu Leavenworth - till next year!