California

We woke pretty early on Saturday morning - 5.30 to be precise.  It's incredible how blue the sky gets just prior to the sunrising.  It's like a sapphire...and its the ONLY thing thats good at that time of the morning frineds!!  Here's Mr Big (looking VERY delicious in his travelling outfit!) on the porch at Castle Allen

Onwards to the airport!  Can this trip get any better??  YES, our flight actually was leaving from the N Gates.  N GATES - that means you get to ride the train to get out there.  Lookie at how excited Mr Big is.  If you could see my face it was as excited.  We love trains...even the short ones.

Mr Big is such a wonderful man and he knows me sooo well - he knows I hate to fly so he held my hand and kept close by as it was nearing time to board

Here's our plane all set up ready to receive us

and it would stay set up for the next few hours.  We were supposed to fly out at 9am and we finally FINALLY left around 1pm.  You suck Alaska Airlines...but you wont stop us from our journey, and now we are ON OUR WAY (after 45 minutes of waiting on the tarmac while you find other people to sell seats too of course)

Someone was pretty sleepy after all the waiting excitement

but now we have a fully loaded plane, its time to fly this bird south.

Stay tuned for our arrival at the resort...



Ramblings for Friday

This weekend Mr Big and I are jetting off to California for a mini-break/business meeting/prize acceptance.  I think I mentioned a few weeks ago re this but just to remind you, the destination is Palos Verde and the resort (YAY!) is www.terranea.com which looks to be very lovely.

So lovely in fact that I realized both Mr Big and I would need new threads to step into this fancy schmancy place.  As you might imagine, its been a flurry of activity surrounding the procurement of such things...there is only 4 days to be concerned with but there are multiple costume changes in that period.  This is what we'll be doing

Saturday
Travel to LAX in clothes that are lovely enough to
A. Be picked up by a driver in a limo at the airport
B. Have your "arrival photo" taken when you get to the resort
C. Head into the product show
Quick change (think Diana Price to Wonder Woman style) into resort attire (what the heck is resort wear anyway) for the welcome reception.  I don't think I should drink too many martinis - firstly because I don't want to end up giggling too much and snorting and embarrassing Mr Big in front of his bosses PLUS guess what - the next day....

Sunday
UP AT 6am for breakfast of the terrace between 6 and 9am  (I have no clue what to wear to this)..then a general business session then off to tour the Queen Mary

apparently this is a highly haunted ship so we will certainly be on the look out for spec tors, and may wear our ghost busting outfits JUST in case.  Dinner is at our leisure - I think we are going to find somewhere on the cliffs above the pacific to watch the sunset together.

Monday
will be another early start - our limo leaves at 9:30am to take us to the happiest place on earth.  No, not a Chanel outlet store - DISNEYLAND.  Whats more my BIL and SIL are meeting us there and they are Disney aficionado's so I'm certain it will be a great time.  Monday night is the big awards ceremony and a formal evening.  Mr Big found a suit on close out and was set once he found a white shirt...I on the other hand....had quite a journey. 
It all started a couple of weeks ago at Nordstroms, I found 4 dresses I thought were awesome, came home, tried them on for Mr Big and we concluded none of them would work for the big night...so I brought out the big guns, Tad and Ronnie, to help me find the perfect choice.  After a gruelling day of shopping and returning they found dress 6.  I wasn't sure about it but Tadpole particularly was insistent on it.  With it on board we headed home for a fashion show for the hubs...and he chose the same one they liked.
Next day I STILL wasn't sure about it (it has frills, and beads and satin - allot going on!) so we went shopping and picked up black pumps and dress #7.
Last night I finally decided on a dress and this is now packed and ready for the big Monday night soiree.
Can't wait to see the hubs all suited up and looking gorgeous as he accepts his award.  So proud of you!

Tuesday is travel home day so no fanciness required. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

We actually have a really big busy week next week, we are home on Tuesday (night) and pick up Elliott (stepson) on the way home from the airport.  He is coming to Castle Allen to live permanently.  We enroll him at Everett High School next day, that evening all three kids will be home for dinner, Thursday will be more settling in and then Friday we have all three kids with us over the weekend. 

I'll be off line for a few days friends...look for a bloggy update on Wednesday (that's the aim at least)
Love
Fee
x

Spring has sprung at Castle Allen

Ok, so its no tulip festival, but behold the very first tulip of the year AKA only living thing in our garden.  Friends, Mr Big and I really really need some serious help and serious motivation to knock our jardin into luciousness.  Almost everything died in the hard frosts and winter...and now we have sticks, dead things and one tulip to show for it all.  What is fast growing, cheap to buy and looks glorious?

BEHOLD THE SUPER MOON

Visitation

I haven't seen my cousin Blair for a longgggg time.  Upwards of 10 years, maybe longer.  So I was so thrilled when his lovely wife Sue contacted me through facebook and asked if we would like a visit!

Last Friday they arrived at Seatac and they stayed for 4 days, it was so great to catch up with them both.  I took a million pictures, but I really tried to not be in their face like i usually would be with the rest of you.  I think its a bit overwhelming at the best of times, but when you haven't had the "pleasure of my company" for a while it would be just plain weird.

Friday night was fun.  Mr Big and I went straight from work down to the airport to pick them up.  Only trouble was

A.  I didn't have Sue or Blairs phone number

B. We didn't have a pre arranged meeting spottage

C. Seatac Airport has a bazillion possible arrival ports......

so I decided to wait by their baggage carousel instead.  I felt bad, it wasn't really a welcome.  It would have been better to run at them arms outstretched singing their name as they came out of the arrival gate...but again, that would have been weird (for them, not for me, that's the typical way I greet visitors).  Luckily they found me first.  We had planned to go to the Highway 99 Blues Club but the club pushed their show from 9pm to 8pm and decided everyone had to be "seated" 30 minutes prior to the rockabilly show starting.  BOOOOOOO to you.  Not knowing the cousins so well we decided to leave the choice du jour to them.  We ended up starting by driving to Kerry Park and looking at a perfect Seattle View:

(Photo courtesy of http://www.stacymunn.com/) I don't take good night photos

Then we headed up to Capitol Hill for dinner and frosty adult beverages at Cucina Cantina, coincidentally the first restaurant Mr Big took me too when we first met.  By the time we finished up there it was time to head to Everett town and bed.

Next day started with rain.  Because everyone has this expectation that it rains constantly in Seattle the cousins weren't surprised by it at all but I was bummed because it doesn't rain here all the time.  Nevertheless we were brave souls and headed out into it PLUS as an added bonus Tadpole joined us.

First stop Bubblegum Wall in Post Alley

thanks to Tadpole we were all chomping liniment flavored gum AKA Artic Ice

Miss Sue was grossed out with the overwhelming sweet smell of saliva and hubba bubba...I have to agree, its pretty disgusting and yet strangely alluring...

time for Pike Place Market!

Tadpole found the cutest hat that he totally should have purchased, as you can see, its a piglywigly - what you cant see is the delightful curly tail at the back!

we were famished by the time we walked the market - so next it was Dim Sum at the House of Hong

then it was back up the road so we could enjoy the EMP (Experience Music Project) - who knew, cousin Blair is a guitar player (and really great at it too) - he looked like a total natural playing in the soundbooth

Here is Blair and Sue looking for the Space Needle ...Guy's, you're warm...

Blair outside the fantastic EMP building.  This is a Frank Gehry building.  Frank...I loves ya baby, you did an AWESOME job on this building...though I really don't see a "broken guitar" represented.

Me and Blair.  I know what you are thinking and don't worry - I'm on it, these jeans are not faded in flattering places.

Tadpole, you are sooo cute (see the space needle reflected in the EMP)

After rocking out at the EMP we raced home to down a couple of glasses of wine then it was time for shuffleboard,  beer, hot wings and jello shots at the Corner Tavern in Bow.

they really are the best wings in the world

we had QUITE a lot to drink and sent a drunk picture to our friend Angela while we were waiting for her to join us

I think my teeth look quite nice in this photo.  (PS if you are looking for a nice dentist to go to you really should call Norm http://www.goodwindds.com/ hes a delight (and ask for Fergie as your hygienist)...anyhoo, back to the cousins.  After the Corner there was no other place to go but to the Reservation (casino) and play Cosmic Glow in the Dark Bingo.  Blair got called up for the game show that they play at intermissions and had a dance off ( that boy can shake it, its a family thing) and not surprisingly Blair was awarded money for his prize.

Next day we were up a little later - went to Snoqualmie Falls (freezingly magnificent) saw Sally at the Spa (wow that place is beautiful) and had hot chocolate in the restaurant before heading to Monroe to Eddies Trackside for delicious burgers and a not so fabulous concert from Roger Fisher and Band.  I had had high hopes for this so was a bit sad that it wasn't better - but then it all turned around when a scary dude in a flannel shirt and grey hoodie came in.  He caught mine and Sues eye and we both looked at each other and vulcan mind-melded the message "CREEPER ALERT" - gentleman X was a source of amusement for us for the rest of the evening as we tried to avert eye contact.

I had a half a day off for study and once I had had all I could handle of insurance text books we saddled up for another road trip, this time our destination was fisherman's terminal in the fair city of Ballard.  This is the place where the crab fishing and other commercial fishing boats are, and its also home to Chinooks (good call Carrie) where we enjoyed clam chowder and fried halibut for a late munch.

Just look at this pretty boat

Magnolia is just a short drive from here and...THE SUN CAME OUT - so what prettier place to see the sound right?

this is the view they were looking at

Theo's was just around the corner, and who doesn't like a sweet treat?  Luckily they were still open so we could sample all the goodies.  With a scooch of sunshine hours left we decided to drive down to the Ballard locks.  Sue was so thrilled to see the sun again

with all the rain that we had there was a tonne of water spilling from the lake to the sound - but only one lonely baby fish in the fish ladder.  Sue thought it was a Chinook

Its such a nice spot there and everything was blooming - just look at these love birds

Blair and Sue with the railroad bridge in the background looking up the Puget Sound

and what trip to Seattle is complete WITHOUT a trip so see the troll??

It was so wicked catching up with you guys and getting to know you again.  Thanks for visiting!

WINNER WINNER potato dinner

I admit, it was pretty darn hilarious to wear a Christmas shirt on St Pat's day - but who knew my warped sense of humor would land me as a BIG WINNER.  Yes!!!

Look at my awesome booty (no not that, my prize you silly sausage)

Shenanigan's aplenty to be sure

The day dawned with sun streaming in the window - weird, because of late its been such bad weather Mr Big and I have been considering gathering pairs of animals and building an ark.  SO. MUCH. RAIN.  So Mr Sunshine, you are welcome, welcome to fill our hearts and minds this St Pats day.

We embraced the green at the office today, there is one corner of the office decorated beautifully AND we have treats.  Let me show you around:
First off, I only have one green shirt - but I think it was just perfect for the occasion, specially when you bare in mind that it is a scant 282 days till the big day

here is some of the other celebratory outfits - my neighbor Kristen

my neighbors neighbor Miss Robin

Brumfield went all out with a manklace

Hailey AKA Unnamed friend kinda rocked the show with everything Irish including her shoesies

Here she is Irish dancing and then being her normal self.  Riverdance, here you come

Janet had really fabulous Irish nails.  Let me say - not many people can rock the green nail, but she did.

Speaking of rocking - Kristin made an INcredible shamrock rice krispie and marshmallow forest

and I made traditional s-rolls.  For some reason they didn't really turn out their usual fantasmick self, but they were still good

Kristin and I did a turn about the office and found some other lovely things

and two of our beautiful (inside and out) co-workers, Miss Crystal (blonde haired blue eyed beauty) and Miss Susan (raven haired lovely lady).  I wish I could spend more time with these too, they are such sparkly soul sisters.  We work in different departments so we dont see each other very much sadly....

Care Package

Yesterday I wasn't having the most stellar of days....I had no sleep the night before, I hadn't showered, the hair was everywhere and I was in my jammas when something awful happened.  There was a knock at the door.  Shiza....do I freeze in spot and keep quiet and hope that the caller goes away?  Or do I scare the crap out of them and answer the door looking like kaka?  I chose to answer the door.  Fortunately there was no one there but I could see the postie skipping down our path on to their next delivery.  I looked down to the front door mat and saw a giant box which I scooped immediately quickly shutting the door to the world.  PACKAGE, for me, from sissy.  OH GLORY friends, I love a package...and to get it from NZ is all the more fantabulous.  I unpacked it and look what I got

Many of these delicacies may seem foreign to you.  That's because they are.  Everything here is kiwi.  The chips are cheese and bacon flavored corn puffs AKA HEAVEN...some of our Jewish friends tried these at one of our Christmas parties a year or so ago and went crazy for them even though they had bacon essence in them.  Curt and Amy, I have a few saved for you!!  Also there is the greatest easter eggies - marshmallow eggs WITH colored yolk.  I shared these with Mr Big of course, friend Tadpole and the super cousins who all enjoyed them greatly - strangely they actually are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of freshly brewed tea.  These are a staple in any kiwi Easter basket.  Also this year a newcomer to NZ Easter is the pineapple lump (pineapple flavored chewy candy covered in milk chocolate) fashioned into a egg.  Unnamed friend...I have to pause at this time and offer an apology.  You know I love you, and I know you love things pineapple (and coconut) and in ordinary situations I would have saved you one.  I remembered this about 5 eggs into my eggfesta....and I had to save one for Mr Big....sooooo sorry HH.

Moving away from the food content there was also a wonderful sand art piece in my favorite interior color (blanco) - this is a rendering of a pohutukawa blossom.  Pohutukawa trees are native to NZ and are gorgeous coastal trees. Here's a picture of some

Pohutukawa and its cousin rata also hold a prominent place in Maori tradition. Legends tell of Tawhaki, a young Maori warrior, who attempted to find heaven to seek help in avenging the death of his father. He fell to earth and the crimson flowers are said to represent his blood.....nice.

Also in the box 'o fabulousness was some NZ smellies.  She topped the whole thing off with a POP UP card (who doesn't love a pop up?) that had a high heel on it, she knows me soooo well.

Everyone should be so lucky to have a sissy like mine.  Thanks Shona!  Here's a picture of us from my last visit home in 2009.