Saturday, December 20, 2008

It's snowing!

I love being home, staying cozy and warm when it snows. I even enjoy walking in freshly fallen snow, in a pleasantly muffled world forced to slow down. I hate, however, driving in the snow, and the general mayhem which ensues after a "snow storm" in Washington. Paul and I had fun Friday night playing in the snow. We eventually decided to try and take my car Blanche out for a spin (fortunately not a literal spin), and ventured to the wonderful world of the mall!


Saturday, December 13, 2008

Christmas 2008

I have had so much fun decorating for Christmas this year, as it is the first year I am actually living somewhere which isn't a "short stay." I even sprung for the $43.00 Christmas tree (for some reason the tree I purchased was more expensive than the taller trees...but I had to get a tree that would fit in my flat...and yes, I do call the apartment a flat, it just sounds more fun...plus my flat is swanky, 1960's, so I can't call it something prosaic like an apartment).




When good shoes see their end

I've had these Steve Madden shoes for awhile, and they are one of my favorite pairs. Sadly I have worn them out with constant wear. It is strange to get attached to something, but I think of all the trips I have taken in these. I met my little niece Elise for the first time wearing these shoes. I walked downtown with Paul during Christmas time in these shoes. So farewell beautiful, simples shoes. I will miss you.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Visual Feast of Oktoberfest in Leavenworth

Although Polka music isn't on my top-ten most loved genres of music, played in the right setting, the music is transformed to almost-cool. The Oktoberfest featured several Polka bands (as well as current music). Paul and I had such a fabulous time! So much to see! Crazy hats, mixed with North Face fleece jackets and traditional German dress...sometimes it was difficult to focus on one think to look at! A couple stealing a kiss on the Polka dance floor


Whirling about to Polka music

This dear old gentleman was demonstrating a little German jig!
This is just an example of the astonishingly crazy hats people were wearing at this festival!

Paul and I took pictures in the impossibly cute downtown Leavenworth!




Accordion music never sounded so cool! This guy was phenomenal, so funny and a little self-deprecating!
The chandelier Paul and plan on having one day!
Sparkling rock candies! I couldn't resist taking a picture of the colors!
A beautifully lit church in downtown Leavenworth.
Maybe Paul will dress up as a knight, instead of "Wendell," his Canadian personality for Halloween!


To Leavenworth we go (at 3pm!)

After we took our fabulous "Flightseeing Tour," we started grabbing all the tourist brochures for Seattle. We found one for the Leavenworth Oktoberfest, and decided on a whim to go! This exec decision was made at 3pm, keeping in mind the drive is about a three hour trip from Seattle! A sleepy Buggie taking a yawn!


An old 76 sign! I love the retro stuff!
Ok, so I nearly wanted to cry when I saw "Brandi and Dave" announcing their wedding reception at a dive bar on our way to Leavenworth. I mean, maybe this is one of the larger venues in their town...but come on, having a reception where the establishment has plastic beer flags? Oh Brandi, I weep for you.....
A blurry image of Sasquatch, he was moving pretty fast...but all Sasquatch pictures are blurry for SOME reason....

More Pictures from our "Flightseeing Tour"

Definitely one of the highlights of living in a city is the GREAT tourist activities! I suggest everyone go on the Kenmore Air's "Flightseeing Tour," it is entirely worth the trip!

My handsome boy stepping outside of Kenmore Air, after he got the idea to go to Leavenworth (at 3pm!)

Paul and my happy faces enjoying a gorgeous, October day with one another!



Paul looking silly for the camera...he does this alot!

Splash down when we hit the water.

The floating houses on Lake Union. When we went on our Duck tour, we were told no more floating houses are allowed to be built on the water. A yacht club found a way around this city ordinance, and once a year they move an enormous, essentially "floating building," by taking it for a spin aroundthe lake to prove it is a vessal, vs. a floating building!
Mt. Rainier floating in the distance My handsome boy enjoying the flight

Kenmore Air embroidery in the cabin

View of Seattle

Here is a view of the Ballard Locks


The I-90 floating bridge, the largest in the nation!


A full view of the Space Needle!


Look how tiny those saiboats look on the water!


The Columbia Tower, the tallest building west of the Mississippi, and I have worked in the building twice now:)

"Flightseeing" Tour of Seattle

Paul and I took a "flightseeing" tour of Seattle on Kenmore Air! Despite the loathsome name, the tour was AMAZING! To be able to Seattle from a different perspective was so much fun! What shocked me the most was the clarity of the bodies of water and the amount of green between the concrete, Seattle is truly an Emerald City! I was also shocked to learn we have the longest floating bridge in the U.S. (I-90). What I also found interesting was the difference between the roofs of "normal" sized houses on the opulent mansions in Medina!












Paul and I goofing around

Paul is always so good with my photo antics! There used to be a time when he didn't even like photos (or so he said). Maybe I just conditioned him to love the camera after years of taking pictures!!


The last day of the girls' visit

Laura and I were so sad when she and Elise had to return to Roswell. I wish we could live in the same area. Although we talk on the phone, it would be nice to be able to visit her whenever I wanted! Having a sister who is also a friend is such a blessing!