I won't bore you with a lot of photos, but rest assured our vacation was AWESOME! Lots of sun, heat, cold water, sunburning, naked toddlers, fireworks, family, good food, friends, boating, swimming, dust, dirt, dogs, reading, painting, sewing, and dating. Woohoo! It was so much fun; I'm still not quite ready to be back (and we've been home for 5 days now!)
Random thoughts:
Quilt Shop--I love you.
Living somewhat close to the 'rents comes in handy when you need a date night with the hubs.
Boats and water continue to freak me out.
Toddlers in boats and water will probably always freak me out.
Big fireworks on two nights is an awesome idea.
Transformers is an AWESOME movie!
Wok About Grill is still one of my fave places to eat.
Remember the "toddler" paints when you bring your own.
And also the "toddler" brushes. Sheesh.
Nibbler would like to be a wild pug, roaming the hills and eating bugs.
The internet is--GASP--not quite as necessary as I would like to think.
Vacation time is good for the soul.
That's it, that's all I have to say. I'll be back later with shop updates and a few thoughts on visiting the ER with a toddler. And, if I don't forget, an AWESOME cookie recipe! Remind me!
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Exploring Boston
(Don't forget to enter my giveaway drawing here!)
Bug ad I have spent our vacation exploring Boston and our old neighborhood. Not a whole lot of words today, but pictures for you to enjoy:
Bug ad I have spent our vacation exploring Boston and our old neighborhood. Not a whole lot of words today, but pictures for you to enjoy:
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Boston
We're in Boston. We arrived Saturday, and have been catching up with friends/the city since getting here. It's a bit overwhelming--like we have been on a long vacation.
Anyway, of course we've been out in the city, going to favorite places. We celebrated my birthday with lots of friends!
Before we left, I finished a quick version of Theresa's huswife pattern, so I could bring along my embroidery tools. I really like how it turned out, and can't wait to handsew the next one!
I've finished a couple of embroideries, which I'm not quite sure what I'll do with yet, but it's nice to have something done.
And of course, catching up with the city means "finding treasures" or as my husband might call it: "spending money." (I didn't spend much, honey!) Buttons and ribbon, little bits of Boston to bring home with me.
Anyway, of course we've been out in the city, going to favorite places. We celebrated my birthday with lots of friends!
Before we left, I finished a quick version of Theresa's huswife pattern, so I could bring along my embroidery tools. I really like how it turned out, and can't wait to handsew the next one!
I've finished a couple of embroideries, which I'm not quite sure what I'll do with yet, but it's nice to have something done.
And of course, catching up with the city means "finding treasures" or as my husband might call it: "spending money." (I didn't spend much, honey!) Buttons and ribbon, little bits of Boston to bring home with me.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
(Almost) Happy New Year!
I thought I'd get this post in now, before I forgot on New Year's Day...anyway, I hope everyone had a good holiday, and is ready to begin a new year! We're still busy--or rather, I'm still busy--crafting away at Christmas gifts, which are turning into New Year's gifts. I finished the main onslaught, but now I'm onto items I had put off so I could celebrate the holidays with my own family. Sigh.
Tomorrow I pick up my friend from the airport, so we can ring in the new year together, and I can show her "my" Seattle. Then Saturday, we're all off to Boston--her to go home, and Jes, Bug and me for a vacation! I'm so excited to visit our old home, and celebrate my birthday (27!) at a favorite restaurant.
Once I come home in mid-January, I hope to really concentrate on my shop, as I've had a ton of ideas and no time with which to realize them.
P.S. It's not still snowy, but this is how far behind I am on my photo uploading. I'm awesome. :O)
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Swap Goods
I've been out of town for awhile, and back home for a few days, and I'm just now catching up. Do you know the feeling? The holidays are busy, that's for sure, but when you add a stomach bug, a cold, a wedding, my first "photo shoot" (LOL--I played photographer for my brother's wedding with my new toy,) holiday crafting, and a Thanksgiving dinner for 16 into the mix, you're looking at insanity.
Anyway, I'm back, and back on the blogosphere.
I'm participating in a "Mini Quilt in a Bag Swap," where we send our partner a little bag of goodies, which we will then use to create a mini quilt to send back to our partner. Pretty cool!
Anyway, I'm back, and back on the blogosphere.
I'm participating in a "Mini Quilt in a Bag Swap," where we send our partner a little bag of goodies, which we will then use to create a mini quilt to send back to our partner. Pretty cool!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Grandpa's Birthday Weekend
This weekend we drove to the Tri-Cities to help celebrate Grandpa's birthday. Bug had a great time eating cupcakes, and all other kinds of food he's not usually allowed. Gotta love grandparents! :O)
It's a long drive, especially once you hit the flat lands. But I managed to spend the entire time knitting (without to bad of motion sickness.) Actually, I spent the entire weekend knitting, which was awesome! I finished my Lorna's Laces socks (no pictures yet,) and a hat for Bug.
Tonight I finished a few sets of cards for my shop. Exciting times!
Monday, August 11, 2008
We're Back
Last week was crazy, insanely good, pull-your-hair-out-frustrating, and exhausting. I'm exhausted.
After Jes arrived in Seattle, we spent so much time driving up and down, and up and down, and up and down the streets of Tacoma looking for a place to live. Because guess what? Not everyone advertises their rentals on the 'tubes. They put a teeny, tiny, little postage stamps sized For Rent sign in the one window of the house that is covered by overgrown hedges, or in some cases, full grown trees. So you literally have to park, get out of your car, and walk up to the window in order to read the tiny little poorly written phone number so you can call, only to find out that they don't take dogs, or cats, or people who don't partake in illegal drugs. So anyway, we ended up looking at loads of really--I mean REALLY--crappy places, and finally settling on the very first house we found online. (OK, some people advertise rentals...) Go figure. It took a tank of gas, a paranoid phone call to my brother-in-law ("can we stay up in Redmond tonight because we can't find a house down here and we're running out of time and I'm going to cry!?") and a frantic search online only to find out the cost of a three bedroom apartment has gone up. A lot. So we opted for the "less expensive, stand alone house, 40 miles outside of Seattle, but no hookers on our doorstep" option. We put in our application and I'm now anxiously waiting for the darn phone to ring to find out if we got in. (We have a back up, but it's not as great, and I'm not terribly excited about it.)
Meanwhile, we've decided to use this as an opportunity to rid ourselves of all the excess crap we've amassed over the years. So we're only taking the furniture we like, one set of linens, our clothes, and a few treasured possessions (it sounds like less than it really is...) The rest of it will hopefully be sold in our giant moving sale.
On top of all of this, we found out (minutes after we put in our application for the apartment) that while so far everything has gone smoothly with our house sale, the ONE remaining piece, the KEY piece, may not work out. The appraiser is trying to push it through as valued at $20 thousand less than our asking price (BTW, we along with our realtor, came up with our asking price, after lots of thorough research. It's not like we threw some magic sticks in a fire, turned around three times, said a prayer to the house selling gods, and came upon our number in a dream.) Seriously. Doesn't he understand the urgency here? Anyway, we're going to push through with everything as if it were all peachy keen, and hope for the best. Send good thoughts!
I do have some last minute sewing to do before I leave. Things I've been putting off for ages, and things I've come up with in the past few days. Some repairs for a friend (sorry Shona! I promise I'll get it done before I leave!) and one thing for me. I want to leave with a clean project palette. The question is, can I do it in time, and still pack up our house?
I came home with some awesome fabric (I know, I know, more things to move. I can hear my husband already.) But it was worth it. I have plans!
Oh, and I managed to take pictures of the apron I made for my sister. It's reversible, with pockets and a line of elastic for all her dog grooming accoutrements. She also has a matching zipper pouch and dog crate pad (hmmm...I'm envisioning Christmas presents for certain people. And their dogs...unfortunately Penelope the great dane will take a few yards of fabric.) The pictures aren't that great, but you get the idea. And a good view of my fun convertible rental!
Store-bought applique.
And one final note: my Etsy shop is officially offline for the duration of our move. Sad, but necessary.
After Jes arrived in Seattle, we spent so much time driving up and down, and up and down, and up and down the streets of Tacoma looking for a place to live. Because guess what? Not everyone advertises their rentals on the 'tubes. They put a teeny, tiny, little postage stamps sized For Rent sign in the one window of the house that is covered by overgrown hedges, or in some cases, full grown trees. So you literally have to park, get out of your car, and walk up to the window in order to read the tiny little poorly written phone number so you can call, only to find out that they don't take dogs, or cats, or people who don't partake in illegal drugs. So anyway, we ended up looking at loads of really--I mean REALLY--crappy places, and finally settling on the very first house we found online. (OK, some people advertise rentals...) Go figure. It took a tank of gas, a paranoid phone call to my brother-in-law ("can we stay up in Redmond tonight because we can't find a house down here and we're running out of time and I'm going to cry!?") and a frantic search online only to find out the cost of a three bedroom apartment has gone up. A lot. So we opted for the "less expensive, stand alone house, 40 miles outside of Seattle, but no hookers on our doorstep" option. We put in our application and I'm now anxiously waiting for the darn phone to ring to find out if we got in. (We have a back up, but it's not as great, and I'm not terribly excited about it.)
Meanwhile, we've decided to use this as an opportunity to rid ourselves of all the excess crap we've amassed over the years. So we're only taking the furniture we like, one set of linens, our clothes, and a few treasured possessions (it sounds like less than it really is...) The rest of it will hopefully be sold in our giant moving sale.
On top of all of this, we found out (minutes after we put in our application for the apartment) that while so far everything has gone smoothly with our house sale, the ONE remaining piece, the KEY piece, may not work out. The appraiser is trying to push it through as valued at $20 thousand less than our asking price (BTW, we along with our realtor, came up with our asking price, after lots of thorough research. It's not like we threw some magic sticks in a fire, turned around three times, said a prayer to the house selling gods, and came upon our number in a dream.) Seriously. Doesn't he understand the urgency here? Anyway, we're going to push through with everything as if it were all peachy keen, and hope for the best. Send good thoughts!
I do have some last minute sewing to do before I leave. Things I've been putting off for ages, and things I've come up with in the past few days. Some repairs for a friend (sorry Shona! I promise I'll get it done before I leave!) and one thing for me. I want to leave with a clean project palette. The question is, can I do it in time, and still pack up our house?
I came home with some awesome fabric (I know, I know, more things to move. I can hear my husband already.) But it was worth it. I have plans!
Oh, and I managed to take pictures of the apron I made for my sister. It's reversible, with pockets and a line of elastic for all her dog grooming accoutrements. She also has a matching zipper pouch and dog crate pad (hmmm...I'm envisioning Christmas presents for certain people. And their dogs...unfortunately Penelope the great dane will take a few yards of fabric.) The pictures aren't that great, but you get the idea. And a good view of my fun convertible rental!
Store-bought applique.
And one final note: my Etsy shop is officially offline for the duration of our move. Sad, but necessary.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Seattle Update
We've been busy! We've met up with lots of people, and seen lots of fabric stores (poor kid.) (Well, good thing he doesn't really care yet!)
Oh, the car rental place upgraded me from my requested Hyundai Accent-type car to a PT Cruiser convertible. So that's been fun. And no rain to speak of, so the top's been down the whole time!
Here pictures from the zoo:
Bug smelling flowers in the rose garden:
My brother Duane:
The three "kids" (as my parents say.)
The grandparents and grandchildren:
And moving on...here's Bug with another set of grandparents:
Last night we had dinner with my good friend Kelly at the Kirkland waterfront, and then took a walk and saw the boats and all the families swimming. Bug even tried to take a dip in the water (Mommy had to make a run for it!)
There are more pictures to be uploaded to my Flickr account, but for now we're just having a good time! We have three house possibilities, so cross your fingers that one of them works out. Jes flew in early this morning, and we're heading down to Tacoma today to see inside the houses.
Oh, the car rental place upgraded me from my requested Hyundai Accent-type car to a PT Cruiser convertible. So that's been fun. And no rain to speak of, so the top's been down the whole time!
Here pictures from the zoo:
Bug smelling flowers in the rose garden:
My brother Duane:
The three "kids" (as my parents say.)
The grandparents and grandchildren:
And moving on...here's Bug with another set of grandparents:
Last night we had dinner with my good friend Kelly at the Kirkland waterfront, and then took a walk and saw the boats and all the families swimming. Bug even tried to take a dip in the water (Mommy had to make a run for it!)
There are more pictures to be uploaded to my Flickr account, but for now we're just having a good time! We have three house possibilities, so cross your fingers that one of them works out. Jes flew in early this morning, and we're heading down to Tacoma today to see inside the houses.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Seattle!
We're here! So far, I've managed to hit up two fabric stores, the paper store, Uwajamiya (in Bellevue, today we'll be going to the big one downtown, as well as Daiso!!!) my favorite breakfast place, my favorite Thai place, and the zoo. Oh, and we've seen two grandmas, a grandpa, two aunts, two uncles, and my new nephew! (My nephew is out of the hospital as of two days ago, and seems to be doing great! He's adorable, and his aunt is now doting on him.) :O)
So, needless to say, we're exhausted. My little monkey is running me ragged, but adjusting to the time zone well, so at least we're sleeping. And I even managed to knit two rows on my socks! Woohoo!
So, needless to say, we're exhausted. My little monkey is running me ragged, but adjusting to the time zone well, so at least we're sleeping. And I even managed to knit two rows on my socks! Woohoo!
Friday, August 1, 2008
50th Post!
This week has been full of anticipation--things that only Jes and I knew about, eagerly awaiting our vacation, and wondering when our house would sell. Now that the week is closing, and we've disclosed information to family and friends, I think I'm ready to share with the blogging world our news.
Our house sold. But you already knew that. What you didn't know is that we're moving back to Washington state, Tacoma actually, at the end of August. We'll be saying goodbye to all of our good friends here in Boston, and heading on another adventure in the Pacific Northwest. This time in a new city, with new places to explore.
Tomorrow we head out to Washington to not only visit family and friends, but look for a new house, one which we home to call home for a few years. I have a couple I've scheduled to look at, all with three bedrooms, fully fenced yards, and near parks. And the most important part--they're all affordable.
Other than that, I've been schlepping my sister and her boyfriend around Boston, showing them the sights before we all head back, and sewing like a mad person. I managed to finish her apron, a dog crate pad, and zipper pouch, plus cut out the fabric for our new quilt and my apron, and make major progress on my scarf and socks. So while it's not where I'd hoped to be, I'm at least making progress. I'll post pictures as soon as I can; my camera's been acting up.
Our house sold. But you already knew that. What you didn't know is that we're moving back to Washington state, Tacoma actually, at the end of August. We'll be saying goodbye to all of our good friends here in Boston, and heading on another adventure in the Pacific Northwest. This time in a new city, with new places to explore.
Tomorrow we head out to Washington to not only visit family and friends, but look for a new house, one which we home to call home for a few years. I have a couple I've scheduled to look at, all with three bedrooms, fully fenced yards, and near parks. And the most important part--they're all affordable.
Other than that, I've been schlepping my sister and her boyfriend around Boston, showing them the sights before we all head back, and sewing like a mad person. I managed to finish her apron, a dog crate pad, and zipper pouch, plus cut out the fabric for our new quilt and my apron, and make major progress on my scarf and socks. So while it's not where I'd hoped to be, I'm at least making progress. I'll post pictures as soon as I can; my camera's been acting up.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sold!
Our house sold already! It went on the market last Friday, the open house was Sunday, and we accepted a full-price offer yesterday. Wow, I can't believe it!
So now I have a house to pack up, and a new house to find. In less than a month. I feel slightly nauseas, but I can do it.
I've decided that I'm going to put my Etsy shop offline for the duration of the move, since I can't handle that as well as everything else. However, if you'd like a custom order, let me know and we'll see what we can work out. I seem to work best when I have fifteen million things piled up against me! :O)
Speaking of which, this week, before we leave for vacation at the very early crack of dawn Saturday, I need to:
1. Finish a quilt for a new baby.
2. Finish invitations for said baby's shower.
3. Finish an apron.
4. Finish 2 dog crate pads.
5. Finish 1 zipper pouch.
6. Hem my new pants (it's magic--I looked through all the clearance racks, and was walking out of the store when I looked at a MEN's display table, and saw a pair of women's jeans, in my size, on clearance. I think it was the only pair left in Massachusetts, since I've been looking at various stores for about a month now.) (And I'm short, so I always have to hem my pants.) (Anyway, it's magic.)
I also want to:
1. Make my knitting bag and matching zipper pouch, so I'll have something fun to carry on the plane.
2. Make another shirt.
3. Cover my new moleskins.
4. Buy more fabric! (Oh, wait, we're on a spending freeze. Stupid house sale and closing costs!)
5. Finish my Noro scarf.
6. Finish my Lorna's Laces socks.
I'm very much looking forward to visiting Uwajimaya, Kinokuniya, Pacific Fabric's Outlet store, Daiso, Cost Plus World Market, Nasai Teriyaki, espresso huts on the side of the road, and of course my nephew, who is, by the way, doing much better and may get to go home next week. I also want to see Pike's Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, the waterfront, and to drive by our old house. And we're visiting 12,372 family members and friends. All crammed into 8 days, 2 of which are solely dedicated to traveling. At least we're not driving all over the state the entire time. But it will be fun. We're staying with Jes' brother and his new girlfriend, so we get to meet the (potential) new sister. Yey! And Eamon will get to visit with all of his grandmas and grandpas, and aunts and uncles, and cousins, and wow, this is going to be another whirlwind trip. Well, I suppose that's what we do best.
I am obsessing over the Denyse Schmidt for Free Spirit Katie Jump Rope fabric line. And Flea Market Fancy. But that one's out of print, and proving difficult to find and buy. So now I'm obsessing. Seriously. I can't stop thinking about it. I especially love the little sprouting leaves on the green background. I want a quilt out of all the greens, blues, and browns. I'm slowly going insane. I can buy a fat quarter pack of the Katie Jump Rope in the blues, greens, and browns, which would suffice, but I might end up divorced from it. What to do, what to do???
And now I've proven that I have no cohesive thoughts in my body right now.
So now I have a house to pack up, and a new house to find. In less than a month. I feel slightly nauseas, but I can do it.
I've decided that I'm going to put my Etsy shop offline for the duration of the move, since I can't handle that as well as everything else. However, if you'd like a custom order, let me know and we'll see what we can work out. I seem to work best when I have fifteen million things piled up against me! :O)
Speaking of which, this week, before we leave for vacation at the very early crack of dawn Saturday, I need to:
1. Finish a quilt for a new baby.
2. Finish invitations for said baby's shower.
3. Finish an apron.
4. Finish 2 dog crate pads.
5. Finish 1 zipper pouch.
6. Hem my new pants (it's magic--I looked through all the clearance racks, and was walking out of the store when I looked at a MEN's display table, and saw a pair of women's jeans, in my size, on clearance. I think it was the only pair left in Massachusetts, since I've been looking at various stores for about a month now.) (And I'm short, so I always have to hem my pants.) (Anyway, it's magic.)
I also want to:
1. Make my knitting bag and matching zipper pouch, so I'll have something fun to carry on the plane.
2. Make another shirt.
3. Cover my new moleskins.
4. Buy more fabric! (Oh, wait, we're on a spending freeze. Stupid house sale and closing costs!)
5. Finish my Noro scarf.
6. Finish my Lorna's Laces socks.
I'm very much looking forward to visiting Uwajimaya, Kinokuniya, Pacific Fabric's Outlet store, Daiso, Cost Plus World Market, Nasai Teriyaki, espresso huts on the side of the road, and of course my nephew, who is, by the way, doing much better and may get to go home next week. I also want to see Pike's Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, the waterfront, and to drive by our old house. And we're visiting 12,372 family members and friends. All crammed into 8 days, 2 of which are solely dedicated to traveling. At least we're not driving all over the state the entire time. But it will be fun. We're staying with Jes' brother and his new girlfriend, so we get to meet the (potential) new sister. Yey! And Eamon will get to visit with all of his grandmas and grandpas, and aunts and uncles, and cousins, and wow, this is going to be another whirlwind trip. Well, I suppose that's what we do best.
I am obsessing over the Denyse Schmidt for Free Spirit Katie Jump Rope fabric line. And Flea Market Fancy. But that one's out of print, and proving difficult to find and buy. So now I'm obsessing. Seriously. I can't stop thinking about it. I especially love the little sprouting leaves on the green background. I want a quilt out of all the greens, blues, and browns. I'm slowly going insane. I can buy a fat quarter pack of the Katie Jump Rope in the blues, greens, and browns, which would suffice, but I might end up divorced from it. What to do, what to do???
And now I've proven that I have no cohesive thoughts in my body right now.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Weekend Recap
Friday:
I was a domestic goddess. I cleaned my house, including scrubbing my bathtub (and bleaching all the nasty mildew that seems to keep growing despite all my best efforts--yuck!) I washed all the dishes in the kitchen. I hung my new wall organizing system from Ikea. I cleaned my sewing station. I packed for our weekend trip to New Hampshire, cleaned the car, and wrote down directions for all the places we wanted to go while in NH. I even sewed buttons on shirts and shorts. Oh, and I made a baby quilt for my new nephew. All but the hand sewing of the back of the binding. By the way, remember that I'm a full-time nanny? This was all done during three hours of naptimes. Yep, I'm a domestic goddess. :O)
We got to our hotel about midnight that night, in North Conway.
Saturday and Sunday:
I woke up with my lower face swollen and numb. I was apparently bitten by a black fly (on the inside of my lip, I figured out later: gross!) I spent the rest or the weekend doped up on Benadryl, but hey, that's what the weekend's for, right?
We also puttered around. It was nice to have no agenda, no rules, no time constraints. We did what we wanted, when we wanted. We did some shopping at some of the many outlets and took a train ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad. Bug flipped out, and then promptly fell asleep.
It was so very nice to leave town and all of our responsibilities for a little while. It's been a long time--actually almost a year exactly since we took a family vacation. So we need to do things like this more often, even if it's just a little jaunt up the road.
I was a domestic goddess. I cleaned my house, including scrubbing my bathtub (and bleaching all the nasty mildew that seems to keep growing despite all my best efforts--yuck!) I washed all the dishes in the kitchen. I hung my new wall organizing system from Ikea. I cleaned my sewing station. I packed for our weekend trip to New Hampshire, cleaned the car, and wrote down directions for all the places we wanted to go while in NH. I even sewed buttons on shirts and shorts. Oh, and I made a baby quilt for my new nephew. All but the hand sewing of the back of the binding. By the way, remember that I'm a full-time nanny? This was all done during three hours of naptimes. Yep, I'm a domestic goddess. :O)
We got to our hotel about midnight that night, in North Conway.
Saturday and Sunday:
I woke up with my lower face swollen and numb. I was apparently bitten by a black fly (on the inside of my lip, I figured out later: gross!) I spent the rest or the weekend doped up on Benadryl, but hey, that's what the weekend's for, right?
We also puttered around. It was nice to have no agenda, no rules, no time constraints. We did what we wanted, when we wanted. We did some shopping at some of the many outlets and took a train ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad. Bug flipped out, and then promptly fell asleep.
It was so very nice to leave town and all of our responsibilities for a little while. It's been a long time--actually almost a year exactly since we took a family vacation. So we need to do things like this more often, even if it's just a little jaunt up the road.
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