seattle

Danny had a work thing in Seattle the week after we got back from Ireland, so I went with him. It was a little crazy to have trips back to back like that, but I love Seattle and it's close to our favorite B&B, so we extended the trip and stayed there too.

Poor noodlebug, she was SO SAD when we left again.

Short flights! Wooooo!

We arrived at our hotel and went in search of food.

And we found it! Cheesesteak at DeliNoMore.

The next day I went exploring while Danny met his coworkers for their whatever they were doing.

Post Alley was one on my very favorite coffee blends made by Seattle's Best back in the day when I used to drink coffee at coffee garden a million years ago. Oh, and Henry's Blend. Mmmm. That was Mike and I's favorite. 

I got a muffin from Three Girls Bakery, raspberry cream cheese- sooooo good. The mocha sucked.

That night we ate a restaurant in Pike Place, so I got to go back and see it again, all lit up. I had an amazing pork tenderloin, Danny had scallops, and I got to know all the really cool people that he works with.

The next day, I felt awful. Getting a cold. I loaded up on zinc, and then went to the library, right across the street from our hotel for a hot chocolate and some quiet time.

I read this amazing book cover to cover, and felt so inspired afterwards.

I love this place. I love exploring, in total silence. This place is filled with people, yet it's totally peaceful.

I realized that's what I hate about flying for hours and hours- it's all the people, crammed together, all making noise, in a noisy airplane, for hours on end. I hate crowds, and I actively avoid them. If I go out into the city for the day, I come home and I am just exhausted. 

I am an introvert, and people, interactions with people, whether I know them personally or not, exhaust me emotionally. I need my alone time to recharge. Most of the time, recharging with Danny by my side is what I need, but sometimes I just need to be alone. 

For many years, I was your classic co-dependant. I couldn't go anywhere without someone with me. It caused a huge problem when I was learning to drive, because I wouldn't practice unless I had someone with me. I couldn't be alone with myself, I hated being alone, and if I was alone I was freaking out. Over the years, especially after I started drinking, being alone meant I was drinking. And you know what they say about drinking alone. 

I learned in rehab how to be alone. I was pretty much forced to, due to terrible circumstances where I was being treated. What happened was so awful, and it hurt me deeply, almost as much as the drinking had done, but I learned. I finally got it. 

I learned how to love myself, and to love one's self, you need to be comfortable being alone. Spending quality time with yourself. 

In a library full of people, I learned that I can spend quality time with myself, and it's wonderful. In the future, I will spend more time at the library to offset time spent on planes.

Coolest escalators. They go on, and on....

We were told about Salumi, so went on our last day for lunch. That sandwich was so goooood. Danny had the spaghetti one, he loved it.

Then we rented a car, checked out of our hotel and drove to Snoqualmie.

We've been here a million times, but never in sunny weather! 

I love this place, it's my home away from home. Deanna is such an amazing host, I just love her to pieces!

Uh-oh. Halloween candy.

House in the country. The Old Hen, the best B&B in the world.

I love the chickens!

Danny trying to lure the bunny out...

....and the duck bossing everyone else around.

Pretty creek bed.

It's that time again!

Cherry Pie!!!!!

(although it's really not that great anymore. Like waaaaay lower quality than it used to be, which is so sad!)

Danny had a shake.

We went and had dinner at the Great Northern. It wasn't all that great, but the view was spectacular.

So pretty. I just love this place, I can't wait to come back!

anniversary weekend...

It was our 4 year anniversary over the weekend, and we spent it well.

We walked to our fav ice cream parlor- Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous. I got a cone with chocolate chip, Danny got a cup with some sesame banana brittle wowness. We hopped on the T train to downtown, to go see a movie. After the movie we ate some fabulous indian food- except that Danny found 2 small bones in his Butter Chicken. Euuuggghhhh creepy.

Then we walked around...

St. Patrick's Church.

Wishing trees and husband...

a city sunset...

pretty doors...

Oh hey there, SFMOMA...

our ride home.

It was soooooooooo nice to spend a lazy day together enjoying where we live. This is the first time we've been to a movie since we moved here. Because they don't have reserved seating in California, and we hate crowds and waiting in line- we have avoided going to movies. Aren't we antisocial and lazy? But the movie we saw had been out for a few weeks, so the theatre was nearly empty, so yea- now we can go to movies!

I was scheduled to fly home for a week starting yesterday to attend my BFF Mike's graduation, and to plan an early bday for the Loo. LAte into the afternoon, as I was getting final preparations ready, Danny got a phone call that he might have to go to Hawaii for work this week.

So I scrambled around, trying to determine if I would be able to take Matilda with me on the plane, making calls and answering stupid questions and I almost worked myself up into a frenzy of worry,  anger and resentment that if I were to be home, I'd get to go to Hawaii too. THE ONE TIME GUYS, the one time I go anywhere, Danny gets to go somewhere fabulous for work? Not fair.

Danny got me to cool my jets, and walk to Piccino for some dinner. We had the Bianca pizza-  really good, but almost too light for dinner. We decided to be fancy and order some fancy drinks, Danny got a blood orange sparkling thing and I ordered a Sanbitter. I knew it would be bitter- but what I didn't realize is that bitter in drink lingo equals cough syrup. So if you're one of those people that likes drinking that nasty cherry Robitussin- you should get some Sanbitter. 

By the time we had walked back home, I had let go of my disappointment and got right back into our relaxing weekend. I had gotten everything in order to take Matilda on the plane with me, and since my packing was finished we watched some tv and went to bed early.

Best anniversary so far? Almost. Pretty damn close. But last year- staying at the B&B, eating such fabulous breakfasts- I think that ones wins. We really wanted to do that again this year, but Danny just couldn't get away. 

But the good news is that in honor of our anniversary, Deanna of The Old Hen B&B posted my very favorite pastry she's ever made- the Napoleon. OMG. Obviously we had it last year- and all year long I have been hinting and begging for the recipe, so I am so thankful and excited to make it for myself. As soon as I get home, that is.

christmas dinner

This is the Spiral Omelet from the Old Hen Bed and Breakfast. It is fabulous.

And just my luck- she posted the recipe on her blog on Christmas Eve. We were already planning on having breakfast for dinner on Christmas, and this is so much better than scrambled eggs!

Of course mine did not turn out as pretty as hers. I just made half a recipe since it was just the two of us, so it ended up being thicker and a lot harder to roll. But I rolled it the best I could, and it turned out just fine. Instead of making Hollandaise sauce, and using ham and onions, I made bacon and layered it with cheddar. Mmmm. It was heavenly! I highly recommend making it for yourself asap.

Danny has been craving waffles for months- but I haven't been able to find the powdered buttermilk I usually use. So I hunted down some fresh buttermilk- why is it so hard to find? After the eggs were done, I plugged in our fabulous waffle maker. After 30 minutes of waiting and it didn't heat up- Danny decided we should go to plan P. Pancakes.

So we had fresh orange juice, pancakes, and a cheesy bacon omelet. Apart from the rolling, the omelet was very easy to make. I'm definitely going to be making it more often!

Another recipe that she posted is for her Maple Boys- a variation of her maple bars and they are so effing delicious! She made them when we were there last year for our anniversary and I almost died. I was like "Uhm, how did you know that maple bars are my favorite?" I wanted SO BAD to make them too but I didn't have the Mapleine or the instant mashed potatoes. 

I was thinking just how awesome would it be to stay there for Christmas? So awesome. Except for the part where there is snow. So I will skip that and stay where it doesn't snow.

Next year, I will be ready.

glass beach

...is a place about 3 hours up the coast from us. It's a whole beach made up of sea glass, created from years of irresponsible people dumping their garbage in an area of coastline in the northern part of Fort Bragg, CA.

Someday, I plan on a little weekend getaway for the Mr. and me. There is a fantastic sounding B&B nearby, although I don't know if it will hold to the B&B standard the The Old Hen has set for us.

Crazy yet amazing, right?

Uniquely human, and as far as consequences go- rarely a positive one. Ok, maybe not positive, but neat!

(found via)

anniversary, part 1: the old hen

Last fall when we stayed at the Old Hen, I told Danny that I wanted to go back for our anniversary. He said he'd think about it. Then back in December, he got word of a geeky computer conference going on in Portland the week after our anniversary. So we decided to go to Seattle first, stay at the Old Hen for a few days then drive down to Portland for the conference.

Deanna is the most gracious, friendly host. She got us some sparkling cider to celebrate. If you have a chance you should check out her blog- sometimes she even gives out her famous and decadent recipes!

And she upgraded us to the red room- king size temperpedic bed, a gigantic t.v., 2 reclining chairs, and a huge bathroom with a skylight. It was heavenly. And the price? Such a deal. I highly recommend booking a trip there- soon. Seattle is 30 minutes away, staying in the "country" is the perfect way to experience that beautiful city.

We slept with the window open every night, the perfect spring air and the quiet of a small town was so peaceful and perfect. It was like a second honeymoon.

Behind the house is a quiet little river- Danny decided to see just how waterproof his rain boots were.

Rain boots are provided- which is so nice, then you can go and visit the goats and chickens and step in poop and puddles and not ruin your own shoes. Yea!

This is just part of the cozy wraparound porch- I love that little green dresser!

I was too enthralled with day one's breakfast to take a photo, sorry. Here is day two's breakfast. A fantastic omelet made with fresh eggs and delicious bacon, and homemade maple bars. OMG. Maple bars are my favorite doughnut.

Day three's breakfast. Fresh scrambled eggs with ham, and a napoleon. Ok. This dessert was serious. Let's talk about the layers. Pastry, chocolate sauce. The BEST chocolate sauce I have ever had. More pastry, then custard, creamy vanilla custard. And raspberries. Then repeat. I continue to be floored by her baking talent. I really hope that we will come here every year, for our anniversary and for the dessert.

Baby goat.

I love this wooly guy!

Eating those fresh eggs every morning has me convinced that I want to have chickens someday.

They get 8-10 a day!

Seriously, this sheep had the best personality. He had such a deep "baa", and that guy could run! The animals love visitors, and they all crowd around you wanting attention and food.

click to hear his famous "baa"

I've never met friendly chickens before, but these are very nice chickens.

Cherry pie at the Double R (Twede's) of course.

I love moss. Probably because it doesn't grow in Utah. It's everywhere in Washington and Oregon.

And the falls. We love the falls. It's just so pretty and green here.