My Life List

I've been thinking about doing a Life List for a while (and seeing this post yesterday reminded me that I've never posted about it - and made me add an item to my list!). A list of some of the things I want to see, do and accomplish in my life. I'm hoping that writing it down will help keep me accountable and encourage me to actually do some of the things I might not usually do (but have always wanted to do). I'll be adding to and updating my list as time goes on, and of course I'll share all my crazy (or not so crazy) adventures right here!

Go sky diving

Visit all 50 states

Become a mother

Become a grandmother

Take a cross country road trip

Go to New York City during Christmas

Go back to Europe

Be able to speak a foreign language fluently

Buy a house

Plant a garden

Host a family holiday dinner

Read through the entire Bible

Take dancing lessons

Start my own business

Go on a tropical cruise

Learn photography

Learn photoshop

Ride in a hot air balloon

Ride a trolley in San Francisco

Go bungee jumping (5.1.10)

Dip my toes in the Atlantic Ocean

Ride a tandem bike

Swim with dolphins

Learn to ski

Ride on a motorcycle and/or vespa

Run a 5k

Watch a live episode of SNL

Grow old with my husband

Beat my dad at cribbage

See Andrew Bird in concert (4.9.12)

Learn to drive a stick shift

Go to an Olympic event

Renovate an old house

Meet someone famous

Go to a taping of The Ellen Show with my mom

Go on a Duck boat tour of Seattle

Climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty

Watch a Broadway show in NYC

Go to a Super Bowl (preferably when the Seahawks are playing)

Go to the Grand Canyon (1.29.11)

See Roller Derby

Go to Australia

Go sailing

Cut down my own Christmas Tree (12.2012)

Go to Niagara Falls

Go to a black tie event

Lead a bible study

Write a book

Ride on a double decker bus in London (7.2011)

Get a dog (8.24.10) and again (7.14.12)

Go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Drink a Guinness in Ireland

Fly in a helicopter

Be part of a flash mob

Stay in the best suite in a 5 star hotel

See the Eiffel Tower in Paris (7.2011)

Take a full day at the spa
Bake all the cookies in one of my cookbooks
Go kayaking on Lake Washington
Go to Forks, WA
Live somewhere other than Washington (7.2010-6.2011)
Be completely debt free
Try for a world record

Do you have a life list? What's on your list? I'm curious to hear!

Photo found here.

Golden Gardens + Paseo

On Saturday after an unexpectedly loooooooooong day at work we went out with our friends Mykell (she was my Maid of Honor) and her bf John. We had such a great time! First, we stopped by Paseo - this amazing walk-up Caribbean restaurant in Ballard. Mykell claimed that they had the BEST sandwiches ever. I was a little skeptical until she said it was cash only. If I've learned anything, cash only restaurants are usually pretty tasty. And she was pretty spot on. Both Zach and I got the #2, which we highly recommend (apparently #1 is the other really good choice). 

We took our sandwiches to go and went on down to Golden Gardens. I had never been before, but heard a lot from Mykell about how much fun it was (and how pretty). It's a really sandy beach and has a lot of fire pits where you can bring your own wood to have a bonfire! We brought stuff for s'mores but didn't get there early enough to grab a spot. Instead, we just laid out our blanket, popped open some brew-skis and ate our glorious sandwiches. They were so messy, but that's how you know they are so good!

We watched the sunset and then it got chilly so we went back to Ballard to Cupcake Royale! We each got something different and they were - you guessed it - delish. 

Clockwise from top left: "The Kate" - Chocolate with Vanilla (Pink) frosting; Chocolate with Mint frosting; Tiramisu; Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel. 

I can't wait to go back to Golden Gardens! I love the beach. Especially when there are bonfires involved. And s'mores. 

Have you been to the beach lately? Had any cupcakes? What's your favorite cash-only restaurant that you just know is the best place to eat?

Gettin' Our Bob Ross On

We had a blast painting one of our favorite landscapes last weekend - the Seattle skyline (although it didn't have any trees or little squirrels). Painting, combined with wine (and healthy appreciation for mustaches - ahem, Colleen, ahem) made for an awesome night at Canvas! - a paint & sip studio in downtown Kirkland! I'd been wanting to go for a while now and even though I'm not the best artist (I'm no Bob Ross - definitely far from it) I love being crafty and creative. 

We had Thai food before we went and then wandered down to the Kirkland waterfront for a quick photo. Sutira turned me on to Thai Iced Coffee! Have you had it? You MUST try it. It. Is. Amazing. I already decided I have to order it every time I have Thai food from now on. It's that good. Think sweetened (and strong) coffee with a dash of heavy cream on top (I never said it was the healthiest thing on the menu).

I really hope that is not a cat on a leash behind us in the above photo... kinda looks like it, no?

On to the wine and painting! It's a little spendy coming in at $40, but Sutira found a living social deal that ended up being about $27/each for a party of four! The deal included two bottles of wine between the four of us and painting, so it wasn't a bad deal at all. Plus, it's more for the experience, right?! And I'm all about experiences. 

We were the first ones there at 6:30, which meant we got the best spot with a view of the instructor. They had very light appetizers (think chips, salsa, grapes, cheese + crackers, pound cake) and a bar with beer and wine. Since we had wine included in our deal, I'm not sure if you have to pay extra to get a drink or not beyond the $40 regular price.

They give you four paintbrushes in various sizes, then you fill up on all your paint. The instructor then teaches you step by step how to paint! It's like a grown up paint by numbers. Pretty awesome. And as you can see, all of our paintings turned out pretty darn amazing (ifidosaysomyself).

Getting our paint on! Colleen is not impressed...

Ready to paint!

The sweet set up (Rule #1: Don't mistake your wine glass for the water glass to clean your paintbrush).

I don't remember what was so funny... but we sure had fun!

Here's a bigger and more elaborate version of what we were painting.

On all the walls they had inspiration of all the different painting they teach. You could actually paint whatever you wanted, but we all figured it would be better to just stick with the instructor. :)

Me and my masterpiece! Yes, my space needle is ginormous (that's what he said?). I just wanted to make sure if was the focal point... totally planned it that way. :)

Sutira and Colleen.

Colleen's masterpiece (can you spot the mustaches?).

Sometimes you just have to turn is upside down.

Ellie's masterpiece.

And here's Sutira's masterpiece already up on the wall at her place!

The whole group!

The whole process went surprisingly smooth since the instructor gives you each step. When you layer all the different pieces like they show you, it's actually pretty easy! Although, with two doctors-to-be and an accountant in our group you probably won't be surprised that we were the last group to finish up our paintings (perfectionists, much?!).

We had a blast, and I would highly recommend going if you want something fun to do with a group (and have the bones to spend). There was even a bachelorette party painting right next to us! I know there are a few other similar places around the Seattle area, too.

And one more time because we did so awesome.

Have you ever been to a place like this? If so, what did you paint? Did you find it easy? Challenging? Frustrating? Do tell!

Friday Harbor Trip

I want to share with you a little about our Friday Harbor trip. Last weekend we took a much needed weekend trip up North to Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands for our birthdays and after busy season vacation. I had only been there once before when I was really young, and Zach had never been up that way. I found a Living Social Deal online for the Friday Harbor House, which worked wonderfully! I dropped off Buster Boo at my parents' house for the weekend (my Mom was so excited to babysit her "grand-dog":) and we were off!

We totally lucked out with the weather. I was fully anticipating it to rain all weekend long, but it was beautiful! Such a nice surprise that made waiting for the long ferry ride not so bad at all.

We arrived around six in the evening and got settled in our hotel - the Friday Harbor House. It was located right downtown up on a little hill with a great view of the harbor. I would highly recommend it! The rooms were really nice, complete with a fireplace and two person jet tub. It was so nice to have a really nice hotel room for a change. Usually when we travel, we skimp on the hotel since we would rather spend our money and time doing fun activities. This time, we decided we wanted a nice place to relax, read, and take naps. It was great. And had such a beautiful view from our room!

We had dinner the first night at The Bluff restaurant, which was in our hotel. We got a free appetizer with our Living Social Deal, so took advantage. The appetizer was "Chef's Choice" and happened to be a delicious flat bread with nettle pesto, smoked ham, and cheese. Apparently the chef went out and harvested some nettles that morning to make the nettle pesto. Like I said, delicious. After dinner, we took a nice little walk along the docks at sunset.

Our hotel had a great continental breakfast, then we ventured out to walk about town the next day. It's such a nice place to walk around and just enjoy the sunshine. We stopped in a few shops, including the Pelindaba Lavender Farm shop, a couple antique/thrift shops, and the Whale Wars museum/shop. There was even a little Farmer's Market we stopped by. We were interested to learn most of the local restaurants served organic and local food and ingredients. Did I mention all the food we had was amazing? Well, it was. 

We had lunch at the Rocky Bay Cafe - the sweet potato fries were so good, as was the club sandwich (which we both ordered). Next up a little nap, then we went out to explore the island.

First stop - Roche Harbor. On our way, we drove past the Duck Soup Inn, which came highly recommended by multiple people. Since it was husband's choice (his birthday was that Sunday), we decided to save this place for our next visit. Roche Harbor was a lot smaller than I had thought. I'd seen beautiful pictures of the harbor before we went (it was actually one of the places I would have a liked to have our wedding if it wasn't so far away) and it turned out to be such a charming little town. Although, not a lot was going on. We did stumble upon a wedding though. Such a beautiful venue! We also learned that Roche Harbor used to be one of the largest producers of Lime West of the Mississippi. We didn't stay very long since the only thing open was a furniture store (we didn't even see any restaurants open at 5 on a Saturday!). I did love the Hotel de Haro (where the wedding was taking place). Such a beautiful scene along with some other historic buildings and a quaint little chapel.

After Roche Harbor, we kept driving around the island to Lime Kiln State Park to do a little whale watching. Well, there weren't any whales, but we were hopeful! We did see a sea lion! We were so close to the Canadian border, we had to turn our phones off so we wouldn't get charged. It was so beautiful looking out over the water and seeing the lighthouse.

Next up, birthday dinner at Cask & Schooner back in downtown Friday Harbor. Zach had a yummy chicken sandwich and I had a clam chowder and caesar salad. It was pretty good. The restaurant itself was very charming, decorated as if you were on a big ship. The best part of the meal was dessert - a warm bread pudding with ice cream. It was delicious! And a Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband.

Sunday, we ventured out to the Pelindaba Lavender Farm. Although the lavender wasn't in full bloom (I believe the lavender blooms in the summer), it was still pretty and a great day to be outside. We even picked up a lavender chicken dog bone for the Buster Boy. :)

Back in town, we had to stop by the World's Skinniest Latte Shop and it was worth it.

While we waited for our ferry, we checked out the Griffin Bay Bookstore where Zach bought the book Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer. I have to say, I'm excited to read it too. Overall, it was such a fantastic trip. So relaxing, and just what we needed after an overworked and hectic busy season. I would highly recommend Friday Harbor for a little weekend getaway to relax and get rejuvenated! We can't wait to go back. We love you Friday Harbor!

2011 - Year In Review

2011 was a good GREAT year. Looking back, the husband and I got to see some amazing places and do some amazing things. So, here's an extra-long post about the Kane version of 2011. Let's start with the Grand Canyon...