Valentine to a friend...

Recently we had the chance to have a friend and her family over for dinner. It was nothing unusual really…just a buffet style make your own deconstructed burrito bowl. Proceeded by a crazy amount of bean dip (it was Super Bowl weekend after all!).

What made it special in hind sight was the relationship. I met Sue my first year at Western Washington University in what is now my hometown. She was one of a group of girls that had been in the dorm  the year before…the year that I had taken off after graduating High School and worked at McDonalds full time for a long, grueling year of "figuring things out."

Those girls welcomed me in like I was the missing part of the group. They were ready to play, study and cause trouble and I was a part of it instantly. To be taken in like that eased the transition to college living like nothing else could. And what about a friend that is instantly a friend. That's Sue for me.

And what made this dinner special and crazy, and weird is that my now 18 year old daughter was sitting at the table being coached by that same friend that I had danced with, laughed with, drank with, cried with, grown with and learned life with. She was coaching our baby how to answer the question we all get to answer when we graduate from High School….what are you going to do now?

She doesn't know that answer yet.  We don't expect her to know that answer yet. I only feel grateful to be able to coach her with that friend by my side. As we both figure out this part of our lives together. Which will hopefully continue to have dancing, laughing, drinking, crying and growing.

And I can only hope there is a friend like Sue waiting for Kate when she heads down her path.

Well, hello!

January. A reset. A chance to return to what makes one happy. And I forgot for a moment what about blogging made me happy. After attending a co-storming event put on my Melody Biringer and being surrounded by like minded and incredibly supportive women I remembered. 

I remembered that I want to write. That maybe I'm good at it and maybe I'm not, but it's something I want to make a part of my life. 

That I want to talk about topics in my life and see who out there can relate, can have a conversation with me about those topics, both big and small. Fun and maybe not so fun (aging I am looking at you!) 

And mainly that I want to use it to connect with others. I have found that all those bloggers that I have admired, that I enjoy, that I want to follow their journey…it's because I feel a connection with them. 

So, I am back. To talk about subjects both big and small. Fun and maybe not so fun and sometimes a bit tender. And I invite you to join me and by all means talk to me and consider this an invitation to join me in a journey. 

Deep Thoughts: Take the Plunge

Life is either a Daring Adventure or Nothing at All 

 -Helen Keller

 This has always been a favorite quote, but one I haven't thought of in an applicable way. 

Then I had my boss/friend/mentor encourage me in something that is way out of my comfort zone. And it wasn't easy. But it was truly rewarding. And I thought to myself, yes! This is the person I want to be. The person who steps out, who tries new things, who doesn't say no right away, but thinks yes! 

Then my husband made an announcement that made me wonder who asked for this much adventure? Clearly not me! But though my first thought was that maybe I am too old for this, my next was why not? Why not mix things up, make a change, and make sure we are all truly happy and living life to the fullest. 

I am not saying the journey will be easy. I am not saying it will be without it's bumps, bruises, and I am sure occasionally bad feelings. But am putting this out there as my vow that I intend to approach it with an attitude of adventure. Because really, why not? 

Field Trip: Spruce

So, do you ever have a week where it rains every day and that new pet that you really love is feeling like a huge investment when he isn't getting along with your other pets and your teenagers don't seem to like you, and you never seem to see your spouse? You don't?  Well, I tend to have those weeks every once in a while. You mix in weather, the idea of a time change and sleep deprivation and you get a tired and cranky me. So I am very glad to have a cheerful, happy place in town to escape to and I would like to introduce you. Spruce is the lovely shop of Brittney O'Brien who is hysterical, creative and just plain fun. Bad moods run from her presence. 

To have a store like this in Bellingham is just such a huge thing. We now have access to lovely wrapping paper, creative independent magazines, and huge balloons! I'm talking huge people…"Red Balloon" huge…the French movie they used to show in elementary school that fascinated me. Pure joy. These are all the type of things that I would have to make a trip to Seattle to in the past. Now it's minutes away. 

And cool brands like Rifle Paper Co. and Knot & Bow that are made helmed by women. Working for a woman makes me aware and happy to see others in creative businesses. You put all the above together and you have a place you can find me most Saturdays. I encourage you if you are in town or find yourself in town to check it out. And if you need added incentive there is a Chocolate shop & a Dessert shop right next door! 

Introducing Boston Rocket

I don't believe that I have introduced our latest family member! This is our new guy, Boston Rocket, a rescue from The Skagit Humane Society  that we added to our family just over one month ago. We had been wanting a dog for years, and finally pulled the trigger. It just felt like it was time. Or shall I say, it was just like when we decided to have kids…the minute we started talking about it, it happened. 

Has it been an adjustment? Yes. Has it been worth it? Absolutely. We have two teenagers, and two cats so saying our house feels a bit circus like is an understatement. Then the whole idea of gear, training (of him & us, truly), and changing of schedules. Whew! There may have been one mini-meltdown (mine) in the beginning because to be honest I felt like we had truly had another child. 

And then this new child curls up on the couch beside you, greets you at the door, or nuzzles your hand and you are over it all. Just like childbirth you forget the trouble. And you are smitten. We couldn't be happier. And my husband Steve? Over the moon about having another male in the house! 

Food Magic: Beecher's Mac & Cheese

Hey guys…I have no idea what I did to this photo, but I had to share it anyway. We are experiencing our first snowfall of the season and it's given me a hankering for Beecher's Mac & Cheese from the cool little shop in Pike Place Market in Seattle. We were hugely excited to find their outpost in Seattle-Tacoma airport on one of travels and needless to say it's become a must stop, along with Caffe Vita for some delicious coffee art. 

Now you may not have heard of this dish, but after it was featured on Oprah's favorite things and touting itself as "Worlds Best Mac & Cheese" it became a hit in Seattle and beyond. My husband is a major cheese freak and I am someone that would never turn it down. And I am all for comfort food. When he found the recipe online it was a win-win for us both. Beecher's cheese can be found in our local grocery store and he had built up quite a collection of it. So we were able to whip this up in an afternoon. 

I won't put up the recipe here…I'm honestly afraid I will bungle it since I am suffering from a sinus/headcold thing and I really shouldn't be near electronics at all. But I will leave you with the link for the Mac & Cheese. It's worth a try. Trust me on this. 

Field Trip: Salvation Mountain

This past summer my husband and I were lucky enough to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary in Palm Springs. Being in the Pacific Northwest we usually gravitate somewhere warm whenever possible. While there we were there we made the trek to Salvation Mountain and I feel so fortunate that we did. 

Salvation Mountain is the brainchild of Leonard Knight who just passed away Monday, February 10th. He wanted to create a monument to God's love, and despite the ravages of the desert, the opposition of men, and just plain running out of time he has created a monument to just that. 

Driving to Niland felt somewhat hazardous. We headed out on a windy, wild day into an area that was filled with ravines created by flash flooding. At some point we lost cel service and we were sent thru a customs checkpoint on the way back, even though we were not crossing a border. It was a bit harrowing and made us wonder about the wisdom of making the trip. 

But when we got there it was so worth it. There is something so incredibly moving about the place. The color, the size. It being in the middle of what feels like nowhere. And the open rooms full of prayers and notes from hundreds. I have to admit I spent the entire visit in tears. It felt moving and sacred. I have to say that it was entirely worth the visit and would encourage anyone curious to do so. It's an amazing story about having a dream, and making it happen. And loving God in the only way he knew how. You can find out more here.