Katie & Derek Reunited

All it took was a few pictures of Derek and Solenne to get Katie to race home for Monday Night Dinner, just to remind Derek that she saw him first. Of course, Derek is such a charmer. Katie completely forgave him for seeing other girls and he had her wrapped around his tiny finger once again. They sure do grow quickly. Baby one day and then off to college the next!

The I 5 Odyssey

So here we sit, 16 miles into Washington. See the pretty red lights? We are at a complete stop!!! Argh!



At least it gives me an opportunity to do a little freeway knitting.

And now for the view on I-5

If you have ever driven down I-5, you know its not the most interesting drive.



A lot of the drive looks the same.



But today the view looked even more of the same than usual.



Mile after mile after mile.



After mile after mile after mile after mile.



Now Katie make sure that you read all of those road signs and drive safely!

ahhhhhhhh, Powells

We looooooove Powells & you should too!



Powells City of Books is all about the books!!!


Books, books, books, books, books!


Books, books, books, books, books, books, books, books!


Books, books, books, books, books, books, books, books, books, books, books!



And the coolest bookstore type gifts and a comfy coffee shop that could be located in Berkely, California.

the Bluehour

Our most favorite valet at the Benson Hotel is Nick. Nick suggested "Mother's" the last time I was down and put us onto the Bluehour tonight. Ohmygoodness. FABULOUS! Words cannot describe, ya just gotta go. These pictures don't do the restaurant justice. It's hip, it's trendy, the food is amazing and the people are easy going and casual. And they have lots of designer cheeses, which Ms. Burrus enjoys. We didn't do the cheese tasting this time, but what we did have was great. Especially the brownie dessert, which was unlike any brownie I had ever had in my life. Not gooey, not crumbly, but silky smooth. And the cocktails ... to die for. Yum, Yum, Yum. We met a nice couple at the table next to us, who were visiting from San Diego and did have the designer cheese tray. They were nice enough to talk to us since Jenn was literally drooling on their napkins. They told us next time we have to go to "Oba" (yet another restaurant that Nick suggested) and they also have cheese trays there. Next time!

Hippo Hardware

The hip place for hardware in Portland is Hippo Hardware. Jenn was looking for a few items for her home rennovations. Thanks to our buddy Stu, we got to wander through this little gem. Of course, Stu remembered that it was called the Pink Elephant. Yeah, I thought that was a car wash. Well he got the continent right. Elephant/Hippo, I can see how you would confuse the two if you didn't see them in your daily life.




Ooodles of cool stuff!



Now the question is, when this poor, unfortunate customer got stuck in the ceiling, was he going up or coming down? Don't try this at home!

Doug Fir Lounge

When in Portland, I ask the valet at the hotel, where is the best place to eat. This morning's recommended breakfast spot was the Doug Fir Lounge. It was described as a log diner from the 50s meets the Jestons. How right they were!



Dig the glass moose head. Everyone needs one in their home.




Love the lounge, very rustic modern. Can't you just imagine the lumberjacks sitting elbow to elbow, after a long week out in the woods sipping their cosmopolitans? Well maybe not.



Here's happy-go-lucky Jenn after her dutch baby. A delicacy from her childhood. Yummy! Jenn is all about the breakfast carbs. Crepes, pancakes, any food that can break dance on the arteries before 11 am is a good thing in her book. And she even scored an authentic menu for her collection. Saweeeeet!

Passions in Portland

ROAD TRIP!!! See Jessica, Sarah & Jenn! They are in Portland! They are in Knit/Purl! They are buying yarn! Do they need more yarn??? That is not the point. It's Yarn!



And Yarn is Yummy!




Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!!!




And who can resist Yummy Yarn when there is Chocolate Chip Cookies, Ooey Gooey Brownies and Champagne! Resisting is IMPOSSIBLE!!!




And you thought knitting was only for women. WRONG! And who are these Supermen??? They are every woman's dream! They knit, they bake (yes these amazing men were resposible for the above pictured cookies and brownies) and they pour champagne. How does it get any better than that??? Let me tell you, it doesn't. We have been asked to protect their identities so that they can have normal lives away from that notoriety that plagues Tom Cruise and Mel Gibson. But if you want to meet them for yourself, you have to visit Knit/Purl in Portland any Thursday night from 6 pm - 9 pm. Tell them Sandy sent you!

Coming Home to Mother's

That's what you do after a long day, week, month, school year. You come home to Mom's. Which is easy to do when it Portland, you just head to Mother's Bistro & Bar. Do we look like a happy group? Well of course we do! This was the after dinner picture. The best way to describe Mother's is high end comfort food. One of their signature dishes is macaroni and cheese which changes every day. Today's feature was mac & cheese with broccoli and tillamook smoked cheddar, yum. And don't even get me started with the warm, homemade rolls. Melt in your mouth.



Food makes a great dinner. Your server makes it a great experience. Our server was Lee. He was easy going, funny & entertaining. Originally from New York he has recently relocated to Portland from San Francisco. Jenn and he bonded talking about the neighborhoods of Frisco. (You NEVER say Frisco to a San Franciscan. It's sacraligious. They frown, they fume, they foam at the mouth. Ok, you do say Frisco when the evening gets a little dull and you are up for some entertainment and possibly gratuitous violence). Anyway, we had a great time. So head for Mother's next time you are in Portland.

Derek & Solenne

That Derek is soooo smooth. Imagine, only 4 months old and he already has his parents taking him to meet with his girlfriend, Solenne. She's just turned 2 months old, making Derek an official cradle robber.


So here they are pretending that this was some accidental meeting. Aren't they sneaky. As you can see, Ric and Valerie are totally oblivious to their children's manipulation. Derek, you are the picture of total innocence, you are good.




This is not Derek & Solenne, but Kathryn's contribution to Monday Night Dinner, the Leek Tart (or pastry, or something). Tiffany thought it was too beautiful to cut into until I took a picture of it, preserving it for all time. And truly, it tasted as great as it looks. So if you like Kathryn's cooking, run, do not walk to the next 2 Monday nights. After that we lose her to another woodworking class. Not sure why she isn't taking cooking classes instead. We would be her willing guinea pigs.

Finally

You probably don't know that I have a knitting blog, with all of my knitting projects. If you do know that, you know I haven't updated since last November (for shame). But, it's not my fault. Every time I think about updating the knitting blog, I just knit instead. Well, not last night. I updated like a crazy person. So my current addiction to knitting purses is well documented. Hopefully, I will never get so behind again & will faithfully update every couple of weeks (see, I don't knit that much).

Alias at 5 AM

Hey Katie, did you know that Alias is on at 5 am on TNT. I know this because as I climbed onto the elliptical trainer at the Y this morning, I looked up at the TV and their was Sydney, Von & the whole gang. I immediately thought, I have to tell Katie about this because I am sure that if you knew this, it would be a good enough reason for you to start working out at the Y at 5 AM just like me. Like mother, like daughter, I always say. Not buying it, huh? Well it was a valiant effort you must admit. So if after hours and hours of studying, if you feel that you need a study break, remember, Alias is on TNT at 5 AM on Thursday mornings. And when you come home, if you ever want to watch Alias at the Y at 5 AM with me, I will save an elliptical trainer for you. I want to make sure that you know, no matter where I am, or how early it is, I am always thinking of you!

Happy Mother's Day to Me!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am the luckiest Mom in the world because I have the most wonderful, thoughtful, fabulous daughter on the planet. Look what she sent me today at work. She is soooooo sneaky. Of course, everyone in the whole school (many of which are mothers who didn't get flowers) were totally jealous of these beauties (hehehe). Another wonderful thing about this arrangement was the vase fit in my car drink holder (Katie knows oh too well how I drive) so I didn't have to drive home with them gripped tightly between my legs, getting my lap all wet. What an amazingly thoughtful child she is! Of course she's a big fat liar too. She called me last night to tell me that the card she bought got into the mail late & probably wouldn't arrive until Monday ... and that was all I was getting from her (poor starving college student that she is). But I was just thrilled that I was getting a card from her. Thrilled! So today just absolutely blew me away.

Now I just have to find the right place in the house to put them.







Or maybe I'll just carry them from room to room with me so I can enjoy them wherever I go!

Ocho de Mayo

So Derek figured that since Ocho de Mayo is closer on the calendar to Cinco de Mayo that we might have Mac'c Margarita Revenge this week. Sorry Amigo. Not even if you dress in traditional South of the Border attire will you get a good stiff drink out of us for another 20 1/2 years (I have to say that since your parents read this blog). Even though you are very cute and adorable, your liquid intake is still limited to that one choice. Don't worry though, you will have a chair at the Monday night table soon & you can try all of the crazy things that we make and feed to each other. Just keep growing and we'll get your booster seat ready.



Hey? Who turned off the lights? Tsk, tsk, tsk ... Peter.

Cinco de Mayo

Ole' Here we have our Tacoma Little Theater supporters at "Ballyhoo 2006". TLT's annual dinner & auction held at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club in Lakewood. It was a beautiful evening with a great view of American Lake at sunset. And fabulous entertainment including Tracy's stirring rendition of "Big Feet" from his run in the critically acclaimed, "Ain't Misbehavin'".

This picture, as you can guess, was taken after a few trips to the bar. We got our bidding off to a great start winning this mountain of a chocolate cake for dinner. It was Tracy's pick. Our table made it through half of the cake before saying uncle. Hmmmmm, I expect we will attempt to kill the other half at Monday night dinner.

Uno de Mayo

It's our annual salute to Mexico! Since Cinco de Mayo falls on a Friday night this year instead of a Monday, we declared today, Uno de Mayo! Mac was our bartender with his Magic Margaritas, ole'. Which is the reason, I have no pictures to share. After a few of Mac's Magic Margaritas, we weren't at our most flattering. Luckily Derek stayed stone-cold-sober, so I can share his picture. As you can see from his expression, the rest of us made him quite nervous.