Tacoma Flower & Garden Show with Peter

Peter and I do an annual trek to the Tacoma Flower and Garden Show Gala Opening. Last year it was a rainy and windy evening. This year we lucked out with sun and temperatures in the mid 70s. Without further adeiu, a tour of the Show with Peter.



Peter has an eye for the unique and unusual. I think this would fit right into his backyard extravaganza.



The display gardens were a little bit tame this year.



Not tame at all was this Point Defiance Zoo Prius. It's green and it growls!



I really liked this grove of flamingos. Because in the garden, one thing that I know is .... Pink goes good with green!!!




After a long, hard day of gardening ... or plant shopping, a man needs his shower just waiting for him. You go Petey!!!!

Dawn at the Y

For those of you who don't believe that Mitch is at the Y at 5:30 am ... here is your photographic proof. I think this is week # 3 and he is still going strong. Way to kick bootay on the elliptical trainer Mitchy!!!



Jewel and Paul, also morning Y visitors. The challenge is on!!! Who will burn 500 calories first???? Sorry Paul, my money is on Jewel. That Cybex machine is a killer!




But this very morning, we have special guests at the Y. A few weeks ago I attended the Tacoma School of the Arts auction and I was lucky enough to walk out with the string quartet. OK, not literally. But I did win a performance by them at the venue and time of my choosing. I thought the Y might need a little early morning culture. And I thought the kids might enjoy serenading their favorite teacher, Paul. Actually, seeing him in his workout gear sweating to Pacabel's Canon would be a sight they would never forget. Hopefully it won't scar them for life.



Thank you Katie Youtz, Annie Truscott, Alex Bischoff, & Simone Placentia. I hope that the students and staff at SOTA appreciate your incredible sacrifice for the good of school. Way to take one for the team!!!!

Cinematic Proof!

Thanks to Mitch for his dedication to the YMCA and the Film Arts. He made this movie for all of you who weren't willing to crawl out of bed at 5:30 and join the SOTA String Quartet at the Y. Enjoy!

Green Zen

I go to Portland a lot. Everyone always asks me if I have been to the Japanese Gardens and always say no. Before coming home from this trip Jenn and I made it up to the Japanese Gardens. My respnse is "Whatever took me so long???" It was amazing. They say that it's a year round garden and I don't doubt it. But I must say in Spring it is absolutely gorgeous. And now just a couple of pictures that don't do the gardens justice, but might give an idea of how beautiful it is.

Hey Eugene!

What a great night for a concert! Pink Martini was fabulous as always! And FINALLY, Hey Eugene didn't just make the album, but it is the name of album #3. The night was shear magic. Did I mention that I just love Pink Martini???



The gang: Katie and her buddy Becca. Jenn, Mark & his buddy Bob. Mark is the amazing man who introduced the neighborhood to Pink Martini on New Year's Eve 2002. We have all been hooked ever since then. Thank you Mark. Bob came all the way from Santa Barbara to catch the concert. He and Becca had never seen Pink Martini in person. Seeing them in their home town of Portland at the Arlene Schnitzer (ask Jenn, I just LOVE saying "Schnitzer) Concert Hall is one of the best places to see them.



And now Mark's dream comes true. A moment all alone with Miss China Forbes. Smile Mark!



Becca was really excited when she realized that March Fourth was going to share the stage with Pink Martini. They were great! They are a "Carnival" Marching Band complete with members on stilts, jugglers and a girl doing un-human things with a hoola hoop. They have traveled to Europe and won "Best Performance" against hundreds of European bands. They are famous in Portland for their vintage fire engine. They are all energy and fun!

Fun at the Zoo!

When you plan a field trip in May, you just never know if the weather will cooperate. It could be sunny and 80 degrees, or it could be rainy, windy and 50 degrees. In May, you can also have both of those weather conditions on the same day. Just one of the reasons that natives consider those local weather forecasters as stand up comedians. So you make your plans and cross your fingers.

Luckily, we picked the sunny and almost 80 degree day. Our kids had a great time as you can see!



JT is a big fan of the elephants. He also looks quite sharp in my pink flamingo hat and got compliments on it all day long.

A Postcard from Tacoma

For those of you who may not be aware, I have a very talented group of neighbors, many of which can be seen in the video below. Their contribution to this year's 72 hour Film Festival. It's an award winner grabbing the prize of "Audience Choice" at this year's festival. Who cares what the critics think when you are loved and adored by the masses. And by the way, if you haven't been lately, we'd love for you to come and visit us in Tacoma.