Life: Week 49

Wet. That is the word for this past week. There were a couple brief breaks of sunshine, but for the most part it was leaden skies and dripping foliage. We spent most of our time hunkered down at home, having lots of fires, getting started on Christmas decorating (including hanging the mitten advent calendar over the fireplace!), having friends over to play board games, binge-watching The Great British Baking Show (I want more!!), and eating lots of warming comfort food.

Over the weekend, I started baking goodies for a holiday party coming up soon. On Sunday, we headed over the mountains and off into the snow-covered woods to hunt for a Christmas tree! After a wet and chilly tree-hunt, we stopped for lunch at the 59er Diner, a classic stop along Highway 2, before heading home.

Life: Week 45

This week was, wet, dark, and stormy. It started off with a wonderful weekend relaxing on Whidbey Island. I did lots of reading, and made a pot of spiced cider that we drink throughout the weekend. The rest of the week, with these short, dark days I found it so much harder to take photos. Back in high school and college, when all I used was an inexpensive camera to shoot black and white film, I loved taking gloomy night photos. These days I'm so afraid of a little grain or distortion, that I never take those moody photos anymore. I'll be trying to find ways to use the low light over the next months. 

Luckily, I did get to watch a few good sunsets from the office, and had a wonderful lunch visit from my niece (and my sister and mom!) to brighten up the gloomy week!

Life: Week 44

This week was all grey skies, spectacular sunsets, and vibrant fall color. After my short trip to LA last week, I was exhausted. Andy and I barely left home the entire weekend! Throughout the work week, the weather alternated from brief sunshine, to dull grey skies, to pouring rain. The only consistency was the almost wintry chill in the air. Perfect late fall weather! Mind-week, we decided to take a last minute trip to Whidbey Island for the weekend. We both left work a little early, and made it to the Mukilteo Ferry in time for a truly stunning sunset. The week came to a perfect end with bacon, egg & cheese burgers and a dark winter beer.

Also, I finally gave in and tried the cookies atone of my favorite lunch spots. Salted dark chocolate chip - SO delicious!

Life: Week 43

This was a very busy, exhausting, and fun week. I spent most of the first half of the week with my sister-in-law and niece, who were visiting from California. We went to the pumpkin patch and carved pumpkins. We had brunch at one of our favorite local restaurants on their first day of brunch service. On her last night in town, Andy and I went out with his sister to one of our favorite local taprooms for dinner and beers.

Thursday, I left very early (at an unspeakable hour) for a two day trip to LA for some training for work. I was very pleasantly surprised by LA, or at least the area of West Hollywood I was in. It was very clean for such a big city, the people were all very friendly and laid-back, the architectural design was all so distinctive and fun, and the food, and even coffee, were excellent. I'd definitely like to go back in the near future for an actual vacation!