Beth's Going Away Weekend

On Monday my Beth-Friend moved from Hood River to Boise, which made me sadder than it probably should have. Of course we had to spend the weekend before sending her off in style and giving her a few more amazing Hood River memories.

Friday night our friends Tonya and Launa hosted a going-away-Luau complete with Teriyaki Bowls, a living room dance party, lots of photos, a Tiki Bar, and a best-dressed contest (which Tall Paul, below, won).

^^Marissa and I^^ 

^^Tall Paul and Marissa^^

 

^^Maybe the most awkward picture of Me, Marissa and Beth ever ^^ Most of the pictures from the night aren't with me so this is the best it's going to get right now, you're welcome^^

 

Saturday I went to my parents' house to surprise my dad for his birthday. While I was there I spent some time spooning with my Fluffy cat, dreaming of the commune and visiting the kittens.  

 

^^Fluffy and I spooning #preciousmoments^^ 

^^My dad making the biggest kitten wave at the camera^^

 

After my visit I put on my rain jacket and boots and headed to Hood River Hops Fest. I've gone the past three years and every year it's completely amazing. If you've never tried fresh hopped beer, you should do so immediately. It's delicious.

 

 

It rained most of the day while we were at Hops Fest, but they had tents set up and we mentally prepared ourselves for the weather so we still had a great time.

 

^^Sarah, Launa and myself^^

 

When Hops Fest was over we headed up the street to the Pub to dry off, regroup and (of course) have another beer. Beth and I spent the rest of the night dance partying. First we stopped at this amazing office dance party downtown Hood River, complete with a DJ, free beer, the fact that it was new and different and a bunch of friends. After the DJ ended his set we walked down to Jack's to end the night in style. We danced until the lights came on and then I took myself to Josh and Sarah's and crashed on their couch.

 

The next morning I had breakfast with Josh and Sarah after waiting forever in line because of course everywhere in town was packed, but it was totally worth it because it gave us ample time to discuss the previous day/night's events. After breakfast I went to Beth's to help her pack some of her stuff before saying goodbye and heading back to Seattle in a crazy rain/wind storm. I'm so sad that Beth won't be in Hood River anymore when I go back to visit and also sad that she's a whole 7 hours away from me now, but I do love Boise, and this gives me an excuse to fly down and visit all the time! 

Paint Nite

Last night I went to a Paint Nite event with my friends Natalie and Danielle. I'm not artistic in the slightest so while I was really looking forward to the event, I was also a little nervous about the whole process. I was assured, however, that they great at guiding you through the process and will help you if you mess up (both of which were true). Also I was definitely reassured by the fact that there is wine to assist in the process! 

 

^^Sky and water base laid down^^

 

I've been feeling a little "off" this week and I think painting, friendship and wine was exactly what I needed. Painting was oddly calming and it was fun to do something artistic and easy. Plus it's really gross outside in Seattle right now, so painting a summery sunset took my mind off of that too. Score!



 

^^Danielle and Natalie with their works-in-progress^^ 

 

Activities with tangible results are always very satisfying for me, so this was perfect. At the end of the night I could hold my painting in my hand and feel proud that I spent the last two hours socializing, relaxing AND making something! Also I learned some new painting techniques, like dry brushing - don't judge me, seriously I have no artistic skills - which was awesome.

^^My finished painting^^

 

I think it's safe to say that I'm totally hooked. I want to go back and do another Paint Nite in the near future, or maybe just buy some canvas and paint and paint something on my own.

 

On second thought though, maybe another guided night of painting would be a good first step (I seriously have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to making art, and it was nice having a little instruction). Has anyone ever done an activity like this with another company they would recommend? Or any other similar experience they'd recommend? I would love to hear suggestions. 

^^Danielle, Myself and Natalie with our finished paintings^^



Today is Natalie's Birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATALIE!!) and we're celebrating with napoleon style pizza and red wine later. I can't wait. Two days of friendship in a row (during the week even) makes me so excited.

Happy Tuesday everyone.

Fremont Oktoberfest 2013

Last week I was sick for the first time in about a year, which was a total bummer, but in the midst of the sickness I got some really great news: I FINALLY passed the ethics portion of the bar (apparently the MPRE was my jam! I rocked that #notsohumblebrag) and I can FINALLY be a real life lawyer, guys, it's all very exciting, albeit maybe a little anticlimactic? Anyway, to celebrate my coworker took me out for a long lunch of nachos and sangria and pumpkin spice lattes and shopping on Friday. It was really great. After work on Friday I continued the celebration by waiting in line and buying myself a new phone, which I love. My old one was on its very last leg. While my new phone isn't gold, it's still pretty on the inside (and the fingerprint unlock feature is rad).

I spent the remainder of Friday night on my couch trying to get myself better. I think it worked.

Saturday morning I woke up to a call from Gaby, got out of bed, bought myself a coffee and walked around Greenlake to try and sweat out the remaining little bit of sickness that may have been lingering.

^^Greenlake^^

After my walk I felt awesome so I put on my game face (read: some make up), did my hair and headed to Oktoberfest in Fremont with Natalie, Brittan and Danielle.

^^A selfie for my friend Lisa^^

It ended up being a beautiful day filled with girl time, beer tasting, grilled cheese eating (from the gourmet grilled cheese truck) and more beer tasting. And, at one point a group of guys exclaimed "Oooh skinny girls!" as we walked by. So awkward and funny (especially considering we're all pretty average size), so we kept joking about throughout the day, of course! #skinnygirlsgoballzdeep

 ^^Brittan, Natalie, Danielle and Myself at Oktoberfest^^

The lowest point of the day came when I left my favorite jacket in an Uber (and cannot for the life of me get the phone number of the driver to get it back, WTF?). First world problem, I know, but still!

Sunday I spent the day pretending to watch the Seahawks game (really: reading a magazine, eating pizza and caramel corn, drinking pumpkin beer, complaining about my back, doing laundry and taking a bath) and then actually watching the Emmys.

Overall it was a pretty successful, low key Seattle weekend!

P.S. how is it ONLY Tuesday? I'm ready for the weekend again.

Did you guys do anything fun last weekend? Do you have any plans for next weekend? I'm planning on round-two beer fest-ing in Hood River next weekend and I can't wait!

Scenes from the Weekend: Hood River Style (yes, again)

On Thursday I headed down to Hood River to soak up a little more Hood River Summer goodness. Surprised? Didn't think so. Anyway, let's get on with this.

When I got to town I met Beth and we went to Lampoei's, which is this really amazing Thai Food truck, to grab some (of the best) Thai Food and take it down to the river to enjoy while we dipped our toes in the cold water and read for a little bit.

After the river, we met our friends Sarah and Launa and headed to White Salmon to Henni's Kitchen for an amazing, leisurely dinner complete with lots of small plates, wine, and amazing main courses. We sat outside, chatted and watched the sun go down, which made girls night extra amazing. After dinner we grabbed a quick beer at Double Mountain before calling it a night.

Friday morning I woke up early, walked downtown to Ground for some breakfast. On my walk I ran into Dustin's parents which was a fun surprise. After breakfast I walked across the street to the TREW gnaRV (pop-up-shop), said hi to a few of my guy friends who were working the morning shift and bought myself a new sweatshirt which I can't wait to wear all the time when the weather gets a little cooler.

I spent the rest of the morning and afternoon working alongside Beth and Marissa at Dog River. After work I met up with Josh and Sarah, who made me a delicious dinner (chicken with chanterelles and an awesome organic salad). I also got to spend some quality time with my favorite dog, Kiva, during dinner. She's the sweetest ever.

After dinner we met up with friends at Double Mountain and then sat outside at the Pub for the rest of the night.

Saturday morning Beth and I met up with our friend Abby at River Daze Café for breakfast sandwiches on their homemade English muffins (YUM). After which we walked around, visited the TREW pop-up-shop so Abby could get a sweater, got juice from the Juice truck and then ran into our friend Ashley. She suggested we make an impromptu trip down to the river for an hour and we obliged. We ended up swimming in our bras and underwear and drinking PBRs for a little while before heading back into town. It was really spontaneously fun.

^^Beth and Abby in the River^^ 

When we got back to town I had to go change and get ready for Katie and Josh's final wedding-related-party at Katie's mom's house. Katie told me I should bring a plus one since I likely wouldn't know many people there, so, since Beth was working, I invited my friend Greg to go with me. Apparently I did not adequately prepare him for the awesomeness of the wedding (I said it would be in White Salmon, it was in Mill-A; I said it was a wedding reception, there was no dancing or other traditional wedding-related-events; I didn't say anything (or know anything) about the chickens or totally legal-weed-grow-operation, or the people who would judge him for windsurfing etc.), but the food was awesome and there were drinks and it was fun to hang with Josh and Katie, so it was all good. Plus, now we both have a really good story and probably he will never go anywhere with me ever again ;) ha! I definitely deserve that.

 ^^Greg and I in front of the weed and the chickens, because, I mean, how could we not?^^

^^Josh and Katie^^ 

After the wedding we grabbed a drink at Celilo to re-class-it-up before the decline that went like: Waucoma Club, Pint Shack, Ladies dance party at Jack's, the coolest ever Chinese restaurant bar/dance club (I loveeee Jack's!). While at Celilo we saw some friends who joined us for a drink and the rest of the night I just kept running into more people which was so much fun!

Sunday there was breakfast at the Riverside Grill followed by Beth, Tonya and I heading to Rasmussen Farms and then to the Hood River Lavender Farm to pick flowers. Afterward I met Marissa and Zara for a few minutes, then headed to Stevenson to see Jessica, her husband and sweet baby before driving back to Seattle.

 

 ^^Rasmussen Farm's U-Pick flowers^^

^^Beth and Tonya with their lavender^^ 

^^The Columbia River Gorge as seen from the Bridge of the Gods on my way back to Seattle^^

 

I probably say that all of the weekends in Hood River are my favorite, but this one was definitely up there. It was so packed full of good people and fun times. I'm in love. Take me back? 

 

It should also be noted that I successfully spent 6 days in a row with Beth. She's moving to Boise in a week and a half and I hate hate HATE to see her go. I'm going to miss her so much (I mean obvi I'll still see her, but probably not AS often). It was good to get almost a whole week together, celebrate the end of summer and make lots of memories. I'll be back to the Gorge soon for her going away party and Hood River Hops Fest. I can't wait (minus the whole moving thing which I may be in denial about a little bit)! #ILOVEITTHERE



Monday Night Grouplove Love

Monday at work my office mate gifted me two tickets to the Grouplove concert that night at the Crocodile. I was stoked, immediately said yes and thanked her a million times before picking up my phone to text Beth and ask her if she wanted to come up from Hood River and go with me. She responded like three seconds later with "Hahaha omg I am so there. I am just getting out of bed, I need to get my shit together." and she got it together and drove herself up and met me at my apartment after I got off work.

I made us dinner (Caprese Salad, because tomatoes right now, I mean, swoon!, and stuffed Portobello mushrooms) and we waited for my new, big girl tv to be delivered, had a drink then headed to the concert. Beth's friend, Ashley, who I met when Beth and I went to the Gaslight Anthem concert a few months ago, was also there and we had so much fun dancing around to the high-energy, awesome live music and celebrating our new friend, Scott's, 21st birthday. Arguably my favorite part of the show, though, was when Grouplove danced onto the stage while A$AP Rocky blasted through the speakers (it was totally a Rebeka move and I loved it).

 

After the show Beth and I split and order of biscuits and gravy at the 5-Point Café before calling it a night.

The next day I was able to work from home while Beth worked on her resume and scoured the internet for a place to live (please don't move to Boise!!). We were even able to make it out to lunch at Poquitos on Capitol Hill and on the way hope stopped for a Top Pot doughnut and coffee.

After a little more work back at my apartment, we went to Greenwood where we sat outside at Naked City and enjoyed a beer before heading down the block to Gainsbourg for a French dinner.

Beth left this morning right before I left for work and after we killed some spiders from my doorway (ewe). I can't wait to see her again this weekend! It was definitely a lot of mid-week fun having her in Seattle!!

Laurence Lake, Kittens, a Puppy and My Favorite People

 

A few weekends ago I spent my millionth summer weekend in Hood River and it was magical. I got into town Friday evening and headed to the Sandbar Cafe with Beth to meet Sarah stare at the above scenery, drink a beer and listen to some live music. It was the perfect welcome to town.

 

(get ready for some crappy iPhone photos...) 

^^Sarah, Beth, Laura and Launa making dinner^^

After the sandbar café we headed to our friend Launa's house for a girls night. We walked up to the Farm Stand (side note: I wish the Farm Stand was in Seattle, swoon!), bought some fresh ingredients and made a delicious dinner complete with wine and chocolate gelato which we ate with spoons straight from the carton while chatting around the table.

Saturday Josh, Sarah, Marissa, Zara, Kiva and I headed up to Laurence Lake for a few hours of relaxing by the water.

^^Kiva at Laurence Lake^^ 

 

After we left the lake I dropped Marissa and Zara so Zara could nap, picked up Beth and she, Josh, Sarah and I headed up to my parents' house to play with kittens and my parents' puppy (read: giant, 9 month old German Shepard). 

 

 ^^Me, Josh and Beth at my parents' house with kittens^^

 

^^Blaze and Snack (dog and cat) playing^^ 

^^After Sarah tamed this giant dog and we became friends^^ 

After getting our fill of Baby Animals on the Farm (was that anyone else's favorite book growing up?!) we left and headed to the Crazy Pepper for Mexican food and margaritas.

After we were full we relaxed for a while before heading to the pub to meet up with some more friends. The usual: drinks and chatting ensued and Beth and I ended up dancing our little hearts out at Jack's.

^^Tall Paul checking out Sarah's new tattoo at the pub^^ 

^^Josh, stylin' (per usual) in Beth's glasses^^ 

Sunday I met Sarah at the local juice truck (genius, they need one of those in Seattle too!), before we headed to North West 23rd Street in Portland for some shopping at Sloan. After I procured some new booties, a dress and a coat I headed back to Seattle. There was crazy traffic and it ended up taking 2 hours longer than expected to get back, making me an hour and a half late for dinner at Katie's with her dad (the latest I've ever been to anything, ever). Luckily she saved me a plate and I was early for dessert.

Even though I feel like I've been to Hood River a million times this summer, I'm still not over it. I want to go back ASAP. I foresee some amazing fall visits to my favorite place in the near future.

Alki Beach Labor Day Staycation

Remember how my BFF, Katie, got married back in May at the courthouse? Well this weekend her and her husband, Josh, rented a house on Alki Beach in West Seattle and invited some of their besties to spend the weekend with them celebrating.

Friday after work I headed to West Seattle to claim a bedroom and hang out with everyone for the night. We chatted, walked down the beach to find some dinner, failed miserably, admired the sunset, took bowl-sized-shots of warm Patron at El Chubacabra, then ordered pizza back at the house. We played Taboo and chatted until bedtime.

Saturday morning I woke up early thanks to the sunlight coming through the blinds in my bedroom, opened the window and took a deep breath of the air that smelled like the real beach. It was magical. After I got out of bed, Katie, Kelly and I took a walk down the beach to get some coffee and check out the picnic shelter where Katie and Josh would have their reception/BBQ later that afternoon. After we got our coffee we walked over to the shelter to find some people had already set up a party at the same site. Katie decided she would go talk to them and let them know that she had booked the shelter and surrounding tables starting at 3pm. I was terrified to go over and talk to these people (who we later decided were likely gang members, no joke) so I, being the best BFF ever, let Katie go by herself. When I saw things weren't going so well for Katie I walked over and discovered that the parks department had double booked the space. It turns out the people already there were having their annual picnic and Katie was having her wedding reception. We eventually worked out a compromise and they agreed to move to two tables and a big grassy space Katie (but not them) also had booked on the other side of the sidewalk, which was super considerate of them. But gang confrontation at 10am on the day of her reception wasn't really what we had hoped would happen, ha! But thankfully it all worked out fine.

  I took this while avoiding confrontation like a good bestie ;)

We spent the rest of the day grocery shopping, prepping food (I got put in the basement with the guys making coleslaw, we crushed it!) and getting ready for the reception.

The wedding reception/BBQ was awesome. About 60 people showed up, we sat in the sun, admired the view, and ate pulled pork sandwiches. It was low stress and perfect.

 

After the reception was over, we spent the rest of the night at the house with a bunch of our friends catching up, listening to music, and of course taking more Patron shots.

Sunday, everyone but Katie and I were wanting to stay at the house and nurse their hangovers, so Katie and I bought some snacks and headed to the Colman Pool in Lincoln Park.

The pool is a beautiful, heated, salt water pool that looks out over the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. I was so happy to be there. We jumped off the diving board, perfected underwater handstands, saw some of Katie's old preschool students and Katie taught me to swim. I actually swam (without freaking out, and without dogpaddling) for the first time ever. It was the most amazing thing. I was the happiest! So nostalgic.

After a few hours at the pool we headed back to the house, cleaned up a bit and went to dinner at Duke's Chowder House. Afterward a few of us grabbed a beer at a bar on the beach before heading back to the house and going to bed.

Monday was all cleaning up, me convincing the apartment garbage truck man to let us stick our rental trash in his truck after we missed the regular trash man (because it was Labor Day and we didn't think they would be working), heading to our respective homes, and me laying on my couch finishing the last episodes of Orange is the new Black for the rest of the day. It was a really wonderful, relaxing weekend with good people. Staycation success for sure!