House Projects

Peeps,

Can you tell that I'm in a bit if a blog funk?

Nothing can beat little Gollum and his chocolate chips.

But here is a quick peek at the last project for the guest room. Things were trundling right along until my spray can of lacquer pooped out mid-can.

Dang it.

Will keep you posted with the final room reveal.... After I decide to do about the lacquer situation.

xxoo, Sonja

Naughty Little Kitchen Helper

He then proceeded to go hide in a corner and consume the rest of his ill-gotten gain. He was defending those chips like Gollum and his precioussssss...

Hive Update - Coming Soon

I have some pictures to post of our little ladies but haven't the time currently. Mom and I did a huge hive project last weekend that involved several pounds of powdered sugar. 

It was a sweet mess :)

Here is one of our gals, brushing herself off. 

Trader Joe's in Lake City - Let's make it happen

Hey Seattle Peeps.


I don't know if you've ventured into Lake City recently but with the closure of the Bill Pierre car lots along Lake City Way, there are redevelopment talks in the works for the entire area.

A few meetings have been held on the subject. Read more about the latest one here.

Interestingly enough, all the participants said they really, really want a Trader Joe's store to be located somewhere along the strip.

Community center? Parks? Heck no. Give us a TJs!

Ok, I kid on that last bit.

But I completely agree. I love Trader Joe's (and desperately miss the convenience of them located on every street corner in CA) and would love to have one in the North End. The University location is a pain to get to - and always crowded.

So be a peach, Peeps, and please fill out this nifty form on the TJ website for us - tell 'em you'd love to have one in the Lake City Neighborhood. I'll promise to buy you a toblerone candy bar from the new location if you do.

Muchas gracias, Amigos.

xxoo,

Sonja

Trip Recap: Montana

Peeps, 

Here are some pictures from our recent trip to Missoula, Montana. We flew out on Thursday and stayed until Monday night. It was a quick trip - but we're so glad we went. This was the first time that we'd had the entire family together since our Alaskan cruise back in June 2010. Oops. Scratch that. So not true. How could I forget GREG AND KATHERINE'S HAWAIIAN WEDDING?  Yup. That was the last time the family was all together. [Sorry, G+K!!]

Montana is gorgeous. Especially this time of year as all the spring flowers are in bloom. 

Big Spider - ID help, por favor

Anybody know what this guy is?

He lives in our garage and his abdomen is about the size of my thumb tip. Probably the biggest spider I've ever seen in WA.

And just this morning I found his long lost buddy in the shed.

He is pretty brazen for a spider, making me a bit leery of having his home so close to my fingers - I was moving bee boxes (with bare hands) when I discovered him.

Random Articles of the Week

Tips and shortcuts for iphone users - I thought the photo ones were particularly handy.

The latest baby name trends. [Are you sick of these yet? Sorry. I know a lot of pregnant people right now - so these are for you, gals!]

And while we're on the subject of baby monikers... how names differ between blue and red states.

Ten handy items to bring when traveling with a toddler.

Speaking of traveling, anybody out there been to Cuba? I have a mother and a husband that are jonesing to go.  Add in the fact that we're 1) American and 2) with a toddler and planning a trip of this magnitude seems a bit daunting...

Last night we had lamb pita sandwiches with yogurt mint sauce and freshly plucked lettuce [photo at left] - our first harvest of the year. [The lettuce, not the lamb] Let's hear it for spring gardens!

xxoo,

Sonja

Bath time for baby

Team J

In case you wonder about the family members that we talk about here on the blog:


left to right:


Greg [Chris' brother - lives in AK], Katherine [Greg's wife], Eric [Megan's boyfriend], Megan [Chris' sister - lives in Seattle], Cherie [Chris' mom], Alex [Chris' sister - lives in MT], Bob [Chris' dad], Chris, Ben, and me.

Photo O' The Day: The Blue Tree Group

Last week I picked up the madre and we drove down to Kenmore to see the Blue Tree installation along the Burke Gilman Trail.

They are, indeed, very, very blue.

According to the literature, the birch trees are painted with a water-based non-toxic pigment that will naturally wear off in time. The purpose is to raise social awareness for deforestation occurring on a global level.


While I'm not entirely sure how bright blue trees will stop the cutting of global forests, I can say that the baby was in dirt heaven.

 Grubby?

yes.

Blue?

yes.

 Indeed, our work here is done.