Merry Christmas To All!!

I wish all my family and friends a wonderful Christmas and holiday season. I hope the new year finds us all succesful, content, blessed, etc...


Not sure who really reads my blog anymore, as I post so much on Facebook these days. Thought I would do a bit of a 2010 re-cap.  2010 wasn't the greatest year. So many raves, yet some big rants as well.  I guess that is life!
The year, as always started with my birthday. Another birthday, another year to reflect on. My birthday night out up on Cap Hill was really fun, and I appreciate those who made it out.  Of course, here we go again in about 2 weeks!  My nephew's birth was imminent Jan 2010, so that was very exciting. William Declan Mahoney was born on Jan 14th, which also happens to be his father's (my bro's) Colin's birthday. My first time becoming an aunt! FUN!!
March saw me back to CA as usual for some wine tasting in Calaveras Country, Murpheys, CA, and spending time with two of my best friends, Renata and Christina, as well as new friends made on this trip.
Our dog, Janni, started going a bit downhill in the spring.  By this time she had, had bladder cancer for well over a year.  We started to plan one last adventure up to Friday Harbor, WA for late May, but then it became apparent the trip would be too much for her, so I was back to CA instead.  This time I was with Christina for a long Memorial Day Weekend up at her family house on Clear Lake in Lake County, CA.  The sun was amazing, and it was one of the best vacations! 
Sadly, upon my return, it was the beginning of Janni's last days.  We said goodbye to our girl on June 9, 2010.  Definitely a low point of 2010. Probably the lowest.  We had her cremated, and begun plans to spread her ashes.
In the meantime, I was also working with my mom to plan my dad's 75th birthday party in Portland for family and friends later in June.  That was a nice distraction from dwelling on the sadness of losing our dog.


Much of the summer was devoted to planning a hiking/camping/mountain climb trip to spread Janni's ashes.
The Olympic Mountains are due west of my condo, and we can see several amazing peaks from our living room.  We decided on the one we were going to summit and went about planning a two day trip that would bring us to the top of Buckhorn Mountain, elv.6988!!  We accomplished this on August 30th! (pics are here on the blog).  It probably is the highlight of the year!  We loved the Olympic area so much we headed back for a day hike up Elk Mtn, accessible from Hurricane Ridge.  We plan to tackle a few more peaks in summer 2011 for sure!!


This fall was work, work, work.  I went to the OSU-UW Game at Husky stadium, but we lost in triple overtime. Ugh...  No big fall trips planned...   The week of Thanksgiving we had a snow storm and freezing temps, so the city was a mess as usual.  


Now, Christmas is upon us.  I am off to Oregon on Friday to spend the hoilday with my parents.  Then back north on the 26th to PDX to see my bro Joe and soon-to-be SIL, Suzanne,.. and last stop in Vancouver to see Julee and Dale, and my bro Kevin. Lots to squeeze in, in 3 days!!


Merry Christmas to Everyone!!

Rave: Holiday Happy Hour on Capitol Hill @ 22 Doors with Roberta, Lisa, Philese and Bridget

Introducing our new dog......Rex!!

Yes, it's true!  We have a new dog, and his name is Rex.  We really miss our little Janni sooo much, and definitely felt like we were not going to get a new dog for a very long time.  I think we both had enjoyed the time we've had not being responsible for a dog (cats are sooo much easier), but several weeks ago, we both kind of started up with the "gosh, I sure miss having a dog"... or "hmmm, I know there is another special guy/girl out there who would love our home".... stuff like that started coming into our everyday conversations.
Then, about a week before Thanksgiving, sure enough, we start looking at Petfinder.com.  And of course we are "just looking", but we all know how that goes! HA  We were defintiely interested in another cattle dog, or cattle dog mix.  We were interested in one guy name Bosco, who was a rescue up at PAWS in Lynnwood, but by the time Rob went to look, he was being adopted.  We next went back to looking at Rex online, and thought we'd see what he was all about.  He was at a rescue place over in Kirkland.  He had been a stray in the Richland, WA area, and found his way to Kirkland about 8 weeks ago.
Sooooo, the Friday of Thanksgiving week, we go out to Kirkland, just to "look".  Long story short, he came home with us, and we took him straight to The Wash Dog here in WS.  Then to Petco for a new leash, collar and tag - he got a Seahawks tag like Janni had!
He was nervous the first night, but was well behaved and is very good with the 3 cats.  As of today, we have had him for 2 weeks, and every day there is more and more progress with him trusting us, learning his place in our home, us learning about him, etc....
He is a very good walker and loves the neighborhood, is gentle with another dog in our building, loves the cats, wants to please us and play all the time.  We really are enjoying being back at Lincoln Park on the weekends!  Rex LOVES to run at the park and explore!! 



first night in his new home and chewed up a new toy!



Visit from Renata and Stella & Dot Trunk Show

One of my best friends, Renata, made her way up to Seattle from Sacramento (specifcally, Rocklin) Dec 3-5 for a much needed visit as well as host a Stella & Dot trunk show at my house.  Renata is now a stylist with S&D, and you can order anytime online through her.  http://stelladot.com/sites/renatabunawan

We packed a lot in, in the 48 hours she was in town.  Friday evening was The Junction here in West Seattle, snooping at a few boutiques, and doing a quick wine tasting at bin 41.  Then back to my area of WS for dinner at Angelina's with Rob.  Saturday was trunk show prep, then the open house from 1pm-4pm.  We had a pretty good showing, some wine and snacks and lots of fun pics (see below).  We did really well on our sales (even a few online orders!), so both of us are happy!!   After the trunk show, it was off to a german beer pub here in WS called Prost, with Aydan and Lori.  Prost is an awesome little spot here in WS.  We loved it!!  Next stop was dinner over in lower Queen Anne w/ Lisa Taylor at Toulouse Petit.  We shared a few items, including a dish that was featured on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate. 
Final stop was one of my fav places in Seattle, Purple Wine Bar & Cafe. I really love the Seattle location, so of course wanted Renata to experience it as well.  By this time of the evening, we were just wanting a little dessert and a little wine.  I suggested the flights, since they are all small pours of 4 wines.  Definitely we should have just shared one flight to taste, not both order one.  Waaaaay too much wine! HA  Didn't really finish much, but great people watching and energy at Purple.

Sunday we met up with Vonna and her daughter, Vivi, at BOKA Kitchen in dowtnown Seattle at Hotel 1000.  Really great brunch, then a little snooping around at one of my fav stores, Watson Kennedy. 
Whew!  Did a lot of fun stuff in just about 48 hours! :-)   Please, come back soon Renata!!

nice little spread

 

jewelry display





me and Aydan




Lori modeling her favorite piece





Renata, Me, Aydan, Natalie and Lori




goofing around




Bitburger's at Prost!



two wine flights at Purple.  At 10pm, this was too much, too late, after a long day. 

Cheers!!

Quick Video of 11/22 storm from our deck

First Snow/Ice/Wind/Cold of the Season for 2010-2011

A big storm rolled through the Seattle area Sunday into Monday.  2"-6" of snow, depending on where you were at.  By Monday afternoon, blizzard conditions, very gusty wind, icy cold temps.  ugh...  Seattle, once again, was not prepared w/ enough snow plows, de-icers, etc...  I-5 north and southbound was a parking lot even at 1am.  Many people who had to get home to West Seattle abandoned the bus or their cars and walked home from various areas of the city.  Many reported leaving their jobs downtown at 2pm, 3pm, and not getting home until 8pm, 9pm or later. Keep in mind, downtown is only like 3 miles away from WS.  INSANE!!

Now, Tuesday, the sun is out, but it is BITTER cold.  Thank god the wind has died down a bit.  Rob ventured out in the 4Runner to a Chiropractor appointment  - he is reporting "carnage" all over.  Abandoned cars all over the city, cars finally being towed off of I-5, buses, etc.. Sounds like the salt machines are doing the best they can all day today.   Just in time for reports of more snow to come on Wednesday.  Old Man Winter is here!!

11/21 - Sunday night



Monday, 11/22



Monday, 11/22

Monday, 11/22, early afternoon before the crazy wind came

This pic does not even do the storm justice. Monday, 11/22

Welcome Sunshine!   Tues, 11/23



Sun in my neighborhood, Tues 11/23




The deck.... my poor plants... Tues 11/23



Happy Birthday Little C!!!!

My sweet little cat, Little C, turned 3 years old on 10/31/10.  I got her a little cat nip pumpkin, which she loooooves!!

Empower Girls and Change the World!!

Here I am supporting my very good friend Lola.   Please visit her sites and support girl's around the world!!!  T shirts are only $25!

http://www.empowergirlschangetheworld.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/formygirls

A Rave and a Rant: OSU-UW Oct 16th

As many of you know,  I was very excited for the OSU-UW game at Husky Stadium last weekend.  I took a sorority sister, Julie Gardner Lewis.  We were pumped up after two beers in "The Zone" beer/food garden area.  I didn't excape though without an incident - we were still in the beer garden at the coin toss, which OSU won so we decide to receive.  Right after that, some random super drunk guy looks at me and screams "F-You!!".  Woa dude!  That really set me off, as I did nothing other then be dressed in OSU garb. Of course I was really pissed so yelled back "What did you say to me?"  That resulted in several profanity laced comments back and forth, while his not-as-drunk buddies told him to shut up and apologize.  Man, some drunk guys can be total doucebags....

Self-Portrait before leaving for the game..



Benny the Beaver... our mascot...




OSU marching band



Halftime... OSU Marching Band

 Anyway, we sat in the OSU section, had a total blast, but sadly, UW beat us by one point after triple overtime.  Ugh....  Really tough loss... 

random shot of the OSU Section

Me & Julie

The two guys in orange had complete head-to-toe body stockings on.  What was weird is that the eyes were cut out, but no hole cut out for a mouth



Me!!



Big RAVE: My nephew!!

A few new pics my SIL Evie sent me last week.   Isn't my nephew the cutest?!  He is now 9 months old as of 10/14/10.
Very much looking forward to spending time with them over Thanksgiving. 

Hurricane Ridge/Elk Mountain Hike/Climb - WA

Rob and I headed out for a day-hike on Sept 25th.  Ferry from West Seattle to Southworth, WA, then the drive north to the Hood Canal Bridge, over the Bridge west to Port Angeles and then into the Olympic National Park up to Hurricane Ridge. It was a 70 degree, sunny fall day. A great trip and memorable hike up to over 6200 feet. The view was to die for!