December 2007

the fahzha w/ a bowl of spicy peanut soup. i had the same. We bopped around the neighborhood of fairhaven (below), which is in bellingham. super cute!


On a rainy walk up to the highlands. We found a huge park called Grandview that must be true to its name, but it was too overcast to see anything. We could only hear the Grandsound of I-90.


All I wanted for Xmas was a new 'do. And I got it!


All Wesley got was pleepleeus.

Kazakhs Who Hunt With Golden Eagles

Wes and I watched a show about Kazakhs who hunt with golden eagles. It's amazing how they obtain, train and hunt with them.

You Know How I Love Cats...

Well this could be the most disturbing, yet funniest pet accessory I've seen in quite some time. What I really enjoy are the descriptions about the "bashful blonde" who only needs a Swedish accent to finish the look...

Ok, now is your cat really going to keep this on its head? And perhaps it's just to highlight the wig, but if you're going to wig your cat, why wouldn't you also dress it? I almost feel like these are pin-up girls. I mean, I'm not a cat owner, so maybe they don't dress 'em up as much as dog owners...but I feel like these are more like nude feline models...ICK!

Our New Art

This was our 2nd annual visit to the Vashon Island Studio Art Tour and here's what we got!

On our first stop to Brian Brenno's glassblowing studio. Well, the glassblower was out to lunch but his wifey sold us her art (she uses his glass remnants to create mosaics). We were just going to get one fish, but decided to create a scene instead (sun, crab). The crab is my fave, and although the photo doesn't represent them too well, the orange and pinks in the glass are really beautiful.

[photos are missing, sorry]

Our second stop was to Dreamtime Studios, where we bought a fish (yeah, I know, I think this is the last bit of fish art we'll buy) painting last year, which hangs above our couch in our living room. The artist, Marcus Fellbaum (see post December 2006 for our 1st Vashon visit), remembered us! We were so amazed! He's a really cool guy and we're very impressed with his imaginative body of work. He brought out a piece Wes remembered from last year, but we decided not to get it (a lighthouse from Whidbey Island). Instead we chose the fish (again, I know we have a lot of fish) triptych, which now resides in our dining room. We only have a few walls left in the house to fill, but I guarantee they'll be filled with sailboats or my sister's art! We've reached our fish quota :)

Sanna Annukka

I really enjoy this artist's work. She's from Finland and did the last Keane album's design. Check out her Web site.

The First Snowfall of Winter

The photos look quite a lot like last year's snow photos, only I added a photo of our Christmas tree.

MyTunes

Most played songs on my ipod (OMG I finally have an ipod!) that make me really happy at the moment.

"To Be Surprised" on the Dan in Real Life soundtrack by Sondre Lerche. "Stalker" by Turin Brakes on their latest album "Dark on Fire."

"Surprised" is truly a happy song, whereas "Stalker" is actually kinda creepy, as you can imagine what it's about! The video is equally as creepy, watch here.

More on each album: I was livid when I read a review by stinking Roger Ebert who actually gave the movie a thumbs up, but said, "If the film has a flaw, and I'm afraid it does, it's the Sondre Lerche songs on the soundtrack." Unbelievable! Sondre composed the entire soundtrack and the songs are as touching and sincere as the film; ie, they fittingly complement the film. BTW, we saw Sondre a few weeks ago at this tiny venue in Seattle called Nectar. Dan Wilson from Semisonic opened. It was one of those nights where you realize what live music is supposed to be about: intimate, interactive. There were sing-a-longs, whistle-a-longs, musician-crowd banter, and above all, talented guys using only 2 tools: their voices and guitars.

Re: "Dark on Fire." This one took a few listens to, but it is now my second fav TB album. I was so impressed w/ the Brakes' "Jackinabox," that I was initially disappointed w/ DOF. But I realized that feeling was longing for the sound of the last album and when I heard something different, I immediately judged it. That's what makes a good band--the ability to be dynamic and not put out the same crap over and over again, as many of them do. Anyway, I heard a rumor they'll be touring the US in the next few months and really anticipate this show. They better play Seattle!

Random Phrases Currently Uttered By Helen for No Rhyme or Reason

In an issue of a local magazine called "425" (the eastside's area code), a piece called "What do you consider beautiful?" posed the question to random residents. My favorite response was a 4-year-old who said, "Cold things, like popsicles and whales."



Which brings me to another reference to "beautiful." In the Flight of the Conchords' song "The Most Beautiful Girl in the Room," (if that is indeed the proper title of that song), the lyrics go: "And when I saw you at my mate's place/I thought what is she doing at my mate's place/How did Dave get a hottie like that to a party like this/Good one Dave!!!Ohhhh you're a legend, Dave!" Well, I tend to say, "Good one, Dave. You're a legend, Dave" quite a lot. I miss my weekly dose of FOTC. Looking forward to seeing the Wellingtonians of the Year when the 2nd season starts.

Vancouver '10 Mascots--Hello Kitty! Err...Sasquatch?

The mascots for the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver were announced and I reckon they're pretty cute little guys...very Sanrio-esque, I must say. I find it funny that one of them is a sasquatch! And, one is named Sumi! That was the name my travelling partners in Australia/New Zealand gave me.

Yeah, I'm on the Olympic mailing list--you know it! It's just 2 short years away. With the games within mere hours of where we live, we're planning on being volunteers!! It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!

Norwegian Love Mittens

This is one of the cutest, yet most useless things I've seen in awhile: Norwegian Love Mittens. The Fjorn Web site says, "This mitten set lets you keep your hands and fingers warm and still feel the warmth of your favorite walking partner. Whether strolling Fifth Avenue or talking a quite walk in the woods, the Love Mitten Set is just lovely." Awwwww.....

Check 'em out: http://www.fjorn.com/woolens-hats-and-mittens-love-mittens.html

Labor Day Weekend

At Lake Entiat for Katie's birthday.

Mini Golf in Maple Valley

I got a hole in one (not on this hole obviously)!

The course is very scenic. It was a perfect 70 odd degree day.

Gettin' silly the second time around.

Ironman Canada

My man is an Ironman! After an entire year of training, the big day finally came. Approaching the day with excitement, not nerves, he met 2700+ others in the water, kicking, slapping and hitting each other, clambering to edge ahead. Once out of the water, he transitioned onto the bike and sped away, passing hundreds. Denice handed off a refill of his "special" mix when he passed mile 30 (nearest to their winery) and made it back to Penticton in amazing time. I met him back at the transition area and now he was on his feet, on his first mile of the marathon, the third and final leg. I screamed and cheered and ran alongside him (on the sidewalk), then met up with him at mile 13 (just about halfway) for further encouragement. Then, back at the finish, I fed him a bagel and tried to keep him warm. I'm so proud of my Wesley! What an accomplishment!

The "care" package I created.

Helen chalkin' up the road.

One of the messages I left.

Looking out onto Bruce and Denice's vineyard

from their house (excellent hospitality and

excellent wine!).

Wesley amid bags and bags of racers' gear.

Ready to swim in Lake Okanagan.

You can't see them too well, but neither could I: the swimmers.

Spectators watching swimmers exit the water.

You're not even at mile 20 (out of 112) ... so NO "Wine-ing!"

Cyclists near the cliffs of insanity.

Bruce cheering on the competitors. After the pros passed by, he finally started getting thank yous--kisses, thumbs up and "so are you" (in response to the "you're all winners" sign).

Wesley looking fresh after the bike ride and transitioning into running.

Just passed mile 13.


Wrapped like a Chipotle burrito and content it's all over!

Issaquah Paragliders

We hiked up to Poo Poo Point to watch the paragliders.

Zoo Hill

Wesley did a quick time trial up Zoo Hill in Issaquah (not his bike in front of the Honey Bucket).

biking in and around beaver lake!

that's wesley--always getting himself in hairy situations

site of our wedding photos--look familiar?