Good people, good food, good times

Lunch with mom at Sitka & Spruce

Fresh flowers at the Melrose Market

Vivace Coffee and Salted Caramel (where else than) Molly Moon

Pike Place dinner for dad's birthday at Seatown

Beachside picnic in Fidalgo Bay (read: waiting 3 hours for afternoon ferry)

Funny people and a crisp ferry ride

A surefire sign you're in the PNW

Views from Orcas Island

Lots of laughter

I love Orcas people (a 5 minute solstice parade!)

Take a look at this composition :)

Breakfast at Allium on Orcas

Views from the wedding ceremony

There's an app for this

Wedding treats

We had such a great weekend in Seattle and Orcas Island, I only wish it could have lasted about 18 more days...

The weather was typical: cool, partly cloudy with sunny patches, misty, breezy, fresh and clean. Although it's summer and I know Seattleites are desperate for sun and warmer temperatures, the break from the heat in B-more was soothing, refreshing and just what I needed.

I felt so lucky to have been able to see my parents and some great friends, to not waste a moment/potential meal by enjoying some of my very favorite Seattle restaurants, and to be part of C & V's special day on Orcas Island (what an awesome wedding it was!). We had so much fun laughing with friends and being reminded of the incredible beauty and life that exists in the Northwest. I can't help but miss living there, but am also so thankful for the adventure and change that living across the country has brought. As it's said, part of me never really knew what I was missing until I left. 

For now, it's back to work and back to life at home in Baltimore. Guess I'll just have to bring everyone from Seattle to me! Who's game? 

That was fun.

That was fun. Photos, restaurant highlights and favorite moments soon to come. xo 

Buh bye

I'm on vacation for the rest of the week, so take good care now and I'll be seing you real soon. xo

p.s. yeah that's right, that'll be me and Ryan headed up Mt. Constitution on Orcas this Saturday. Just wait.

Summer, so far

Walks around our new neighborhood 

Happy hour, spent swinging

Salads with farmers market veggies

Poolside meals and margaritas

Nightly swims

Celebrating 3 day weekends

Adventures in West Virginia 

Campfire meals and cold beer

Beautiful roadside stops 

So far, so good, I'd say. How's this summer for you?

Island Getaway

We're headed to Orcas Island next week for a wedding, which means my second time across the country this year to the NW. I can't wait to wake up to a cool, misty San Juan morning, to smell the salty air and the green forests, to dip my toes in the icy waters of the Puget Sound, and to spend some time away from B-more and be surrounded by good friends. Plus, our hotel in Seattle is right next to one of my favorite places.

I love the Northwest, but I hope this isn't our only summer trip. I'm feeling the need to go somewhere I've never been, eat food I've never tried and be exposed to a new place- a source for inspiration, perhaps. This will suffice in the meantime, don't get me wrong.

[photo(s) by Natalie via all the mountains]

Stuck on the side of the road (almost)

When we were in South Africa two years ago at this very time in May, we nearly ran out of gas right near this area. Luckily, the children playing soccer in the streets understood the universal term for mobility which we repeated over and over with concerned, questioning faces: petrol? Petrol?  They ushered us to a local man who sold petrol by the plastic litre and poured it into our thirsty, white VW rental car.

What a beautiful place.

{via High Art/Low Life}

Bavarian Bound

I'm super excited to report that today I'll be heading west to Seattle, then onto my hometown of Leavenworth, WA. I can't wait to soak up the fresh air and enjoy time with people I love over the weekend.  

I'll have a bit of time in Seattle, so I'm making a list of places to visit.  So far my old favorites of Vivace and Sonic Boom are at the top, but a nice meal might be up my sleeve, too. Any ideas?  

Signing off for the week, friends... take care and keep in touch! 

A few of my favorite things...

Lots of time with the one I love

Trips to the beach

Dewy succulents

Orange houses

Flowers in December 

Palm trees

Christmas colors in the City

Tasty treats

White poinsettia's

Views from the lookout at the de Young Museum 

His and hers

Today we are headed back to Charm City after a lovely week in the Bay Area with Ryan's family. We ate great Italian food, walked all over the city, drank delicious cappuccinos, went to my favorite bookstore, City Lights, wrapped presents, ordered room service, slept in, visited old friends, went to the movies, enjoyed some sun (and plenty of rain), made our favorite tag-team meal, 5 cheese macaroni, watched Christmas specials on TV as a family, took major breaks from Facebook and the internet (hooray!) and all around enjoyed ourselves immensely.

We're pretty bummed to be going home, but I suppose Christmas can't last forever.  At least we all have New Year's to look forward to, right?

Do you have any big plans for the New Year's Eve? My big plans (and goal to incorporate into life in 2011)- one word: mimosa.

Hope you had a great Christmas week, too. Sending love and joy to you and yours for 2011.