Easter

My family hasn't normally made a big deal out of Easter, which has left me to eat pho for dinner in the past. This year, I thought I'd start new traditions and planned to cook an Easter dinner at my place and have Mom and Clint over.

In preparation, I attempted to make cute little carrot cake cupcakes the night before. I found a recipe online, and followed it to a tee...with the exception of the baking soda. I didn't have any, so I ripped open the baking soda insert I had hanging in my fridge since last year (mind you it says to replace after 30 days) and used that. The outcome resulted in flat oozing burnt cupcakes that were probably toxic. I ruined Easter before it had even started.

whoops

Fortunately I woke up to the best weather we've had yet, and that made everything all better. Clint and I decided to break out our bikes for the first time this year and get out into the sunshine. We pumped up the flat tires, threw them in his truck, and headed to Greenlake.

super thrilled to have a photo taken

It was a busy day on the Greenlake path, but Clint and I made our way around just fine. I did, however, passive aggressively cut off the people walking in the bike lane. That'll show 'em.

perfect day

panorama

music man

After lapping the lake, we headed off the trail and rode up to Zoka Coffee, a cute little cafe. We sat and enjoyed some coffee, then it was back on the bikes.

After lapping Greenlake a second time, we wanted to keep riding but needed a change of scenery. So, we decided to head south to Coulan Park and see what trails we could find there. But after driving all that way, searching for parking, and finally getting on our bikes...I lasted about 10 minutes. My "seat" was getting sore, and from past experience I knew better than to push it. So, we headed back to my place to meet Mom for dinner.

Mom was in charge of appetizers and brought one of my favorite Easter traditions. She made suun (sp?) which is a traditional Polish dish made of beets and horseradish. You then put it on kielbasa and hard boiled eggs, yum. Mom also made these delicious little sandwiches. She used Hawaiian rolls for the bread with ham, cream cheese, and Swiss cheese. You then melt butter with worcestershire sauce and minced onions and pour it on top, then bake. So deliciously unhealthy!

After stuffing ourselves, I put Clint and Mom to work in my yard (we had to work up an appetite for dinner somehow). Mom weeded while Clint helped me break down the cardboard boxes I've had stashed on the side of my house for a while now. When we moved them, we found a hug mound of cracked nutshells...looks like I took away some poor squirrel's hide out.

We came back in and I handed out baskets that the Easter bunny had left. We each got a packet of soup mix and candy; Mom got some wine, napkins, and a potato peeler; Clint got beer, hot sauce, and a skull bottle opener; and I got napkins and a garlic chopper.

treats for everyone

I then got started with dinner which was rack of lamb, caramelized brussels sprouts, and twice baked potatoes. I picked up the lamb racks at Trader Joe's, and I think they turned out delicious, will definitely be making that recipe again. The brussels sprouts came from a recipe I found on Pinterest which has become a new favorite.

browning

baking

ready to eat!

It turned out to be a great holiday doing my favorite things (biking and cooking...not yard work) with my favorite people!

Diamonds are a girl's best friend

A few of weeks ago now, I got to perform on the stage of the Triple Door! I get all excited/nervous even now just thinking about it. It really was an amazing opportunity, and am so happy I was able to do it!

My friend Kylee has always been dancing, and most recently performs with the Heavenly Spies. Fae, who started the group, had been planning a big 10-year anniversary show with a band, singer, and some guest appearances from favorites of past shows. She also wanted a closing number with a bunch of girls on stage to do a Rockette-style kick line to the song Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend, so she needed some new recruits. Kylee passed the news on to me to see if I'd be interested, and I'm so happy I got the nerve to say yes. It's been a while since I've done any dancing (unless Dance Central on Kinect counts), and even longer since it's been in front of a crowd. Plus I've been to their shows before, and being next to these girls on stage I knew I'd have to change my pizza eating ways and lose that muffin top.

Practice started just two weeks before the show, so Fae got to work to teach all 16 of us the choreography. We met twice a week for 4 hours which made for long nights, but we were all having fun.

first rehearsal

Dress rehearsal was the night before the show started. It was exciting to see it all come together with our costumes and having the band join us. We even had a professional photographer get some fun shots.

the Heavenly Spies

Miss Caela Bailey

hair

Pink Panther

Diamonds number

just us girls

with the band and our emcee

The next day was our first show! We were even in the Seattle Times.

Blaine and Hillary came to the show that night as a fun way to celebrate Hillary's birthday. I was able to find them before and say hi and tell them how nervous I was, and then again afterwards where we stayed at the Triple Door for some drinks. I could even hear and see them screaming once I was onstage, my own little fan club!

Layne & Blaine

Birthday girl

Being able to see the show 5 times was pretty cool. The show came together so well, and each number I found myself saying "this is my favorite!"

unsuspecting audience participation

sultry songstress

I got a little more comfortable with each show, and it was fun knowing people out in the audience. Rachel came with Kalle Friday night, and then Clint was at the late show. He even thought about coming again the next night he enjoyed it so much (but how could he not with so many girls).

Getting to dance with Kylee and see what all goes on backstage was really fun. I met so many new friends, and had such a blast...I miss it already! Here's hoping I'll get another opportunity to dance with them soon!

Sounders game

My mom called me up a while back and asked if I'd be interested in Sounders tickets. She had gotten an email from work saying they were up for grabs. I of course said yes, since the game Clint and I went to last season was so much fun. As it got closer to the game, Mom told me she had eight tickets for me! Clint and I thought it'd be fun to use all the tickets to ask his employees and their significant others to come since we always have a great time together (plus Clint could score some bonus best-boss-ever points).

We all met up at the Clink and headed in to the stadium. Our seats were great! They were club level which meant we were able to go into the private club section with the bars, restaurants, and fancy bathrooms. We also lucked out being under cover since it was raining a bit.

I sat next to Justin's wife Stacy, and we spent most of the game chatting and not paying attention. The parts of the game we did catch were pretty exciting though. Lots of scoring for soccer. We played Mexico (which I didn't even think to look at before we got there) and ended up beating them 3-1. But, as one of Clint's coworkers explained, this was game 2 of a series, so overall we only won by 1. I don't get soccer.

goal!

band playing as we left the stadium

After the game, we all headed over to Sluggers for drinks. I've never been in there when it was so deserted. There were a few soccer fans out, but it was pretty quiet being a Tuesday night. Quite the change from Mariner or Seahawk season.

It was a great night, and Clint was happy to have a fun (and free) morale event for his team. Thanks Mom and Liberty Mutual!