Pot problem

Looks like I've inherited my mom's pot problem as the trips to Home Depot, Lowes, Fred Meyer, and various nurseries continue. I just can't get enough! Here are some pics of my potting projects.

new herbs and flowers for my balcony

pots from Fred Meyer

hanging pots gifted by mom

purchased my own Japanese maple for
the pot from Flower World - added some
Dollar Store rocks and some hens & chicks

And some non-pot related pics. The tree I bought to replace the icky plum tree I had removed, and a new kitty friend.

Blue Atlas Cedar tree

Chloe the Cat

Chloe happened to be in the driveway when my mom stopped by and waltzed right in the front door. We led her out through the back, and she stuck around awhile as we gardened. After smacking my plastic flamingo once in the head, she hopped the fence and left. Sassy little thing. Here's hoping she makes her way back!

Father's Day

Father's Day was this past Sunday, and I had a great time spending the afternoon with Dad. I invited him over to my place for a late lunch. As it got closer to the time he was supposed to show up, I got this text from him. This is just a sample of the odd "texts from Dad" I often receive. I could probably devote an entire post for these. 

typical

I was right, he meant Delridge, so he showed up shortly after. We sat out in the sun on my patio for a bit, then headed in to catch the rest US Open. We got some use out of my bar as I mixed us some cocktails then lounged on the couch for some golf...pretty much my dad's perfect day. I got quite the golf lesson (as I typically do when it's on), so now I'm all caught up on my golf knowledge. Thanks, Dad!

We bbq'd some hotdogs, opened his gift (UW branded golf balls and tees), then Dad was on his way. Thanks for the fun afternoon, Dad, and happy Father's Day!

Kylee's Bridal Shower

A couple weekends ago, us girls headed out to Tacoma to shower sweet little Kylee for her upcoming wedding. The shower was held at her mother's house, and her mom along with the bridesmaids did a wonderful job putting it all together. The food, the decorations, the games...everything was great (even the weather)!

Kylee looked adorable as always, even though she was prolonging an oncoming cold, poor thing.

Chi O's

I was even able to stick to my diet with all the yummy finger food (and a few glasses of punch). But it sure was torture to pass up on the cupcakes, those things looked delicious! From all the "mmmm's" from the girls, I know I was missing out. That's okay though, I told Maureen that she could eat the two that I would have had.

how cute is that?!

Since it was such a great day, we all sat outside as we played games to see who knew Kylee best, and to see how well Kylee knows her husband-to-be. Turns out not so well...but the questions were hard! 

Kylee also opened her gifts. You know we're all getting old when we get excited over bath towels and pots and pans.

We're all so excited for your big day, and can't wait for you to be Mrs. Win'e (or Mrs. French-Wine). So happy for you, Sister!

Patio progress

I'm in love...with my patio. Is that possible?

I'm just so happy with how it's all turning out, and I really enjoy having a space to be outside especially with this nice weather we've been having.

I've made quite a bit of progress. Here's a list of all my outdoor projects:

• Spray painted my old wrought iron bistro set - the chairs are now green, and the table stayed the same dark gray, but now looks cleaner 
• Got some striped seat cushions for the now green chairs
• Bought some fun orange chairs on sale at Target
• My mom purchased a green patio umbrella and a round glass table for me (thanks, Mom!)
• Put together a fountain from Home Depot for ahh-mbiance
• Bought a fire pit and started a collection of fire wood and presto logs to get me through the summer
• Hung some ceramic candle lanterns from a couple of posts I got at Home Depot
• Filled in the flower beds with new dirt
• Laid out rope lighting along the perimeter of my patio
• Spray painted a pot shaped like a chicken bright orange (to be fittingly filled with hens and chicks)
• Got a pink plastic flamingo, Dad would be proud

potted plant from my coworker and the chicken

 

lit up at night

Here are some things still left on the to-do list:

• Stake down my rope lighting (My mom had the clever idea to clip off the ends of wire hangars and use those. She even drove me to the cleaners where they gave me a ton...for free!)
• Replace the plum tree I had removed with something a little less ginormous and messy 
• Fill in the flower beds with plants and flowers (Clint will gladly have input for this part)
• String up the twinkly lights I got from Target
• Have my fence looked at to either be repaired or replaced entirely

So far it's been a lot of fun having a new space to decorate...uncharted territory for a new Pinterest board!

Flower World

So lately Clint has been all about plants and gardening...like obsessed. He's turned his condo balcony into quite the potted plant oasis, and taking him to a nursery is like a kid in a candy store.

Ever since I told him about Flower World, he's been itching to go. I myself had never been, but heard it's the mecca of nurseries. So, on Sunday we made the trek out to the middle of nowhere Maltby to see what all the hype was about.

Our first stop was at the Maltby Café. We walked in and saw the huge crowd of people on the waiting list, and opted for Maltby Pizza & Pasta just next door (oh how I long for my pre-gluten-free days!). We enjoyed a delicious pizza, and were on our way.

Next stop, Flower World. This place is ginormous, and even has it's own lake with a running water wheel and swarms of ducks and geese lining the shores.

We found a place to park and delved right in. It was pretty intimidating, and we weren't really sure where to start. An employee noticed how lost we looked and suggested we take a map. Yes, this place is so big you need a map.

We wandered around for about an hour checking out every section. I think Clint must have been in an overwhelmed stupor, because after not finding anything, we were about to leave. Then a plant caught his eye, so we needed a tray to carry it in. Then he filled up the tray and needed a cart. Then he was on a roll. He even talked himself into buying a Japanese Maple tree that he had been considering. I'm sure he would have filled up another cart or two if it wasn't for closing time. We headed to the checkout, which is where I found a cool pot for my patio.

cute snapping turtles

after the clouds parted and the sun came out

Clint toting his plants, so happy

endless rows of flowers

Clint's new tree in my new pot. He took the
tree home despite how good it looked here.

Clint's haul

It turned out to be a successful trip, but our verdict was it's just to far away to make a second trip. It was cool to see, but we'll stick to trusty ol' Home Depot from now on.

Wait, no pizza or beer?

Last Saturday, Sarah and Colleen (and Osa...my house is becoming quite pet friendly) came over for a last minute girls night. Clint was headed to "some cowboy concert" (Kenny Chesney) with the guys, so I wanted to take advantage of the nice weather and invited over the girls.

sweet, sweet Osa all tuckered out

We bbq'd brats (and a garden burger for Colleen), and at Sarah's request we had the BLT chop salad again...we just can't get enough, so good! We had a fun time eating, drinking, and catching up all while enjoying the nice weather on the patio. As it got colder, we moved inside. We had intentions of lighting up the fire pit...but starting fires is a boys job.

Sarah mentioned the book she is reading, Wheat Belly (there is also a Wheat Belly blog with cool articles and recipes). According to Amazon, it's a book in which "a renowned cardiologist explains how eliminating wheat from our diets can prevent fat storage, shrink unsightly bulges, and reverse myriad health problems." She was pretty adamant about me also reading it, but more importantly giving it a try. With my digestive issues, this could be a big help. After hearing about her weight loss and health improvements, I was sold. Why not cut out wheat and gluten from my diet and see what happens? Then I realized that meant no beer and no pizza! I must be crazy, but I'm gonna give it a shot. I'm hoping that after 2 or 3 weeks I'll be able to notice a difference.

So after getting all hyped up on my new diet and researching what my meals would entail, I also downloaded the book for my Kindle and read the first few pages...and here's what I found on page 2:

"I've seen dramatic turnarounds in health, such as the thirty-eight-year old woman with ulcerative colitis facing colon removal who was cured with wheat elimination - colon intact."

What? Has pizza and beer been the death of me all these years? I sure hope not, since I can't fathom a life without them in my diet. Maybe the answer is moderation...like only indulging every few weeks instead of every few days.

I'm excited to read more of the book and find out if I see results, wish me luck!

Neighbor night

My good friend Anne and I recently became bonafide adults and purchased our very first homes. We were neighbors for over 5 years at the Dexter house, and once I moved out, Anne wasn't too far behind me. She found a great condo in Ballard, and soon her rent checks became mortgage payments...which I guess is what grown-ups do.

Both Anne and I used Henry as our real estate agent, and one of the perks is the $50 El Gaucho gift cards he gives his clients as a housewarming present. So last Thursday, we decided to celebrate "us" with a fancy dinner and a night out on the town.

We definitely splurged on dinner...a bottle of wine, table side caesar salads, surf and turf (I had the steak topped with lobster, Anne had steak oscar), and a side of mushroom risotto to share. Henry also graciously sent a bottle of champagne to the table, what better way to celebrate! We ended up taking it home with us to open another time, like once Anne is all settled and we can break in her new place.

We were too stuffed for dessert, so we headed off to the Can Can to see the Heavenly Spies perform Tiny Diamonds for the last time. 

we weren't drunk, it was the flash...I swear

okay maybe just buzzed :)

It was such a fun night! I sure do miss being neighbors, but thankfully Ballard and West Seattle aren't too far apart.