tarp city

For Labor Day weekend this year, we went camping at Deception Pass State Park. I reserved the spot back in January and I fully intend to do it again for next year. The spot I found was totally perfect and close to the bathrooms but not too close, if you know what I mean. 

The weather forecast said lots and lots of rain and possible thunder/lightning storms so we came prepared. Our friends Chris & Shereen came with us and we built the most awesome tarp city on the planet (well... for camping) ever! We WANTED it to rain. Luke packed enough firewood to keep us in business for the whole weekend and basically, we ate and played games non-stop for 3 days! And slept too. Maybe a few walks, you know, to add some balance to our very well balanced weekend! 

On Sunday, we had some visitors show up. Ben/Becca stopped by for the day and my brother Steve and his friend Rachael came to camp for one night. We played a very intense game of poker with $8 in the pot to win. Yes, big money. I didn't win. 

I think I'm just rambling a lot right now but here's the pictures Luke took of our trip. I didn't want to do anything other than nothing so I couldn't be bothered to bring my camera...

Setting up our beautiful campsite.

TARP CITY!!!! That's what we ended up calling it. I think it's appropriate! 

Hashbrown heaven! Hot breakfasts every morning!!!

This is Steve's creepy pancake cooking face.

Rachael, who brought her very cool, REAL film camera. Photo major at fancy school.

I don't think this should be dignified with an explanation...

And to top off my little reminiscence of our great weekend, I ran to grab something from the dining room and realized that my dog Deeter had emptied his little guts out on my floor twice. I just found out today that Ben fed him not one, but TWO hot dogs on Sunday. He had a hot dog hangover on Monday and wouldn't get out from the sleeping bag for nothin' or nobody.

The end. Pun intended.

Fall Happenings

As I write this post, I can hear the scream of an NFL crowd in the background. The Seahawks are playing their last post-season game before their regular season starts on September 13th. I know, just breathe, as Faith Hill says. I'm pretty excited! If you aren't, I'm sorry. Because at our house, the game will be on every week and the volume will be loud and we'll be eating really good food. And if you don't like football, you're not invited. So... how do you feel about football now?? 

Just a few happy things to mention other than the football season's start. One of my favorite bloggers just came out with her new cookbook. It's on pre-order and I fully intend to be on that list asap but I can't mention who it is because it's a great gift item! There is a peach crisp baking in the oven and Trader Joe's vanilla ice cream in the freezer! I cleaned out my closet and got rid of so many things, I am shocked. I have no laundry left to do. And I feel like myself for the first time in 3 months. 

I know, it's shocking... I actually felt like myself today, after MANY weeks of being so exhausted that I couldn't fathom doing anything besides the bare minimum. But I've been growing a very important person so it's okay! Here's the evidence thus far...

Stay tuned. This is bound to get much bigger! 

One thing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFMwsFbg1oM

Enough said.

The Farmer's Market

There is something about the farmer's market in Bellingham that makes me feel at home. There was a market in the town I grew up in and I often went to pick out something delicious for lunch or dinner that day with my mom or dad. But I will say this... Bellingham's market is really much more cool than my childhood one. There are so many people, vendors selling all sorts of non-food related items and balloon artists. Oh, and there are so many food vendors so it's a perfect place to stop for lunch! 

Luke took me last month as part of my birthday "day" and it was really fun! We were there to shop for anything in particular so I couldn't go wild on produce or flowers for home. In fact, I only bought handmade soap for a friend's birthday present and for myself (um... hello!) because I didn't know what else Luke had planned for the day.  

But I will say this. We have this amazing farmer's market and I've only be a couple of times. I don't know why. I love it. So we are going again on Saturday and I'm going to have some cooking planned for the next week so I can buy something fresh at the market! How novel of me, right! ha! But until then, here are some photos from our last trip to the market. Hope you like!

Julie/Julia Movie = perspective in a random way...

I just saw 'Julie & Julia' at the theater tonight. It was SO so good! I had read on Fandango that most people gave it a 'go' rating so I figured it would be good but the characters were so lovely that I felt like I knew them. That doesn't always happen when I go to see a movie. Often times, I'm left wanting to know just a little bit more... another level of that something that makes a character seem like someone you could really know. Meryl Streep was just divine and her voice pitch made me laugh so hard. I think many times during the movie, it was just my friend and I giggling away at every little thing she said. And the people behind us probably laughing at us.

And goodness, did I need a really happy, funny movie today. I was really trying to focus on being still and letting God be God and me be me all day. It was very difficult. But the movie helped. I know it's cliche to say but sometimes when you have to turn your mind off and just let a happy, positive movie fill your brain, it can help to turn your thinking and leave you with more than just a good movie under you belt. Sometimes, maybe, just a little bit of perspective about things that had nothing to do with the movie in the first place. 

And when that happens, I know for sure I'm going to have to buy the stupid thing and watch it over and over again! 

Bored & Bothered

Lately I've felt kinda bored. And today I feel restless. And it bothers me because I don't know why. Well, I guess I do know why a little bit. Not a lot going on today but so much going on in the world. I feel a bit useless. And unmotivated. It's not a good combination. Trust me. 

You know when you have had SO many things going on for SUCH a long time and then it's suddenly quiet on the home front? I think that's happened and it's uncomfortable. So I think I just need to chill out and embrace this spot... get comfortable with it. And be thankful. 

 

Wedded Bliss!

As promised, here are some photos from a beautiful wedding this weekend. All outdoors, sunshine and green grass. Good food and wonderful people! I didn't take a ton of photos because sometimes I feel funny taking photos when there is an actual hired photographer around. 

The center pieces were so pretty! 

Since the couple love everything country, wedding favors were horseshoes!

This is where we sat with Mom/Dad of the bride!

Scrumptious bouquets made for a gorgeous head table during the reception! And at night, they were... WOW!

The cake was SO good! Two pieces for me! 

Check out their cake topper! It was really cool!!! 

This was really pretty during the day and also in the evening when the lights were all on! 

These trees were really cool! 

Beautiful bride and her Dad!

As the evening was winding down.

It was a great wedding, so glad to have been there! Hope you liked the pics!