Scrappy Hearts

Week in the Life, Saturday

Observation: I love spending time in the woods. For me, what stands out is the way that old growth and decay leads to new growth. The many stumps and decaying logs that were supporting new life, foliage and trees, made for some great photography. A study in contrasts.

Overheard: Many conversations overheard along the trail on Saturday. My favorite had to be listening to a little boy explain his plan (for something) to his father. "Doesn't that sound like a good idea? Would you help me?" And of course, dad's reply, "Sure, what a great thing for us to do together." Just loved it!

Gratitude: Saturday I was grateful for the opportunity to spend some time out exploring nature in a calm and relaxed way. No rushing to get from one place to another. We needed the calm of Saturday knowing that Mark is leaving for China late on Sunday.

Favorite Moment: I asked Mark what his favorite moment of the day was and he said lunch. "Good food, waitress that did her job efficiently and did not pester, nice atmosphere." For me, the day was filled with many moments I could classify as "favorite." I too, enjoyed lunch and felt that we had stumbled into the perfect little place in Gold Bar. But I think, if I had to choose just one moment it would be standing at the railing by the middle falls in taking our self-portrait, giggling as we do. It was such fun sharing a walk in the woods.

Week in the Life, Friday

Observation: Scattered observations started with the sirens piercing the quiet of the day. Many people out and about today - the sounds of children with their friends and adults walking together. For me, the one sound that I really love is the sound of skateboards. Heard that on the driveway below while I worked in the lliving room. It reminds me of a time when my son lived at home; he and his friends would skateboard outside the house. Always happy memories. 

Also noticed tan lines on my feet. Summer may have finally arrived here in the Pacific Northwest!

Overheard: "On your left", over and over as bicyclists traveled the river trail. Usually followed by, "thank you."

Gratitude: Today I am most grateful for a quiet hour in the sun. I spent that hour on a bench, right on the river, the sound of the water and the voices of the people on the trail became the soundtrack, perfect.

Favorite Moment: I enjoy the quiet moments of the day. Dinner together, just the two of us. Quiet conversation. Movie time. But, today I think I would have to say that my favorite moment came when I started to pull together the layout for my Week in the Life album. I just love the way it is turning out. I love that I now know what size photos need to be ordered and that I have a plan. I love that it will be pulled together in a very short period of time. I love the feeling of having accomplished something.

Week in the Life, Thursday

Observation: At 10:30 in the morning my toes were freezing. It is July and that should not be happening!

Overheard: A woman with young children buying ribbon for a raffle basket. She was putting together the basket for a fundraiser for a family that lost their little girl in a car accident. This stayed with me for much of the day. So sad.

Gratitude: Absolutely grateful for the people I encounter each day who are so willing to help. Today it was Zack at Teatro Zinzanni who was able to switch the tickets we bought to another night. Mark's impending trip to China is messing with our schedule, but Zack was a lifesaver. 

While at QFC trying to buy the Marsala for dinner last evening I came across a woman that works at the store so willing to recommend the "right" type of wine and to offer her suggestions for the dish. It turned out delicious and I am grateful for her help.

Favorite Moment: This may sound odd, but I think my favorite moment of the day was the time we spent going over the finances. I was anxious about doing this, really being honest about where the money goes and having to account for it, but Mark is blessed with the ability to work well with numbers. The best part is that he does so without judgement. I have heard that the blending of finances can create issues in a new marriage and I don't want that to happen with us. Slowly but surely we are becoming a married couple, and that makes me happy.

Palettes and Pairings

What a fun evening! Palettes and Pairings is truly a one of a kind place. Mark had found this place on facebook and we decided to include an evening of painting as one of our must do activities before I leave Washington. 

The picture we selected was "Coming Home".  For us, it was a no brainer. Eventually we would like to be coming home to the same place!

I cannot begin to describe how much fun the evening was. We enjoyed meeting the rest of the painters who were also there for the evening. There was wine and munchies. A throwback soundtrack that included Aerosmith, Rick Astley and Prince provided a wonderful backdrop to the evening. People sang along and some, including my husband, danced a bit. And, of course, through it all, we painted. 

The end result, first mine...Now Mark's...Aren't they great! i just love the way they turned out! Wine, appetizers and painting, an ingenious idea! I think I might have to try it just one more time!

Week in the Life, Wednesday

Observation: As I drove over the cut I noticed a small group of small sailboats, child sized. It rememinded me of my mornings at Morrison's, serving breakfast, as the yacht club offered sailing lessons.

Overheard: A group of male friends as they gathered at the Matador. "Just like old times." "Taking it to a higher level." It was neat to watch as they caught up and just enjoyed each other's company.

Gratitude: Today, while it may seem a bit shallow, I was happy and grateful for a day with a car. Most days I am home alone and I spend much of my time walking, to the supermarket, Starbucks, etc. But to have a day with the car before I am alone for a week gave me the opportunity to get the lay of the land while Mark was still close. I get nervous driving in new areas. I also need to mention how grateful I am for a husband that is supportive of my need to create and the costs associated with that "need."

Favorite Moment: So many quiet moments throughout the day. So many happy moments. But, I think that watching French Kiss with Mark at the end of our day was my favorite. I love the quiet moments of our lives.

Week in the Life, Tuesday

Observation: As I sort through Mark's paperwork I realize that this man saves everything. Everything. I have a big job ahead of me!

Overheard: Today, with the windows shut, I overheard a baby crying from the parking lot below. It was the cry of a newborn, high pitched, "I just need my mommy" kind of cry and it caught me off guard. I have not heard a cry like that in a very long time.

Gratitude: This morning before he left for work, like every morning since we've been together, Mark gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek. Today I am most grateful for Mark's sweet gestures of love. He is a very loving person and loves to demonstrate his love in different ways. What a blessing that is in my life.

Favorite Moment: Our evening at Palettes and Pairings was the highlight of my day. We had such fun painting! We met a great group of people, tried some really good wines and sang along to a great soundtrack! I love how our paintings turned out!

Even on good days things can go terribly awry. Okay, that's a little dramatic but after our great evening out, Mark informed me that he is going to be sent to China on Monday for seven days. For most married couples that would probably not seem like a big deal, might even be considered a blessing, but Mark and I do not live together. In fact, we live very far apart from each other. He is here in Washington and I reside in New Jersey. I am here for a visit, and not a very long one at that. Losing seven days of time together is a big deal for me and it changes our plans dramatically. Not sure how I will include the "not so good" in with the "really good" when I pull this together over the next couple of weeks but I think I will need to adjust my plan just a bit.

Note: My plan was to share one photo each day, but today I felt compelled to share two photos just because I don't know if you will ever find Mark and I painting like this, again. Anyway, I just like them.

I did manage to take more photos on Tuesday, but still, there were opportunities I missed. I am working on being more prepared with the camera.

Week in the Life, Monday

Observation: Jessica chats with me on Facebook when I least expect to hear from her!

Overheard: Little Willy from Mark's computer, randomized.

Gratitude: I received an invitation to Mark's niece's baby shower and that made me feel good. I feel very thankful to have married into a family that has included me in their lives.

Favorite Moment: Quiet dinner at home, just the two of us. (The compliments on the meal were also very nice!)

Note: This year I am following a new format for my Week in the Life record keeping. Since the week started just yesterday there are just a few things that I notice about this go around. I tend to record things differently now that I am living with Mark. I also noticed that yesterday I took too few pictures. I completely forgot all about the camera during dinner preparation and that's a bummer. Today I will be more aware...

Notes from Sunday

The weather was gorgeous yesterday! We spent the day in Seattle, specifically Pike Place Market and the Olympic Sculpture Park. It was a bright, beautiful, sunny day, perfect for spending along the waterfront.

I just love the hustle and the bustle of the market. Yesterday the weather drew everyone out. The place was as busy as Times Square in New York. We were hunting for the quilt shop and taking in the sights before we settled down for lunch at a bolivian restaurant with interesting, delicious food, outside seating and a 2nd story view of the market. There was really, so much to photograph! Lots of candy for the eyes!

 After lunch we settled into our shopping. Fresh fruits and veggies for the week as well as a handbag, or two, for me. We are trying to make much healthier food choices and that is so easy with the abundance of fresh, local organic produce. The peaches, large and juicy. Rainier cherries, delicious.

One of my favorite stops in the market, Sandra's Satchels. I purchased a couple of bags back in 2009 for gifts but never had one myself. Yesterday I picked out a bag and Mark decided that I needed more than one. I am one lucky lady with two new bags...The little bag will be perfect for my daily walks to the market, I'll be able to carry so much more in the way of groceries!

After dropping our purchases off in the car we walked along the waterfront to the Olympic Sculpture Park. Interesting art and great meadow gardens.

I just love the eyeball benches, aren't they great? We took a slow walk back to the market before heading home. A cool drink, FREE, from Starbucks and we were set for a journey home.

It never ceases to amaze me, the quiet after a long day. The market cleared out fairly quickly and we were left with the images and memories of the people and encounters we shared during this visit to the market.   At home, our day ended with a viewing of the 6th Harry Potter movie. Mark has been busy catching me up so that I will have an understanding of the story. I had never seen the movies or read the books. Our plan is to see the last movie together, at the IMAX, in 3d. We'll see how that plan works!

We had the most wonderful weekend. Full of exploration and experiences but low key enough to allow us to live in the moment. Perfect. 

The View From Saturday

From high atop the Space Needle in Seattle...The mountain was out all day, this shot was from the observation deck at the Space Needle, just before dinner. And this shot of the sunset was taken immediately after dinner.The view from today, glorious. Special thanks to my husband for a great day!

Happy Hour

You can't beat $5 appetizers and blackberry margaritas! Yum. A great start to a Friday evening.