16/52: New York, N.Y.

Tony Bennett sings a great song about leaving his heart in San Francisco, but I honestly left my heart in New York City.

I thought I would be overwhelmed by the city, but instead I embraced it.  I felt welcome and warm.  I met tons of great New Yorkers rather born and raised or transplanted.

We managed to check off just about every box on our list and we had wonderful weather for most of our trip (one half day of sprinkles and one full day of heavy rain).

Almost everything about our trip was perfect, from our flights into La Guardia, our hotel, all our excursions (that we pre-booked) and finding our way out of the city and back home (we managed to navigate the subway system like pros).

A big thank you to my aunt and super travel partner.  She put up with my excessive planning and I think it really paid off big time.  Not only did we have all our Broadway show tickets, museum and tours tickets well in advance, but we also paid for them months ahead of time so that our budget could accommodate $175 dinners for 2, $20 glasses of Chardonnay and $25 bright yellow New York Cab pajama bottoms.

Enjoy!
Stacy

Old Photo Friday: Happy Remembrance Birthday, Aunt Pat

WHO: Donald Y. Brady (Paternal Grandpa) and (Aunt) Pat Dahl
WHEN: Mid 1940's
WHERE: The woods of Oregon

Thinking of my much beloved Aunt Pat on what would have been her 97th birthday, February 25th.

Missing you and your stories!

Love,
Stacy

51 & 52: Merry Christmas 2018 and Happy 2019!

It's hard to believe that the holiday season has come and gone.  It seems like just yesterday that I was planning my Halloween costume, defrosting my Thanksgiving turkey and wrapping Christmas presents.  Time flies when you are having fun and Brian and I certainly had a lot of fun in 2018.  

The last 11 days in Seattle were wonderful, but not without a bit of drama.  We had a sewer line break on Christmas Eve which was not a whole lot of fun.  Thankfully, it was repaired and we limped into the New Year with even more gratitude for what life can bring you when you least expect it and how to handle the chaos when it happens (something I am not good at, but trying to improve on.  Thank God for Brian's resilience).

No resolutions for me this year.  Just more lists, which I enjoy making.  More wants and less needs.  More hugs and less tears.  Time to travel to see friends and family or places that we have never been too (or places we have seen millions of times). Time to listen before speaking.  Time each day to ask yourself the question, "what did I do today that made today special".  Remembering gratitude, just like you remember to take the garbage out on Wednesdays.  It shouldn't be something that you have to search for.  Live like you just have today, because we all know how quickly things can change.

Breathe, stretch, pause and reflect.  Move forward (but just move).  Don't give into anger or fear.  Don't take things personally, and make your word impeccable.  It's okay to be wrong, everyday is a chance to learn something new.  Read more books (my goal is 25 this year) and listen to more music. Dance alone. Wear sunscreen!  Face your face with good soap and wear comfortable shoes.  Smile and say hello.  Remember that you have no idea what someone is going through so try and always be kind.  Practice the art of being silent and remember to have patience.

Be yourself and honor your feelings and above all else be happy and love.

Much Love,
Stacy

Old Photo Friday: Crowe Family Christmas 1980

WHO: Lowell Crowe, Evan Crowe and Nick Manley
WHERE: E. 27th Street in Eugene, OR
WHEN: Christmas Eve, 1980 (best guess)

Bittersweet memories.  Lowell and Evan have both been gone for many years as is the family matriarch, Wilma who passed away at the age of 100 a few months ago.  Little Nick is married with two daughters of his own.

No Christmas Eve was complete without a visit to Evan and Wilma's (my father's second family).  I get goose bumps when I think of the year that our good friend Sten, dressed up like Santa Claus and in the middle of the Christmas Eve celebrations...threw open the front door, let out a loud, "ho ho ho", handed Nick a Christmas presents and disappeared.

You see.... in the end, all we are left with are the memories of love, joy, family and friendships.  These are closest to our hearts at Christmas Time.

Enjoy!
Stacy

47/52: Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful family Thanksgiving long weekend last week.

Great food, conversation, fun and games.

Enjoy!
Stacy

42/52: Delaware

What a time we had back east!

It flew by super fast because we were going non-stop for 3 full days, including visits with family & friends, a trip to the beach, a visit to the cemetery, a hike on the Mason-Dixon Trail, a family crab feed and Brian's 40th High School Reunion.

Enjoy!
Stacy

@ the Stone Balloon, Main Street Newark, DE

This girl loves her Wawa Coffee

Class of 1978

Rehobath Beach, DE

Lunch at Matt's Fish Camp, South Bethany Beach, DE

Smith Bridge, Chadds Ford, PA

The Smith Bridge was built in 1839 as a covered bridge over the Brandywine River just south of the Pennsylvania state line.  It was destroyed in 1961 on Halloween with it was set on fire and rebuilt a time later.

Hiking the Mason Dixon Trail with Cousin Randi outside their back door in Chadds Ford, PA

Eating Maryland Blue Crabs

Brian's Aunt Faye will be 80 in April

37/52: Last Summer Weekend

It was the last full weekend of summer and it already feels like fall.

We said another round of goodbyes as my Mom and Kenny leave Seattle later this week.  We had a lovely dinner at 13 coins with friends to say so long...until we all get together again.

We also said goodbye to summer (sort of).  A couple of wet walks in the rain and cool showers over the weekend.  Lots of treasures to be seen for those still looking for the silver lining of rainbows.

Enjoy!
Stacy

33/52: Seattle Sports Weekend with Pop and Rosemary

We had an amazing long weekend in Seattle with my parents. 

It began on Thursday night in West Seattle where we enjoyed wine on our backyard patio and a wonderful home cooked meal courtesy of Brian.

Friday we explored Alki and had breakfast at the Alki Cafe and then took the water taxi from West Seattle to the Waterfront and had Happy Hour at Anthony's.  

We made our way to Key Arena to see the Seattle Storm (WNBA) take on the NY Liberty Friday night...and to see Mercedes Russell who grew up in Springfield, OR.  My Dad and Rosemary have been watching her play all her life and this past spring she was drafted out of the University of Tennessee to play in the women's professional league.  As a rookie, she isn't getting much playing time (she played 53 seconds on Friday night) but it was still a great game and a nice way to support her.

We had an amazing brunch at Cactus on Saturday morning and made our way to Safeco Field to see the Mariners take on the Dodgers Saturday night.  It was a tough night for me.  I love my Mariners, but grew up a lifelong Dodgers fan.  I took a lot of grief from my family, but still decked all out in my Dodger gear!  The Dodgers lost on Saturday night (still won the series 2-1), and we all had a really good time!

Sunday we headed back to Portland and my parents went back to Springfield.

Great memories this weekend!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Old Photo Friday: Family Time

WHO: Rosemary, Pop and Stacy
WHERE: Backyard at E Street in Springfield, OR
WHEN: June 1987 (photo taken by my late, Aunt Judy who came out to Oregon for my High School Graduation).  I believe this photo was taken on our way to church on Sunday.

I am really looking forward to spending some time with my Pop and Rosemary in Seattle this weekend.

Enjoy!
Stacy

Old Photo Friday: Happy Birthday, Rosemary

WHO: Rosemary Brady
WHEN: Mid 1980's
WHERE: Multnomah Falls (outside Portland, OR)

Happy birthday to a very special lady, my second Mom.

I hope you have a wonderful day (tomorrow).

Love,
Stacy

24/52: Father's Day Weekend

Our family is always up for an adventure Father's Day Weekend and this year Pop's choice was a visit to the Oregon Vortex just outside of Gold Hill.

This roadside attraction has been open to the public since 1930 and takes you on a strange glimpse into the strange world of gravity hill/optical illusions.  Local legend according to Native Americans refer to the site as "forbidden" land and travelers would often times have trouble with horses passing through the area.  Most in our party, believe that the effect is due to a distorted background that induces a forced perspective and not anything paranormal.  At any rate, it was a fun adventure and we all enjoyed the visit.

We then drove just down the road to Del Rio Vineyards, which was established in 1997 and was once home to the Rock Point Hotel built in 1864.

We had a 5 wine flight, which included a Pinot Gris, Viogner, Grenache Rose, Claret and a Cabernet Savignon.  Absolutely beautiful tasting room and grounds.  It would be a great place to pack a picnic lunch, play a round of cornhole and drink a bottle of wine in the sunshine!

Finally, we headed down old highway 99 past Rogue River and ate lunch at River's Edge outside in the beautiful sunshine along the river.  My shrimp scampi with spaghetti squash was amazing and I know Brian, Sandra and Steve enjoyed their Halibut Fish and Chips.

Our Father's Day adventures are always a fun time for our family.  Now on to planning next year!

Enjoy!
Stacy