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

13/52: Let the 50th Celebrations Begin.....

I have an amazing group of friends.  New friends and old friends.  Best of all, friends that know how to throw an amazing dinner party in honor of my 50th year.

Jenny and Brent hosted an elegant dinner party for 9 including a champagne fountain, a 4 course meal and a jazz duo (Jenny provided amazing vocals) the first Saturday in April.

It was an amazing evening and one that I won't soon forget.  Thanks for my friends who are like family for celebrating my birthday!

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

7/52: A Nice and Long Weekend

Since Brian and I have seen each other a total of 5 hours this month, we really needed an adventure to Port Townsend, WA.

We enjoyed exploring historic Port Gamble (see barn below), walked main street Port Townsend and did some shopping, then had lunch at Silverwater Cafe before finally exploring Fort Warden (Point Wilson Lighthouse).

Enjoy!
Stacy

Crab Cakes with Shaved Fennel Salad

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

Blogmas 2017 - 25 Days of Christmas/Day Six

Welcome to BLOGMAS 2017 an added bonus to the weekly VLOGMAS on my YouTube channel!

These December posts are going to be all about Christmas.  I'll answer a questions, post a picture and discuss something "Christmasy".   Please feel free to leave your answer in the comments below.

Today is day six and today's question is:

When Do You Open Your Christmas Presents?

Growing up, Christmas Eve was the big celebration at Grandma Virginia and Grandpa Ralph's home on Hilyard Street in Eugene.  As soon as the sun set, Santa knocked on the front door and made a grand entrance (only to be swept into the kitchen for a ham sandwich and a shot of whiskey).  Presents were unwrapped over a period of several hours and then it was time for bed and the whole Christmas experience was over.

Christmas Day was a let down of epic proportions.  Oh, there was food and playing with toys and friends stopping by for cocktails...but the magic was pretty much gone.  I remember feeling bored on Christmas Day.  Strange for a kid.

When my Pop met Rosemary in the early 1980's, our traditions changed.  She introduced us to Christmas Day and waking up early in the morning and opening presents.  It was like an extension of the Christmas season.  It was only then, in movies and books that I began to realize that we really had it all wrong from the start.

We still celebrate Christmas Eve, but no presents are opened.  There are carols and cocktails and friends and family, but I wouldn't ever think of opening gifts until Santa comes down the chimney!

Enjoy!

Stacy

41/52: San Diego

I don't get to travel much for business but I do a fair amount of traveling for pleasure so I can't complain too much.  I've wanted to attend our national convention the last few years, but the timing wasn't right. This year's conference, San Diego. Who doesn't want to go to San Diego in October?  Not to mention, an easy flight from Portland and an easy flight back to Seattle on Friday night.

The problem with work trips is...well...THEY ARE FOR WORK!!!!  Meetings all day and sponsor dinners at night, don't leave much free time, unless you make and plan and carve out some "free time" for yourself. 

Wednesday afternoon/evening (after being up since 3:30 AM), I escaped to the beach for a glass of wine, a fish tacos and a sunset!

Ocean Beach was a short Uber ride away and a beautiful little neighborhood. I found a perfect place to relax and enjoy some "me" time and it was totally worth it!

The rest of the work week flew by and before I knew it, I was back in Seattle!

San Diego is definitely a place that I'd like to visit again and I just found out next year the conference is in Austin, TX...a bucket list destination for sure!!

Enjoy!
Stacy

38/52: Last M's Game of the Season

We had a fun filled weekend in Seattle with Chick including our last M's game of the summer.

Friday night, Chick and I did a West Seattle pub crawl and checked out three new places, Nook, Alchemy and The Lodge.  Each one a bit different, but great places to people watch and have a glass of wine.

Saturday's game was fun!  It started out with Bloody Mary's and ended with an M's loss (but each of us went to the team store and came home with a treasure from our afternoon adventure).

How did you welcome the first weekend of fall?

34 & 35/52: Summer Vacation Update

Dinner at 8 - Muckleshoot Casino

All aboard! Heading on the train to Vancouver, B.C.

Cheers on board sailboat in English Bay

Under Lions Gate Bridge - Vancouver, B.C.

Let's bike around Stanley Park - Vancouver, B.C.

Beautiful Vancouver!

Tuna Stack - Cactus Club Cafe (Vancouver)

Cheers!  What an amazing view (Cactus Club Cafe)

Happy Birthday, Brian (Alki Beach, West Seattle)

Birthday Dinner with Kenny and Mom at Cactus in West Seattle

Office DIY project done in West Seattle

Bayou Benedict (Hi-Life in Ballard)

Brunch with The Seymours

Sunset/Moonrise over Lake Morton

I had an amazing Summer vacation at the end of August including an amazing trip to Vancouver, B.C. (first trip to Canada) and enough home time to truly relax.  Time with friends and family. Birthday celebrations and great food!

Who is ready for fall?

Enjoy!
Stacy