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

12/52: March Madness

Another successful March Madness is in the books!

My Pop came to visit for a week and we ate and drank like Rock Stars.

Brian arrived on Friday and Chick's best friend, Terry came up on Saturday and we had a raucous party (we stayed up until 11 PM).

Great games, buzzer beaters and upsets.

Enjoy!
Stacy 

4/52: First 24 of 12

This year, I turn 50.

Let me say that again, so that perhaps it will soak in.

50!!!!!

For the entire year, I decided to celebrate each birth date (24th) by doing something fun and most importantly for me.  It might be a pedicure, it might be a dinner out or it might be going out for a movie and a slice of pizza.

January's first 24th coincided with my long weekend in Seattle as I worked remotely last week.  Thursday night was my train ride north followed by going to the new 13 coins located right at the Amtrak Train station in Seattle.

We spent the rest of the weekend enjoying the sunshine and some time at home for finishing books, decorating the house for Valentine's Day and long walks through Lincoln Park.

Enjoy!
Stacy

48/52: It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

The holidays are in full swing.

Celebrations and decorations!

I went to Brew Lights at the Oregon Zoo last Wednesday and had a blast!  Beautiful lights and a dry evening made sipping wine/ciders and brews in the zoo a memorable evening.  A must do Christmas activity for anyone who loves lights!  The highlight of the evening was my 8 minutes zoo train ride.  The last time I was on the zoo train I was three year's old.

Brian and I started off welcoming December officially, last Friday night at 13 coins.  We had a lot to be thankful for as we reached a milestone in our business that deserved a cheers and a nice glass of sparkling wine.

Saturday we picked out our Christmas tree, but I struggled with a neck and back issue which kept me immobile and in some pain most of the rest of the weekend.

We managed to find the most perfect Fraiser Fir at Home Depot and decorate most of the house on Saturday evening.  

Luckily, I flew home from Seattle on Sunday afternoon which cut my normal travel time in half.  I treated myself to a 10 minute chair massage which made my neck/back feel 100 times better.

We flew over a sun capped Mt. St. Helens on route to Portland, which was stunning.

Our weather turns clear and cold this week.  More holiday happens on the way!

Enjoy!
Stacy

31/52: Chick in Seattle/Mom's Birthday Celebration

We had a wonderful weekend of celebrating not only my mother's birthday but also the beautiful city of Seattle.

Although we did not officially participate in Seafair, we did celebrate all that Seattle has to offer starting with Friday night along Alki Beach.

First stop on Friday was Duke's Seafood and Chowder.  We snagged a table upstairs on the deck and enjoyed a bottle of wine while looking out over Elliot Bay.  It was the perfect way to kick off our weekend.

We then walked along Alki down to Cactus, a place we love and go to often.  We requested a table outside and watched the sun fade in the western sky while dining on some excellent Tex Mex food.

Saturday was a picture perfect Seattle Summer day as we celebrated my Mom with a quick trip around the Kubota Gardens, which began in 1927.  It's a lovely and peace garden that meanders through lush foliage, trees, hydrangeas and Japanese maples...ponds filled with koi and waterfalls flowing under ornate oriental bridges.  A great place for pictures.

From there we drove along Lake Washington towards Renton and the Hyatt Regency where we sat outside and were treated a several fly-overs by the Blue Angels.  The deck at the Hyatt was amazing and quite a little hidden gem along the water.  A place we will go back to summer or winter.

The evening ended with pasta dinner at the Olive Garden followed by a warm summers evening concert on my Mom and Kenny's back patio with singing, laughing, dancing and celebrating.

A perfect weekend for sure!

Enjoy!
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