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

10/52: Exploring Seattle

Seared Duck Breast

Purple Cafe and Wine Bar

Buckley's Pub

We love adventures, Marco Polo and I.

We had a lot of fun experiences over the weekend.  Dinner with friends, a new sports bar on Saturday and my first trip to Hec Ed Pavilion on the University of Washington Campus to see the Ducks vs. Huskies.

Wrapped everything up with one less hour, but more daylight and a beautiful Sunday train ride.

Enjoy!
Stacy

8/52: End of Month Mixed Bag and Oscar Party

Last Thursday night's train ride along the Puget Sound.  We finally hit the sound right around sunset and if we have a beautiful day like last Thursday, you can't beat the views.

I worked from home on Friday and treated myself to some flowers from Trader Joe's and all sorts of goodies for the weekend.  Brian and I walked through Lincoln Park on Saturday morning before the showers (mixed with now) arrived.

Saturday we explored the Madison Park neighborhood of Seattle, a place that I've always wanted to check out.  Shops, restaurants, pubs and a wine shop nestled right along Lake Washington.

Sunday was our Oscar Party!  

Did you see Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper?  They killed it!  Best part of the entire show.  We loved all the bright colored gowns.  Did everyone wear pink?  Julie Roberts looked amazing.  We loved Olivia Coleman's speech (what a shocker) and the guy that wore the tuxedo dress!?

Enjoy!
Stacy

6/52: Epic Snow in Seattle

We had an Epic weekend snow event in Seattle the second weekend of February.

If you are going to get 9 inches of snow, let it start falling at noon on Friday!  I can't tell you how fun it was to lie on the couch with my laptop, watching the snow fall.

It continued snowing for almost 24 hours and we had the most amazing blue sky on Saturday afternoon and we managed to walk 6 blocks up to our local pub, which was packed!

Sunday afternoon it started snowing again and we got another 3 inches on top of the 7 inches that fell Friday/Saturday.

On Monday morning, Brian and I walked down to the bus stop and I was able to get down to the Amtrak Station and get to Portland before Seattle got yet another round of snow showers and another 2 inches.

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

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

50/52: Enchant(ed)

After a terrible storm hits the North Pole, Santa wakes up to find all of his reindeer are lost inside Enchant, a hidden pocket of invisible magic.  Inside the world's largest Christmas light maze, Enchant invites you to explore and help Santa find his nice missing reindeer in time to save Christmas.

We found them all, thus saving Christmas.  Thanks!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Pulled Pork Sliders