Meet ME Monday! :)

I got these questions once again from My little life.

1. Take your pick...date night, girls night out, or night out alone?

This is easy for me.... A date night with Hub's it is my favorite thing to do. I am looking forward to celebrating our anniversary this week. We are going to hang out in Seattle, staying at the Inn at the Market. Going to see a movie and enjoy our time together. 

2. What is your dream job? If I had to pick right at this moment it would be writing for the paper and also doing these fun reviews! ;) 

If I could pick one that I would 110% drop everything and do right now? It would be to get an RV and travel the united states all the while being camp hosts. It would be the highlight of my life and I would end up righting a book about it. 

3. What is your favorite flower and why? Oh my favorite are lilacs. They were my great grandma's favorite and every year we would put it on her grave site while we cleaned around our families plot in the Kingston cemetery.  My whole life my Grandma Aggie has grown these and given them to me on May day. She loves them because my Great Grandma her mother in law loved them. 

4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself?

Wow...I would tell myself a lot....if I were to give myself just one little tid bit of information...I would tell myself not to stress out about love, he is waiting for you and you will meet him in a few years and he will be the love of your life. Not to worry about things so much, live a lot more because one day you wont have youth and health and right now you do so live life to the fullest! 

I would tell myself that your Mom is now your best friend and will always be your best friend. That even when you fight she loves you more then you will ever know. When you are about 32 this will hit you like a ton of bricks and you will have wasted so much time being a spoiled brat. 

5. If you won the lottery, what is the very first thing you would do?

I would tell Hub's to call in dead! Pay off all of our bills!! Buy or build our dream house. Take Hub's entire family to Disneyworld and then a Disney cruise. I would take my side of the family to Hawaii.  Then Chris and I would go travel. 

Have a wonderful week. I am going to be busy celebrating our 8th year of marriage......I am a blessed and very lucky girl! 

Link love week. Why Not its love week in this house! 
Mommy's sippy cup.
Luke I am your father. ( a Seattle Dad's blog)
the mombshelter.
centsationalgirl

So much to look forward to this week..

Sunday's are always bitter sweet. The end of the lazy days for the weekend. The Crunch time to the start of a new week. I have so much to do and look forward to this week. I have been married to my best friend for eight years this coming Thursday. It's been a crazy fun time being married to him. Today I am doing all the chores for the week. I re arranged our furniture and love the way it looks right now. I got two cute wing back chairs a few days ago at St Vinney's. I am turning into such a junker. I always have but its getting addicting. I have a lot to get done laundry, dishes, sheets, I would like to pre make a few dishes. My sister in law( Hub's brother's wife) Broke her foot last week and I would like to make them a few meals for their freezer for when and if she has to get pins put in her foot now. I feel so badly for her. She is a wonderful sister in law and her kids make me smile. Her husband has always made me feel like a part of the family and welcomed me with open arms. Hub's his brother and dad are three of the sweetest and most caring men I have ever met and I am so lucky they are family. So I will be getting things together and visiting her lots in the next few weeks. Cause I know what its like to be stuck at home and she would do the same thing for me.

I am re-decorating the back deck and hope that I can find a lot of things for it in the Free section of craigslist or get things from my friends that they no longer want or need. Hub's and I want to have a big BBQ and invite all our friends and family over for a little get together. I have been planning this for a long time in my head and now I can plan it on paper! Its my birthday coming up and I think that would be a good reason to get together. Even though hosting a BBQ is so much work and really the people putting it on don't truly enjoy it as much as one would like. I think its something that we should do. :)

One thing I really want to get done before the summer is the deck built on the back but there are so many other thing that need to happen first so I just have to make the best with what I got....I will post before and after pictures and see what you all think.  I can't wait to see what a little spray paint does for me with the chairs on the deck! :) I want a gazebo so bad it would be great to be able to bring my lap top and sit outside under the shade.

What are you doing this week? I want to meet some new bloggers so I am going to link some of the people "I want to get to know" on here leave a comment and hopefully get a few new friends. If you want to do it please link it back to me and then maybe I will be Lucky to have new "friends"

Here are some of the friends I want to meet!

The Pleasures of Home Making!

The princess and the sweetpea

the daily mom diaries

This week I am going to do three or more love links a day! :) Enjoy it.

A perfect Saturday... Leave me a comment of what you love the best on Saturdays!

I love Saturday's. Especially when Hubs is home, that isn't something that happens often but when it does it is the best day of the week. Not for any other reason but for the simple slow pace. I love the fact that nothing is on TV Saturday mornings (if you don't have kids.) I love that most of the Saturday's I sleep in and enjoy the sunshine creeping into my bedroom through the blinds.  There is so much to love about Saturdays.....I love Morning breath..Cuddling…Bedhead…drool on the pillow from the deep sleep...Requests to scoot over…Laughing…letting the Fur Babies lay in bed with us where they snuzzle back to sleep until One of us ( mostly Hub's)  Will walk and feed the Fur Babies and bring them back to bed and we are good for a few more hours of lazy sleep. Starting the day out with a diet coke and checking emails and facebook all the while still in bed.

When I do get out of bed there is the highly anticipated Breakfast, mostly Hub's will make me pancakes in a shape of Mickey Mouse because that is what my Dad use to do for me. I love that Hub's  knows this and makes them for me because it makes me smile. 

After breakfast is followed by the visit to many of the farmers markets, we start in Poulsbo, head up to Port Townsend and then end our time in Kingston. After shopping the markets, we bring the Fur babies and visit a beach on our way back home. We always try to go out to Hansville and let the dogs play on the beach in front of the store out there. They love walking on the beach and running into the waves, while they are playing I am in a hunt for beach glass.

When we get back home, Hub's mows the lawn and I clean the house, change the sheets, doing the laundry and getting all of the things that need to be done for the upcoming week. We both try to really hurry as fast as we can this way we can sit back and relax and enjoy eachother. 

Relaxing we watch some movies…catch up on our recordings that we have on our Tivo, Now that the weather is nice again we sit by the firepit and we play in the garden's.We talk about what we think is important enough to talk about.

Spring is passing by so fast and we are now hurrying into the summer time.  With that comes lots of fun things to do on Saturday.  The busy time of the year. is here now, the sunshine makes it that much better. I have so many fun things to look forward to this summer... camping trips (we have 4 big ones planned), birthday parties,baby showers, weddings, Then next twilight movie coming out! My birthday, scrapbooking camp, Baseball games, 4th of July, BBQ's, swimming, laying in the sun. Trips to the beach. sleeping under the stars. I am so excited for this summer because I truly believe that its going to be one of the best summers I have had in a long time.

I love Saturday's when Hub's is off and not having to be running to work. These are the moments I get to steal from him. He makes me feel like a queen. I am truly madly and deeply in love with him. Saturday's spent with him is the icing on the cake. I just wish I had more.

Trip on a tank Friday, The Bellweather review!

Hotel Bellweather is only one of three hotels in Pacific Northwest to receive a 4-star rating, not knowing that before I went there to do my reviews, it was too my surprise when we made our way up to Bellingham, it felt like we drove into another world.  During our drive up there from Seattle was so amazingly beautiful,  The water sparkled liked diamond as the sunlight danced around on the top of the bay. As the road twisted and turned we came to our exit and drove down towards the hotel. The old town Bellingham is simply beautiful. It has the charm of a small town but the strength of a big city.

When we made it to our hotel I was breathless. Stepping into the hotel lobby I was immediately welcomed by the staff. The general manager took us under his wing and showed us around the property, treating us like we were the only people in the hotel. We were showed all the different rooms so we could compare the sixty six rooms that they have to offer for anyone on any budget... but if a budget is not a worry and you want to go above and beyond, do something special book the one of a kind freestanding light house shaped building its three-story’s, two bath, living room, sitting room, kitchen, Master bedroom and fun wrap around stairs.is the ideal for a  romantic vacation with your loved one and is complete with a 360° observation deck with views of Bellingham Bay and the mountains. 

It’s truly the most perfect hotel located in the perfect location, with in hotel dinning, including a  onsite wine cellar, where the décor reflects Louis XIV style furniture. Just think of what your wedding party would think of you if you booked this for a  dinner. What a perfect place for a  wedding rehearsal. Enjoy a waterside wedding on the terrace overlooking the bay and marina is a perfect choice  for that special day. What would make the best setting especially during the spring & summer.

Have a boat? Then you have to drive it up to the Bellweather where you are not only welcomed but encouraged  to pull up to the Hotel’s 220’ private dock.  Having space at the Squalicum marina, that only Bellweather guests may use during their stay.  The park around the hotel has a walk way where you can roller blade, jog, walk or ride your bike. You can also do what the locals do and go fly a kite, this is the best place in Bellingham to do just that. It is a great place to bring the kids and let them blow off some energy so they can fall asleep and you can enjoy your room with a glass of wine and take in the view your room has to offer. 

The sunset changed its hues of purples, pinks, reds & oranges,  From our private balcony we were able to enjoy the San Juan Islands and Bellingham Bay, I truly enjoyed the private jetted bath tub, while still watching the TV! After watching the sunset and enjoying my bath we put the hotel bathrobes on and were able to sit and relax with a good book and wine all the while feeling the warmth of the gas fireplace to top the night off when we were ready to snuggle down in our bed with the 100% down comforters from Austria. Did I mention 100% down comforters from Austria!! Yeah it was the most comfortable bed I have ever had the pleasure to sleep in away for home.  The hotel offers all guests a continental breakfast with all the normal staples for a hotel breakfast, I was hoping for a bit more for this hotel, but I can see why they don't when they have an amazing restaurant that makes breakfast with anything your heart could wish for. 

We were able to explore downtown Bellingham and it made me think alot of a mix of Ballard, Seattle, & Portland. While we were on our little tour of downtown we came across Rocket Donuts. Where we spent some time with family and shared the love of the maple bacon donuts! YUMMY! We ate lunch at Bayou on the Bay I had the best poor boy sandwich and mac & cheese Hub's had the jumbalaya and corn bread and we have thought a few times to just get back in the car and go up just to eat there again!  We got the best baby present for our friends baby at Digs, not that I need another hobby but Hub's said I can start making soap it is something I have really wanted to try for a really long time so when I stumbled on otion soap, I was in love! I started to make the soaps I have stuff for and when I go back up I will have to try my had at lotion making! They even offer classes and parties. I am so going to get my sister to come with me and try something new!

A big bonus for me is the hotel is "Fur Baby" welcomed no one has to stay behind when you go on vacation. They even set aside special rooms to accommodate you and your pet. Your best friend is always welcome at the Hotel Bellwether! Pets can stay for $25 per night, you can even add on the  Pet Package for $35 in addition to your room rate.  This will include a bed for your "Fur Baby", food and water bowls, & what else oh yeah a treat! 

It was a great stay and I hope that I will get asked back to come check it out. I now know why my sister moved her family up there. It is beautiful and the pace is to relax and enjoy. So tell the Bellweather when you book your room that Kingstongirl sent you!

Thankful Thursday!

I have to tell you why I am thankful, today is "Thankful Thursday" 

I am thankful for being an auntie. There was a time in my life where I really wanted to be a mommy. I at times still do.  Then I think of all the children I get to be an "auntie" too. I have a Nephew on my side and I have two nieces and two nephews on hub's side. I truly feel blessed to have so many friends that give me their children to love and be a part of their lives. It is good to be known as Auntie to so many. I get to watch these babies grow up. Two of "my babies" that have been in my life forever are graduating this year. My Cousin Maddy and My niece Kaley. They have grown up together because of me and they have become best friends, walking together in the Graduation Ceremony, I am looking forward to watch them and as they make their walk down the isle, on the last chapter of their childhood I am going to be thinking of all the times and moments that I was able to be a part of their lives. This makes me feel excited about watching all the other babies in my life. I love the fact that I get to see these kids from birth all the way through their milestones & moments that highlight all of them.

I know that being a mom would be wonderful, but I love the fact that I get to be the one that spoils them and gets to go home at the end of the day. I get to be the one that get's to talk to them about things that they wouldn't dare tell their mommy. I am blessed to be the one that gets to sneak in slumber parties and food fights. Hugs and kisses that even when they are all grown up they still think its okay to do to auntie, but not mommy or daddy in public. I get to be the one that takes them shopping and lets them eat cake for breakfast. I am glad that I get to be their friend their entire life where they never think its uncool. 

Being an auntie has to be my favorite part of my life. To all my Kids I love you!

Here they are.... Maddy, Marlee, Quinn, Jake, Kaley, Mason, Taylor, Brandi, Jonas, Tanner, Kayla,Olivia, Gibbie, Karyas,Riley, Dylan, Aidan, Angalelia, Lyndsey, Taylor, Apsen, & yes even you my Sally Girl.

Thank you all for being my heart. You all make it okay not to be a mommy. 

Wordless Wednesdays

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

I am going to go along the theme today in Tempt my Tummy Tuesday! I am happy to do this because I am so very much into the French history especially because of me reading the book about  Marie Thérèse Charlotte de France. It is amazing how much they went through. It shows you the damage of what gossip and back stabbing can do to someone. In the case of this story it was just that and it ruined an entire empire.  Enjoy some Soup! 

French Onion Soup. 

- 4 large onions (or 6 medium)

- 100 grams (3½ ounces) grated swiss cheese. 

- 200 grams (7 ounces) butter

- 1 bottle ordinary white wine

- 10 ml (2 teaspoons) bouillon powder

- 4 slices of white bread

- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 cup of Worcestershire sauce

• 
  
  Peel skin off onions. Slice onions into rings. Separate rings and put in frying pan.
• 
  
  Add 100 grams of butter to frying pan.
• 
  
  Cook onion on medium heat until glazed (i.e. onion becomes soft). Gently turn onion periodically to avoid burning.
• 
  
  Add bottle of wine and the bouillon and the Worcestershire sauce
• 
  
  Simmer for half an hour. - During this time:
  • 
    
    grate the cheese if it is not already grated, and
  • 
    
    pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius, and
  • 
    
    rub garlic into white bread and cut into 1 cm cubes, fry in remaining butter.
• 
  
  Ladle (or spoon) the onion and wine into the bowls.
• 
  
  Sprinkle the cheese over the top of each bowl.
• 
  
  Put the bowls in the oven for 20 minutes. When the cheese is fully melted, it is ready to serve (some people prefer to wait until the cheese has cooked to a golden brown).
• 
  
  Sprinkle cooked bread (known as "croutons") on the soup just before serving
  
  
  The choice of cheese depends on personal preference. Generally a hard white cheese is used. In France you could use a Compte, in England you could use a Cheddar. However, feel free to experiment with different cheeses for variety and to find the taste you and friends/family most enjoy.