Why Do I Love Where I Work?

Obviously it's because I work with the cutest puppy in the world, J.J.  Today he really stepped up his game and came in with a bowtie.

PS: We got the cute brick house in Queen Anne!

Some Say It's Spring...

Seattle weather was so beautiful this weekend, everyone was outside...including us of course!  Summary of our weekend: rock climb, ski, eat & drink on a patio in the sun, hike.  Busy :)

Our weather was about 60 each day and sunny.  We spent our mornings and part of the afternoon in the mountains and then came back to soak up some sun in the city.  A few snapshots are below; also included are a few shots of the Seattle Center area on a walk on Friday (it was also a beautiful day).

They were putting an 'Angry Bird' on the Needle,
like he was being launched into space (something
to do with a new game they are launching).  I don't
think the Needle should be used for promo, but I
guess if you pay enough, then you get to do it.

Experience Music Project (EMP)

Pacific Science Center

I saw a purple bulldozer on my walk...
had to post this!

Fountain and kids playing at Seattle Center

Skiing (last weekend)

Skiing (this weekend)

View from top of Mt. Si.  Hiked today - 8 miles round trip
more than 1,000 ft of elevation gain per mile.
We are tired and out of shape!

A bird came and started eating Will's
apple during our break at the top.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Will & Melanie's Big Day(s) Out!

Where do the weekends go?  Each weekend flys by at the blink of an eye, leaving me wondering where all the time went.

Saturday: Big Day Out #1
Ski -- Hale's Brewery -- Discovery Park -- watched Forks & Knives (interesting documentary)

View of downtown from the west side.

Outside Hale's -- looks like the dog is driving!

Crazy ski-hair Will

http://www.forksoverknives.com/

Check out the documentary above; it promotes a plant-based diet.

Sunday: Big Day Out #2
Home inspection -- ski -- Flying Squirrel Pizza!

View from our potential home

Delicious portabello, pesto, cheese and red pepper pizza

Hope your weekend was exciting!

Where Have I Been?

So sorry I've left you all hanging!  In the past month or so, I've been around the world and back! Well, I've been from coast to coast. Instead of getting too detailed, here's a glimpse of the past month and half.

1. Travel to KY, NY, CT for work.  Got to see friends along the way but was gone from home for almost three weeks.

2. Husband went to Canada, eh, during my long work trip.  He's now famous... well, to all 10 people in the Great White North. http://www.upmagazine.com/story/article/ice-climbing-rockies-yamnuska
Check it ooot. 

Yes, that's him on the cover of 'Westjet' magazine.

3. Ran my first campus buyback events for work.

4. Went under contract on a house!  Wish us well on the inspection...

5. Took a naviation course; on the way to class we saw this license.  Hum...

6. Skiied every weekend. And am heading out the door to go boulder in my new purple rock climbing gear :)

Happy Friday!

**This post has not been edited b/c Will is rushing me out the door. Excuse any typos.

A Peek at the Peaks

This week has bee glorious!  Sunshine and warm temperatures.  I saw mountain tops I've never seen before because it was so clear outside.  I'm almost embarrassed to post these pictures because they were taken with an iPhone from a car/through a window and don't do the views justice, but oh well.

Perfectly chiseled, snow-capped Olympics

Can you see Mt Baker in this photo?

Mt Rainier and Little Tahoma

Necessary Winter Items

If you are considering moving to Seattle, I will let you know of a few things you will definitely need.

1. A great pair of rain boots. 
I got mine for Christmas and have used them a ton (thanks Mom & Dad!).

I got the Hunter Regent Savoys and love them.  The quilted
pattern is cute but the insides are also very warm.  I feel like
they say 'I'm fashionable, but also practical'...so Seattle haha!

2. A breathable rain jacket. 
It doesn't seem to rain very hard here, but it is misty quite a bit so you never know when you'll need to put on a light weight rain jacket.  Will got me one as a post-Christmas present because I'd been eyeing it for about a month or two.  And, it was on sale.

The Mammut Adamello
I love the design and thought the flowers on the
shoulders were cute.  I later found out that they
also serve as support for where your backpack straps go.
There I go again, being all practical ;)

3. Long down coat.
For anywhere and everywhere. Warm, cozy, need I say more?


I went with Patagonia.  I love it, and if you are kind of
petite like me, then you can get away with buying one
in the girls department for half price.



So, those are my tips.  Chances are, I'll be wearing one of the above three in any photos posted on my blog over the next few months.

Week In Review

How has your week been?
Mine's been a mix of busy, relaxing, and exhilarating. The busy part is work, the relaxing part is running (I ran 4.66 mi/8:45 pace...which I was very happy to still be able to do!) and the exhilarating part was skiing today.

Lunch time run around Lake Union.
Photo credit: bwages.com

Oh, this is big -- Will skied his first blacks today (and my first in ten years)!  Not the same as an 'out-west' black, but a black diamond none the less. So proud of him!

Tomorrow we're going to look at another house in Ravenna (below - cute, huh?), so far there's been nothing noteworthy so I'm trying not to get too excited.

That's it, just a quick update on our lives since lately I've been a bit remiss. Hope your January is stellar.

Oh, one final note, I've been expanding our root-vegetable horizon this winter and so far have incorporated roasted parsnips into our regular meals.  Tonight I'm throwing in a turnip - have you had these?  We'll see if they are any good or not.