TGIF

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! I have three days off (Go MLK Jr!) and I'm looking forward to sleeping in, taking it easy and maybe a couple laps around the lake.

P.S. Last weekend my Mom introduced me to Sky Nursery in Shoreline. Holy pretty flowers! You wouldn't expect it this time of year, but they had some beauties there. I think I'll be back in the spring to spruce up our backyard.

TGIF

I need one of these right now. Or maybe 12? Yeah, definitely 12 of them.

Happy Friday, amigos!

Twirling

My Grandma Toni just sent this photo of me. Ah, memories. Twirling away, with no concerns in the world. If I had a dime for every time I wore a pink tutu...

I'm ready to twirl my way out of the office to enjoy the long weekend. Why can't every weekend be a 3-day weekend?

Have a good one, friends!

TGIF (and Mother's Day!)

Hope everyone has a lovely, sunny weekend celebrating all of the Moms out there. I know I will be! Per my Mom's request, we'll be picking up Paseo sandwiches and finding a place to picnic by the water. Oh, and showering her with our love :)

Happy weekend and Happy Mother's Day!

card/via

TGIF

At first, I named this post, "TIGF" Then it became "TTGIF" And I'm not even kidding, it was back to "TIGF" What am I trying to say here? Well, it's been a long week and Thank God It's Friday, friends. I'm ready to cut loose! Seriously, who's with me on this one?

P.S. Picture from Green Lake a few weeks back!

TGIF

I've had this note on my computer for well over a year. It's a little Kathryn memento that I never plan to take down. Even though she's no longer at the desk next to me, she's with me in spirit :)

Though quite simple, the note really helps psych me up on Fridays. And today, I've had a particularly wild case of the Fridays. You know when you get that shrill of excitement that rushes through your body and comes out in the form of a giant smile? Yeah, that's what's happening. It's like all smiles here. Smile:30. Smile o'clock. Smilearathon. (Ok, you get the point.)

Here's to a smile-filled weekend, filled with friends, a run, brunch and maybe even a visit by the Easter bunny! TGIF.

TGIF

I hope your weekend is filled with friends, fun and beautiful sunsets!

(Sunset from dinner at Cliff House in Bellingham)

TGIF

Despite the snow flurries this week, I do believe that Spring is right around the corner. It has to be - it's already March! (Am I right?!) This year, I'm going to convince my new roomie to plant a little garden like I did a few years back. Remember my green thumb?

What's on your weekend agenda? I plan to hang out with friends, do some relaxing, maybe go for a little run and pack for a trip to DC next week!

Thinking Warm Thoughts

It's inevitable. Every year, I get to a point when I'm just ready for Summer (or an unseasonably warm Spring). I've hit that point way too early this year. To fight the rainy, gray weather blues, I reminisce of tropical vacations. Hands down, my favorite tropical vacation was Hawaii with Stephers back in 2009. Aww, the beaches. The cocktails. The warm sun. The snorkeling. The relaxation. The surfing. The naked baby. (Our daily beach visit was always at the same time as an adorable little family with the cutest little baby - and she mostly ran around in her diaper or just butt naked. Adorbs.) You guys, it was magical.

What is your favorite tropical vacation?

TGIF

What a week! Busy, busy, busy. But you know what? It makes long weekends that much better. And any long weekend that is expected to deliver the first SNOWFALL of the season has to be good. On my agenda: dinner with my parents, a snowy Green Lake walk (crossing fingers!), cocktails at the Space Needle (!!) and possibly a little work (hopefully not too much). In other news...

Last night, we celebrated Joe's dad's (Joe, the 2nd) birthday with a mile high mud pie and bread pudding from The Ram. Despite his resistance to celebrating, I think it was a lovely night. (Lilian, I'm resisting in posting the picture per your advice... though I know he'll make it on thee ol' blog eventually!)

This list of Seattle's best burgers is missing two very delicious options: Red Mill and Lunchbox Laboratories. Am I right or am I right? UPDATE: I stand corrected. I guess they both did make the list (amen!), but I was drooling over the few pictures too much to see the "click here for the list" link. Now I want a burger.

Is it weird that I want to see this movie? Maybe it will balance out the ebby jeebies I get from this movie.

Fun idea! I think I like the s'mores one best.

Do you like this bag better or as much as this one?

Have a wonderfully AWESOME weekend!

pic/via

TGIF

I've told you before that I liked Up. But I think this little man has won me over even more than the movie. Isn't he the perfect rendition of the old man?

Hope you all have fabulous weekends!

TGIF

I realize that everyone and their sister has posted a "keep calm" saying at one point or another, but I felt this one was very fitting for two reasons:

1. At the end of any busy week, I find myself muttering this under my breath.
2. This is my poker face. For every hand. Calm with a giant smile. And guess what? Tonight is poker night! It's been far too long, so I'm pretty jazzed about it. Wish I would have had the chance to make these babies to bring!

Hope you have a fabulous weekend! TGIF.

maddie's happy list

Out of the blue, Maddie sent me a happy list. And boy, happy lists have a way of just lifting my mood, even though it's not my own list! I think we can all identify with at least one, if not all of other people's lists. Heck, I have red fingernails right now and it's #1 on her list! And those Friday night plans she speaks of (#7) are with both me and my mom (#8!). TGIF.

1. Red fingernails
2. The deep green color leaves turn when it rains
3. Animals with pushed in faces
4. A snuggly warm bed on a cold morning
5. Joni Mitchell songs
6. The prints I just bought for my bedroom
7. Fun Friday night plans with great girlfriends
8. My mother
9. Using a free tall drink coupon, then receiving a free GRANDE drink in exchange
10. Trying successful new recipes

P.S. Maddie's last happy list.
P.P.S. I will not pretend that happy lists were my own brainchild. Rockstar Diaries was my inspiration.
P.P.P.S. I will definitely take new happy lists. If you want to send one, send away and I'll post! (for those without my other email: petesspeaks (at) gmail.com)

TGIF

I'd be lying if I didn't say I lived for the weekends. Whether is one of those jam-packed weekends where you don't see room for breathing or one of those rare, I'm-staying-in-my-PJ's-and-doing-absolutely-nothing weekends, they are always front of mind, Monday through Friday. You with me on that?

This weekend, I'm having date night at Tin Table, visiting the Puyallup Fair and taking my Dad to an M's game. Who knows? I might even fit in a nap if I'm lucky.

So, to celebrate this lovely Friday, a few fun links from around the interwebs:

Quite possibly the best DIY ever.

Sort of in love with this quilt.

I really would like to make these, but I think I need the support from Baker Erin.

How to pack for a week. Very strategic.

I'm cat sitting this weekend, so I've got cats on the mind. One day, my friends.

TGIF!

Picture from last sailing trip.

TGIF

Can I get a "woot" for the 3-day weekend?
Can I get a "woot woot" for the lovely weather?
Can I get a "woot woot woot wo" for three and a half pairs or legs on a sailboat? :)

This weekend couldn't come soon enough. Is anyone with me on that? TGIF.

pic/Pirate Birthday

TGIF

My Friday in numbers for you.

• Day one of my new office. All by myself. (View from office window #1 above, window #2 below - not too shabby!)
• Day two of Kathryn not being in the office. I wonder how long I can deny this fact?
• Day six of no sugar. In an effort to manage my sweet tooth, I'm giving it up at least until the wedding. But then will eat all of the homemade ice cream they plan to have at the wedding. All eight flavors.
• Week one of training. Well, not really, but I have to get back into the running habit for my upcoming training for the Skagit Flats half marathon in September!
• Year 4 of "chaperoning" the BEHS FFA (that's Future Farmers of America for those of you who don't speak the official language of Carhartt) Mariner's outing with Stephers and family.
• Year 27 of celebrating my phenomenal Dad for Father's Day on Sunday.

TGIF, friends!

TGIF

Please take me back to the land of red houses. Pretty please? The Swedish countryside is filled with the most adorable red homes. (I'm not exaggerating when I say that 90% of the homes are painted red.) Makes me want to pack up right now and find one of my own. Escape the city kind of like this blogger did, but maybe not solo. One can dream.

Have a fabulous, sunny weekend friends!

TGIFBV

Thank God It's Friday Before Vacation! In honor of my vacation (starting tomorrow!), two letters.

Dear Sweden,
Ever since I was a little girl, walking around in my clogs and braids, eating my Swedish flat bread, I've wanted to visit you. You were always this faraway, magical land that my Grandma spoke so fondly of - always trying to instill Swedish tradition into the lives of her grandchildren.

I have very high expectations. A city built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, also referred to as the Venice of the North. Baby moose farms. Family. Amazing architecture and chic design. One of the greenest countries in the world (Straubs, you would be in recycling heaven!). You gave us clogs, the nobel prize, IKEA, H&M, beautiful people and the modern zipper. How could you disappoint? Not to mention, I'll be tugging along my own personal translater :)

Can't wait to see you!
Erika


Dear Bloggy Blog,
Please don't hate me for ignoring you for the next couple weeks. I might be able to post here and there (via Joe's new iPad2!), but I'll be out and about with my new friend, Sweden. Don't you worry, once I get back, I'll be posting like mad about Sweden. Much like post-road trip. You'll love it.

Sincerely,
Petes

TGIF

Umm, how romantic is this picture? Love it.

To start your weekend off on a good note, I'll share some interesting stuff from around the web.

Public Relations was named the second most stressful job of 2011, just after commercial airline pilot. I'm so not surprised. Is your job on the list?

I can't get enough of this ad. And it's not just because we created it.

I'm thinking of making this risotto for Easter again (with ham), unless someone shares any other delicious options? I'm open to suggestions.

I must make this immediately. Sorry work, I have chocolate priorities.

And this isn't around the web, per se, but an email from Lizzie about a flat tire - the long and short of it is: Lizzie's car got a flat tire. She goes to Les Schwab. They need to get into her trunk. Man comes back inside and says, "we're going to have to take the body out of your trunk." Lizzie goes, "WHAT?!" Then she realizes that SHE HAD CREEPY CAROLER IN HER TRUNK! Best. story. EVER. (Thanks for the laugh, Lizzie!)

Have a fabulous, bunny and family-filled Easter weekend!

TG(iPhone)F

When I saw this series of pictures, they made me laugh. I remember trying so hard to take a good picture of us with the beautiful, landscaping views of vineyards in Sonoma wine country.

The wind and sun had other plans.

After NUMEROUS attempts of trying to get one that 1) didn't have my hair all up in my face 2) didn't have sun flares and 3) didn't make one of us look ridiculous, we settled for one where I just sort of had hair in my face.

But now I think I like the series of pictures best because it takes me back to that moment. That moment of being on vacation in warm, sunny California with one of my best friends.

[Clicking heels like Dorothy to go back in time.]