The "Move Home" Campaign

In honor of Karen and Kimber's visit to Seattle and recent birthdays, we all decided to meet up for drinks at The Sexton in Ballard. (This is the place that got me hooked on spicy cocktails!) I utilized the opportunity to continue on my campaign to get them both to move back to Seattle. Kimber was saying how she missed the Ballard hipsters, so I think I've made progress! Slowly, but surely, ladies. It's gotta happen.

After The Sexton, we mosied on over to the Shelter for the quasi-outdoor seating - open air, but covered! Perfect for Seattle. I love me some quality girl time (plus Daniel!) and it made me even more excited to boogie the night away on Saturday for Lizzie's wedding!

Gettysburg

Even though it was Brette's 14th time to Gettysburg, she still happily took us up to the small town in Pennsylvania. (She can't get enough of it and I don't blame her!) It embodies such a historical moment in America's history, and a good reminder of how far we've come in 150 years, yet how far we still have to go. Reading history or watching films about it pales in comparison to actually being on the battlefield. The exact place where brothers, fathers and sons fought each other. I know it may sound dorky, but it was incredible. Thanks for taking us, Brette!

Sunset over the battlefield.

The ladies at sunset atop the Pennsylvania Monument.

Karen and Daniel.

Abe is the man. Seriously, he had to deal with probably the most challenging situation in America's history - saving the Union after a long, hard civil war. (Random fun fact: Abe refused to acknowledge that states had succeeded from the Union and kept each state star on the flag throughout the entire war!)

Spring welcomed me home.

Hi Friends!
I'm back home from a FABULOUS trip to DC. Well, actually we covered a lot more ground than that - in total, DC, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania! My work training was fantastic and hanging out with old and new friends was even better. Details to come, but I will say this - our trip would make both history buffs and wine aficionados jealous.

While I was gone, my entire street bloomed! There are cherry blossoms everywhere and it makes me smile. Why hello Spring!

Did everyone else have a fun, Spring-filled weekend?

Hello from Georgetown!

I'm in DC for work this week, but I also have plans for a fun weekend with a couple amazing ladies. It'll be one of those go-go-go trips, but I'm up for the challenge.

But today, I realized as I was boarding my plane that all of my toiletries were packed up... on my counter at home. Oops. Thankfully, there was a 24-hour drugstore not too far from my hotel, so I went out on a quick evening stroll. (Don't worry, Mom, I was assured by the concierge I'd be safe walking there.)

Georgetown is such a charming neighborhood - the architecture, cafes and restaurants, clothing boutiques and even the plethora of cupcake shops! Please don't judge me if I try each and every one.

A night out on the town

What do you do when two out-of-town girlfriends come to visit? Well, you plan a happy hour, of course. Then happy hour inevitably turns into getting another drink elsewhere, which turns into dinner at Serious Pie, which turns into hanging out at Steph's until the wee hours of the night. What can I say? There was a lot of ground to cover. Love you girls!

karen's happy list

Rad x 3! I got my third happy list from the one and only Karen, representin' the 252 (Greenville, NC)! And Little Miss KarKar couldn't stop at 10. I love it! I told her that when I read it, I was nodding my head and saying "uh-huh" because it all seemed so, well so Karen! I guess I know her well :)

1. cards, both giving and receiving
2. boys that wear boat shoes, tailored shorts, and polo t-shirts
3. fancy grocery stores (what up Whole Foods!)
4. the mountains and mountain cabins
5. Starbucks red cups
6. curling up in a comfy chair at a non-generic coffee shop with a great friend and a long conversation or a good book/ magazine
7. tea, soup, and rainy days
8. exploring new places or new neighborhoods
9. everything about my incredible Seattle friends and traditional trips
10. college football game day (especially in Husky Stadium)
11. sorority recruitment (if you remember, she's now working with Greek life at East Carolina University)
12. class...and research...amazingly enough I really miss class
13. snow!
14. the fair (Do the Puyallup)
15. summer camp
16. home... (Home misses you too, KarKar!)

P.S. Karen got an extra picture in the post because I couldn't decide on just one. The first one is so darn cute and the second one screams Karen because she's the biggest Husky fan I know (well, maybe tied with Straube). In college, I would try my best to sit by her so she can give me the 411 on all the players and weird calls. If only I had a nickel for every time I asked her, "What just happened?!"...

See you later, alligator

Our picnic at Golden Gardens to see off Karen was perfect, well except for the whole "seeing her off" part. We'd all like her to stay, but duty calls and she's been given a great opportunity to shine! Other than that, the weather, the sunset, the meteor shower and the company were all just lovely.

The guest of honor and me.

James and Mads.

RyRy manning the grill.

The ladies

Not sure what's going on in this picture - between Maddie discovering something and me apparently eyeing the chips and salsa, it's funny.

Reason #692 of why I love Seattle.

TGIF

My weekend will be starting with a little Golden Gardens picnic to officially say goodbye to Karen, who is moving to North Carolina. (She's taken the position of Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at East Carolina University and while I'm SUPER proud of her, it'll be sad to see another friend move away.) After the picnic, we'll likely go out somewhere in Ballard, maybe the Loft?

Then tomorrow morning, the view below will be waiting for me at home. I'm very excited for the rest of the weekend to be kick-back- sitting on the deck, BBQing, watching the sunset, drinking some good wine with my parents on Samish Island. It's one of my happy places.

Do you have any fun weekend plans?

How do you solve a problem like Maria?

You get a glass of wine with her and Karen on the McCormick's deck on Lake Union. Yes, that's the solution.

I very recently found out that a former national consultant, Maria Morozowich, is in Seattle! Fun, fun! (She's the one smack dab in the middle in the blue top and I'm the one in the pink seersucker suit in the top right. Awesome pic, right? Oh the days of wearing a suit daily.)

Here are reasons I like Maria:

• She's adorable.
• She's incredibly thoughtful.
• She has a bit of a Southern accent.
• We both have a passion to travel abroad.
• After a night on Beale Street in Memphis she nonchalantly quoted Wedding Crashers, "Rule #76: No excuses. Play like a champion" for her reason she's going to make it to our morning excursion to Graceland, despite a late, late, LOOOOONG consultant-bonding night, which also doubled for Rachel's bachy party. Her timing and delivery was impeccable.
• And I just like her.

So, yes, I'm pretty much stoked to see her.

Eleusis picture