Mystery Gardener

Dear Mystery Gardener,
First of all, thank you, thank you, thank you. As new homeowners, we're still trying to collect all of the things that apartment or condo living has not required. Exhibit A: lawnmower.

In an effort to not be the neighborhood's weakest link, I have hand cut the front lawn to help the curb appeal. The backyard, on the other hand, was a total and complete jungle. I'm talking, "Honey, I shrunk the kids" jungle.

But last night, much to my surprise, I noticed the front lawn had been mowed! Me-oh-my, I thought to myself and I quickly ran to the backyard. Wowza, this is what I remember the backyard looking like when we visited the open house and fell in love with out little home! That was exactly two months ago and the lawn had clearly not been mowed since. But more than just a mow, someone had weeded!

Mystery gardener, I don't know who you are and I don't know where you come from, but I like you. I'm just going to pretend you were a sympathetic neighbor who saw me hard-at-work cutting the lawn - then decided to fill your random-acts-of-kindness quota. For that, I thank you kindly.

Sincerely,
Petes

P.S. Look at our backyard now!

A letter for Amanda

Dear Amanda,
We all voted and it was unanimous: you must move back to Seattle. Admit it, you're more of a west coast kind of gal anyway. Sure, you guys bought a house and all. Oh, and you just got a new, rockstar job out yonder. (Congrats!) But I will go on record and say: it's still not as cool as your home state of Washington. Mostly because I live here, but your family and other friends have something to do with it too :)

Until you reach this revelation, I'll accept the fact that you are dillydallying around North Carolina. I'll accept an occasional phone call or message. And I will also accept your invitation to visit at some point in the future.

At any rate, it was so good to see you this weekend. I sincerely hope we don't go as long next time around!

Love,
Herk

P.S. Amanda's brother is who gave me my nickname, "Herk", years and years ago.
P.P.S. The picture is from Halloween 2K7. It's sadly the most recent photo I have with Amanda! And for the record, I was Lindsay Lohan. Remember those lovely photos the paparazzi caught of LiLo in the grey hoodie? That's what I was going for.

A letter to Kimbie

Dear Kimbie,

You've left us (tear). Off gallivanting in the bay area. Bringing them the rain, leaving us the sun (thanks, btw). You've left us a time or two before - to Germany and Egypt - but those trips were time-limited. This time you are moving there. It's so sad, yet I am incredibly excited for your new adventure. To be honest, I sometimes wish I was brave enough to do the same. Luckily, you're a very quick plane trip away. I see some wine tasting and San Fran exploring in our future.

I can't wait to hear about all of your upcoming adventures as you navigate California livin'.

Missing you already,
Erika

The ladies at Kimbie's going away party - Pink Door and Kell's. Such a great evening, as told by Stephers and Mads already.

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

little letters

dear natural disasters,
why?

dear people of japan,
i'm praying for you.

dear relief crews,
thank you for what you're doing.

dear people i love,
i love you.

dear anyone,
why does it take something like this to put things into perspective?

This weekend, take a moment to be grateful for all the things you love. I'm grateful for my health, family, friends, and Joe.

little letters

pic via You Are My Fave

dear polaroids,

now i know what to do with you. make a giant collage for my kitchen. (i also want that dutch oven)

dear peanut butter and celery,

though unconventional, you were a quick and delicious dinner last night.

dear Christina,

we told you that you're not allowed to leave. so while you think today is your "last day", think again. (sometimes things are easier in denial.)

dear blog,

sorry i've neglected you this week. kind of like i've neglected everyone else this week. sorry!

dear diva coffee,

that almond flavored latte you made me yesterday is still on my mind. it was sooo yummy.

dear iPhone4,

one day i will own you. am i the last person in my generation without a smartphone?

dear friday,

you're so close, i can smell your sweet, sweet smell.

p.s. it's officially official. as in, they finally announced it at work - i got a promotion. yay!

TGIF

A batch of little letters to kick off the weekend.

Dear girl's party on Sunday,
I'm excited to make pretty, festive cookies and hang out with some of my favorite people.

Dear RyRy and Autumn,

I've very much excited for your hot buttered rum party tonight. I am wearing pants with an elastic waistband to I can fit as much of it in as possible.

Dear health,

Please don't hate me for all of the aforementioned hot buttered rum that I will consume tonight.

Dear blue skies,

I very much like you right now. You're a welcomed break from the crazy rain we've been getting.

Dear Joe,

Thank you for doing my dishes AND scraping my windows this morning. That was very sweet.

Dear Christmas,

You're only 8 days away!

Dear Team Menu Impossible,

I miss your blog posts about tucking and rolling, but can't wait until your post on your 1950s style meal at Canlis. Congrats on finding a menu! I knew you would from the beginning. I just had a feeling.

Dear dress I liked last year,

There is now a MUCH cheaper version of you that looks IDENTICAL. (You guys have to click on both links to really understand the absurdity in the similarity in looks, but luckily not pricetag!)

Have a wonderfully, fabulous week before Christmas weekend!

pic/via whimsicalities

Little letters, getting older edition

Dear 26,
Thank you for being so good to me. You brought me this character, you completed your first marathon (top 5 in proudest moments), you danced the night away a few times, you explored new places in your city that you're ashamed you've never been before and you've experimented with so many new recipes! I will always look upon you as a great year.

It's been real. It's been good. It's been real good.
Sincerely,
Petes

Dear 27,
26 definitely set the bar high, but I have faith that you'll deliver. Already on day 2, I'm feeling good. I am completely in awe for all the birthday wishes from everyone. Man, I have phenomenal friends and family. So may you bring me plenty of ladies nights (especially more dancing), fun dates and good family time.

Sincerely,
Petes

P.S. I think 27 feels especially good because I was spoiled with BOTH Trophy cupcakes and Molly Moon's ice cream yesterday. So I leave you with some pics from the ice cream shop.

Joe got strawberry and chocolate and as you can see it made him very happy.

I got salted caramel and "scout" mint, which I later dreamt about. Aren't self-timers so nice? Especially when 70% of the shot is a lovely counter :) But look at all that ice cream behind us! I wanted to smuggle it home.

Move aside "Susan", it's Erika's turn on the chalk birthday cake. (Ok, sorry Susan. I wish you the best.)

Little letters, Friday edition

Dear 4 day week,
I wish you happened more often.

Dear Karen,
I loved our lunch date today! I can't believe you're leaving me for (North) Carolina. What does she have that I don't?

Dear Blue Angels,
You’re quite distracting out my office window. I’m excited for my actual first non-practice show tomorrow!

Dear Mariners,
0-6 last night? Really? I’m sorry you’re the second to worst AL baseball team this year. The only redeeming part of a game these days is the beer garden.

Dear Baltimore Orioles,
Thank you for giving the M’s some cushion from the bottom of the league.

Dear Husky football,
Your season is nearing. I am getting excited. For this guy and for winning. Please make it to a bowl game this year, so I can win my bet with Joe. I would like for him to take me to a nice dinner. Thank you.

Dear Olita,
If you find me creepily looking at you, it’s only because I can’t help looking at how sparkly it is. Congrats again!

Dear Bianka Blouse,
Please magically appear in my closet. Now.

Dear flowers,

You're so pretty. Why do girls like you so much?

via

little letters

dear legs,
thanks for carrying me through 22.7 miles of running yesterday. i really appreciate that you didn't let me collapse.

dear fork in the trail,
please don't ever confuse me again. that added mileage due to a wrong turn was not appreciated. i curse you.

dear friendly runners,
thanks for your words of encouragement as we passed you along the burke gilman trail. you felt our pain as much as we felt yours.

dear water,
i'd die without you. (literally. i'm not even being dramatic.)

dear cookies and cream powerbar,
you taste like heaven after 10 miles.

dear seattle weather,
thank you for holding off until the last mile or two to start dumping rain on us. at that point, it was welcomed to cool us off and wash off the salt. (yes, you become rather salty when you run long distances.)

dear fellas (joe, ryry and james),
thanks for welcoming us stinky girls as we made it to redhook brewery from BALLARD. i hope you enjoyed your bonding time since we were late. (damn fork in the trail.) and joe, thanks for making us medals. that's why you're awesome.

dear redhook brewery,
thanks for having the most amazing nachos on this planet. it may have been the severe lack of calories in my body, but they blew my mind. so did the guacamole.

dear autumn and maddie,
we're crazy. but at least we're crazy together. thanks for being the best running buddies.

dear marathon,
three more weeks and i'll be done with you and resume a life that might resemble normal.

and finally...

dear monday,
how much would it cost to convince you to magically become friday? i'm willing to pay big bucks.

Little Letters, Friday Edition

Dear Martha,
How can it be possible that your cookbook does not have a single bad recipe? Last night, we made the Mini Greek Lamb burgers and they boggled my mind. The extra stop it took to find the ground lamb was WELL worth it.

Dear Joe,
Thank you for understanding that I like to take pictures of things for the sole purpose of posting on my blog, even if it means confiscating your food. I appreciate your suggestion of putting the cookbook in the set-up. Nice touch.

Dear Friday lunch,
I love leftovers, especially from Martha's recipes.

Dear Starbucks Frappy Hour,
Uhh, half price frappuccinos from 3-5pm? Yes, please. Combine a little frappuccino + fun people + sun + patio = Fab Friday Fun.

TGIF.

Mini Greek Lamb Burgers

Ingredients
FOR TZATZIKI
1/2 English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and grated (3/4 cup)
1/2 cup plain yogurt, preferably whole milk yogurt
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint (Erika's note: we skipped the mint)
1 small garlic clove, minced (Erika's note: we added more garlic)
Salt and pepper

FOR LAMB BURGERS
1 1/2 pounds ground lamb
1/2 small onion, minced (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano, or 1 teaspoon dried
Salt and pepper
4 pieces pita bread (6 inches each)
Iceberg lettuce, for serving
2 medium beefsteak tomatoes, sliced, for serving
Feta cheese (Erika's note: The recipe didn't call for this, but I think it completes the burger. Definitely add.)

Directions
Heat grill or grill pan to high. Make tzatziki: In a medium bowl, combine cucumber, yogurt, lemon juice, mint and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Make burgers: In a medium bowl, use a fork to gently combine lamb, onion, parsley, and oregano; season with salt and pepper. Gently form mixture into 16 small patties, about 3/4 inch thick. Grill until medium-rare, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

To serve, warm pitas on the grill or directly over a gas burner, turning occasionally. Halve pitas, and fill with lettuce, burgers, tomato, and tzatziki.

little letters

dear good intentions,
i understand that you like your fruits and veggies, but you kind of went overkill at the grocery store last time. how will you ever finish a head of lettuce, spinach, 3 oranges, 4 bananas, 4 apples, 5 tomatoes, 2 zucchinis, 1 red onion, 1 bell pepper and 1 avocado? reminder: you live alone.

dear full marathon,
you're 5 months away, but you're still intimidating me. back off.

dear phinney ridge starbucks,
watch out for autumn and her flamingo-loving toddler that is not hers.
(p.s. i laughed a lot at this.)

dear sleep talkin' man,
i feel your pain. for years, i have had people tell me what i have said to them in my sleep. it's a shame (read: quite exciting) that your wife finds pleasure in posting your sleepy ramblings, sometimes even with audio.

dear anyone who has ever slept in the same room as me (i.e. an entire sorority sleeping porch of 25+ for four years),
my apologies for the excessive sleep talking, but my sincerest THANK YOU for not starting a blog about Petes Sleeping Speaks.

dear lunch break,
thank you for existing, even if it's often at my desk.

more little letters

dear AGC building starbucks,
thank you for getting me through my long work days. nothing wakes me up like a simple tall non-fat latte.

dear lady gaga,
why are your songs so damn catchy?

dear 2 days of vacation that won’t roll over,
we have a month. what should we do?!

dear nick nolte and the hoblows,
great game last night, next week will be better.
p.s. did you totally love your at-bat songs?!

dear hawaii,
i can't wait to see you next week. seriously, can't wait.

dear surfer dude,
wanna give us free surfing lessons?

dear julia child,
you're adorable. i kind of want your cookbook.

dear wednesday,
why you gotta play me like this? just be friday already, ok?

little letters

Also inspired from the rockstar diaries blog, here are some little letters.

dear running shoes,
thank you for getting me through my long run today. i wouldn't have made it without you! next time, a little burst of energy at the end would be appreciated.

dear toyota corolla,
i'm sorry it's been awhile since i changed your oil. i promise to get on this soon.

dear grocery store lady,
please don't judge me. i forgot my reusable grocery bags at home.

dear closet,
thank you for being large enough to hold all of my delights.

dear stomach,
stop growling!

dear cell phone,
why aren't you a cool iPhone?

dear empty vase,
why aren't you filled with a beautiful bouquet of flowers?

source