The Anti-Grinch

It's not even December and I'm already gung-ho ho HOLIDAY! (I realize that didn't make sense, but I think it appropriately expresses my excitement for the Christmas season!)

As I type, I'm breathing in the sweet, sweet smell of my Christmas tree and watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I feel like I should go make some hot cocoa for the complete experience!
Get excited for the seasonal posts to come! (And don't worry, Holden and Jessie, I'll honor Hanukkah for you. I must admit, I get a little jealous that you have eight nights of celebrating and you get to play cool games like Dreidel.)

Tronics and I went ornament shopping awhile ago and we couldn't resist a photo-opp with these awesome hats.

Here's my lovely tree, all decorated with ornaments from my childhood. I love it!

(I know you're dying to know, so yes, those are Barbie ornaments. I got one every year from my grandma without fail. I have quite the collection. Try not to get too jealous.)

Isn't he adorable?

My nephew is growing up.

He used to hug and kiss me freely,

but now I have to fight for it.

I guess that's what happens at 7 years old.

(also, we wear the same shoe size
and I can wear his jeans comfortably.

Reminder: He's 7. He's gonna be HUGE!)

Here's photographic evidence of how hard it is now to snag a kiss from the kiddo.

I can just hear him say "girls have cooties."

Success!

Now he officially has cooties.

(What are cooties anyway?)

This is unrelated to my kiss mission, but I think it's absolutely adorable how much he idolizes his grandpa. Look at the way he's looking at his Grandpa Pete!

(I, on the other hand, am too preoccupied watching the Husky game...)

A Thanksgiving Eve Tradition

That I may be outgrowing.

The evening before Thanksgiving, the Longhorn Saloon is packed full of Burlington-Edison, Sedro Woolley and even Mount Vernon High School alumni. When I say packed, I mean it's so packed you're forced to be smelling the cologne or perfume of the person next to you.

This year, I'm afraid to admit it, I think I might be too old for the tradition; after all, it is my 6th year. There were people there that I probably used to babysit! I won't put my foot in my mouth and say I'll never go again because it was really nice to see Jake, Sarah, Steven, Jeff, etc... but I may suggest we do a trip to the Longhorn the day after Thanksgiving.

Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving Eve and are preparing for a family, food, and fun-filled Thanksgiving Day!

(Sidenote: I really wonder how Mr. Shaun Knutzen is feeling today...)

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TGIdubs

dubs = Wednesday.

I don't have to work Thursday or Friday, so I'm thankful it's Wednesday!

Being that it's the season to be thankful, I'd like to give some shout outs to my fabulous family and friends.

{you're all the best! and I couldn't live with out you. I mean it.}

Other things I'm thankful for:

• Leftovers from my yummy dinner with the Doherty family at Cactus last night. (thanks for dinner and as always, fun conversation!)
• UW is favored by a lot for Apple Cup this weekend!
• Again, 4-day weekend. Raise the roof, Ryan Helling style...
• It's finally reasonable to start celebrating the Christmas season this Friday!
• I have been given a huge responsibility that I am accepting with open arms: Thanksgiving Day dessert. (Even though it's less pressure than when the fate of Thanksgiving dinner unexpectedly was in my control when my mom didn't feel well a couple years back... Dad took on the turkey, I took on the rest and it turned out great!)
• The good wine that awaits me. My dad just stocked up at Compass Wines and I fully intend to help him out with his overabundant collection. Purple teeth, here I come!

pic source

I love Ellen

As you might know, I'm a big fan of practical jokes. Nothing too elaborate, just simple little jokes.

I'll have to tell you about a joke that Straube and I took on that may have involved Maddie's advent calendar that she gets every year from her mom. It's one of my faves. But I'll leave you in suspense for the time being.

In the meantime, please enjoy this awesome practical joke that Ellen played on Taylor Swift.

Oh, good ol' Chuckanut Drive

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One of the most beautiful, scenic drives you'll ever take - one that I took for granted while growing up across the water:

Chuckanut Drive.

It twists and turns like there's no tomorrow.

The road is so narrow that I feared for my life when I first started driving and had to drive in the cliffside lane.

You have to take in the beautiful views, stop at the viewpoints along the way

and most of all, steer clear of all the bicyclists!

(seriously, not the safest place to bike.)

They've recently had some problems.

Huge boulders coming down the hillside.

Now that would be a scary sight.

Hopefully they'll be able to secure the hillside! How sad would it be if they shut down Chuckanut Drive?!

Here's the state it's in right now. Crazy, huh?

The upside - they found this really cool fossil that's been hidden away on the hillside!

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Shhh, speakeasy...

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Last Saturday, the girls and I hit up a speakeasy in Capitol Hill.

Ok, so not officially, because fortunately we are past the days of Prohibition, but it was still super fun! We went to Tavern Law and had some fantastic cocktails. Then we had to pick up the phone next to the giant-sized mystery door to see if they could accomodate four lovely ladies on a Saturday night in the speakeasy-themed bar, Needle and Thread. We got a big "nope" at first, but we waited awhile and Steph gave them her number for when seats opened up. So we waited. And waited. Until finally after an hour, it was our turn to see what exactly was on the other side of the door.

I would hate to spoil it for you, but it was awesome! Super quiet. Comfy seats. (A little bit of an annoying leaky pipe that kept dripping on Mads.) They don't have a cocktail menu, so you tell them what you normally drink and what you're looking for and they'll put together a mystery concoction! (Steph's may have included an egg white... but it was sure tasty!)

Overall, I'd give it two thumbs up and encourage everyone to give it a try!

Patiently awaiting our call from the speakeasy...

We made it upstairs!

It was dark and mysterious up there.

"Um, don't you just want to get your picture taken with Jackie O?!" -man on right

"I would never miss such an opportunity!" -me

(In retrospect, looking at the picture, the guy on the left is actually rather cute. I just couldn't really see past the whig. Or maybe it was the red dress? We suspect they just came from the Red Dress Party in South Lake Union. Ooooor, they just couldn't pass up the stunning dresses hanging in their closets. I know the feeling...)