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Monday, October 12, 2009

BBQ Tonight...

Paul and I are hosting a pizza bbq tonight for some friends at our home. We've decided to serve our wedding cake topper for desert. Our first anniversary was three weeks ago but I was still following some very strick dietary restrictions for the weightloss program I started at the end of July.




I think our cake top survived the freezer very well!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Interesting Article

Hi Ladies,

Just thought I would share an interesting article that Paul sent me on the surge of wool sales in the last year.

Hope to see at you stitch n bitch tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

News from Stitch n Bitch....

Its been so long since all five remaining regulars have been together...Jane, Rachel, Sarah, and Andre and I got to catch up on everyone's gossip and bitching tonight. I'm almost done with the sweater that I'm working on for my mom's either birthday or Christmas present.


Since Sarah finished her project tonight Rachel took a picture to commenorate the event. The lucky recipient of this blanket will actually recieve before he graduates from high school...or for that matter starts his grade school career.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Summer Garden is coming to an end.


Paul and I spent the afternoon yesterday cleaning up the yard and harvesting the last of your summer vegetables. I'm going to try growing a salad garden through the winter until we move early n 2010.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Quilt Gathering 2009


So my friend Mo's family has a quilt gathering each summer among the women in her family. I've been invited to attend for last few years, but due to my work schedule I was never able to attend. At the beginning of summer I decided that come 'hell or high water' I was going to the quilt gathering. One of my coworkers graciously agreed to trade work schedules with me for a week so that I could have the weekend free to attend the gathering. With Paul being the hospital and not knowing the extent of what his outpatient treatment would involve I almost didn't get to go...thankfully I didn't have to swim through any high water....

Monday - Labor Day I dropped Mo off at Mowich Lake so that she could hike the Wunderland Trail on Mount Rainer for 12 days....(At this time -- 12 days of hiking 90 plus miles and sleeping on the ground does not sound like my idea of fun -- but you never know what the future holds for you). Fast forward to last Saturday morning - I loaded up the car with most of my quilting gear leaving a little bit of room of Mo's pack...I didn't think I would be repacking the car at Mowich Lake so that Mo and her hiking companions could all fit in the car....it was tight squeeze but everyone and gear fit into my little baja.



I had a great time at the quilt gathering. Mo and her Aunt Mary really helped me get started in the right direction for the American Hero Quilt that I'm working on.

Pieces of my American Hero Quilt. A few years ago I was given a bag of fabric scraps and there were four or five completed quilt squares and a few more centers done. My challenge was figuring out what size to cut the triangles and the squares to duplicate the completed quilt squares.





There were some big four legged visitors at the cabin in Packwood where the quilt gathering was held.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Where to begin....

Its been a really long time since I've posted anything on either of my blogs. A lot has happened and each time I start to write about the recent experiences I get writer's block....

My husband, Paul, was hospitalized for almost a week. He was diagnosed with endocarditis - a bacteria infection in the blood that gotten into the heart valves through his Mitral Prolapse Valve. I'm sure you can understand when I say that August and September were stressful times in our household. While Paul was in the hospital his mom, brother and his sister all came up to visit him in the hospital. I was especially appreciative of Paul's friend Justin who visited Paul for most of the day on Saturday, while his siblings and mom were squeezing in some Seattle sight seeing activities to their quick visit. Paul is effected to fully recover from his endocarditis and he is starting to feel more like himself with each day.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

What a week!

Tomorrow is TGIF for me and it can't come soon enough. Monday, I'll be able to stay at home and relax with Paul while he is recovering from whatever illness he has been suffering from...the initial tests that his Doctor did were inconclusive and the Doctor requested that Paul have additional tests done - which are scheduled for Wednesday morning. This past week I've put in A LOT of overtime at work and its beginning to take its toll on me along with some other outside factors.

I'm looking forward to some girl bonding time on Wednesday with my stitch n bitch friends. Friday begins a long work week for me - 7 days - but after some rest this week on my days off I'll be ready for the long haul....The bonus on the other end will of the 7 days will be going to my friend Mo's quilt gathering and Paul and I will be celebrating our 1st wedding anniversary.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Adventures to the Emergency Room

Last night when I got home from work, my husband Paul needed to go to the emergency room. He strained his back at work. I was surprised that we didn't have to wait for hours in the emergency room. Paul saw the doctor right away and we were on our way to the 24 pharmacy within an hour. Wallgreens has a 24 hours pharmacy with a drive through window. We were able to drop off the prescription and the pharmacist called us when it was ready to pickup an hour later.

Paul is settled comfortably on the couch and is in recovery mode for now. Tomorrow he has to follow up with the work clinic at Highline which is just down the street from where we live.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

The puppies and I have a full day ahead of us...

Its stitch n bitch night tonight, but before that Jasper needs to have his shots updated at the vet, so Samantha and I will take Jasper for his update in shots and then as a treat for the dogs we go to the dog park on the way home.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Stitch n Bitch on Wednesday...

Well I'm making good progress on my next project. Mo - within the next few days I will make the journey to post office with your belated birthday present.

Stitch n Bitch will be at the usual location on Wednesday...I will be out and about during the day so send me a text or call me if you need a ride.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Julie and Julia

Today I treated myself to a little movie break. A couple of weeks a I took advantage of make a purchase at World Market and get a free movie ticket. After several tries on the computer this morning Paul was able to redeem my free movie voucher with Fandango so that I could go see Julie and Julia. I was completely entertained and my view of food is changing and evolving while I am participating in a weightloss program. More about my weightloss journey here. Now that I am home its time to cook for the weekend and finish the laundry that I've been putting off all week.

I might even get around to watching my netflix movie but I'm not sure about that one right now.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Thankgoodness for Stitch n Bitch Tomorrow

Ladies I'm looking forward to our time together at the Uptown Espresso tomorrow. Its been too long since we last got together. I'm almost finished with my project. Just a little bit of touch up to do tomorrow.

Call me or send me a text message if you need a ride. I will be running errands most of the morning and afternoon so I won't be close to the computer.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

The Heat Wave has passed....

Seafair weekend has arrived in Seattle. Last weekend I caught a glimpse of the Torchlight parade as I was riding the bus down the hill to the light rail station on my way home. Early this week the sound of freedom arrived in Seattle aka The Blue Angels.

This morning I had a little bit of an adventure riding the new light rail to work...apparently one of the trains hit something on the tracks (not the train I was riding on thankgoodness)...but everyone on my train had to get off at the next station and catch the bus into Seattle.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Tomorrow is the beginning of a new stage of my life...

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share that I'm starting a medical weight loss program tomorrow. The program is being facilitated by a Naturapathic Doctor and a Nutrionist. The program is called a the "lose and sustain" weight loss program. I've decided to keep a daily blog while I'm going through the program which you can follow at www.kaes32weightloss.blogspot.com

Stitch n Bitch Tomorrow

July 29, 2009

Hi ladies we will be meeting in our usual place at the Uptown Espresso in Belltown at 7:00pm. Let me know if you need a ride by leaving a comment or shooting my text or email.

See you there.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Vacation Ended on Thursday

Paul and I enjoyed a having time together this summer before leaving for Colorado toured some areas of Washington that I had been wanting to share with Paul. I got to finally meet his family in Colorado. We had a very good time visiting with his mom, Grandparents, Aunt Kerri, Uncle Mike, Uncle Erik and cousins Sheay and Logan. During our visit we covered a lot of territory in Colorado between the Peak to Peak highway, The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden and Paul's Grandparent's home in Loveland. Our flight landed in Seattle last Monday afternoon, Paul had to go back to work the next day but I still had a few days to recuperate before returning to work.

Posted below are just a few pictures from our trip. If anyone knows how to get google blog to post the entire picture instead of just one tiny corner I would be grateful for the knowledge. Anyway all of our pictures from the Colorado trip are posted here.





This is Aunt Kerri's house. Located on a mountain top just outside of Golden. Think lots of snow in the winter.



When we arrived at Aunt Kerri's house for our first night, we were given specific instructions
"to stay to the right"and not to drive over the bear print in the driveway.

Saturday was spent at Grandma and Grandpa's house where the most of the family gathered for a BBQ.


After lunch we went to the sculpture park in Loveland for an afternoon walk.




This Saint Malo's church near Allenspark, CO. We drove past it on our home via the Peak to Peak HWY from Loveland to Golden.

Sunday, Aunt Kerri, Nikki (Paul's mom), Paul and I went to the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden.




This is one of my favorite quilts from the museum. There were two exhibits taking place when we visited. An art quilt show featuring the artists interpretation of water. These quilts were very unique. I'm sorry that pictures were not allowed of any of the art quilts.

The lone quilt shop in Golden.


There was this beautiful rainbow as we headed back up the mountain to get ready for dinner on our last night in Colorado.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Vacation at Last!

I was just noticing that it has been a few weeks since I posted anything. Paul and I started our week of July vacation Sunday night after my shift ended at HMC with a trip to Molly Moon's ice cream shop in Wallingford. The 20 - 30 minute wait in line was well worth the ice cream... My recommendation is to try the Salted Carmel.

Monday morning Paul and I worked around the house and the yard getting everything sparkling clean ready for our BBQ. We had a good crowd from Paul's work and Jane & Rowey joined us as well.

Our next vacation adventure was a day trip to Roslyn and Leavenworth.



I've had a craving for Village Pizza for while so we finally took the time to drive over the pass. (Yes I did smother my pizza crust in honey)

Once there we toured the town Cemetery, main street and just as we were leaving town Paul spotted a quilt shop. Mo - you and I have to go back there in September when you are down visiting the lower 48.


After drooling over the The Crazy Quilt shop, Paul and I decided we hadn't had our fill of quaint mountain towns and headed over Blewett Pass to Leavenworth. One of the these winters I'd really like to spend a weekend at the Sleeping Lady Resort for some cross country skiing and relaxing. I'll add a few pictures of our adventures to date.



Some day I will have hanging flower baskets just like these ones surrounding my house.

Thursday we are headed South to Shelton to visit with my Trish. She and her husband have just finished the first half of their summer road trip from Wichita with the five kids in tow. Paul and I are going down visit and meet newest two members of their family.
The rest of our vacation, will be spent in Colorado visiting Paul's family. We are meeting him mom in Denver on Friday. The we plan to visit his Grandparent's and Aunt and Uncle who live North of Denver. I've been wanting to meet the rest of Paul's family since before we got married so this will be a fun trip. I'll post pictures when after we return on Monday.


Wednesday, June 24, 2009

FYI

Stitch n bitch will be at it's usual time on Wednesday evening....I may be a little groggy but I'll be there with knitting in hand...let me know if you need a ride.

Really I'm awake I promise....

So I'm working my first graveyard shift since I left my night auditor job at the end of 2005....I have 7 more hours to go until the end of shift. Paul has requested that I give him a wakeup call at 7:00 so he'll remember to come pick me up at work. How this shift goes will be a good indicator of whether or not I will pick up this type of shift in the future. At this point I think it would be easier to work a whole week of graveyard instead of just one night....

On the gardening front...I just harvested two types of beets and some leaf lettuce. Sorry no pictures at this time... When I was leaving for home to go swimming with Rachel tonight I noticed that my bush beans and peas have started flowering...that means we will have fresh beans and peas soon.

In July, Paul and I will be heading down to Sisters, Oregon for their quilt show on the weekend of July 10. I can't wait to see all the quilts...Next year I might enter a quilt a two into the show, since anyone can enter.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

First Jam of the Summer

Paul and I have backyard neighbor who has a huge garden each. About a year or two a friend of this neighbor gave him a rhubarb plant. The neighbor and his wife don't know what to do with rhubarb! They told me to take as much as I wanted. So today I climbed down their rockery and picked about 50% of their rhubarb plant. This plant is so huge that it stands over my head. I decided that since the plant was so big that I would make some jam.

Before cooking.



After some cooking



Hopefully the jars will seal.
Paul will be happy to find out that there is still plenty left over for other yummy treats.

















Sunday, June 7, 2009

Its been a busy week sort of. ...

Well I have five more minutes of my shift to work at HMC until I'm outa here for the week. Stitch n Bitch will be in our usual location on Wednesday evening. Call me, comment or send a email if you need a ride.

Paul is picking me up so we can have an ice cream date at Cold Stone in Fremont....yummy

Sunday, May 24, 2009

stitch n bitch!

Ladies,

Stitch n Bitch is back in session. Hope to see you all on Wednesday at the Uptown Espresso. Call me, leave a comment or email if you need a ride.

Kathy

Gardening Update

Well I've started harvesting the lettuce from my garden! Here a few pictures of everything growing from seed.





In this bed I have leeks, spinach, watermelon radishes , three types of beets, red onions, tomatoes, peas, and asparagus.




This is the bed that is filled my lettuce starts that I purchased, so Paul and I wouldn't have to wait so long to start enjoying our garden. I'm anxiously waiting for the broccoli to be ready for harvest. I planted broccoli and waited to long and discovered that broccoli plants have pretty yellow flowers. Not this year...


In this fabulous bed I have lettuce, spinach, Easter egg radishes, three types of beans, okra, brussels sprouts, and lettuce....

Friday, May 15, 2009

Stitch n Bitch this week....

Hi ladies,

I will not be joining you on Wednesday for Stitch n Bitch. My mom and I will be enjoying the California sunshine while we are visiting my brother and his wife.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Garden Starts

When Paul and I got back from Vegas, I was excited to see that some of the seeds I had planted has sprouted.




My starts that I purchased at Magnolia Garden Center


My tomato starts. Right now I'm taking a small risk planting them a little early. But I tent the boxes each night to tuck all the plants in for bed. I'm trying a different method of planting this year. Square foot gardening. So we will see how things turn out.



Spinach, Easter Egg radishes, and beets.




























Las Vegas

Just wanted to take a minute to post a video of the watershow Paul and I saw on our trip to Vegas this week.



Stitch n Bitch will be back on schedule for next week. See you all on Wednesday at the Uptown Espresso in Belltown. Call, Email or leave a comment if you would like a ride.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Viva Las Vegas

Paul and I will be enjoying a couple of days in Las Vegas next week....Stitch n Bitch is canceled for May 6, 2009. We will be meeting again on May 13, 2009. Let me know if you need a ride or would like to come to our meetings, by leaving a comment.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Garden 2009 Update!

It seems like I have been waiting for a really long time to get my garden started this year. Back in February, my husband, Paul built me three boxes for my square foot garden. Here are all three boxes set up with trellis'.



As a wedding present Paul's mom gave a gift certificate to Magnolia Garden center. I've been saving it since September so that I could buy our garden starts, pictured below. Three types of lettuce, one tomato plant (not pictured), two types of onions, leeks, broccoli, one raspberry plant and one blueberry bush.







One of the three boxes planted with lettuce, onions, and broccoli.


I'm experimenting with my tomato plants. I'm going to try the vine method of growing, my squarefoot gardening book said to cut off all the branches on my tomato starts and plant the tomato plant horizontally with just the tip sticking out of the soil. Pictured above are the left over branches waiting for roots to grow.



My amazing husband, put together this fabulous drip watering system for my boxes. He used our old soaker house and a regular garden house and some connected them all. There is a section of regular hose going between each box with just the soakers in the boxes.



I need to include some cute pictures of my four legged children. I couldn't get Samanth to smile for the camera, though. Jasper knew just what to do and looked right into the camera and smiled.



Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Surgery Update!

My mom just called to say that my dad's surgery is finished.  The surgery took longer than expected, which seems to be a trend with my dad.  Dr. Pepper seems to think that my dad will be leaving the hospital tomorrow morning.

Randon Thoughts...

Today is a hurry up and wait day!

Wake up and feed the dogs, then take Samantha to the vet for her six month comprehensive exam.

Go home, take Paul to work then go find the subaru service center where I have an appointment for the car. Wait for the car to be serviced. Of course there are serval expensive items that were found on the car that need to be fixed.

Next go to the hospital to sit with my mom while my dad has his second surgery in two weeks. From the hospital go to the vet to pick up Samantha and go home, have dinner and then meet Rachel for swimming at 8:30p.

The good news for today is that I found an affordable source of vermiculite and compost for my garden that I'm starting next week. This week I will make the seed mats for planting...maybe tomorrow.

Now it is time to head to the hospital to be with my mom.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Birthday Weekend Travels

Mini Birthday Vacation to Friday Harbor


Paul and I have started a new birthday tradition... enjoying Tecate ice cold with lime and salt on the rim. Kind of like a margarita but with Tecate beer instead. I like mine in a glass, Paul likes his in the can with sand between his toes.

After gathering the necessary supplies from King's Market in town we could begin my 33rd birthday celebration.



The Cypress Cabin





My best friend, Lois and, her sister, Thias, had been trying to get Paul and I to enjoy a romantic weekend in Friday Harbor for months. So we finally were able to go and enjoy the peace and quiet of the island and wonderful luxery log home that Thais, Lois and JD had built. Since Thais and JD spend most of their time traveling the country in semi truck, they put their home in a vacation rental pool. Since no one had reserved the house for the week of my birthday Paul and I got to enjoy it.


The log house has three bedrooms on the main floor and each one has access to the deck that wraps all the way around the house. I can't say enough good things about Thais and JD's home. The kitchen and the bathrooms were absolutely fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


What more could you want from a beautiful log home but a view of the water!



The "kids" got to come with us for the weekend. Jasper is enjoying the deck off the side of the loft on the second floor.



After Paul took me out to lunch in town we went adventuring around the island. We had a couple misadventures trying to find the Lyme Kiln Point Light House, but finally with the help of "maggie" our GPS we found the park.


During the summer when the orca whales are migrating in the area, scientists keep track of the all pods and individual whales that surface off the coast of this light house.


My two favorite boys!



All good things must come to an end. Friday Harbor and San Jaun Island are in the distance as we headed back to Anacortes for the rest of our drive home.