Envelope #3

Another round of hobby swapping brought a trio of fun stuff.

Here is the latest installment from the very talented Aryn. The requisite envelope was filled with some point-earners: Clover (being an Asian company and all) stitch markers, scrapbooking stickers with an air travel theme and some blue car buttons. I'm thinking I know a little boy's hat that those will look very cute on. Also included was a magentic notepad, a bird zipper pouch (is that bonus point for flying), a turquoise zipper that is calling to be installed in a little project bag of some sort, and a packet of Crystal Light.

I. love. mail. Thanks Aryn!

Six

For our 5th anniversary (last year) we took a trip to Walla Walla. It was great; five years is the "wood" anniversary (or silverware, but I'm all set there) so it was fitting: oak barrels, lots of old sycamores in Walla Walla, ate dinner at former planing mill that gave you a woodworker's pencil upon paying, among other woodsy coincidences. Great.







So this year, it was not to be outdone. The 6-year anniversary is either candy or iron depending on which condition suits you better, and nothing speaks 'candy' or 'iron' to me better than Walla Walla. Perfect. We visited Bright's candy shop and drove by Forgeron Cellars (actually went in last year). But nothing beats just plain old wine tasting. Although candy is pretty yummy too, especially the dark chocolate-caramel variety. Here's how...





First, start with lunch.



Here we have a perfectly chilled rose from Waterbrook. Easy to come by at your neighborhood Safeway, and even easier if they pour it for you on their patio. And the flank steak with chimichurri sauce was wonderful too, covered in fresh tomatoes and cilantro.





Second, some golf.

Here is the third (of three) holes at Three Rivers Winery. A pink ball is a must for the discerning golfer.

Third, take pictures of my dream house located just above Walla Walla Vintners. Those guys in there were kind enough to pour us an extra taste of their Merlot and make us pick some produce from their garden so we had a great lunch (this was day #2) out on their lawn with a baguette and some fresh herbed chevre we had picked up at the farmer's market earlier in the morning.

And then the rest is just great memories: dinner at Saffron was one of my better meals. Especially when accompanied by our friend, Captain Caillou (the duck). He got himself into many of our pictures. Whore.






Here is Cpt. Caillou outside of Yakima.












Alternative energy in action. Just a few of the bazillion wind turbines in central Washington.

Cheers!

At the Lake

I'm so proud of my skiddish kiddo. He has been in a kayak once, with his dad, and while he seemed to enjoy himself we were shocked by his willingness to go. During the hottest week Seattle has ever seen we spent an evening at some friends lake house. T and his friend were enjoying themselves on the sandy beach when they spotted the two kayaks and proceeded to drag them in the water and jump in (its okay, they were already wearing life jackets). T never got squeamish, never got scared, didn't want to get out and probably would have stayed out if it hadn't gotten dark. He amazes me. I love three-year-olds.