Halloween Eve

BOO!

Tomorrow is Halloween!! I am getting excited. We are all going over to Carla's to get dressed up, and have a pre-party, before hitting the town decked out in costume.

I will be bringing over some delicious "mummy dogs" for the occasion (Jody's great suggestion). Any excuse to eat a hot dog in a croissant! Aren't they cute?In other exciting news, I won the pumpkin carving contest at work!!! Best in show! I am the amazing.

Happy all Hallows Eve! Hope everyone has there costume ready for tomorrow.

Pumpkin Time!

Maholla peeps,

Sorry for the hiatus, I have been uber busy at work. Anyway . . . to get in the spirit of the Halloween season, Philly and the Fremont gang hosted a pumpkin carving party last weekend. Everyone brought an appetizer and a pumpkin, and we carved away.


I used a stencil for the first time ever this year. I was always an advocate for just carving the old triangle eyes, circle mouth, etc. This time though, I tried something new, and I think it turned out swimmingly! My design is called "wink and a smile". Alex went traditional and did the classic jack o' lantern.

"wink and a smile" and "jack"

The group's finished products!

I am looking for a Halloween costume, any suggestions? Holla at me!

GO GRIZ!

Maholla peeps,

Last weekend Alex and I traveled east across the cascades to visit our family/friends at Gonzaga. We arrived at Margaret, Clare and Barbie's house Friday night around 10. Liz, Margaret and Barbie (and my)'s friend from Cyprus (Baltimore) was in town on a surprise visit, so it was an added bonus to our already stellar trip. After we arrived, Margaret, Alex and I went on a walk to Yokes for some bulk treats. Let me tell you, it was C O L D! Fall has officially arrived in Spokane, burrrr.

Saturday morning we awoke from our tent in the living room, and headed out to a cute cute cute little bakery in the South Hills. We shared some muffins, drank some coffee, and took a walk through the pretty South Hill neighborhoods to admire the nice (and cheap!) houses.

Margaret and Barbie needed to put an hour in at the bagel shop, so Alex, Liz and I packed up Barbie's mini-van with some tailgating necessities because we were off to WATCH THE MONTANA GRIZZLY FOOTBALL TEAM!!! That's right, they were playing Eastern Washington University just down the road. I bought Alex and I tickets a while back as a surprise, and once I told Margaret we were coming she and Barbie (and Barbie for Liz) got tickets as well!!! It was pretty cool because even though Montana was the away team, they had more fans there then Eastern. It almost felt like a home game. With Missoula only 3 hours away, it was easy for the die hard Montana fans to make the trip west.

It was a great game, Montana won as usual, GO GRIZ! The sun was out but it was chili willie. After the game we all took power naps before heading out to Picabu, Margaret's favorite restaurant, for dinner. We enjoyed a very tasty dinner, I had curry chicken, and enjoyed the cute atmosphere. It felt so good to be inside, warm, and full after our cold day at the football stadium.

What a great weekend!!!

Yea or Nay?

A stroll through Carkeek Park

In an attempt to get to know my new neighborhood of Greenwood, I have been trying to do local activities. So, on Sunday afternoon, Alex and I walked down to Carkeek Park. We had done this once before in the snow, but I forgot how beautiful it is. We are lucky enough to live so close that we can walk to the park entrance.


From there we strolled though the woods and wound our way down to the beach. Often times you can see salmon swimming up the creek, but our timing must have been off because none were found =(

The beach is actually quite nice, we should have taken advantage of it on a hot day!! Oh well, next summer.



As we were hiking out, I got a phone call from my mom inviting us out to pizza with her, Max, Anne and my dad. They were trying out a new restaurant in GREENWOOD, one that I had never been to. We joined them and I got to check another local activity off my list. I am starting to love the Greenwood . . . .

Pirozhki for me!

Sunday Alex and I went to the annual Russian Bazaar in South Lake Union. Last year was my first time, but Alex has attended every year since he was a young lad.

We ate pirozhkis (Alex had 3), potatoe dumplings, and sour kraut with sausage- yum yum. Alex also bought 4 bags of frozen pelmeni (a kinda Russian tortellini). I love how relaxed this festival is, you just walk up, pay a couple dollars and some Russian women will give you some tasty food to eat. Then you go in the church basement where there is an amazing array of baked good, more old Russians, and you just chill and eat. Perfect Sunday activity.

Baltic room with Blaine

Maholla peeps-

Last night we celebrated Jody's 26 birthday. Carla hosted everyone for dinner, she made 2 delicious chickens, and everyone else brought a side dish. As a group we have grown in numbers so this was really the perfect way to celebrate.

Philly spent hours in the kitchen baking a gluten free chocolate cake, and it was DELICIOUS. It really was one of the best birthday cakes I've ever had. She baked mini-cupcakes as well, totally outdid herself. Vanessa and Nick brought a veg, I made a salad and Michelle brought an appetizer. Kostas, being the only boy that knows his way around the kitchen, made delicious rosemary potatoes.






After dinner we headed to the Baltic room for some dancing . . . . and BLAINE from PROJECT RUNWAY was there! Jody and him became friends and danced together for a while- it was great. He was really nice, and let us all take pictures with him . . . . that being said he looks very orange , a little too much fake tanning I guess. Oh well, we still love you Blaine!

Happy early birthday Jody!

illin'

Maholla peeps-

I woke up this morning with a killer headache, sore throat, and whole body ache. Sick sick sick. I emailed work and told them I wasn't going to make it in, and promptly went back to bed. Alex has been sick for a few days, and I think I finally caught the bug. I guess when you live with an elementary school teacher, you are bound to have your fair share of illnesses. Oh well, Alex was still sick so we got to stay home together and watch West Wing reruns.


We ventured out for a walk around 2, feeling falsely energetic from our DayQuil, but had to turn back after a little while because poor Alex's head began to spin. We did have the energy to sit on the couch and watch Sarah Palin NOT answer any of the VP debate questions. GO BARACK!

Tomorrow night we have tickets for the Jamie Lidell concert, so hopefully we will be rested and ready to boogy!

It's . . . GREAT!

Alex and I finally made it to Ballard's new restaurant Tigertail last week. FAB! Check it out if you're in the area. It's a bar setting, but with tables, and benches covered in pillows, so cozy. The food is Asian influenced, mostly small plates, and delicious! Alex and I split the buffalo meatballs, red curry clams, and house-made lamb pot stickers. They were all devine, and not too pricey which was nice! The bartender was great, he doubled as our waiter. About a halfhour into our meal, a giant group celebrating a birthday came in, and he handled everything superbly and never forgot about us.
I will be back soon . . . . yummmmmmmmmm lamb pot stickers!