Soccer

As you know from my previous post, Monday nights I play on a co-ed soccer team with my colleagues from LivingSocial.  Last Monday was the end of our second season (they are quarterly) and after 10 hard fought games, we came out as the Champions of our division.  Winning is much more fun than losing, which is what happened most of our first season.  Yay for improvement, exercise and being number one!

Sunsets

When change happens in someone’s life, a common question for family and friends to ask is “how are things?”  This is most definitely true of my move to WA.  And since part of my change involves a different climate, the second question that follows is almost always about the weather or rain or cold, and how terrible it must be to live in the gloom ever day.  To which I respond, “it’s really not that bad”.  Honestly, it’s not.  I’ll let those of you who aren’t familiar with the Pacific Northwest in on a little secret… it really doesn’t rain here as much as you’d think.  It’s more of a light mist.  What I call “California rain” (aka actual rain drops) doesn’t happen all that frequently.  However, the lack of real rain doesn’t mean there is a lack of cloud cover.  It’s cloudy a lot. Something I hadn’t taken into consideration is how constant grayness during the day also equates to lack of color during sunset.  As a result, I have a new found appreciation for the magical way a setting sun makes everything glow.  It’s genuinely exciting.  A couple weeks ago we had several days of sunshine and yes, amazingly vibrant sunsets.  This is one of them overlooking Greenlake…

Seattle-Do

I am a list maker.  I make to-do lists, pro/ con lists, life lists, shopping lists, and the list of lists goes on.  Often times I include items on the list I've already accomplished simply for the satisfaction of getting to cross it off.  Yes, I'm that girl.  As you might imagine, living in a new city requires a new list.  I call it my "Seattle-Do" list.  Some of the items have been done, some of them were done then added to be crossed off, and some (actually most) have yet to be accomplished.  So in the spirit of accountability and collaboration I'm posting the list.  Feel free to check in on my progress and/ or make suggestions for items that should be included.

• Hike Mt. Si to top of Hay stack
• Go to Columbia Tower Starbucks
• Fly in float plane
• See troll under bridge in Fremont
• Buy flowers from Pikes Place
• Go on Seattle underground tour
• Visit Theo Chocolate factory
• Run a Seattle race
• UW tailgate in a boat
• Go to a Seahawks game
• Go to a Sounders game
• Hike Discovery Park
• Visit Kerry Park
• Bonfire on Alki Beach & Golden Gardens
• Visit Snoqualmie Falls (and Salish Lodge)
• Wine tasting in Woodinville - (which can totally be done again!)
• Have a bonfire at Golden Gardens
• Go on a tour of Starbucks HQ’s
• Visit the Woodland Park Zoo
• Hike Mt. Rainier
• Go to Red Hook brewery 
• See a concert at the Gorge
• Become a regular at a local coffee shop (on it’s way to being crossed off)
• Kayak, canoe, and/or paddleboard on Lake Washington
• ...

My attempt the typical "tourist" shot of Seattle from Kerry Park

Ramblings

Most of the time I don’t usually talk just to talk.  If I have something to say I’ll share it, but I’m not one of those girls who has a word quota to meet each day.  Basically I don’t do much rambling.  Thankfully, I’m not a politician so rambling isn’t a necessary skill I need to develop.  Although I am finding my lack of the skill makes consistent blogging more difficult.  I’m also learning my posts are sporadic because, like conversation, I prefer them to have a purpose.  Since most of my days are filled with routine activities, the “postcards” I could share with you are what I’d consider “word count ramblings” just to meet the proverbial quota.  I say all of this as justification for my absence over the previous month as well as a warning/ explanation in case I disappear again for another 30+ days.

Speaking of 30 days, the month of April has exactly that.  Here are a few highlights in reverse chronological order, starting with last weekend...

According to locals, last weekend was a glimpse into what Seattle summers will be like.  In short, I’m excited!  Although a few of my previous postcards have been about the weather, a topic some may argue is the ultimate form of rambling, be prepared for more once the sun decides it would like to stay and play longer than 48 hours.  Anyway, since baseball and sunshine go together like peanut butter and chocolate, Shelly and I made a last minute decision to go to the Mariner’s game on Saturday which turned out to be a complete win.  Free tickets made for quality time together, soaking in much needed vitamin D while enjoying sunflower seeds and watching White Sox pitcher Philip Humber throw the 21^st Perfect Game in MLB history.  It was an all around perfect day.  

Sunday after church I ventured out to Green Lake with sandwich in hand for an afternoon of alone time and reading.  Although I may have been there by myself, I was definitely not the only person taking advantage of the sunny day.  It was packed! (The accompanying postcard makes the park look tranquil. It wasn't.)  My attempts to find a patch of grass semi secluded for quiet reading, yet optimally placed for sun exposure semi-failed and I ended up people watching/ listening instead.  Always an entertaining way to pass time.  The weekend was capped off with a BBQ at a friend’s house nearby.  If those two days were a look into the upcoming months, this is going to be a gloriously wonderful summer.

Back in February (and relevant to this entry because it still applies in April,) I started going to a Thursday night Bible Study at Bethany for young professional women.  Having been to groups like this in the past at other churches I was skeptical (so much so that I skipped the first two weeks because I thought it would be like all the rest and didn’t want to intentionally suffer.  I know, terrible attitude).  Once I finally got over myself and simply showed up, I was met with the blessing of intellectual study, thought provoking questions, great discussion, and new friendships.  I now look forward to our time together every Thursday as the lovely ladies in my small group have become a part of my developing community.  The Lord’s sense of humor and complete provision never ceases to amaze/ entertain me.

At the beginning of April I made a quick trip home for my Mom’s birthday.  My gift to her was me, which I realize was already a gift given by God twenty-something years ago, so I’ll just say I re-gifted myself.  We spent two full days at the cabin and enjoyed every moment.  I know most people probably refer to Disneyland as the happiest place on earth, but that’s because they haven’t been to the cabin.  It’s my happy place.  It’s also my mom’s happy place and being there to together makes it the happiest.  Great conversation also makes me happy and I am so thankful to have established relationships with my parents that allow meaningful conversation to flow easily.  With one remaining day in CA I was fortunate enough to spend it with wonderful friends from past seasons of life whom I love and don’t regularly see now that I’ve relocated 400 miles north.  The trip as a whole was good for the heart.  In fact, coming back to Seattle after such a great time with my parents and reconnection with friends was more difficult than expected.  I was sad the time had to come to an end and wished in some way I could bring my two worlds together in one place.  How great it is to know that one day they will be?!

p.s. I know I said I wasn’t going to post about recipes I'm making, so I’m not.  However, these protein/ power balls are particularly amazing and I feel compelled to share a picture of them with you.  They may look like a mound of you know what, but they taste light years better!

Discovery

Thanks to my roommate Chelsey, last weekend I was introduced to a new favorite spot.  It's called Discovery Park.  I'm going to call it an urban hiking oasis because once in the park you'd never know downtown Seattle is only a quick 10 minutes away.  Seriously, where outside of Santa Cruz can you find an escape with legitimate hiking trails, beautiful ocean views, and scenic greenery all around?  OK fine, this probably exists outside of northern CA and WA, but where ever else that might be I've never been so it doesn't count yet. (Side note: the views of the "ocean" below are actually of the Puget Sound. Pretty much the same :))  Anyway, three of our four roommates went on a mini adventure to explore the trails that lead down to the water.  We cataloged almost every step of the way, including the moment when Katie and I attempted to do a yoga pose on a wet, sandy log which lead to her almost doing a face plant as she fell.  As you'll see below I too almost tumbled off in extreme laughter.  Had she been hurt, it wouldn't be funny.  However, since she wasn't seriously injured I still break out in uncontrollable laughter every time I see the series of pictures.
For numerous reasons I can't wait for summer. Discovery Park is now apart of that excited anticipation.  The park will likely be crazy busy, but I'm thinking/ hoping convenience will out weigh crowds and result in continued discovery.

Greta

Back in November I got a phone call from Kyle, the husband of my good friend Greta, who like all good husbands was brainstorming what to get his wife for Christmas.  He was tossing around the idea of surprising her with a trip to come visit me.  Not only was I totally on board with the incredible thoughtfulness of his gift, but it also meant I was going to get some quality time with my friend.  Complete win, win.
The last weekend of February, in a typical dreary and water logged evening, Greta arrived.  It was her first trip to WA and my first time playing tour guide, which made for moments of undecided wondering and what I considered great fun (I hope she did too :)).  Highlights of the weekend include exploring Pikes Place downtown, walking Green Lake with coffee in hand, the Theo Chocolate Factory tour (which ends in their sampling shop!), and meaningful conversations that accompanied our activities.  I'm so thankful for Greta, for her faithful friendship, for her compassionate heart, for her desire to serve well, and for our time together.  Thanks Kyle for making our weekend of tourism and catching up possible!

Kitchen

Generally speaking, I know my way around important aspects of life.  Not to toot my own horn, but I have a pretty good sense of direction.  In a business or workplace setting I’m fairly comfortable in knowing how to navigate the politics.  Need a good coffee shop? I’m happy to give you my list of favorites.  The blueprint of my local Target I know like the back of my hand, as well as the best route for sampling during lunch time at Costco.  However, one spot I feel out of place is the kitchen.  Not because I don’t know the difference between a spatula and zester, but because I just don’t spend much time using them.  It’s like having all the equipment to be great at baseball and never playing because learning how to play is work.  Can you see the catch 22 predicament I find myself in?  And it’s not like I haven’t been taught the basics.  I definitely spent time in the kitchen as a kid making cookies with my mom, peeling carrots or potatoes for dinner, and just being “available” to help if needed.  If fact, I even took Home-Ec. class in jr. high.  So you’d think all that would lead to knowing my way around a kitchen and enjoying the process of meal making.  However, since I’ve made it clear my childhood training doesn’t result in pure excitement for dinner creating, I’ve decided that maybe practice will help.  In the spirit of “starting somewhere” I’m going to make at least three new meals a month.  You’re probably thinking, “only three!, does she ever want to learn?”.  To which I would respond, 1) I’m starting small and plan to build on that number as time goes on, 2) I cook for one person (and sometimes a couple roommates) so I usually end up with leftovers for days, 3) Most of this kitchen experimentation will happen on the weekend and there are only four in a month, and 4) Unless you’re volunteering to come teach me on a regular basis, I’m going to move at my own manageable pace. 

Websites picture of dinner

Now that we have all that out of the way, I’m here to report on my first new recipe.  It happened to require a crock-pot.  I’m aware that crock-pot meals are sort of “the easy way out”, however all the food prep is the same so we’ll just say I was practicing my dicing and chopping skills.  Also, I had all the ingredients for that recipe which is what really won me over. The title of the dish is “Crock Pot Chicken” and I was expecting more of a “burrito filling” type appearance in the final product (probably because of the picture).  Instead I ended up with a closer resemblance to chicken chili, which may actually be the way it’s supposed to turn out because they say to make rice with the meal (and I ate it on a bed of spinach).  I was just anticipating something else.  Regardless, it’s delicious!  I won’t say it was a total success, but not bad for recipe number one.  Next up, sweet potato hamburgers :)

My picture of dinner

(Note:  I don’t plan on posting about all of the meals I make.  That would be boring.  At least it would be for me.  If you’re at all interested in the recipes I try, there is a 99.9% chance I found them on Pinterest so feel free to check them out there.)