Catching up on weekends:

March 17th - St. Patrick's Day

Lessons learned:  

1. Maybe take less pictures while you run - it could improve your time. 

2. Bring safety pins.  

3. Don't zip lock the timing chip to the very bottom lace.  

Amateur Night?  No doubt.  But we'll be back.  

Sorry Morg, I know you hate this photo, but I love it... I kept it off Facebook, so I'm a semi-decent friend. :/

After the run, we drove to The Owl 'N Thistle for some Irish breakfast and coffee... I was not pleased that they decided to serve everything in plastic dishes for St. Patrick's Day.  But, I was glad to get to introduce Morgs to a place I probably love more than I should.  The snow started pouring and we were glad to be inside finally.

The afternoon I got to go to a concert with some friends, and while I thought it (the music) was going to suck - it was actually quite grand.  ;)  I knew the opener would be good.... I just didn't realize I even knew who the band was.  I should be embarrassed to admit that, but oddly, I'm not.

It was nothing I had expected, and all quite last minute (literally), but isn't that how many of the best days happen?

The next morning (noon), I got to have breakfast with T at Maltby, and she introduced me to one of her special spots.  I felt quite lucky - and the fact that there were some sort of animals there seemed about right for us.

March 23rd-25th:

 This past weekend, I took Friday off and the fun began right after work on Thursday.  Kristin, Esther and I met up for happy hour, soon joined by Morgs & Adam, Thomas (morgan's coworker - some of you Sbuxers know him), and John (my friend from soccer - look for the beard below) for dinner.  The night, and the group grew from there.  It was the Hunger Games premier.  And I'll confess I spent a good hour trying to nap in the seats.  It didn't really work.

 We needed out all over the table at the restaurant. 

Be gracious to us - it was nearly 3am at this point.  

The Carps and I spent the night at Esther's and were spoiled with omelets, biscuits and gravy, mimosas, and Irish-ish coffee for breakfast.  After noon, we ventured out to Fremont for Morgan to conduct a proper introduction to Milstein Coffee.  It was worth the ridiculous drive there, and nearly hour of traffic back for me.  Truly.  I was back the next day.  And I might be back a lot more often.  ;)

I headed over early afternoon to the Clise Mansion in Redmond to begin my responsibilities helping coordinate the reception for one of my dear (DEAR) friend's wedding.  What a beautiful couple, ceremony and evening... I can't tell you how much I loved getting to help.  (Seriously though!)

  Saturday, I slept in and recovered.  Kristin brought me coffee, we headed out on our "boarding day" - which really had less boarding in it than other things, but regardless it had sunshine, reading, tasty drinks, adventure and each other and it was quite lovely.  :)  Spring is here.

New purchases from Kristin and my's day in Fremont. :)

The history of a number of cocktails, recipes, how to make your own bitters, cool photography and a local author - I felt compelled. 

And a stop in to the Ballard vinyl shop yielded these two treats:  

Fun's new album, and a used record of my buddy George. 

Sunday was my parent's 40th Anniversary. (woot! woot!)

Which meant they weren't home.  And, neither was I.  

Through a turn of events, I spent the third day in a row in Fremont.  

And I'm kind of caught up - minus a trip to California, a hike and a few other big events.

Sooo, I think I've decided to not throw a St. Patty's party after all this year. 

I'll just save my dimes and dollars. 

I woke up this morning, was brushing my teeth and suddenly realized I was humming The Galway Girl. : /


Interesting.

On that note, I'm already excited for St. Patricks Day!  A little over a month away.  As soon as Valentines Day passes, I'm breaking out The Pogues playlist on my itunes.  : )   (Deal with it, Unger.)   A friend just gave me some good information on some great beer bread recipes.  I just learned a few great bourbon spirit-forward recipes. ; )  And let the search for a more tasty traditional Irish meal begin... hopefully this time it doesn't require me up to my elbows in 7 pounds of raw lamb for a meal most people agreed was bland.  It had more aroma than taste. :( 

Please feel free to pass along dinner, bread, hors d'oeuvres, and drink recipes.  :)



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