Under construction ...

The bathroom remodel has commenced ...

two cheers for Dubsea !

Whenever possible, Dan and I prefer to buy from local merchants. We like to frequent our small, local-chain hardware store instead of Home Depot - we bought our kitchen appliances from a family-run business in our neighborhood instead of Sears. So when a new coffee shop opened up just a couple blocks from us that wasn't a Starbucks, we were thrilled. Dubsea Coffee opened mid-November last year. They use Stumptown Coffee, which is roasted in Portland. We're very happy they're close and even happier that the coffee ROCKS. Lovely foam art every visit...

Go Crystal

Why am I a little obsessed with this season of American Idol - having never watched any seasons past ?? Two words. Crystal Bowersox. I love her voice. And her story too. I'm really hoping she makes it all the way through.

Slainte !

2010 Mariners Commericals

"Running Catch"


"Immortalized"


"What's in a Name ?"


"Next Big Thing"


"Meaningful Moments"


and the bloopers...



I can't wait for Opening Day !!

river of green ...

There are many times of the year that I miss living in Chicago - the summer with all the cool neighborhood festivals, Christmas time when Michigan Ave is aglow in white lights, but most of all, St. Patrick's Day week. Today was the annual St Patty's Day parade and the traditional dyeing of the Chicago River green. Some of my fondest Chicago memories (I think) are of celebrations of that holiday. There was definitely green beer and Jameson involved. Ew.

both photos by Zbigniew Bzdak, Chicago Tribune

In like a lamb for sure ...

It's been a pretty mild winter here in Seattle. Mild enough that allergy season has already kicked in full force. Tree pollens are at a "very high" level, according to my local news this morning. I both see and feel it. My nice clean car was instantly covered in pollen dust as soon as it came home from the car wash. (and now has cat pawprints all over the hood) Then there's my stuffy head and the 3 boxes of kleenex I've gone through in the past week.

But there is a positive outcome from all this early blooming - the flowering trees are beautiful right now. Here's our flowering plum in our front yard ...

Holy Cow - Happy 96th Harry Caray

since I'm on a run of birthday posts...

March 1, 1914 – February 18, 1998