Winter To Do

So Christmas is over and we are now having more "typical" Oregon winter weather.   Rain, rain, and more rain.  Oh well we really shouldn't complain as December was dry, very dry which was so nice with all the running around and in and out of stores you have to do this time of year.  Plus soon oh so very soon I will be in the land of mai tai's and hula skirts. 

Here is my list for Winter

1. Take a cooking class - this is leftover from the Fall list and we still have the coupon so we must do this
2. Try a new restaurtant
3. Paint the family room
4. Walk on the beach
5. Try a new recipe
6. Make Valentines treats for work and/or friends
7. Update Shutterfly'organize pictures
8. Take a knitting class
9. Clean and organize garage
10. Clean and restore quilts

Top Ten for Fall - update

So I know that technically it is still fall but it hasn't gotten about 40 degrees in days so let's face it - it's winter.

My list for Fall was here.   I did pretty well although I didn't accomplish all those that I didn't will just be put on the list for winter.

1. Try a new restaurant (really this is my goal to do every month)
   Yes!   
   Knead and Feed - if you are ever on the island and in Coupeville this is a must stop for lunch
   Tucci - did a date night here last month.   I had some wonderful salmon and G had some great chicken.   Great little spot in LO and we heard a rumor they might be moving to Blinn's location on the lake.  That would be nice for sure as they have a great little HH.
2. Take a cooking class 
   Nope - will move this to winter list.
3. Clean out the flowerbeds for winter (didn't get to this last year and I paid for it in the spring)
   This I did do - and I will be much happier come the spring because of it
4. Make something on the sewing machine
   Well you see if we are going to be perfectly honest here I kinda broke the little crafting sewing machine I bought.   The bobbin or whatever its called is all messed up so this one would be a no.  
5. Paint the kitchen
   Forget this was on my list - dagnit.  This inspires me to do this - this week.
6. Play cards with my husband
   Done a lot of this.   Actually played this past weekend.  In case your wondering I won the best out of three
7. Go on a ferry ride
   Yes!  Actually went on two.   This of course makes sense.  One over and one back.  If I'd only done it once I would still be on the island and that is not a possibility at this point in my life.
8. Make whoopie pies
   Nope - still haven't done this.   Good night I must do this for the holidays.  Thinking chocolate ones with cream cheese middles and crushed peppermint around the sides.
9. Go wine tasting
   Yes!  Whidbey Island Winery - great little spot on the road to Langley.  Have driven by many times and we finally stopped.   It was a great little spot and of course I had to bring a couple of bottles home with me...hee hee
10. Finish the photo wall in the family room
    This project has been yanked.  I gave up.  I just could never get it how I wanted it.   I think I am trying to do it on the wrong wall.   Now that wall needs a giant letter.....more on that another time

Stay tuned for Top Ten for Winter.  I know you are on pins and needles just waiting for it aren't you??  Ha!

In other news....I went back to work today for most of the day and G stayed home by himself.  I wasn't completely comfortable with that being all the crap he's on but he seems to be doing pretty good.  Day by day........that's how we are taking it right now.  And I'm doing my best to keep anything away from him that might stress him out.  

Merry, merry!

Top Ten for Fall

As promised here is my top for Fall.  If you remember my Top Ten for Summer you will notice some repeats but you see they will be new even though they are repeated.  Make sense? 

1. Try a new restaurant (really this is my goal to do every month)
2. Take a cooking class
3. Clean out the flowerbeds for winter (didn't get to this last year and I paid for it in the spring)
4. Make something on the sewing machine
5. Paint the kitchen
6. Play cards with my husband
7. Go on a ferry ride
8. Make whoopie pies
9. Go wine tasting
10. Finish the photo wall in the family room

Update: Top Ten for Summer

So as you know I made of list of things I wanted to do this summer.   Found here.

1. Go to the Drive Inn - nope  We just never made it over to Newberg.  I have to say that our movie viewing really slows down in the summer which I never noticed before.   After all its kind of a rainy day thing to do.
2. Learn to make cheese - check.  Sadly I have not done it since.  Really should - as it was super easy and super fun!  
3. Go on a bike ride - check (and got a new bike to boot!  I don't think you've seen her so I must take some pictures and do a post soon)
4. Try a new restaurant - check.  Lunch at Braeburn at Whidbey (will be a regular on our list for visits to the island).  Drinks at Trader Vic's in The Pearl.  Bday lunch with Heidi at Manzana Grill.  Breakfast at Zeppo's (love this place and can't wait to go back for lunch or dinner)
5. Play golf - nope.  Now I did step foot on a golf course more than once and had many trips to the driving range but never swung a club.  
6. Dip my toes in the ocean - check and double check.   I even dipped my toes in the Sound.
7. Can something - check.  Dill Pickles!
8. Re-organize my closet - check.  Although sadly it is time to do so again.  
9. Go see Packy - nope
10. Make homemade bread - check.   This has turned into pretty much a weekly occurance now. 

So 7 out of 10 - not too shabby.  I will strive to do better however in the Fall.  I'm in process of doing my Top Ten for Fall..... stay tuned!

The Island

Last summer we went to Whidbey Island.  Not sure why but it seemed close enough that you could drive there and I could be by the water and try something new.   We had a wonderful time and have always wanted to go back.....and so we did.  However, this time instead of staying in an Inn we stayed in a little cottage and took the furry one.   Let's just say that we can't wait to go back again next year.   And we hope to go to the same place but stay for a week instead of 3 nights.   I guess that means we had a good time.......

The Cottage........
......was wonderful!

The View
The sunrises were amazing!   And when it was clear you could see all the way across the Saratoga Passage to the Cascades.  

The Food, The Drink, & Langley
We ate at some wonderful places!  
Homemade chicken noodle soup and salad at Pickles and the bread was wonderful as well.  Will be a new go-to on the island for us.

Tasting room in Langley for Ott & Murphy

 

 No vacation is complete without my Skinny Girl

Prima bistro is probably one of my favorite restaurants.   Had some amazing clams and G had the smores dessert which we had last year as well.

  

 This is the wonderful apple sausage corn chowder from The Braeburn in Langley.  I had a caprese sandwich to go with and it was all wonderful.

The Deck......

.....was perfect for reading, relaxing, and playing cards. 

The Beach.....

.....was serene.   I collected some fun rocks and beautiful shells to take back as a little slice of the island.  Also, found a walking stick that I had to take home.   Also accomplished one of my top ten!  I know it says ocean and technically this is the sound but I think it all counts.

The Ferry......

.....is part of the adventure.   Just a quick 20 minute ride across the sound.   It was so windy on the way over you couldn't go outside without your sunglasses getting blown off but on the way back it was more peaceful.

The Golf.....

.....you didn't really think we would go on vacation without some form of golf being mentioned did you?

This is what the refer to as pasture golf.  This place was too funny for words.  We didn't play because the day we drove out there the weather was less than ideal but I think the pictures are worth thousands of words.

Island Greeens

The Wildlife.....

.....drove the furry one insane.   She learned a new word on this trip "bunny".  

And last but not least.....if you are looking for a vacation home word on the streets is this one is going for a good deal.   Was right next door to us so you know it has a great view.  Just needs a little TLC.....

Top Ten for Summer

Here are ten things I want to do this summer.  I will be sure to post updates as I check them off!


Go to the drive-in



Learn to make cheese



Go on a bike ride (hopefully on my new bike)



Try a new restaurant

Play golf (at least once)



Dip my toes in the ocean



Can something

Re-organize my closet

Go see Packy at the Zoo

Make homemade bread

 This should be fun!  Of course there are a ton more things I would love to do but I do have to go to the cubby 5 days a week for at least 8 hours so this is a good start. I'm actually going to be doing one of these things this weekend - so excited!  



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