A night out on the town

 Well, a night out for dinner, in town.

Here is what happened.

Our daughter generously switched out a gift card of ours ( bed bath and beyond? ) for one of hers

A Fancy restaurant in Bellevue...very fancy.

We had waited almost a month to get in ( that was one clue )

I used Open Table to make the reservations, linked it to my google calendar and

presto.... morning reminder..  6:00 dinner 

We gave ourselves plenty of time, tapped on the reservations in my phone and

presto... GPS took over.   No wrong turns.  Just a hard time finding a parking place ( that was another clue )

From the first glance, we were impressed.  Even the outside dining was inviting with lights, greenery, white table cloths and yes, heaters. And almost every table filled with happy hungry people. 

We stepped inside and with our reservations we were seated immediately. 

Our table was in the center of  the dining area.  We could see that most of the other tables were occupied and you have to agree, it is free entertainment to view other guests. 

Hard not to imagine the "relationship" of the couple to the left of us. They were sitting opposite of each other while the couple just ahead of us were sitting side by side.  

The table to the right had 4 gentlemen in their long sleeved mostly white shirts and very engaged in conversation. 

There was a group of happy looking, mostly blonde ladies in a cozy corner, but not out of sight. 

People come and go and mostly in black, oh wait, the wait staff is mostly in black and the guests, well they all look very comfortable. Very confidently strolling to their reserved spot.  They like to be noticed.  

 
I sort of confidently stroll to the powder room

 A little hard to see but
the sink is very unusual
There is a long drain right under the mirror  
Yes, that is my little black handbag
and if you look fast, you will see two of me

You can see for yourself, the portions were generous
and not much room left for dessert 

 

  It was a tempting dessert menu,  but we decided to save that for another time

But wait.... we  given a little treat to take home

one for each of us 

their own Biscotti 

Yes,  I live an exciting life

The day of Love

 February 14... the day of Love... but it works 365 days a year 

A special message to children was a blessing to me and with permission, I am going to add the banners to my journal today. 

The message began by explaining that someone stole the Love topic last week, so...
But we know, without a doubt, there is no hope without Love, the love of Jesus  

The Banners offer suggestions for our own study and knowledge ..food for thought  

Or what do you plan to do today?  

Again,  you can't have hope without love, the love of Jesus 

Time

 

Time 

using it

saving it

having it

spending it 

Thinking about it as the new year opens the door 

 
We had a little visit at the door

It was January 1, 2021

Our neighbor had been up past midnight

I had been up too, but hubby was fast asleep

But Mrs. W had been up until 1:30 talking to her son.

"I have something to say" , she told me

I smiled and got to thinking about it.   Of course she has something to say, she is 88 years old

and also something to think about....Her son was there to talk with her.

Starting off the new year listening, spending time, 

That is a gift

A gift that blesses both parties.

And how will I spend my time in this new year ?

Today we stopped by again.  I could hear her calling, but it took her a very long time to come to the door.  And when she did, I could tell why.   She was very pleasant, but we knew we should not stay long.  She thanked us for the treats and we said goodbye.

Our adventures today took my little man and me to 10 doors with our "New Year" greetings.  The last stop is a favorite.  They invite us in and we stay for a visit.  Mr. and Mrs. B are feeling the isolation and, they have things to say.   I do not want to miss out on lessons in life ,thinking I do not have time

Long ago a friend told me

There is always time to do what is right
( thank you Fran Erisman)

And, I believe it is true



I live an exciting life  

West Port

 

The celebration we had been waiting for....

begins

Accommodations... very important with 8 family members

We were given the upstairs suite, extending the length of the home

At the west, sunrise view, a little nook 

then the sleeping area....oops, no photo.. but we had a four poster bed with little white lights all along the canopy.

Then,  the far end, facing the ocean with an entry to the upper deck.

There are four other bedrooms that circle the main living space 

And an upper and lower deck that circles around two sides of the house 

My favorite little spot 
just right for working a puzzle  

Favorite picture and verse 

Every convenience in the kitchen, but  many meals were take out, due to "restrictions"

The lower room...the living room... conversations... snacks..and a late night movie or two 

 

  condensation happens .. helping hands 

Fun times.... 

Hard to feel the.... three person job of removing boots
Are they a little too small
or just too full of ocean ?  

Hot tub... day time and after dark 

Screen time 

Walks in town..

Fishing  fearlessly 

Uncle D time 

Game time 
the new Monopoly 

 

Best time ever
 head lamps, uncle D in the lead, low tide 
After dark adventure 

The reason for the gathering

Grampy turned 80

A great time was had by all 



Memories are made of this

 I live an exciting life 

Celebrating

 

The cake that almost stole the show 

There is usually a story behind a special cake, so here goes

We met Janet last summer. Yes, during the covid isolation and restrictions, our friends invited us to a back yard picnic and also invited two more of their friends.   One of them, Janet, was new to us.  

We really enjoyed our evening together, keeping our distance and wearing our masks ( except while eating our BBQ..then Ice cream...then candy )

As we were saying our goodbyes, Janet mentioned that she would be available to come and help with housecleaning.   Since we had just lost Elizabeth ( she moved to Nevada) we were delighted to have a new cleaning princess.

Along with the bi monthly visits, we got to know Janet better and better and like her more and more.  We got the feeling that the feeling was mutual.

It is now December and Janet wanted to make Darrell a birthday cake. When she found out that we had a family celebration planned in January,  the date for delivery was set.

What flavor does he like? 

What size will work? 

Is 12 inch large enough, how about 14 or 16 inch?

Just a small cake will be wonderful !  

No it was not a small cake.  It was a 12 inch cake with layers and lemon filling .   

Yes, we have received some beautiful cakes, maybe even some with more detailed patterns.  But, there will never be a cake that was more appreciated, admired and enjoyed than Janet's cake.

The Party can begin !

And after 3 days of cake twice a day ( someone admitted to breakfast cake, making that 3 times a day)

There was enough cake left to share large portions  with five of our favorite neighborhood families 

Thank you Janet.

We love you, and your cake, but especially YOU !

80 years old, that is big

 Actually, 80 is HUGE  

We started feeling it early in the week.

First  ♪ Happy Birthday
Connie made very good cupcakes

The cards, emails, phone calls...started rolling in

The actual date is December 23

Nita came and let the whole neighborhood know ...

Then most of the local family gathered, with masks, outside, in downtown Bellevue 

  Hot chocolate for the 3 young guys 

 They brought balloons 
and
a special dessert 

( yes, it was shared ) 

After dinner, it was time for the stash of cards that had been hidden 
waiting for the day
The scrolls are the emails. 
 You see, the birthday boy does not use the computer so we printed out every email and rolled them up and tied them with a ribbon 

One of the gifts,  chocolate dipped fruit

came special delivery with a balloon 

He had time for one quick taste

before neighbors came to

sing and each cupcakes and   add a happy ending to the day 

Here are  two gifts that "brought down the house"

Salt and Pepper, Cream and sugar anyone? 
Lumberjack size 
 

If you know Darrell,  you know wood is his world 

The big family celebration will be in January

We will avoid  the holiday  rush 

and spend  a few days on the Washington coast

the celebrating continues 

I live an exciting life