Saturday, July 31, 2010

Maverick and Goose and a Reindeer


Do you remember Maverick and Goose? Of course you do. 1986 was the year of Top Gun.
"I feel the need... the need for speed!"
---Maverick and Goose


I have my own Maverick and Goose  Reindeer.

"That's right Ice...man. I am dangerous."---Maverick


"I think I'll go embarrass myself with Goose."  ---Maverick 
(reindeer!)


"Great balls of fire!"---Goose


"No. No, Mav, this is not a good idea." ---Goose
 "Sorry, Goose, but it's time to buzz a tower." ----Maverick


And on occasion they buzz the tower. Without permission. Just like Maverick and Goose.
A little Maverick and a little Reindeer. 

"Gutsiest move I ever saw, Mav." ---Hollywood

Gutsy indeed. 

Here's hoping no one is buzzing your tower without permission on this summer Saturday.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

For the Twi-hards

I finished reading Twilight on the airplane out to Washington. I started reading New Moon on a ferry bound for Victoria, British Columbia.
A view from another ferry near the end of a very big day. We landed here.
You don't recognize it? 
It was 9:30 in the evening when we arrived in Port Angeles. We were actually just driving through. The plan was to quickly run up to Forks, but we ran out of day. We had to bust it for another ferry. Rats. The moon was shining. The sky was glowing. I wish I had better pictures. Obviously this picture was taken from the car where the speedy driver had not read the books. Ahem.
We drove through downtown Port Angeles. The movie theater in their small downtown area was showing Eclipse. I wonder if the people there think the books and movies are as interesting as the rest of the world???
I became a little obsessed with New Moon on our vacation. Bruce wanted to catch a Mariner's game. He suggested I bring the book along. Confession: I had thought of that before he suggested it. I ruled it out because I thought I might seem uninterested in his idea of fun. So when he mentioned it, I quickly threw it in my bag.
I finished it on the plane ride home. I'm currently a quarter of the way through Eclipse. 
Team Edward or team Jacob? I'm not sure yet. Time will tell.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Banya Day Spa--Everett, WA

Occasionally, people ask me where they should get a massage when they are on vacation. Some of you are asking, why would anyone ask her that? Well, I'm a massage therapist, who secretly wants to be a spa secret shopper in my free time.

A week ago, I went to the Downtown Banya Spa in Everett, Washington. It's attached to a church.
I know why these girls across the street are dancing.
A church and a spa at the same place? It's as close to heaven on earth as I can imagine. Amen!
My massage therapist, Tasha, greeted me, and invited me to use the hot or cold pools and either (or both) of their saunas. They have two: one dry, one wet.
I put my spa robe on and headed for the Russian sauna. I couldn't wait to get warm. When you come from a state where it's been 100 degrees to a state averaging 65 degrees, it might as well be 40. That's what it felt like to me. Staying warm is an issue of mine.

I sat in silence for awhile. Did I mention that I had the spa all to myself on that lovely day? I was alone in a spa, in a church, just me. And I was about to get a massage. I sat and talked to God. I thanked Him. My friend Taryn would say, "Don't you just feel God romancing you?" Uh, yeah. 

Regretfully, I did not get a picture of Tasha. She was friendly, knowledgeable and gave me the best massage I've ever had. And I've had more than most! She found every spot in my knotted up body and worked my muscles into submission. They happily gave in.

This is my favorite picture of me from our trip. It takes me back to how good I felt. Dreamily optimistic and hair with plenty of lift. Not a care in world. Full of praise for my Creator.
So, if you live in the Seattle area or plan to visit there, here's my recommendation:  
Make a day of it. Attend the Russian church attached to the the banya on a Sunday (next time I will), have lunch at the bistro (also in the same building), and then go to the spa. They are open on Sundays. Can you imagine a more perfect day?

Monday, July 26, 2010

The Winner!

A random generator from randomgenerator.org chose number 10 out of 14 as our winner of the Joseph Joseph Scoop Colander from Sur La Table.

And the winner is......................................................................



What's your favorite kitchen gadget?

Little Spouse on the Prairie said... Gadgets come and gadgets go! My good ol' small paring knife has proved a trusty friend over the decades. It has scaled fish, dug unsightly dirt from a dog's tooth, dug out dried tacky glue from antique projects, and of course the quintessential task of chopping small bits of onion for your morning quiche. Did I sound like Julia? Hey, I've been to that store too! I think it's it's the mothership of all Sur la tables. Janice

Congratulations, Janice! Email me your address and I'll send you your new scoop colander. I used mine twice over the weekend. Once for pasta and once for the hot bath I gave my tomatoes before I made them into salsa. It's wonderful!!!!!   

Friday, July 23, 2010

Sur La Table and a Giveaway

Sur La Table is a gourmet kitchen store that caught my attention while I was in Seattle. How I saw it, I have no idea. It's next to Beecher's cheese shop and after the gloriousness that I experienced there, it's amazing that I could see past the chub of my cheeks.
I couldn't help but think of all of you who commented on the Pryde's of Old Westport post. post. I had some similar visions. Visions of shopping with each of you who commented.
Of what you would interest you. 


I always think of my friend Elisa when I see the smiley face. She decorated her dorm room in smiley faces.
And as I was thinking about Elisa and all of you, Bruce came over and said, "You have got to see this sign. It's so you." 


Thank you, Julia Child. This quote is bound to show up in my kitchen some day.
Bruce looked around for a bit more and then went outside. The Russian bakery was calling his name, and he could smell it. And yes, we went there. But first I had some clearance items to look at.
I ended up just purchasing a few cookie cutters and a Joseph Joseph Scoop Colander for myself. I despise suitcase limitations.
I purchased one to giveaway, too, because Bruce's grandma told me to have fun on this trip. And this is my idea of fun.

I'm giving away the red one.


Leave a comment by answering this question: What's your favorite kitchen gadget?
Comment under this post by 9 pm on Sunday, July 25th, CST. 
The winner will be announced on Monday morning.
One entry per person.

***The contest is now closed. See you in the morning!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Seattle Love.

I had never been to Seattle before.

Seattle: home of Nirvana, Starbucks, Fraiser Crane, Microsoft, and Sleepless in Seattle.

"It rains nine months of the year in Seattle."

I was prepared for rain, but it never came.

When I first set my eyes on Pikes Market, the sun was going down. There was much fun to be had here in the morning.
And morning came! I knew they sold and threw fish around here.

So, when I saw these cherries, I about passed out. They couldn't taste as good as they looked. They tasted better! Beautiful, sweet, cherries.
Peas. Oh please. How can I get these home?
Garlic the size of a grapefruit. I did bring one of these babies home. I wonder if people will be able to smell me coming once I use it?
There were rows and rows of flowers. Bunches and bunches for five dollars.
And then there was this. I love water. I want to live by the water. Any body of water. In Kansas, we are as far away from water as we could be.
Across the street is Beechers. They make cheese. Our eyes widened. Our mouths watered.
The employee serving up our helping of their famous Mac and Cheese told us that Martha Stewart says it's the best Macaroni and Cheese she's ever eaten. I tried to find a quote online...I found a recipe for Beecher's Mac and Cheese.
See the tip jar behind the mac cheesy goodness. That cracked me up.

He loved it.
I loved it. It was 9:30 in the morning.
After all that cheese, we needed something to wash it down. So, we went to the first original Starbucks. It's right down the street. Across from Pikes, too. I love this town.
Tomorrow---more from Seattle. And a giveaway!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

Bruce had a business trip, and I tagged along for a week.
We were able to get away for an entire week BY OURSELVES. It was heavenly.
Today is our first day to detox from vacation. I imagine reality will hit at about 4 pm. 
Bruce will probably get the SRN text.  

I am on my way to pick up the girlios from Grandma Camp, and I'm excited to see my them. I wave goodbye to the week that was. 

Goodbye sleeping through the night. Hello, 2:00AM, 4:30 AM, and 5:30 AM.
Goodbye Beecher's Mac & Cheese. Hello, Kraft.
Goodbye clean towels every day. Hello, laundry.
Goodbye reading for hours on end. Hello, Pinkalicious.
Goodbye 60 degrees. Hello, 103.
Goodbye long detailed conversations. Hello, what was I just saying?

Ready, or not. Here I come.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

BLT + Pesto Mayo

I love it when the tomatoes are ripe and juicy.
That means it's BLT season.

Sometimes we use Miracle Whip instead of Hellman's. I use whatever we have.

Sometimes I use turkey bacon, and sometimes we use the piggy kind.

Occasionally we use spinach instead of lettuce. This time we used lettuce.

Last summer we began adding pesto to our BLT's.  I usually mix it into the mayo creating a pesto mayo (PM) of goodness. This time I just spread it right on top of the mayo.
 BLT + PM= TRUE YUM.
 There is so much love to be had this summer. I need to start pacing myself.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Ella the Reader

This past year Ella began reading sight words. Out of all the things that I want for her in this world, a love for reading is in the top 10. Here she is playing our "reading game".  


The Reader from Kimberlee Jost on Vimeo.


Right now she loves to read, and I love being read to. Read on my little reader.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Birthday Gift Idea For Kids

Awhile back I read in a magazine that if you think kids have too much stuff, you should try to create an experience for them rather than give them toys for their birthday. I know the last thing my kids need is more stuff. This is the type of thought I appreciate as a parent, so I thought that other

In the past year, nearly all of Ella's friends have received this as their birthday gift: a family movie night gift package.

Think back to when you were a kid. Wouldn't you have loved to get a couple of different kinds of candy, popcorn and soda pop (caffeine free is an appreciated idea) as a gift? I would've been totally excited about any ONE item. Heck, I'd be excited if someone gave this to me now. (I have given this gift in appreciation of Sunday School teachers at Christmastime too. They LOVE it.)

Add one (or two if you're really generous!) movie rentals to the bowl of goodies. Remember how grown up you felt when you got to choose the movie?
 Ella and Talia signed their names to this one for Anna.
This gift will not cost you a fortune. I usually spend $10-12 on birthday gifts. This was definitely in my budget. I think I did this for about $10 total. And I wrapped this in a white trash bag. I did. The kids don't care. They just want to open something.

Here's Ella and Anna at her party. Happy Birthday birthday month, Anna!
Everyone needs a friend like Anna. She's an includer, an encourager, and a hugger. Who doesn't need more of those things in their life? 

We've almost come full circle in the birthday party rotations, so it's time to think of something new. What's your favorite gift to give kids on their birthday? I'm listening.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

You Are Blessed

Several years ago my friend Sara printed this out and gave it to all the women attending our Bible study. I had it on my fridge for years. I started thinking about this passage today and felt a nudge to share it. Somebody else needs to read this besides me. 
Read it slowly. 
Read it outloud. I cry every time I do this.
Whatever your situation is today, you are blessed.

Matthew 5 (The Message)

1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

 3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
 4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
 5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
 6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
 7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
 8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
 9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
 10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
 11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble."

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Pryde's of Old Westport

A couple of weeks ago Bruce and I took a day trip to Kansas City for my birthday. We had no agenda, but in the back of my mind I was hoping we would make it to Pryde's of Old Westport. Pryde's is the largest "gourmet housewares and kitchen & home accessories store" that I have ever been to. It's worth a trip to Kansas City just to experience it. My mother-in-law and I can easily spend three hours here. We've done it. 
Does anyone want to sign up for the SRN getaway tour to Prydes yet? 
Love. True love.
I am daydreaming even now. I look at these pictures and instantly I want to return, buy some more Fiestaware, a new tart pan, some wooden spoons, a cake plate or two, and have a piece of pie AND a coconut macaroon at The Upper Crust


The SRN tour to Pryde's of Old Westport will depart shortly after the kids go back to school. Who's with me?
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