Author: Rachel

I hesitate to jinx it by declaring it, but Spring’s come early to Seattle this year. On my morning commute with Mr. T, we spotted trees with white blooms in front of the U-District Library.

Today: all about getting back into the swing of things after a weekend at the Winter Olympics. I’ve got a little bit of a backlog right now. But first, some of us need to go running.

Today: food styling & photography workshop with Lara Ferroni! A+

(Yeah, words are getting short as we approach the wedding.)

Last night, we discovered the Swiss House serving raclette and fondue into the wee hours. We returned for lunch, for another great meal. While we were there, one of the Swiss athletes won gold in cross country so there was a whole lot of celebrating.

On our way home to Seattle tonight via Vancouver, Naomi took us to Bo Laksa for burmese laksa and roti. GO THERE.

Mr. T & I started Valentine’s at a fantastic little brunch place Naomi recommended named Ciao Thyme. Eggs Benedict with Canadian (?) bacon hit the spot.

In the afternoon, we went with Kate & Jesse to the Men’s Luge* up at Whistler Sliding Centre.

Dinner: the phenomenal Sushi Village for 8. We wrapped up the evening watching the Rings of Fire on Whistler Mountain and walking around Whistler Village.

*I gave up on most stills, trying to catch the luge go by — I resorted to videos again:

Today, we spent hours in lines getting tickets and getting to places. BUT. Totally worth it to be there for the weekend and to get into events.

We kicked off our Olympics spectating with the Women’s Biathlon.

I consider myself extraordinarily blessed that my good friend Naomi invited us up to Whistler with her for the opening weekend of the Winter Olympic Games. After a frenzied week, we took off for Canada shortly after work.

To top off this good fortune, she researched places en route for us to eat. (She is a mastermind behind our DimSumCouver Expeditions.) En route, this was our stop – Joyce Jiaozi. I loved the hot chili – cilantro pork! Of course, the dumplings too.

Tonight, I visited a friend’s place for a party with Andrea Nguyen. She wrote Asian Dumplings, published last year. We practiced wrapping dumplings, ate very very well, & ended the evening with a discussion about her inspiration and her childhood.

Today will be a lot like yesterday. Another day, another errand. I came across this on Queen Anne this morning. I like how they’re all classy up there, check out the Bohemian offerings.

Ongoing wedding planning directed me towards Display & Costume tonight. I love a leprechaun!

But let’s not forget upcoming Valentine’s Day. I appreciated the reminder before shopping. I’m horrible with remembering to pick up gifts.

I couldn’t tell you who played in last year’s Superbowl, not without googling. I had to wear this necklace today in honor.

Like another friend put it, whatever happens, everything will just keep rolling along. But wouldn’t it be great if they won? Geaux Saints!

My first Valentine’s gift of 2010: Quatchi. We both love the earmuffs.

This fella’s a mascot for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. Under a week away! Excited!

As we left work today, a coworker confided, “Doesn’t it feel like we’ve turned the corner on Winter?” Yup. It was dusk! At 5:30! It’ll just keep getting better from here.

Mr. T and I stopped for Happy Hour at newly reopened Scarlet Tree on our way home from work. The banner for half priced appetizers from 5-7 had been tempting us for two weeks — sounded more fun than firing up the stove.

Halfway through our chalky little dish of teeny fish tacos and the Mediterranean feta hummus plate, I asked him if we should just take off although I was still hungry. I confessed I bought a bag of frozen hot ‘n spicy wings from Costco “for emergencies” the night before (I hadn’t eaten all day; I was weak). I told him I would rather eat some of those. He pointed out cheap wings on the menu so I took one final leap.
Though they were delivered by a very nice young man, these wings were the scrawniest little twigs you ever did see. Lesson learnt.

So I took my lunch outside to one of the picnic benches in the office complex where I was in training this week. (By the way, that was a nice touch. The benches, that is.)

I noticed this little fella as I looked down to start eating.

I confess this is from a few days ago, but I decided not to inflict my commuter highway images upon you. For now. I spent several hours in traffic today, and followed it up with a lovely evening at Oliver’s Twist for LUPEC Seattle. I was terribly impressed by the awesome service we received from the lady taking care of our 20-person group. I enjoyed it last time we visited, too.

In the meantime, seen this week: Camel Breath Tea at my neighborhood Whole Foods. Is such a product necessary? This took me straight back to an old Dave Barry column.

Today, I got to experience commuting to the Eastside again, to attend a training on Design Patterns. This is downtown Bellevue from our viewpoint, taken on a walk at lunchtime.

I am thankful for my normal bridge-less commute. Pro Tip: don’t take 25th to Montlake to the 520 when you have a perfectly good onramp at Ravenna and 65th to I-5.

Six years ago, when I was going through my first Christmas during my divorce, my friend Debi made sure I had a place to go on her Orphans and Jews (she’s Jewish) Christmas Eve since I was staying in town for the holidays. She knew I had no family in Puget Sound. This year, she was in the midst of a house purchase and her annual celebration was postponed til tonight. Her new house is in the first stage of its new incarnation.

In the midst of dinner, I realized today was the tenth anniversary of the day I rolled into King County. Ten years! I’d say time flies, but it feels like that happened 3 lifetimes ago.

This morning, The Baron had emergency surgery on his paw. Seems he got a little overzealous with the digging. He’ll be okay.

In the evening, we had one final gathering for our friends A&B. It was a seriously great time, even the part where I suspected two alpha females 😉 would go to the mat over the Rock Band mike situation.

Everyone brought a dish. Based on early response, we set the theme “dishes from places you’ve lived.” A brought both Russian & Greek food — one dish was tyrokafteri, a spicy feta dip, which happens to be my favorite. There was fried chicken, mac & cheese, apple pie, chicken enchiladas, herring, asian chicken salad, German sausages, and muffalettas.

When A&B left at the end of the night, I wondered when & where I’d see them again. I was sad to see them go. After a quick stop on the east coast, they move to Vladivostock later this year.

Today I committed to a dress! Four friends came along for moral support — the shop owner was impressed by my gang. Me too. I am lucky.

Tomorrow is a sendoff gathering for some friends moving east before SIBERIA, so I stopped at Trader Joe’s to get some “necessities.” I often fall prey to their inexpensive flowers. Today felt like a rosy kind of day.

A big project at work went live today. Hallelujahs all around.

Tonight, a Kim Ricketts book event for Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project. I learned of her years ago via Jackie Danicki. There was no hesitation when I saw tickets go on sale. All about Happiness for Type As.

One of tonight’s most valuable points: it’s socially brave to be enthusiastic. She called out Twilight, Barry Manilow, and so on. It brought to mind friends who’ve said using “guilty pleasure” is wrong – a pleasure is A PLEASURE and we shouldn’t have to apologize for it. I could expound upon that but I’m too busy freaking out about wedding planning right now. Oh, irony.