A weekend in Seattle...

Flowering plum blossoms

Spring is in air, the earth is warming and blossoms starting to emerge. Spring always brings such an explosion of change in color, texture in nature that I begin to feel revitalized as well! Winter isn't my fav season (full disclosure). As much as I try and embrace all days, I don't like to be cold...it's one of my Achilles heal. I find temporary solace in a nice fire, cooking comfort foods and being cozy with my family and dachshunds.

Gabby curled up next to the fireside chairs

 But as cute as this cuddle bug is, I look forward to the awakening of Spring each year! The longer days, the promise of warmer temps, vegetation growing again brings a heightened sense of invigoration. I get "ants in my pants" as Grandma Effie used to say to me. Getting out of the house is a must and I look for the opportunities to travel...

New Rhody blossoms

When the opportunity came last weekend to head to Seattle for a weekend of family birthday fun, time with two of my bestest girlfriends came along, I took my son and I headed out of Dodge...I mean Sequim.

Seattle is only a an hour's drive and a ferry ride away from my town but it feels so different in the energy level, the options of shopping, restaurants, of activities that I actually get energized by my trips there.

Weekend pics/schedule;
Saturday am my son and I stopped at Noah's Bagels in Kirkland and brought a half dozen assorted to my friend Cheryl and her family to share. I was so excited to see them, I forgot to take pics of the various bagels before devouring them. Next was a family party in Ballard for my niece Kasey's 12th birthday.  We have a fantastically close family who enjoys are time together and I leave feeling so blessed for our time together! Saturday night was dinner with my friend Beth at a Malaysian restaurant. This was a "first" experience with this cultural cuisine and I LOVED it and my time with my college friend. Sunday was coffee, breakfast with my parents and my son playing hours of basketball with my Dad.  My Mom and I went to Trader Joes to stock up...I took the flowering plum blossom pic there. Homeward bound again with a blustery ferry ride to Kingston and through the quant historic town of Port Gamble.

A stormy ferry crossing

A sailboat navigating the ferry lanes in Puget Sound

The Kingston ferry landing

Port Gamble's main street

 Returning home after a weekend away is such a treat! My husband missed us, the dogs are eagerly wagging away and our little slice of heaven in Sequim is peacefully welcoming.  Travel does that to me, fills me with an appreciation of what I have in my life and lucky me, my cup is full!

My niece Kasey and me at her Birthday via iPhone & ToonCamera

Here's to filling up your cup my friends.

Chow for now!