Road Trip!

WOW! About 3600 miles!  Jeff, Tim, my good friend Jen and myself headed south for the spring.  Jeff, Tim and I planned a trip to go see grandma and grandpa Cherry in Arizona.  We decided to bring Jen along and drop her off to see her parents in St. George, UT.  Jeff, Tim and I spent about 1 1/2 days in Vegas before driving all the way to Green Valley AZ.  The warm weather was so welcoming considering we drove through heavy rains all the way through WA, high winds through Oregon and snow flurries through to Salt Lake.  The worst thing... I could barely walk when we arrived in Vegas.  I figured it was because I was sitting so much for the drive.  It was some sort of sprain, strain or something in my hips. I limped up and down the strip not only from sore hips but also from my flip flop's cutting into my toe.  Las Vegas was like Disneyland for adults in a cheap sort of way.  We stayed at the Excalibur Hotel/Casino.  Boy, was the casino buzzing, literally.  There's this weird buzz from all the gaming machines.  I can't even imagine staying in there for hours, which I am sure some people do.  Like I said, the best part of Vegas is the sunshine and the pool! 

Our visit with grandma and grandpa Cherry was productive.  They are doing as well as expected.  The main reason for the trip was to check up on them and to bring back some of the larger things that they were ready to part with.  Jeff was able to get grandpa's lathe.  I brought back my mom's beautiful oak hutch and my grandmother's china.  Nona's china is around 90 years old.  It was nice for my parents to visit with the boys again too. With the boys having busier lives it might be the last time they get to have some one-on-one time with them.  I thinked they enjoyed their visit, all involved.

I sure enjoyed the roadtrip with Jen.  Jen was so much fun and so tolerant of the boys and their wacky humor. We were able to stay at Jen's family's houses along the way.  I felt so comfortable with her family

A Little Gem!!

Often when surfing the internet there seems to be so much one has to weed through just to occasionally stumble upon something spectacular.  When I do come across a rare find, I feel as if my world has opened up before my eyes.  I love these moments.  Even at 12:34 am I wish I could call someone to share this find with them!  I came across this short film, The Butterfly Circus.  It was right up my alley as far as spectacular goes. I am so appreciative when talented individuals share their talent.  Someone has to be their audience.  How LUCKY I am!

A Really Great Day!

Last Thursday Jeffrey and I went into Seattle.  He had a car part to take downtown and I couldn't pass up an opportunity to tag along on a BEAUTIFUL day.  We decided to go on a picture trek since it was so nice out.  We walked all over and went to our favorite places.  First, Jeff wanted to have me try a crepe at a place him and Kamee like to go to in the market.  We shared a ham, spinach and cheese crepe.  Next time I am going to get a dessert one.  Those look soooo good! 

We then went to take pictures of the different areas of Pike's Place Market. On of my favorite shops at the market is DeLaurenti.  I love that Italian grocery store.  Everytime I am there I get fresh pasta. 

The market was really crowded for the middle of day on a Thursday.  Poor Jeff tried to get a picture of this great sign that read, "cherries."   Since it was so crowded he could never get a clearing enough to snap the shot.  I also wanted him to capture a picture of this sign in the Sanitation Market, which is located across the street from the main part of Pike's Place.  The sign belonged to this little bakery called Three Girls Bakery.  One of my personal favorites!!!  The entire Sanitation Market was closed for a remodel.  Bummer for us and bummer for the shop owners! 

We decided we needed to go sample the best cheese at Beecher's.  Jeff got me hooked on a cheese called Flagship.  Oh my, is this a really great cheese.  It is a cross between a white cheddar and a gruyere.  YUMMY! (Tonight I made a creamy pasta sauce with that cheese to go over the fresh pasta)

We journeyed  up the street towards Westlake for more favorite spots for picture taking.  There is this store from England called All Saints.  The store has a great decorum!  The entire store is decorated with all antique dressmaking machinery.  I have never seen so many antique sewing machines in one place.  Jeff was capturing photos when he was asked NOT to.  Again bummer!  He did get a couple of shots though.

We decided to call it a day when, yes, the rains started.  I guess great weather for half a day is better than not at all. We have a hard time not ending our day in Seattle without going to Dick's in the U district, no matter if we are hungary or not. 
This was a great day in Seattle.  Mostly, I enjoyed spending some one-on-one time with Jeffrey!