Willkomen!

For some reason, for two years Adam and I dressed up as Bavarians (although I am not sure that is what the tittle said on the package) for Halloween. There was a one year gap in between this attire where I insisted that we dress as the Baby and Johnny from Dirty Dancing. Adam was not happy with his costume as nobody could really tell who he was. I guess he and Patrick Swayze do not have much of a resemblance to one another. Anyways, the following year, Adam asked if we could wear the costumes with the Lidershosen (sp?) again, thus affirming his love of Bavarian culture and the perfect reason to head to...LEAVENWORTH!

Which is just what we did this last weekend. For those who have not been to Leavenworth before, it is a town where people regularly wear liederhosen, eat brats, and a man plays some type of long horn at breakfast. In other words, we would have fit in PERFECTLY in our Halloween costumes! But, don't worry, we did not wear them.

A nice short drive (about 2 hours on HI-2) Leavenworth is nestles in the mountains just beyond Steven's pass, and could be a nice stopping point on the way to Lake Chelan. The weather was beautiful, people were friendly, and the wine tasting rooms were fabulous! Here are some of the top places we would recommend while visiting:

Where to stay:

Enzian Inn

(This place was great-free breakfast, a putting course, and a great swimming pool)!

800-223-8511 509-548-5269

http://www.enzianinn.com

Food:

Visconti's of Leavenworth
636 Front Street, Leavenworth, WA, 98826
509-548-1213
Delicious food, but come on an empty stomach...this place serves 5 courses of Italian cuisine! My favorite was the Gnocchi!

Tasting: Keep mind that i am not really a wine expert and although I can swirl wine around in my glass and comment on the flavors, I really judge wineries and tasting rooms on the ambiance, people who work there, and the feeling I have while visiting. My palate can really only differentiate between "good" and "bad" so there will be no comments here on smokey flavors, hints of fruit, etc. I just know that all of these wines were "good" and the environment was an enjoyable one in which to spend the afternoon!

1) Ryan Patrick Vineyards

http://www.ryanpatrickvineyards.com/
636 Front Street, Suite 2, Leavenworth, WA, 98826
509-888-2236

- We liked this one because the woman working was extremely nice and helpful. Also, the wines are great! A colorful rose was especially good. For $2, you get to taste about 7 different wines!

2)Krestel Vinters

http://www.winesnw.com/kestrel.htm

- This is the place that creates the "Lady in Red" series, and the "Blond" series depicting women in red or white dresses on the front. All of the wine we tasted here was smooth and tasty, and the older gentleman working the counter was entertaining and knowledgeable about all of the wines. Make sure you eat BEFORE you come here! They will pour you all of their available wines (about 15 of them) for about $2 per person!

3) http://bergdorfcellars.com/

This is a HUGE tasting room, with plenty of counter space for the many people that visit (and it was crowded when we arrived). The highlights of this visit include delicious chocolates from the SChocolate ( http://www.schocolat.com/history1.html) next door, and a tasting right out of a barrel!

Getting fit with FIDO...and hurt.

If you look in the Jackson High School 1999 yearbook, you will see that I was voted "Most Accident Prone." This never made sense to me...I have not broken a bone since I was three. Now I get it. I am simply REALLY clumsy, and somehow manage to end up tripping, falling, banging into various things on a regular basis. It is not even like I engage in dangerous sport or activities. I run. On flat surface. On a path.

A few weeks ago, I was volunteering at "Get Fit With FIDO" at the Seattle Animal Shelter (great program if you like running and dogs). Excitedly, I selected a nice Beagle named Linus as my running buddy that morning. He was a small but sturdy little guy who was anxious to gallop along at Myrtle Edwards Park. Everything was going fine until...I some how found myself entangled in Linus's leash.

Flying forward, I braced myself, and in an attempt not to land on Linus, I came crashing down on my knees. More embarrassed than injured, I hurriedly scampered to my feet. Immediately, people surrounded me, asking if I was okay. Slightly confused, I glanced down at my knee.

Blood was gushing everywhere. A nice couple who witnessed my humiliation grabbed a hold of the leash and helped me to walk to the water fountain where the other FIDO volunteers were waiting. My sister Meaghan looked puzzled when she saw this couple with Linus, and me limping while pressing a napkin to my knee. "Did your sister get hurt again" a lady from the animal shelter asked. (I was bit by a dog earlier this year, but that is another story).

Everybody ignored my claims that I was okay, and called for back-up. I insisted that I did not need a ride back, and hobbled along for the remaining 1/2 mile.

Needless to say, I probably should not have pretended I was okay and just gone in for stitches. Now, I have a huge scar on my knee, and it is stiff when I wake up in the morning! Is this a sign I am becoming "old?" It never used to hurt when I fell...

Perhaps I should invest in some knee pads and elbow guards?

P.S.

Linus, the Beagle handled this whole ordeal quite well (he seemed very concerned after I tripped over him). Sadly, he is still searching for his forever home. If you are looking for a nice Beagle, let me know! That is him, in the photo above!

Ahhh...Pedicures!

One of my obsessions is getting pedicures. In fact, I go every two weeks. Nothing is more relaxing to me than reclining in a massage chair, reading US Weekly, and having my toes done! For the past 5 years, I have been going to Diamond Nails on Queen Anne, where you can have all this for only 15 dollars!

It is not quite the same as going to Gene Juarez, but for 15 dollars, you can't beat it. (Oh, and they will use the razor on your feet- after your feet have been soaking, the women will half-hide the razor and show it to you. Just nod your head "Yes" if you would like it! Highly recommended!

Diamond Nails (Queen Anne)

533 1st Ave W

Seattle, WA 98119

(206) 281-1231

What Now?!

So, after I graduated from College (GO COUGS) in 2003, I began penning a novel (a memoir of sorts) about my life, and the lives of me and my friends. As 23-year olds new to Seattle and going out all the time, I had MANY interesting anecdotes to share!

Needless to say, I became rather busy with work, and let this fall to the wayside. Now, my life is not quite as exciting, so I am not sure if anybody would enjoy reading about how I get up at 5:30, teach 6th graders, and then come home and watch TV...I am guessing, it would not be a bestseller!

Anyways, today, my good friend Chrissy was talking about starting a family blog so people could see pictures of her adorable 6 week old little girl, Livvy. She suggested that I start a blog too, so I did. I am not promising much. I have no cute baby pics. I am not crafty (I have attempted scrapbooking once, and the outcome was horrible). I do not have photos of delicious meals I have prepared. This will just be a blog of random thoughts, wonderings, etc. of my life! Hopefully, this will lead to a new novel??? Enjoy!