Windmills and tulips

Amsterdam is such a delightful city, but we knew we wanted to spend some time out in the country while we were in the Netherlands. We had timed our trip just perfectly so we were able to see all the tulips in bloom, but I also had been dreaming about visiting a Dutch windmill. Windmills are the most famous Dutch icon and I was eager to see them in person.

On our day trip to the countryside we were able to explore a working windmill. This particular windmill was crushing pigments to make paint while another one nearby was grinding spices. Standing on the deck of a windmill is something everyone should experience once in their life. 

Iceland

Even though our stop over to Iceland was brief, we were still able to enjoy beautiful scenery, open roads and all four seasons in two days. Oh how I love Iceland, the combination of a subtle color palette, wide open spaces and the dynamic, unpredictable weather. Iceland will always be the place of my dreams. 

Amsterdam

We just returned from a two week adventure in Iceland, Amsterdam and Paris. Although I found each place to be uniquely exciting and different, hands down Amsterdam won for the most charming city. Everywhere I turned it was so delightful I found myself constantly taking photographs. I desperately wanted to document all the adorable homes, bridges and canals we were witnessing. Between the whizzing bicycles, cobblestones streets and endless canals I found Amsterdam to be different than any other place I have visited before.  

A family of four!!!

There is exciting news and then there is scream-it-from-the-rooftops-call-everyone-you-know type of news. We are happy to announce we will be adding our second child to our family in October. My heart is so full right now I could burst!

Traveling around Europe

Almost fourteen years ago I backpacked through Europe. I went with my friend for a month and during that time we managed to visit France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. In my whirlwind adventure I fell in love with the world, traveling and all it had to offer. In my opinion, travel begets travel which means that trip forever left me altered. Once you take the initial leap to pack your bag, criss cross time zones and learn to navigate in a foreign country you learn how little you need and how much you have to offer the world. 

A European adventure

Hello again!

I must apologize for the silence this past week on the blog. We just returned from a two week trip around Europe. Preparing for a trip is a time consuming endeavor. Between making certain all my plants were watered, the refrigerator was emptied and trying to tie up loose ends this blog ended up being neglected. But I am back, reenergized (despite jet lag) and ready to share with you all the many places we went, experiences we had and of course many, many photos. Over the past two weeks we have spent time in Iceland, Amsterdam and Paris. Each place was so unique and our time there will have a special place in my heart. 

La Conner Tulip Festival

Sometimes you cannot plan everything perfectly, so this year we went to the La Conner Tulip Festival a little early. We knew all the tulips would not be in bloom yet, but we had a free Saturday and made a day of it. Regardless of whether the tulips are fully in bloom or not it is a beautiful place and a great day trip. 

If you head there in the next week or two you should be able to enjoy fields and fields of tulips. 

My blue period

Over the past month I have been experiencing a period I like to call my "blue period". Picasso had a blue period, so maybe I am channeling my inner artist. This might not seem noteworthy, but I am typically a girl who is drawn to coral, pinks, and reds. From what I wear to the fabrics I have chosen for my upcoming quilt, time and time again over the past month I seem to be drawn to blues. Chambray, denim, navy, pinstripe, I have been having fun with this tonal selection of hues. 

The beach

All it takes is one seventy degree day and I start dreaming of the beach. Growing up in Washington, I am very accustom to cold, stormy and rocky beaches. Warm, soft sand beaches are actually something of a novelty around here. The things I love most about the beach don't involve bathing suits or sunscreen, rather I always find the beaches around here to be a calm, remote, and reflective places. When I am at the beach I love to explore tide pools, have a bonfire, spend the evening watching the sun dip below the horizon, and pitching our tent directly on the beach. 

Capturing fleeting moments

Our memories are never as good as we would like them to be. I cannot tell you how many time photographs have played an integral part in jogging my memory of years past. Just this past week, after a hard rain storm I ran out to capture our cherry blossom tree in full bloom. I wanted to capture its brilliance before the wild spring weather turned its delicate petals into confetti all over our lawn. 

Surprise balls

I have three nieces all from the same family who have their birthdays within six weeks of one another. In order to keep the peace I have tried my best over the years to give them all similar gifts. As the eldest is becoming a teenager, this is becoming increasingly hard, so this year I decided to do something different and create Surprise Balls for them.  For those of you who have never heard of these before, they are easy to recreate and adapt to the recipients age and taste. 

Portland on a whim

One Saturday in March, we saw the weather was warmer in Portland was possibly going hit seventy degrees. Since we had the day free, we jumped in the car and spent the day eating, walking, shopping and basking in the glorious sunshine. As much as I am a planner, I appreciate the impulsiveness of my husband. When he is not working, he does not like to spend his time creating plans. This used to drive me a bit crazy, but I have decided in regards to his schedule he likes to be as free as the wind.  

Easy Easter treat

Do you like to hand out little Easter treat to friends, dinner guests or someone a little too old for an Easter basket? Then look no further, these scalloped window boxes are the perfect thing. 

University of Washington cherry blossoms

When beautiful weather combines with perfect timing and gorgeous flowers it is a wonderful moment. A couple weeks ago I saw the University of Washington cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and as luck would have it, it coincided with a breathtakingly beautiful Friday evening. We enjoyed strolling around my alma mater while I snapped photographs as if I had never seen a cherry blossom before. 

Orcas Island

We love spending time in the San Juan Islands and Orcas Island is one of our favorite. Like all places we visit frequently we have generated a list of our favorite places to go and things to check out. 

Familiar blues and grays

When the sun comes out in Seattle we all shout its praises. However, when it is raining outside we often overlook how beautiful it is in its own right. Here are some images from a day trip we took earlier this month when the rain came pouring down all day long and every vista looked like a muted watercolor. 

Turtleback Farm Inn

A couple weeks ago we enjoyed a picturesque weekend on Orcas Island. We stayed at the charming Turtleback Farm Inn and enjoyed solitude, rolling farmlands and excellent service. The Inn is located in Crow Valley and sits on the western side of Orcas Island. The proprietors, Susan and Bill Fletcher are energetic, friendly and as welcoming as can be. They simultaneously serve, entertain and engage their guests.