A Children's Library

A Children's Library

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting

With a new little one in our midst we are eager to build a wonderful and inspiring children's library. Some of my fondest memories from childhood were being read to before bed time, circling every book I wanted from our monthly book order and then eagerly anticipating their arrival and spending many a long Summer day reading the afternoon away on our deck. In an effort to teach our child to love reading at an early age and to create an environment where books are more interesting than video games and television with the help of family and friends we have been busily building our children's library. 

What are some of your favorite children's books?

Totokaelo

Totokaelo

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle

There are some spaces so fresh, organized and calming you desire to stay in them all day, Totokaelo is one of those spaces. I find when shopping if you want to stop, touch and pick up everything then chances are you have found a store which speaks to you. From their housewares to their shoe wall I could envision owning most of what was in their store. Unfortunately, on the day I was visiting my feet were a bit swollen from being pregnant and none of the shoes were fitting to my liking. Venturing back here post baby is high up on my to do list. 

Paternity leave survival kit

Paternity leave survival kit

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting

Aside from counting down the days until our baby arrives, I am also eagerly counting down the days until Cameron is home on paternity leave. It will be such a joyous occasion to spend my days with two of my favorite boys by my side. In celebration of this special time in our lives, I thought it would be fun to put together a simple, but thoughtful little paternity survival kit for Cameron.

Learning to slow down

Learning to slow down

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting

Pregnancy and motherhood have taught me a lot about myself. They have forced me to look inside myself, tested my faith, my patience and taught me how much I yearned to be a mother. Like most women I assumed children would naturally come. Once I decided I was ready to have them then nine months later they would be safely placed in my arms. Looking back, I realize how naive this notion was. After unexpectedly loosing our first child I constantly feared I would not be able to have another child. I feared this not for any medical or logical reason, but more out of not understanding how my life was going to look. 

Oddfellows Cafe + Bar, Seattle WA

Oddfellows Cafe + Bar, Seattle WA

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle

On my birthday I hoped for two things: I wanted there to be sunshine at some point in the day and I wanted to have brunch somewhere I had never been. I am happy to report, both of these things came to pass and were the perfect start to my special day. I decided to meet my friend, Kristi, at Oddfellows for brunch because I continuously hear good things about it. The weather that morning was so bright and sunny we were able to sit outside and enjoy our brunch al fresco. Sunshine and seventy degree weather in the middle of October is pretty much the best birthday present I could possibly ask for. 

Birthdays

Birthdays

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

Growing up my parents knew how to make birthdays feel special. On your birthday you were given the thing you wanted most as a child- control. On your birthday you were given the opportunity to decide what we had for dinner and what kind of cake you wanted. Like clockwork the dining room would be decorated with streamers and balloons and a small pile of presents would be awaiting you. Dinner was enjoyed on a red plate and you were made to feel like a V.I.P.  As I have gotten older these traditions have continued. My Mom still wants to know what I want for dinner, what kind of cake I would like to eat and some suggestions for gifts are always appreciated. My parents have a talent for being able to make you feel special, on your birthday or any other day of the week. 

Mamnoon

Mamnoon

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle

Last year, Seattle Met voted Mamnoon the best restaurant in Seattle. Ever since we read the reviews we have been meaning to head over and check it out. Mamnoon summarizes its food as a modern union of middle eastern cuisines.  A year later we finally made it and all I can say is WOW! The flavor combinations were dynamite and the food left you feeling satisfied, but not overly stuffed. 

One of my absolute favorite things to do is try new restaurants where the food created is stuff I would never think to make on my own. Pair the adventure of a new place with an evening out with friends and you have yourself the perfect night out in my book.  

Japanese Garden

Japanese Garden

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle

The Seattle Japanese Garden is a wonderful place this time of year. The maple trees have started to turn from green to fiery oranges and reds. The large pond in the center of the garden, is a fun place to spend some time watching the koi fish and turtles laze about. When planning your visit to the Japanese Garden, if you go early in the day you can have the place to yourselves even on the weekends. 

Honest diaper cake

Honest diaper cake

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting

Over the past couple of months we have been showered with many lovely and thoughtful gifts from friends and family for our baby. Today I wanted to share one of the most practical gifts we received- an Honest diaper cake. What is a diaper cake some of you might ask? A diaper cake is a clever way to present an essential, expensive, but not necessarily the most exciting baby need out there- diapers. Along with almost one hundred diapers inside the cake there is non toxic nursery essentials like laundry detergent, baby wipes, face and body lotion, bubble bath, and healing balm. 

An afternoon with Mom

An afternoon with Mom

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

Last week, I headed back to Carpinito Brothers with my mother to buy a whole bunch of produce to make soup and a few pumpkins and gourds for her home. I loved how my mom's classic black and white outfit looked against all the orange so I sneakily snapped a few photos of our time together. Between the mild weather, the gorgeous colors outside and all the impending excitement of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas this truly is my favorite time of year. 

Spooked in Seattle Tour

Spooked in Seattle Tour

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle

If you are looking for something festive, unique and spooky for Halloween then may I suggest taking a Spooked in Seattle Tour. Whether you really believe in ghosts or spirits is beside the point, this evening tour guides you through the heart of Pioneer Square as they speak of Seattle's sordid past. Did you know Pioneer Square is believed to hold some of the most haunted places in Seattle? The Spooked in Seattle Tours are given by real life ghost hunters and their enthusiasm for the topic shines through during the entire tour. Grab a group of friends, dress is something ghoulish and head out for a bite to eat followed by a nighttime walk through the streets of Seattle with a Spooked in Seattle Tour. 

An evening at Glasswing with Seattle Bloggers Unite

An evening at Glasswing with Seattle Bloggers Unite

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle

I have loved everything about Glasswing from the moment they opened their brick and mortar store on Capitol Hill. The owners, Forest and Lisa, are amongst the most genuine and eager shop owners you will encounter. Their passion for both their brand and their products radiates in everything they do. I have known for awhile I have wanted to team up with them for an evening with Seattle Bloggers Unite.

Apple Picking at Gordon Skagit

Apple Picking at Gordon Skagit

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting

Although I already mentioned Gordon Skagit Farm in a previous post last week, I also wanted to mention how much I really love their little apple orchard. Their apples are reasonably priced and are some of the crunchiest, most delicious apples I have ever eaten. In keeping with tradition with came here again this year on Asher's birthday. After we picked our apples. we decided to snap a couple photos of the three of us in the orchard. Initially, I had mixed emotions about focusing my attention on anyone other than Asher, but after some thought I came to the realization that no one is probably more excited than Asher for us to be growing our family. 

Chuckanut Drive and Bow, Washington

Chuckanut Drive and Bow, Washington

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Weekend, Travel

After enjoying a sunny morning picking apples at Bellewood Acre Farms we decided to take the long way home and drive along Chuckanut Drive. The sun was shining, the car windows were down and we were enjoying one our last warms days before autumn and its cooler temperatures settled in. We enjoyed a quick stop at Taylor Shellfish Farm and then once we realized how close we were to Bow, WA we knew we just had to stop. Bow, WA is home to one of our favorite bakeries called Breadfarm in addition to several adorable shops like Hedgerow. 

Gordon Skagit

Gordon Skagit

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

My favorite place to go for beautiful and unique pumpkins is Gordon Skagit Farm. They carry everything from French Red to Porcelain Provence, Australian Blue and several other varieties of pumpkins. One of the best things about Gordon Skagit Farm is how everything is thoughtfully and beautifully laid out. I always walk away with a wheelbarrow full of autumn goodness along with something extra like a handmade wreath or Indian Corn. Between the lovely apple orchard, fresh cider and beautiful paintings interspersed amongst the pumpkins, this place is something out of my dreams. 

Honoring Asher

Honoring Asher

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Asher, Parenting

Each year on my son's birthday I simultaneously feel sad and look forward to the date. My thoughts often turn toward how old he would have been, what kind of party I might have thrown for him and what our life would have looked like if he were around. Inevitably, on the day of his birth I have moments of tears and sadness, but my general feelings have been of gratitude and happiness. I know without a shadow of a doubt my son would want me to be happy. 

Friend baby shower

Friend baby shower

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting

Last weekend some of my nearest and dearest friends hosted the loveliest baby shower for me and baby #2. Initially, I was a bit of nervous about being the guest of honor at the party. My typical role is hostess and I wasn't certain how I would feel being on the other end. However, I can honestly say once I was there I felt comfortable, loved and supremely spoiled. It might be all these pregnancy hormones running through my body, but upon reflection I felt overwhelmed by my friend's kindness and outpouring of love for me and our new baby. 

Carpinito Brother's Pumpkin Patch

Carpinito Brother's Pumpkin Patch

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

We like to visit the Pumpkin Patch early before the weekend crowds start piling up and before the weather turns the fields into a muddy mess. This past weekend the sun was shining and we set out to find the perfect pumpkins. There are several pumpkin patches we like to visit, but Carpinito Brothers is always a sure bet for a variety of good looking pumpkins and a cornucopia of delicious produce at reasonable prices. Since our visit I have turned a majority of our produce into one of our favorite fall meals, Garden Minestrone. 

Sinclair Beach Cottage

Sinclair Beach Cottage

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

A few weekends ago we stayed at a brand new rental property called Sinclair Beach Cottage. Sinclair Cottage is a quiet, beach front, one bedroom house located in Port Orchard, Washington. The house resides on the Sinclair inlet across the way from the Bremerton ferry terminal. This means day or night you are able to sit inside the house or on the back deck and watch the ferries and other boats cruise by. 

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