Some New and Some Traditions in October

The blog has been so spotty lately.  I don't have time to post because I am out there enjoying post able events and trips.  Anywhoo, let's get caught up, shall we?

First up, something new!  We stayed in our first AirBnB.  We were trying to camp with Jeremy and Rene' and Larry and Shelly.  We couldn't find a date, then we couldn't get reservations, finally we scrapped the camping and went to the city and stayed in the Big Red House.

Our house was cute and it was cozy because when we arrived our friends had cocktails and seafood risotto waiting for us. The drive was rainy, windy with serious traffic.

Saturday morning the sun came out and we went for breakfast at Belltown Brewery.

We visited the market.

I wanted the pretty peppers but I didn't want to carry them all day.  

We wandered downtown and then took the monorail to Seattle Center.  We had a lovely visit at the Chihuly Garden and Glass. I love that place,  It never gets old.

 The garden has matured since our last visit.

Mr. Chihuly has a trailer collection too.

We had tickets to go to the top of the Space Needle at 4:30.  Perfect time for us and we were excited to see the new glass floor.  Warning: If you sell me a ticket for a 4:30 time slot and then I have to wait in line for 2+ hours, it won't be pretty.  We got a refund and left it for next time.  

On to the Rhein Haus for some bocci ball, the Huskie game on TV, beer and dinner. It turned out to be their Octoberfest that evening.  Oh my!  That was fun.

It was so good to have time with our trailer friends in the city. I love these peeps!

Karen and I have a tradition of making dinner for each other for our birthdays.  We fuss.
It was a special birthday for her this October.

We do a new cocktail, dinner, presents, candles and cake, in other words, we celebrate the birthday girl.

Hubby made us Silver Bells for our cocktail.  We have had them at Oliver's Lounge.  They were created for a hospital Seattle Christmas Gala and have become a tradition for that event.

Hubby and I have a tradition of camping at Silver Lake in the fall. It's just the two of us and we play cards, cook, nap and read and hike and nap and read again.  It's perfect.

This year was really perfect as the sunshine was glorious, and the fall color has been amazing this year.  Since it was October, we couldn't rent a canoe.

Pork loin and twice baked potatoes on the bucket grill for dinner, yum!

Cooking in a Dutch oven is new to us.  I bought a Dutch oven for Hubby at a swap meet this year and he was wanting to try it. He took a class on Dutch Oven cooking at Nile Valley from Scott and Renee, so he had some knowledge.

He decided to try biscuits and gravy.  Full disclosure on biscuits and gravy and Hubby and I... we only allow ourselves to have it once a year.  It's yummy and fattening and we know that. Once I know we are having it I don't want to be disappointed with burnt gravy and gooey biscuits.  Right?

No disappointment here.  Oh my goodness, it was delicious.  We use Jimmy Dean hot sausage and a lot of black pepper.

And since biscuits and gravy weren't enough we also drove to Glacier for Wake'n Bakery coffee and cookies. It took a lot of hiking to justify biscuits and gravy and cookies.

Reading in the sunshine, yes please.

We have a small heater, flannel sheets and wool blankets to keep us warm.  It's fun to camp in the fall and cozy up. There were two other campsites with campers so it's quiet.

Morning coffee is pretty dreamy when you're camping.  Photo credit goes to Hubby.

 Good stuff and a lot of fun.  Now we are home and Annie is winterized and ready to go into the carport for the rainy season.  I am subbing quite a bit and Hubby has a new schedule.
Fall and home feel good.

Autumn Random

Oh Autumn, I love you-

Let's get caught up, shall we? Just because I haven't posted, things and life are all still happening.

Hubby has been busy cleaning up the yard and I've been busy cleaning up the house.  A summer of neglect and a very dusty, dry August left our place in shambles.  That and being gone a lot made for a mess, inside and outside.  

I wanted a new dining table and chairs, sold our other one on FB to a SOTF (sister on the fly) and took down the sconces and sold those to a friend.  I wanted a less cluttered look.

We are making a few changes around the house this fall.  I'm going to declutter, or die trying.

I am having camping withdrawals and it's not pretty.  Hubby and I hope to get to Silver Lake one more time this year. I'm not ready to put Annie away for winter just yet.

Last weekend was a fun and busy time. Our friends, Steve and Sheryl visited from Denver.  Sheryl DH and I met Sheryl V at college our freshman year.  When we get together it's like no time has passed.  We laugh and giggle like we are still living in the dorms.  Brad and Sheryl hosted because we had a family wedding on Saturday. It was a wonderful evening. And on Saturday we had some girl time. We forgot to take any pictures, but trust me, it happened!

On Saturday evening, my nephew Levi married Kat at the Majestic.  We are so happy to add Kat to our family!  She is a keeper.  They had cake and cup cakes so I guess they are really married. The cupcakes were crazy good!

 Obviously, Sam and Max are snarking about their Mom.

Sam and Max spent a lot of time with Levi growing up. They went back and forth between our houses. 

 Great Aunt Kathi and Aurora enjoyed the reception.

 My sister Jodi, the MOG with some of her girls.

My siblings all jumped in to help Bill and Jodi with wedding details.  It was the first big event without our Mom. I am so thankful that we have each other. It's nights like this one that I miss my folks. 

The out laws grabbed my brother for a guys selfie.  My parents loved these guys a lot.

They like to get together once a month without the sisters. We are all getting together tonight, I called a meeting to go over some estate details and Hubby and Jeff jumped in and decided to meet up with Bill.  We'll have dinner together.  Good stuff when a family loves on each other!

Hubby and I both have colds. Hubby has a new work schedule. I'm subbing more in October (hence the colds) than September.  It's always a slow start and then picks up. I've turned over a new leaf and am doing some meal planning. We'll see how long that lasts...

Well, we are caught up on the big events, the short details and the random.  We have a fun adventure planned this weekend.  So, until next time... enjoy fall!