Playing in the mud!

I did it! I DID IT!

I went mt. biking for the first time since my surgery - count it - that equates to over four months - ages since I have hit the trails and ventured in the woods!

What a perfect day for it, come to think about it, it was sunny and cool, that was as perfect as I needed, I never minded the extreme mud factor to begin with.

Galbi - CHECK!

Oh and need I forget to mention the sweet new ride that made the day that much sweeter.... oh it is PERFECT! I can't wait to share it with you all. It is down right beautiful! It is John's "work of art." He has gone above and beyond anything I could ever dream of and has made me a feather weight, fast rolling, beauty just for me (well I actually think that he really wants it). Did I mention this bike is perfect. I can hardly stand to wait until the next time I get to ride it. Too bad it is the awesome "shoulder season " here in the "ham bone and it is going to rain all week. 

So the ride was great and then we had the people that we biked with over for a BBQ - the second BBQ of the weekend - that is. I love our new deck and it is getting use. What is better than feeding friends, chatting, enjoying the sunset, and every single one of us were whooped from biking that day - all 10 of us.

Life just got so much better - summer - here I come!

Explosion of global groceries

I usually never take the time to stray from my self-inflicted routine. My weekends are usually filled with friends and I find myself devoting most of the days to being active. I rarely take the time to do other things, like go shopping for an entire day. My sweet, dear friend Az broke me loose of the same old - same old and took me to Seattle for a day of Asian food, girl time and window shopping. A well needed break for me and my tender knee.

Az has been raving about "H Mart" a Asian/Global market north of Seattle for some time now and my interest in adding new things into the bland routine made me jump at the opportunity to have someone just as passionate and have similar tastes (besides the greasy beef) give me the grand tour. She gave me the Asian 101 experience and I didn't even have to leave the country. She explained simple cooking techniques, what she likes, what makes your lips tingle.... and a true interest in walking down every isle with me.

The produce section blew the socks off of anything I have ever seen. The variety was a little overwhelming. Choice in the produce section - that is nothing I usually see at the local markets. Banana flowers? Who knew! A bazillion different types of noodles, fresh, frozen, and dried. Sauces and pastes.... endless varieties.  Seaweed, salads, fresh, died (yummy!). Then the real mind opener - the meat section. The cuts of beef were nothing like I am accustomed to seeing, very thin, interesting cuts. From the meat section comes the seafood section. This is where Az and I share very similar interests. I could live on seafood and the variety that was to be found was a bit overwhelming. Fish in ALL forms - dried, salted, raw, frozen, fresh, and just mysterious. I LOVE pickled fish, and dried fish so I picked out a few gems that looked of good quality and sure to gross out a handful of people if they were to look through my cupboard - or as Joe would refer to a certain type of seaweed, "it tastes like low tide!"

Lunch at the food court is not to be missed - something that we just can't get close to in Bellingham - well unless Az is cooking.

A new do

Before making any life changing decisions in the name of "something has to change!!!" a good haircut and color does the trick for me. I have been burnt out on "things" lately and I needed to be pampered = personal day! I did it, something I highly recomend to most people, words of advice: take a day off in the week and have it to yourself; no work, ignore chores, turn a blind eye to the messy house and just enjoy the day by pampering yourself.

A couple of weeks ago I ran into an old coworker from my days working in the floral shop. Since rocking the counter at Starbucks and putting herself through school, Amy has became a hair styling guru at the new Honey Salon. This salon has reputable and well known stylists in Bellingham. The girls there rock. Amy has style worth coveting including a gorgeous personality and irristable charm - and mad styling skills.

I went in for a cut and color, something that until now I was cheap and indescrimnate about. My hair will never be subject to such torture again. Each time I experiance the talent and true passion for hair at Honey, I leave feeling like a million dollars.

This time I let Amy finally striaghten my hair ( I have wild curly long hair...).

Unbelievable.

Thanks Susie for getting some documentaion!

Eating with a passion

J and I flew the coop this weekend, dashing to Seattle for a short bit to check in on our long lost online-ordained minister and former Bellinghamite.


The mission was simple: eat in the big city.

Mission accomplished (and then some).

"D.lux" needed some prep from his long lost Texan friend for his week in the Fort Worth area. We offically readied his palate for all the Mexican, BBQ, and burgers that one can stomach in the great lone star state.

While in Seattle I tend to get overwhelmed with the plethora of food options, every corner there is a resteraunt or bar, oh the big city! We started with Italian for dinner, followed by a dessert of martinis at Julia's.

The real treat of our food adventure was Sunday morning as we noshed at a top notch cafe and new favorite dinning spot: Portage Bay Cafe. As most of you know I have a slight obsession with fruit, I - can't - get - enough - ever - period. As we walked in the first thing I spotted was a topping bar that consisted of fresh (as fresh as one could get this time of year. My heart fluttered with excitment. I left with a stomache ache.

As if this caloric intake wasn't enough by noon my hunger was rearing its head again and was going to be satisfied by Dick's. A burger and french fries did me in. TKO.

Mmmmm........ Several fantastic meals at establishments that are socially aware. I can get behind that.