Tag Archives | 2014

Memorial Day & diy Red, White & Blue Magnets

May 24, 2014

{print Memorial Day… Thank God … freedom, Here}

Fun Patriotic magnets to adorn bulletin boards or the refrigerator this Memorial Day and into the coming months {flag day, 4th of July ….. }

Supplies

• Mod Podge {matte-mat}
• Mod Podge {dimensional magic}
• Q-tips {or disposable brushes}
• Toothpicks
• Scissors
• round magnets {¾”}
• Red, white and blue tissue papers {cut into small ½- ¼ inch strips}
• star paper punch {optional}

Before starting the project, protect the surface area you will be working on with disposable paper or other materials.

Step 1 With a Q-tip as the brush, dip it in Mod Podge matte-mat and apply a light coat on the top side of the magnet. Start adding the little pieces of tissue and layering them on top of each other. Use the tip of a toothpick to hold the tissue pieces in place while apply Mod Podge. Finish it off with one last coat of Mod Podge. Let it dry for 30 minutes.

.Step 2 Apply glue and tissues to the sides of the magnet. Let it dry for 30 minutes. These magnets are completely done…. just wanted to show the side view.

Step 3 The last step is to apply the Mod Podge Dimensional Magic. The liquid will come out of the bottle cloudy/milky and dry clear and glossy in 24 hours. Start at the center and move out to the edges of the magnet. Add enough liquid to form a dome shape {it will not spill over easily}. Use a toothpick to pop any air bubbles and to move the liquid closer towards the edges if needed. Let it dry for 24 hours.

I like how the Mod Podge Dimensional Magic adds a shiny 3-dimensional surface to the magnets.

{Printable Memorial Day mini banner and other cutouts ….. Here}

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

Memorial Day Printables
{Thank God … freedom, Here}
{mini banner and other cutouts ….. Here}

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posted by: Kay

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A Morning Walk Through Seattle’s Pike Place Market

May 16, 2014

This is a follow-up to the blog post, An Evening In Seattle & Pike Place Market. In the blog post, I talked about my weekly shopping trip to the market many years ago. I wanted to be able to get what I needed and leave within an hour including finding a place to park my car. Other times I would linger for awhile and enjoy an early morning latte with a fresh baked almond croissant.

On a recent Saturday, I asked Bill if he would like to accompany me early in the morning to Seattle for coffee at Pike Place Market and stroll through the streets before heading home {and before the kids start to wonder what’s for breakfast}. Bill thought that will be a nice morning excursion and came with me. We had a great time that morning. The only minor set back for Bill was when I decided to do a little shopping, he was a trooper about it.

Places to Visit at Pike Place Market

hover/click on any of the numbers 1-11 or the skybridge on the map above to open an image
{print map Here}

1 DeLauenti
2 MarketSpice
3 Pike Place Fish Market
4 Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
5 Sur La Table
6 Cafe Campagne
7 Inn At the Market
8 Watson Kennedy
9 Le Panier

10   Starbucks {first/original}
11   Cutters Crabhouse
12 Gum Wall
13   First & Pike News
14   Pike Place Market information Center
15 Made In Washington
16 Antiques at Pike Place
17 The Pink Door
❀   Fresh flowers at the market

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Come with us on our walk and use the map above to guide you.

Pike Place Market is a busy place, especially during the summer months. People come from all over the world or from just down the street to experience the market, shop or see all that it has to offer. Not having a plan or not familiar with the area, the trip can be overwhelming and stressful. I hope the information in this blog post will be helpful for you if and when you decide to visit the market. .

Pike Place Market, parking garage skybridge

The best time to go to Pike Place Market is in the morning before the crowd and traffic. Once there, The Market Parking Garage {blue star ★ on the map} on Western Ave. is a great place to park for a few reasons. The parking garage has an elevator to take you up to the skybridge that will connect you directly to the market. .

Pike Place Market, skybridge & Mount Rainier

view of Mount Rainier from skybridge

The view from the skybridge of the the waterfront and the surrounding area is incredible. I used the “zoom” feature on the camera to get this picture of Mount Rainier and the Seattle Seahawks football stadium {Century Link Field}. .

Pike Place Market, skybridge

Another reason to park here is the easy access to the waterfront from the lower level of the garage.

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Start the tour . . . . .

We will begin our walking tour at the bottom of the map at Dilauranti ❶ and work our way to the top of the map at Cutters ⓫.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read Full Article ⟶

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Mother’s Day Flowers & Fran’s Chocolates

May 9, 2014

For Mother’s Day … I shouldn’t … but I do… like to help Bill with ideas. The simplest things to give are sometimes not obvious for him to think of. When Bill has a great plan, the kids think he’s pretty cool. That’s why I like to ….. ~~but I shouldn’t~~.

Flowers and chocolates are the classic combination to give for any occasion. Putting a simple twist on the idea can make it more special and personal. Find a few pretty containers and fill them with Mom’s favorite flowers. Arrange the flowers by grouping the same ones together. Then top it off with her favorite chocolate truffles.

I look forward to these gifts again and again.

A great thing about simple flower arrangements is that they are easy for the kids to help out with and put together. Each one could be moved to another part of the house, wherever Mom wants to enjoy it. .

Simply beautiful ranunculus, I could be quite content with just that.

. .

Fran’s Chocolates have been a favorite of mine for 20+ years. I remember going to the tiniest chocolate shop {about the size of a walk-in closet…maybe just a tad bigger} to buy some of the best chocolate truffles. Often times Fran Bigelow would be in the back room making it. Fran’s Chocolates have outgrown that space and expanded to three retail locations throughout the Seattle area. Today, Fran Bigelow is very well known and is considered one of the best chocolatiers in the country. .

Fran’s Chocolates are made with the highest quality ingredients, hand made in small batches from start to finish. The chocolate truffles are rich and creamy with a crispy thin outer shell. Their salted caramels are dipped twice in a special blend of chocolate made by Valrhona and carefully sprinkled with gray or smoked salt.

The attention to detail is utmost from the start of the first ingredient to the beautiful hand-tied satin ribbon bow on the package.

Having fun with this picture of Bill at Fran’s Chocolates in Bellevue.

Fran’s Chocolates, truffles, smoked salt caramels and other confectionery are available at many specialty retail stores throughout the United States. To find the best selection go online at Fran’s Chocolates or visit one of Fran’s Chocolates boutiques.

Fresh flowers with chocolate truffles is a wonderful combination to give for Mother’s Day.

images/sources: Fran’s Chocolates packaging 1 / packaging 2

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posted by: Kay

4 comments

2014: Fly Fishing 101 & 201

April 25, 2014

{Caleb at the age of 3 learning how to fly fish in the backyard.}

It’s that time of year again when Orvis will be offering Free Fly Fishing 101 lessons at their stores nation wide {to find the nearest store click Here}. You just have to sign up and be ready to learn. The Orvis staff will provide all the necessary equipments and supplies during the session to get you started. After the 101 class, you will be given the opportunity to take the 201 class for a small fee {highly recommended}. They will take you out to a lake, a pond, a stream or a river {depending on the store location} and guide you through fly fishing. With a little bit of luck, you will catch a few fish! This blog post is a recap of the fly fishing 101 and 201 classes that Bill took the kids to last year {Orvis store in Bellevue, Washington}.

To read the full blog post and watch the Orvis video from last year, click Here.

The fly fishing 101 began outside by getting familiar with the fly rod and learning how to cast. Instructors were present to take everyone through basic casting techniques. This lasted for about an hour.
{above picture, Caleb at the age of 8}

The session ended at the Orvis store going over tying knots, fly selections, understanding the differences in lines, and other basic information. It was also a great time to ask questions and clarify anything that may have been confusing.

The fly fishing 201 class took place away from the Orvis store at a location out in the country surrounded by green pastures, trees and mountains.

The fly rods were assembled and ready to be used.

Another quick fly casting session out in the open field got everyone ready.

Caleb brought in the first catch of the day. The instructor was at his side guiding him every step of the way.

Beginner or haven’t fish in awhile, it’s time to get out to the water. Bill will be introducing some friends, my brother and maybe our kids {again} to the Fly Fishing 101 at the Orvis store {Bellevue, WA} in May.

{to find the nearest Orvis store, contact, and/or register for the class click Here }

Sources:
Fly Fishing 101 ⎜ April 19 & 26 ⎜ May 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31 ⎜ June 7 & 14 ⎜
Fly Fishing 201 ⎜ May 4 & 18 ⎜ June 8 ⎜

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posted by: Bill & Kay

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Easter, He is Risen {What a Friend We Have in Jesus}

April 20, 2014

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Jesus paid the price for us.
He did it all for you and me.
He is Risen, Indeed!
Easter is the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
He is alive and with us, our savior and our friend.

“What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” is a beautiful hymn revealing the love Jesus has for us. I have heard and sang this hymn many times and never get tired of it {especially when Alan Jackson sings it}. I hope you enjoy listening to this hymn with a little bit of country twang as much as I do.

Alan Jackson, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”
{video can’t play, click Here}

The story behind the song is precious. A simple letter written by Joseph Scriven to his mother expressing his feeling during his time of grief and how Jesus gave him strength through it all.