Inception

This weekend was a dream. For two reasons, really. Firstly, it was wonderful to get away just the two of us and celebrate each other and 6 years of marriage in Portland, OR. I found an anniversary dress for 7 dollars (it was literally a miracle) and Tyler researched our stomping grounds for the evening. He found us not only a stay at the Benson in the Pearl District, but a new restaurant that was superb: Clyde & Common. I love this careful aspect of Tyler. It benefits us all! The food was truly amazing and the atmosphere sort of what I picture is some chef's fantasy of common ground; delicious eats, huge tables packed with strangers, and simple decor.



This is where it gets weird.
Tyler and I decided if we were to re-tell what happened in the next three hours to anyone else it would without question sound exactly like a weird dream you had for no reason, but couldn't shake.
Randomly after dinner we decided to go here:

Living Room Theaters (where you can drink beer on a couch and watch a flick)...
We saw, Cave of Forgotten Dreams. In 3-D. It was a documentary about a sealed cave in France that had gone undiscovered since Prehistoric times. It detailed untouched coal paintings of prehistoric animals, calcified bones of extinct creatures and hand prints preserved in time. Not much can describe this portion of the evening, but sufficed to say we should have seen it with cleared heads.

After that we walked the streets talking about it all and came upon a random bar. We decided to go in and were seated next to two Irish nuns who were dressed to the nines:

At first I thought their accents were fake, but we quickly learned otherwise. They toasted our nuptials and bought us a round. Tyler chose this:

He was so embarrassed he quickly drained it. Turns out these two are the owners of Kell's Irish Pub (location in Seattle, Portland, etc.). I took this grand opportunity to ask the one facing us about:
(really, it could have been anything and I made our second poor choice as a couple with these two...)
Irish Travelers from the show, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. He indulged me and told us all about how they are perceived. Turns out they are hated as much in Ireland as in the UK. He then told us a CRAZY and mishmashed story about one night out with a bunch of rowdy Tinker girls (Tinkers are what the Irish call gypsies). He mentioned a few other tid bits that will quite literally blow your mind, and off they went into the dark night.
The next morning after our personal Alice and Wonderland night of the 29th, we shook the cobwebs off with...


coffee, mmm.
One for the books, Mr. B. I heart you.

Here's to...

You and Me in October.
Happy 6th Anniversary, Tyler. You are strong, wise, opinionated, picky, a risk taker, full of love, sweet, and so funny. I love every part of you and every part of us...

Bemusings: On random bad luck.

Dude.
What is it with this past week? I have had random and what I would deem uncalled for, possibly atrocious BAD luck as of late. I like a gripe fest every once in a while. No doubt. Remarkably I'm in quite the good mood despite it all. Let's just create a running tally, shall we?
-forgot to plug in my crock pot on Wednesday (however I DID remember to turn it on high. Really, Chelsea? Really? Please be picturing Seth Meyer right now).
-Slammed myself in the nose doing a squat snatch. Honestly that sort of stunned me. I think I might have been shock because I started praying out loud at crossfit that it wasn't broken. Oh yes, we had a bleeder. Fortunately it was because it was split and not actually broken; but really isn't that sort of splitting hairs? Right now I have a swollen nose that might rival my pregnancy nasal bloat of 2007. The Official low point of the week was sitting on my couch with a pack of peas on my nose moaning over:
-Complete DVR meltdown. The box just stopped working during...wait for it...the world broadcast premier of Twilight on FX. Comcast, I absolutely WILL remember that.
-The front strap (see: esseential for holding up the ever-dwindling girls) of my favorite "go-to" bra actually ripped in half. I was left with two cups covering my shoulder blades, a frown, and snickering hubby.
-Harper's public poop blowout & her total refusal to participate in family pictures.
-Two, count em two, trips to the grocery store sans my much needed list. I forgot milk twice. What that may say about my mental state I'm not sure. Read: uncomfortable speculating on that subject.
-Star of the Week cookie nightmare: three unsuccessful batches later. Oh, poor pea actually said: "I think you are frustrated Momi." Sure was, little lady.
-During a total parental give-in I learned that Pea knows how to post pictures of herself on my Facebook; I don't know whether to be seriously impressed or horrified.
Things can always be worse. Always.
Is anyone having GOOD luck lately? I know some of you are! Tell me your good luck stories; hoping to strike a match on their spark...

Official Family Photos

Here are our official family photos taken by one Mrs. Andrea Bell; these are some of my favorites...for more, go here! They are all good so it's hard to choose! In the interest of keeping it real; I think the jeans might have been indeed a bad choice on my part, but Tyler looks, in a word: good. really good...
Thank you, the (other) Mrs. B!

Carving and Hot Chocolate

A tradition every year...

Ristrettos

As of yet, I have been too busy to jump on our family bandwagon; turns out this wagon is taking you to THE best food and atmosphere in town!
You may have seen it off 272nd, on facebook, plugged by many a friend: Ristrettos, the newest hippest place to be. It's quickly becoming the Cheers of Maple Valley.
Tyler's uncle Biddy opened this place two weeks ago and let me tell you it is perfection for a number of reasons...
1. Remember this guy? Oh yeah, that's Tyler's cousin Joe and also our next door neighbor. He is the BEST chef I have ever personally met. His food is legendary in our family and HE created the menu from scratch. Stop reading now and just go.
When you come back...
2. The amazing wood work, it's a sight to see. Biddy really "Langified" it, which is our way of saying it's blinged out and beautiful.
3. Proximity and Wine: need I say more, ladies? Let's go have a girl's night...
Obviously these pictures are courtesy of Andi, resident photog extraordinaire...





On Friday, they did a paint your own pumpkin/sip yummy hot chocolate event. It was definitely a success and I think almost all my mommy friends for town were there! Here are some fun shots from that...





Support local wine and fun; I think I'll give this place a thumbs up; or at least my version...

Milan, Missoni, and Me

It's official! Tyler and I will be heading to Italy in April. I feel absolutely thrilled and blessed to be able to do this. I've never even been to the east coast of THIS country so it will be a whole new world for me. We'll be going to Florence and Milan for Euro Cucina (which is a European Kitchen show). There will be wine, and fashion, and kitchens!
Perfetto.
I got this design yesterday courtesy of one Miss Debi Jones and I believe it's completely appropriate for my trip; must replicate come spring!
Missoni, you have nothing on me this month, but in honor of your bellissima Italian fashion: