Can you believe that it was May the last time I remembered to do a Top Ten list? I cannot. That just shows me how busy I’ve been and how fast summer really does fly by. So here we go, not the top ten of a month but the top 20 of the summer.
1. New York Trip with the Parents
We had a blast in NYC with my Mom and Dad. We really made four nights stretch into one long very good time. Between the US Open, biking the Hudson, flamenco and tapas, Pippin on Broadway, lunch at Katz with Bryan’s sister and her family, the High Line, and a few nights on rooftop bars, we had one great NYC vacation and a great Labor Day weekend.
2. Office Potlucks
We’ve now had two staff potlucks at the Capitol Hill Station with our third one planned for next week. All of these potlucks have been themed and all have been whole-heartedly embraced by those employees at the station and a whole lot fun. It’s fun to make a dish but even more fun to see what others bring. Each and every one has worked with lunch starting around 11am, continuing until 12:30 or 1, food coma until 4 and then people have broke out leftovers for an afternoon snack. Too fun!
3. Visit from the Millers x2
This summer we have had Mr. Miller visit and a visit from both the Millers. Both visits have been very enjoyable and pleasant to get to know them better. With Lon we went salmon fishing on a charter, went to a Mariners game, enjoyed some meals out and made him pasta at home with some of our friends. When they both came to visit, they stayed with us for four nights and we enjoyed some dinners out, a few meals at our place, a day at Golden Gardens, and a bunch of time sharing stories. We do enjoy our visitors.
4. Moving
Albeit a taxing process, Bryan and I were able to make our move go fairly smoothly. Within the first day we had everything moved from my house, most moved from his house, and several things set up around the house. It took us another week to move out the rest of Bryan’s things from his house, and another week to get completely settled in but we are just so thrilled to be at that point now. We’ve had most of our friends over to see it and we have finally had a weekend to just enjoy it ourselves. We’ve had guests even too. It certainly feels like home and that is important for both of us.
5. Three Year Anniversary
This past August, amidst our move, Bryan and I celebrated our three year anniversary. We had a wonderful dinner out at one of our favorite, and now extremely close, Seattle restaurant Harvest Vine for several tapa plates to share a great bottle of Spanish red wine. It’s always fun to get dressed up and go out, especially on special occassions. The third year has been the best so far, hands down!
6. Tubing
This July I learned of my promotion to Senior Staff Engineer at work. It did not come at a huge surprise but it was a real treat and something to celebrate. More so with earning my P.E. and that the decision to promote me was unanimous in the company. It is always nice to be recognized for your efforts.
8. Mary and Tyler’s Wedding
Bryan and I were lucky enough to attend a wedding in walking distance from home this summer. On August 2nd, the day before we moved, we celebrated the event of Mary and Tyler’s wedding on the Skansonia ferry boat on Lake Union. It was a gorgeous, hot, night. The ceremony was short and sweet, the food was great, the drinks were better, and no worry about driving home. They both looked great and happy and I was very grateful to be invited to attend.
9. Sailing Classes
As my Christmas gift from two years ago, Bryan and I signed up for the Basic Sailing Course out of the Seattle Sailing Club. We had a great instructor and another couple to share the full weekend of sailing with on a gorgeous Seattle summer weekend. It was awesome being out on the water for so long and we really did learn a ton about sailing. We both passed our tests and are now members of the American Sailing Association, although we can’t officially charter our own sailboat yet.
10. Bryan’s 29th Birthday
July 15th marked Bryan’s “Almost 30” birthday. A big event. To celebrate we had a dinner with Polly along with his favorite, grasshopper pie. Bryan and I also went out to the Blind Pig Bistro in Eastlake for a multicourse menu. There were no big parties, no surprises, or anything else to really make it crazy but I think that was exactly what he was hoping for.
11. Backpacking Trip in Eastern Washington
This 4th of July, Bryan and I went for a two night backpacking trip to Eastern Washington. We had the perfect weather, the whole trail to ourselves, made good food, saw beautiful scenery, a few animals, and had a nice long weekend getting out and away from it all. We had time to just be secluded and free from the stress of daily life and it was very rewarding. We came back tired and dirty but proud and freer. I do hope we get to make another trip this year.
12. Great New Restaurant Finds
Moving to a new area, new restaurant openings, or just venturing out in Seattle, I have stumbled on some more incredible eats. First there is Via Tribunali, with that half pizza half calzone phenomena and their nutella calzone for dessert. Then there is our new Bing’s restaurant, great for both dinner and brunch, and tasty but casual fare. Then we have that burger I had at Barbirusa on moving day, OMG that burger. And we have our cheesesteak shop just around the corner with great subs and fries. And Ezells, legendary fried chicken in Seattle and purchased by us 3 times this summer. I’m sure there is more but wow, were those five really highlights for me.
13. Tauber Reunion
This summer, instead of just attending the Tauber summer reunion, I helped organize it. Myself and two others (but really myself) set up the location, the multicourse plated menu, the cocktail reception, and all of the invitations to the Tauber students, faculty and alumni. We had a great turnout of 20 and it was nice to see some familiar faces, eat a great dinner, and have a glass of wine on Tauber. But it is truly best to just reminisce about UM and Tauber and EGL.
14. Fifth Fitz and the Tantrums
This summer Bryan and I saw Fitz and the Tantrums for our FIFTH time ever. That is the most of any bands I have ever seen play live. And this 5th time was the best. They are better than ever, they have more hits than ever, they have just as much energy and fun on stage, and now attendees know the lyrics and dance to the songs. We had such a good time at the Showbox SODO on a Friday night. I wanted to see them again right after the concert.
15. Several Good FareStarts
As usual FareStart hasn’t let me down. I’ve been able to volunteer less but it looks like that will be changing as of now. But we’ve had some amazing restaurants cook up delicious summer foods like salmon, corn puree, peach dessets, tomato salads and gazpacho, and the friends are still as active and fun as normal. I never get tired of playing my part on Thursday nights.
16. Running Resume
For our friend’s combined birthday party we met up in Ballard for an epic brewery crawl. We attended six breweries, within walking distance of one another, trying a sampler at each and every one. It was a beautiful day and a fun time spent with friends, playing lawn games, and naturally getting silly!
18. Cooking Class with the Girls
What was my idea initially ended up being a very fun night out with the girls. Six of us went to a French cooking class at ChefShop to learn several dishes. We also got to enjoy complimentary wine, snacks, and of course the dishes that we learned to make. Oh that mousse!!!!
19. Housewarming Party
For the first game of the Seahawks season, Bryan and I hosted an epic housewarming/watching party. We had 25 people total over to our new house, we had both tvs set up, we ordered Ezell’s, I cooked up four side dishes, several friends brought drinks, desserts and snacks, and everyone got along really well. Of course Bryan and I were making our rounds and chatting up with our friends that I think I spoke to him like a whole two times during the game. But it was a blast and we look forward to doing it again, probably sooner rather than later.
20. Successful Recipes
I’ve really been enjoying the luxury of my very own kitchen recently and I have made some great things in it. I experimented with Thai, both pad kee mao and phad thai and both came out very good. I made a tres leches cake that was a huge hit at my work potluck. All of the sides that I made for the housewarming party came out so well and received rave reviews from people who came. I have replicated the chicken dijon from our cooking class twice. And I just recently made the best caprese of Bryan’s life (a man who loves caprese) from our very own garden. And the chimichurri with the sauteed jalapeno corn!
What a great summer…and hopefully it isn’t completely over!
Chelsea
Evolving in the Emerald City 