Another Baby Album

This is my last baby album for a while. I made this one for my cousins Mike and Marie and their little girl due in June.

Doggie Dash 2010

Once again, our favorite fundraiser is coming up quickly - Doggie Dash 2010 at Waterfront Park on May 15.

This year we started a neighborhood team for all of our family and friends to join/support. Visit our Doggie Dash page and donate to help homeless pets.

Taste of the Nation 2010

It was that time again - stuff your face silly in order to raise money for hungry kids. As odd as it sounds, it is a great event. 100% of the proceeds (General Admission ticket is $75) is given to charities. All the restaurants and wineries donate their food and wine, as well as gift certificates for a spin the wheel game. I volunteered again because it is a pretty good gig. This year I was the "line nazi" or as they called it - directional staff. Basically I made sure people did not enter the event until their time - the more you pay, the earlier you get in. After the VIPs got in, I took a quick break to sample some of the fare before the rest of the crowd got in. Best idea ever since some of the restaurants were only there for the early high floutin' crowd, plus a lot of the other vendors ran out of the best stuff early. Once I stuffed myself in record time, I was back on the job and letting my stomach come to terms to what just happened. This time I was trying to keep the General Admission crowd in order while also fitting as many people under the tents and out of the rain. Needless to say, if I did not take over, half of the people would have been soaked before they even got in. After a job well done and some more room in my stomach - I was flying free and caught up with my TOTN partners in crime. This time around they did not have to work since Jen scored a much coveted media pass for her food blog - Under The Table with Jen.


Let me start off with my most favorite bite of the night - Screen Door's Maple Bacon Profiterole (pre-caramel gooey topping).



My next favorite was a simple but truly amazing raclette from Steve's Cheese Bar. The wedge of cheese was slowly warmed to a gooey perfection, spread on fresh baguette slices and topped with salami and pickle. Actually the salami was made by Michelle's brother, Elias of Olympic Provision.





Other favorites not pictured included Wildwood's refreshing grated radish and sea salt mascarpone crostini, Bamboo Sushi's albacore sushi (raw and soy marinated), Chop Butchery and Charcuterie's duck proscuitto, Laurelhurst Market's steak tartare, and to top the night off a cappuccino from Cafe Umbria and salted caramel ice cream from Lovely's Fifty Fifty.

Between bouts of eating debauchery, Michelle, Jen and I found the best seats in the house -in Luxe Authohaus' Land Rover sitting on display.



One of our visitors was Richard, a christmas tree grower and exporter (originally from Ireland). He couldn't pass up the chance to join us in our fine ride. Plus the car was situated directly in front of one of the cocktail stations.



After a night of fitful sleep and crazy dreams (thank you spicy bay scallops), the party still wasn't over. I had yet to enjoy my take home rhubarb goodie from Baker & Spice.



Phew - now I can eat salad the rest of the week.

Sunday - final day for Week in the Life project

Matt left on his trip this morning. Here he is saying goodbye to the cat. He never kissed Namir like that.



I took Lavi to the dog park since this is suppose to be the end of the sun for a while. This white dog really wanted to play with Lavi but she never engaged it.



She was tired enough to take a load off.



This cute puppy was the hit of the park today. Lavi sniffed it and left it alone.



Hope you all enjoyed a peek into our everyday. I will post the scrapbook pages when I finish them next week.

More from Saturday

Hillary and Baby Beatrice



Bumber and Bea



The start of Doug's garden



Gandalf being Gandalf



Lavi giving me the cold shoulder

Saturday

Saturday morning coffee on the way to go birding.



Birding together.



The damage we made at the sushi track for lunch.



Freshly painted house.



Afternoon nap.

More Friday

Not a winner.



Sitting down to dinner.



A man who really wants chocolate chip cookies.



Gandalf checking out the painters.

Friday

Merlin breakfast.



Getting ready.



Trip to Columbia Employee Store with Susan.



Susan and turkey burger at Burgerville.



Matt at home today watching tv after his last rabies shot.



Unfortunately I forgot my camera on my walk with Lavi and we visited with Hillary, Bumper and Baby Beatrice. Hope to get a photo of me holding baby Bea by the end of the weekend.

Thursday PM

Soaking up some sun.



Dinner at Susan and Doug's house.

Thursday AM

Today was a change in the routine. I had a job interview at 9:00 so I had to get ready with Matt in the morning. Normally he wakes me up when he gets out of the shower but today I had to get in before him.

Here he is this morning playing with Gandalf on his perch.



Getting dressed for the interview.



Driving to interview after I dropped off Matt.



After I got home, I decided to take Lavi to Tryon Creek for two reasons. 1- It is Earth Day and is there a better way to celebrate than to spend time with nature? 2- To practice birding.







Who knows what the rest of the day holds?

Wednesday

I've been hanging around the house for most of today.

Here's Gandalf sleeping at the end of the bed. I lifted up the covers to get the picture.



Walking the dog and enjoying the flowers in the neighborhood.



Filling up the bird feeder.



Working on the bird list for the upcoming field work.