Seattle: Gum Wall

Getting back to my trip earlier this month to Seattle (did I tell you I love this town?), here I am standing in front of the Gum Wall outside the Market Theater down by the waterfront Pike's Place Market.

Rumor has it that the gum on this wall started when patrons of the Market Theater were not allowed to chew gum inside the theater. So people started to stick their ABC gum (Already Been Chewed gum) to the brick wall. 

As gross as it sounds, the wall is actually a pretty colorful display which is constantly being added to.

If you ever have an opportunity to travel to Seattle, you don't want to miss it!

Once upon a time . . .

Forty-two years ago today, I met this kind, funny, wonderful man. He was my soul-mate; the love of my life. I miss him more than words can say, but he has a place in my heart for eternity.

Sunday Morning Flea Market Shopping

Today I got up early to go to the Antique Market. I needed to go to a few stores in this area any way, so I thought I could kill two birds with one stone. Actually THREE birds, because I have to fast today for a routine test I am having tomorrow morning so this would keep me from being tempted to eat. I already am SO hungry, I don't know how I'm going to make it until tomorrow!

Seattle: Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square is one of the historical areas of Seattle. This is the location of the tourist attraction called The Underground Tour which was started by Bill Speidel in 1954 as a way to preserve this area.

I love how there are flowers everywhere in Seattle, even in the allies.

Below is a photo of The Scandinavian-America Bank back in the 1900's.

And here is the same building today.

Seattle: Pike Place Market

Last week I flew out to Seattle to attend my nephew's wedding. One of the sites everyone told me not to miss was Pike Place Market along the waterfront. I wish I lived locally so I could have taken home some of the gorgeous flower bouquets, mouth-watering fresh produce and fresh seafood of all kinds. 

Pike Place Market is a public market overlooking the Elliott Bay waterfront in Seattle, Washington. The Market opened August 17, 1907, and is one of the oldest continually operated public farmers' markets in the United States. Pike Place Market is where retailers like Starbucks and Sur la Table got their start.

The original Starbucks at Pikes Market.

New Phone

I finally bit the bullet and bought a new cell phone. I hung on to my iPhone 3G for as long as I could, but the slow Internet connection and inability to download some of the newer apps frustrated me to no end. I also wanted to get my money's worth since I lost my first 3G due to my own stupidity and had to buy a new phone practically right after I bought the first one! Guess it was a sort of self-inflicted punishment on my part for being so careless.

I also switched cell phone carriers in the hopes that this one will work up at our cottage and I can get rid of my landline there. Keep your fingers crossed because that would be a huge savings for me.

I couldn't resist this adorable Cath Kidson cell phone cover to go with my new purchase, so I'm all set!

xo

jeanne

Trip to Seattle

Photo by visitingdc.com

I'm planning a brief trip to Seattle later this summer to attend my nephew's wedding. I've never been there before and wondered if any of you have. If you know of something that I should not miss while I am there please let me know by leaving a comment below. Thanks!

Memorial Day

Remember to honor the brave and the fallen today and everyday.

Lily of the Valley

When I was out working in my garden yesterday I noticed that my Lily of the Valley plants finally had enough blooms on them to be able to pick some to put in a vase. Everyone says they spread like wildfire, but for some reason where I planted them it has been very slow growing. But this year they finally seemed to take off. I just love those sweet little white bells dangling on the stems.

xo

jeanne

Friday Fill-Ins

And here we go...

1. I know I shouldn't have eaten that Snickers sundae, but I did.

2. I'd like to create some art today if at all possible.

3. This weather has been great for working in the garden.

4. Washing windows on a sunny day creates a streaky problem. 

5. I'm really happy I have such good friends.

6. They keep saying "I don't recall" or something to that effect.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to walking and talking with Marianne, tomorrow my plans include cleaning my house and Sunday, I'm going to my daughter's baby shower.

Freshly Picked Lilacs

One of my favorite flowers are lilacs. These are from one of the lilac bushes in my backyard. I love the gorgeous color, the heavenly scent and the delicate flower-clusters on every branch. Spring is my favorite time in the garden. It's when all the surprises that my DH planted over the years burst forth and show themselves. It's funny how every year the same plants bloom and yet I get so excited by them as if I were seeing them for the first time. I consider these as little gifts from my husband that keep on giving year after year. 

xoxo

jeanne

Happy Mother's Day

xo

jeanne

Making Journals

I made this journal out of an old book. The cover wasn't very attractive, so I altered it with a stencil, paint, and some glaze. I like how it turned out and look forward to filling it up with my thoughts and sketches.

xo

jeanne

Friday Fill-Ins (on Saturday)

And...here we go!

1. It may be cool but at least the sun is shining.

2. After a while, we will be complaining that it's too hot.

3. I'm thrilled that my daughter found a new job!

4. Cuddling with my grand-dogs is so much fun to me!

5. I always get nervous when I have to weigh-in at Weight Watchers at the beginning of the month..

6. A good cup of java is what keeps me going.

7. And as for the weekend, Saturday my plans include wash windows and go to the antique mall and Sunday, I want to pack away my winter clothes and get out my t-shirts, capris and flip-flops!

xo

jeanne

Friday Fill-Ins on Saturday

And here we go...

1. I need to...vacuum out my car.

2. Finding a job is what's on my mind most lately.

3. When I talk to my best friend, we laugh a lot!

4. Drinking lots of water is what's working for me lately.

5. I recently saw A robin peering through my window.

6. Blue skies and sunshine fills me with joy!

7. And as for the weekend, today my plans include cleaning the house, doing laundry and having my grand-dogs come for a visit and Sunday, I plan to go for a walk with the dogs and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Letting Go

Lately I've been taking some e-courses in an attempt to get my creative juices flowing again. Jeanne Oliver's most recent class called, The Journey of Letting Go - Creating Beauty From Ashes, is the one I have immersed myself in lately. We've been making a variety of journals (the one shown here is a canvas covered saddle stitched journal) which is great for me because it seems as though the only "art" I've managed to do lately is journaling.

I love working with textures and various mediums, although sometimes I have to push myself to try using things that are not in my typical arsenal of tools and courses like this remind me to do that. It's good to leave our comfort-zone once in a while and discover new things, although going "outside the box' is usually a scary thing for me to do.

xo

jeanne

Happy Saturday

Good morning! I was surprised to see snow covering the ground this morning when I looked out the window! However nothing really shocks me after the events of this crazy week. The weather, the world, things in my personal life - all things that I could always count on have suddenly turned topsy-turfy and no longer can be counted on. My whole definition of what "normal" is has changed during this very long week. But I guess that's what life is really all about - change!

Friday Fill-Ins

And...here we go!

1. Right now I'm watching Rehab Addict.
2. Procrastination is my well known quirk.
3. Are you ok?
4. Work first, then play!
5. I have a lot on my mind, that's why I have trouble sleeping.
6. Doc Martin is one of my favorite tv shows ever!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to working on my journal for Jeanne Oliver's e-course, tomorrow and Sunday my plans include finishing up my taxes!