Are you ready for NPD???

I got up this morning, made some coffee, and hung out with the dog. He's so darn cute!!

Tomorrow, March 1st, is National Pig Day. I heard about this, and realized I had the perfect idea on how to celebrate.

I've had this magazine for quite a while, and I've wanted to give these cookies a go.

They were fun, but putting the butterscotch chips in the marshmallows was not fun! And the cookies didn't rise as much as I would have liked, so I think the next time I'll chill the dough before I bake it. I like trying new things.

I met up with Cari and we went walking through Portland. I love looking at the homes, there are so many beautiful homes with such character.

We stopped for some coffee and breakfast. I got a peanut butter and banana sandwich on cinnamon bread, and some coffee.

The coffee was SO GOOD. I can't tell you just how good it was. I would go here everyday for coffee if I lived closer. Come to think of it, I should ask what type of coffee they use.

Cari enjoyed her coffee as well. We talked and caught up and I had a good time. I love my daughter so very much.

So, for NPD, I baked up some pig cookies, glazed them, and added some itty bitty hearts. And some cookies got some sprinkles.

My friends Tyler, Alex, Chole, and their dad Casey were back at the house. They had gone home, but now the littlest sister is going to be transferred up to a hospital in Seattle, so they'll be taking off early Tuesday morning. I'm going to miss them so much. I got hugs all around, and Chole gave me a little kiss and that was very touching. Tyler and Alex would hang out with me while I bake, and Chole had lots and lots of questions. Here Alex shows off his new helmet: it has all kinds of cool features, and he's going to have a lot of fun with it. I wish them all the best, and Tyler and I agreed to email each other. He's a good friend.

Deacon the Dog is one wild and crazy dog.

When you throw a ball for Deacon he will bring it back, either coming to the right or the left side of the yard, NEVER down the middle. Cracks us up every time!

Aloha Sandy!

Today was my friend Sandy's last day at Intel. Retirement after 32 years. Wow. We went out for lunch at Stanfords to celebrate and say goodbye.

Jennifer prepares to take pictures. She takes such good ones: I wanna be her when I grow up.

Rhonda, Kseniya, Don, Rose, James, and Laure wait for the guest of honor to arrive.

Here she is! Sandy begins to open her gift. One of the gifts was a pack of candy cigarettes. An inside joke. One of those DMIS things, LOL.

Gullan came along for the lunch: she retired a couple of years ago.

Sandy checking out her stash. And wearing her crown proudly. What a good sport!!!

Don, Kseniya, Kathy, Laura, and Nicole watch as Sandy checks out her stash.

Hi Rhonda! Hey Kseniya! Well hello there Don and Rose!

Jennifer and Gullan catch up.

Group pose.
Diana brought flowers: how sweet!!

Diana creates amazing necklaces and she gave Sandy one. It is beautiful.

Sandy and I go back a long way. When I was a lead in Sort she was one of the planners I worked with, having to tell her, "No, those wafers won't be done in time to ship!", or working out how best to meet our commitments. And she hired me into DMIS and I am so grateful to her for that. I LOVED working for her and I LOVED working with her and I will MISS her very much.

Yes soup for you!

I made a wonderful soup the other day: Zucchini-Tomato Soup. I found it in my cookbook from Taste of Home, and it is on their webpage:

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Zucchini-Tomato-Soup

I did add about a half cup of high fiber pasta (fun little wagon wheels) and a bit more of the V8, but other than that I left it alone and it was so good reheated the next day for lunch as well. In fact, I think it was better the next day.

I'm working towards more veggies in my day, and this one is a keeper.

Hanging out, baking.

Someone from the RMH bought me some Pampered Chef cookie sheets at an auction. So of course I had to give them a go, and of course I LOVE them!!! Here I've just taken out a batch of chocolate chip cookies with leftover Valentines M&Ms in them. I don't really like CCC, so I had to rely on Mark and Steven's opinions, and they gave them a thumbs up.

I like the color the M&M's provide.

Baking. Watching the Olympics.

Lire decied to come on over and check to see if I was cooking up something she would like. No such luck.

Mark worked on some stuff around the house, and he watched the Olympics as well. He was getting into the curling event (is that spelled right??).

I think I need to stop reading some of the baking blogs I read for now. I found a recipe for rock road brownie cupcakes, and when I realized I had everything the recipe called for I just had to bake up a batch. So very easy, and very good (I only ate half of one....need to mellow out on the baking for a while so I can ensure I fit my new, beautiful, 'can't wait for Megan and Dylan to get themselves hitched' dress), and I'm thinking I'll bake up a batch this week at the House. Fun!
Here are the remaining cupcakes, all packaged up and ready to be eaten.

Portland to Coast, we'll be ready for ya!

My team for Portland to Coast met in Portland to have a breakfast meeting. Some of us went early to get in an hour walk. Here we're figuring out the parking ticket machine.

We walked on the waterfront. It was calm and serene.

I hardly ever walk on the waterfront early in the morning. There were lots of folks doing so, and lots of bikes out as well. Busy morning with everyone wanting to enjoy the sun. One of the great things about living in the Northwest: when it's sunny, we all act like it's Christmas or something. Sunshine is such a gift here. Love it.

Nice.

Hmmm.....hand shot. I make fists when I walk. Here's proof. Gads.

Nice.

Again, I'm in the slow group, but I didn't mind. And they're speeding up: they know it's almost time for breakfast!

We went to Mother's Bistro. Very popular, and thank goodness Rachel made reservations for our group of 12, or we would have an hour or two wait. The line was huge!

Here's a lesson for you. Call her.

Breakfast was so good (banana pancakes for me), lots of information given out (there is a new rule of no i-pods while walking...okay...), and details hammered out. Good meeting.

I like signs like this. I find them interesting.

Walking back to the car I'm reminded how much I like living close to Portland. Loving it!

Bye Steve: I'll miss you!!

The Trail Blazers traded Steve Blake: he is one of my favorite TBs, and while I understand it's business, it makes me sad. They also traded Travis Outlaw, and I like him as well. Again, I know it's business, but I really liked them both. Here Steve decorates cookies with my buddy Alex.

Steve was so nice this day, quiet, and kind. I liked his chemistry with the team, so I know I'll miss that. Steve, you're a class act, and I wish you all the very best!!!!!

Mom, you rock!

We had a great time in Washington. Mom broke her arm, has gone through surgery, and is doing great. She's a trooper! Here she give Duke some love.

And Dad: did you ever get to talk to Randy's 'Aunt'??? Inquiring minds want to know.............

We hung out talking, laughing, and having a great time. Jerrod (did I spell that right? probably not, knowing me and spelling names, sigh) was home, came on by, and it was so fun talking with him. So glad we timed our visit to sync up.

Hi Mom! Love you!!!


On our way home we stopped at an Adair home site: this company built our house and we wanted to check out their newest model. It is amazing, and Mark and I loved seeing it. I still love my house, but boy oh boy, is this one nice.

Duke

I have more pictures to load, but I need to do something else and I wanted to get the CUTEST picture that has ever been taken of Mr Duke the amazing cat. At first I thought this was it. It's good, but not the best.

I thought this might be the one, but while he's good looking here, it's not the one.

This is it!
I could not believe how good this picture came out. I'm sure other pictures have been taken, but in my opinion this has got to be in the top ten of all time. Really folks. Could he be any more handsome??? I think not. Case closed.

Gig Harbor Rocks!

On the way home from Washington Mark and I stopped in Gig Harbor. The weather was just right for taking a walk, and we loved the area.

We checked out the dock.

I loved that they have safety jackets available for kids. They ask that you return them when done: I sure hope folks follow through on that. I love the idea.

The statue of the fisherman reminded me of the 'Gordon's Fisherman' ads. I couldn't help my self from thinking that.

Mark on the dock.

Mary on the dock. If we lived up here I would be here almost every weekend, and when the weather was good I would probably find myself getting a cup of coffee, sitting on one of the benches on the dock, and just enjoying the view. I need to win the lottery....

LOVED the view from the dock.

Mark checks out a brochure.

We walked down the road, and found even more amazing views. I must think positive thoughts about winning the lottery.

We checked out a yard shop. Lots of birdbaths, birdhouses, and a couple of fountains.

There is a huge brick wall next to the yard shop.

And there are lots of birds living in the holes in the brick wall. Coolness.