Hiking up to Heather Lake: the longest 2.3 miles ever

Heather Lake

This weekend Jeff and I ventured further north past Granite Falls, Washington to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest for a day hike to Heather Lake. Since our dog Frankie is always up for an outdoor outing we brought her along as well. Heather Lake is a lower elevation high lake (or valley bottom lake) at the base of Mt. Pilchuck. It’s also part of the larger Alpine Lakes system of the Cascades. Because it's a popular destination we crossed paths with dozens of people along the way.

The knot is tied

The best feeling is when you look at him...and he is already staring.

My favorite picture from our wedding day.

Earlier this year Jeff and I tied the knot, promising to be with one another till death do us part. If you're thinking, "Wait what?!?! When did this happen? I didn't even hear about your engagement," you're in good company. We only recently told our family. And by recent I mean last week. Delivering the news in person was important to me so we shared the news when my family came out for a visit.

Weekend Winter Wonderland

We’re thawing out now but for about a day or so snow blanketed much of the Seattle area. While the mountains are always capped with snow the lowlands of the Puget Sound region are a different story. We get snow about every other year. Typically it isn’t very heavy and is gone quickly.

UW's cherry blossoms usher in the start of Spring

Flowers blooming, warmer temperatures, and the start of longer days signify the beginning of Spring. A group of trees attracting attention from hundreds if not thousands of people each year in the Pacific Northwest are the Yoshino cherry trees on the quad at the University of Washington. This weekend they were blooming at 100%. It's a magnificent sight.

Day Trip to Deception Pass

Deception Pass

Impromptu trip to a historic landmark?

Sign. Me. Up.

Recently Jeff surprised me with a plan to drive up to Deception Pass. Located about 80 miles north of Seattle in Anacortes. Deception Pass is a strait between Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands. For about a year now I’ve been wanting to go up there so I was elated by this news. Deception Pass offers beautiful views of Puget Sound, Skagit Bay, and Macs Cove. It’s a popular sightseeing destination in the Pacific Northwest that I can now (excitedly of course) describe first hand.

12 books in 12 months: #3 Undead and Unwed by Marie Janice Davidson

In Undead and Unwed, Betsy Taylor is laid off from her job as a secretary, killed in a car wreck, then wakes up as a vampire in a casket at a funeral home. She loves designer shoes (think Ferragamo, Jimmy Choo, and Manolo Blahniks), is obsessed with her appearance, and doesn’t mince words. Betsy, along with two human sidekicks, is thrust in the middle of a vampire feud. She doesn’t want to pick a side and certainly doesn’t want to follow any vampire rules. I quickly devoured this hilarious novel and enjoyed every bite.

Kayaking 101 on Seattle's Lake Union

The rest of my classmates returning to dock.

Sunday morning I stepped out of my comfort zone and into a kayak. As part of a bucket list of sorts, I ventured down to Seattle’s Lake Union to attend a basic strokes kayaking class held at Northwest Outdoor Center.

I was nervous and equally excited.

This is the first time I’ve done a water activity. There’s no jet skiing, wakeboarding, canoeing, etc. in my repertoire so this was truly a new adventure for me.

12 books in 12 months: #2 Yes Please by Amy Poehler

Autobiographies aren’t the type of books I typically read but when I was gifted Amy Poehler’s Yes Please I was pretty excited to dive in. From Saturday Night Live to this year’s Golden Globes to watching her on Parks and Recreation, I enjoy watching Amy. She always makes me laugh and when paired with Tina Fey there’s no doubt I’ll be entertained.

This book covers much of Amy’s life – from her childhood, to trying to lose her Boston accent, to the birth of her two sons. She writes about her friendships with other comedic actors like Rashida Jones, Rachel Dratch, and Louis C.K (just to name a few). She also tackles being a woman in Hollywood and the challenges it can bring. Along the way she sprinkles in advice in an insightful and humorous way. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.

From Blondes to IPAs to Sours, Beer Lovers Toast to Seattle Beer Week

Whether you’re new to drinking craft beer or a longtime fan Seattle Beer Week is your chance to join thousands of others who want to enjoy what the market has to offer. The ten day celebration kicks off today with dozens of bars, pubs, and breweries hosting several events showcasing a variety of hop based beverages. It’s no coincidence Seattle Beer Week is successful. According to the Brewers Association, Washington State ranks second in the nation in the number of craft breweries creating batches of a drink first created in ancient Mesopotamia.

Quote of the Day

Evergreen State Gem: Green Lake Park

Turtles sunbathing at Green Lake Park.

If I were creating a list of my favorite outdoor spots in Seattle, Green Lake Park would make the top five. The loop around the lake is almost three miles long and is usually bustling with activity year round. It attracts people who want to walk, run, bike, roller blade, etc. You can also play tennis, fish, and put a small craft in the water.

Photo gallery: Picture Perfect View of Seattle

View from Kerry Park.

One of the best views of downtown Seattle is from Kerry Park in the Queen Anne neighborhood. When the weather is nice you can count on a steady stream of people from locals to tourists enjoying the scenery. When I first came to visit in 2010 my friend Amber took me there and I was amazed by the picturesque view. You could argue it’s what sealed the deal in wanting to live here one day. Although at the time that seemed like a far-fetched dream.

A weekend of firsts: Pacific Science Center, Space Needle & Pacific Northwest Ballet

Each year millions of tourists descend upon Seattle and the surrounding areas to visit places like the Space Needle, Pikes Place Market, and Ballard Locks. Recently I explored one popular area of the Emerald City which turned out to be a weekend of firsts.

Southerner in Seattle: Halloween fail

It’s been awhile since I’ve felt like a southerner trapped in the Pacific Northwest but on Halloween I was reminded of the regional differences here in Seattle. After tossing around ideas, like librarian or cowgirl, I settled on dressing up as a member of the Red Hat Society. It’s a social group for women typically 50-years-old and up. They’re often seen at events, restaurants, and touring local sites. When they get together they always wear red hats adorned with purple accents as well as purple and/or red outfits.

I was ecstatic about my choice. SO EXCITED. I went to Goodwill to find a red hat to wear and planned on tying a purple scarf around it. My elation only grew as I was pulling out red and purple clothes from my closet the night before Halloween. I found a purple cardigan that matched perfectly with my purple pants. YES! I also found a purple dress that I’d forgotten about. YES! The scene was set. Work outfit was put together and so was the outfit I planned on changing into for a costume party I was going to later that night.


I even took pictures to send to my friend Val. She supported my choice but tried to warn me that MAYBE people wouldn’t get it.

I didn’t listen.

Lisa vs. Lunds Gulch

The Pacific Northwest is a prime location for outdoor enthusiasts and rightly so. There are dozens of trails to walk, mountains to hike, and bodies of water to explore. The views are often picturesque and a reminder of why I moved here more than a year ago. On a recent Saturday afternoon my boyfriend Jeff, his dog Frankie, and I hit the Lunds Gulch trail with excitement.

My first Seattle summer

A few months ago a friend of mine and a few other people said summer doesn’t actually begin in Seattle until after the 4th of July. At the time I simply didn’t believe them. I thought to myself there’s no way that could be true. Implausible even. I'm used to summer like weather starting in April. But as the days of June rolled by and I was still wearing long sleeved shirts or a light jacket I was proven wrong. It’s still a bit surprising that it’s taken so long for it to stay warm consistently.

"Snow" in the Spring

For the last few weeks there’s been what looks like small translucent cotton balls flying through the air. At times it’s been so heavy that it resembles a snowstorm. I’ve never seen anything like it before. I was riding on the bus home one afternoon and was just fascinated by it; hundreds of dime sized pieces swirling around us, moving at the whim of the wind. The parking lot at work is covered with it. I couldn't resist picking up some of the cottony mass for a closer inspection.

Warm weather brings bliss

Who knew a little warm weather could brighten everyone’s mood? Today western Washington is experiencing above average temperatures. The highs are predicted to reach into the 80’s today, the humidity is low and it’s got everyone in my office in a very cheerful mood. Actually cheerful doesn’t quite describe the vibe, it’s more like giddiness; a kid on Christmas morning opening presents type of joy. Everybody is talking about the weather and several people are wearing shorts today (the Pacific Northwest has a very casual attitude when it comes to clothing even in the workplace).

Hello sun, nice to see you!

Yes we do see the sun in Seattle. As evidenced in the above picture. Contrary to public opinion it DOES NOT rain everyday all year long. It’s so funny how that rumor persists. Interestingly, to some degree the locals don’t mind it too much. They’re secretly hoping no one else decides to move here :)

Day trip to Bainbridge Island

View of downtown Seattle from the ferry

The great thing about Seattle is the proximity to other cities and towns that make for great day trips. Sunday I hopped on a ferry to Bainbridge Island for a quick getaway. The weather was gorgeous and the view was amazing.