The Nicest Place on the Internet

This seriously made me happy! Am I weird?! It's sort of an odd concept, but I totally found myself with a big old grin as I watched. Ha! What do you think? (I confess, I kind of want to make one and give the world a big fat hug.)

2CELLOS

Look these guys up!

The first guy in this video is cracking me up. He reminds me of Jeff. But wow - - the talent and patience to be in each others space like that is pretty impressive.

Ollie's here!

My little buddy Ollie made his appearance early! 

Stats: 6 lbs. 6 oz., 19" long, super sweet & snuggly

*yawn*

*good morning eyes*

I'm so glad he's finally here, he's safe, he's doing great. My sister Heather was a courageous mama, and went for the natural birth route. She's my hero! I don't know if I could do that (coming from the girl with zero pain tolerance). It's going to be so fun to watch this little guy grow up. I'm looking forward to lots of play time & snuggle time.

Adventure isn't missing.

xo

Smile, then cry, then smile again.

Watch this and find yourself with a huge smile!

She's this gal's landlady.

So awesome!!

And this video just made me cry...

The little buddy was fighting brain cancer when this happened. 

Again, so awesome!!

Bob

You've got to meet Bob.

He's the man with the kind, sparkly eyes wearing the fishing hat that walks around Kirkland on nice days. I'd guess he's about 85.

I first met him about 8 years ago at a coffee shop on Lake Street. I was meeting a friend for my birthday, and he was there with his other pal (a sweeter Marty & Angelo from Return to Me come to mind). He somehow heard it was my birthday and made me a balloon animal.

I've never forgotten his sweet face.

Then yesterday I spotted him as I was walking to lunch. He probably thought I was crazy.

"Bob! You made me a balloon animal once!"

He grabs my hand. "Did I? Would you like another one? The kids just love them."

"Of course!"

He pulls out a long pink balloon, and before I know it, I have a poodle.

Thanks Bob! You completely made my day.

This was my dream as a girl...

...except it would be with wolves, and they would be nice.

No. 1

Get ready for a booty load of pictures.

But, before that, some context.

Jeffrey and I celebrated our 1-year anniversary of being married last Saturday. We had a perfect weekend away at our dear friends beach house on Hood Canal. (Thank you Cline's! The other Cline's, with a "C".) These are some photos of our fun time. 

But, as a side note, it was more than a fun time. It was a reunion! He'd been out of town for 10 days, prior to our trip, so....how do I say this....a mini-me may be on the way. I'm joking!! But not really. Who knows. We are open to being parents any time now, but aren't really trying. If you get my drift. What else do you expect after being away from your love for 10 days?!

Anywho.

It was a great weekend. We did lots of sleeping in (does 7am count?), took lots of naps, ate yummy meals, had yummy drinks, and had some really thoughtful, defining conversations. I so love life with this man. 

Coming from the girl who always wanted to be Pocahontas, my favorite part was getting in the canoe and paddling to the other side of Hood Canal. This is about a mile of water we covered, each way. We put in right before sun set, and made it back by dusk. Every slice (push? stroke?) of the paddle was a moment I was made for. I need more of those times in my life! It's doing something together that requires genuine work, with beauty all along the way.  

All photos are from my iPhone, unaltered. Enjoy!

Olympic Mtn. Range in the background

we conquered it

the last morning

Lilac plant - smelled a-mazing

happy to be on vacation

Jeff introduced me to Citizen Kane - such an interesting story.

Congrats if you've made it this far through the post. I know it's a long one. Thanks for sticking with me!

Have a wonderful Good Friday and Easter weekend. 

We have so much to be grateful for! 

Adventure isn't missing,

Rose

xo

 This morning I was reminded that there's a very real connection between

the sound of the rain pounding on my roof

and wishing I could stay in bed.

Welcome to Spring.

Dig.

I would've forgotten it's St. Patrick's Day except that when I left the house this morning I saw that everyone here in downtown Kirkland is walking around wearing green. Not only that, it's a gorgeous spring day. So everyone is out, with dogs and green leashes, green earmuffs (it's still quite cold), and I even saw someone driving a green 90's Ford Taurus. I wonder if they brought it out just for the occasion.

And I'm home, unintentionally revolting against the holiday by staying in and blogging, eating a burrito and drinking a Belgian beer. Kind of a fun one too...New Belgian Brewing Co. comes out with a seasonal beer, every season. Winter's was called Snow Day, and Spring's is called Dig. I dig it.

This morning I was getting ready for church, and thinking about a shirt I own, and the story surrounding it, and thought I'd tell it here on my blog. It's kind of fun. It has to do with when Jeff and I first got together about two years ago.

This shirt is one of my favorites. It's a black & white baseball tee with red leather numbers stitched on the back. 5's are my favorite number. A couple years ago I saw that number everywhere I went. I even got a new license plate and the numbers on it ended up being 555. I wasn't even suprised. Plus, 5 means grace, which is such a great word.

So I was out shopping, right around the time I was really starting to dig Jeffrey Kline. It was when he was always subconciously in the back of my mind, if thoughts of him weren't already making their way to the front of it. I was starting to admit to my closest friends that I was crushin'.

Anyway, there used to be this shop in downtown Kirkland (now about a block from where we live) that sold clothes that reminded me of someplace trendy and sunny (Vegas & Miami come to mind). I was familiar with it because I had done some design work for them, but the styles of clothing they sold weren't really my thing. But one day, I guess I though I'd check it out. I searched & searched and the only thing I liked was this baseball tee. I tried it on, I loved it, I bought it at 75% off, and it had 5's on the back. Perfect.

The thing that makes my eyes cross happened next. I looked at the tag to see what the brand was.

the shirt

Jeffrey Kline.

That's right. My future husband's name was on the tag of my 55 shirt. .....what? To me, that is odd. That is downright weird. He doesn't own a tee shirt company and is not affiliated with this shirt in any way, other than the girl wearing it was going to fall in love with him someday.





Am I the only one that thinks this is crazy? Call me sentimental, but.... it gets better.

Once Jeff and I got together, I told him about this story and the shirt. He then proceeds to tell me that his baseball number growing up was 55. His nickname was Double Nickels.

I'm telling you, you can't make up coincidences like that!!!

That's my story! On that note, have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day.

Adventure isn't missing!

To Matthew, From Jack

"Keep your faith, and chin up Matthew! God will find you a new kidney too!"

What a little buddy! I'm not waiting for a kidney, but his message totally lifts my heart! Happy Wednesday everyone. :) :)

It's a beautiful day.

Spring is almost here! It was a gorgeous weekend here in Kirkland. I didn't get any pictures because I was out & about all weekend, so busy!

My highlight: on Friday we had a couples dinner at our dear friends, Jon & Renee's house. There were four couples, an amazing meal, good wine, inspiring conversation and TONS of laughing. We've been going through the "Five Love Languages" at our church small group, and on Friday we focused in on how we best communicate appreciation to our spouses. It was so good to be reminded that our men need to know we as wives trust them and respect them. And for the ladies, we want to be encouraged by them on an identity level, as nice as it is to be told how pretty we look. (Note: being a brat does not inspire these kids of words from them. :) It's so nice to have friends we can be totally real with, and leave feeling more encouraged than ever. I'm so grateful for that.

Here's a fun video to get you in the mood for Spring. I lived on a Dairy Farm for years as a kid, and never saw the girls do anything quite like this. Have a great Monday!

Happy Friday.

Have a wonder-full weekend, everyone.

Adventure isn't missing.

Fireworks in Reverse by Julian Tay

I just have to brag about my husband.

Yesterday, I came home on my lunch break. He surprised me by deep cleaning the WHOLE APARTMENT. And by that I mean he bleached the shower to perfection (every flippin' tile and crack), there was fresh paint, vacuum lines in the carpet, windows open with fresh air streaming in, stuff put away, dishes washed, and everything looking just shiny and new.

The cherry on the top was that he made me lunch too.  I swear to you, I'm not exaggerating...it was the best turkey sandwich I've ever had.

If you want to know what he did...he did the usual turkey, lettuce, tomato, avocado. Then he added honey mustard and truffle flavored cheese from Trader Joe's.

Oh my.

It was good.

Anyway! I couldn't believe he took his day off to do that for me/us. I feel so humbled by his kindness.

If you're reading this, thanks love. xoxo
Adventure isn't missing.

song of my life

March 1.

March along, dear March. We need the sun to come out so we can go riding.

We also want to celebrate our 1st anniversary like we did a year ago - 60 degrees with an open sun roof. If we can't get on the bike, then at least we want to open the E30's sun roof without getting drenched or frostbitten.

You have 23 days to get it right.

photos found here

It was a windy, stormy weekend here in Kirkland.

After work on Friday, I made it home in time to put on some kicks and a beanie and run to the end of the dock before the sun set. This is literally my front yard and I LOVE IT. That's teeny Seattle in the background.

Saturday was filled with all sorts of fun times. A mutual friend of me & my sister threw Heather a baby shower out in the country. We got some photos taken out in the yard....Heather was just cracking up the whole time, while I was loving hammin' it up. So typical. That's our pretty mama in the center.

I think Heather's going to be the best mom ever. They decided on a name! Little Oliver is set to arrive on April 24th. And how cute is her little black dress? So simple & comfortable. I think she's so beautiful.

(Various photos taken by me, Shannon & Racheal)

 Love you, Heather! Adventure isn't missing!

This is how I most enjoy my coffee...

Found via Oh, Pioneer!

Time for another cup.

Have a great day, blog world.

Adventure isn't missing.

Today, more than ever, I wish I had a hidden flower garden. A place that's full of life, but still and safe. A secret place where time stops but everything keeps growing. Somewhere I can rest or work. A place where my senses are alive. I'd climb big trees to the very top, stretch out on the grass, and I'd thread flowers through my hair. A place where I can be, just for a little while.

 

photo via Central Park/unknown

Finding Vivian Maier

Ever heard of Vivian Maier?

I've been completely fascinated with this woman for years.

She was around, beginning in the 50's, doing what Bill Cunningham and Scott Schuman hadn't even thought of yet. To me, their work doesn't even compare to hers. Not even close.

In 2007, someone found hundreds of thousands of her undeveloped negatives at a thrift auction house in Chicago and it exposed this incredible talent of hers that nobody knew about. She was sadly no longer living at the time, and so it brought up a lot of unanswered questions about her.

Today I saw this trailer.

I cannot, cannot wait to see this film.

10,000

Thanks to YOU, this little blog of mine just hit 10,000 views. 

I know that's not much for some of you out there.

But for me, it's golden.

I started blogging back in 2005 as a sort of journal so I wouldn't forget how many awesome people I have in my life, and how many wonderful moments I get to experience. 

Honestly, it's more for me than anyone else. 

Sometimes I go back and re-read entries and smile. 

Sometimes I groan, and wish I had more time to make the formatting just perfect. 

Sometimes I'm tempted to delete old posts that are corny and odd, but Jeff says I should keep them up, that they're all apart of what I was thinking at the moment, and so I keep them up. 

But I always am in awe of this little life of mine, not because of me, but because of Him.

It's true that I'm grateful for my own life. I'm glad I get to be me. 

I'm glad I live right now, where I'm at, with all these wonderful people around me. 

I don't assume it's always going to be this way, and I try not to take it for granted.

Most people would probably look at my life and think it's pretty simple and not so exciting.

And there are always more things I wish I were doing. 

But what I have are lots of meaningful moments, and I know I'll have more. 

But when do we ever know where our lives are going? Never. 

All I have is everything that has given my life meaning up until this point, and I have right now. 

I'm so glad there's a way for me to document a small portion of all of that. 

Thanks for reading and coming along for the ride.

Thanks for every little comment - I love them all.

Adventure isn't missing,

RK

p.s. In honor of 10,000 viewers...here's one of my favorite songs, Ten Thousand.