The Seahawks!

The Reign of the 12’s Hawks

In Seattle, being a #Seahawks fan is awesome. We know that we are the most feared fans of the most feared team in the NFL! We our LOUD, PROUD, and POWERFUL.

On December 15, 1984 the Seattle Seahawks dedicated the number 12 uniform to honor their fans. The Seahawks just thought that was a good idea – the fans thought that was nice to be apart of the team! 11 guys are on the field and #12 is in the stands. The local pride and the connection to the field is very real. Blue Friday begins the wave of pride with people gearing up with their regalia.

LOUD! Yep, the Seahawk Fans are mighty loud. They have set the Guinness World Record twice for the loudest crowd noise at a sporting event. Both of them were in 2013. In their first noise record the 12’s were super loud. On September 15 against the 49ers they registered at 135.5 dB. Again, they roared, on December 2, 2013 against the Saints with a cheer of 137.6 dB.  12’s not only think they are loud. The facts are out and they ARE!

PROUD! It is hard to go anywhere in Seattle without the Blue and Green stuff everywhere: Balloons and flowers at the grocery store; Food (green eggs and blue ham?); A ginormous lighted Seahawk is mounted on top of a house (that is a future blog to come); Cars have window flags and stickers; Buildings are decked out with their mega 12 flags; The jerseys are everywhere; and Blue Friday is real.

POWERFUL! We have skills. Our offensive line has Tom Cable’s zone-blocking scheme. This means that they defend by the number and pattern of steps they take (I know: football 301…but we 12's are educated!). This is effective. Also, there is Sherman, Wilson, Thomas III, Chancellor, Wagner, Bennett, Lockette, and Avril. Need I say more! And of course, Marshawn Lynch, powered by his Skittles. Talent, Brains, and Power are a great combination.

The Hawk’s Stack Up

Like a runner just getting up to speed the players just build themselves upon previous victories. We have had a terrific run in the past 3 plus seasons. Just in case you didn’t know: 2012- The Seahawks went 11-5 and were 1-1 in the playoffs. 2013- The Seahawks went 13-3 and were 3-0 (Winning the Super Bowl!) 2014- The Seahawks went 12-4 and were 2-1. (Nearly winning the Super Bowl with a fantastically called play that they just didn't execute well!) For this blog, I have created two extra special cheers in honor of the Seahawks. I dedicate them to the Hawks as a member of the 12’s: Clearly, we’ve got giant tackles, are over six feet tall, we can run, throw, and punt, and that ain’t all. We love Hawks Football!  DeFence and OffFence we know our Game. We have risen to the top with lots of Fame. Being a 12 is truly fun! It makes our rainy Seattle days full of sun! Okay, maybe I need to stick to my day job; the rhythm on those rhymes is really awkward. But I know this is true: the 12's love Seahawks football. We are 12!

The Washington State Fair: Do The Puyallup

What do hot tubs and alpacas have in common? How about kids riding sheep and a man on stilts? Big Brown Cows and High School art? Roller Coasters and Baby Chicks? They may seem like strange parings but it all fits together nicely, with a bow on top, at the Puyallup Fair. I am reminded, “You can do it at a trot. You can do it at a gallup. You can do it real-slow so your heart don’t palpitate. Just don’t be late…Do The Puyallup.” I have this jingle etched in my memory from TV ads when I was a kid. All said, the Puyallup Fair is great.

For starts, we saw the coolest Horse Driving Exhibition. Teams of Clydesdales and other large horses trotted around the arena pulling a couple people on their wagons. I was so impressed to see the Custer Family Clydesdales, in particular. They were from Ferndale, WA and their horses had such class, speed, and skill. A group of six Shetland Ponies from Lil Britches Pony Farm flew by with their wagon. They were only 38 to 40 inches high but drove with amazing speed and energy. At this point, I was fantasizing about moving out to the country and driving horse teams. Horse driving is much better than hectic city life, right? I’m lovin’ it!

The next major destination (for our family, anyway) at the fair was the 4-H bunny building. Bunnies are so cute! I am so thankful that they can’t sell bunnies at events like this because we have a cage that holds two bunnies but we have only one in it, so it would have been very easy to break down and add cuteness to the bunny hutch. All of the bunnies there were champions at their local county fairs. So it was a best-in-breed event!

Mutton Bustin’, anyone? Parents put their 4-7 year old kids on sheep and then when the sheep is let out of the gate, the kids hang on for dear life! They’re like little miniature bull riders, laying down on the back of the sheep…or the side, or even underneath! So unique, one more reason to love the fair!

The rides seem to be everyone’s favorite at the fair. The fear, stomach churning, and speed of it all is so fun; but in my opinion they hold no candle to the Fisher Scones. I stood in line for half an hour to get the prize. With every bite, they melt. Like a homing pigeon, I find Fisher locations to make my scone purchase. They are worth the wait and are definitely my happy fair food.

Like little magnets, the Hot Tub sales tents drew me in. The water was so inviting. The possibilities were endless. Clearly, I could live the Hawaii resort lifestyle in my own backyard. The hot tubs were located next to the tiny houses so I was able to see some of those HGTV McMansionettes in person. Anything seems big when there is no furniture or people in it – no stuff or food. Maybe we will live in a Tiny House in the country someday, with a hot tub, and with loads of best-in-show bunnies! My Clydesdale horse cart will be out back. Oh That Fair…

After voting on our favorite High School art, eating pulled pork and monster fries, my fit bit reaching 26,000 steps, and viewing the 4-H sewing we went to the Fair Concert Series Show: Tobymac and Chris Tomlin, baby! Wahoo!

Y'all really can’t go wrong at the Washington State Fair. (Well, bad things could happen if you wrote a check at the hot tub tent, got sick on a ride, or actually purchased your new tiny house for the country.) The Puyallup Fair is a great place to be. It was a lot of fun to “do the Puyallup.” I can’t wait for next time!!!

Blackberry Jam

Wild Blackberry Jam, Preserving Nature’s Best

It is so easy to take nature for granted and not even notice. But those blackberries draw you in. One taste and you are hooked.

This summer we had a fabulous blackberry season. It was really hot in the Pacific Northwest so the berries came out early. My jam making instincts got the best of me as I drove by the wild berries. The family picked and picked from wild bushes everywhere along country roads. Blackberries are so delicious when picked perfectly ripe in August. Their squishy purple exterior give way to a sweet flavor that is hard to resist.

The busy pace of life can trick us into missing out on slower activities and facets of life, like berry picking. But when I stop to think about it, blackberries really are wonderful, and there is something peaceful about picking (though the thorns are not peaceful!). They are worth the time that it takes to stop the car, clear the schedule, and endure some scrapes and scratches. Blackberries are one of the great natural resources that are so easy to take for granted.

I just love the fact that blackberries are found everywhere!

This summer, we harvested the natural resources around us and brought them into the kitchen for preserving. Initially, we left them on top of the fridge and a couple of days later they began to smell like wine - and not a fine wine.

Note to self: use the berries right away!

The next time we knew we had to act quicker to preserve this wonderful fruit.

After our second picking, we went right to work. We mashed the berries with a meat masher. Squishing them made a really nice paste for jam. At first, we just made freezer jam, but then we busted out and made cooked jam. Cooked jam is the most fun; I think it is the best tasting. The heat of the brew creates such a dense mush of sugar and berries. We didn’t have any big messes in the kitchen this year (though my husband might beg to differ!).

Just plain fun in nature.

Just plain fun in the kitchen.

Plain fun happens to people when making memories and some lasting preserves, bonding with everything natural and with one another.  Countless jars of jam are our prize, along with the memories and the tastes along the way. So take the time to get out and pick some berries, and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

My Conversation with Summer and Back-to-School

Ode to Summer 

Ode to Back-to-School

To Summer: I love you Summer. You make my family life blissful, happy, and free. You turn us away from the schedule and let us play and enjoy life. Summer you are my kind of happy!

To Back-to-School: I hate to be negative, but in many ways, I resent you. You lock me into a schedule that takes my children away from me. You make them grow up and become one year older. Preschool turns to Kindergarten. Third grade turns to fourth grade. Fifth grade turns to sixth grade. Seventh grade turns to eighth grade. Soon you will take them to college, I just know it!

Dearest Summer: As I reflect upon the task of sending the kids back into their schools, I am struck by the way that time continues to march on. They are growing up. Summer why does this happen? Why can’t you stave off Back-to-School a while longer? Back-to-school sends us off into many directions. Maybe you should stay longer, Summer. The first day of school is nearly here. Make it stop, Summer! I know Summer you have seen me sneaking out with Back-to-School.

Back-to-School, you led me to places that I shouldn’t have gone. Shopping, while Summer wasn’t looking, we went to Target to collect the perfect items to enable their little brains to learn. We went to the mall together again and again. Back-to-School, regretfully, I let you make me write check after check for school fees (7 in all thus far). You made me worry about the schedule and I got busy with lining up carpools. You promised it would help with the transition. I don’t know Back-to-School maybe I should have stayed true to Summer.

Back-to-School, I need to send you to time-out! Just wait right there and I will tell you when to get up. I will tell you when I am ready for you. I should have put you there a while ago.

Summer, when those precious kids of mine put on their new backpacks and new shoes and head out the door I dream that we will all have cherished every minute possible with you. You are my happy place. Very truly, I love you Summer.

Yet looking ahead, I know that I will acquiesce, even with my heavy heart. On Back-to-School’s big day Kindergarten, Fourth, Sixth, and Eighth will emerge from Pre-K, Third, Fifth, and Seventh. Back-to-School will take them away again. Summer, you brighten my life. I could love and keep you forever. Thanks for everything. Every moment has been awesome. I really can’t wait to see you again.

Summer, next time, please stay forever and never leave my side!

Puget Sound Destination: Gig Harbor

The Sneaky Harbor: 

Gig Harbor, I will title it “Lake Gig”

This is the third of my three blogs about Puget Sound destinations: such a great topic to tackle in the summer when the sun is bright and life is dreamy. I hope that you have enjoyed it as a window into life in the Northwest.

The Narrows Bridge

This time we are at the natural and gritty coast around the Puget Sound waters that are north and south of Gig Harbor. The salt-water moves quickly because of the narrow channel to the south, giving it the well deserved name “The Narrows.” Kayakers know that it can be easy to get caught in the current, so beware. As you approach Gig Harbor by boat darling cabins and woodsy cliffs are everywhere. Beautiful! The Narrows Bridge is towering above the crossing and joins Gig Harbor with the “City of Destiny,” Tacoma.

Surprise: A boater could wiz on past the entrance to Gig Harbor without even noticing the inlet that leads to Gig Harbor. I was a bit embarrassed because I told my dad, who took us on this excursion, that I thought that he was going the wrong way. We were just heading straight toward the beach, and fast! Yikes! 

With a straight face, he agreed with me that indeed maybe we were lost. He laughed when the tiny inlet to the harbor was exposed.  So funny… I love being teased by my dad.

Little Lighthouse and Inlet to Gig Harbor

Once the small passage comes into view at the 15 foot lighthouse, boaters go into almost a lake-like environment. The water is calm and wonderfully peaceful. We saw paddle boarders and kayakers a-plenty as we toured the harbor. Awesome! In my opinion, it could almost be re-named, Lake Gig!

Upon Arriving: We didn’t discover the darling shopping community that I noted in my Poulsbo blog (though there are some shops). We didn’t discover the rustic and primitive island noted in my Blake Island blog. What we did discover was unique: lots of fancy-schmancy swanky boats waiting to be taken into the Sound, beautiful big homes perched on the hillside, a busy sailing class for energetic kids, and really fun-looking restaurants with docks. “Lake Gig” has an urban flair for the Sound. It is crisp, clean, fun, and fancy.

I can see why the community has grown so quickly over the years. When we were ready to leave “Lake Gig” and head out to the real world of the Puget Sound, I was happy to get a first hand experience and sneak into the Harbor. This was a small window into the lives that enjoy being near to the big city and being near to the rustic Sound, hand-in-hand. “Lake Gig” is a nautical break from the wind and the waves brewing in the Sound. The presence of of those living "the good life" is all fun to take in as well. 

Given the choice, I prefer the quiet life of Poulsbo and Blake Island, from my other two blogs, because of their quiet contrast to my city life. I am wondering what those that take time to read this will think? Maybe they will be drawn to Lake Gig for their next Puget Sound destination trip? Maybe they will laugh with me and my dad as their boat heads straight for the beach! 

In the end, I consider Puget Sound to be the most beautiful place around. I am so thankful for the history, raw beauty, sneaky surprises, the Narrows, and fancy boats. I also appreciate the opportunity to share a little bit of my dreamy summer adventures with you! Until next time...