Leaving Las Vegas

Today,  I leave the city where I grew up.

I'm ready,  yet it's still a little bittersweet for me.

So, to help me document the end of this era,  I've chosen the song

Leaving Las Vegas

by

Sheryl Crow 

to share with you.

"I'm standing in the middle of the desert, 

waiting for my ship to come in."

(photo credit, Russell Smith)

Thank you for all your prayers, wishes, and support as we embark on our journey to the 

Pacific Northwest!

Love to you all, 

Becca

Crochet and Stones

Still messing about with 

Crochet and Stones.

I still haven't quite mastered the "crocheted stone look" yet.  

I'm still working on my crochet stitches.

I do get frustrated when I can't accomplish what I want right away.  

But for the most part, crochet is comforting and the stones remind me of the sea.

Yes, that's Lucy's paw.

I've been getting together with old friends,  having some laughs, sharing memories and saying good-bye.

The calendar is full.

The "packers" will be here Thursday.

The "loaders" and big moving truck will be here Friday.

The "crazy cat lady," 3 kitties, and dear husband leave on Saturday.

Wishing you a fun filled weekend, and a very Happy Mother's Day to all!

Becca 

Around our new "Hood"

Last week, we decided to see what was around our new neighborhood in Kirkland.

We barely got started when I noticed our street was covered in pink petals and I had to stop.

This actually isn't within walking distance of our house.

We took the ferry to Bainbridge Island and had lunch here. 

I had an oyster sandwich and a beer. 

  

I'm not used to seeing this...it makes me happy to know this will be a part of my spring each year. 

In downtown Kirkland, I ran into this place...

http://canvaskirkland.com/

Canvas Paint & Sip Studio

I can walk here from my house!  

That's probably a good thing since I'll be sipping wine while I paint! 

This however would be more fun with a group friends.

Do you have one of these in your neighborhood?  Have you tried it? 

This is 

Waverly Beach Park

also within walking distance from our home.

Here you can look across Lake Washington and see Seattle on the other side. 

In the summer when the weather is nice, Kirkland gets pretty crowded with people enjoying the sunshine. 

Being able to walk here on a nice day will save me from trying to find a place to park. 

I know...

I sound as if we're living in Washington right now, but not yet.  Almost.

I was just excited to discover these things so close to home. 

The truth is, we're back in Las Vegas.

It's warm and very windy today.  Oh, and our air conditioner went out last night...hum...what else?

Our house is piled up with moving boxes, and I'm completely stressed out. 

Goes along with moving right? 

So, see why I only want to share the "pretty" things? 

It's therapy for me too, because I love connecting with you guys! 

The date is May 19th...

just around the corner.

Wonder if I'll ever "feel" ready? 

Happy Weekend to you all.

Becca 

Alderbrook

We've been away again for a work related conference in Washington.

alderbrookresort.com

Sitting here for a while, even in the misty rain seemed to make my stress go away.

I just can't get over how green it is here!

Washington...the Evergreen State.

Sitting here, being quiet, only thinking about the patterns the rain was making in the pond.

Oh, and I made a couple of friends that kept me company while I was missing my cats. 

Meet... 

"ALDER"

 and...

"BROOK"

Neither Alder nor Brook were bothered by people in the, I mean "their" hotel lobby.   They both had  favorite "spots" where they like to chill out, and were even happier if you wanted to pet them and pay attention to them.

Hum, I'm thinking I could relax too if I lived at the Alderbrook Resort.

I'll be back to Las Vegas in a few days...

Only a few more weeks left now, before we pack up our things and move up here to the Pacific Northwest.

Hope all is well with you.

Becca 

She Wore Rain Boots...

Hello dear friends!   

We've been on a whirl wind trip to the Seattle area to look for a house. 

Needless to say, my stress level has been a little on the high side this past week.  

Fortunately, we found a house we are very happy with and now I can start to plan! 

The weather during our 3 day visit was sunny and warm, in the 70's.  People were out riding bicycles near the lake, enjoying lunch outside, and walking their dogs.  

I can certainly understand why these "rain city" residents love their sunshine!

blue skies

This is the waterfront in Kirkland, Washington 

which is less than a 10 minute drive from where I'll be living. 

Kirkland is a suburb of Seattle on the Eastside of Lake Washington.

We enjoyed the sunshine while sitting on the docks watching the boats.

I couldn't help squealing with delight when this little family swam up to me. 

They were so fun to watch.

Too cute! 

...how quickly they swam trying to keep up with mom and dad... 

This sweet little girl played on the shore.

Her mother said she loved to wear her "Hello Kitty" rain boots everyday.

I could have sat listening to the water and checking out the view all day.  

So much in bloom right now...

Cherry trees, 

tulips and daffodils, 

I'm not sure what this plant is.  It looked very pretty and came in a darker green variety too. 

I love the Magnolia trees...don't you?

...and this is where I'll "hang my hat."
Just a small peek at the entrance to our house from the sidewalk.

I'd like to say thank you to my blog friend, and now soon to be "neighbor"
Judy
and her husband Dick for having us over to their lovely home in Bellevue.
They took us on a beautiful walk and made us a home cooked meal after our long day of house hunting.
I'm so grateful to already have someone I can call "friend" in my new home.

I've been trying to crochet...like I said..."trying"  it's not easy teaching myself, but it's been good for my soul lately.  It's a simple way to relax and take your mind off of things.

What are you up to?
I hope to get by for a visit soon,  I've missed you guys!

Becca

Sea, Sky, Stone

Hi Friends! 

Wow, time sure seems to be getting away from me lately.

I can't believe I will be moving to the Pacific Northwest in about a month!  

It's been such a battle for me knowing I need to "pack up" but my creative side keeps screaming paint, sketch, sew! 

Sew So, what's a girl to do?

 Make a bracelet, of course!  

I keep seeing these beautiful wrap bracelets and my favorites are the ones by 

Chan Luu

Have you seen them?  I would love to have several of them, but at $200.00 plus I just can't see spending that right now. 

When I was a teenager growing up, I would buy something like...jeans with pre-made holes,  costume jewelry, hair accessories, etc.  and I'll always remember my dad teasing me...

"I could've made that for you!" 

Well dad, 

you must have rubbed off on me because now I find myself saying that all the time! 

I decided to find some beads that "spoke to me."

I wanted something to wear... everyday...while getting ready to move...something to remind me of the excitement...of my future, the "new" natural environment...

I spent a little more at a "bead store" for these beads than a craft store, but couldn't resist the texture and color.

Sea, Sky, Stone

We had rain today...I love that...

Seems I'm overcome with emotion lately...is it the upcoming move? 

So much going on...

So much to be thankful for...

I'm so glad you're here...

thank you friends...

Becca 

Irises for Easter

Sharing my "wind-blown" bearded irises with you 

for Easter Sunday.

I planted bearded iris bulbs in this large plastic container about 8 years ago.

Amazingly, every year around Easter, they bloom for me. :-)

Every year though, they battle the gusty, spring winds we get here in the desert.  

Their long, gorgeous stems blew sideways this year, covering my favorite chair.

I kind of like the photo opportunity it gave me though. 

It will make me sad to say goodbye to these irises when we move next month.

My friend Judy 

that lives in Bellevue, Washington she says they would do well there, and I should try to bring them.

I just need to figure out how to dig up a bulb.

See the container they are in?  They are packed pretty tightly in there, so I'm not sure how easy it would be to just dig up a bulb or two.

Any ideas?

If not, I will try to just find a happy home for them.  

 Happy Easter 

Becca