Duck, Duck Moose

I think I need to look at merchandising Dog Dog Moose...it appears there may be a market for it! :)

Weekly Specials: Lilies & Rugers

What kind of guns does YOUR local grocery store have on sale this week?

 Nothing says "Happy Easter" like a fresh bouquet of flowers and a new rifle...

New (Old) Crush

Remember way back when, the t.v. show, "Ally McBeal"?  Last Christmas, Costco was offering the whole series for sale...and I bought it for 'nostalgic' reasons (if 10-15 years can be considered nostalgic) :)

It's a show that I remember making me laugh with its quirky characters and goofy story lines.  But one of the most memorable things of the show (for me) was that it gave me an appreciation for Robert Downey Jr. 

I *heart* him  :)

I know he's had his share of ups and downs in life thanks to many poor decisions he's made.  His role on Ally McBeal came just after he was released from prison where he'd served time for drug charges.  At the time I remember thinking 'what are they THINKING' but I ended up LOVING his character on the show.  I wondered if I would still like him as much as I remember the first time around, and after recently watching those episodes again, I can emphatically say "YES" :) 

He looks good with OR without his frames...

but I also just love his character, "Larry Paul" for some reason...he played an attorney and love interest for Ally...and I feel like I have a school girl crush all over again after watching him... :)  He would have continued appearing in more episodes but apparently had not worked through all of his real life drug issues at the time and ended up getting arrested again and was fired from the show. :( 

It looks like he has gotten himself together in recent years, appearing in the "Iron Man" movies as well as with Jude Law in Sherlock Holmes a couple years ago (another movie in which I loved his performance) and is set to make a Sherlock Holmes sequel - can't wait for that to come out!

Would it be bad if I put a poster of him up on my bedroom wall? :)  Just kidding....sort of...

Exploring Downtown

I've been trying to balance a little bit of work with a little bit of fun ~ now that my friends have left and I'm on my own, I have no more excuses not to get completely unpacked.  So Saturday was busy doing a lot of that, as well as some errands.

Sunday was SUNNY, so I knew I wanted to get outside!  I took the dogs downtown to a park and one of the many trails around town ~ this one was called the Coastal Trail cleverly enough because it follows the coastline.  :)

We first stopped at Resolution Park, which is slightly misleading as it's not really a park...more like a viewing area...it does provide a great view of the Cook Inlet and the Alaska mountain range, but there is no grass or trees.  It's marked by this statue of Captain James Cook, a great explorer and navigator who helped chart many far away places while in the Royal Navy.

and just a short walk away is a well known and well loved local hot spot...a place that I would compare to Snooze in Denver.

It's called "Snow City Cafe" and they have GREAT breakfasts!  I've been 3 times since I got here and each breakfast was delicious.  There is always a wait, but they do allow you to call ahead to put your name on the list which helps cut down your wait.

I stopped by the Visitor Information Center just because it's so pretty ~ there are flowers everywhere throughout downtown...I picked up a few brochures with ideas for future weekend exploring as well.  I'm definitely fortunate in that I can do all of the 'touristy' activities without having the time crunch that vacationers must deal with. 

During the summer, there is an outdoor market / festival that takes place every weekend.  It's pet friendly, so we wandered through...a lot of local artists, photographers, crafters, food booths and other vendors...definitely geared towards the touristy set but still fun to walk around...

I was trying to figure out if this was a dog or what he was supposed to be, but I overheard one of the visitor center guides say 'that's the most pathetic polar bear I've ever seen'...so I guess that's what he was...made more pathetic looking when he's standing next to that ferocious grizzly bear! :)

My final stop was on the way home...guess what I found?  Awhile back, I'd read there was going to be a self-serve frozen yogurt place going in at the airport but they would only have 3 flavor options...well, this one is NOT at the airport...and they have 12 different flavors to choose from...their 'toppings' bar is not QUITE as extensive as some of the others I have seen, but that's okay...I was just happy to learn I have a fro-yo shop nearby!

I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on the patio reading a book and enjoying the sun ~
the wildlife continues to be somewhat sporadic...either that, or they just are out and about really early in the morning before I am usually awake...

I was getting ready to let the dogs out the other night but noticed this little one hanging out in the yard. 

I looked around for his mama but he was by himself...and I've since learned he is called a yearling...the mamas usually become pregnant and about a week before she gives birth, she basically kicks out her one year old from the year before and sends him on his way to fend for himself as she has taught him everything she can and she wants to give birth alone.  Talk about tough love!

And finally, only in Alaska...

 Just Married...

 with a rack on top... :)

Bainbridge Island & Poulsbo

Day #2 of our Seattle tour took us back downtown, long enough to catch a ferry ride over to Bainbridge Island, thanks to my Aunt Joan's suggestion.  It was a short 35 minute ride, long enough to get up on deck and enjoy the view of the Seattle skyline, Mt. Rainier and the many sailboats taking advantage of the great weather.

 looking toward Bainbridge island

 Mount Rainier

 

 Seattle skyline

Bainbridge Island has some cute shops, some BEAUTIFUL homes and some great views.  I got excited when I saw a doe and her 2 babies...

Amy was less impressed, but she was amused by my outburst and abrupt stop for a quick photo.

One place I HAVE visited in the past (again, thanks to my Aunt Joan) :) is a cute town called Poulsbo.  It was settled by Norwegians and still has a very Scandinavian feel to the town.  It's just a short drive from Bainbridge Island, so after a light lunch at a small cafe, we continued on to Poulsbo.

Amy and I have traveled together in Austria and Switzerland, and Poulsbo reminded both of us of that trip.  We spent time just wandering up and down the main streets, window shopping and enjoying the day.  We were told that we HAD to stop for ice cream at the Mora Iced Creamery shop...there is one on Bainbridge Island, and one in Poulsbo...all I can say is Oh. My. Goodness.  This was probably THE best ice cream I have ever eaten.

You have to visit their website to see about their ingredients and process.  We were able to sample as many flavors as we wanted ~ and every sample I tasted was so good!  I ended up choosing Mexican Chocolate and BA.  The Mexican Chocolate had cinnamon and nutmeg flavors added...and the BA was Dulce de Leche with extra caramel.  I think regular ice cream is ruined for me...there's nothing like homemade and that's what Mora does. 

Poulsbo also has a great bakery in town, and I couldn't resist buying some pastries to take back to share...

I have to say though, the hi-light of the day for me turned out to be a completely unexpected and unplanned surprise.  Amy is used to me oohing and aahing over cavaliers by now, but seriously, who could resist these two??

Twelve week old Cavalier King Charles puppies...brother and sister...say hello to Pilot and Siren...the little boy reminded me SO much of Duncan when he was a puppy.  I could have cuddled them all day long!