July 4th

Given the year that this country is having, WOW -- WHAT A YEAR TO BE AN AMERICAN! But politics aside, I love the USA and July 4th has become one of my favorite holidays. 

Forrest and I got patriotic AF!

Eric and Jen opened up their home to a huuuuuge party, and there was a ridiculous amount of food! The dogs were all happy to play and run, but the fireworks changed everything. Eric's neighbors do a legit fireworks show, and the dogs were so spooked! Forrest is usually fine with fireworks from afar, but I guess this year it was too loud for him.

Forrest and Walla hiding out in the house

The fireworks show was absolutely amazing, and I'm glad we got to celebrate the holiday with all of our friends! Next year, we'll bring Forrest's bed along so he'll be more comfortable. 

Clam Jam 2016

Another clamming adventure for the books! We went back to Double Bluff beach on a gorgeous summer day with the tide below -3. The trip was very last minute, but we ended up having a very rewarding day.

In the morning, Forrest was so excited to leave the house... that he had crumbs all over his face from inhaling breakfast. He was a hot mess, with his harness all in a twist. 

This year, we went further out than usual. The area that we chose was really rocky, but there were whole clans of clams under the sand!!!! Forrest was scouting the area and greeting the other clammers for us. 

While we dug and dug some more, Forrest wandered nearby and sniffed just about everything. He even ate a crab! I guess he doesn't remember last time, when got nipped in the nose. LOL

Eventually he got tired and wanted to lay near us. He's not a young chicken anymore! 

After cleaning and prepping our catches, Mike made us clam ceviche! It was DELICIOUS.

Next, JR sauteed some clams with garlic, onions, and butter.

The main course was a heaping pile of butter clams in a white wine sauce.

And the clam finale - baked clams with Ritz cracker crust.

With Tambi and JR to share their culinary genius, we had quite the feast. It was a lot of work, but we also had more hands to do the prepping and the cleaning. Last year, Matt and I only trusted ourselves to make chowder... and it took FOREVER to clean the damned horse clams! I'm glad we got some butter clams this year, too.

I think my clam fix has been satiated for the year. Because we dug so far out on the beach, the walk back to the car was extra brutal. And these clams were NOT light. 

Can't wait to go crabbing next! 

Stanley Cup Finals - GO SHARKS!

As much as I liked Todd McLellan, the recent Sharks coach replacement was obviously a solid choice. Although DeBoer is not as entertaining to watch on TV, he has inspired the Sharks to make it through playoffs. First it was the Kings, then it was the Preds, next it was the Blues, and now the Sharks are taking on the Pens. IN THE FINALS!! THE FINALS!!! It's like the stars aligned - Jones got us past the Kings, Ward got us past the Preds, and Polak got us past the Blues.

When I first started watching hockey, I was SO into it. And my friends who were longtime Sharks fans (and others who were weren't fans at all) would always say that even if the Sharks are doing well in the regular season, they always choke in the playoffs. After a few years, I started to understand that sentiment.. but I never lost hope! If the Sharks win the Stanley Cup this year, I was will be SO HAPPY. I'll also be a bit sad though, because I won't be in the Bay Area to celebrate it.

I wish I had more fan friends to go to games with. Alex always has people to go with, and I'm not hardcore enough to go alone. Even though I was able to get tickets for a finals game, I'm selling them - no one wants to go! Hopefully this season's momentum will create a stronger fan base. In the meantime, some of my Seattle friends are slowly becoming Sharks fans. 

But Forrest has always been a Sharks fan. He has good taste.

Bark at the Park

Unfortunately for Forrest, I didn't know about Bark at the Park... until this year! We took him to the game against the As, and the weather was perfect. All of the dogs were so well-behaved, and the Safeco workers did a fantastic job of keeping the areas as clean as possible. We saw one scuffle at the check-in table, between a husky and mastiffy dog, but I don't think the husky owner was watching her dog. Based on the way she reacted, she didn't seem like a responsible owner.

Forrest is afraid of heights, which is something I hadn't considered when buying tickets - all of the dog sections are on the third level. He fought us when walking up the ramps, and any time we walked within 4-5 feet of an edge. He REALLY didn't want to walk up the stairs to our seats, but we went up anyway.

Initially, I set him in his own seat. He kept scooting backward, and the seat of the chair would collapse inward. LOL. There was also a gigantic Bernese mountain dog sitting behind us, drooling all over Forrest's back. It was SO CUTE! 

I let him sit in my lap, because he seemed more at ease. The Bernese dog kept leaning over my shoulder to get closer to Forrest, and he drooled on my hair. I didn't mind, but we definitely both needed a thorough bathing after the game. 

Despite the terrifying heights, I think Forrest had a great time. He got to smell and meet so many dogs in just a few hours! And he snatched up some french fries and tortilla chip scraps from the floor. Hanging out at the bar/food area was probably his faaaaavorite part of the night. 

Can't wait to do it again! 

Forrest and Mandy do Coal Creek Trail - Hike yeah!

Summer came early this year! This week has been a scorcher... we might have to start using the air conditioning in the house soon. I've never lived this far from water! Totally missing the cool breezes...

Forrest and Mandy had another hiking adventure! This time we did Coal Creek Trail on Cougar Mountain (rawr!) and we got to break in our new boots because the hike was super easy.

How sad that the creek didn't have any water at the bottom! 

And here's a giant booby trap! Just kidding. That's what I thought it was from afar, though.

Coincidentally, we were talking about Henry Ford and Michigan today! 

And that's all, folks! 

We took the trail that passes through the waterfall, and there wasn't very much water up there either. What a bummer... I guess that's a reminder that no one is safe from drought. Not even the 'rainy' city! 

As we were leaving the mountain, Chelsie and I discussing our next adventure. She yelled, "heck yeah" which prompted me to yell "hike yeah" LOL. I think that's a thing now. Yeah, it's definitely a thing. 

Forrest and Mandy do Rattlesnake Ledge Trail

Upon realizing that we had another gorgeous summer-like weekend ahead of us, and no plans, Matt and I decided to do a last-minute hike! We chose the 'easiest' hike in the area, and met Chelsie and Mandy for our first real dog hike.

First of all, it's ridiculous that there two very similar locations - Rattlesnake Ledge Trail and Rattlesnake Ridge. Matt and I had never been, so we went to Rattlesnake Ridge (which is what everyone calls it). However, Chelsie and Mandy were at Rattlesnake Ledge Trail! BOO!

After that fiasco, we finally found Chelsie and Mandy, and it was smooth sailing from then. The hike was pretty steep, but not too long or difficult. Our pups made it to the top just fine! Thankfully we started in the morning, so when we were inclining it wasn't too hot. By the time we got back to the bottom of the trail, the parking lots were overflowing (that's an understatement) and it turned out to be a fully sunny day in the mid-80s. We explored the lake area for a while, and it was beautiful!

I think easy dog hikes will be our summer thing this year. And I think that I'll need some legit hiking shoes, because Nikes were not cutting it. LOL. I need ankle support... what an old fart!

Much needed break

The view

Sean brought Walla over when we got home, and we all enjoyed the sunshine from our backyard. We brought out the kiddie pool for the puppies, but they weren't interested. Instead, we ended up standing in the kiddie pool to cool our toesies, LOL. 

I'm so excited for summer! And I can't wait for our next hike. I'm thinking we may try Tiger Mountain next? Perhaps I should get poles too. =) 

Forrest and Mandy do Discovery Park

Last week, Seattle gave us a surprisingly beautiful Spring weekend with sunshine GALORE. So Forrest and Mandy went on a short hike through Discovery Park! This was my first time meeting Mandy, and she is such a sweetheart. She looks like a stuffed animal, and even though she's a younger dog she behaves in a much calmer manner than our dear Forrest.

There was a lot of mouth biting between wrestling. 

A few intense moments where both struggled for dominance.

And Forrest pulling his favorite rolls and spin moves! 

They played wonderfully together. They are perfect! 

And Forrest was on good behavior all day at the park. 

I brought a backpack along because I wasn't sure if Forrest would make it all the way to the end of the hike. I could tell he was exhausted after we were about halfway through, but he just kept trekking! Didn't have to carry him at all. The whole time, he was just excited to keep up with Mandy. I think these two will have many more hiking dates to look forward to! I also had a great time catching up with Chelsie, and I'm so glad that she suggested it. 

Nick + Steph + arugala

More visitors!!

On Sunday, Nick and Steph came over to play with Forrest. We ended up chatting for a few hours (with the Sharetea that they brought over *yesss*) and it was so nice to catch up! I used to go clubbing all of the time with Nick, and it made me think of how far we've come now. He and Steph are engaged and planning to buy property, they are so grown up! =P

When Matt came back from his bike ride, we talked some more before heading to Some Random Bar. I had a delicious Coffee Old Fashioned and the Seafood Bisque dish. Both were delicious! Because it was Sunday, they were flipping coins for beer orders - if you guessed heads or tails correctly, your beer was only $1! Matt got two beers, and guessed wrong both times. HA!

Then we walked over to Shiro's and had our real dinner there. Matt and I decided not to get the omakase, because we've done it before and wanted to try other things. The highlights of the night were the Black Cod, Geso Karaage (squid legs),  and the Geoduck Butter dishes. They were really delicious! I also ordered the regular sushi dinner, and everything was yummy! I'm actually glad that I didn't get the omakase. It was Steph's first time, and she did the Shiro's Omakase. She was disappointed and I don't blame her. The courses didn't even come out in the correct order. She was right when she said it wasn't worth $75!

We headed over to Feierabend after dinner, to get liters with Sean and Sarah! Matt finished his punchcard and got the t-shirt. I drank 1.5 liters of the coffee beer (coffee bevvies seem to be a theme) and was full of regrets when I couldn't sleep later! I have 7 punches now!!! At this rate, I'll get my t-shirt by 2018?

This morning, I did some work while I couldn't sleep but I had the day off for Presidents Day. Matt was working from home, but we did get to sneak away for lunch at Serious Pie with Nick and Steph. We ordered the yukon potato pizza (the only one that we didn't order with Nan and Alex last week) and it was amazing. Like a pizza made of chips! And of course we ordered the egg, prosciutto, and arugula pizza again. Nick and I also ordered the "Daily Shrub" drink, which was fruity and vinegary. Very interesting, I liked it!

I spent the rest of the day at the park with Forrest. We haven't been able to have long park visits since winter started, and now he's snoring in my lap. What a weekend!

a game of shadows

contemplating life

Beat the Bridge 8K & Puppy Class

This weekend was SO EVENTFUL!

On Saturday, we took Forrest to his first puppy training class... followed by puppy play time! Spin moves for hours, and the instructors said he has "the zooms" because he LOVES to run. Such a little fireball. All of the big dogs wanted to play with him, while Matt and I were petting the other fluffy puppies! I don't know who enjoyed it more, us or Forrest. =) By the time we left puppy playtime, Forrest was pooped. He was falling asleep sitting up in the car.

Early Sunday morning was the Beat the Bridge 8k! My first 8k ever, and only my second run... ever. WE BEAT THE BRIDGE!!! And now I am exhausted, still, even though I slept early last night (and the rest of the day Sunday). I should probably train before I try another 8k, huh?

Baby Forrest

After months of throwing around the idea of having a dog, and months of trying to figure out an amazing birthday gift for Matt, I decided we should kill two birds with one stone! So I adopted Forrest, a beagle mix puppy, from a local shelter. Technically he belongs to Matt, but I'm sure we will raise him and love him together.

We picked him up on Saturday, 5/3 from Puyallup and he is just the sweetest. I actually met him the weekend before at the Seattle Pet Expo, where I submitted an application to adopt! The rescue people said it would take exactly two weeks for Forrest to warm up, but by the time we got back to Seattle he was all lovey and warmed up - tail wagging every which way.

Just after signing the adoption papers!

His first selfie :)

The first play thing in his new home!

Playing with his spam toy, which he carries like a purse

Cuddles!

At first he only barked at his reflection, and was pretty quiet through the first few days. Now that we are fully acquainted, he has started whining and barking... but I'm definitely ignoring this behavior because I don't want any bad habits forming. He was barking at the vet's office also, but only at the dogs and not at the cat he was sitting next to. What an odd puppy!

He's so sweet most of the time, and just wants to cuddle and be close to his humans. There are moments of mischief when he steals shoes or doesn't listen, but overall he's pretty well-behaved for having some beagle in him. His accidents the first few days wreaked, and even though we cleaned everything our apartment does not quite smell as fresh. I suspect it never will. He is now used to the potty pads, thank goodness! He's funny, he doesn't like to eat by himself but he doesn't like to poo or pee when someone is looking. That guy is definitely a character.

I totally came home from lunch on Wednesday, and the building had shut off the water for maintenance. Of course that's the one day that Forrest poops in his kennel. And I have no water to clean everything. I used anti-bac wipes to sanitize things as best I could before returning to work, and tried not to have an anxiety meltdown from the poo bacteria everywhere. I felt SO MUCH better when I got home and was able to clean everything, and we gave Forrest a bath for the first time. What a HUGE relief. Especially because Matt left for Boston on Wednesday night and is gone through the weekend.

So now that Matt isn't here to keep an eye on Forrest when I'm busy, it can get stressful. Yesterday, I left Forrest in the kitchen with the baby gate up and went to shower. In the shower I heard his collar jingling.. and I was thinking wow I shouldn't be able to hear that from the bathroom if he's in the kitchen. So I run out of the bathroom and find Forrest under the couch chewing one of my socks. He loosened one corner of the baby gate and jumped over. I'm so glad he didn't chew an electrical wire instead! I've since adjusted the baby gate and triple check every time I leave him in there to make sure it won't budge. Since then I keep thinking I'm going to wake up one morning and Forrest will have escaped his kennel and pooped on my pillow or something. He's seriously adorbs and totally worth it, but this is going to be a looooong week.