Cheesecake and a Good Read

Our nieces came to visit last weekend for a birthday party.  Miss Serah had a Barnes and Noble giftcard burning a hole in her pocket, so we decided to make an evening of it.

We took her into Seattle, to the Barnes and Noble at Pacific Place.  Then we made a surprise stop at Cheesecake Factory!  YUM!  Serah had never been before, so this was especially exciting and delicious.

After perusing the 800 page menu, Serah finally settled on Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake.  Oh my, it was DEVINE!  Here's Serah giving her cheesecake Bunny Ears.  Hee.

Our friend, Allie, was along for the ride.  She does not like cheesecake.  (Heretic!!)  We let her pick this yummy Godiva Chocolate Brownie Sundae.  I like it.  Very Art Deco... for a dessert.

Erik got the Caramel Pecan Turtle Cheesecake.  Yum.  Just yum.

Of course, I had to get the Red Velvet Cheesecake.  OMG.  I dream about this dessert.  I thought it was a seasonal offering last summer, but apparently it's permanent!  YES!!!  If you haven't tried it, get yourself to a Cheesecake Factory -- STAT.  Trust me on this.  You can thank me later.

Lastly, we have to thank Erik's Mom, Kim, for the Cheesecake Factory gift card!  Thank you thank you!  It was sooooooooooo good!  YUM.

-xo

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A Pretty Shower

Our friends Danny and Cynthia are expecting their first baby soon:  Hannah.  Cynthia has about 62 sisters.  Her oldest sister, Korine, hosted the shower in her home last weekend.

I've only been to Korine's house twice.  Ever.  

1st Visit:  About 5 years ago to drop off some boxes she was storing for Danny and Cynthia.

2nd Visit:  Last weekend for the baby shower.

What Korine didn't know (until I told her) was that my short-short visit to her kitchen was inspiring!  Of course, I didn't take a photo, but I loved the color!  It was a nice, bright, lime green.

I picked the exact same shade for our kitchen and Erik painted it to match a couple of years ago.  She had no idea her kitchen was so inspiring!  :)

There were so many yummy new foods to try! Spicy jellies, yummy cheeses!   

I also tried a Macaron for the first time!  YUM!!!!  I know these are super popular right now, but I've never had one myself.  So good!  The one I tried was peanut butter and jelly flavor.  So yummy and unique, like nothing I've ever tasted before.  Now I really want to try making them! 

-xo

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Little Brother, Big Sister

I love this shot!  This is my niece, Serah and nephew, Javan.  Their mom gets credit for dressing them in such fabulously colorful clothing.  Photographing them was a must.  

Look at those big eyes!

Love this picture of Javan.  So excited!  He sees a bird and wants to get closer.Do you think the birdie's behind the tree?

There he goes!!

Big boy climbed up all by himself.  So proud!

 With big sis, Serah, taking good care of him.

-xo

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Across the Mountains

Sometimes work takes me out of my neighborhood.  Our office is in the Seattle area, but we have customers in five states.

Last week, we went on a little road trip to visit customers in Eastern Washington.  This is the first real snow I've seen all winter.  It was hanging heavy on the trees in the pass, and gently falling a little on the other side.

I really wanted to stop at the Antique Mall, but was out-voted by my male counterparts.  Boo!

I wonder how Indian John would feel about the DOT naming a rest area after him.  Not exactly something to brag to the folks back home about.

Yeah we are!  Like falling back into an 80s rock video.

A little Bon Jovi from the album Slippery When Wet.  You're welcome.  ;)

I just really, really like this sign.  Pretty blue star is begging to be scrapbooked.

...and back home over the pass to Seattle we go.

-xo

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Starbucks Vanilla Spice Latte

Good morning!

This is my first Starbucks latte of the new year!  I've given them up you know.  :)  In favor of frugal living and  being in control of our finances.

I'll tell you a secret though.  I still get my coffee flavoring from Starbucks (sugar free vanilla).  They make the best flavoring!  Plus, I have a few Starbucks gift cards, so with zero guilt, I decided to try one of their new drinks:  Vanilla Spice Latte!  

I've really been looking forward to trying one!  Skinny Vanilla Lattes are my favorite, so this seemed similar enough to be yummy, yet different enough to be interesting.

So... the verdict?  It was alright.  It kinda tasted like a toned down version of the Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Less sweet than a regular vanilla latte.  More spicy.  I didn't hate it, but it's not really my jam.  I enjoyed it, but I'll stick to my usual.  

Have you tried any of the new drinks?  What did you think?

-xo

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