A Sunday play date . . . and thinking out loud.

July 16, 2017July 16, 2017 ~ dreamson34thstreet ~ 3 Comments

Hello B e a u t i f u l s!

Yesterday . . . I blew up our oven.

I was advised to only self-clean three times a year.

I listened.

Guessing . . .

. . . at 13 years old, the device could only handle one more incineration. Needless to say, tears came to my eyes. I knew it would not be easy . . . or a reasonable price to replace our standing stove and oven.

One of the goals I have set for peri-retirement/retirement is immersing myself in my collection of cookbooks, presently with a particular focus on Patricia Wells and Mimi.

. . . and Mr D, himself, has taken a keener interest in cooking.

I believe we have found a candidate that will replace my/our well-loved and well-worn work/cook horse. Mr D has concurred . . . we can kick it up a notch. “A “mid range” . . . range (tongue in cheek) . . . meaning between 2K and 3K.

I’m a still riding a little high from Jay and Camille’s wedding, two weeks ago.

I love this image.

First . . . It shows Jay’s happiness and passion for his bride and the day.

Second . . . It purveys a trend.

Can you guess?

The “hot” stubble beard.

(At the request of his bride.)

I LOVED IT on my always need to be clean-shaven for his on camera profession son. I also laugh because as a “boomer”, I interpret a “hot stubble” as it an ultimate kick back and relax day . . . vacation.

Best Day Ever!

Hot stubble!

LOVE!

Seeing and feeling our son’s happiest day ever continues to fuel me and my spirit. I am blessed he chose such a beautiful and caring woman. It was so cool to see her name change on FB and Instagram. We are now both . . . “Mrs. T”!

I plan to share more of the wedding details on the next few Wednesdays”!

And . . . just when you think you have enough fuel to fill your heart and soul . . .

. . . HERE’S YOUR EARS !!!!!!!!!!!

. . . talk about a propellant fuel additive! (They are ready to hit the Magic Kingdom!)

Today we are going to a street festival in West Seattle with our good friends. Mr D and I grew up near West Seattle. It will be fun to go back. I hope to visit Bakery Nouveau. Yes. You’ve got it . . . français parfait!

. . . and I’m guessing a little “mid – 80’s grunge” in the air via the music festival stage.

Gotta hit the shower, throw on my time-worn linen and denim, slip into the old comfy sparkle flip-fops and grab my French market basket.

Alexa! Play “Smells Like Team Spirit” by Nirvana!

Happy “we’re near the end of the first tri-fester” of Summer!

New hashtag today!

#FESTwithUS

#w/L

I’m back, beautifuls! Where do I begin?

July 11, 2017August 1, 2017 ~ dreamson34thstreet ~ 5 Comments

I will begin with the finale!

It was both exciting and dramatic.

( Alexa! Play “Something Just Like This” by the Chainsmokers and Coldplay.)

The song begins . . . You are dancing under the stars, on a stone patio of a beautiful estate with the one you love.

I’ve been reading books of old

The legends and the myths
Achilles and his gold
Hercules and his gifts
Spiderman’s control
And Batman with his fists
And clearly I don’t see myself upon that list

A helicopter appeared!

But she said, where’d you wanna go?
How much you wanna risk?
I’m not looking for somebody
With some superhuman gifts
Some superhero
Some fairytale bliss
Just something I can turn to
Somebody I can kiss

above us.jpg

It descended upon us!

I want something just like this
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo
Oh, I want something just like this
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo
Oh, I want something just like this
I want something just like this

It landed!

I’ve been reading books of old
The legends and the myths
The testaments they told
The moon and its eclipse
And Superman unrolls
A suit before he lifts
But I’m not the kind of person that it fits

The finale 1.jpg

There were sparklers! There were whoooots, shouts and applause!

She said, where’d you wanna go?
How much you wanna risk?
I’m not looking for somebody
With some superhuman gifts
Some superhero
Some fairytale bliss
Just something I can turn to
Somebody I can miss

I want something just like this
I want something just like this

Oh, I want something just like this
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo,
Oh, I want something just like this
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo,

heliocopter

There were kisses and kisses and more kisses!

Where’d you wanna go?
How much you wanna risk?
I’m not looking for somebody
With some superhuman gifts
Some superhero
Some fairytale bliss
Just something I can turn to
Somebody I can kiss
I want something just like this

heliocopter 2.jpg

They boarded and ascended into a sky full of stars, to the theme from Top Gun.

Pretty cool. Pretty fun for everyone.

Oh, I want something just like this
Oh, I want something just like this
Oh, I want something just like this

I will be back . . . to share from the beginning soon!

the invitation blurred.jpg

Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo,

w / L

:: Images by Cimbalik Photography, McCall, Idaho.

Planning their “Best Day Ever”. . . with anticipation of the afterglow . . .

June 21, 2017June 21, 2017 ~ dreamson34thstreet ~ 2 Comments

H e l l o B e a u t i f u l s!

the afterglow 3.jpg

Popping in again . . . the wedding endorphins are still in control.

I need to talk . . . write . . .

I cannot sleep.

. . . a happy kind of stress.

Destination . . .

Departure . . . one week.

Boxing . . .

Labeling . . . Country Inn . . . Rehearsal Dinner . . . Holy Apostle . . . White Willow

Replaced and revamped my window display toolbox . . . ( yes, I once trimmed department store windows . . . way back.) Cannot wait to help Camille’s mom, Stephanie primp the church pews and reception venue.

intheworks

As with any time in life, when your mind is filled with endless details, and you are planning something big . . . and you want your part to go “just right” . . . it doesn’t hurt to think of the calm on “other side”.

Yet, you do not wish to diminish the wonder.

You do not want to wish “the splendid on the horizon” away.

. . . but it’s OK to be calmed by the perceived “afterglow”.

the afterglow.jpg

The light . . .

The radiance after the beautiful shine that is “your loves” best day ever.

the afterglow 2

As I write, I am basking in an afterglow . . . and . . .

. . . I just now realized.

Retirement is the ultimate residence called “Afterglow”!

The good feelings that linger after a pleasurable and successful life – thus – far!

(Wrongly, I have been associating the “r” word with the end.)

I have worked since I was 12 years old. My first wage was 35 cents an hour, babysitting. My first expenditure was a 45 that played “I Want To Hold Your Hand”.

. . . and a pretty package of nylon stockings!

Come to think of it . . . As we age, and have enjoyed so many beautiful and pleasurable life experiences, any given day can be radiant with a feeling of an afterglow.

You just have to go glow there!

Alexa!

Spin “In My Life” by The Beatles.

( I tried to convince my eight grade English teacher, Miss Clark, this song was poetry. It didn’t fly.)

Alexa knows what “spin” means.

In my life_1

(I remember the words!)

Thank you, God!

Thank you, for listening.

w/L

:: Images with the exception of “in the works” may be found here.

It’s time for that seven day . . .

June 7, 2017June 7, 2017 ~ dreamson34thstreet ~ 3 Comments

. . . cleanse.

Hello beautifuls!

I know I didn’t tell you that Mr D and I had one wallop of a flu bug hit us last week.

With the wedding just weeks away, I am determined to keep health and glow a priority as I address my list of projects to complete before departing for Boise three weeks from today!

The 7 day cleanse above is from Camille Styles’ blog. I won’t likely follow it to the “letter”, but bless her for making clean eating easy and approachable by making me a shopping list. I plan to print it today, and be ready to go on Saturday morning.

I did not nearly lose the weight I wished to have lost, yet adding the exercise I did has made me stronger, popped me down one size . . . and has removed all . . . and I mean ALL of the aches of a 65-year-old woman. ( I do not feel or act my age.) In my mind’s eye . . . I am 45. It’s a very respectable mind’s eye age to linger around until 90. By then, I may kick it up to 50. ( . . . and this does not mean I cannot act like a grandmother, because . . . I DO!)

I am ready for that “once in a lifetime” dance. Jay can even take it to a “two-step” if he wishes.

Yesterday, I had the privilege to watch him fitted for his wedding suit at Nordstrom Bellevue Square.

He is so handsome. I am such a blessed and proud “Mama Bear”. ( That’s what he calls me.)

~~Suited~~ ready to wed her!

w / L

Back from Boise!

June 6, 2017June 6, 2017 ~ dreamson34thstreet ~ 1 Comment

Hello . . . B e a u t i f u l s !

Happy Tuesday!

Back from Boise

I am back from Boise! ( When I arrived, it was 30 days until WEDDING DAY!)

Jay and his father in law to be had just finished installing a sprinkler system and sod. Since Jay and I crossed paths, ( he now home on the coast for a few days), I captured an image of his new back lawn in full sprinkler mode and texted it to him. Their new home is beautiful. The workmanship is lovely.

The trend in new urban sprawl construction brings larger homes on standard lots, so yards are smaller. As you can see, a new foundation is being poured close behind. A trend I am quite envious of . . . ? COVERED PATIOS! I hope to share more images of their new home when we travel back for the wedding.

. . . and speaking of The Wedding!

The main reason I was in Boise was to attend Camille’s family and friends shower.

Shower 1

The event was held at her parents home.

shower 2

It was fun to both to re-acquaint, and to meet new family and friends. I look forward to seeing them all again on wedding day.

Shower 3.JPG — Camille, Britney and baby “E”.

Camille’s Mom and sister Britney hosted the shower. The youngest attendee was Camille’s new niece, who arrived the end of April.

We are in FULL WEDDING MODE right now! Here’s a sneak peek at my dress! It has an “elevated bohemian vibe”. I will share the story of how I found it in my size at a department store in Iowa when I reveal the dress after the wedding. I am taking it to be altered tomorrow. The colors of the wedding are blush and blue.

Jay went 0 for 3 at the Emmys, yet is was a fun evening with his colleagues at Fremont Studios.

He felt so deeply honored to be nominated and see his name among a field of Pacific Northwest Legends. Legends who are the very journalistic souls who sparked his desire to pursue the career when he was a small boy.

Gosh.

It’s already time to hit the shower and head to the clinic!

It is one glorious morning here. Mt Rainier is outside my window looking like a blushing pink ice cream cone.

On a clear day, I can always count on her perfect greeting!

me and camille (1).jpg

w / L