Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The Nation's Capital (just not ours)

Well, I have never been to Washington DC, never seen the White House, and I've never seen Congress but now I can say I have at least seen one capital in person. I spent the weekend in Ottawa and I had a few hours to kill before my flight today. It's amazing the similarities between here and Seattle, some 2500 miles away.

I first strolled along the street my hotel was on. It is called the Byward Market and if you put a cover over it, you could name it Pike Place Market. There were lots of vendors set up with temporary and semi-permanent stands selling flowers, trinkets, and clothing. The biggest change, of course, was instead of fish vendors everywhere, it was people hawking real Canadian maple syrup.

I walked a few more blocks past the Canadian Revenue Agency national headquarters (their version of the IRS I assume) and the U.S. Embassy and looked at the Rideau Canal Ottawa Locks. Reminded me quite a bit of Ballard.



After I passed the locks, I walked up to the parliament building and got there just at Noon. This was very interesting because their clock tower has a huge bell and chimes that played for almost 15 minutes. You can walk right up to the building and sign up for a tour without a second thought. I'm sure it's much different back in the states with background checks required weeks or months in advance.


As you walk around the parliament building, hidden behind is the Library of Parliament, a very unique attachment and a little area called the "stray cats of the hill". The little fenced off area had several cats, dozens of squirrels and a raccoon living there. I can only attach a picture of the sign because I couldn't possibly expect to do it justice with my description:
Just behind the parliament building is a cliff that overlooks the water and beyond to the french speaking side of the city. I took many great pictures but here are two of my favorites:



As I headed back to get my car, I stumbled upon the Canadian Tulip festival. The tulips were beautiful although from what I hear, the festival was laughable when compared to it's counterpart back in Washington.

These thoughts of Washington remind me of how much I am ready to be home back in the Great Northwest and, wouldn't you know it, they are calling my flight. Hope you've enjoyed my little tour of central Ottawa and I'll see you soon!!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

First sewing project: Complete!!

We have 7 pregnant friends all due this summer/fall! I decided I wanted to give something handmade. So I set out looking for a good project and found burp clothes on handmade by jill blog! They were super easy and I feel they are good enough to give. I hope to make bibs next then blankets then if I am really gunho, I want to make dolls again from jill's blog. Totally recommend her blog for inspiration! If I lived in NYK I would totally want to be her friend!!























Today Colby is delivering our first gift to Seth and Stacie who are expecting a baby girl at the end of May! PS I think Madeline is the best children's book series ever!!


















Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Walk thru and closing date!

Happy Cinco de Mayo to everyone!!
The last two Cinco de Mayo's have rocked!! Last year we had our bachelor and bachelorette parties. This year we may not have hung from the chandeliers but we did have an amazing day!

Firstly, we got our Closing date scheduled!! YEAH!! We will be closing on June 9th, I was so excited I went out and bought a rug for the kitchen. Crazy celebration as you can imagine!!

Secondly, Ken (Father/Father-in-law) received very uplifting news, all the cells from the transplant are new!! DOUBLE YEAH!! This means as of now the transplant was very successful, and we are now on the uphill swing! Next post I will include a picture of Ken in all his baldness glory :)
Thirdly, the Christmas cactus Colby got me about two years ago bloomed for the first time!!



















Thought it looked much prettier in the living room