Drizzling on Bainbridge = sea lion hikes!!

Toasting to the Happiest Years to come!
Originally uploaded by luvblossom

My new blogging buddy at Blooming on Bainbridge just told me about her fabulous Saturday today!
"Well the drizzle continued here on Bainbridge most of the day!
Doogan kept waiting for the sound of his harness and leash...and the smell of walking clothes...and jackets! Finally we made ourselves take our marathon Saturday walk/hike. We went to Fort Ward...lots of good inclines. Had the park to ourselves aside from some die hard bikers...runners and dog walkers! The drizzle continued the entire walk! The highlight was walking to the end of the pier...at the Salmon Farm...and talking one of the fishermen into feed the HUGE California Sea Lions right off the pier. What a show. I had my video camera with me and got the most incredible shots! They were popping out of the water...diving for the huge fish...swallowing them whole...they were so frisky and happy! Oh what a show! Doogan loves the seals almost as much as he loves bunnies!"

Wow, I imagine it was quite show! The sea lions must have been so exciting to see, especially for a puppy like the cute Doogan!

Mr. F and I are watching Planet Earth tonight, so maybe we'll see some sea lions too. Otherwise, I cannot wait to see Teresa's pictures of the Bainbridge Island sea lions!

Soggy Saturday

http://britsketch.blogspot.com/

[ART by Brittney Lee]

It's been drizzling all day, but we still got a good run in. While our car was getting an oil change, we ran from old Ballard to Shilshole Bay Marina. Mr. F and I also stopped in KAVU because all their winter merchandise is on sale! We're going to run a few more errands and maybe even see a movie tonight. 

What do you do on rainy days?

Wow, I went to high school and college with an Olympian!!

Holly Brooks IS An Olympian
Congratulations, Holly!!!!! I'll be rooting for you at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C., starting February 12!!

Check out her experiences on her blog!!

Blooming on Bainbridge and What is a Farm Chick?

Tomorrow is Friday!!! Who's ready for it?!?! I'm training a new employee at work, which is mentally draining, but worthwhile. Also, I am amazed that the first week of half marathon training isn't too difficult! Monday was a rest day and Tuesday was a two mile run with 7 aerobic intervals (running as fast as you can for one minute). Yesterday, we did strength training at the gym with biceps, triceps, back, calf and thigh exercises. Directly after work today, we ran 4 miles with gentle pickups (see the Runner's World explanation and table). I am so impressed that I've nearly complete the first week of training without complaining! Saturday, I'm suppose to run 3-4 miles and Sunday, I should run 6-7! Wowee, I used to hate running! 

Thank you, Janelle for inspiring me and asking me to sign up for the Rock n' Roll marathon with you!! 

By the way, Blooming on Bainbridge's second day of Pink Week Giveaway is today! 

I'm excited to discover this new site from the giveaway too!!

What is a Farm Chick?

A Farm Chick is a girl who sees the world through rose-colored glasses.  She loves her family.  She laughs a lot.  She's farmgirl meets Fifth Avenue and with a little style, she'll change the world.

TGIF tomorrow!!!!

I miss my sisters...

My two lovely younger sisters are pursuing their nursing careers at opposite ends of Washington State. I currently see them around Christmas and for a few weekends in the summer. Fortunately, my middle sister graduates this Spring! Yay, hopefully this means I will see her more often. Taters will graduate next year and then she can move to this side of the mountains. Here are some of my favorite pictures of my sisters!!!

Blooming on Bainbridge's Pink Week Giveaway!

Teresa at Blooming on Bainbridge has now fixed her computer and she is hosting a 10 day giveaway!!!! Check it out! She's got all lovely things pink and bubbly! I just love seeing pictures of her sweet puppy, Doogan and her bunny. 

As she says, "Oh! 

Well hello there lovely ladies!

Oh how my heart has longed for you!

Oh how my heart did pitter-patter to read

     all of your heart felt comments...

     and find such lovely new friends here...

     waiting on the PINK party to begin!

I do hope I'm not toooooo late!

For this oh so important date!!"

Birthday wishes...

My husband just asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I cannot believe I'm turning 27 in less than 3 weeks! At the top of my list, I would love to print my blog into a book using a website like Blog 2 Print.

Technically, my weekend online shopping spree at J. Crew was my birthday present to myself. Although, I cannot help eye-ing these lovely rings. My right hand is a little jealous and would love some adornment too.

Flirt with Gold by Kyle Anne Metals (shown with the White Topaz Bloom ring)

Flaming Bloom by Kyle Anne Metals

True Love stacking ring set by Kyle Anne Metals

Sweetheart Ring by Kyle Anne Metals

The Wandering Platforms from Anthropologie are fun and fresh too. I would love to wear them with my new J.Crew outfit!

The last birthday wish is rather like asking Santa for a pony. I don't expect to get this for my birthday, but I can't help wishing for it! It's the All Seasons Shirtdress from Anthropologie.

What are you asking for your birthday this year?

Custom Hospital Cupcakes

Custom Hospital Cupcakes
Originally uploaded by lookcupcake

OMG, a half marathon!!

I've just committed to run a half marathon. I am the girl who hated running and avoided it until the last few months. My husband has encouraged me to start running and now my girlfriend from Iowa just suggested we join her for half marathon in June! 

Do you, lovely readers, have any training suggestions? I'm very curious to know more about running schedules for 5 months before the race. I've currently worked up to running 3-4 miles several times a week. I'm looking up several half marathon schedules online for suggestions, for example:

Beginners' Half-Marathon Training Schedule (from running.about.com)

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
1	Rest	2 mi	Rest	2.5 mi	Rest	3 mi	2 mi EZ
2	Rest	2 miles	Rest	3 mi	CT or Rest	4 mi	2.5 mi EZ
3	Rest	2.5 mi	CT	3 mi	Rest	5 mi	2 mi EZ
4	Rest	3 mi	CT	4 mi	Rest	6 mi	3 mi EZ
5	Rest	3 mi	CT	3 mi	Rest	7 mi	3 mi EZ
6	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	Rest	8 mi	3 mi EZ
7	Rest	4 mi	Rest	4 mi	CT	9 mi	3 mi EZ
8	Rest	4 mi	CT	3 mi	Rest	10 mi	3 mi EZ
9	Rest	5 mi	CT	4 mi	Rest	11 mi	Rest
10	3 mi EZ	4 mi	Rest	3 mi	CT	12 mi	3 mi EZ
11	Rest	CT	Rest	3 mi	CT	5 mi	2.5 mi EZ
12	Rest	2 mi	20 minutes	Rest	20 minutes	Race Day!	Rest Day!

CT= CROSS TRAINING, EZ= EASY 

Please feel free to give me any tips or suggestions! They will be greatly appreciated!

Glee is a winner (AGAIN) and lovely gowns

Yay for my favorite show!

I know I'm obsessed, but I just had to share another Glee tidbit! If you didn't already hear, 

[Source: Just Jared] 

Glee won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series at the SAG awards last night! 

Last weekend, they won Best Comedy at the Golden Globes and earlier this month they won People's Choice for Favorite New TV Comedy!

Look at all these lovely rainbow colored dresses too! 

[Source: E! Online]

I'm so excited for my J.Crew brown paper package to arrive in the mail!

My husband's making enchiladas for dinner and we're watching Glee again, because it's our FAVORITE new show. It's also our go-to-feel-good show. When you need to decompress from a hard day, or week, this is the perfect show to watch. It's an instant comedic and musical relaxant!

I also wanted to share that there's a 30% off sale at J. Crew! It's soo exciting! All the beautiful colors, materials, and ruffles are now more affordable!  I've been eye-ing these lovely items below. Are you planning on taking advantage of this sale?

 Ruffles and Roses Tissue Tank

 Petite stretch bootcut cord

Ryder satchel

 Okay, back to Glee now. Have a wonderful Saturday night!

Only in Dreams

You can't resist her.
She's in your bones.
She is your marrow
And your ride home.

You can't avoid her.
She's in the air... in the air
In between molecules of
Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide.

[chorus]
Only in dreams
We see what it means.
Reach out our hands.
Hold onto hers.
But when we wake
It's all been erased.
And so it seems
Only in dreams.


You walk up to her.
Ask her to dance.
She says, "Hey, baby, I just might take the chance."
You say, "It's a good thing
That you float in the air... in the air.
That way there's no way I will crush your pretty toenails into a thousand pieces."

[chorus]

Only in dreams. (x6)

Sweet as a Candy - lovely sweaters giveaway!

Congrats to Federica from Bologna, Italy for her 500th post and her blog's one year anniversary! She's holding a lovely sweater giveaway from Caroline Joy! My favorite is the peachy pink sweater called Upcycled Cardigan -- Just Peachy!

Hiking Rattlesnake Ledge on MLK day

I had Martin Luther King day off of work, on Monday, so a few friends and I hiked Rattlesnake Ledge outside of North Bend.This is the start of the two miles straight uphill. Halfway up the trail, we stopped for a picture, a water break, and to catch our breath!Here is the view from the top, where we ate lunch. I made delicious ham and swiss sandwiches with toasted wheat bread! Murphy, the great dane, was so fun to take pictures of, but even he got tired!The rocky beach of Rattlesnake Lake, at the end of the trail, was beautiful to relax on. If you're in the Seattle area, I recommend this enjoyable and scenic hike. It only took us an hour to get to the top and a little less time to trek down.

According to the Washington Trails Association website:

ROUNDTRIP	4.0 miles
ELEVATION GAIN	1160 ft
HIGHEST POINT	2078 ft

Driving Directions

(47.4335, -121.7675) Open in new window

Map data ©2009 Google - Terms of Use

From Seattle drive 32 miles east on I-90 to exit 32 (436th Avenue SE). Turn right (south) on 436th Avenue SE (Cedar Falls Road SE) and drive about 4 miles to the well-developed Rattlesnake Lake parking area on the right.