The Glee of Being A Klinge: April 2013

Hi there, I have been absent. I have not been busy doing other things, I have just been lazy. Just love me, okay?

So... Caleb and I just got back from Seattle, WA to visit our dear friends Gabe and Naomi Long. We treasured every moment and wish our lives had them in it on a weekly basis. We got our tickets to see them for free, ask me about AMEX Gold Card (worth it). We flew red eye both ways in order to get as much time as possible with the Longs which was a treat to try and sleep on (worth it).

We arrived in the middle of the night to be greeted by this precious lil pink house with an interior to melt over. They live in a practical suburban flower garden with magnolia trees and tulips coming out of their ears. Please see photos below, Naomi is such a great decorator:

We woke the next morning to a full breakfast, props to Gabe. The first day was LOADED with things that we did including, but not limited to: a tour of Kirkland, WA, Pikes Market in downtown Seattle, a visit for some coffee at the first Starbucks, fresh French croissants homemade man and cheese from a on-site cheese maker (beecher's), eating lunch in an alley full of character and lil cafes, there were street performers that were beyond talented, Pioneer Square, Gum Wall, dinner at the Longs of creamy pasta and garlic bread, couples cribbage (the boys won, phooie), a card game called "Up/Down the River" (I won, NBD), and $5 late-night nachos with mojitos. Please see photos below:

French Bakery

Presh Street Lamps

Pioneer Square

Gum Wall near Pikes Market

Day two we started the day with blueberry muffins and preceeded to the best/worst brewery tour of our lives. The tour guide ruined some parts but snarking jokes with the Longs made all things better. We went to the Red Hook Brewery close to where the Longs used to live. I made it through 3 tasters (6 oz of beer) and then I needed to slow down (lightweight). After the brewery we, naturally, went across the street to a winery tour. Who wouldn't, right? This place was the cat's meow. Very sophisticated and proper. St. Michel Chateau. We were welcomed with semi-open arms. Caleb and I now know how to properly "test" a wine before consuming. Clarity, smell, taste, REPEAT. Well folks, after the tour, Laura needed a visit to Chipotle to get something in her belly so we made a pitstop before heading to the ferry for an island tour. We walked in the rain to this lil "Public House" to consume some of the best coastal food Caleb and I have tasted. Head to the Harbor Inn if you get a chance, folks. We were very tired after our endeavors on day two. Please see photos below:

Ferry!

This dude...nice sweater, eh?

Fruity lil drink for the hairy beaut.

Besties

The Beautiful Long Family

We started our final day with INCREDIBLE blueberry waffles and then continued on to church at Mars Hill Church. People, I was filled with the Spirit after church last sunday. No joke to be said, the message, the worship, the communion, the community of believers was an all-in-one deal for my soul. It has been awhile now that I have felt a lil empty of the spirit. It was not because of Mars Hill but because the Spirit was present and I was rejuvenated. We had a bar-b-q at the Longs before heading to the SEATTLE MARINERS GAME. So fun eating ball game food and people watching. The game was very, very beautiful weather and they WON! We left the game and went into the mountains. Mountains are a little erie for me due to their massive presence but sure a magnificent to look at. There was a waterfall that we went to which reminded me of a miniature Niagara Falls. It was BILLOWING from the water above and slamming into the water below. So beautiful to watch. We went to a rootbeer brewery and had my new favorite rootbeer. Literally people, this is a big step because I am a snot about Ginger Ale and Rootbeer. It was so spicy and rich, I could have had many-o-glasses. Snoqualomie Rootbeer, get some if you can find some. We ate our last supper with the Longs at a fantastic thai cuisine, it was called Wild Ginger. I tried my first Green Curry, Seven Flavor Beef, and Pad Thai. It was VERY good and filled me up to a comatose stage of life. The last thing we did before heading to the airport was playing, Peanuts. My alltime favorite card game! Please see photos below: