Weeknight Roadtrip & A Wish Granted

Jack & I were saying recently how we wish Lifehouse would have a show in our area some time, and how it would be even better if they headlined . . . they've been one our favorite bands for a good number of years now, and they always seem to be opening for other bands we're really not into. Well . . . wish granted !!

We heard just a few days ago that they were doing a show Tuesday night at Turning Stone (about 2 hrs. from us), as part of their headlining tour !!! We were soooooooo there . . . . .

What a great time !!! A nice, smaller venue . . . felt like we were almost on stage ! And an awesome performance . . . just love their music !!!

Now that's the way to spend a weeknight !!!

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

The fuzzy boys are making me smile today !!!

It's only been a few weeks since Marty joined the clan, but he and Tibbs are getting along just like siblings . . . playing, fighting (just a little !), and at the end of the day, loving each other !!! Here's the proof:

Aren't those the cutest little faces ?!?!?!!!

Wishing everyone a happy Monday . . . and a warm little someone to snuggle with on this chilly Fall night !!!

Whistler: Part 2

The last few days of our trip to Whistler were amazing, as well. It was mostly free time, with just a short business meeting one morning and a group dinner on the last night that we had to attend.

We spent a good amount of time in the village, checking out a few stores and eating of course . . . just as beautiful as everything else there !!! It was just a short walk from our hotel to the lower village, and included walking over this covered bridge and all:

The village looked just like what I'd pictured an alpine village to be:

There were gorgeous flowers everywhere, spilling over window boxes and from hanging planters:

And while I'm not much of a shopper, a few stores did catch my eye . . . like Lush, a store that sells natural, homemade bath and body products . . . . what a cool way to display the bath fizzies !!!

And of course I hit a chocolate and candy store !!! All of these beautiful caramel apple confections looked amazing !!!

The better part of one of our free days was spent on Whistler Mountain. The first part of the journey is made by gondola, and takes you about 6000 feet up . . . what a ride !

At this point on the mountain, there is a restaurant and many observation areas . . . not a bad view in sight !!! Just stunning . . . I'd never seen anything like it before !

The picture below is of an inukshuk on Whistler Mountain overlooking the town . . . it's also being used as the symbol for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics being held in Vancouver.

Stage two of our time on Whistler Mountain involved going an extra thousand feet up to the very top . . . !

. . . . and we got there by open-air ski lift !!! I was really nervous about this whole deal; I've never been skiing, much less in a lift, not to mention over 7000 feet up on a mountain ! There was a bar across your stomach area, to "hold" you in and all, like on a roller coaster . . . . . . but the key concept was truly "open-air" !!! It was breathtaking . . . so peaceful . . . so glad I did it !!!

The view from the top was even more amazing than I'd imagined, and more breathtaking than just a thousand feet lower. We hiked around a little, taking in that panoramic view . . . I think I could have stayed there all day, just soaking it all up. There were actually more hiking trails up there than I'd thought . . . maybe if I was in better shape and wearing hiking boots . . . !!!

We made another trip up Whistler Mountain our last night there, for a group dinner at the restaurant. It was cloudy that night . . . much different from our trek the day before ! It was truly a treat to watch the sun set while there, and to ride back down on the gondola looking at the lights in the town below . . . magical !!!

I can't say it enough: I had such an amazing time on this trip !!!! It was truly a gift, in so many ways . . . and now that I've been back to work and to reality for almost a week now, I'm ready to go back !!!!

Maybe someday . . . . . !!!

Whistler: Part 1

I just can't say enough about our trip to Whistler . . . I had such a GREAT time there. The location was truly breathtaking, and different from any place I'd visited . . . the air was so clean and clear, and the water so pure and beautiful, and lush green pine trees everywhere . . . God's amazing artistry at every turn !!


The first day was a little on the rough side, full of delayed flights, long travel time, and the longest bus ride EVER . . . I was reminded what motion sickness was on that slow, bumpy ride through the mountains ! But once we got there and got settled, everything was grand ! We took a little stroll through the Upper Village, where our hotel was located, and soaked in the scenery before heading to a "welcome dinner", and crashing early for the night. I've never been so thankful for a pillow-top mattress and a down comforter . . . God bless the Fairmont Chateau Whistler !!





Our first full day there began with our chosen activity . . . canoeing !!! We were off to Green Lake bright and early to begin our adventure.

We started off a little rocky, visiting the tree limbs and the bushes a bit, but got the hang of the whole steering thing pretty quickly, and were on our way.

We wound our way through a small canal/river until we reached the actual lake . . .

So gorgeous !!! I just tried to take it all in, to soak up as much of this beauty as I could . . . and paddle all at the same time !!! It took a few hours to go all around the lake and back, especially with the wind moving against us on the way out . . . we definitely got a workout, and some sore muscles the next day ! The perfect choice of activity !!!

Later that evening was the awards ceremony and banquet . . . hence the need for this dress !!! What a treat to see my dad honored and awarded for his hard work, and to be able to be onstage with him (as all guests went up with their award winner). We had a fabulous meal, as well . . . a great time altogether !!!

Stay tuned for Part 2, and more pictures of our alpine adventure !!!!

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Back today from my trip to Whistler ! And there was so much to smile about on this trip . . . it was truly fantastic in every way, from the location and scenery, to the activities and food, to the time spent with my dad . . . WONDERFUL !!!

Here's a little "teaser" picture, a taste of pictures to come:

This my dad and I with "Ned" (the guy in the Orkin commercials !) about 6000 feet up on Whistler Mountain at the company dinner party Saturday night . . . . pretty good looking group, I think (and the view in the background isn't too bad either !!!) ! More on the way . . . !

Have a happy Monday !

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

A small, pictureless post today . . . !

I leave for a little vacation on Wednesday, and that is making me smile !! I'm heading to Whistler, Canada with my dad, as part of a reward trip with his company. We'll be staying in this humble abode . . . it'll be tough, I know !

Not only am I looking forward to some much-needed time away from work, but also time to spend with my dad, and a chance to experience a part of the continent I've never seen before. What fun !!

Pictures will be forthcoming . . . .

A New Friend

We have a new addition to the Warren household . . .

. . . . meet Marty, our new furball !!!

For quite some time, Jack and I had been considering getting a second cat. We've been watching the humane society website for months to see if any furry friends caught our eye. Jack spotted this handsome guy recently, and after a little time in foster care for a cat cold, he became available for adoption yesterday. Jack went out during the day to meet him, and just loved him ! And because they could only "hold" him for us until the end of the day, I had to race over there after work to see him ! I loved him immediately, too, went through all of the adoption process . . . and brought him home with me last night !!

He's such a sweet, docile little guy, and so pretty ! He's got some Maine Coon in him, like Tibbs, so of course we loved him ! And he's quite the little lover, full of head-butts and licks . . . and he has the softest fur !

He's hanging out in the guest room for now, as we navigate the whole "introduction" process with Tibbs . . . . . . they spent most of the early a.m. hours talking to one another through the closed door ( and keeping Jack and I awake !). So far so good . . . !

Looking forward to spending some time with our new boy this weekend !

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

This glorious 3-day weekend is definitely making me smile today ! Beautiful weather, good food, and time to just BE !!

And as if that weren't enough, a completed project is making me smile today, too ! I had seen this project in a back issue of Country Living, and aspired to make one for myself . . . and here it is:

. . . my very own homemade felted tote bag !!! I was a little concerned after its first run through the washer: it didn't shrink nearly as much as I'd thought, and was way bigger than I wanted. But, a second wash did the trick, and it turned out the perfect size ! Ah, the bliss of a goal achieved !!

Happy Labor(less !) Day to all !