Our Napa Adventure began with Erik being pulled out of line in the security section for an extra bag search. We watched as the federal security agent pulled out a 4 ounce bottle of hair gel. We laughed and teased Erik about his poufy hair days to come. Then, our jaws dropped as the agent pulled out a 6.5” screwdriver. Erik professed surprise. I threatened to tell Mom and Dad that he was getting us in trouble. Then, because trying to board the plane with just a screwdriver wasn’t bad enough, the officer pulled out a switchbladefrom Erik’s carryon. We’re lucky they didn’t arrest him and end the weekend before it started.

Erik and Cheriss tasted wedding cake choices at Sweetie Pies in Napa. Carolyn was our cake helper. Her official title is something important like, Manager or Lead Cake Happy Couple Helper or something like that. Titles aside, she put a fabulous spread together for us to taste. I was very impressed by her desire to customize the cake based on colors for the wedding and bride preference. Check out the amazing cake tasting plate. We ate it all. The kids decided that their favorite was a yellow cake with a fondant frosting and a marscarpone and fresh strawberry and raspberry fruit filling. It was refreshing and fruity without being overbearing and cakey-sweet. The from-scratch cooking shone through in every bite.

Cheriss and Erik didn’t finalize the church choice to marry in but they did finalize the reception choice at the beautiful Tra Vigne in Napa. Tra Vigne has a beautiful outdoor courtyard, brimming with ivy and overflowing with the glorious greenery of the Napa Valley. If the setting wasn’t enough, it’s Erik’s former employer. He worked as their Banquet Captain for years so it seems fitting that they would host their wedding reception there. The menu choices at Tra Vigne are already making me drool.

Erik and Cheriss celebrated their joy in the parking lot of Travigne as they realized that a major hurdle had just been crossed – the entire menu had been chosen!

I’ll post later with some cupcake reports and a tour of a champagne making facility. I’ve also been working on some Mineral Make Up (eye shadows!) projects that I’m excited to share this week.

Greetings from sunny and green Napa Valley. After a refreshing 4 mile run for me and early morning Bass fishing for the boys, we’re off to the first church to evaluate for a potential September wedding for Erik and Cheriss. I can’t wait for the cupcake tasting.

My family visited this weekend to celebrate my husband’s birthday. It was a really fun weekend, complete with lots of laughing and outdoor activity. We went walking in the hills around Whatcom Lake and enjoyed the beautiful weather and views.

His big birthday surprise was a scooter to toodle around town with. Chris will be starting his MBA program in June (while continuing to work full-time). The scooter will be a good way for him to get in and out of the college without dealing with the parking. And, it’s an efficient way for us to be more environmentally friendly (reducing our carbon footprint through less gas useage). He was excited and has already taken it out for an afternoon spin today, despite the weather being in the mid 40’s today.

It was a wonderful birthday celebration. And yawn, we’re both pretty tuckered out after all of the activity.

This is my Mom on her recent birthday, celebrating with the traditional Norwegian Kransakage. She is the sweetest, nicest and most kind-hearted person I know.

Some unscrupulous person just came and ripped out four of her prized dwarf fir trees and stole them right out of her yard! My Mom has babied these trees for two years. Since when has stealing trees been the trend? If you’re in Olympia, WA, guard your shrubbery.

My Dad is disappointed because it’s his clinic that was robbed. He built the clinic, from the ground up, and is the main practitioner. He’s going to have to install security cameras around his office. On a side note, if you’re looking for a great family doctor in Washington state, his web site is here.

These are the before and after pictures. Those little trees made a difference in the overall appearance of the facility.

The trees were ripped out by the roots. The shock of the ripping and transporting them will probably kill them.

And even creepier? Mom just caught a man taking photos of the rest of the trees in the landscape. When she went to talk to him, he ran away.

I’m bummed. My Mom doesn’t feel safe. My Dad is out cash. Crime sucks.

PS – Quilling done by All Things Jenuine. Buy her art here.

Our eagle trip up (down?) the Skagit River was a trip for the memory books. My Mom, an avid (slightly obsessive?) bird watcher is turning 60 tomorrow!

To celebrate Mom’s special day, we spent the weekend celebrating with things she likes – Kransakege from Larsen’s Bakery in Ballard, Peanut Butter Pie made just for her at Du Jour Bistro and this frozen, pseudo Arctic trip to find the great Bald Eagle.

As you can see from the photos, we found Bald Eagles (and lots of them!).

There were three boats in our little floatilla, with all of the participants outfitted in their coldest weather wear. It was so cold on the river that our boat actually had to plow through ice at times.

Here is our happy boat crew – my sister-in-law Cheriss, my dad, me, my Mom, Husband and dear brother Erik. The river boat captain is the one in the back with the waterproof rain slicker (smart guy).

It was such a fun trip. Thank you Mom for having a birthday so we could celebrate and have a wonderful experience together as a family.

Thank you to Good Experience for tipping me off to this fun little havoc wrecker. You can go to netdisaster.com and do fun things, like flood your favorite (or least favorite?) web site, throw tomatoes at it or have Mars attack the site.

Look at the Soap Queen disaster I did with attacking UFOs here.

Click here to experience it for yourself.

While you’re doing that, I’ll be river rafting in the snow and rain with my family. We’re headed down a large river in a small rubber raft in search of eagles. The fact that it’s winter does not deter my Norwegian Mother, who seems to be delighted that we’ll need to wear full skiing regalia to keep our bodies above hypothermia.

Assuming we get back safely, I’ll post an easy soapmaking project using 3-D Molds and soap ropes later tonight.

I just had to share the gorgeous view from our home last night. Isn’t it stunning? The moon rose perfectly over the snow covered hills, and there was just enough ambient light to appreciate its size and shape. The view was breathtaking.