Love at first sight.

When Steevo and I were eating at that great little underground cafe in Pioneer Square I couldn't keep my eyes off this painting. It was FABULOUS. Really. The little tag said Rachel Dory Cows Resting. I'm in love! I have to have one of her paintings and like soon.

There was some chemical reaction which I now attribute to love at first sight. I love the style, it's perfect. Christmas gifts... birthday... Bat mitzvah... sweet 16, just a hint.

The LOOOOONG awaited weekend visit finally came... and went- very quickly. Steevo and I have been looking forward to his visit to Seattle for weeks and it turned out perfectly!! The weather was perfect (not like this week- 100+ degree heat).
Early Friday we went to Alki beach. This was something Steevo wanted to do very most during his visit, that and the Mariner's game. (I think something is wrong with my camera...)

Here's the difference between having a grandma with red hair and not. Between working in a restaurant and working construction.

Steevo's first visit to Seattle! I was really worried that he wouldn't have a good time in the city with all the people and crowds but he REALLY had a great time and I was so happy. It was fun to watch him see things for the first time, things that they don't have in a little town in Wyoming. Things like homeless people digging through the garbage, or crazy people talking to themselves as they walk down the street or the street performers. He even drove us to dinner on Saturday night- in downtown Seattle. That's something I'd suggested a few weeks ago and he swore I'd never convince him to do it but...

The market. Of course.

Ride the Ducks. A perfectly touristy "To do" when you're in Sea-town. (what do you think about my camera?? what's the deal with that dark patch?)

The Space Needle.

We lucked out and had a clear day and could see Mount Rainier way off in the distance.

We had a great sunset (this pic is a little effed up... it's time for a new camera).

Awwwwwhhhh.... precious.

I kinda like how the camera messed this one up. We were in the Pioneer Square neighborhood before the Mariner's game on Saturday afternoon.

Breakfast at some little underground cafe in Pioneer Square.

I scored some GREAT tickets for the Mariner's game and since Steevo had never been to a real baseball game so this was something we were really excited for. He ALMOST caught a fly ball. Really. It bounced out of his left hand. He had taken his hat off to catch it but then realized that the ball was headed right for my head (I was holding garlic fries so naturally I couldn't catch it) so he stuck out his left hand to try and catch it. But those things are coming pretty fast and hard and it bounced right out of his hand right into the old man's grabby little hands a few rows in front. I didn't realize that it hurt his hand as much as it did till he leaned over and whispered in my ear "my hand really hurts". He had to hold his cold drink to help.

After dinner on Saturday (which, btw was FABULOUS, everyone should dine at The Dahlia Lounge) we walked around and surveyed the aftermath of the Torchlight Run that had happened earlier in the night.

We had a fabulous weekend. I loved every second of it. And better yet Steevo loved it too. Seattle is now his 2nd favorite big city.

Oh, how I miss him!!

Could I tempt you...

... with a shake from Mikie's Drive-Thru? Doesn't that sound perfect for a suffocatingly hot muggy day? I'll have two.
OH!!! and PS Steevo will be here in less than 24 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In case you've forgotten who that person is or how distractingly handsome he is see the pictures below.You couldn't tempt me with one of those cheeseburger banana shakes but I could definitely be persuaded to go for one of these!!

Namesake

"Hi, nice to meet you. My name is Joe."

"Hello Joe. I' m Shelby"

"Oh, Shelby like the car?"

"Just like the car."

A familiar exchange I have with about 65.87% of men/boys/guys I meet.

This Shelby is one that pulled up in front of the restaurant while I was working and I waited on it's owner. I think he said it was '67 or '68... somewhere around there and it's all 100% authentic and restored exactly how Carroll Shelby used to build them. I've never seen an old one in person so it was pretty cool!

P.S. I went to the Carroll Shelby website and guess what. Carroll Shelby's wifes name was Jeanne. My name is Shelby Jeanne. I'm pretty sure my parents didn't do that on purpose.

Summaaaaaaa

Well hello my peeps.

So the summer here in the Pacific Northwest is the bomb. It is really just so so beautiful here. Warm, sunny and oh so lovely. Have I mentioned that already? Well it really is great, I recommend it to anyone.

Ready for a barrage of iPhone photos?
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Aren't I darling? I FINALLY got my hair done. I just couldn't wait any longer... 3" roots. I wasn't havin' it. When I get a good pic of my new hair color I'll send it yer way.


Ok, so Woodinville is only about 22 mins. (with no traffic) from here and is the heart of wine country. My friend Stacey had a meeting there and they all stayed at a great hotel. Above is a picture of the herb gardens. Be still my heart! A raised herb garden is on my wish list for "Someday when I have a house...."

This is Puget Sound looking out to the Olympic mountains (the ones waaaay in the back that are really light). I had the day off so I spent some time on Alki Beach.

I learned my lesson from the previous 2 sunburns this year and applied the 50 spf all over... ahhhh... except for from my kness to my feet. So I'm now the proud owner of a pair of reddish/tan shins.

4th of July parade with Kati (from work) and her husb Miguel and their daughters Kelbi and Peyton.

Kelbi was incharge of taking pictures.

Later Stacy (from work, not Stacey), Chris and I met back up with Kati and her fam for fireworks at Lynnwood High/Alderwood mall. It was pretty good.

Stacy and Chris.

And that brings us to today.

Sunning at Martha Lake with Kacey (from work) and Olive Kacey's daughter (who, by the way happens to be the most favorite visitor when she comes in. all the girls in the restaurant flock to the stroller when Kacey and Olive walk in.)

And could you blame us? Just look at the beauty.

And to top it all off it was the Annual Tri-Ward BBQ at Bishop Jenkins'. This is his front yard. Uh, yeah. It is that amazing!! All 5 acres of it.