2010 books

2010 Books (in no particular order):

THE CONFESSION, by John Grisham
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, by Stieg Larsson
LITTLE BEE, by Chris Cleave
THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN, by Kate Morton
AT HOME, by Bill Bryson
CHELSEA CHELSEA BANG BANG, by Chelsea Handler
FREEDOM, by Jonathan Franzen
THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY, by Alexander McCall Smith
TEARS OF THE GIRAFFE, by Alexander McCall Smith
THE PATRON SAINT OF LIARS, by Ann Patchett
THE PILOT'S WIFE, by Anita Shreve
ESCAPE, by Carolyn Jessop

Currently Reading or Waiting in the Que on my Kindle
Distant Hours by Kate Morton
Aftershock: The Next Economy & America's Future by Robert B. Reich
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, by John Gottman
Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang, by Chelsea Handler

Books I started but didn't finish
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, by Stieg Larsson (to intense at the time)
A CIRCLE OF QUIET, by Madeleine L'Engle (3/4 finished)
COMFORT ME WITH APPLES, Ruth Reichl (1/2 finished, lost interest)
HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET, by Jamie Ford (didn't finish
b/c I got the Kindle and it was my last paperback book)

New York City

Its been an incredible weekend in New York City... and tomorrow starts a week of Cole Haan training at the corporate office downtown.

My friend and I started the day in SoHo at Saturdays; an espresso bar/surf shop.

Check out the website: http://www.saturdaysnyc.com/

From there we walked to Smile for lunch... and it was "to die for" as my grandmother would say.

We then stumbled upon an Art Exhibit called RE:Form. I took some pictures at the old school building from different artist's featured in the classrooms.

Looking out onto the courtyard from a classroom

The cupcake shop in SoHo

School Bust

Birthday!

Joe gave me the most thoughtful gift as part of my b-day present. He printed coupons for all of my favorite things to do... loved them!

Yesterday was an eventful day.. due to the fact I turned 25 again and worked at a Junior League event in Seattle called the Northwest Art 50th Anniversary Project.

Eric was hired to play the piano as part of the entertainment for the event. It was really nice to spend the evening with one of my relatives.

Here is one of my favorite paintings, named by Eric as the Disco Deer. Heidi was on my committee and became a friend in the process!

The NW Art project introduces over 20,000 children annually to the rich production of NW artist's through the exibition of its highly respected art collection in local schools. Through informational and intimate discussion of the pieces, the children experience more than a formal art history lesson and develop the ability to imagine what might be. The JL of Seattle put together this fundraiser to expand the project to reach all of King County.

There was food donated by Beechers, Boom Noodle, Wild Ginger and Trophy Cupcakes!

Maker's Mark provided a specialty drink.. and Tranche, O Wines and DeLille Cellars provided the wine selection.

Guests could walk around the Wright Exhibition Space to see 20 of our privately owned art collection. The artists were also at the event to see their work hanging. Michael Spafford was also an artist present and part of the entertainment. He sketched a piece or art for a drawing that took place at the end of the event. A lucky guest got to take his painting home!

Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany

Brother Ben

Ben sent me this photo last week from his iPhone, as he was flying over Italy.

He is stationed in Ramstein-Miesenbach Germany for the next three years as a pilot for the Air Force Academy. This picture was taken from his back yard.

We're going to miss him so much this Christmas as he is not coming home for the holidays.

Here is his new address, in case you want to send him a card or cookies.. (he loves anything sweet.)

Ben Hall
PSC 1 box 1126
APO AE 09009

Our New Home!

This week I went to Hazel Salon and got my hair darkened by Yeye. I love it!

Here are some pictures of our new home! Enjoy!

Kitchen Counter

Guest Bedroom

Master Bedroom

Restroom

Kitchen

Dining Room
Front Porch

Living Room

Oliver's Twist

Oliver's Twist

Our provisional class at JLS had wine at a local restaurant tonight in Phinney Ridge called Oliver's Twist. I thought it was blog worthy.

The menu is made up of small plates. Maria recommends the figs stuffed with blue cheese. Jenn would recommend the truffle popcorn, if you asked her. That was a household favorite when we lived together on South Lake Union last year. We probably stole the idea and didn't know it.

Oliver's Twist has been referred as "An upscale neighborhood lounge with divine small plates and artfully composed cocktails…”

You can order from a list of cocktails including the Presbyterian {bourbon, ginger ale and soda water} or something a little less offensive and a bit more traditional like a whiskey sour {rye, lemon, sugar & bitters}.

I went with a red blend.. tasted more like a port to me. It wasn't a drink I was thrilled to nurse for 2 hours and if I had a chance to do it again, I would order more wisely. All in a days work!

Cheers!

Benton Paul, Brooke White and Michael Johns Concert

Kali Corliss invited me to Chop Suey last week for a concert to hear Benton Paul.

We had a great time!!

We had to stop in at Via Tribunali for the prosciutto & fresh mozzarella pizza before heading over to the venue.

We had a great time—especially when we got the VIP treatment and took a tour of the group’s bus and met Michael Johns before he went on stage

Benton Paul and Brooke White played a duet together!

As you can see... Kali is an amazing photographer.

"Paris" was my favorite song. He sings it in French.

Click here to hear it: http://www.myspace.com/bentonpaul

Brook White