Anne: It's that time again...

While everyone is posting pictures of the happy couple and beautiful decorations at the wedding, let's just all remember what's important. We may have come for the wedding, but we stayed for the bacon jam.

I'm sorry for those of you who haven't tasted this, it was one of the best foods I've ever had the privilege of eating. Luckily, the bride's mom was gracious enough to share the recipe.

Okay, fine here's one of the couple. The poor camera phone quality is eclipsed by how cute they looked dancing together.

Anne: Showers of Ice Cream

We had a lovely little shower for a dear friend getting married next week! Complete with an ice cream bar, prayer and our favorite romantic movie scenes. Aren't the flowers and banner wonderful?!

Note: This photo was not technically taken by me, All Rights Reserved Michelle Parker ;)

Anne: Ashy Feet

You know how everyone shares cute traveling pictures of their feet? Then there's this:

Spent another wonderful Friday evening with friends at Golden Gardens. Because of all the fires on the beach, the sand is speckled with black, charred wood. Stains the toes pretty well.

Jen: Guest Photographer

My friend Stephen snapped this of me at my fave coffee shop.

Check out Stephen's Vlog

Anne: Two Faced

This was either side of the same mountain that we hiked up on Saturday. None of us were expecting this much snow, but that's the mountains out here.

Anne: Beach Bonfire

Spent Friday night on the beach at Golden Gardens with some lovely friends. Even got introduced to the Reese's S'more...amazing.

Anne: Pile of Cabbage

If you think I'm saying that like it's a bad thing, you clearly haven't lived any time in Pittsburgh with sauerkraut and haluski. Besides under all that cabbage are three delicious tacos from Marination.

Jen: A Taste of Pittsburgh

In Grand Forks, ND, I not only found kielbasa at a gourmet Hot Dog place (The Dog-Mahal @ Demers & 3rd) but I ate with Zach Hellrung!

Bainbridge Island

Spent the day on Bainbridge Island visiting a friend. The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art had it's grand opening with flags, pins and little shortbread cookies. We spent the day walking around the quaint little shops and experiencing Mora Ice Cream for the first time (Pistachio and Coconut).

It's Everything They Say It Is, Portland Part 3

We went to Portland last weekend and this is what happened.

Overall our visit to Portland was lovely. We had a relaxing time but weren't bored. We hit Hawthorne district for thrift and vintage shopping. Visited the Saturday Market. Walked along the waterfront. Won hipster bingo immediately on arrival. Explored an ethnic drum and percussion shop. Stuffed ourselves with amazing food. Found some new books. And played games at a nickel arcade.

It was exactly as I expected it to be and I'm glad it didn't disappoint. We felt at home there as it truly seemed like a slightly larger Pittsburgh, completely different from the feel of Seattle. I'm looking forward to our next visit, maybe I'll make it to the second floor at Powell's and there's always more food to experience.

Waiting in line at Voodoo

Magic Made Them Disappear, Portland Part 2

We visited Portland this weekend and this is what happened.

We spent pretty much the whole weekend eating. Seriously. Hit a lot of the major spots including Voodoo Doughnuts. It's a must do as far as experiencing Portland and I'm glad we went though we probably won't go back again. Well maybe for another Memphis Mafia, but I'll have to ration calories for three days.

This box contains a dozen doughnuts.

Demolished in less than 24 hours.

Other places we ate in Portland: 

Brunch at Screen Door - order the Chicken & Waffles (best fried chicken I've ever had) and the Praline Bacon (from Jen "I don't even like nuts or bacon and this is delicious!" <-- blatant misuse of quotations)

Drinks at The Mash Tun - great patio atmosphere (kid-friendly)

Dinner at Grain & Gristle - order the Kale Salad (even if you don't like kale) 

Bruinner at Kenny & Zuke's Deli - (only Justin was hungry) order the pickle assortment and the weirdest latkes I've ever tasted, they were like huge hush puppies

Dinner at The HUB (Hopworks Urban Brewery) - Order everything! or especially the Pulled Pork sliders and the Pint o' Pretzels. There was much discussion on the brews so order at your own discretion

Powell's, Portland Part 1

We went to Portland for the weekend and this is what happened.

You might not know this about me, but I love bookstores. Like really love them. When Ben and I have nothing to do we often find ourselves wondering around one. The best part is that we don't really buy books, because they're a pain to move. But I imagine one day when we've settled down having a massive library. Instead I take pictures of covers and add them to my Shelfari shelf. We spent a good hour in Powell's and I didn't even make through two full sections. I should have just had them drop me off there for the weekend.

The sections, I stayed mostly in Rose

Us being super hipster outside of Powell's, I bought my first Moleskin (knock off, but it was recycled)

TOGOMELETTE

Sometimes you have to wake up at 5 AM for work, and sometimes you decide the best way to make yourself get up is by cooking breakfast with someone else who needs to wake up that early for work to. Which is a great plan until as you are making tasty mushroom cheddar omelettes, you realize you have no time to eat it.  Thus was born the togomelette. Get it, an omelette to go! Delicious here or there! 

Nerds

Best way to spend a Saturday evening: tea, friends and board games followed by great conversation.
I love us!

This is friendship...

This is love. Miles can't separate this.

Go ahead invite yourself over...

And make cookies for us? OK! This house makes me happy.

For Devon

This one is a shoutout to my new friend who always posts some awesome shots of the Sound and the sunsets/sunrises

Game Night

This obviously isn't my picture, as I'm the one behind the Jenga tower, but I had to post it anyway. We've been hosting a monthly Game Night in our community room for the last couple months and it just seems to be getting better. Great people, delicious food and plenty of laughter over the games.

courtesy of Effie