10 Things That Make Me Happy!

Without further ado...happies!

An over-exposed shot taken at Green Lake Park at night. I also happened to walk into the shot. Oops!

V. sweet sleeping bebe.

Mandarin slices in yogurt.

I made this! (Tofu Banh Mi with garlic aioli.)

Photo courtesy my companion.

Yes.

I've had this vase for years, and I finally put something in it!

This mallard has set up shop on my friend's dock. He did not want his picture taken, poor fella. But isn't his coloring wonderful?

Silliness.

A sweet chai from Ballard Coffee Works.

A rare moment of peace. ;)

What are some things you do to make yourself happy?

xoxo,
Robin

Alpacas

We went on a drive this Sunday, mostly to take a few photos. The weather held for a few hours, so got some nice shots. The Man has a new camera (and a new lens, and a new tripod...) so he wanted to get outside and give them a try.

I took a few shots on the new beauty, but for the most part stuck with my own shooter.

The most fun thing we saw was this pair of alpacas! The white one kept looking at us. The brown one kept looking at...the grass. I guess it was hungry!

Don't ya just wanna cuddle up to this guy?? He reminds me of Shmoo!

We also stopped on the freeway (terrifying) to capture this hawk.

It eventually got tired of us and flew away.

See that brown blob lower right? That's the hawk. Flying.

We even saw a few wild turkeys!

They were shy.

Of course I had to capture any flash of PINK that I could...

I hope your spring is turning out as nicely as ours is!

xoxo,
Robin

Kayaking on Lake Ballinger

We went for an excursion on Lake Ballinger in Mountlake Terrace. Our mode of transport? Inflatable kayaks. So convenient! (And surprisingly easy to handle.)

The day had been sunny and temperate, so just before dusk we grabbed a pizza and headed to the lake.

Twin trees.

That white line in the water is the reflection of the jet-stream above.

The air smelled so nice, most likely because of all the blossoming trees on the shore. This is a little island in the middle of the lake. You're not supposed to go on it, so we didn't. (But I kinda wanted to...)

I think I irritated this fisherman. (Not on purpose!) I was trying to get a pic, and I kept drifting toward him (and his lines!). I like how you can see his cigar smoke.


Not the best shot of an eagle in the world, but not too bad considering the height of this tree, and the fact that it was taken as my little kayak drifted along...

The tree, for scale. Eagle at top left.

Three little blackbirds.

Feather.

Until next time...

xoxo,
Robin

Monkey Bridge

Growing up I was a picky eater. It seems hard to believe now, but I put up a fuss even when my family went out for Chinese food! Of course, had I been exposed to more types of food earlier on, I might not have been so conventional.

Okay, yeah, knowing myself as a kid, I probably would have been.

But. I'd say I've grown as an eater, and am fairly adventurous. My mom says I'm "fancy" now (I prefer "discerning"). :) Anyway, one of my favorite haunts is The Monkey Bridge, a little Vietnamese restaurant in Ballard with scrumptious food and a nice, low-key atmosphere.

When we were getting over the plague colds, we stopped in for a bite.

Colorful, yes?

My companion had a tureen-sized beef pho, seasoned with cinnamon, star-anise and and cloves.

He ate this entire bowl.

With accoutrements.

I usually go for the pho, or banh mi, or the tofu bean dish--all fantastic, but I on this occasion I went with the Vegetarian Hot and Sour Soup, with tofu, Vietnamese rhubarb, and and pineapple.

It was very good, but I think I'd enjoy it more in a smaller size as a starter.

Trying not to look stuffed up.

The little details here at Monkey Bridge are very charming.

If you can, give it a try!

You won't be disappointed!

xoxo,
Robin