Get your Xmas groove on this weekend

There are tickets still available for Trans-Siberian Orchestra this Saturday. My husband Steve and I are going with some friends. I've always wanted to go but never managed to quite get there (Mannheim Steamroller is also on my list...maybe next year). My friend who suggested it, a mother of two boys, doesn't get out much and I expect things are going to get crazy as she is turned loose in downtown Seattle without the usual obstruction to fun two kids can create. Yes, I am child-free, and I like it that way. I don't know how people with kids even think straight over all the racket they make.

Anyway, we've got super seats for the 3 PM show in order to allow as much post-concert time downtown as possible - I hear booking babysitters, even family, for child-watching can be a real hassle! She wants a fancy dinner out and maybe some shopping. Of course we will take the Monorail from Seattle Center to Westlake Center.

We are making sure the husbands get into the holiday spirit early this year. Earlier than December 1st seemed a little unreasonable, so that's why this concert seemed to fit our bill perfectly. There's nothing like a bah-humbug partner to put a wet blanket - and not one of white snow - on holiday festivities.

Also planned this weekend is a visit to a Westover Tree Farm, a family-owned tree farm in Maple Valley (click here for a list of tree farms and u-cut tree sources). We'll select an appropriately sized Noble fir to bring back to our new townhome to decorate. The size of the tree is still under negotiation and is largely determined by my husband's energy level each year. See, stringing lights on a tree is an art. In my family, we just twirled the string around and around. When I got married and had my first Xmas with husband I was delighted by how he put the lights on the tree. He was taught by HIS dad to put the lights up and down every branch. You wouldn't (or maybe you would if you do it this way) understand what a huge difference this makes in the overall impression of the tree. And there is no going back. I am trying for a 8-footer this year, but we'll see what kind of mood he is in on Sunday.

I hope you get your holiday season off to a great start and do something fun this weekend!

Announcing the publication of my first calendar!

Announcing the publication of my first calendar, only made possible by the amazing photographers in our Italian Greyhound (IG) meetup group, IGGY Ambassadors. I initiated a photo contest a year ago and challenged members to theme photos depending on the season or holiday. I turned over management of the club to a committee of volunteers about three months ago, when I launched a new dog club in my neighborhood of High Point, called The High Point K9 Club. But I retained "control" of the photo contest and my personal mission to create a beautiful calendar with a portion of the proceeds to benefit IG rescue efforts in the Northwest, for which I have to thank for assisting me with finding and adopting Sophia (pictured here and on the cover of the calendar).

You can see a preview of the entire calendar on my web site which opens it in PDF format. It is best viewed at 40% so you can see the entire page of each month.

You can purchase a copy of the calendar here. 16% of all sales goes directly to help pay for vet bills and other costs associated with the very active Northwest Italian greyhound rescue community.

Green hostess gifts : How to give the gift of apple cider

Just came across a great video on King5.com, my husband's and my favorite King County farmer, Wade Bennett, of Rockridge Orchards. Watch the video here.
You can visit Wade and taste all of his wonderful ciders and wines (and tomatoes and pears and everything else they grow) at the West Seattle Farmers Market on Sundays. And he will be there thru the end of February! They also can be found at Columbia City, University Heights, and Ballard Farmers Markets.

Our secret recipe is to add his Raspberry Wine to Blue Sky Cream Soda. It's our very own special spritzer!

My 15 Seconds of Fame

Yesterday was a big day for me. High Point was presented with an international Award for Excellece from the Urban Land Institute and I was asked to make the welcoming remarks as a resident of the neighborhood. I brought along my 4-legged visual aid, Sophia.

The West Seattle Blog summarizes it best in their post High Point's Party, and also includes the KIRO 7 news video clip that was featured live from High Point yesterday. Check it out!

Of course, I closed with the remark that there were only a few homes left for sale in this phase, and that I would be happy to help anyone wanting to make the move to High Point!

I will say it again - if you have not toured High Point yet, you need to. Please drop me a line!

Keeping it local for a green Thanksgiving

Don't miss this great article in the Seattle PI about reducing your carbon footprint by eating locally grown food this holiday season.





My recommendations? A free-range heritage turkey (if still available) from Skagit River Ranch (family pictured here), potatoes and vegetables in season from your local farmers market, and if you're not a baker, pick up really nice organic pies at PCC. Or, if you want a little less work, you can order an entire organic Thanksgiving meal from PCC as well. Order online here.

Whole Foods also offers a holiday menu.

And just a note...If you've not been to a local farm lately, you need to go! Pet some chickens, feed some pigs, and talk to the people who are growing your food. You will learn a lot! I have visited Skagit River Ranch in Sedro Woolley numerous times. There's always great stuff to sample at the farm store and everyone is so nice! Find a farm to visit here.

And even more information...
If you would like to learn more about how to eat locally this Thansgiving, Seattle Tilth is hosting a free event this Tuesday, Nov. 6th. The Eat Local Thanksgiving campaign is off and running! 1,214 pledges as of when I made my pledge at 2 PM Sunday, Nov. 4th. Estimated Pounds of CO2 Emissions Prevented: 2,670.80 Read how this was calculated.