Oh, Cap Hill. I’m going to miss you.

It’s been a while since I’ve popped in to say hello over here. I’m leaving the Emerald City for sunny California in about a week and I’ve been busy with preparations for that. I’ll share more soon (I promise!), but in the meantime I’d love to hear how your summer is going! What’s new?

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The arboretum is one of my favorite places in all of Seattle. I think I’ve posted about it here at least 5 times already, but I just can’t visit enough. Beautiful views of Lake Washington, winding trails that get so muddy you have no choice but to go barefoot, hidden patches of grass that seem to be made for picnics — what more could you want on a sunny day?

My birthday is this Friday and I sure hope the sun holds out!

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Having lived in Washington State my whole life, I’m a bit embarrassed about how infrequently I get out of my neighborhood and take advantage of all the natural beauty in this region. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to, but getting out of the city is difficult when you don’t have a car!

Nick and I got to go to Whidbey Island for the first time a couple of months ago when a few friends were heading there to do a half marathon. We tagged along for a wonderful weekend of cooking, hanging out at the beach, cheering them on during their race, and running through some of the most wondrous landscapes I’ve ever seen. Since then we’ve also been to Bainbridge Island (though I forgot my camera), and we’re hoping to try and hike in the Olympic National Park or visit the San Juan Islands next. Any recommendations?

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**I still have many more photos from Japan, but wanted to take a break for a bit and share something more recent.

A few more photos from our “snowmaggedon” here in Seattle. Taken on Capitol Hill around the Pike/Pine corridor & Cal Anderson Park.

The snow melted away almost as quickly as it arrived. It was fun, but I don’t think I’d mind at all if this winter passed us by just as quickly. I’m ready to see the blue skies behind those clouds! How about you?

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Photos from Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill, Seattle.

Did you hear about the “snowmaggedon” we had here in Seattle last week? Apparently even BBC news was talking about it. I think the areas just north and south of Seattle were hit pretty hard, but around here it wasn’t so bad. Just a few lovely inches of snow and a day or so of freezing rain. Beautiful, huh?

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These pictures of home make me so happy. I hope they give you a smile too :)

I’ve been looking at them a lot now that the leaves are almost gone. It’s still a little hard to believe it’s almost mid-December! In the genius words of Dr. Seuss:

How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon.
December is here before it’s June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?
~Dr. Seuss (via Alexandria of Little Postcards)

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Spent all week in here with a cold that just wouldn’t go away.

If you live in Seattle and you’re free tomorrow night, come to the Rainn Wilson & Friends Benefit Show for Mona Foundation! I’ve been helping prep for it, because all the proceeds go to Mona Foundation, and there are still tickets available! It’s going to be a great show, I promise you. Here’s a video we made with Phoenix Jones, Seattle’s very own superhero (did you know we had one?) to promote it:

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Such lovely colors, aren’t they?

I spent the weekend in Vancouver, BC with Yuko and it was wonderful. That city sure makes Seattle feel small. Unfortunately I didn’t end up taking even one whole roll of pictures because it was dark and rainy most of the weekend, but I’ll try to finish off the rest of the roll and get it developed soon.

In the meantime, all I want to do is hole up in this cozy little apartment of mine with my books!

What are you reading right now?

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Well, now I know. 5 Spot cafe actually is just as good as Carmel made it out to be, the many times she told me I was crazy for never having been before. What’s great about it? Lousiana’s Pure Crystal Hot Sauce on the table, perfect hashbrowns, multiple menu items involving black beans, tortillas and eggs, shockingly fast service, bottomless coffee (ok, I guess that’s kind of a given in a brunch place), friendly service (definitely not a given), AND it got me over to Queen Anne, which almost never happens. Add it to your rotation, friends.

Also, can you believe these photos were taken in Seattle? We had an unbelievably beautiful weekend. I still remember my first winter away from home (in Tokyo), and the slow realization that ever-present dark gray clouds and drizzling rain are not necessary components of winter. That it in some (many) places in the world, it’s cold and crisp and the leaves turn red and orange, but: the sky is also clear and sunny! Someday I’ll live in a place like that again.

[Silly question time] What do you look for in a brunch place (and are there places I should try?)

*click images for full view//kodak 200//canon eos rebel k2 (Ben took the photo of me lookin’ like Steve Zissou)

I went on a pretty delightful little pumpkin patch adventure to a farm out in Enumclaw with some friends a couple weekends ago. It had all kinds of fun activities (for kids and 20 somethings alike, thank you very much): a corn maze, apple tossing, a petting zoo, fake cows to milk (best part), a hay ride, and of course, a pumpkin patch! It was nice to just get out of the city for a bit, too.

Do you carve pumpkins and celebrate Halloween in your corner of the world? Here are some pictures of our Halloween costumes last night:

Ben as Ryan Gosling's character in the movie Drive

Nick and I as a box of raisins and the Sunmaid raisin girl

Happy Halloween!

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