Night Market and Art Walk

For this date (last week), Jason decided to take me out for some local Bellingham activities.  This year a Friday night market began in Bellingham, and we had yet to check it out.  It turns out that this was the final week it would be open for the season, so we made it just in time!

It's a quirkly little market.  There were a couple of food vendors, some locals selling their crafts/goods, and a live band for entertainment.  I don't think it was quite what we were expecting, but it was fun nonetheless.  Plus, we did find some really cute onesies and kid's t-shirts that we will keep on our radar for later...  I think we expected some produce and local dairy stands (we've been on a cheese kick lately), but alas, there were none.  While we were wandering, one of the vendors noticed Baby H's little bump, and offered us a gift.  He gave me a piece of quartz taken from a spring on Mount Baker.  Apparently it will help with lactation when the time comes.  He was quite friendly, and later as we walked by his booth full of rocks and stones, his seemed to be the most popular.  Maybe that gives you an idea of what this night fair is like.

We wandered for a few minutes and didn't see too much else of interest, and then realized that being the first Friday of the month, it was also Art Walk! Perfect!  We ended up walking around downtown and checking out some shops that neither of us had ever been to before. We saw some great architecture at a relatively new showroom, and perused some art galleries. 

We finally noticed that our stomachs were growling, so we landed at D'Anna's. We had been there once before, and were unimpressed with service and food.  However, it had been a few years, and they always seem busy, so we decided to give them another try.  Poor choice.  Jason's beer didn't taste right (likely from dirty draft lines - euw) and our food was bland.  Not to mention, service was less than mediocre.  It wasn't an awful experience, but Bellingham has so many other food choices that we won't be going back.

Lastly, with our bellies full and feet tired, we made our way home and read the final chapter of Revelations.  

Farmer's Market

It's already the end of September, and we had yet to use up the Farmer's Market as our date.  How could it be?!?  So, finally, we crossed this one off the list.  It was a little bit wet outside, but that didn't stop us.  It was a perfect day for the Farmer's Market, because the chef from one of our favorite food trucks, Streat Food, was doing a free tasting and demonstration.  Yum!  He showed us how to make a delicious pastry, which I cannot recall the name of.  I have a copy of the recipe somewhere, and might try making it myself.  Perfect for a fairly easy appetizer or quick bite.

One of the things I love about the Farmer's Market is trying all the yummy food, but also seeing all the bright colors of fresh produce... and discovering just how colorful they can really be.  I had no idea that cauliflower comes in a green variety!  I also really like the people-watching that you can do in public spaces like this, and of course running into friends and acquaintances.  We wandered around, picked up a few veggies for the upcoming week, and enjoyed one anothers company.  One of the nice things about the Bellingham market is that it continues through December. We'll be back in a couple months for our annual holiday wreath. 

 

Rainy Weekend in Whistler

This week's date was a little bit more extravagant and special than most.  We celebrated our fourth year of marriage, and Jason took me on a weekend getaway.  If you've been in the Pacific Northwest this summer, then you'd know our weather has been phenomenal.  Amazing. Gorgeous. Hot. Sunny.  This weekend, it was everything but.  Historically, this particular weekend in July is supposed to have the best weather (sunny, lowest chance of precipitation). Not a chance.

If you've been to Whistler, you know that, a) it's a town you check out by foot, and b) all activities are outdoorsy.  Perfect mixture for a rainy weekend.  I still can't get over this, it was the ONE rainy weekend we had in months....anyways, maybe it was just what we needed. Neither of us had ever been to Whistler during the spring or summer months, so we were excited to fit in some hiking and check out the peak-to-peak.  However, neither of those worked out because it was too cloudy for the Gondola, and we don't have hiking gear meant for the rain (and mud). Not to mention, my energy levels were still pretty low.  Regardless, we had a great time relaxing and enjoying each others company.

Jason had booked us a room right in the middle of the Village, so we spent a lot of time walking around, checking out the shops, eating, and wandering.  In our wanderings, we stumbled by a place called West Coast Float.  Have you ever heard of a sensory deprivation tank? Jason had, and he thought it would be fun to try.  So, we booked a time slot and checked it out.  If you've never heard of floating, it's basically a shallow bathtub with so much epsom salt that you float.  The water and room temperature are both at body temp. The idea is that you can't feel where the water ends and the air begins.  This is supposed to be a restful time.  Jason loved it.  He found it to be relaxing.  While I didn't mind it, I would have preferred this as a time to relax and talk.  I found it difficult to find a comfortable spot for my head and arms and was adjusting every few minutes.  In addition, I did not like the lack of air circulation, and thought the air was too warm, to where I felt I needed to open the door a few times to catch a breath of fresh(er) air.  Regardless, it was a fun experience. 

Jason spent most of the day trying to convince me that we needed a float tank for our home, but he didn't quite sell me on it.  We wandered, watched some dancers while the sun peeked it's face for a moment, and wandered some more.  There was also an Iron Man taking place on Sunday, so of course that inspired Jason to work on his parkour and ninja warrior skills.  It doesn't take much to make Jason want to jump around and do things that make me anxious, but he was very inspired this weekend.  Jason also decided that if these people could do an Iron Man, that he could definitely run a marathon.  So he has decided to sign up for one in the near future.  Oh boy.  I really do love this man, but I don't know where all this energy comes from.  It's good, because he keeps me on my toes!

The weekend getaway was a great trip for us.  The weather was disappointing, but part of the fun was just being together and having to rework our plans.  It made for a trip that was both relaxing and spontaneous.  I wouldn't mind doing a few more weekend getaways together...maybe next time we'll catch some sun too.

 

Cost:
$$$$
(Lodging, food, entertainment)

Tumbling

This date was a really fun one.  When Jason told me we were going to an adult tumbling class, I had no idea what to expect.  Unlike Jason, I never took any sort of gymnastics class as a kid.  Of course I learned how to do somersaults and cartwheels, but that was just in the grass of my front yard.  For this date, we dropped in on the Friday night tumbling class offered by North Coast Gymnastic Academy.  Apparently, it was a slow week night for them as many of their students were out for competitions.  However, that meant we had the entire gym all to ourselves!  After warming up, we tried a few basic movements.  I didn't try too many things, as my upper body strength ins't like that of Jason, and my mobility is currently a little limited.  

Anyways, Jason and I had so much fun playing around, trying jumps, tumbles, bouncing, balancing, and all sorts of other things I don't know the names of.  I was even a little sore the next day. After we wrapped up at the gym, we decided to continue our date with dinner.  We tried out a new restaurant in town and enjoyed a low key evening with each other.


Cost:
NCGA - $15 per person
Dinner - Approx.

Shopping For...

Most of you probably know by now that Jason and I are expecting a baby at the end of this year.  No...? Surprise!  Anyways, this date was a thoughtful one on Jason's part. If you know me well, you know I don't particularly care for shopping, and I normally don't enjoy spending money on things for myself, like clothes.

Well, as you also may know, your body changes a little bit during pregnancy.  Before the baby bump makes its way for the world to see, there are other areas of the body that change first. And, you probably know where I'm going with this, but I'm just going to come out and say it - breasts.  Breasts change during pregnancy.  Whether Jason noticed this change or it come up in conversation, I'll let you decide.  Regardless, he knew that I was in need of some new pieces of apparel to accommodate these changes.  

So, on a Friday night after work, Jason and I hopped in the car and went on a date to the MALL! What? Are we 16 again? No, but eating dinner (mmm, Chipotle) and walking around the mall (even if briefly) made me feel like it.  Anyways, we ate some grub, then he took me to Victoria's Secret to get fitted for a new bra.  I am SO glad he did.  This is something I probably would have put off for far too long... and ladies, you can relate...you know how nice it is to have a properly fitting bra.  And, I didn't feel hesitant spending the money on TWO new bras because Jason helped me realize that the benefit of comfort would be worth it.  

Jason patiently waited for me as I tried on a few different styles and finally made a selection.  I'm sure he felt a little uncomfortable waiting around for me, but I really appreciate that he did.  At least I let him help pick between a couple I liked, so he got to participate in some fashion.  Afterwards, we got a smoothie to share (mm, more mall treats) and sat in the food court and read from our Bible.  

Husbands, this is a really easy way to take your wife on a date just living ordinary life.  This is something I would have EVENTUALLY done on my own, but it was nice to have Jason spending the time with me doing it.  If you see something your wife needs, make a date out of it and take her to get it!

Cost:
Chipotle - $18
Victoria's Secrets - $65
Orange Julius - $7

Sunday Picnic

Jason is the best! For this date, he had to plan a little in advance and prepare our picnic in the morning.  We went to Church, had a member's meeting, and then took off for Boulevard Park.  He brought our outdoor blanket and we found a space to set up with a little sun and shade (don't worry - we brought sunscreen too!).  A couple years ago I won this Bota Box picnic set, which has most everything you need for a simple picnic...including a holding space for your wine bladder - but we didn't utilize that feature.  Jason had packed a lunch in the morning which consisted of cheese, meats, fruit and crackers, along with a tasty sparkling lemonade.  I love picnics, and I love cheese!

To top it off, the weather outside was perfect!  We could have played some games or thrown around a frisbee, but our lives have been quite busy, so it was nice to have some relaxing time to catch up and discuss some of the things we'd been thinking about.  Also, I love people watching, and the park was plenty busy for that!

Shari's

These days, we tend to choose local places for a dinner out, places with bistro style foods, good happy hours, or tasty beers on tap.  This time, we went to Shari's, so this date wasn't for the fine dining...rather, it was a little bit of a 'throwback' for both of us.  Are we the only ones who spent countless evenings in high school hanging out with friends at places like Shari's and Applebee's?  We spent several nights there in our youth - after concerts, youth group, days at the lake, and other activities.  

We intended to go for dessert, but my appetite had been a little 'wonky' that day, and I was pretty hungry.  So, we ordered mozzarella sticks, and then we both got breakfast for dinner.  As expected, the food wasn't amazing, but it was nostalgic.  It was really great because Shari's was pretty quiet that night, which seemed to fit with both of our moods.  We had fun perusing the giant menu, and felt like kids again, ready to order whatever sweet thing sounded good.  Doing something different, yet familiar, was a nice change to our routine.  We've since joked that we might need to do some more cheap late night dinners after busy days.