Simple pleasures...

This morning I realized that there are so many simple pleasures that I take for granted. Today, one of many, but the one that I realized first...both of us sleeping in until 11am as the sunlight dances on the leaves outside the window, listening to our parrot make random little squeeks.

Being afternoon now, I sit here with a cup of Market Spice tea, doing a Sudoku and listening to John Mayer tell me that I need to "say what you need to say...".

I see again, that it is the simple things in life that make a difference...those things that make us thankful and/or smile... ~S

Suvival Suit Race practice!

On September 20th, there is going to be an event that no one will want to miss. Three of my co-workers and myself will be participating in a Survival Suit Race at the Fishermans Fall Festival in Seattle. This festival happens every year and for the last four years, Trident has won the race. This year, however, the Clipper Seafoods girls (The Clipperetts) are going to give them a run for their money!

Sunday afternoon, most of the office, along with us gals and our suvival suits, went to Dave and Janet's house (president of Clipper) to get some practice.

This is me taking my turn with a dry run timing us on our suvival suit technique.

Couple of the guys helping get our raft ready. He pulls that rope until it trips the raft inflation device and the life raft pops out.

So, the race consists of us getting into our suits, jumping into the water, swimming to the raft, getting in (all four of us), and then the clock stops.


Dave getting the raft situated.
Ready, set....
Go!!

I know that's a lot of pictures but it's all quite funny, the progression of how we flail about and finally get into our raft. Our second time around, we were under 2 minutes! Not bad for a bunch of first timers...I didn't even know what a survival suit was until a year ago...

Come cheer us on if you can!!

Saturday surprises and randoms...

The surprise I planned for Brian and I was a tour of the Theo Cholocate Factory in Fremont.

We were taken down to a show room type place where we were given some history of how Theo started, how and where they get their cocoa beans, and the process for getting the wonderful pure chocolate that they then sell in their shop upstairs.

http://www.theochocolate.com/

Yes, we were very impressed with our hairs nets...
Even Brian, the hairless one, had to wear a net.

Our tour guide, Lauren, explaining how they go about testing the bags of beans that get shipped in...they found a brick once. But the test for discoloration and/or the way the bean looks on the inside, which if it looks off, could mean mold or mildew.



Lauren explaining how the roaster works.

This machine sends the beans down five levels of vibrating steps to shake all of the shells off. (Lauren, correct me if I'm wrong)
Clockwise, starting with the light colored bowl: Cocoa nibs (100% chocolate...2nd richest antioxident), Nib chocolate, coco butter, cocoa bean shells.
The first machine in the actual making of the chocolate.

The schedule in the confection making kitchen, the list of things to do were interesting to read.
When a batch of chocolate wasn't up to par or a mix of two very distinct type of chocolate, they wouldn't sell it but donate it, or make cool sculptures like this one.
Lauren passing out two different kinds of confections, lemon cream and a dark chocolate.

This kind, Coconut Curry, was my favorite...yes, weird sounding but amazing flavor.
"Love Potion. Dark Chocolate and Rose Scrub."

Little bit pricey for a body scrub, no??
They have samples out of almost every kind of chocolate they make. Mmmm...

The chocolate wrapers are designed by a local artist.

A walk by the canal...

Brian had planned a game afternoon for the guys at our house so I took a trip to Bainbridge Island to see mom and dad.

The Mora ice cream shop on the Island has the best ice cream ever.
Dad joined mom and I via mom's scooter.

My kitty that's living with mom and dad, Sparky.

On the ferry ride home, we were entertained by lovely cello music.