How to Live in the Northwest Rule #1: Frequent the Coffee Shacks!

Until 2011, I spent all my life on the East Coast, and most of that in the South (GRITS!  If you don't know, just go to Cracker Barrel and check out the t-shirts!  =)).  Since we moved to the beautiful Northwest, it seems like every day is a study in the contrast between life in the South and life up here.  Both great and amazing, just much more different than I expected.

So here is Rule #1 about how to live in the Northwest:  you got to learn to drink the hot brown stuff.  I was never a coffee drinker before I moved to the NW.  I drank Diet Coke by the bucket and supplemented with sweet tea from Sonny's - it was hot outside nearly all the time, so why would I want to drink something hot?  (Side note: If I were going to do a series on How to Live in the South, Rule #1 would be that you have to go to Sonny's on Sunday after Church.  Don't worry about the calories, that's what your long runs are for!)

Anywho, about a month after I moved here, my dear friend wisely said that she knew I'd be converted to coffee in due course, and low and behold, she was right - I'm not firmly in the "coffee is delicious" camp!  And, to make things even better, the NW has tons of funky little coffee shacks with their own flavor and devotees.

Now, I still drink and love my diet coke and coke zero, but I've cut back and here's why I think coffee>diet coke:

• More caffeine!  yay!  who doesn't want to be more productive?
• Warm drinks really ARE better on frosty mornings - and we have frosty mornings up here from September to May!   
• love that delicious smell of coffee when you wake up!

And I know there are a lot of other reasons too. But surely you are rolling your eyes at me and this ridiculous post by now, but here's the important part:  Dutch Bros. is donating proceeds from drinks sold tomorrow (FRIDAY) to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  MDA works to fight ALS, which is an incurable disease that cuts many lives short, too soon.  If you live in the NW, get yourself a DB treat tomorrow and do some good.  You can bet we'll be there, and I hope you will be too!

Have a blessed Thursday.

Spring: Northwest Style

I love Spring but Spring in the Northwest is bizarre!  Last week temps were in the 70s, this week it will snow one minute and be clear the next.  We've even had a thunderstorm - I know this isn't anything new for East Coasters but this was the first thunderstorm I've experienced here since moving in 2011.

Last night was another perfect example of crazy Spring weather:  I joined my Fleet Feet running group for an easy 4 miles on the Flaming Turd Trail.  (Not the formal name of course, but the most accurate!)  My running buddy Andrea and I were moving along, chatting as we usually do on easy days and halfway through the run it began to "graupel."  This is like Dippin' Dots falling from the sky, minus the strangely addictive deliciousness of the ice cream of the future and simply leaving you soaked.  I didn't have my phone on me, so no pic, but we were drenched from running in it for only 5 minutes.  During my 4 years in the Northeast, I don't think we ever had this kind of snow (snow pellets, to be more accurate?), and wouldn't you know, less than 5 minutes later, the sun was back out!

Today, on the other hand, it was a 54 degree bluebird day, and Michael and I got in an easy 3 miles in the sunshine:

Tall trees on our running/bike path.

I'm excited because I'm getting a little bit faster pushing the stroller while running.  Notice that I did not say that I'm getting better coordinated!  =)  My husband always wants to barf every time I am driving the car and he is riding, so I am quite proud that my son has not once barfed in the stroller due to my crazy steering while running.  LOL!

Enjoying a little walk with Dad after dinner - we usually run during the morning.

All this awesome time outside is making me look forward to summer hikes and bikes, camping and lake days.  We didn't go camping at all last summer (new baby in the house!) so we have got to take advantage of our beautiful surroundings this time around and get OUT there!  I want to get some new hiking/beach sandals and I'm considering both Chacos and the Keen Whisper sandals.  My friend loves her Chacos but I might want a little more toe protection.  We've also got trips to FL and MN coming up this summer, and I want to be able to use the shoes both on the beach and on the MN lakeshore.  Do you love one or the other?  Let me know - I'd love to hear your feedback!

Looking forward to some great conversation with my mom's group tomorrow morning, it's always fun to see these great gals and eat some delicious breakfast!  Have a great Thursday, the weekend is almost here!

--Annie