Life: Week 44

November 8, 2015 Laura Norsen

This week was all grey skies, spectacular sunsets, and vibrant fall color. After my short trip to LA last week, I was exhausted. Andy and I barely left home the entire weekend! Throughout the work week, the weather alternated from brief sunshine, to dull grey skies, to pouring rain. The only consistency was the almost wintry chill in the air. Perfect late fall weather! Mind-week, we decided to take a last minute trip to Whidbey Island for the weekend. We both left work a little early, and made it to the Mukilteo Ferry in time for a truly stunning sunset. The week came to a perfect end with bacon, egg & cheese burgers and a dark winter beer.

Also, I finally gave in and tried the cookies atone of my favorite lunch spots. Salted dark chocolate chip - SO delicious!

October in Books

November 3, 2015 Laura Norsen

Books! I love reading them, and I love hearing about what other people are reading. I already keep track of the books I read on goodreads, but since I enjoy seeing what other bloggers read so much, I thought I'd share what I've been reading here. I'd love to hear what you've been reading too!

Best surprise:
So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson
This was the October book for my book club. I read it almost entirely on the flight to LA, and found it very clever and interesting. It felt a lot like a story from This American Life in book form, which makes sense, since the author has contributed to the show. We had lots to discuss with this one. If you have a book club, I'd highly recommend reading it!

Biggest disappointment:
Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami
I'd been wanting to read this one since it was published, so I was disappointed to find the main character extremely unlikeable. Still, like every other Haruki Murakami book I've read, his writing had a surreal quality that kept me interested enough to finish the book. I definitely didn't hate it, but considering how much I've loved his other books, this was a let down.

Also read:
Things We Set On Fire by Deborah Reed

Currently reading:
Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Life: Week 43

October 31, 2015 Laura Norsen

This was a very busy, exhausting, and fun week. I spent most of the first half of the week with my sister-in-law and niece, who were visiting from California. We went to the pumpkin patch and carved pumpkins. We had brunch at one of our favorite local restaurants on their first day of brunch service. On her last night in town, Andy and I went out with his sister to one of our favorite local taprooms for dinner and beers.

Thursday, I left very early (at an unspeakable hour) for a two day trip to LA for some training for work. I was very pleasantly surprised by LA, or at least the area of West Hollywood I was in. It was very clean for such a big city, the people were all very friendly and laid-back, the architectural design was all so distinctive and fun, and the food, and even coffee, were excellent. I'd definitely like to go back in the near future for an actual vacation!

Life: Week 42

October 24, 2015 Laura Norsen

After a wonderful Saturday making cider with family on Vashon Island, Andy and I spent most of this week sick. We canceled several plans, and instead spent our evenings at home, with me catching up on unread magazines, reading, and knitting up Christmas presents (like this one that I'm super excited about). Luckily, since I had made a giant batch of chili Monday night (recipe here), we didn't have to worry about cooking. After chili for a week, I'm also definitely ready to eat something new. Even though I was sick, things were very busy at work, so I only took one half day off. The bonus of working late though - I get to catch some incredible sunsets out the office windows!