Kim Thompson, Broker
Windermere Real Estate
360-296-3431
bellinghamlifestyle@gmail.com

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Monday, April 25, 2011

Hanging chairs

Jonathan Alder said every house should have a hanging chair. I'm convinced.
Domino


Via Apartment Therapy

Via Apartment Therapy

Jonathan Alder

Studio Ilse

Cottage Living

I love this one but judging by its name, it is out of my price range. Let's move on.



I like Pier1 chair but I like price tag on Ikea one better. I'm so looking forward to the swinging fun this summer. I will race my kids to the chair every time.


Pier 1 $296.95


 
Ikea $69.99

Saturday, April 16, 2011

School lunches

"Chicago School's controversial policy of banning pupils from bringing lunches from home is aimed at encouraging healthy eating, the principal said." UPI.com reports. 
Obviously I'm not the only one who thinks it is such a weird thing to do because it is categorized under 'Odd news'. I didn't grow up in the USA so I didn't know how the school food is here until I watched Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. It was an eye opener to say the least.


Now I have a kinder-gardener, I'm more than ever interested in what they provide to the kids in school. I pack Ella's lunch everyday but she's been wanting to try hot school food sometime. I guess a trip to their cafeteria is in order. I don't make fancy bento box like this mom but I try my best to provide healthier food. You can see how school lunch is so different in different counties on this blog. Unfortunately, American school lunch is very often a sad one. I want to see how Chicago school lunch is different from the rest of the country. I hope they don't think french fries are the most nutritious vegetable ever.

Cheetos with cheese sauce. Shocked me.


What's up with chocolate milk.

At least I was happy to see water instead of Coke.




Mussels and Artichoke school lunch in France. Is it for real?


Thursday, April 14, 2011

Dirty Dan Days Seafood Festival in Fairhaven


Dirty Dan Seafood Festival is fast approaching and I'd like to attend this year's so I put that in my calendar. It is to celebrate Fairhaven's founder Dirty Dan Harris and Bellingham herald has a good story about him and the history of Fairhaven here.
Anyway, the event is free and they offer endless entertainment for everyone. Come on over!

DIRTY DAN HARRIS

Daniel Jefferson Harris, one of the early white settlers of what would become Whatcom County, left a legacy by platting Fairhaven in 1883.

From the time he first rowed into Bellingham Bay in 1853, Harris made a name for himself by his slovenly appearance and hygiene. That name was "Dirty Dan" or "Dirty Shirt Dan."

He was also known for his good nature telling jokes and telling stories, both real and fanciful.

Harris lived alone most of his time in the county in a cabin at the mouth of Padden Creek. He later earned a sizable fortune selling lots in Fairhaven, and spent much of it building a classy hotel.

After getting married, he sold most of his property here and bought a palatial home in Los Angeles. He died there in 1890 practically penniless, the victim of a couple who befriended him and squandered his money.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Whatcom Artist Studio Tour 2011

Whatcom artist studio tour is an annual Bellingham/Whatcom county event held during the first two weekends in October. I always have a blast going through my favorite artist's studios and look into their private house creative process.
Just went through photos of Whatcom Artist Studio Tour 2011 participants.Oh, it is going to be really good this year. There are so many lovelies but I especially love me some David Rigway's oil paintings. The colors are gorgeous and it makes me so happy. Hubby likes the second painting which I like too, which is a miracle because we are one of the couples never like the same thing at the same time. Think 'You like potato and I like potahto'. I see there will be a new addition to our small collection of art... We shall see.





Monday, April 11, 2011

Calling Bellingham moms for help


Last week my little girl turned 6 and we threw a party at Whatcom Museum over the weekend. We won this birthday package at a charity auction and it took all the stress off of our shoulders deciding what we should do for her birthday. It was my first kids party out of the house and I absolutely enjoyed it as much as the kids did. We brought some food and that's all it took. Ella picked a theme, Dr. Seuss, from their list. When we got there, the room was already decked out with Cat in the hat decoration, hat making project materials on the table and staffs were really friendly and helpful. All I could say was wow. No cleanup was the best part of it all.

However, coming up with ideas to give a memorable birthday bash every year is not going to be easy and it got me thinking I need to compile a list of birthday party venues in Bellingham.

Please let me know your recommendations and ideas to try for boys or/and girls birthday parties.

"Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!" - Dr. Seuss

Sunday, April 10, 2011

bon appetit Cook book

I got this book as a belated birthday gift from my in-laws, Ian, Emily and Sue and those three words - fast, easy, fresh - are music to my ears. The lists of ingredients are pretty short, which is a good sign.

Sue is my sister-in-law, Emily's mom and she is an unbelievable cook. I wish I had 1% of her passion for cooking.

I will make sure to post some recipes that I like. Stay tuned.


Saturday, April 9, 2011

Debating between the two

I have been looking for a stool for my kitchen island forever and finally I found something I like. Problem is there are two of them. Which one should I get.



I like that #2 is more versatile because height is adjustable and I think it will be nice to have that feature for the kids. It's cheaper but currently out of stock. I don't know if I can wait any more. I want something NOW.
I like #1 because it is smart and sleek! I like the modern look of it. Mr. Practical (a.k.a hubby) said you have to put the felt all the way along the bottom. 

Decision decision decision. What do you like?

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Spring is here

I posted about library ladders here. I promised to post a picture of mine recycled. It's been so wet to get out to take photos. Finally, here is the picture of my library ladder being used as a lattice for my climbing evergreen clematis. Hubby helped me to cut and attach the galvanized live stock fence leftover from building the trellis.

While I was at it, I got a few photos of signs of spring. Here are some snow pea sprouts growing.


And I love these baby daffodils.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Christmas Cookies on a rainy spring day

After so many rainy days with the kids, I ran out of all my creative ideas to entertain them. So it was time to bring out the Christmas cookie kit that I picked up for 50 cents in the Target clearance section after last Christmas. When I saw the cookie kit (good until October 2011), I thought of the 'Christmas in July party' we had when I was working for IBM global services. My kids love Christmas and I thought it would be fun to have some Christmas spirit during summer. I know it's not summer yet, but hey, it was a hit and Kids sang Jingle Bells all day. And here we even had a Christmas fairy's visit.




Here are some spring break activities you can do with your kids.
(Source: Bellingham Herald)

Bellingham Children's Theatre, Bellingham
"Spring Break-a-leg! Camp" April 4 - 8, Monday - Friday 10:00 - 3:00. The only necessary ingredient for this week-long session is an imagination and a desire to spread theatrical mischief and ...

Spring Break Matinee Tuesday, Apr 5 2:00p
Bellingham Public Library Lecture Room, Bellingham
When the kingdom’s most wanted bandit, Flynn Rider, hides out in a mysterious tower, he’s taken hostage by Rapunzel, a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair.

Center for Expressive Arts, Bellingham
Mommy And Me Art Spring Break Art Party! Open to kids ages 1-8 years old (under 5's with parent/caregiver).

Friday, April 1, 2011

Feel the beat

A good friend of mine who is also my new neighbor, Betty, is a great Zumba instructor and she's having a charity event next Saturday in Ferndale to benefit the American Heart Association. I wanted to get the word out. Zumba anyone?

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