1. I'm still incredibly upset about the recent events in Boston.  I've found myself scanning the news for any new information every chance I can get.  Every time someone mentions it I get goosebumps.  I wonder how long it'll last.  I was too young to really understand what was happening during 9/11, so this feeling is really strange to me.  I'm still so grateful that none of my loved ones in Boston were hurt.  However, I think the best way for me to cope is to continue on with my normal routine.  Which, on this blog, means a random, weird, scattered array (aka an accurate description) of my thoughts.

2. Do you remember when I raved about how these smoothies were my favorite breakfast and I made them everyday because I loved them so much and they were the best breakfast on the planet?  I may or may not have lied to you, I realized it when my local IGA put grapefruits on sale (AHEM, hey, IGA staff $1 for a grapefruit is NOT a sale… but I still bought them).  When I'm feeling really lazy and don't want to get out of bed until fifteen minutes before I need to leave for work I don't have time to make a smoothie, I love grabbing a grapefruit and eating that for breakfast.  They're just so good.  And delicious. And my fitbit account tells me they're only 84 calories.  I normally split up my breakfast and eat one half at a time.  Totally holds me over until lunch.  Easiest. Breakfast. Ever.

3. HOLY CRAP NASHVILLE.  It shocked me with it's preview of Juliette's mom & Dante.  I loved everything else about this episode .  I was torn for Deacon.  I love his new girlfriend and I love Rayna.. decisions decisions.  UGH, I hate the new guy who's getting Gunnar to flirt with death.  I'm over you.  Stop trying to get my bb killed.  I hope Teddy does something AWFUL to Peggy.  Honestly, Teddy & Peggy?  Just their names together make me want to throw up.  Ew.  Juliette… let's get real for a hot sec.  YOU NEED TO LOSE THE DUDE WHO'S MESSING EVERYTHING UP.  And what the heck, all of a sudden Deacon's done nothing for you?  Gurrrlll, you best recognize.  There's something fishy about that Dante guy.  I can smell him a mile away.  He's skeevy.  I think I'm done.  That's everything I needed to say.

4. Not to brag… but I'm going to brag.  I created an AWESOME sandwich for my lunches last week (when I wasn't eating leftover enchiladas which were super delish).  I'm told it smelled really good also.  I put ham, lettuce, cucumber, roasted asparagus, and a mustard siracha sauce on a hoagie roll… Yum.  That's all I have to tell you about that.

5. I'm sort of a hypocrite.  I'm sort of trying juicing?  And when I say sort of, I mean I'm drinking fresh juice for every meal and snacking on smartfood, peanuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds.  And yes, I may or may not have eaten actual solid food for lunch and dinner on Monday.  I'm an awful juicer.  Don't even remind me of the Auntie Anne's pretzel sticks I had at 5:30 pm yesterday because I couldn't restrain myself when we passed by in the mall.  Ugh.  I'm not going to make a career out of juicing, that's for sure.  This is what a shopping cart looks like when you're preparing to juice for a week:

6. I had such an awesome time at the MS Walk this past Sunday.  Laura & I volunteered to help setup the walk, helped register people as they came in, and then we participated in the walk.  Next year we're going to get orange tutus and fairy wings.  I'm obviously ready to buy them now and decorate them with glitter and gold and sprinkles and anything flashy SO excited.  I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to all of you for any support you were able to give, whether it was through actually donating or just spreading the word.  It really means a lot.  Laura can still accept donations until May 6, and we would really appreciate any amount you'd be able to give.  These were the views at Gasworks Park on the walk:

               This was the finish line: And this was how we celebrated:

7. I finished the season of Mob Doctor.  OHMAHGAWD.  Crazy twists.  I can't lie to you though, I've moved on to a new show already. And when I say moved on, I really mean I only have two episodes left in the first season and I'm trying to avoid watching them because I want it to last as long as possible before I have to experience the break before season 2 I'm almost finished with the first season.  It's called Deception and it's awesome.  I'm addicted.  It's a fact.

8. I can't wait to see my boyfriend/friends/family this weekend.  I'm super excited.  My flight leaves Thursday night and gets me to Rhode Island Friday morning.  I'M READY TO PARRRRRTTAYYYYYY.  (If you didn't get the bridesmaids reference we can't be friends, I'm sorry.  That's just how it is)

9. My life is full of awkward TV/movie references that no one gets unless you've seen bridesmaids, pitch perfect, and every episode of glee as many times as I have.

10. I have never wanted to go to sleep more than I do right now.  I wish I were in Seattle living the life drinking martinis at bars like the girls on sex in the city, instead I'm in Yakima, Washington practically falling asleep in my hotel room.  It's not even 10pm.

11. Tulips are my favorite flower.  Besides daisies, and roses, and tiger lilies…  I have a lot of favorites.  There are tons of tulips in the market at this time of year, so currently, tulips are my favorite flower.

I love you all.  I love your support.  I hope you know, I'm here to listen/talk if you have things on your mind… since you constantly let me overwhelm you with my thoughts.  Thank you.

I was supposed to write for you guys today.  However, after today's events, I'm simply not in the mood.  I promise a post will be coming your way soon; but, let's just take a minute to grieve for those lost and hurt by this tragedy.

I love Boston.  Growing up in Rhode Island, I spent a good portion of time there.  Three of my very good friends live in that city.  I'm so very grateful that Bianca, Katie, and Laura are all safe.

This awful tragedy reminds me that we all need so slow down and appreciate every second with each other.

Thank you Boston for the wonderful memories, I will always love you.

1. I get so much work done when I'm not playing with my phone at Starbucks.

2. We've had a few really rainy days lately.  On one hand, it sucks because you get wet every time you step outside.  On the other hand, it feels like Seattle.  I secretly like it.  I like wearing my rain boots (I bought Hunters because they're all the rage).  I like wearing my rain coat.  I like the sound of water underneath tires on the city streets.  I like the puddles.  I like seeing tourists holding umbrellas and feeling like a local.  I like the cuddle weather.  I'd like it better if I could actually cuddle with someone instead of curling up on my couch wrapped in blankets, eating ice cream, crying hysterically at whatever show/movie I'm watching, alone.  I like that it feels like Seattle when it rains.  This is what I envisioned when I decided to move here.

3. I wish Seattle got thunderstorms.

4. I have two new shows I'm obsessed with: 1600 Penn & The Mob Doctor.  I used to love Grey's Anatomy, but then everything went downhill after they killed George and lost Izzy… apparently now even McSteamy is gone.  WHAT IS THERE LEFT TO WATCH?  Besides McDreamy, Patrick Dempsey you will forever be my favorite doctor.  But, The Mob Doctor reminds me of the beginning of Grey's… when it was actually good and I was obsessed.  It's got a cool story line, you should check it out.  And since my obsession with New Girl exhausted itself last week, I've watched the entire first season of 1600 Penn.  It's HILARIOUS.  I almost cried from laughing so hard at every episode.  And the Finale?  I have to say I had the twist in the back of my mind… I won't give it away though, just go watch.

5. This accurately describes my weekend.  Also, this is the FUNNIEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN.  That's a little dramatic, but it is ridiculously hilarious.  As in, I sat here on my couch and laughed to myself for a few minutes (aka an hour).

6. On Saturday, I told you I was going to a photography class.  It went really well!  I learned A TON.  I'd highly recommend it if you're in the area.  It was held by Photomorphis, and Doug Landreth was our instructor.  He was super informative and made the four hours fly by!

7. I miss my little brother.  It makes me sad that we're so far apart.  I think he's so cool and interesting and misunderstood.  I've never loved someone as unconditionally as I love him.  I know that it's probably normal and nothing special for siblings, but I feel bonded to him.  He frustrates me to no end, but at the end of the day he knows me better than anyone else.  It's like he knows how I'm feeling before I feel it.  I love the way he says Ash, and I admire the way he is always his own person.  But, to me, he'll always be my baby brother.

(he hates the middle picture… but I love it… I win, obviously)

8. It's no secret that I'm obsessed with country music.  Stop cringing.  Country music doesn't bite you.  I don't understand the aversion.  It's like story telling with a bunch of awesome different instruments.  I don't know.  Maybe it's because when I was younger my grandma and I used to fight over which of us was Alan Jackson's girlfriend (I mentioned how adorable she is right?).  Maybe it's because it reminds me of home.  Maybe it's because I think practically growing up on my grandparents' dairy farm qualifies me as a country girl.  Or maybe it's because it's just awesome.  We're gonna stick with the last one.  I'm going to a Kenny Chesney/Eli Young Band/Erich Church/Kacey Musgraves concert in June for my birthday.  I was supposed to be going to Watershed in August… but the tickets sold out JUST AS WE WERE ABOUT TO PURCHASE THEM.  My luck, I know.  Laura and I were really bummed, until we decided to buy tickets for the Oregon Jamboree.  Be jealous, I would be if I were you.  I know you're all judging me hardcore right now, and I hate it.  Stop it.  Just STOP.

9. Have you ever shown up to a class expecting one thing and finding out its something completely different?  It's like showing up expecting a physics class and being faced with gym.  And you definitely didn't bring a change of clothes for physics.  Who does that?  That's kind of what happened at me when I went to “Yoga” this Sunday.  Turns out Kinetic Sports Rehab was hosting a Strength and Stability class this week.  It was definitely NOT yoga.  It was definitely awesome though, and I'm glad I stayed… even though I didn't bring sneakers and had to do it in my socks.  It was a great workout.  The instructor, Sean, was super nice and really informative about every move/stretch we were doing.  He walked around and gave everyone personalized help… okay he gave me personalized help.  I needed it.  I was struggling, obviously.  I was sore literally 20 minutes after the class was over, but it was a good kind of sore.  The type of sore that says: Hey, you just kicked butt this morning you won't regret it.  I'm really sad that I won't be able to go for the next two classes.  Next Sunday, I'm doing a walk for MS with my friend Laura, her dad has MS (if you'd like to donate click here, I know it would mean a lot to her & me if you'd at least consider it).  And the Sunday after that, I'll be in Rhode Island… WOOO.  But believe me, I'll be at the last class this April.  If you're in the Seattle area, I'd HIGHLY recommend going to these classes at Lululemon in Pacific Place.  They're free… just remember to wear sneakers.

10. Sunday Sunset outside my window:

I told you I was only blocks away from the market!

11. Have I mentioned how much I love Peppermint Mocha Lattes?  Even in Spring.  They're the best.

To find out what I’m up to all week long follow my Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Pike Place Kitchen Email List, below my twitter updates on the right hand side of the site, to get email notifications for new posts.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE donate to the MS walk for Laura!  She's at $1,200 and she really wants to reach $1,500 by Sunday.  Even if you can only give $5, it's still $5 more than they would have otherwise!  Thank you :)