Portland

 

Portland is only a 2 1/2 hour drive from Seattle, so James & I thought…why not?! Portland has also been on my bucket list for quite a while. If we’re already so close…it only makes sense! Besides, James has an aunt that lives in Portland…it was a perfect fit for our road trip.

My first impression of Portland – How GREEN! Granted, my first impression was Aunt Lisa’s yard..I couldn’t get enough of it! I think Utah’s winter has me green deprived, but I loved all of the flowers and cherry blossom trees. Her front porch even had blooming ranunculus…my favorite!

I was also a tad obsessed with their pretty kitty cat, “Kitty Girl”…only she moved too much to get a good photo of her cute face.

We were even welcomed with a beautiful Easter basket in our room at “Hotel Lacaden-Pfleiger”! So sweet!

Lisa showed us around Portland that day. We started by visiting the homes and schools that James’ dad grew up in and attended – Portland was home for him. I snagged a photo of one of the homes. Maybe he remembers it?!…

We didn’t do too much photo taking of downtown Portland. I was able to snap one of the famous “Portlandia” statue. The second largest copper statue after the Statue of Liberty…

We met up with two of Aunt Lisa’s kids – Minta and Hunter – for lunch at Elephant Deli. (SOO yummy!) The cousins then joined us at Powell’s. I’ve ALWAYS wanted to go to Powell’s….Portland’s famous bookstore. That place is HUUUUUGE! I was in heaven. 4 floors & I barely saw one….so so much. I could waste hours. I did find myself a couple steals…used books for cheap cheap!…

We wandered in shops for a couple hours, saw some of the local “pirates”…these people dress up (all out!) and believe they are pirates. Just keepin’ Portland weird, I guess. And Lisa treated us to Salt & Straw – only some AMAZING unique ice cream. I had Meadow Marmalade & Peaches and Freckled Woodblock Chocolate. YUM YUM YUM! How something can be salty and sweet and so delicious all at once just blows my taste buds away! It’s a Portland must, I’d say.

Our last stop before heading back to Lisa’s for dinner was the Pittock Mansion. A lovely old home with a backyard view of the city.

Back at Aunt Lisa’s, I spent a little more time admiring the yard and their chickens before dinner…

And look at how perfect it was…Lisa leaves her front door open & you can smell spring in the air while watching the breeze blow the cherry blossom petals. I loved it…

And the remainder of the evening was spent visiting with family. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any shots of Hunter and Wyatt…but James & Minta had a little fun together…

Lisa & her hubby, Chris, were perfect hosts! I was thrilled to finally meet all of the family & see Portland. What a great day! I’d love to see Portland again…but with more than 24 hours.

love, whit

Orcas Island & The Space Needle

Easter morning, James and I drove about 2 hours from Seattle to board a ferry to the San Juan Islands – Orcas Island in particular. It was another sunny day, but a little chilly on the ferry because of the wind.

James enjoyed his easter egg candy aboard…

Orcas Island was so beautiful! The little shops and markets by the dock were adorable. A local told us that the deli made the best sandwiches, so we purchased a couple and ventured to the tippy-top of Mt. Constitution for a picnic with a view!

We stopped at some mini beaches on the way up…

We were blown away at the incredible view once we made it to the top. We could see for miles and miles…

After a few hours on Orcas Island, the ferry loaded up again and we headed back to Seattle.

James made reservations for us for dinner. We thought that the Space Needle was a perfect end to our day and stay in Seattle. The food there was SO GOOD! The view was just as amazing. James devoured some tender lamb and I had delicious cod with these fancy pot-stickers. Even their hazelnut Italian sodas were to die for! It was a very memorable night for us. Or day actually. : )

love, whit

Pike Place Market – Seattle

Pike Place Market was one of the highlights for me in Seattle. I LOVE farmer’s markets! It’s one of the things I’m going to miss about Provo…they have one every Saturday in the summer just a few blocks from our apartment. ANYWAY, so many colorful and delicious things – FRESH! I was in heaven at Pike Place. We enjoyed fresh produce, dehydrated goodies, sweets, fish, and rows and rows of beautiful fresh flowers!!! Can you believe…a huge bundle of daffodils for just $5?! They spoke to me.

….As I gawked over the tulips of all kinds, I learned that James love loves Hyacinth! (the purple stems in the above right photo) Who knew!

I forgot to note the tasty crepes we picked up at “Yummy Crepes” (haha)…chicken + veggie and banana + strawberry + chocolate. Yummy indeed!

I had always seen videos of the Pike Place Fish Market… you know the one where they toss the fish around when someone purchases?!? I finally saw it! …And got a lens full of raw fish when they tossed it….

And also bought some fresh prawns…

…which we enjoyed for dinner the night we got back. …Along with some multi-colored carrots and purple potatoes we bought there too!

We ate up the plums we bought…and am still using the fresh basil…and am waiting to use the acorn squash! Like I said…I couldn’t get enough of the freshness there!

Because of the sun…EVERYone was out and about that day…

We sampled things here and there. Rub With Love had some killer BBQ that we shared!…

(…I think James is such a handsome stud in this picture!)

Every time we passed the original Starbucks, the line was out the door and a different street musician was out front. Pretty entertaining!…

dear Pike Place Market,

i love you.

Might I also add…Dear Tacos Chukis….i love you too!… (yes, that is a tamale. and yes, that is grilled pineapple). Lora and Dan told us about this hidden treasure. I need one a block from my house!

love, whit

Road Trip! – Seattle

A good while ago, James & I had mentioned how much we’d both like to visit Seattle one day. It’s always been on my bucket list. Then, when our good friends, Lora and Dan, told us they were moving there in August AND hearing how much they loved their brief trip out there a couple weeks ago…it was decided. We were going! Seeing as we’re moving back to Georgia at the end of this month, James and I had to make this trip happen soon! No need waiting to travel even FARTHER to do it later on. It took 13 hours in the truck from Provo, UT to Seattle, WA. We made it happen this last weekend & love love loved every minute of it!

I have a SLEW of pictures, so I may be doing this trip in separate posts…starting from the beginning!…

We stayed at the Marriott right on “Alaskan Way” (if you’re familiar with the area)…which is along the piers of Puget Sound. Our room with a view of boats, water, and flocking ‘gulls was perfect for the sunny weekend we stayed. We got there in the evening with enough time to wander along the piers and snag some fresh seafood for dinner at Ivar’s.

Even though we soon found out that Seattle (or maybe Washington in general?! lol ) is full of pretty weird people – Sorry to offend anyone, but there are interesting folk around that area! – We still loved the city!

Our first morning we spent walking to the Monorail for a ride over to the Chihuly glass sculpture exhibit below the space needle – which James and I thoroughly enjoyed!

Their monorail is – so I’ve been told – the oldest running alweg train in existence!  Been going for 50+ years! & is still running the ORIGINAL trains – no updates. Pretty cool!

Dale Chihuly – a Washington local – creates the most AMAZING  blown glass sculptures. I’ve seen some of his installations before: Once at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and then a stunning ceiling installation in Vegas’ Bellagio Hotel.

The majority of these below were created to resemble his mother’s flower garden. His chandeliers, globes, and sea sculptures are phenomenal as well!

James’ favorite were these canoes…

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Not only did it look beautiful…the gardens smelled INCREDIBLE!!! And the weather was perfect.

Later that day we found ourselves on the west side of Seattle for a scenic Segway tour! It was my second time on a Segway and James’ first. He was addicted!

We are so glad we did it. Not only because we got a great deal via Groupon : ) , but we got an ideal view of the city from across the bay. We probably would have never made it to the west side had it not been for this tour. It’s a ritzier end of town to live and very gorgeous.

The tour was only about 1 1/2 hours & I asked James if we could drive by again to snag some more pictures. It was difficult to get any on a Segway & our group only made brief stops.

Can I just mention again how PERFECTLY SUNNY the weather was?! The locals told us over and over again that we picked the best weekend to come…the warmest yet of the year!

…Because I’ve already posted a bleep-load of photos, I’ll make a separate one for the rest of our adventures at the Pike Place Market, on the Ferry, Orcas Island, and even a last minute day trip to Portland!

love, whit

sunny spring weather

This has been the first week here in Provo, Utah where I could walk up to campus in short sleeves! The heaps of piled up snow are gone and the sun is shining. This spring weather couldn’t make me happier!

It was so nice today, James and I went on a walk to get lunch. We decided to try the much-raved-about local joint, Communal. It was just as I’ve heard – Amazing! We wish we’d tried it sooner. Cool, clean, fresh, delish! We both really liked their Gala Apple Salad…

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Time is flying and this Spring is bringing so much our way…

NOTABLE: Today marks ONE YEAR exactly from when James came home from his mission in Argentina.

Paige and I were there to greet him after he was released because she was really good friends with him. I only knew who he was, but happened to snag the first hug because Paige had run to the bathroom. James and I started carpooling to work a few days later…and a year later we find ourselves happily married for amost 6 months! CRAZY!

Best year ever, though.

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So back to what Spring is bringing…

1. IMAGINE DRANGONS concert on March 22nd in SLC!

2. Weekend Trip to SEATTLE Easter weekend …we have a couple free Marriott stays we need to use AND want to take advantage of being on this end of the country before moving back to GA. I’ve always heard so much about Seattle! Can’t WAIT!!!

3. Moving back to GEORGIA end of April and making pits stops along the way: Littleton, CO – Tulsa, OK – Houston, TX …taking advantage of the cross country trip to visit fam and friends!

4. Beginning of May – Most likely I will be driving with my parents as they move to ARIZONA so that my mom won’t have to drive alone. She’ll be trailing my dad in the U-Haul. So I’ll get to see family in AZ again and meet my new NEPHEW!!! …Just need to book a one-way back to Atlanta and it will be final!

5. My photography business is becoming more and more official! Website in the works!

6. Later in May for my birthday – A trip to CHARLESTON, SC! We’ve never been! Hoorah!

7. AAAAND Even later in the year – TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERT in Nashville, TN for our one year anniversary! (Sept 28) Her last concert of the Red Tour. fun fun fun

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I know what you may be thinking. Yes, we work. But in the words of Cher Lloyd – “WORK HARD – PARTY HARDER!” …hahaha…

Also, seeing as we are currently child free, we’d like to really make the most of that married freedom. Makes sense, right? We think so.

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Lastly: Just look at kitty…she loves being a Gossling and is getting a tad more plump : )

it may be because she enjoyed my Valentine’s See’s just as much as me…

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May the sunny days continue!…

love, whit

 

my life in shminstagram

visual update of what i’ve been up to this summer…

okGO!

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…italian sodas with elissa…

and play dates with elissa and nate in SLC…

…my sunflowers grew MIGHTY BIG this summer!!!

and i got some flowers from my lovah…

FIVE SPOT frozen yogurt. YESSSS!

…james and me sitting on a big bail of hay. no big d.

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and he snags pics of me as i sleep in the car…

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we upgraded in life!…

meal for $3!

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dates with chels and bryce…

…ok now you are sick of us.

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i fell in love with Mountain West Burrito…

…and love when Costco has SALES on pizza!…$6!…

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4th of July FUN with the Beach Boys…

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study time with james…

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the ugly ashy clouds out my window for days when we had all the big forest fires…

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he likes anchovies on his salads apparently…

…fancy dinners at italian cafes…

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a lovely saturday with my ladies in Salt Lake City – Temple Square…

atop the conference center with chels and carolyn

ok…

i stay busy, see?

happy summer!

love, whit

Road Trip pit stops – Colorado

slowly but surely i will catch up

(sigh…who am i kidding? i never even finished posting about all of my italy trip)

though our (mine and jame’s) roadtrip: GA –> UT was just in june, so i’m not too out of date yet.

the best thing about our trip was that we stopped whenever the heck we felt like it. in colorado – we attended church, swung by the LDS temple, took a stroll alongside the Colorado River, and went on the MOST BEAUTIFUL HIKE EVER (hanging lake – click for post)

a few of the pit stop foties:

at the Denver, CO LDS Temple

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then later along the CO riv…

…ha… pose.

and of course, our hike later that  day…

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“we was here”

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ok, so…

we’re on day numero cuatro of being engaged.

wedding date selected: SEPTEMBER 29th! in atlanta. (there were complications with october – and any later only means colder weather = booooo)

reception will be the night BEFORE – sept 28th. – less stress and we will enjoy it more this way having a party we won’t be counting down the minutes to leave (if you know what i mean)

we’ve been blessed to have ALREADY found an ideal place to live here in provo for fall. two bedrooms/washer and dryer/furnished/covered parking/close to everything. i’ll be living there solo from sept 1st until we be wedded… then i’ll make space for james, i suppose.

i think i may have settled on my “color scheme” and have some wedding dress shopping scheduled with miss chelsea vose in SLC on saturday.

and that’s the news for now.

love, whit

Hanging Lake, Colorado – Prettiest Hike of All Time

James and I made the long haul – 30+ hour road trip from Atlanta, GA to Provo, UT

BUT…we broke it up into three days, made as many stops as we desired, and this was my favorite…

Right off of highway I-70 in Glenwood Springs, CO is the “difficult” (or so it is labeled) hike, about one hour up the mountains, to what I think is well worth the trek: Hanging Lake!

We weren’t 100% prepared for our hike, as it was a last minute decision…

I did a truck change out of my skirt into James’ b-ball shorts and the most hiking conducive shoes I had with me. We packed his backpack with the essentials: my camera, bottled water, and…snacks!

Good thing we brought my snacks…we met this hungry little fella on the way up! I’m pretty sure 8 goldfish were stuffed into those cheeks for safe keeping…

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and then we made it to the top!

crystal clear ice cold waters and gorgeous falls…

we made it to the bottom 3 hours after the start (we lingered a while at the top)…

dusty shoes, but worth it.

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i’d do it again in a heartbeat!

love, whit

la playa

do you remember way back when  i was planning my beach trip to florida?

crazy how life happened and now i realize it was over a month ago and it didn’t even get a mention much less any sort of follow up.

taking pictures that week = FAIL… though i managed a few on our “dolphin cruise”

i’m pretty sure i got more tan that week than i’ve been in my life… which is rather interesting given the years i spent as a lifeguard.

needless to say…a month later and now in Utah, my freckle count has decreased significantly.

i also refused to order anything OTHER than seafood the whole week at the beach. it only seemed the appropriate thing to do. that, and i absolutely LOVE fish! so i ended up dining on crab stuffed flounder, amber-jack, grouper, mahi mahi, snapper, with some crab and lobster tossed in too. all incredibly worth it!

i think this was also my first vacation that truly had NO schedule. at all. every day just …whatever: lounging in bed, pool time, beach time, shopping maybe, go out to eat when we felt like it – no rush to ever get ready…completely whatever for a whole week.

i could move to the beach.

love, whit

Sorrento, Italy

South of Rome. South of Naples. Along the “almost” Amalfi Coast is Sorrento, Italy. I now know it for it’s small-town “country” hospitality, amazing ocean views, windy seaside fishing village, and lemons the size of your head.

I couldn’t have been more thrilled with my choice of hotel…right up on the ocean-side cliff…

our room was great, with a balcony view to die for…

we had to follow a little road to get into town, but I really enjoyed the 7 minute walk and the view…

once in town, the tiny cobblestone roads are filled with little shops (all on sale – holiday season perks!) — Did you know that in Italy, stores are not allowed to have sales whenever they want? Sales only happen twice a year…and when they do, everyone has to go on sale. Fortunately for us, all the sales last 6 weeks after Christmas! woohoo! In every city, too! double whammy!

Anyway…check out these ginormous lemons that Sorrento is so famous for…

i loved the paths leading down to the ocean…and the views of Vesuvius…

we walked down to the port one day…and ate at this restaurant…SO GOOD!…

I forgot to take a picture of our food before it was practically gone – my caprese salad…mom’s veal and cheese filled potato something-er-other…

she gave me one…and my Gnocchi di Sorrento (with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella) was heavenly…

a rainy night in the central plaza of Sorrento……more on Sorrento…and it’s fishing village – Marina Grande – later…

love, whit