Quite the view...

We went to Chelan last weekend to celebrate our anniversary/Valentine's Day/Beth-needed-a-break and it was wonderful.  So we packed the 3 pooches up, bid adieu to Ella the cat and headed out for great adventures.  Apparently many other people had the same bright idea as all the wineries were packed.  So instead we went exploring, our specialty.  We stayed at a nice hotel in Manson and I had no idea I would wake up to this view the next day...

Okay, so this is a view on the way to another packed winery but you get the picture.  Gorgeous.  I highly recommend going in the winter but I also am more of a fan of going to places when tourists aren't there.  All the locals assured me this place (Lake Chelan) gets a bit crazy in the summer.  Not for me.

On another note, as promised, I would like to share another plant that I am finding quite sexy ;)  This would be Juniperus squamata 'Meyeri' or Meyeri juniper.  Check this out:

Juniperus squamata 'Meyeri'

This puppy is cool.  It can be pruned a bit more easily than many conifers which can be handy.  Mostly, I don't like junipers but this one has a great look.  I think I'm partial to things that look bonsai-ed and this definitely has that look.  Just a stunning specimen.

Dear Mom & Dad:  This is one bush I would love to put in your yard as it is likes the heat and sun and can tolerate cold which is pretty much what you need.

Now to leave you... one last picture from our Chelan adventure, enjoy!

Ah, water so calm, great reflection on Lake Chelan.

Amateur Photography... at your service

So, as you may or may not know, I have dabbled in one of my loves, photography, for a long time now. Here are some examples of pictures I have taken that have been my favorites over the years...

Hobuck beach in Neah Bay, Washington

My lovely sister on the south side of Maui on our way back from Hana.

Lovely beach near Lahaina

I have also managed to do some photo shoots for some people over the years... weddings and pregnancy photos.  Over the years, I have shot a few weddings and here are some of my favorites pictures...

 

And most recently, it was my pleasure to do a session for my friend who's about to have a baby...

So now, I must embark on a journey where no full-time worker/mostly-full-time-student dare go... an amateur photography business! If anyone in the Seattle area would like cheap wedding or maternity photography, I am here to help!  My services are completely negotiable.  So, just on a whim to see if this could actually help out my pitiful student pocket book, feel free to contact me if you are interested!

Fountain of Cool... Stomatal Bands

As I've been a horticulture student for some time now, you'd think the excitement would have died down but alas, I'm still loving it.  From the first day, I was hooked.  Last December I shared my favorite plant from my Broadleaf Evergreen Identification class.  Now that it's winter quarter, I have embarked on Conifer Identification, a subject I originally thought would be fairly boring.  But of course, it never ceases to impress!  So now, I think I might have to periodically share some highlights and favorite plants as the learning journey continues.  To my dismay, I actually have more favorite plants this quarter as opposed to last quarter!

But before I introduce one, let's take a moment and get educated...

Most conifers have what is called stomatal banding.  It's typically found on the underside of needles. Here's a good example:

Eastern hemlock stomatal bands

You can see a few leaves turned over showing the green topside of the leaves.  Often these bands appear as thin white lines that follow the shape of the needle/awl.  Here's another version of stomatal bands:

Chamaecyparis obtusa

Now onto the good stuff.  Today, we were introduced to another conifer tree that seemed fairly ordinary - Thujopsis dolabrata or false Hiba cedar.  Here's what it looks like.

And then cuttings were passed around to the class (don't worry, the tree is still very much intact).  The topside of the branchlets were fairly normal looking, nothing to write home about.  This is a variegated cultivar so you can see a little yellow (variegation) in some of the needles.  

But when we turned the cuttings over, we found something truly cool...

 This is the stomatal bands on the underside, so very cool.

So that's it, just had to share my newest discovery.  I'll leave you with this ultra-cool photo some amazing photographer took (aka me).

Happy Birthday, Fynn...

I must give a quick update and make sure to acknowledge my technical firstborn... Fynn.  

Fynn at 9 months old... stoic

She celebrated her 8th birthday on Sunday the 27th!

To get to know this lovely girl, you should know her family...

Ukiah, beach boy

This is Fynn's papa Ukiah, a gorgeous fila brasileiro.

Vida at the beach watching as her momma surfs

My sister Jennie and her partner got Ukiah and then along came Vida, an equally stunning fila...


















And one day, by accident, the two were left alone at the perfect time and poof, magic happened!  At first, Jennie didn't know what was happening but we soon came to realize that Miss Vida was pregnant!  Of course, I was first in line to get one of the pups and then on January 27, 2005, Fynn and her sister Corazon came into the world.

First picture of Fynn in the operating room.

Vida had some troubles giving birth as most filas do so she had to have a cesarean.

Fynn with Auntie Jennie

Jennie and the two pups

And then it was time for my little girl to make her way up to Washington (from California) so Jennie brought the whole family up...

Vida, Jennie and Ukiah, moments after handing over an 8 week old Fynn.

Fynn close to 3 months old

And then Fynn grew, and a proud mom took lots of pictures...

Vida (top), Ukiah and Fynn at Christmas 2005

And there were reunions...

Since then, we've been blessed with 8 whole years with Fynn who usually celebrates her birthdays with a juicy burger or some fish concoction... two equally tasty dishes.  

To my beautiful girl, happy birthday!  Thanks for eight years of your soft nose, snoring, long walks, funk Frito chip smell and undying love.

A look back...

As usual, time has run away with itself and I have been remiss about blogging but never fear my dedicated followers... I am here for an update.

Adoptiversary...

On November 30, 2012, our dear Milo celebrated his three year adoptiversary!  Let's take a trip down memory lane in honor of this momentous occasion shall we?

Forever the sun bather...happy boy.

Just before Thanksgiving in 2009, we had the pleasure of fostering a chihuahua named Chance who was said to be about 10 years old.  He had already been in the program for 6 months as he needed rehabilitation (he was a vicious little thing... all out of fear of course).  So we took him in.  Then a week later, he went to a vet appointment and they determined whatever was wrong with his back legs was so bad and that he was in so much pain that he should be put down.  Moral dilemma time...  This dog had been so happy, it sure didn't seem like he needed to be put down!  And let's be honest, he had worked his way into our hearts.  So, since he had such a troubled past and was a cripple, he had no other option but to be adopted by us.  After much soul searching about how we would deal with an aging dog and all the problems that go along with that, we decided to adopt him.  Since then, he has changed his name to Rudy, and then to Milo after both families got animals that were named Rudy/Ruby.  He has been a happy guy ever since and I couldn't imagine life without this cutie.

On the beach, one of our favorite places.

Chillaxin at Magnuson

Christmas cutie last year in San Francisco at auntie's.

Dreaming in Latin...

One of my newfound favorites: Azara mycrophylla 'Variegata' or variegated boxleaf azara

Last quarter was my first step towards my future career in the horticulture field.  I just took a couple classes as that was all I can afford but I loved every bit of it!  My favorite class was Broadleaf Identification.  In this class you learn to identify a ton of broadleaf evergreen plants by sight as well as learning about the plant and environment it best grows in.  I tell you what, knowledge is so much fun.  We had to memorize hundreds of plants by their common name as well as their Latin scientific name.  By the end of the quarter, as sick as it sounds, I was falling asleep and waking up reciting Latin words in my head as I tried to memorize them all.  It was rather amusing and I'm sure, like so many spouses who have partners in school, Shane was totally sick of me walking by a plant and blurting out names.  I really tried to wrangle in my Latin turrets-like outbursts but it's just so much fun being able to identify SO MUCH out there. You just feel smart.  And I am finally satisfying an endless curiosity I've had for forever, always walking around going "what is that plant?"  Love it... thoroughly.  And the grades reflect my admiration!

Christmas

This year we went to Neah Bay to Shane's family for Christmas.  To set the scene, we drove into the bay late at night and were welcomed with beautiful lights on all the town's buildings.  And as it was the day the world was supposed to end, I can't imagine a better place to go than that beautiful remote town :)

So growing up I learned how to wrap presents from my mother, the resident genius of gift-wrapping.  So when we go to Neah Bay for Christmas surrounded by many families... I get swept up in gift wrapping that inevitably goes through 3 AM.  Two nights of that for 2 families, then getting up early to watch Shane's little sister open gifts (tear tear as the ripped paper falls to the ground) then proceed to two brunches and a dinner.  I tell you what, having kids is exhausting and I'm so glad that right now I only have the furry kind:)

But we had lots of good visiting with Shane's family including our nephew as we gifted him a Christmas sweater, one of many ugly sweaters to come:) 

Ryland Isaiah

So for now, I'm enjoying our last few days before school starts.  I think it was easier when I was juggling school and work full time... this end of the year planning at our law firm to help all the rich people avoid taxes is exhausting!  When times get tough, I set off into dreamland and imagine a nice getaway at a snowy chalet, complete with sweetheart, furkids, cocoa and a nice non-textbook book.  

Happy New Year to everyone!

Vote of a Lifetime

In a week's time, Washington will be voting on Referendum 74, a bill that if passed will legalize same-sex marriage. I'm not sure where your vote lies, but in case you are still on the fence about it or wonder if your decision is best for Washington, I would like to share some thoughts and stories that may make a difference.

Marriage for same-sex couples is first off an emotional issue that is close to the heart.  Most of us grow up with role models who are married and then typically hold the institution of marriage in high esteem.  It is a legalized bond that makes things "official", a bond that we as a society see as the highest level of commitment.  Most of us hold marriage as the "industry standard" of relationship definitions.  And some of us go our whole lives dreaming of that special someone who we will find, choose to spend the rest of our lives with, and then make that special commitment to.  I believe everyone should be able to proclaim their love, regardless of sexual orientation, in this way.

Marriage also offers certain rights that many married couples take for granted.  I would like to share some stories with you from some of my friends.  The first is from my friend Barb who is in the Seattle Women's Chorus with me.  Listen to her story about how she lost her daughter...

The second story is from a friend of mine named Erin who also sings with the Seattle Women's Chorus.  Listen to her story and how the laws have affected her ability to get life-saving treatment for her leukemia...

And last but certainly not least is my friend Amber.  She and her partner decided to expand their family earlier this year.  Their bundle of joy was originally due on November 10th but decided to make an early appearance on August 14th... just 27 weeks gestation.  The sad truth is that because her partner is not the biological mom, she currently has no legal right to the child if anything were to happen to Amber.  And as their baby Cedar has remained in the NICU since birth (and is projected to stay there through the holidays), this means Amber has to stay by her baby as she is the only one who can make decisions for her and can legally claim her.  You can read about her journey on her blog.  Here's her post summing up the issues and how marriage equality affects her family.

http://ourlittlecedarsapling.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/vote-for-love/

There are so many reasons why marriage equality is so necessary.  Similar to the civil rights struggle of African Americans, it is time we fight for basic human rights for all within our society.  Same-sex couples should have the same rights and responsibilities that come with marriage and also the protections that are provided under marriage.  And just as Barb said, even if this story doesn't directly affect you right now, it may affect a friend or possibly in the future one of your children.  We have the opportunity to positively change lives for the good.  Feel free to post this blog or any of my friends' stories on social networking sites.  Let's all share our stories.  Please join me in support of Referendum 74 as we vote next week.  Let's support marriage equality and end the discrimination.

An Education for Ms. Hendricks

Christina Hendricks

This beauty is Ms. Christina Hendricks, an actress primarily known for her work on the television series Mad Men.  She obviously has a fuller figure that many women and men would kill for.  Although she hasn't said what her exact clothing size is, it has been speculated she's anywhere between a size 10 and 14.  According to the fashion industry, the term "full figured" is considered to be anywhere between a size 10-14, depending on the year.  So this seemingly healthy and beautiful woman would be considered full-figured by the fashion industry's standards.  With such beauty, why is it that she is not positively identifying with the term "full-figured"?

Hendricks Interview - Don't Call Me "Full-Figured"

I am offended, I must admit, and am still speechless about her comment.  Amid my shock at her comment, I searched around for solidarity in the shock at her comment and couldn't find any.  Being of a fuller figure is nothing to be ashamed about.  In fact, for some people it is actually more healthy. For years, we have grown up being bombarded by imagery and a society that glorifies being thin.  They slam celebrities who have recently gained weight, put pressure and media coverage on celebrities who are needing to or are actively losing weight and then show us pictures of frail women who are deified as society's ideal.  Is there ever a question about each person's health?  Do we question what it takes for extra-thin models to maintain that frame?  No, we just assume that thin people are healthy and fat people are not.  And from there we associate thin with good and fat with bad.  This is unacceptable.

Let's take a moment to look at some full-figure action...

This is Ragen Chastain.  She is a self-described dancer, choreographer, writer, speaker and fat person.  Her blog is eye-opening... check it out... Blog - Dances With Fat 

In her blog, she continually discusses issues that relate to fat people and helps to dispel myths that are fed to us by not only the media but also the healthcare system.  She regularly exercises, is a competitive dancer and leads a very active life.  Be honest, would you assume all that by just looking at her?  Probably not... because you have been taught to believe that because she is fat, she is sitting at home eating potato chips non-stop and watching television.  Thus begins the realization that breaks down our stereotypes...


Meet my personal friend, CJ Legare, the model, actress and genius behind the phenomenon Functional Girl.  She is another full-figured beauty who is happy, healthy and proud of her body.  She has experienced the modeling world and been through terrible ordeals to, at one time, make her body more acceptable to the industry.  She has now come full circle and realizes there is beauty in every size as long as it's healthy.  And now, when she's not acting and modeling, she is a successful businesswoman who makes it her mission in life to inspire women of all types to be the best they can be.

Artemisia Gentileschi, Danaë

Goodness, look at that pose!  Remember seeing paintings like this?  This is from the Baroque era.  This body type was revered and painted over and over again as it was the ideal of the time.  How did we get away from this?  While this woman is clearly enjoying her break from work, most women back in this time worked hard for a living and were not on the couch doing nothing. And this was a real depiction of their body types.  Good, happy, healthy and revered goddesses of their time.  And by golly, they were full-figured!

So, to recap and review, Ms. Hendricks (and all those who share her opinion), I have a few things to say to you.

(Take a moment to picture me sitting across from Christina... as we're so familiar now we're on a first-name basis... holding her hands and getting real.)

My dear, you are what is considered full-figured by industry standards.  Now while I didn't make those standards, I think we can both agree that being "regular"-sized isn't all it's cracked up to be.  I am hoping that when you look in the mirror at your nude body, you think you're stunning because you are and I know I'm not the only woman who is a bit jealous.  Body aside, you are also famous and an amazing actress.  Let's get real... you are in a fairly unique position to be an inspiration to so many.  Not only to the actresses just starting their careers but also to full-figured women of any size.  Your story says, "hey, I may not be up to the industry's standard but I have made a success out of myself!"  Another way to say it is, "I am full-figured woman, hear me roar!".

Christina, what the less-than-tactful-interviewer actually mentioned was that you're an inspiration.  Did you hear that?  I have a feeling you are more of an inspiration that someone like Angeline Jolie.  Who else do full-figured women have to look to?  There are not many role models who have fuller figures so you have that market cornered.  What we ladies see in you is someone who is comfortable in her body and continues to wear beautiful clothing that enhances her figure.  We get that you would rather be seen as an actress instead of a body the reality our exposure to celebrities is often more visual which lends itself to being more often judged on looks.  Don't be offended by that, instead listen to the throngs of women who are jealous of your figure and men who long for it as well.  Take that as a compliment, own it and be proud.  God gave you a full figure and that's okay; it's not rude to state the obvious.  However, it IS rude to deny who you are in front of millions of women who look up to you and are just like you.  We believe in you.  I hope you become more aware of this and choose to begin using your figure to help inspire others instead of hiding behind it.