Shout Out: Specialty's Bakery

A yummy cinnamon roll & two delicious bowls of soup later. Three separate events, three separate days (in case you were wondering).  A few weeks ago, I had a delicious cinnamon roll from Specialty's and decided to see what their lunch menu had to offer.  Homemade soup, made fresh everyday.  I'm hooked!  After their corn chowder and 3-bean salsa soups, I've decided it's worth recommending.  

Get this--you can also sign up for Specialty's CookieAlert(TM) Radar & Email Alerts.  I'm joking, right?  Check this out: http://www.specialtysdirect.com/cookiealert_popup.asp

The Spring book sale is (almost) here!!

It's one of my favorite semiannual Seattle events!  I've picked up hundreds of books (at $0.50-$1.00/each) over the last 3 years.  If you're a book-buying-addict like I am, this is the sale for you!!

copied & pasted from FSPL website:

The Friends of the Seattle Public Library hold two major book sales every year, in Spring and Fall. At each sale, over 200,000 books and other items are offered to the general public. Proceeds go to The Seattle Public Library.

 

Next sale: April 17 - 19, 2009

 

Location: Magnuson Park, Hangar in Building #30, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, 98115.

The park may be reached by Metro bus routes 30, 74, and 75. Free parking is available.

 

Hours:

• Friday, April 17: 6:30- 9:30 p.m. Member preview sale. Members may purchase up to 25 items. Memberships $15 in advance; $30 at the door.
• Saturday, April 18: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
• Sunday, April 19: 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Learn more.

Where to next?

It's been 105 days since I last used my passport.  Maybe it's the grey sky or the European fashion blogs I've been reading religiously, but I have the itch again.  And I've got it bad!  Mom (my faithful reader), don't worry--I'm not sick and my building isn't infected with fleas.  Promise!

When I return home from a traveling adventure, it takes maybe a week before I want to leave again.  It's not that I don't like home.  I love my bed, my shower, wardrobe options, family, friends, home church, street signs I can read, etc... (please note, this list in no particular order of priority or preference). There's something about exploring different countries, cultures, food and history that's quite engaging.  Traveling brings a similar feeling of being alive as getting on stage.  It's dynamic and exciting as you never know exactly what will happen next.  

Where to next?  Ireland, Spain, Morocco, Rwanda, Portugal, Czech Republic, Poland or Brazil?

Support your local 'futbol' team!

Seattle Sounders FC opening game tomorrow!!

Happy Friday to all you singles out there!

Saw this ad on one of my favorite websites today (no, it's not a dating website).  It amused me ;)

Celebrating Harriet Tubman Day!

Harriet Tubman, Abolitionist

"I had reasoned this out in my mind, there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other." 

~Harriet Tubman

"If I could have convinced more slaves that they were slaves, I could have freed thousands more."

~Harriet Tubman

Born into slavery in 1820, Harriet Tubman escaped and became actively involved in the Underground Railroad.  During the Civil War she worked as a nurse and spy for the Union.  

More info:

American Story 

PBS special on Harriett Tubman

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Seattle anymore...or are we?

Morning - Walking to work.  It's cold, but dry.  The clouds are ominous, but no need to pull out the umbrella.

Early Afternoon - Working, view from the 19th floor.  Blizzard!  What the heck?  Snow is furiously funneling around our building downtown.  

Late Afternoon - Still working, 2nd cup of coffee & afternoon snack finished.  Dry.  Cold, but sunshine amidst the clouds.

Heading into Evening....so confused.  

Is it too much to ask that global warming show up in time for Spring? I'm freezing!  ;-)

Lovely things, happy things

Favorite new (to me) CD: East Village Opera Company "East Village Opera Company"

Favorite souvenirs from Spain (thanks Mom & Dad!!):

How time flies!

I'd say my 2009 goal of blogging more frequently has gone out the window....except, I've been busy fulfilling other 2009 goals.  Just need to catch up here!  The update:

Amanda's 2009 To Do's:

• Find a way to make $$ with photography. --Created a Flickr Pro account & I'm uploading the past 2+ years of digital photos.  Might sign up for an amateur photography contest for The Fair. 
• Hand-craft all Christmas 2009 gifts.
• Start/maintain a regular work-out routine, keep a predetermined weight (not to be mentioned here). --Proud owner of a gym membership (as of today!). 
• Go on a trip with my siblings, their spouses and our cousins. One trip, many relatives. --Attending family reunion this summer....other trips TBD.
• Actively participate in a small group at church. --Check!  Co-leading a community volunteering small group, new member of the YP worship team, and helping out with the church cafe (small group of sorts).
• Purge my belongings--give to goodwill, recycle (now that I have my handy sewing machine I can refashion the clothes that are too big), and get rid of "stuff" I have no use for. --Busy the past few days purging & re-organizing my closet.  Gave my TV to Goodwill a few weeks ago--haven't missed it :) 
• Begin to sew and design clothing & household items. --Finish an (adorable!) apron, table runner and memo board. 
• Commit to a missions trip in 2010. --Spain or Poland with dad, details TBD.
• Host 5 parties at mi casa. 
• Read 2+ books a month.  Maybe even write a few reviews?
• Blog regularly (off to a good start). --An average of once a week has to count for something, right?
• Save a predetermined amount for a house/condo down payment.
• Pursue strategic friendships (no, I'm not talking about romantic relationships or networking)--the ability to grow and nurture friendships is something I need to work on.  
• Pay off ALL debt, except a college loan (maybe the college loan too!).