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Saturday Morning Browsing: What’s New on the Web?

March 12, 2016

What’s new on the Web? You may not have seen these links.

Sitting in the quiet of the early morning, with a big cup of tea, Craig and I spend an hour catching up on what’s new on the Web. We each share with the other anything that would pique our interest. There is so much noise out there and I think it is helpful if someone else curates a few stories for me.

I don’t know about you, but I find a plethora of fascinating ideas, posts, news stories, photos and inspiration from hopping around the Web. Throughout the week I receive updates and posts from various news sources and from other bloggers. When you subscribe, the articles that are sent to you are literally custom made for your interests. Ah, the convenience of technology!

Tulips & Mac N’ Cheese at Pike Place Market

March 11, 2016

Spending A little Time in Pike Place Market

There are special places in Seattle that will always put a smile on your face rain or shine and Pike Place Market is one of the best of them. It is a “must do” when visiting the city! Tourists fill the isles looking at all of the delicious items that our found at the market. They especially like visiting the Pike Place Fish Market, where the fish mongers sing songs and throw whole fish.

The Zus Smart Car Charger is … very smart indeed!

March 10, 2016March 9, 2016

Have you ever heard of a “smart” car charger? Me neither.

I would like to boast that our Stavert family of four is usually up on what is new and happening in the world of technology. However, somehow we missed the Zus Smart Car Charger memo, but as luck would have it, they found us!

A Perfect Weekend in Newport Beach & Balboa Island

April 15, 2016March 7, 2016

Would you like to spend the weekend in Newport Beach and Balboa Island? Me too!

Orange County is a very popular summertime destination, however, springtime is also the perfect season for a weekend visit to Newport Beach and Balboa Island because the crowds of summer have not yet arrived and the temp is most likely hovering around 74 degrees or higher. With so many lovely beaches, great shopping and fabulous restaurants, it is difficult to choose where to go next. There are many amazing hotels and resorts to choose from, but one of our favorite places to relax and unwind, is the Hyatt Newport Beach.

We raised our family in Orange County and fortunately have had decades of experiences and adventures here. Now that our kids are grown and we are empty nesters, my husband and I have recently moved to Pasadena, (about 60 miles north of the OC) to begin a new adventure. We still come south to visit often and pretend we are tourists! I am happy to share my tips with you!

The Empty Nest Home Renovation is Delayed… a little

March 24, 2020March 4, 2016

Original Backyard home renovation — The original backyard – There was a super odd looking (and useless) planter in the middle of the pool deck. All of the back of the house has changed with new windows and doors and the second story addition.

The Empty Nest home renovation is…DELAYED, but just by a little.

I know many of your heads are nodding and you are silently saying “I told you so”, but we do have a slight delay of our home renovation. We cannot blame it on El Niño, we cannot blame it on the contractor, we cannot even blame it on me.

building the wall home renovation — Without the planter in the middle of this small yard, it will add more usable space. The new wall being built will add privacy along that side of the yard.

Fearless Travel & Adventures in Egypt

March 2, 2016March 1, 2016

Please welcome our newest Guest Adventurer, Kathy Gottberg. She is the author of five published books and writes and blogs at SMART Living 365.com (http://smartliving365.com) where she shares ideas about creating a happy, healthy, and meaningful life every day of the year. And obviously she also loves to travel!

Handcrafted Cocktails: A Bad Ass Bartending Class

February 29, 2016

Handcrafted cocktails – Yes please!

the Pantry handcrafted cocktails class — The adorable kitchen and classroom of The Pantry

The Pantry is a community kitchen in the charming Seattle neighborhood of Ballard and the cooking classes are popular as well as a red hot commodity. They offer a variety of classes that focus on traditional food crafts and technique, culinary camps for the kids, and other creative ideas that bring people together to eat great food and to learn.

The Pantry Classes fill up very quickly and a spot is not that easy to get, so when our foodie daughter (SeaTownBites.com) asked if we wanted to reserve a spot for the Bad Ass Bartending class three months in the future, we said yes without hesitation.

Saturday Browsing: What’s new on the Web?

February 27, 2016

What’s new on the Web? ~

Sitting in the quiet of the early morning, with a big cup of tea, Craig and I spend an hour catching up on what’s new on the Web. We each share with the other anything that would pique our interest. Craig actually discovered a couple of these links for today’s post.

Links from this week~

The Academy Awards are my Superbowl. Before the telecast begins, the snacks are prepared, champagne is on ice and my cell phone is on silent. I love the pageantry, the fashion, the movies, the direction, cinematography…all of it! Craig and I try to see all if not most of the movies nominated. This article from Visit California did a great job highlighting some incredible Oscar-worthy hotels with some additional clever commentary. Have you stayed in any of these spectacular California hotels? I live about two miles from The Langham in Pasadena, it is extraordinary.

7 Oscar Worthy Hotels California Hotels by Visit California

Seattle: A walk around beautiful Seward Park

February 24, 2016

Seattle is truly one of the loveliest cities in the world. We have been living here for 6 1/2 months but now getting ready to move back to Pasadena. I feel the panic of trying to see and experience everything we have not yet visited!

I should not be disappointed in our activity level, we actually have done quite a bit of exploring and Craig reminds me of this daily. However, we had not yet been to Seward Park in Southeast Seattle, so on a recent sunny weekend day, we grabbed Rocco and drove the six miles to the prodigeous park.

The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel: Saying Goodbye to an Icon

February 22, 2016

I never thought it was possible to have a relationship with a hotel, but we certainly have had a beautiful association with the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel also known as the “Century Plaza” for several years.

Unfortunately, those days are over because on March 1, 2016, the 49-year-old Century Plaza in Century City, CA will no longer exist. So sad but true. The unique property has been sold and there are tremendous redevelopment plans ready to begin. There will be new towers, a new lobby, new owners and I am sure it will be extraordinary, just not the same as it always has been. It is time to say goodbye to a glamorous icon and hello to change. Change is inevitable, but it makes me sad that such a special place will now be gone forever.