Howdy Partner!

I've been quiet lately (at least in the blog world). Though I've tried not to ignore writing about our adventures, the last two weeks have been jammed packed with summer fun. But, with the fun comes the planning, packing and prepping. Hence, this late night post before we head out on another adventure.

Tomorrow we embark on a journey to Yellowstone. Everyone at The Little Blue Bungalow is excited to explore the rich beauty, tourist sites and relax as a family. However, this trip is more than just a vacation. This is a very special trip as we will be meeting my family from Iowa and celebrating my parent's 40th anniversary.

It has been a long time since the Anderson's have all had a family vacation together, probably the year my brother graduated high school in 1989. What better way to honor my parent's marriage, by sharing a vacation together like we did "in the good old days"? Ahem. I'm sure my parent's are so excited they aren't sleeping a wink tonight knowing all their kids will be together again.

We are all married now with children of our own. And, as many of you know, kids make everything an adventure. I, too, look forward to the sweet fellowship with "The Andersons" as we enjoy fishing, riding horses, biking, hiking, porch sitting at Parade Rest Ranch. Our kids can hardly contain their excitement that they will be hanging out with their cousins. (Honestly, there is something just cool about cousins.)

So, today my brother's family and my sister's family left Cedar Rapids, Iowa to make the long journey to Montana. (Yes, I'm singing that song..."Meet me in Montana...I wanna see the mountains in your eyes".) My parents will leave Montezuma, Iowa tomorrow morning and we will head out of Monroe, WA at 8 AM.

Really, 8 AM? I'm sure you're thinking this is an ambitious time to leave on vacation, but I was strategic in my planning. We are meeting the carpet cleaners at the house at 8 AM and we can't be in the house while they work. (Tricky...I know.) So, let the adventure begin...just as soon as I finish packing. Ugh!

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Reader's Note: The Little Blue Bungalow will resume posting after returning from Yellowstone on Sunday, August 2nd. Be sure to check back then for pictures, stories, and thoughts on our adventure to Montana.

Wordless Wednesday

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Solve. Race. Win!

Running downtown to the Pike Market to the Space Needle and to South Lake Union Park. Check.

Taking your picture with 20 strangers at the Space Needle. Check.

Convincing a random lady at the market to put a fake tattoo on and take your picture with you. Check.

Yes, this was some of the crazy, fun while Drew and I participated in the High Trek Adventure this weekend. It was wild, fast, and oh...so much fun. Ironically, our adventure started early and much of our "experience" was just getting to the race.

We literally had to run to get to the race as the traffic downtown was horrific and rerouted due to a baseball game and the opening of the light rail. As the time ticked away, I was a total wreck (ask Drew.) wondering if we'd even make the race on time.

Check-in was from 11:00 - 11:55 AM and we came running down the street about 1/2 mile out, to inquire about our race packet at 11:54 AM (I'm NOT KIDDING HERE!). Unfortunately our idea of eating lunch before the race was shot and we used the couple of minutes we had to compose ourselves for the actual race...not just the one to GET to the race. (So us!)

The clues were much more complicated then we could ever imagine. We were so glad we had Drew's phone with us (I can't believe I just wrote that!) so we could look up some of the answers and vowed to borrow another one the next time we raced. Before the race, it seemed odd that you could phone a friend, use maps and GPS units, or Internet cell phones in aiding you to find the answers to the race, but trust me...we needed them.

For example, here is a sample clue:
Ma, can I have a calculator? Solve the equation below to find the address on 2nd Ave in Belltown.

(#MLB seasons Ichiro has 200 hits or more MULTIPLIED by Jay Bunher's jersey #) PLUS year of Seattle's World's Fair PLUS height of Space Needle to the top of the antennae PLUS 100.

Standard mathematics rules apply.

The answer was a address to some random coffee shop, so of course, we ran to that location and snapped our picture in front of the place all while thinking about our next strategy. Throughout the race, our spirits were good and only once did we have a small disagreement over a technicality of a clue. But, in true style we brushed it off and kept running to the end.

After 3 hours 39 minutes and 53 seconds team Irish Vortex, crossed the finish line to take 23rd place. We had qualified for Las Vegas! (The top 25 teams qualify for Las Vegas.) What a rush!

I've never been to Las Vegas, so racing with my baby in November sounds like a much needed break from our "normal" lives where we can solve, race, and win again.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

R u ready for this?

In honor of my fabulous husband whom celebrated his 34th birthday yesterday, we will be participating in a very unique race called High Trek Adventure. What in the world is High Trek Adventure you may be asking yourself...or better yet, what are those two up to NOW?

As stated best by the High Trek Adventure's website: Where brains beat brawn! Teams of 2 solve clever clues and face fun challenges all while navigating the urban landscape via foot or on public transportation! It's a scavenger hunt, with all the thrills of the amazing race, mixed in with trivial pursuit, throw in a mini road race and add a dash of cat-and-mouse. And voila! You've got High Trek Adventure!

This race is really a combination of many things: wits, speed, knowledge of mass transit, and socialization with random folks on the street (that's my job!). For my very smart, technical husband this is his game so we are so excited to pair up together in the crazy adventure.

So...while you are enjoying your Saturday afternoon tomorrow, cheer us on in spirit as we will be participating downtown Seattle in the hopes of fabulous cash prizes, a chance to compete in Las Vegas and the thrill of victory. But, I'll admit, we're mainly there to have fun and enjoy the company of one another as we race to the finish line.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Thursday Thrifty Tip: Packing a Sack Lunch

Since I've entered the working world fifteen years ago, I was set apart in the lunch room. While others sat huddled around a McDonald's bag, Subway salad, or Little Caesar's pizza...I pulled out my own lunch from home. I AM a brown bagger. Yes, I pack and bring a sack lunch to work, outings and events that I know we won't be at home for a meal.

Don't get me wrong, going out to lunch with the co-workers or eating a meal out is definitely something I encourage, but occasionally. I feel somehow in this world of convenience we've gotten lazy. Instead of spending 5 minutes packing a sack lunch and saving $8 we would rather spend $10.

I come from a long line. My parents were brown baggers too, so I've watched for years on the proper ways of preparing a sack lunch. But maybe this is new to you? What do you pack?

My first suggestion is to know your heating and refrigerator limits, meaning do you have access to a microwave or refrigerator. For instance, if I know I have access to a microwave I'm more incline to bring reheatable left-overs or a frozen dinner. If not, I am happy to pack a peanut butter sandwich if I don't have access to a refrigerator or microwave as I know it will keep until lunch time.

Another tip is to pack your favorites. If you love salads, pack one. If cliff bars and cherries are your "bag" then pack them. Honestly, the beauty of a sack lunch is that can be personalized to fit your needs. Oh, and don't forget to pack a drink...even an empty water bottle will do so you can "tap" it off. (It would be a terrible shame to spend $1.50 on your drink when you saved so much already by packing a sack lunch.)

So let your creative food talents thrive as you pack your next sack lunch. Not only will you be packing in your favorites, but savings.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Wordless Wednesday

International Fountain by the Seattle Space Needle.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Whew!

Camping, exploring Seattle, hosting Drew's cousins, and working all packed into 84 hours. I'm exhausted, but couldn't imagine spending my summer days doing anything else.

I'm surviving, but must leave you with more pictures than words...

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Raspberry Pickin'

The raspberries are thick at the Little Blue Bungalow and we are enlisting everyone's help to get them picked. The chickens pecking at the ground, kids gingerly picking berries, and me sipping my morning cup of tea...it couldn't get any better.

We are preparing for a camping trip away with our friends this weekend so I better get back to my list and stop procrastinating by blogging and picking berries. (Smile.)

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Thursday Thrifty Tip: Teaching the Value of Money

Raising a child to be financially responsible in today's "cashless" society can be difficult. If you are a parent I would be shocked if you haven't been at a store when you've heard a similar comment from your child, "Pleeeease can we have it!" or "But, I want it!". As a parent this can be a very trying experience as well as potentially make a big deficit in your wallet. So, how do you handle it?

I think as parents we often forget how the act of carrying cash has literally changed, making it difficult for kids to understand the value of a dollar. When I was growing up, (OK, I promise no stories of me walking to school in the snow up hills BOTH ways...) people still used cash. Seriously, there weren't any ATM slide machines at the grocery line, credit cards excepted at the local fast food place, and if you didn't have cash you used a check. (Remember checks?) And, in the event a plastic credit card was used my parents had saved for months to pay it off.

Today is a different story. Cash is something to get stolen or misplaced in most of our minds and we are offended when a business doesn't take a debit or credit card for payment. Our children see us pull out a plastic card to pay for the gas, groceries, Dr co-pays, etc and what they don't see is the actual dollars behind the cards.

If your kids have some verbal skills, it is a great time to start talking about money. Not only is it a great opportunity to work on their counting skills, it is also a great time to talk to them about what things cost. For example, we often have Fiona line up coins in piles equally a dollar and then pile them up to equal things she "wants".

Last week we counted out Fiona's piggy bank to come to the resolution that she in fact didn't have enough for a plane ticket to Iowa to visit her Grandma and Grandpa "Sugar" (my parents). So...instead of us answering "we just can't!", we were able to SHOW Fiona how the value of taking such a precious trip costs money. She was more content with our answer of why she couldn't go to Iowa and resolved to "save" her money to get a plane ticket to Iowa soon.

In addition, to visually showing our kids money we also aren't afraid to say no when they ask for things. Neither Drew nor I have a problem explaining to our kids that something costs too much, isn't in our budget, or tell them that next time they can bring their own money to purchase the ugly green alien pencil topper. (Honestly!) Will it get more difficult as their "toys" get more expensive? I'm positive, but it is never too early to start teaching your children the value of money today.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Over the Top?

I couldn't resist snapping a picture of the 100% completed chicken coop for our four lovely urban ladies. Over the top? Well, maybe the picture window and flower box pushed it over the edge. You think?

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Wordless Wednesday

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Yankee Doodle Dash

We just got back from our family run at the Yankee Doodle Dash sponsored by the Everett YMCA. It was a great racing day and we are so proud of everyone. Accomplishments include: Fiona finishing her first race, Keegan asking to get out of the jogging stroller and running a bit, Drew managing to keep the kids moving in the right direction, and me completing without ever stopping even four minutes before the rest of the family. All in all, a great start to the 4th of the July! Now onto the BBQ...

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Show Us Where You Live Friday: Yards and Garages

Greetings from the Pacific Northwest and welcome to the Little Blue Bungalow. The Britten's: Drew, Katie Jean (that's me!), Fiona and Keegan are pleased you've chosen our blog to stop by for a visit during Kelly's Korner "Show Us Where You Live - Friday".

This week showcases yards and garages, so I am more than delighted to share the beauty of our yard since gardening is my passion. What is that? Oh, yes...the garage pictures. Well, we don't have one so you'll have to endure an extra picture of the gardens. (Lucky you!)

Though our home is small, our yard is big and inviting. When I first moved into the bungalow over three years ago, I was dumb founded as to where to start. Our house had been "flipped" and instead of leaving the existing mature bushes and plants in my flower beds they literally had been stripped bare. I was started from ground ZERO. No plants and no money to make a difference. What in the world was I going to do?

My first step was to determine what was even in my flower beds. (Tricky for a Midwest girl now living in the Pacific Northwest!) Even though they had stripped most plants out a few bulbs managed to poke through the first sight of spring and something was trying to grow on the west side of the bungalow. I nursed the plant back to health and discovered I had a beautiful pink climbing rose. Now I knew what I had, but I needed more...lots more.

Over the years I've networked with other gardeners in area including: neighbors, friends, and acquaintances. These experienced gardeners were happy to share their plants knowing they in turn were containing their own plants and making them healthier by splitting. (Just like I'm happy to share if anyone needs some plants!) Honestly, I didn't care what color it was or the type of plant as I was building a base of flowers at my own home. Over the years, I've rearranged and moved these original plants to my desired liking...something I never really knew about gardening. If you don't like it there...MOVE IT!

Though the front yard is packed with flowers for eye appeal, the backyard is our eating gardens packed with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables for our stomachs to enjoy. We are so blessed in the Pacific Northwest with optimal growing seasons! I live in a gardener's paradise.

This weather allows me to grow 2-4 harvests of many of the vegetables to enjoy now as well as preserve for the winter months. We grow: potatoes, corn, onions (red and white), green beans, snap peas, heritage tomatoes, head lettuce (butter and red-leafed), cilantro, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, rhubarb, and carrots. It is such a privilege to have my family daily eat the "fruits of my labor" and see the beauty in God's colorful flowers.

As always, if you enjoyed this yards and (nonexistent) garage tour, please make sure to stop by Kelly's blog (click HERE) and visit other blogs participating in the "Show Us Where You Live - Friday".

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean