Red Lips, Love Me, Fear Me

Loving that red lips are popular again. 

http://thebeautydepartment.com/2012/07/best-red-lip-shades-for-your-skin-tone/

Over the years, I have collected various shades and textures of red lips.  My Xtina red lipstick is perfect for a night out with the ladies.  Nothing goes better with leopard. 

However, the look is not so work appropriate. 

Emma Stone motivated me to find a color that is subtle, but intentional. 

Red berry, not red vavoom. 

Introducing: MAC Lustre Glass in Venetian.  It says, “Love me, but fear me.”  Nailed it.    



Anniversary Sparkle

While I searched the internet for crafts, Brett opted for more classic anniversary gift:

Gorgeous!

I might be covered in paint and glue, but my ears are flawless.  <Sighhhh>  Being in love makes my whole world sparkle.  Thank you, Hubsies!

You & Me Together... at Michael's

In searching for anniversary gifts, I poked around the internet for artwork to display our wedding song.  Esty.com offered photo canvases, ring dishes, and engravings.  In the end, I chose a darling keychain with a map of the location of our wedding in Cle Elum. 

Just the example...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/101483723/vintage-atlas-map-your-favorite-place

Brett and I both liked the keychain, but I still searched for art to honor our wedding song.  Never fear, Pinterest to the rescue! 

The Inspiration:

 

Next, I went to Michael's for supplies.  Brett found me aimlessly wandering the aisles:

Painters' masking tape feeds my OCD attention to detail.

Who knew chevron lines involved math!?

My finished masterpiece:

 “You & Me

Together

We

Can Do

Anything,

Baby”

-          Dave Matthews

Happy One-Year Anniversary!

 

Happy First Anniversary to the Love of My Life!  We celebrated our first anniversary at Cave B Inn & Spa in George, Washington.  Each time we have gone to the Gorge for a concert, we pass Cave B longingly.  We finally booked our stay and had an amazing weekend. 

The view of the Columbia River from our Cliff House was breathtaking and the wine tasting was divine.  Above all, the atmosphere at Cave Be allowed us to reflect on the past year of marriage and the promise of forever together. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brett and I dedicated the last year to each other.  We successfully spent as much time together as possible, constantly learning and growing as a couple.  In summary, this first year of marriage was FUN.  We traveled a bit, nested a bunch, and laughed even more.  More than ever before, Brett is my Best Friend and the Love of My Life. 

Thank you for an amazing year and cheers to another 60 years to come!     

Foster Lee Rafuse

As the summer nears its close, I return to Under the Old Walnut Tree with monumental news.  We have a puppy!  Introducing Foster Lee Rafuse…

Foster was born at Aspen Rainfields on June 28, 2012.  He enjoys diving on his brother’s head, barking at the cat, and licking his dad’s face. 

 

Foster kissing Baby Sawyer.

Harper remains undecided about his little brother. Harper has a new owie on his leg that he most certainly blames on Foster. 

 Harper responds to his little brother’s whining by hiding in the closet.  However, when the two of them are outside by themselves, they are the best of friends. 

Love,

Brett, Jessica, Snow White, Harper, and Foster      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Producers

Share something that very few people know about you:  My brother introduced me to musicals.  I don’t recall the story behind his interest in the Phantom of the Opera.  However, I clearly recall his insistence that the four disk soundtrack belonged to HIM!  Perhaps his overprotective insistence is exactly why I permanently “borrowed” the CD’s from him, memorized every song, read the corresponding book, purchased the sheet music, and attended the live production twice.  Today, John and I delight Brett and Jill with “Ramquist: the musical” from time to time.  We all have John to thank!

My interest in the Phantom expanded to other musicals and eventually four years of high school choir.  In college, I learned that Maureen shared the musical love.  http://undertheoldwalnuttree.blogspot.com/2012/01/birthday-fit-for-diva.html  

This year for Maureen’s birthday, I opted for a selfish gift: spending more time with her at a musical. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. 

We finally made it to Issaquah theatre for The Producers last month.  The show was hilariously inappropriate.  Every few minutes Maureen and I glanced at one another with the expression, “Can you believe they just said/ sang THAT?!”  I laughed the entire show and sang under my breath, “It’s Springtime!” for days to follow. 

My birthday gift giving scheme worked.  Maureen & I spent more time together and enjoyed a great musical.        

Share something that many people know about you:  musicals make me happy.  Maybe I will drag my brother along to the next show.  Something tells me that he won’t put up a fight.                  



First Place at Meatocalyps IV!

The Love of My Life is a BBQ Competition Winner!  I have always known that he is a master on the meats (http://undertheoldwalnuttree.blogspot.com/2011/06/meatocalypse-2011.html), but this weekend we received official confirmation. 

Aside from grinning ear to ear with pride, Harper and I also had a blast at the BBQ. 

Official Meatocalyps Dog, Ball Enthusiast, & Child Entertainer

Joe and Anne spoiled us with delicious treats: French toast and fresh maple syrup, French dips for lunch, John Daly cocktails, chorizo jalapeño poppers, cornbread muffins, chorizo mac & cheese, and Joe’s mouthwatering pulled pork.  Joe and Anne know how to entertain!      

 

Brett’s road to perfection was paved in meat.  Over the last year, we have researched, modified, and devoured new BBQ approaches.  Brett raised the temp and shortened the cooking time for his beef brisket.  (I was delighted to sleep in past 3:00am this year.)  The recipe for his award winning sauce is as follows: combine one ounce of a big fat secret, a dash of noneuhyobiznas, and simmer until it wins. 

For those of you who would like to try Brett’s best of the best, come on over to our little cottage by the creek!  We will be there, wearing our matching t-shirts, and brainstorming for next year. 

 Until then, congratulations to my husband, the award winning BBQ master!