america things

My weekend was filled with very American things which was fitting seeing how we were celebrating the 4th of July! Ps. It is officially my birthday month, get excited, people! 

Thursday night was shenanigans at the St. Paul Rodeo. Where I might have eaten the majority of those fries by myself. 

Friday was spent with Fireworks and BBQs, but I don't have any pictures of that, because who needs to see more grainy night photos of fireworks, answer: no one.

Saturday we trekked on down to the Portland Waterfront to the Blues Fest that happens every year and never disappoints. Sugaray Rayford KILLED it during his set.

OH! And my favorite part of the weekend, getting to meet the newest member of our family. Meet my little brother's new puppy, Gunner! Now if only he didn't live 3 hours away!

Cheers!

<3 BB

Happy (almost) 'Murica Day!

Guys, what is more 'Murica than Miley?!?!


Answer: nothing! (ok maybe Tim Howard)

The United States might be out of the World Cup, but that doesn't mean I will be any less patriotic today and this weekend. So this weekend, let's celebrate all that is Amurica: horrible fast food, shootin stuff with guns, and honey boo boo. 

Lastly, Let's think about what would happen if we were still British.

Tube Sausages. Eww.

Have a happy (and safe) 4th of July. I'll see you on the other side, Amurica!

<3 BB

independence day shenanigans

So, I didn't hunt any British, but I did have great 4th of July Shenanigans! Ones that featured the usual BBQ with friends and fireworks! Question: could you ask for anything more on the 4th? Answer: no. A few of us from our group even dared to head down to the Portland waterfront after the BBQ to see the fireworks, and better yet, managed to stay away from the huge crowds.

Kelley and I were twinning from head to toe.  What you don't see pictured is the matching white shorts and rainbow flip flops, which was all unplanned. 

The rest of the weekend was just as awesome.  It included the Waterfront Blues Festival where we saw 3 different performances, my favorite being Allen Stone. (Don't worry, I will introduce you to him more tomorrow on Tunesday) 

Fact: one can never go wrong with boyfriend fit jeans and rainbows.  Summer uniform has been found.

Brad and I also decided to get a little crazy and hike a mountain on Saturday.  Dog Mountain is no joke, but the views were sure pretty.  I just have to keep telling myself they were worth the sore butt I now have from the 3 plus miles of incline. 

Oh, and did I mentioned I made dessert for the BBQ?  There might not be any left, because this happened a lot over the weekend. Why dirty another dish, when you can eat it from the pan?!

This is why I do not keep sweets in my home. Thank God I hiked a mountain to counteract it a little bit.

Anyway, this 4 day weekend has me jonesing for summer break. Why can't I still be in grade school?! I was so jealous of the little kids riding their bikes in our neighborhood when Brad and I went on an evening walk before bedtime last night. You know they got to stay out past nine, because it wasn't a school night. Not fair.

Cheers to Amurica!

<3 BB

cheers to amurica

In honor of the 4th, I figured we should probably get in the spirit here at Babbles.

Gonna get real Patriotic up in here today:

Wear This:

Eat This:

Drink This:

While Listening To This:

  Obviously, Do This:

But, Lord, Please Don't Do This: 

Nailed It: 

But, no really, don't ever do your nails like that. I will mock you and then have to reconsider if we can even be friends. 

Have a safe and fun 4th of July my people.  I will be back on Monday. Please be responsible, folks and don't do anything I wouldn't do. 

Doesn't get more patriotic and Amurican than Nic Cage in a wife beater tank, amiright?! 

Cheers to Amurica! 

<3 BB

4 Things I Learned From The 4th!

Hope everyone is feeling refreshed and patriotic after all their celebrating! Here are a few things I learned from yesterday's Amurica Day--


One: Found out the hard way, but not many places are open for brunch on the 4th. Marsee Baking pulled through for the Boy, Roomie, and I though. Even if they were out of bagels for their Eggels (awesome name for a breakfast egg sammie on a bagel, by the way.)



Thanks a Latte! (Get it?!) 

                                                  

Two: It wouldn't suck to live at Pittock Manson :

So many rooms! Not to mention the beautiful view of Portland and beyond!

Sidenote:  My iPhone does not do this view justice.  From the estate you can see clear views of Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Rainier.  Uh-Mazing.


Three: Portland has some pretty good hiking and it's crazy to think it's more or less in the middle of the city. One of the nicest things about it is you can park at the Mansion for free and then head out whichever direction you want.  Head to the left on Wildwood Trail and you'll find yourself on the way to the Rose Gardens and Japanese Gardens.  Head to the right and you've got some awesome scenery.

Four:  Fireworks are hard to sleep through.  Confession - I was in bed before the fireworks started.  Grandma status! I just couldn't help it.  I was tired from the days hiking and brunching, and fro-yoing. Plus, seeing how my coworker and I have to hold down the fort while everyone else is on vaca the rest of the week I didn't want to get stuck in traffic until midnight trying to get home.  5:30 comes early every morning and I don't do well on little amounts of sleep.  

Not sure if the children at the for-yo joint we frequent regularly caught on to Brad's Patriot reference he drew in sidewalk chalk, or if their parents appreciated it, but he sure thought he was funny.

Cheers to Mel Amurrica!

BB