Friday morning I took the first non stop flight out of Boston to Seattle. When I rolled my carry on to the curb, my driver was waiting for me, sign and all so I wouldn’t miss her car.
A hot London Fog was waiting for me in the center console. ๐ Not a bad welcome to the Emerald city after nearly 2 years away I’d say.
After a few minutes of chatting away, I started to notice that cars were passing us on BOTH sides of the freeway. Which was odd because traffic was pretty light, so I checked the speedometer.
Mrs. HB didn’t even notice she was going 40 MPH.ย That woman. She drives like a little old lady.
First stop of the day {no, not TJ MAX} was to our new favorite afternoon tea room. I found the place online a while ago but totally forgot about it until I was walking through the airport terminals to the car and so I quickly called and made a reservation for lunch.
Turns out the place was everything I thought it would be and more {I’ll tell you all about tomorrow}. The place was so lovely though, we couldn’t stop telling the staff how wonderful everything from the food to the atmosphere was.
After filling our bellies, we headed to Gig Harbor to walk around Uptown and to pop by one my favorite garden {gift} stores to have a look around. Mrs. HB bought a pair of toddler pants {of all things to buy at a garden gift shop!}, and I found some ring a lings for the candle sticks on my mantle.
Isn’t this Merry Christmas pillow nice? I think I’m going to try and make it.
After that we walked around the harbor for a bit buzzing in and out of stores and stopped again for tea at Java Clay. Not much has changed downtown, but the walk around the harbor is still nice and across the inlet I noticed a few more houses up on the hillside. Other than that, everything was pretty much the same.
On our way to Costco to load up on supplies for our pickety bits, we drove by and took a peek at the HOA house. It looked so depressing. But the hedge I planted a few years ago was all grown in, so there as that.
Has anyone tried these hand soaps from Costco? Are they any good? I wanted to bring them home with me but I didn’t want to check a bag.
Just a wee little dinner for two.
We caught up on The Crown in matching pajamas. Or at least I think we watched The Crown. It could have been Downton Abbey. I don’t really remember.
Before we went to bed though she told me I needed to whiten my teeth and then handed me a set of whitening strips and then a dental pick and then stood there white I applied the strips.
And then she left the room and came back with some old lady face cream and told me to put that on my face. And so I did. And then she tried to get me to shave off the peach fuzz on my face {again} but that’s where I drew the line. ๐
Friends that’s what they do. They tell you your skin is dry and your teeth need whitening and are always there to patch you up. ๐
Mrs. HB’s bin of choking hazards. What do you think she has more of… scarves or chap sticks?
The next morning we took a walk around her garden, feed the chickens and got ready for the drive to see Monkey Boy and my parents. I took oodles of pictures of her snazzy new garden, but there are so many, that I’ll have to wait and share those in a few days once I go through them.
If you look closely you’ll see Pinky and friends in the background behind the red chairs. ๐
Some things never change.
Before leaving the neighborhood, we walked by my old house {the one where I was neighbors with Mrs. HB}. This is a picture of me standing in front of the cedar tree I planted as a sapling {that I harvested from the woods behind the house} 12 years ago.
When I planted the sapling it was a scrawny 3 foot little bit and the HH was so embarrassed that I had planted it out front. BUT LOOK AT IT NOW!!! Holy canolies people.
Breakfast at The Net Shed. The French toast with chopped pears and vanilla sauce has been replaced with lemon curd and blueberries. And it’s fabulous. You should try it.
Because dental care is always a priority. ๐
Our last big stop before we headed up to the east side was to Watson’s Greenhouse in Puyallup. If you’re a local and haven’t been by in a while, they have the place all decked out of the holiday and man of man is it worth the trip {don’t forget there is a cafe in the back if you want to make it a lunch date with a friend}.
Watson’s not only has the best plants around, but they always go all out on their seasonal displays and it’s always fun to stop by and see what’s new.
I told Mrs.HB, that if I end up going to a Christmas party this year, I am totally going to make this dress! Isn’t it a beauty? All you’d need is a red velvet dress, some silk plants and a serious amount of hot glue.
Good friends. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing {walking, talking, shopping, eating, driving, making each other crazy} it’s just nice to be able to hang out together.
That Mrs. HB. I miss her already.
Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone, enjoy the day.
~Mavis
Stacey says
I’m so glad you had a great time with Mrs. HB! I’m sure the HOA house is very boring without you.
Carole says
We have all missed Ms. HB, I hope she can guest post once in a while.
Melanie Considine says
My thoughts too! How about a post about that beautiful stream running through her garden!
Suzanne Shaw says
I LOVE this post! I’m going to go back and read it again; thank you for sharing!
Katie says
I love reading about your friendship with Mrs. HB! This summer we moved into a new build subdivision and our house was one of the few on our street built out. Houses have slowly but surely been popping up. Just yesterday I noticed the sign out front of the house next door changed from “Available” to “Taken”. I am hope hope hoping for some great neighbors who can become good friends.
laura says
love that dress!!!
Teri says
So nice to be able to go West and visit. Love her yard, very, very nice.
Marie says
Happy to hear u checked in on Monkey Boy. We just โchecked inโ on our son too. Funny how they really were listening to us as they were growing up (even though he always won the eye roll contest) with house rules
Kelly Strei says
A friendship like that is the best!
Kathy G says
Love this post. 24 hours of friendship bliss we all can voyeur into.
I actually saw that hand soup on the order in front of me at Costco today and was intrigued. Will have to check into it further.
I am anxiously awaiting your moms gift to all of you of her gathered โstuffโ Her hauls are my #goals
Linda Practical Parsimony says
A place here in town has dresses like this in the window at Christmas, but they are not nearly as extravagant, just a pretty top with greenery as the skirt. I love Mrs HB’s garden. I cannot wait to see more pictures.
LHardt says
Buff Puff your face/neck for the peach fuzz. I’ve hit that stage myself, and it’s as simple as knocking it down a bit with the Buff Puff!