Summer arrives...We move away...

Today was move day. After months of planning, scheming and dreaming we finally hit the road. Stacie and I are unemployed, sans vehicles and our house is unofficially rented. Saturday we loaded up our Budget rental truck (with a lot of help) and disembarked this morning for the 5 hour drive to Spokane. It was the me, Stacie and the dogs in a regular cab truck. So if this scenario doesn't sound too comfy, throw in the minor detail that the A/C was busted and temperatures reached 100 degrees. What we had here was a recipe for adventure! We spent most of the trip forcing the dogs to drink water (or pouring it over them in frustration). Thankfully, we arrived in Spokane with everyone intact- just sweaty and sun-burned.

The plan is to hang out with my family for a few days and then we'll jet-set to the good 'ol Commonwealth of Virginia on Wednesday. You know the protocol; no blog post is complete without a couple pics. Here's are a few shots of moving day:

Me & Deacon manning the truck.

Deacon & Mercedes getting situated. Tight squeeze!

-Kyle

A Farewell to the Northwest

This weekend Kyle & I went on our last hike in the Northwest (at least for awhile). We set out on Saturday morning with our good friends Natalie & Justin and their adorable baby Blake (click on the link to experience the cuteness of Blake). The weather was typical Seattle- cloudy with a chance of rain, but thankfully not too chilly! We attempted to hike 7 miles RT to Mason Lake, which is part of the Alpine Lake region in Snoqualmie Pass.

Here's a stream we came across on the way.

If you look really close you can see Mt. Rainier in the clouds.

After we hike about 3 miles we ran into some heavy snow and were forced to turn around. I am not exaggerating when I say the snow was probably piled about 8 feet tall and was completely impassable. I guess I'm not a true Northwester yet because I am still always amazed at so much snow in June. It was the first day of summer, but I forget this is not Virginia or Texas! Did I mention this is only 20 miles from our house! Mother nature is a crazy thing for sure!

Deacon & Merecedes love to lick the snow, so they were pretty excited about the road block!

Here's Kyle & Me at the top overlooking the Cascade Mountains.

The hike was a nice way to say goodbye to Seattle. And true to form- it started raining on the way down.

-Stacie

A Taste of Scotland

Usually one of the exciting things about traveling to a foreign country (at least for me) is getting to eat some of their traditional food. I have dreamed about eating pasta in Italy and fresh pastries in France. Unfortunately, Scotland does not offer this same level of excitement. In my research of the Scottish cuisine, I have found some rather unusual/unappealing foods.

Here are the most appalling:

Black Pudding (aka Blood Pudding) - this is sausage that is made by cooking blood with a filler until it is thick enough to congeal when cooled. Pig or cattle blood is most often used; sheep and goat blood are used also. Typical fillers include meat, fat, bread, sweet potato, barley and oatmeal.

Blood Pudding

Haggis- this is a traditional Scottish dish that includes sheep's heart, liver and lungs minced with onion, oatmeal, fat, spices and salt mixed with stock and traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach for about three hours. This is usually served with something called 'neeps and tatties'- sounds scary but it just means mashed potatoes and turnips. (note the placement of the Haggis on the tartan (plaid fabric)- nice!)

Haggis

If you ask me, those two dishes are enough to make me NOT want to move to Scotland. Although, everything I read about them said they are very tasty (at least the Haggis- I feel like any dish made out of animal blood should be illegal and certainly unhealthy). However, there are some things that I found that look quite yummy!

Here are the most appealing:

Fish & Chips (served with 'mushy peas')- I think we all know what this is. Mushy peas however is a different story. These are dried peas that are soaked overnight in water and bicarbonate soda and then simmered with sugar and salt until they form a thick green lumpy soup. This may sound nasty to you, but I am one of those people who like my vegetable cooked so long that they melt in your mouth- so I am fairly excited to try these peas!

The green stuff in the ramekin is the mushy peas

Scotch Eggs- this is a cold hard-boiled egg removed from the shell, wrapped in a sausage mixture, coated in bread crumbs and deep-fried.

Scotch Eggs

Deep-Fried Mars Bars- Kyle & I actually had this when we were in Scotland. They are very yummy, but filthy all at the same time. Similar to eating a deep-fried oreo or twinkie (not that I would do that...)

Deep-Fried Mars Bars

Bangers & Mash- Just a different name for sausage and mashed potatoes.

Bangers and Mash

Hopefully this post has not deterred you in wanting to visit us in Scotland! Also, I'd like to give the disclaimer that I have only partaken in the deep-fried mars bar so all of my opinions and facts are not based in knowledge or experience. I will be certain to update you and disclaim any statements that I have made once (and if) I try these things for myself.

-Stacie

Going Away Party

This weekend was our going away party and it was defintely a bittersweet party. Kyle's mom and sister came down from Spokane, so it was fun to have them there with us! I decided that since it was "our" going away party, we were going to have all my favorite treats- so I heard multiple comments about "I wonder who picked the food" (enter sarcasm here) when looking at the bowls of nerds, sour patch kids and m&ms (we did have other food too...). If you know me at all, you know I am a HUGE candy fan- and that can be putting it mildly depending on my mood! We also played one of our favorite games that we've learned since living in Seattle- corn hole. Our friends Dan & Jodi introduced us to this "Midwest" game (they both graduated from Purdue). The game is basically like horseshoes, only lots more fun, with a bean bag.

Here's a picture of some of the guys playing corn hole:

Deacon & Mercedes were on the lookout for any new party guests!

The party was full of cute little babies too! Our good friends Natalie & Justin brought their little boy Blake- he's such a doll.

Here's Kyle's sister Heather enjoying some Blake time:

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We're defintely getting sad to leave Seattle and have to say goodbye to everyone. Time is just flying by and I know we'll be gone before we know it! The Lord has blessed us here with such wonderful friends, I am excited to see how He will provide for us in Edinburgh!

-Stacie

Welcome To The Neighborhood

Okay, so we've secured an apartment and it's great because we're close to Tesco (groceries), the Business School, downtown Edinburgh, etc. So all of the practical logistics are taken care of. But the best part about the location is that it's in the shadow of this...

Leaving Seattle for an international adventure seems really exciting...but you don't realize the severity of some of the necessary sacrifices. This basketball season I'll be estranged from my beloved Gonzaga Bulldogs ...moment of silence.

I'll have to try to fill the void by jumping on the bandwagon of the local Scottish Premier League team, Hibernian, or Hibs (I think the proper pronunciation is 'high-bear-nian' with emphasis on the third syllable and keep it throaty!)

Our new apartment is 300 feet from the stadium so we should be right in the mix of the local fan base. I've heard stories about the Scots and their feverish dedication to local football clubs. Seems like all the ingredients are present:

*large city
*dedicated fan base
*endless supply of ale & scotch
*Priceless!

-Kyle

A Scottish Home...

Well, it's official! We have an apartment in Edinburgh! It took quite alot of persistence on our end (thanks to our two lovely mutts) but we were able to find an apartment that allows pets and didn't require that we come to Edinburgh to view it. This is such an answer to prayer, it is defintely the Lord's provision. We probably inquired of about 50 apartments and this was the ONLY one that allowed pets and it isn't available until the day we arrive in Scotland so we don't even have to pay rent on it this summer, it really couldn't have worked out any better!

Here are some pictures of our new place. If you're planning on coming and visiting then consider this a preview of "Hotel de Sale".

Here's our new living room...

And here's the kitchen (aka. end of the living room!)

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It is apparently brand new. Although I assume that means newly remodeled because I don't think anything in Edinburgh is "new". That was my only stipulation on an apartment was that is was clean and new= clean to me so we're stoked! Also, it's in an awesome location in the heart of the city. Kyle will give you more details on what specifically is right at our back door....

-Stacie

The Countdown Continues...

22 days till we're both unemployed...

24 days till we say goodbye to Seattle & all of our wonderful friends...

90 days till we set foot (and paw) in Scotland!

Just wanted to give an update on how things are moving along. We're close to having an apartment in Edinburgh! Hopefully by the end of next week this will be finalized (I'll post pics when it's final).
We're still praying for our house to sell (thank you to all of those who have been praying for us). Kyle & I are both feeling very encouraged and I'm sure that because of everyone's prayers for us!
All in all things are looking great. The dogs are all set to go- just a few more shots and check ups before the big day. Plane tickets have been bought and we both have our Visa appointment in 2 weeks. Things seem to be moving right along...

-Stacie

Cruisin Alaska!

This past week Stacie and I boarded the Star Princess en route to Alaska. We saw some amazing scenery throughout the trip and got to explore the Yukon Territory. We also spent time in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria B.C.

I'd like to say we exercised self control regarding the all you can eat 24/7 food on board...let's just say we'll be on a diet for a few weeks! I've uploaded a couple pictures to give you a taste of the experience. If you want to see them all e-mail me or Stacie and we'll send a link to the web album.

Here I am in front our the ship (Ketchikan, AK)

This is a picture of the old Red Light District in Ketchikan. Ketchikan was our first stop off the boat, it was a tiny town that gets 250 days of rain each year- so much for complaining about Seattle!!

This picture is of the Yukon Territory. We took an excursion to the Yukon during our stop in Skagway.

Here's Stacie & Me in the Yukon!

This is the Mendenhall Glacier located in Juneau. It's part of a 1500 square mile ice field. This is just one of several glaciers created by the fields.

Here's Stacie & Me on 'Baked Alaska' night!

Alaska was such an amazing experience. We had a great time relaxing on the ship and taking in all of the amazing scenery. It was also fun to get a glimpse into the 1890's as the gold rush was under way while we explored the local towns on our port stops. Not much has changed in the past 100 years!

-Kyle