Walla Walla Series: L'Ecole, Woodward Canyon, Reininger, Brasserie Four

The past weekend in Walla Walla was one to remember! Since I took so many photos, I'm going to have to do a series of posts like I did for NYC.

A similar interest that Michael and I have is wine. We both love it. It's a part of our lives and something we always enjoy. So for our summer romantic getaway, we decided to hit the road to Eastern Washington's wine country in Walla Walla. It's about a 4-5 hour drive from Seattle, but it's worth it. The contrast from west to east (port city to high dessert) was startling. Slowly the scenery changed from emerald green to dusty yellow. We didn't mind though. In some ways, it reminded me of California.

On our way in to town we did three tastings before getting to our bed and breakfast at Fat Duck Inn.

The first was L'Ecole:

The staff here was so knowledgeable and helpful, giving us so many recommendations during our stay. Not to mention, they had delicious wine that we ended up buying two bottles.

The second was Woodward Canyon:

The great thing about this place was their selection of whites. Since Walla Walla has more of the 'big reds,' this was a special treat. From Woodward we got a nice riesling.

Our third tasting was Reininger:

This was such a cute place! We even came across a rooster on our way in. The owner of the place was so gracious as he introduced himself to us. We got a red blend and a red peppery tasting rose.

For dinner, we miraculously got a reservation at 7 p.m. at Brasserie Four. I say miraculously became this French Restaurant was phenomenal and we were only lucky because their was a cancellation. If you ever head into Walla Walla, make a reservation before hand! Michael and I lucked out this time around, but we know we won't be as lucky next time.

To Michael's glee, the restaurant had this rose:

 

This is supposed to be the best rose, or at least that's what we've been hearing, so Michael was dying to try it. Turns out, it is the best damn rose ever. More please?

 

Michael and I started off with escargot (snails) and instead of being just buttery in flavor as you would expect, it tasted earthy and grassy (in a good way). We couldn't figure out what it was seasoned with, but it was delicious!

The last time I had escargot was almost two years ago in Paris, so right away I knew this meal would be memorable. If someone ever wants to take me back to Paris, I would be extremely delighted!

Alright, next appetizer? Tartare!

This tartare was unique because it was made with sockeye salmon (one of Michael's absolute faves). It was so well-balanced I could eat it forever and not tire of it.

For entrees Michael had the bouillabaisse filled with mussles, clam, scallops, and fish :

He said it was the best bouillabaisse he's ever had. I had the classic moules frites (mussles and fries):

It did not dissappoint! I just wish I had a bigger stomach to finish it!

Here's a photo of Micahel and I. Very blurry, but I think it's a great depiction of the moment: wine drunk. Just kidding! The lighting was just too dark to take a good photo.

To finish off, Micahel had an expresso and we shared a creme brulee.

Such a wonderful meal! As you can tell, wine isn't the only thing Michael and I have an interest in! Food is just as important!

Since our inn was only half a mile away and the weather warm. Michael and I had decided to walk instead of drive. Big mistake! We ended up being followed by a sketchy character who later gave up. Lesson learned. Never walk around at night in a town you haven't been to before.

Beta Reading, Synopsis, and Rain

It's Thursday which equals my Friday! Hallelujah!

Michael and I will be going on a getaway trip tomorrow to Walla Walla in Eastern Washington! I seriously cannot wait, this has been one of the longest weeks ever so I am pumped to get out of the city and do some wine tasting.

This week I sent my manuscript to four beta readers. I dowloaded it on my kindle too, but I think I should probably stay away from it awhile to gain some perspective.

M2 seriously drove me bonkers over the weekend, I thought I was going insane. The below comic explains it perfectly.

Though none of my betas are done reading, I've gotten some good comments which makes me sigh with relief (so it wasn't a complete shit show, excuse my language), but I am anxious for the bad comments that will eventually come. It's necessary though, contructive criticism will only make M2 stronger, which is what I want.

In the meantime I've been working on my synopsis and query (you'd be surprised how long it takes to write one letter and a 1-page summary). I've also been doodling ideas for a contemporary romance in case M2 doesn't work out. Though M2 has series potential, I don't want to invest the time in it yet without knowing if  it'll be published or not (though rest-assured, I do have brief arc of the whole series in mind).

Oh and lastly, there was a thunderstorn and downpour yesterday and it's raining today! I guess you can't exscape rain in Seattle, even if it is Summer.

Recap: Michael's 27th Birthday

I'm going to keep this short and sweet and let the photos recap last night at Daniel's Broiler in Bellevue for Michael's Birthday.

 

Birthday boy making a wish (photo cred: Cristine)

From L to R: Michael's Dad, me, Michael, his Mom, his sister Cristine, and her husband.

Tasted more like a brownie than a cake ;]

 

Michael was very excited about this Bandol wine!

 

Photo cred: Cristine

Presents from Cristine and Tim

Wine I got for Michael

His new gold clubs from his parents!

Happy Birthday Michael!

Today is a very important day! The man of my dreams turns 27!

Since we're celebrating with his family tonight, I celebrated his last day of being 26 yesterday at Nishino.

Sushi is one of Michael's faves.

Not to mention they have Michael's favorite dessert of all time. Green Tea Tiramisu from Hiroki!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL<3

Conservatory and Bruce Lee Memorial

On saturday I had the pleasure of reconnecting with an old friend from college that I hadn't seen in like, four years. Michael took my friend and I out to brunch at Tallulah's then we showed him the Japanese Gardens from my earlier post here: Japanese Garden Weekend. After Michael left to work and to cycle, I took my friend to Volunteer Park where we went to the conservatory. It was my first time there so I took a ton of photos!

It was pretty inspiring seeing all these different types of flora and fauna since I try my hardest to describe the fantastical flowers in M2.

After, we went to the cemetary next door so that I could show my friend Bruce Lee's grave. Surprisingly, there was a memorial for him and his son Brandon.

 

Though I don't consider myself a huge fan of Lee's, I found the memorial to be very touching and inspiring. It just goes to show the great impact a person can have, even after death.

Beach Lunch & Never-ending Writing

Oh fridays, how I love thee...

Now that I have Fridays off, it's become one of my favorite days and yesterday was one of the best ones. I woke up and wrote all day then Michael took me to Paseo's for lunch and we brought it to the Golden Gardens park to eat.

Outside of Paseo waiting for our food!

My Caribbean bowl, yum!

Michael and his sandwich

Then we came back home and I went back to editing.

That stack = my manuscript

I had planned to send out the manuscript to my beta readers this morning, but then I met up with my writing critique partner later that night and she suggested a few changes.

Critiquing with my partner and Fuel coffee as I enjoy a Lavender Italian soda.

So it looks like I'm postponing sending out my manuscript to my betas next weekend before I leave on my trip to Walla Walla. Just when I think I'm almost finished, I'm not. Gah! Writing sometimes seems never-ending, and I am so tempted to start on a new project. Jeez M2, when will you be done?

Fourth Revision Readthrough

I love Debbie Ridpath's comics. I feel like the one above completely relates to me this week. I've spent the last three days rereading my whole manuscript from start to finish while Blaire just stares at me. I printed all the pages, and started marking it up like crazy (though I used a blue pen instead of red, because red just looks so mean, doesn't it? Or is that just me?) and now I'm in the process of making the changes on my manuscript on my laptop. I still have to write another chapter or two to fill in a gap I noticed, but I think it will be ready for me to send out to another batch of beta readers this weekend.

But boy am I exhausted... Even as I write this post, while sipping my morning coffee, I feel so dead. This week has just been a rollercoaster. Rereading my manuscript just makes me doubt so much that I can't tell if my story is even good anymore since I've been working on it so much. Thank goodness for beta readers.

I just need to remind myself to presevere. I'm way in too deep to be stopping now.

Book Review: Stolen by Lucy Christopher

I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. 

 

Overview: It happened like this. I was stolen from an airport. Taken from everything I knew, everything I was used to. Taken to sand and heat, dirt and danger. And he expected me to love him.

This is my story.

A letter from nowhere.

Sixteen year old Gemma is kidnapped from Bangkok airport and taken to the Australian Outback. This wild and desolate landscape becomes almost a character in the book, so vividly is it described. Ty, her captor, is no stereotype. He is young, fit and completely gorgeous. This new life in the wilderness has been years in the planning. He loves only her, wants only her. Under the hot glare of the Australian sun, cut off from the world outside, can the force of his love make Gemma love him back?

The story takes the form of a letter, written by Gemma to Ty, reflecting on those strange and disturbing months in the outback. Months when the lines between love and obsession, and love and dependency, blur until they don't exist - almost.

Review: I reread this over the weekend and it continues to be one of my favorite YA books of all time. Lucy Christopher is brilliant. I love the writing because it's so simple, so visceral, yet so mesmerizing and beautiful. The first time I read it, I was literally in tears at the end, having felt like I had undergone stockholm syndrom with Gemma. I had read it in one sitting just so entranced by the story and the two characters.

Reading it this time around, I really got to appreciate the novel sytlisticly and admire Christopher's craft. Isn't it funny how another reading shows you things you hadn't noticed around the first time? Not many books survived my move from Sacramento to Seattle, but this one did, and for a good reason. Just pick it up and you'll know why.

Lovin' Summer

I am loving summer here in Seattle. It's so beautiful, warm, and so green. And you know me, I love eating the cold sweet stuff too! I mean just look at that Prosecco float with strawberry sorbet I had out on the Bottlehouse Patio. Not to mention Michael and I have been frequenting the ice cream shop below us and taking night time walks. My favorite ice cream flavors at Molly Moon's ice cream are stumptown coffee, scout mint, and melted chocolate. Yuummm.

Though the summer heat's been good to me, it hasn't been for the Blaire bear. Not many places have AC in Seattle and the same applies for our apartment unit, except our apartment building has AC in the halls and lobby. Can you believe that? Blaire's been running out into the hall any chance he can get to cool off. One time, our neighbor caught Michael and I letting Blaire frolick in the hallways, so now we've harnessed and leashed Blaire so he can have a cool night time roam in the hall.

Except, Blaire hates the harness and ends up rolling in the carpet trying to get it off. Still, he looks darn cute in it, just like a kitten!

So remember my cute Kate Spade purse Michael got me in this post? Well we ended up going shopping this weekend and Nordstrom's was having a sale. So Michael got me this wallet to match. Best. Boyfriend. Everrrr.

But really, we went to the mall so that I could buy Michael an early birthday present. since Michael broke his sunglasses, we went shopping to get him some nice sunnies. Aren't those Prada shades nice?

In just about a week, this handsome gent will be 27! Time sure flies! Right after purchasing the sunglasses Michael and I passed by Trophy cupcake and ended up splitting a red velvet cupcake (my favorite).

 Then on Sunday we went to watch my second Mariner's game of the season with Cristine and Tim.

Michael and I

Cristine, Me, and Michael

The Sunshine Blogging Award

A big thank you to my fellow blogger and writer friend, Michelle Athy, over at The Sunflower's Scribbles for bestowing upon me the Sunshine Award! Check out her blog if you haven't already for great book reviews and writing insights.

As part of the Sunshine Award, I have to answer 10 questions about myself, then pass it along. I'm answering the same questions that Michelle Athy answered on her blog.

1. Favorite Color: Purple all the way! Wether dark or light shades, I like them all.
2. Favorite Animals: Kittens and puppies, any 'baby' animal, really.
3. Favorite Number: 9! It was my jersey number in high school and not to mention I'm from the class of 09 from High School!
4. Favorite Non-Alcoholic Drink: Coffee. Coffee. And Coffee. Oh yeah, did I mention, coffee?
5. Favorite Alcoholic Drink: Wine. Always, always, gotta have my wine time.
6. Facebook or Twitter: Twitter
7. Passions: Writing. Reading. Eating. And traveling whenever possible.
8. Prefer giving out or getting presents?: Both.
9. Favorite City: Paris. Such a magicaly place and a dream come true. Summer 2012 in Paris was so goddamn amazing!
10. Favorite TV Shows: BBC's Sherlock, Big Brother, Hart of Dixie, Reign, Law & Order SVU, One Tree Hill, Extreme Weight Loss, etc... In other words, I watch too much TV.

Now I'm going to pass it along and nominate Karla Gomez at Peace, Love, and Books for cool contests, cover reveals, and recommnedations; and Lisa Gouldy at planning for sun who's just starting out with her blog, but doing great at it!

4th of July Weekend, and Writing Progress

This year was Michael and I's first time spending 4th of July together and I can't believe I didn't get any photos! And Michael only had this one from the weekend:

Top of Poo Poo Point

For 4th of July we went to a friend's barbeque in the afternoon then had a couple over for dinner before going to Volunteer Park to see the fireworks. Michael never know this about me, but I love fireworks. There's just something magical about them and looking at them that night, they reminded me of something from my book that I created.

The next day I met with my critique partner. We're halfway done critiquing each other's drafts! My 4th revision is definitely getting stronger with all of her help. Once home, Michael and I decided to go hiking at Poo Poo Point (Yes, that's actually the name!). We did it last year and decided to do it again this year. Maybe it'll turn out to be a yearly thing for us. I, however, am not athletic as Michael. It was such a breeze for him. I was huffing and puffing the whole way up, but he was sweet enough to encourage me the whole way through.

That evening Michael's parents took us out to Tulio's in downtown Seattle. They spoil us, seriously they do, it was such a treat eating there and it was such a pleasure being in their company as always.

On Sunday Michael and I went out to brunch and then I spent the whole day writing/revising from 10:30 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. That's like a 7-hour shift! If only that could be my full-time job! Perhaps one day.

Though good news is I finished my ending. I've wrote it differently all four drafts, and I finally landed on one that I love. It took me awhile, but I finally got there.Whooo! I still have a lot of editing and revising, but I'll definitely be ready for Pitch Wars and #PitMad in August and September.

I've also been working on my query letter. Man, is that a toughy. I think I've gone through 10 drafts of my query letter now. It's still not quite where I want it though, which is a good thing I'm working on it early. I've also started researching agents to query so that I'll be ready to go when my MS2 is complete.

With all this progress being made, my head is spinning, which means I am in need of a good read. So I'm currently rereading one of my faves, Stolen by Lucy Christoper.

Summer days

Happy 4th everyone! In Seattle, summer doesn't officially start until July 5th (weather-wise), but oh man have I been lucky to experience perfect summer weather the days leading up to it!

ice cream and sunshine at the farmer's market in Kirkland

outside patio at Bottlehouse

Rose all day!

Cheers to a great fourth and wonderful summer!