Sunday, December 28, 2008

Snow, Mistletoe & Maui Christmas



Ahh...what a fun week! I'm still recovering from wedding celebrations, good times with old friends, Christmas brunch, Christmas dinner, Christmas dinner again, family and sitting on Santa's lap! The photo above is our celebratory overly-priced drink in the airport waiting to go home to snowy Seattle. The first night, my Mom & Doug picked me up and we headed out to Yelm to spend a little time together and drop off some of heavy luggage I was dragging around. Mike headed out to meet up with all of the boys - they were at Brett's bachelor party in Auburn. I was VERY excited to see snow as we trekked our way out to Yelm. My Mom laughed at me wearing thin yoga pants and flip flops off the plane - it was all I had!! Thankfully, she quickly
 bundled me up in sweaters and socks. I kind of felt like Alfie's little brother in "A Christmas Story" - thanks for watching out for me, Mom!! 
The next day, I ran around with the girls from the wedding to get mani/pedis in the Harbor. I then watched Kate go from "girl who has been running errands, is crazy-busy and is late for her own wedding rehearsal" to "I'm smokin hot and still have five minutes to spare" in about 10 minutes flat. Yep, atta girl. It was a really fun night, and we had the rehearsal dinner at this cute little restaurant on Broadway in the Theatre District of Tacoma - Over the Moon Cafe. The wedding was the next day - filled with snow! The gorgeous candle-lit church twinkled as we all walked down the aisle. The reception was at McCormick Woods Golf Course and was decorated with red holiday ornaments in hurricane vases complimented with fresh garlands and glittery pine cones. 
That weekend, I had Christmas brunch with my family and was excited to discover "Santa" brought me a Kitchen Aid Mixer!! Actually, all of the gifts I received this year were very generous and thoughtful - I appreciated and loved them all. I felt terrible because many of my gifts I bought online and had them shipped directly to the recipients - unfortunately due to the snow, almost every one of them didn't make it!! Good job, Amber. We then headed out to Yelm to a wonderful and delicious Christmas dinner. My Mom slaved away making this gorgeous dinner - complete with baked corn and sweet potatoes with maple pecan sauce. YUM! Meanwhile, Mike went with the boys to the Seahawks game - his first and only game in the stadium this season. Before we knew it, it was time to pack and head home to Maui. Grammie braved the snow and ice and crack of dawn hours to deposit us safely at the airport - way to go Grammie! The trip was so much fun and exactly what I needed. It was rushed and was a bit stressful trying to see everyone, but for the most part, I think everyone understands. Christmas in Maui was simple and sweet - filled with profiteroles (thanks to Will) and Christmas leis made of various local berries. Ruthie, Will, Mike and I enjoyed Opah and Steak for my first Surf 'n Turf Christmas dinner. We then played cards until my eyelids couldn't stay open and headed off to bed. I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas with warmth, laughter and joy. 

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Thanksgiving, out on the town and of course...the beach!

Wow - it's been awhile since my last post. I almost feel rusty at all of this blogging stuff! 
Life here has been good... kind of like a ship on the ocean...back and forth, back and forth...same story different day. I've been fairly content lately - maybe because after battling work, I'm officially able to go home (next week!). Mike and I are gearing up for our important roles in our friends' wedding December 20th. Mike gets to wear a tux - a bit of a change from his normal "dress up" outfits (cargo shorts and a "nice" tank top!) and I'm wearing a cute black dress. The wedding will be in the couple's church and then to McCormick Woods Golf Course for the reception. It should be really fun! 

I'm looking forward to zip ups and jeans (I don't think I'd ever imagine I'd be saying that!), Christmas decorations (there are hardly any here), seasonal lattes, family and friends. I miss the Harbor and even the rain (ha! There I go again...!). Can't wait! 

Here are some photos from the past few weeks - 



Out at our buddy's birthday
 Thanksgiving

It was Jocelyn's (Auntie Ruthie's daughter's birthday on Thanksgiving) - she wasn't thrilled with her ice cream cake after the big dinner!
Ruthie, Will, Mike and I went to see Ulalena (Hawaiian Cirque de sole) and then we went to dinner at Leilani's and had the BEST chocolate cake...yum...

More soon*! 

Love,
a

*Soon does not have the same meaning as the amount of time that passed since my last post :)

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Happy Tuesday!

Aloha and good morning! It is absolutely pouring here...I could definitely curl up with a good book, a soy cappuccino and some jammies in front of the fireplace. I hear Black Butte calling my name....Unfortunately I'm in slacks and a dress shirt, sitting in my over-air conditioned "office" (aka "the janitor's closet") taking a little break from reading the millions of emails that were dumped in my inbox. Oh yes, the joy of working! Am I allowed to retire yet? Haha.... anyway...


*****


This weekend was pretty fun even though it was only one day-- I went with my Aunty Ruthie to cook for the fire department and to scope out the dudes...for the next single friend I have come to visit of course! Ruthie was sure to tell the boys that I was very taken and if they wanted to hang out with me, they had be interviewed by Mike first. Thank you Aunty Ruthie! Mike and I then went to Airport Beach to find more beach glass...seriously this kid is obsessed with finding it. I think it's pretty cute and we have a really good collection going. My favorites are the light blue and Mike likes the dark ocean blue pieces. I'm trying to think of something cool to do with it...any ideas are welcome!

*****


I found this really cool home store online-- it's called Jamali Garden Store and has tons of really cool garden pots, glass vases, candles, shells, decor ideas...



That's all I have to report for the moment! I hope everyone is well and can't wait to see you in December!

Love,
a

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Is it really November?


What a week! I had one of my good friends in town from Seattle this past week. Lauren and I were biology lab partners at UW and just hit it off. We would meet up for dinner on rainy dark days in Seattle and study, catch up on life and dream about our futures. She is such a doll and an absolute sweetheart to be around. We went to lunch, coffee, a few dinners, she came to "Girl's Night", she made us fresh squeezed margaritas in stemless martini/margarita glasses she brought us as a housewarming gift and we talked and talked and talked. She was a little ray of sunshine who came to Maui and somehow made it a sunnier place to be. 

I had weddings, corporate events, and golf tournaments like crazy last week-- of course I have a visitor and things get crazy...that's just how it is. Lauren played assistant for some of the weddings and was a huge help. (Note to self: find permanent assistant). 

We did go to the beach and Mike went out finding more sea glass and shells. He was really sweet all week entertaining and taking care of "his girls". 
Right now, he is making us fish for dinner and I'm trying to occupy myself from seeing the blood and guts-- gross. 
Mike & "The Fish"

I had a meeting today with my favorite linen lady, Debbie from Pacific Event Group and we spent the morning dreaming about some of the gorgeous ideas we have for the Mercedes Benz Tournament Pro Am Dinner in January.  January? Two months away? It does not feel like November...at all. I'm not complaining in the least, but after spending 22 years in Washington experiencing a full blown fall season, it's weird being somewhere where today looks like any other day at any point during the year-- 85 and sunny. It's beautiful but sometimes I secretly hope the skies will just open up and pour! 


Sunday, November 2, 2008

Halloween


















We went out in Lahaina for Halloween-- apparently a "must see" and don't get me wrong, it was entertaining, but I don't think we will be back any time soon! Mike dressed up like Michael Jordan and I was a lobster (my friend Erin was a French chef with a knife). Obviously our costumes were a bit last minute, but it's kind of our style. As we walked up and down Front Street, I kept thinking "my parents would be so proud..." as I was wearing 3x as items of clothing as most of the other girls. Yikes. There were even completely painted costumes, like I said, interesting but probably not in a real hurry to go back!

Anyway, as I was running through the park tonight, I watched the sunset over the ocean- it looked like mango sorbet...or maybe passionfruit sorbet....mmmm sorbet... ha- I was supposed to be on a run! You get the point- the sky was gorgeous!

Something strange happened the other day-- I reached that point where I realized I was "local". First moving here (8 months ago as of November 1st!) there was this constant feeling of being under the microscope from locals-- my skin wasn't as dark as some because I am usually sitting at a desk 9 hours a day and there was probably that look in my eye of wonder and excitement that comes with anything new- i.e. tourists. It hit me though-- my once friendly wave in traffic has become a laid-back "shaka" or "hang-loose". I not only know when there is a south swell, but that it also means all of the surfers are going to call in sick in order to catch that perfect wave. I know the days when the market gets it's fresh shipments in and that buying a gallon of milk for $5 is a steal. I know that Auntie Ruthie has the "aunties" over for choir practice on Tuesday nights and there is quite a bit of singing, ukulele playing and more importantly wine! I know that baby Ella and her mom or dad will be walking the neighborhood about the same time I get home everyday and she loves to say hi with drool dripping down her chin.

My once schedule-filled, media-pressured, over-analyzed life has become so simple. When we're tired, we sleep, when we're hungry, we eat, when we want to go out, we grab a few beers and head out to Hui E to watch the turtles and sunset. Boring? Probably, but I like it. People don't need (or have) a lot here and what they do have they are willing to share. It's pretty simple but it makes the things we have (each other, family, friends) seem that much more special. It is something I hope stays with me.

Mike is doing well (except for his poor Seahawks!) and seems to be a favorite "pool boy". All the older ladies like to flirt with him while their husbands are golfing. I sit across the pool and as he shoots me "please rescue me!" looks and I can't help but laugh. He's so cute :)

I made us lemon Jidori chicken with wild rice and roasted butternut squash for dinner tonight and am debating about pulling the second pan of pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting out of the freezer. Yumm...if you haven't made pumpkin bars yet this season, you have to! I substituted the oil for applesauce and just a little oil, I was thrilled with how they turned out. I brought the first pan to work and they were gone in 15 minutes, so make extra!
love,
a

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Where have the past few weeks gone?


A lot has happened since I've lasted posted....geez where have I been? Busy I guess. My mom and Doug came into town two weeks ago and it was fun seeing them. We BBQ'd one night at their villa and they came up to the restaurant for dinner another night. Although I was crazy busy with weddings and the LPGA, I was happy I was able to see them as much as I did. The last day, I went and sat out at the pool with my mom...it rained the whole time but she was bound and determined to get a little sun before they left. So we sat and froze our bikini bottoms off!

That was the same week Mike and I had about 40 friends and their families in town for Matt & Angela's wedding at the Plantation House. They are crazy, but it was great to have people to go do things with. The wedding was...umm....well let's just say that it's a Hawaiian blessing to have it rain on your wedding day and they were VERY blessed. The funniest part is that ten minutes before the wedding was scheduled to start, it stopped raining and the sun came out. I'm thinking "Perfect! I knew it would stop raining!" Dang was I fooled! We started the ceremony and everything was going well and not a drop had fallen from the sky....we have the whole wedding party down the aisle and lined up. The bride takes ONE STEP outside and the clouds
open up and completely dump buckets... her perfectly curled ringlets in her up-do were dripping by the time she made it half way down the aisle. Of course it rained throughout the entire ceremony and stopped exactly as "you may kiss your bride!" was announced. Perfect. Where do I enter for the "Wedding Planner of the Year" Award?

The LPGA Kapalua Classic was also happening (see why I haven't been around?) the same week (in addition to 6 other weddings and corporate events). It was a lot of work, but fun to be up close to what everyone else thought of as a big deal. Mike is definitely the golfer of the two of us. I was relieved to have it end. 
By the time all of my craziness slowed, everyone had left! We did get to spend one last day with our friend Chris fishing in Lahaina Harbor. I read my book and waved to the little kids coming in off the cruise boats and the boys tried to catch the "big one". Nice try guys...I think fishing must be a big joke...just an excuse to hang out and drink beer. **shocked** :)
I'm sure there are some things I've missed, but we're heading out for a walk around the neighborhood and I'd better hurry before someone changes his mind!

Love,
Amber Mae
 

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Happy Birthday Kristin!


Happy Birthday Kristin! It was her birthday yesterday and the sunset was gorgeous-- her own little painting in the sky!

Sushi & Fishin'

We have had a fun week preparing for 40+ family and friends coming to town. The larger part of the group is in town for Matt & Angela's wedding at the Plantation House (the first wedding I've planned on Maui where I actually know the bride and groom!) which will happen at sunset on Monday. My  Mom and Doug are also in town to celebrate their 5th (?) year anniversary! It feels like yesterday her cake was delivered from the bakery and it showed up baby pink (supposed to be ivory!) so I covered the thing with flowers and voilà a baby pink cake with flowers. Hahaha..
Anyway...we went to our favorite sushi place Sansei and sat at the sushi bar--YUM! Complete with Starfruit Dessert. 
One night Mike wanted to go night fishing, so he folded the seat down in the 4runner and made me a bed-- it even had throw pillows! 
He backed it up right to the edge of the water and we played cards and watched the moon set while we waited for the little bell on his fishing pole to ding and tell us there was a fish on the line (for the record-- the only time it "dinged" was when an eel stole the octopus bait from the hook). The moon sank into the horizon just like the sun does. Is this completely normal and I'm the only one who's never seen it?! It happened at midnight and was one of the coolest things!