Is it really Monday? Say it ain’t so.
Casey and I stayed up way too late Friday night – watching swimming and painting our living room. I haven’t really mentioned it much here, but we’ve been doing a lot of painting recently – mostly at night after Cullen goes to sleep. When we moved into our new house, everything was painted the same color – sort of a medium khaki. And when I say everything, I mean everything. Even the ceilings. Gulp.
So bit by bit we’ve been trying to lighten things up and bring some color and brightness to the space. Our last project was the dining room. It started off pretty neutral and boring. Khaki walls, khaki ceiling.
So we painted the ceiling white, splashed the walls with a burnt orangey color, and swapped out the black chairs for a cleaner white look (from IKEA!). I grabbed a few new accent pieces for the table that were on sale at Crate and Barrel a few weeks ago – just needed a few more pops of color. Now it’s one of my favorite rooms in the house!
Our living room was the same scene. Khaki, khaki, khaaaaaaaki. You can’t see the ceiling in this picture, but all that brown really made the room feel dark.
So we lightened it up! Casey painted the ceiling white a few weeks ago, and this weekend I did the edging and the walls. It’s a really light off-whitish color called “wax sculpture.” We also finally hung some things on the walls!
Another before shot…
And the after. Not a hugely noticeable different in photos, but it FEELS so much different in person. This space is so much lighter and brighter now, which is important when you live in a gloomy place like Seattle.
On the other side of the living room is our entry way, which I painted a pea green color a few weeks ago. I also found these cute recipe prints for only $30 at World Market. They really liven up the space!
So now our first floor is almost entirely re-painted, and it looks and feels so much better. I’d still like to bring more color into the living room, but since it’s between an orange dining room and a green hallway, I didn’t want to go overboard with the color on the walls. I also want to hang some family photos and get colorful window seat cushions. In time.
In the midst of my painting, I also got a text from my friend Christen – a last minute invite to have a play date up at their beach house on Saturday if we were free. So Saturday morning we loaded up the car and headed 90 minutes north of Seattle to beautiful Camano Island.
Christen’s in-laws have a house right on the water – it was breathtaking! It was also the perfect day for it. We had record temps in the 90’s this weekend!
The babies loved playing on the shady deck, while the rest of us lounged, talked, and snacked. I love watching these guys interact with each other – it’s such a fun age.
I walked Cullen down to the water to dip his toes in the icy lake. He loved it and splished and splashed and laughed.
So I asked Casey to come down and bring the camera. You know, so I could capture a sweet moment showing how much he enjoys the water. Womp womp.
At least he loves his mama.
Sarah was nice enough to take a few pictures so we’d have a lovely family photo with this gorgeous beachy backdrop.
That’s more like it.
It was a great afternoon with friends, and I’m so glad we were able to go. (Saturday evening we did something really special that I can’t wait to tell you about tomorrow. Definitely worthy of it’s own post!)
So as I mentioned, we had crazy heat in Seattle this weekend (crazy for Seattle, that is). And here’s a little fun fact for you – most houses in Seattle are built without air conditioning. It just doesn’t get hot enough here to really justify the expense. I didn’t really care that I was hot, but I was pretty worried about the temperature in Cullen’s room. The thermometer on his monitor was registering at 87 degrees, even with a ceiling fan going and a table fan pointed directly into his crib.
When I went in to get him Sunday morning, this is who greeted me…
Can you even handle this ridiculous mop of curls? He seemed okay with it.
Sunday was all about being outside. Honestly, our house was so hot that it made more sense to go find a breezy spot in the shade than to sit and sweat on our sofa. Gilligan was along for the ride.
Last summer when Sarah was here with us, we went on and on about how we wanted to get out on the water and do paddle boarding. But since I was pregnant, I thought it was probably better to wait – didn’t want to risk falling on the bump! So when she arrived this summer, we talked it up again. And here we are – her very last weekend in Seattle (sniff), and finally out on the water.
There are a lot of different spots to do this in Seattle, but we wanted to do something relatively easy since we were newbies. We rented our paddleboards at Greenlake, and looped the trail while we waited for our turn (there was a long waitlist!). After about ten seconds of instruction, I found myself being pushed out into the water by a teenage by that seemed to have a lot more confidence in me than I did.
I have heard many people rave about SUP’ing as a great workout. I wouldn’t say I was shaking or sweating at the end, but I definitely felt like I had been working my feet and leg muscles to stay balanced. The hardest part to me was the steering! Sarah and I had a hard time staying next to each other because we both had no idea what we were doing, but eventually we got into a groove.
We even successfully paddled our way over near Casey, who was playing on a blanket with Cullen in the shade.
Cullen was really confused about mom standing up out in the water.
It was a great way to spend our final weekend with Sarah. We paddled around for an hour – spinning in circles, laughing, crashing into boats (okay just me), and basking in all the gorgeous sunshine. I already want to do it again!
Finished off the weekend with a delicious tofu rice bowl from one of my favorite Fremont spots – Baguette Box.
And here we are at Monday and it’s grey again, but it doesn’t matter because the weekend was so fabulous. Last week with my sister here – going to make it count!
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I am so surprised to hear that houses in Seattle don’t have AC – that is crazy!! Is it just me or does Cullen look like he’s grown six inches? He’s so adorable!
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 6th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
He is huge. It’s not even funny. Don’t know when it happened!
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I loveee Cullen’s curls! Paddle boating sounds awesome, I just need to get over my fear of the water first…
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Paddle boarding looks so fun!! Enjoy your last week with your sister! I head back to school next week, myself.
keepinupwithkaitlyn.blogspot.com
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Omg those curls are SO cute!! I’ve also thought about paddleboarding but I haven’t been able to justify the cost of a session yet – one day!
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 6th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
This was only $15 for an hour! I didn’t think that was too bad since I don’t think I’ll do it often (even though I’d like to!).
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Erica Reply:
August 6th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
That’s definitely affordable! The cheapest place here on the Beach is $25 – maybe I’ll just have to hold on to the possibility until the day I take my dream vacation to Seattle :)
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I have an aunt that lives in Bremerton and I remember the summer I visited her they had several days in the 90′s, and she was without air also. Yuck.
Cutest.baby.ever.
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Cullen is such a cutie! Enjoy the last week with your sister!
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Ha! My inlaws just got a paddle board and I tried it out for the first time this weekend. Isn’t that thing SO hard to turn? I crashed into the dock a few times!
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 8th, 2012 at 9:36 am
Yes! I crashed into a sailboat. They were not amused. :)
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That mop of curls is SO adorable :)
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I had thought about trying SUP in Hawaii, but I didn’t know you could do it in Seattle–how cool!
I love the paint colors you picked for each room!
The homes don’t have AC in Alaska either. I actually have to run the heat year-round, it is pretty sad. (It is on right now.) I would love to experience 90 degrees again!
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Those curls! What a cutie – so big, too!
I can’t believe no AC in the houses in Seattle! I know it doesn’t get truly hot there much, but I couldn’t deal with an 87 degree house… I’m in Ohio & our AC runs from May – October (can’t stand the house above about 71…ha!) :)
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So crazy hot without A/C….glad you guys got out on the water to stay cool!
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I really wish I could somehow make SUPoarding my everyday workout. Not motivation required :)
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I went paddle boarding for the first time this past weekend. Although I wish the water was like yours.
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Love the curls and have to say, you are rocking that bikini! You go girl!
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Looks like such a fun time. I definitely would have joined you! Great photos!
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Earlier this summer, my mom and I went kayaking. It’s another great lake option, and it is a killer workout (at least it was for me!).*
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Your paddle board dilemma last year is my situation this year! Can’t wait to get out there next year…hopefully looking even half as amazing as you look in a swimsuit!
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I went to college in Vermont where a lot of places also had no A/C. It was always fine until that one freak heat wave would inevitably come.
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The house pictures look fantastic! LOVE how bright and airy everything is. I agree – Cullen looks like he grew a ton in the last couple weeks. WOW!
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Sounds like you guys had a lovely weekend! I cannot even imagine having a house with no AC. Here in Texas, we expect temps to be above 100 degrees for a few weeks at a time throughout the summer. Thankfully we had a small break from the heat yesterday (It only got up to 95!) :)
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OH MY GOSH, Cullen’s hair…it is ADORABLE!! I can’t get over it. I love the picture of you holding him at the beach-you both look so happy and it’s awesome to see that! I think you will be one of those great moms who is really close to her son :)
I saw a lot of paddle boarding done in Maui…saw a lot of falls too…I tried not to laugh but some were just being a little reckless especially on the waves so you can’t outrun mother nature :)
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 8th, 2012 at 9:35 am
Thanks so much, Alex!
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Oh man—I am 7 months pregnant in West Seattle. We had a 4pm baby shower yesterday and everyone was drenched in sweat. Rough day for a pregnant lady ;)
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Greenlake was BEAUTIFUL this weekend. I went for a walk with a friend and my Mom on Saturday. And the weather IS hot… man I wish there was AC!
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Paddle boarding does look like fun! Knowing myself and my lack of coordination, I’d probably spend more time in the water than on the board!
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I have been wanting to do 2 things lately: paint our kitchen and try out a paddle board on our lake – I just haven’t stopped to actually do either one. I think this post is a sign…you’ve officially inspired me. :)
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 8th, 2012 at 9:34 am
Hope you have fun!
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So many feelings! I love the living room, definitely much brighter. I am dying at the cuteness that is Cullen’s little flip flops. And it looks like you had a fantastic weekend, super jealous. And last, I just wanted to mention you look amazing Emily!
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 8th, 2012 at 9:34 am
Thanks Erin! :)
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Love the new paint colors! Paddle boarding looks like a lot of fun!
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I would never pick orange to paint the walls. Probably because I look like death if I wear it. I love how your dining room came out though. A completely different feel from the before and after photo. Paint is a wonderful thing!
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Off topic, but I need to know how to cook beans in the rice cooker you have so heavily promoted. I didn’t expect that the instruction manual would be so poorly translated to English.
What setting, water ratio and do you use their measuring cup or a traditional measuring cup? Any other tips for mastering the machine would be appreciated as well.
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 8th, 2012 at 9:34 am
Hi Karen! Sorry you are having trouble with the rice cooker. I highly recommend getting this book:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Ultimate-Rice-Cooker-Cookbook/dp/1558326677/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1344443545&sr=8-2&keywords=the+rice+cooker+book
It has great recipes as well as general guidelines for all grains, beans, proteins, etc. As far as cooking beans goes, it really depends on what type of bean you are cooking. I typically use the quick cooking or regular setting, depending on how much time I have. If you are measuring according to the lines on the inside of the put, use their cup. Otherwise you can just do a water:bean ratio using any measuring cup.
I hope that helps!
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Karen Reply:
August 8th, 2012 at 11:17 am
Many thanks for the rescue response(s) Emily! As it turns out, my panic was unfounded – I just cooked the beans (chickpeas) and drained per usual. I remembered Kath mentioned you recommended that book, but I neglected to purchase it initially; that sounds like a good idea although I’m already getting a bit more comfortable w/the machine and odd measuring system and feeling a bit more optimistic re. the purchase. Your tip re. measuring is helpful. Gosh, though – a first read through of that instruction manual was frustrating :)
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Always wanted to do that, looks so fun! Glad you got out to enjoy the warm temps on the water. And I must say, you look amazing mama!
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 8th, 2012 at 9:31 am
Thanks, Amber!
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What a difference, the rooms look amazing! I especially love the color of the dinning room. Paddle boarding looks like a lot of fun!
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Ooh I love the color in your dining room!
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Cullen’s flip flops are so cute! I definitely want to try paddle boarding as well, there are even a few paddle board yoga places in my area. I should probably try normal paddle boarding first though…
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OMG Cullen is just the cutest baby EVER! You guys do good work. :P Seriously, I can’t get enuf of his pics. LOVE that grin!
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Your paddleboats on the west coast are much different than ours on the east coast. Ours are like little floating cars you sit in and literally paddle like a bicycle. Yours is much more challenging though. Looks like fun. Does Cullen have red hair? Some of those shots his hair is really dark and looks almost auburn colored. Such a cutie!! And getting so big.
Oh for your living room, if you don’t want to get too much color, put up a small valance over the windows that match the cushions you put on the window seats. It will give the room just a little extra pop of color. I LOVE the orangy color. Very pretty.
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Leah Reply:
August 7th, 2012 at 8:23 am
Kathy,
I know exactly what you mean (we own a pedal boat here on the East coast). So paddle boarding here is also the same as what Emily and her sister used. Pedal boats are what you are talking about with the pedals. We often see people paddle boarding (even one guy with a dog on the front!) before the lake gets busy with boats (early morning). :) Prior to buying a (used) pedal boat I totally thought they were called paddle boats!
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Kathy Reply:
August 7th, 2012 at 9:25 am
Well you learn something new every day. I never heard them called pedal boats before. But it makes sense. I also never saw anyone using the actual paddle boats before (guess I don’t get out much. lol) Either way, I bet they are both a lot of fun.
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Leah Reply:
August 7th, 2012 at 10:10 am
I think paddle boarding is a relatively new sport. Outside of ‘beachy’ places like Hawaii or California. Now they make special boards and equipment for the sport. :)
It was funny last year when we were looking for a “used paddle boat” and we found out we were actually looking for a “pedal boat”. Who knew? We had to make sure to say it correctly when talking to various boat shops! :)
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Paddle Surf Warehouse Reply:
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Stand Up Paddle Boarding is fun and easy. If you are looking for a good price and durable package paddle boards with a paddle check out Paddle Surf Warehouse http://www.paddlesurfwarehouse.com
We have many boards to choose from aswell as Kids boards. We also carry all the paddle board accessories that go along with the boards.
Hope this helps.
Mike
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Leah Reply:
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:51 pm
Hi Mike!
Thank you so much! That does help a lot–thank you! I have bookmarked the site and will be using it for sure in the future. Gotta make the most of that quiet water (smooth as glass) in the mornings at our lake house. :)
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Paddle boarding is on my wish list of things to try. The last time I was in Seattle (summer of 2006) there was a heatwave. It was 97F! I had booked one of the only rooms in the hotel with AC (I remember saying to the hotel clerk “just in case”) We saw a lot of sweaty hotel guests. One asked us how we got a room with AC (I let them know I booked it thinking we would not even use it). We were also told that anything above 80 in Seattle makes people really cranky (I’m the same way so I totally understand!)
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I don’t know if I have enough patience for paddle boarding, but those pictures look like a lot of fun! I wish I lived in Seattle, but Boston is definitely a good place to be stuck :).
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Hi Emily,
Your body is awe inspiring. I’m running about 14 miles a week and I am trying to lose weight. Can you tell me approx how many miles you do a week? Thanks
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 8th, 2012 at 9:30 am
Honestly on a good week these days I’m only running about ten miles. Still trying to get back into it and figure out how to run with a baby who hates his stroller! :)
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Paddle boarding looks like so much fun. I hope to try it some day. Your prints are so cute. I will have to swing by World Market and find some for our kitchen!
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Your home is lovely. Quick question: Where did you get that thing on Cullen’s crib (I am assuming it’s to prevent the chewing?!) I had bought Ada some of those plastic guards, but they were too small . . . and I didn’t love that they were plastic. And ps: THOSE CURLS!!!
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 8th, 2012 at 9:29 am
Amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/Trend-Lab-Narrow-Cribwrap-Cover/dp/B005BWXJ8W/ref=sr_1_1_m?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1344443314&sr=1-1&keywords=trend+lab+long+narrow+cribwrap
It’s a fabric cover that ties on and can be taken off to wash. I like it so much better than the clunky plastic stuff, and there is no adhesive that will ruin the crib. LOVE it. Wish we’d gotten it sooner!
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i am so going to steal that paint colour. our whole house is khaki too and i am so bored of it and want to lighten things up a bit.
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You have a beautiful family! That house is gorgeous and the water looks so clear. I hope you had fun!
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[...] Here’s the set up from before (it was Cullen’s birthday party so ignore the balloons and streamers. And a few more before pictures here.). [...]
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