What brings me joy this month!

The mornings are just starting to show a bit of crispness in the air and I’m giddy with the love of back to school season.  I still have kids at home, so this summer sprint is an exciting time of dreaming of new opportunities. Days are full of gratitude for the slower days of summer while knowing that there is something exciting right around the corner. 

For this month, I have some tools that are part of my daily arsenal to share.

Can’t make the long haul to Hawaii for your vacation? Don’t worry, these tropical paradises may be the best-known islands in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean they’re the only ones. From nature sanctuaries on the East Coast to tropical islands in the Caribbean, here are 10 of the best U.S. islands that aren’t Hawaii.

This is going to be a fun week! Support our wonderful Island by attending one or more of these events, starting with Dine and Discover at IslandWood on Thursday evening. The evening begins with a Docent-led Hike around the Trails, followed by a delicious dinner prepared by Chef Jim White, which is accompanied by beer and wine. Indulge your passion for art and adventure at two amazing events in support of Bainbridge Island Museum of Art - BIMA Bash! Silent and Live Auctions on Friday and Saturday Nights; pick your preferred event or night or attend both. On Saturday afternoon, get creative and have fun dressing up your dog(s). All proceeds from the admission and raffle support Bainbridge Boys & Girls Club.

Featured Events:

• Dine and Discover at IslandWood - Thursday, June 8

• BIMA Bash Auction - Friday & Saturday, June 9-10

• Dogs UnLeashed - A Dog Fashion Show - Saturday, June 9

March is home to two of my favorite holidays— St. Patrick’s Day and the Oscars.

When the kids were younger they would routinely ask if all families have their now holidays— so St. “Fitz” Patricks day was always a thing for us. As a child with a maiden name of Kelly, my family was also all in. We ate green eggs, green pancakes, green mashed potatoes (less appealing as an adult) and celebrated when the leprechaun would slip through our traps and leave rainbow candy in the form of skittles. I am overjoyed that this is now a tradition celebrated in schools.

This time of the year is often a little slower for me— for all of us in real estate. It’s the time to strengthen systems, catch up with people and breathe.

I am stretching myself with a violin recital— and the suggestion of a book: The inner Game of Tennis, A recommendation to take yourself on a vacation and my new hummus recipe that I can’t take credit for but will happily take all the compliments at book club.

November already? November seemed to have arrived like a hammer — at least weather-wise. We jumped straight out of the heat of summer to a reckoning of sorts! Welcome fall, winter and the PNW gray!

Scott’s Cheap Flights looks for mistaken airfare pricing or significant differences to median pricing. I love it because you can put in the parameters of either where you are interested in flying to– or what airport you generally fly out of.

Nap Ministry: A friend of mine recommended the Nap Ministry a couple weeks ago.

From the founder and creator of The Nap Ministry, Rest Is Resistance is a battle cry, a guidebook, a map for a movement, and a field guide for the weary and hopeful.

This book is rooted in spiritual energy and centered in Black liberation, womanism, somatics, and Afrofuturism. With captivating storytelling and practical advice, all delivered in Hersey’s lyrical voice and informed by her deep experience in theology, activism, and performance art, Rest Is Resistance is a call to action and manifesto for those who are sleep deprived, searching for justice, and longing to be liberated from the oppressive grip of Grind Culture.

Y’all, did you know that they are doing this on Mars? Let me know if you are up for a showing.