I’m Alisa, and was born in Oregon, raised in rural Northern California, and eventually chose to build our life in Western Washington… the PNW just feels like home!
I started dating my husband, David, in 10th grade, and we’ve been building a life together ever since. We had our first child right after high school, got married, and jumped straight into growing our family. Not long after our second child was born, we moved literally four days postpartum, and relocated to the Seattle area in search of more job opportunities and culture.
Things didn’t exactly go as planned at first, since David’s job at Kaiser Aluminum was immediately impacted by a strike, then the plant never reopened. But that moment ended up shaping everything that came next.
With encouragement from family, he joined the Sheet Metal Union as an apprentice and worked his way up through years of determination, hard work, and a willingness to say yes to whatever needed to be done.
Today, he’s a Lead Foreman Sheet Metal Detailer and has been with the same company for nearly three decades.
We started out in a duplex in Auburn, but eventually bought our first home about an hour south of Seattle… which was close enough for commuting, but far enough to actually afford a house. Our kids thrived in an incredible school community, and I found myself all-in volunteering for just about everything.
A few years later, when the kids asked for a dog and their dad said no, we one upped him and had another baby instead.
It’s all good… the dog, and a couple cats, came shortly after!
We thought we were in our “forever home”, but then an 1898 Victorian came up for sale just around the corner… and that was it.
After a long, complicated process (the kind that deserves its own story), we moved in December 2014. There had been renovations in the 90s, and while the bones were wonderful, it was very ready for some love!
Back in 2004, I had founded The Hungry Housewives as a way to bring PTA moms together over food, friendship, and community giving. Around that same time, Facebook had just opened to the public, and I started sharing what we were cooking and the events we hosted.
As our kids grew up, the moms didn’t see each other as often, but some of us started selling fun decor at Funky Junk Shows. Meanwhile, I continued sharing our adventures, and launched the Annual Craft Fair in 2012
Learn about the event and our story below!
That same year, I discovered a French, all-natural cleaning company that quickly became a passion of mine… where I met so many wonderful people, and traveled quite a bit.
A few years later, we opened our home as an Airbnb after our older kids moved out. What started as a simple idea turned into something incredible – we hosted over 700 guests across 1,200+ stays in just two and a half years, welcoming people from all over the world. It was important that our kids were exposed to perspectives beyond their own little bubble, and it was a fun way to earn extra income (we’ll be sharing our experience on our home page.)
Then came 2020…..
Like so many others, everything shifted. Our kids moved back home, the Airbnb closed, and the Craft Fair paused for three years. Luckily David was able to work from home, and buildings still have to be built, so he was able to keep his job, but the company I had poured myself into shut down in the U.S., which was heartbreaking. Around that same time, my mom was widowed and moved in with us from Idaho, and we also welcomed our 17-month-old grandson into our home. Almost overnight, we became a four-generation household… and I stepped into the additional role as caregiver.
I love having a full house, but somewhere in the middle of all that change, I realized I needed something that was just mine again. I’m hoping this site becomes that place – a way to document our life, share what we’re creating, what I’m currently reading/watching/listening to, and stay connected to the community that’s always been at the heart of everything we do.
It’s also where I get to keep telling the stories behind our Annual Craft Fair and the Holiday Light Show– two things that still mean a lot to us!
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1992
Started Dating
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1994
Started our Family
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1997
Married in California
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1998
Moved to Washington
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2000
Bought our 1st Home
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2004
Founded The Hungry Housewives
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2012
Started our Annual Craft Fair
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2014
Moved into the Victorian
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2023
Became Four Generation Household
Join us at our next Craft & Vendor Show in October!
“Beyond impressed!”
Had so much fun yesterday!! Alisa you put on an amazing event!!! Seriously so well ran, organized and advertised for!!! Would love to participate again next year!!!
Rhonda
“Lots of happy shoppers!!!!”
Saturday was FANTASTIC!!!! The easy set up, the amazing customers, overall atmosphere was so enjoyable!!! Thank you for letting me come and be a part of the festivities!!! I loved watching the ladies reactions!
Natalie
“Thank you!”
I had an awesome time- thanks to a well coordinated event
Gail
“Love ya!”
You rock!!!
Desiree
“So much fun”
Thank you Alisa and David-
you made my first show so comfortable! I had a great time and excited for next year!
Cheryl
“Great show!“
Thanks for all your hard work!
Megan
“It was a GREAT event!”
I’m so glad I was able to shop this time! Great job Alisa
Becky
“Thank you for all your hard work”
Great market, lovely vendors and yummy food trucks. Thanks to David and Corbin for their help, too
Kathy
“This was such a great time”
Can’t wait to see photos!
Kelly
“I was AWESOME”
Thank you so much Alisa!!
Marci Jo