On VineI haven’t really delved into Vine, but I quickly learned that comedian Jason Nash pretty great at it.
Whether playing an overly excited Tapas waiter or a dad that’s really into soda, he manages to convey complete characters within a few seconds.
I Get Around, Like You’ve Never Heard It BeforeMaybe it was late, maybe it was the Benadryl, but it made me laugh and laugh again.
5821 Phinney Ave NWhile it’s hard to make a bad pie, it’s not everyday you encounter one as unique as A La Mode‘s Blue Hawaiian. With blueberries, coconut, pineapple and sweet crumble; it’s quite awesome.
The small shop, right near the Zoo, is friendly and also serves lollipop pies and a variety of other flavors that I can’t wait to try.
1001 Fairview Ave. N, Seattle, WAHow very lucky we are. While I thought good food delivery was a thing in our NYC past, we found that Seattle has a service called Eat24 that delivers from restaurants in the area all through an online system. Even better? We found some incredible sushi our first order out from I Love Sushi. It is the kind of sushi people always brag about on the Pacific Coast, the kind of sushi I have been aching for since we got here, the kind I want to take photos of each and every piece.
While I can’t tell you anything about the actual restaurant, I can say that I Love Sushi is excellent. Not only are the basics covered and amazing (tuna rolls? fantastic. California rolls? a step above the usual) but the specials are always impressive. Take the Sushi Train Roll (pictured): pressed sushi w/ scallop, crab, flying fish roe, topped w/ seared salmon, sprinkled w/ sea salt, squeeze of lemon or the Northwest Samplers that feature nigiri made of fresh local fish.
2901 NE Blakeley Street, Seattle, WA (as well as other locations)While there are many, many local roasters and shops to try in the coffee Capitol, so far we’ve been quite happy with Zoka. Whether using their beans (I like their darkest roast, Tuscan Blend) to make at home or having a latte at their large, comfy, and welcoming shop in the University District, it’s consistently good stuff.
BlondieSometimes I use this blog just to personally record things I like, sometimes I get excited that there’s some new place or awesome book or movie that others may not have heard of and I want to share, and sometimes it’s just stating the obvious.
So, yeah, Debbie Harry as style icon. Of course. So with nothing left to say on the subject here are some images of the incomparable lady to make you wonder why some people get all the good genes.
1514 Pike Place in Pike Place MarketThe Pike Place Market, arguably Seattle’s most famous destination, is too vast with too much to offer to write one entry based on one visit, so I will just start with the most life changing.
It’s called Salmon Candy and you can find it at Jack’s Fish Spot. Located across from the one where they toss the fish featured on every travel channel show out there, it’s a friendly place that has fresh fish, a bar around back where you can chow on oysters, fish and chips, and clam chowder (to name a few), and bins of smoked fish.
Salmon Candy was recommended by the man on duty and he certainly didn’t steer me wrong. The best smoked salmon I’ve ever had. So good that I opted to send a pound to my mother in lieu of flowers for mother’s day.
Special Effects LegendWhile I’ve written up Ray Harryhausen in the past, with his recent passing, the special effects pioneer and genius is worth revisiting.
He leaves behind a legacy of imaginative and highly influential work (just take a look at any of his greats – I recommend Jason and the Argonauts).
I vividly remember watching his magic with my dad. He will be missed but his influence lives on in pretty much any film with special effects.
Coffee and Espresso MakerThe AeroPress was my birthday present to myself and like everyone who has one, I love it. I mean, have you seen anything else on Amazon with over 1700 reviews and nearly five stars?
It makes a great cup of coffee in minutes with ease.
Add a frother (I recommend the Cuisinox) and good beans (luckily we’ve moved to the epicenter of local coffee roasters) and delicious lattes in the comfort of your own home are yours.
Thanks, self, for such a useful thoughtful gift!
601 N 59th St Seattle, WADespite long lines to pay for parking and enter, Woodland Park Zoo was a wonderful way to spend a perfect weather Sunday.
With two young kids, you just can’t see it all in one visit, but we made sure to see “real monkeys playing in the trees” at Van’s request, huge elephants, some otters that took a liking to Mimi, and a of couple napping joeys. We rode the beautiful vintage carousel and took time to feed the colorful birds (a highlight for the kids).
The zoo is as green as you would expect from a lush city like Seattle with lots of shady trees, quiet pathways and a big green yard to just run around.
Reviews of Trader Joe’s Brand Food Products From People That Are Totally Not Affiliated With Trader Joe’sHaving a Trader Joes (two actually) nearby that aren’t insanely crowded like our old Union Square location has allowed us to fully embrace the chain of that specializes in easy but unique ready made meals, cheap wine, and can boast that it does not use GMOs (yay). But, the variety can be overwhelming. Wouldn’t it be great if someone out there had tried all the offerings then written concise, entertaining reviews?
Well, I have good news for you! What’s Good At Trader Joe’s does just that and it’s already led me to their Mango Passion Granola (yum!) and Spinach and Kale Greek Yogurt Dip (yum, again!) neither of which I would have necessarily picked up while browsing. It’s a little over doing it to do research before shopping like this, but we like to over do it, right?!
A few more photos wouldn’t hurt, but I am impressed that it’s consistently updated.
210 NE 45th St, Seattle, WAWe are excited for Seattle’s food and Pinky’s Kitchen was one of the first places we wanted to try even if BBQ isn’t the first thing you might associate with the Pacific Northwest.
A truck set up in a gas station parking garage, it dishes out comfort food of all kinds: brisket, beans, fried chicken, pork and ribs. We tried the pulled pork sandwiches – one with original sauce and one with the vinegar sauce we’ve grown to love thanks to “The Pitmaster” Ed Mitchell. Both were great, but I lean a little toward their sauce. Other options include a tamarin and spicy – for another visit (when I will also indulge in some pecan pie).
It was a brisk day to wait outside for sandwiches and, honestly, I was a little worried it wouldn’t be worth it when I spied the ciabatta. Inappropriate bread can ruin good BBQ like nothing else and it looked a little too sturdy and bulky. My fears were abated at the first bite, though. It was a perfect buttery vehicle for tender, sloppy pulled pork.
An attempt to draw all the buildings in New York by James Gulliver HancockAll The Buildings in New York could really threaten make one sentimental about just having left the big city…
I love the drawing styles, the colors, and most especially recognizing a place from the decade we spent there.
It’s recently been made into a coffee table book (good for them!) but I personally haven’t seen it yet.
RIPFolk icon Richie Havens is remembered not only for his long career in folk music and particularly his break out performance at Woodstock but for being a genuinely kindhearted man. He devoted his time to educating children about the environment and never let fame get in the way of his life and his music.
It’s difficult to choose a favorite song from such an impressive list but I’d recommend a listen to his fantastic version of Here Comes the Sun, one of his biggest hits, and his touching cover of Wonder Child, a lesser known song originally performed by Helen Reddy on Sesame Street (it might bring you close to tears if you have little kids though!)
by George Jones (1967)George Jones, who recently passed away after a long life riddled with alcoholism and blessed with talent and success was the voice of classic country.
I love classic country, which has very little in common with what passes for it today.
My favorite song by Jones is She Thinks I Still Care; Ann Murray, Connie Francis and Elvis all charted with the song, but Jones’ is the best of them all.
5520 Ravenna Ave NEWhen I catch a glimpse of the mountains in the distance I realize we’ve barely begun to understand and experience the beauty of this part of the world.
Ravenna Park, just one of many parks in the city, for example, not only has a playground where Van has made his first mud cakes but trails leading into old growth forest. Within a couple minutes you feel like you are in the woods because, well, you are. We’ve only delved in briefly but felt transported.
The half mile of greenery is all that remains of a large forest that was almost logged into non existence. Thankfully it was saved and is now a welcome quiet spot for hiking, picnicking and playing.
xo!