15/52: Mid Month "rainy" Musings

We needed an adventure desperately!

We've had 14 out of 15 days of rain.  Seattle is breaking records as one of the wettest Aprils on record.

When I first met Brian he told me, "I never let the weather dictate my life" so Saturday's almost 2 inches of rain was no issue.

Pike Place Market
Chocolate Box for a wine tasting
Serious Pie for Dinner

A fun Saturday adventure!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Exploring San Francisco

 

Last Saturday Brian and I had the whole day to explore San Francisco.  On the downside, we were not able to travel as freely around the city as we had expected to due to the BART strike.  We made the best of it, and hoped on the Alameda/Oakland Ferry into the city for a walking tour.

 Alex selling hot dogs

First stop was Union Square, where Brian's niece, Alex works at a hot dog stand right in front of Macy's.  She's a hard worker, just like her late father and really seems to enjoy her job.

Union Square was set aside as a public park in 1850.  The square got its name from the pro-union rallies held there on the eve of the Civil War.  Today, it refers to the central shopping, hotel and theater district of San Francisco.

We then walked back to the Embarcadero Region and to the Ferry Building Marketplace.  Opening in 1898 on the site of the 1875 wooden ferry house, the ferry building became the transportation focal point for anyone arriving via train from the east. 

 

From the gold rush until the 1930's, arrival by ferry was the only way to get into the city of San Francisco.

With the opening of the Bay Bridge in 1936 and the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937, the mass use of automobiles rendered the daily commute by ferry obsolete.  
 
In 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake caused extensive damage to the building.  Extensive renovations took place and in 2003, the ferry building redevelopment represents approximately 65,000 square feet of first floor marketplace space and and additional 175,000 of second floor office space.

The Ferry Building Marketplace is organized along a dramatic indoor street called the Nave.  It runs the entire 660 foot length of the building and natural daylight fills the nave from the street trussed glass ceiling.  Dozens of specialty shops line the Nave - everything to fresh fruits and vegetables, pottery, restaurants, wine and olive oil merchants and meat, poultry and seafood vendors.

  

Raw Oyster Bar at the Ferry Building Marketplace

Being a foodie this was one of my top places in San Francisco to explore.

We ended our day, back on the Alameda Ferry after having one last glass of wine at Sinbad's.  Our weekend was filled with family and friends, but it was nice that Brian and I had a few hours, in the glorious sunshine to enjoy the city.

Enjoy!
Stacy

Weekend Wrap-Up: Girl's Weekend

Chick and I had our annual Girl's Weekend in Portland this past weekend and packed a ton into Saturday and Sunday!

Our first stop was the Beaverton Farmer's Market!  It's the single largest all-agricultural market in Oregon with 15,000-20,000 visitors each week!

The market is comprised of local farms and ranchers (organic and non-organic), artisan food producers and nursery growers.

We picked up a few fruits and veggies, a mini lemon cheesecake from Zoe Ann's Cheesecake and a gorgeous bouquet of flowers (plus a breakfast sausage from Zenner's).

Next, we hit NW 23rd Avenue in Portland.

 Chick's new shoes!

Our experience is a lot of window shopping followed by a fabulous lunch at Jo Bar.

Finally, on Sunday we headed out to Farmington Gardens and bought some flowers and a couple of hanging baskets.

So many great places to explore in Beaverton/Portland on a Saturday.

Enjoy!
Stacy

West Seattle Wrap-Up; Pumpkin Patch & Carving

This has become quite a tradition for us....a trip up north to Snohomish to a wonderful pumpkin patch and to explore the quaint little town with friends.


Last Saturday we searched for the perfect pumpkin while enjoying a few sun breaks and brief time-outs to play in mud puddles. We found a very picked over patch (we went pumpkin hunting a bit late this year), but still managed to find a few gems.


Lunch at Fred's Alehouse and a yummy super dry cider (cupcakes to go from Bite Me) and a treasure or two at the Country Cupboard.


On Sunday, Brian carved up our Pumpkin with a bit of help from Sammy!



The final creation!Enjoy!
Stacy

Beaverton Farmer's Market; A Busy Beaverton Weekend!

Summer just isn't summer without a trip to the Beaverton Farmer's Market (or any other outdoor market). Since I am rarely in Beaverton on Saturday, I took the opportunity last Saturday to see what the market had to offer.

The Beaverton Market is the single largest, all agricultural market in the state with 15,000 - 20,000 visitors each week.


The market is open on Saturdays (5/7 - 10/29) from 8-1:30, Wednesdays (6/22 - 8/31) from 3-6 with a special Harvest Market on 11/19 from 8-1:30.


Lunch with Chick at a new place for us, Cafe Murrayhill on their outdoor patio. Just perfect for an 80 degree day. I loved the Crab Louie Salad.


Enjoy!
Stacy

West Seattle Produce Market

We have a new produce market in West Seattle and Brian and I paid her a little visit over the weekend.

What is it about fresh, organic and/or local produce? I'll tell you......killer crazy sweet strawberries, corn on the cob that we tried RAW (no joke....try it sometime), brilliant green asparagus and mouth watering ripe pears. Most of the produce this time of year is shipped in from out of state......but it's gorgeous and so much better than anything in the grocery store.

I could have blown a month's salary and pigged out on all the fresh goodness, but instead I just plan on coming back next Saturday!

Oh....they have live music too and some arts and crafts.

Enjoy!
Stacy

Des Moines Farmers Market/Saturday

Des Moines Marina

Okay, I know I shouldn't say it....but summer is winding down. I realize as I look at the calendar that the warm afternoons and bright sunny days will soon give way to threats of rain and cloudy cool starts.

I tried to surprise Brian, with a little adventure on Saturday. I had a spot in mind.....not too far from home and winding through the back streets of West Seattle down to Des Moines.

A new Farmer's Market for us to explore and a chance to hang out by the water and relax....before summer leaves us.

Salty's @ Redondo Beach

Enjoy!
Stacy

West Seattle Farmer's Market/"Flayvors" of Washington Contest

Brian and I checked out the West Seattle Farmer's Market on Sunday.

Operating since 1999, this market features over 35 Washington State farmers and small food processors each week and is open year round.

I actually had an ulterior motive.....

I am writing a recipe and entering this contest. Since my entry has to be a 2 minute video - I decided to film my 10 second lead-in at the market. More on the contest later.It's a beautiful market and one that Brian and I plan on exploring more as the growing/harvest seasons continues.

Enjoy!
Stacy

Bainbridge Island Farmer's Market - Market #3

On our way to the Bloedel Reserve last Saturday, Brian and I had just enough time to check out the Bainbridge Island Farmer's Market and walk around the small town of Winslow.

The Bainbridge Island Farmer's Market has one of the nicest websites, with a seasonal collection of recipes to help you make the most of your market experience.

By the time we had arrived, most of the fresh produce was gone, but they had quite a few stalls selling pottery, glass, clothes and other handmade items.

It was nice to walk around Winslow. The sun was already high in the sky and the temps were rising (close to 90 most places around the sound for highs on Saturday).

We found a cool little cafe/winebar and had a cool glass of Chardonnay, before heading over to the reserve.

Enjoy!
Stacy

Beaverton Farmer's Market - Market #2

Brian and I had a brief look at the 2008 Beaverton Farmer's Market last Saturday. I think this is the best market around. The variety of vendors and the beautiful produce is second to none. This market seems to have a lot of fresh produce now - unlike some of the smaller markets in the Tacoma area.

This week I picked up some beautiful baby carrots, a bunch of fresh picked asparagus and some hot house tomatoes.

Brian and I enjoyed a small quiche/tart for breakfast which was really quite good.

I am in Beaverton next Saturday and I'd like to go back for some fresh rhubarb and a flat of Oregon strawberries!

Enjoy!

Stacy

Farmer's Market Summer: Market #1 - Olympia, WA

So my goal this summer is to try as many farmer's markets as possible (in and around Portland and Seattle) and create a menu around the fresh, locally grown items that I purchase. Call it a little Locavore Experiment of my own.

On Saturday, Brian and I hit the Olympia Farmers Market. It was an unexpected beautiful, sunny and hot day. The market was packed when we got there and we spent about 30 minutes wandering around and formulating our plan for dinner.


I quickly bought a bunch of spring onions and a large yellow onion from Walla Walla - along with some asparagus. My mind swirled around a pasta primavera, but to be honest....there wasn't a lot of variety. Aside from apples, pears and asparagus - the market just doesn't have many veggies this time of year.

Brian and I contemplated our meal over a glass of wine on an outdoor patio across from the market and decided to cook two chicken breasts and top each with a ragu of onions, garlic, mushrooms and roma tomatoes and grill our asparagus in the oven. Brian also added his red parsley potatoes and our first "Market Dinner" of the spring/summer was born.



Not as many market ingredients as I'd like, but a good start. I even managed to make an apple upside down cake for dessert!

Stacy with Chicken Olympia in her new apron (thanks Mom)

AppleUpside Down Cake

Brian and I enjoyed ending our evening on the back patio.

Enjoy!

Stacy