37/52: Last Summer Weekend

It was the last full weekend of summer and it already feels like fall.

We said another round of goodbyes as my Mom and Kenny leave Seattle later this week.  We had a lovely dinner at 13 coins with friends to say so long...until we all get together again.

We also said goodbye to summer (sort of).  A couple of wet walks in the rain and cool showers over the weekend.  Lots of treasures to be seen for those still looking for the silver lining of rainbows.

Enjoy!
Stacy

31/52: Chick in Seattle/Mom's Birthday Celebration

We had a wonderful weekend of celebrating not only my mother's birthday but also the beautiful city of Seattle.

Although we did not officially participate in Seafair, we did celebrate all that Seattle has to offer starting with Friday night along Alki Beach.

First stop on Friday was Duke's Seafood and Chowder.  We snagged a table upstairs on the deck and enjoyed a bottle of wine while looking out over Elliot Bay.  It was the perfect way to kick off our weekend.

We then walked along Alki down to Cactus, a place we love and go to often.  We requested a table outside and watched the sun fade in the western sky while dining on some excellent Tex Mex food.

Saturday was a picture perfect Seattle Summer day as we celebrated my Mom with a quick trip around the Kubota Gardens, which began in 1927.  It's a lovely and peace garden that meanders through lush foliage, trees, hydrangeas and Japanese maples...ponds filled with koi and waterfalls flowing under ornate oriental bridges.  A great place for pictures.

From there we drove along Lake Washington towards Renton and the Hyatt Regency where we sat outside and were treated a several fly-overs by the Blue Angels.  The deck at the Hyatt was amazing and quite a little hidden gem along the water.  A place we will go back to summer or winter.

The evening ended with pasta dinner at the Olive Garden followed by a warm summers evening concert on my Mom and Kenny's back patio with singing, laughing, dancing and celebrating.

A perfect weekend for sure!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Old Photo Friday: Happy Birthday, Kenny

WHO: Kenny Hanselman (my second Dad)
WHEN: 1981
WHAT: Playing the bass, gigging with a band, probably in Eugene, OR

Happy 65th birthday to my second Dad, Kenny! 

Enjoy!
Stacy

8/52: Welcome Back Home to Seattle

I missed my boys and two weekends in Seattle so it was exciting to travel home last Friday night.

We had a busy Saturday and filled our bellies all day!  We started out with a yummy breakfast in honor of Step-Dad, Kenny's birthday.  One of the best breakfasts I've had in awhile at the Country Cupboard Cafe in Burien.

Brian and I went to the movies on Saturday afternoon, to see "Spotlight".  Excellent and one more to check off our Oscar 2016 list.

We ended the day with a super sized pepperoni pizza at Peel and Press in West Seattle.

My sweet boy Sammy was stuck to me like glue most of the weekend.  He didn't want me to leave on Sunday night.  I sure do miss my boys when I am gone.

How was your weekend?

Enjoy!
Stacy

33/52: Jamie Moyer Hall of Fame Day and Celebrating Mom's 70th

It was a celebration weekend in Seattle!

Saturday was the induction into the Seattle Mariner's Hall of Fame for Jamie Moyer, who spent 25 years in the major leagues, 11 years with the Seattle Mariners.

Last year, Brian and I had the opportunity to see Lou Pinella's induction ceremony and Jamie's was just a unique and special with many former players and coaches in attendance.

Plus we all got an awesome bobblehead to add to our collection!

Kenny and Brian sat in our season tickets and Mom, Sandra and I had tickets just one section over...all seats in the Terrace Club, which is always a special treat!

On Sunday, we celebrated my Mom's 70th Birthday (August 6th) with presents and a special girl's brunch at Salty's on Alki. Hands down, probably one of the best brunch places in all of Seattle with an amazing selection of food.  I ate my weight in fresh shucked oysters, peel and eat shrimp and crab legs!

Celebrations are fun, huh!?

Enjoy!
Stacy

Old Photo Friday: Happy Birthday, Kenny

WHO: Kenny Hanselman
WHAT: Celebrating a birthday
WHERE: This looks like the old apartment in Seattle (The Cones)
WHEN: February 1983? 1984?

Happy birthday to my second Dad, Kenny who celebrated a birthday last Tuesday.

Enjoy!
Stacy

29/52: 4th of July Weekend Fun!!

We had a wonderful time in Seattle over the 4th of July holiday!

Wednesday night, Brian and I took Chick to Duos Lounge in West Seattle.

This is quickly becoming our favorite little neighborhood gem...especially on Wino Wednesday when all bottles of wine are 1/2 price!

They have a great happy hour, daily from 4-7 with a great variety of options.

We had Beef Sliders, Caesar Salad and a Dungeness Crab Cake.  Yum!

On Thursday, we took a stroll around the Kubota Gardens.  In 1927 Fujitaro Kubota bought 5 acres of logged off swampland in Rainier Beach and began his garden.

He was a man with a dream.  An entirely self taught gardener, he wanted to display the beauty of the Northwest in a Japanese manner and was soon designing and installing gardens throughout the Seattle area.

The gardens on the Seattle University campus and the Japanese Garden at the Bloedel Reserve are public examples of his work.

He died in 1973 at the age of 94.  In 1987, thanks to the efforts of many dedicated individuals, the city of Seattle acquired the garden from the Kubota family and it is now maintained by the gardeners of the Department of Parks and Recreation along with many volunteers.

For the 4th, we had a wonderful BBQ at Mom and Kenny's.  Brian and I had a game of horse shoes and we hung out on the patio until the winds picked up and it turned chilly.

Kenny cooked burgers and dogs, potato salad and Brian brought baked beans.  The fireworks were a bit too late but the neighborhood kept us awake until midnight.

On Saturday night, we had a wonderful Mexican dinner at Mission Latin Bar and Restaurant.  The Mission offers Latin and Mexican cuisine in an enchanting atmosphere in the heart of the Admiral District.

We loved the cozy restaurant and sat upstairs overlooking the bar.  The menu offered everything from sweet potato enchiladas to shrimp tacos to Pork "street tacos" Carnitas.

No need to mention that diets start back up again today!

Enjoy!
Stacy

West Seattle Weekend Wrap-Up: A Visit with Kenny

Beautiful weather continues in West Seattle!

I worked a very short Friday, then hopped aboard Amtrak and headed north.  Friday night "date night" included catching up with my step-dad Kenny, who has been visiting from Virgina since the end of June and his good friends, Steve and Tania.  Everyone gathered at Cactus on Alki for a wonderful meal.

Saturday, Brian and I prepared for a little BBQ/Soiree with friends and family.

We all enjoyed playing horseshoes with our new game set.  I forgot how much fun outdoor games are at a BBQ.

I just love celebrations in summer!

Enjoy!
Stacy