27/52: Fourth of July Long Weekend

We had a wonderful long weekend in Seattle to celebrate the 4th of July.

Sandra and I drove up to Seattle on Friday and walked down to the new Whisky West Bar on California Avenue. We loved the place.  The beer/wine and of course, whisky lists were awesome.  Food menu to come....they just opened a week or so ago so the kitchen is still working out the kinks. Brian arrived home from Delaware late Friday night/early Saturday morning so we were all ready for a Seattle adventure!

Saturday we spent touring the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit below the Space Needle. Opened in 2012, the garden is an exhibit showcasing the studio glass of Dale Chihuly.  The project includes three primary components: the Garden, the Glasshouse and the Interior Exhibits, with a 90 seat indoor/outdoor cafe.

I've wanted to go it's opening so it was a fun "new" Seattle experience for all of us.

Afterwards, we took the montorail back to downtown and walked down to Pike Place Market.  The market is always fun to tour and a great place to people watch.  We exited the west side of the market at the Victor Steinbrueck Park and walked over to Cutter's Crabhouse for "linner".  Lunch was wonderful and my Wild Salmon Club was amazing.

Sunday, we had breakfast at Endolyne Joe's with a Bloody Mary...before taking Sandra down to my Mom's to spend the second half of her visit.  Brian and I had a quiet Sunday afternoon at home with Sammy.

Monday was the 4th of July BBQ at Mom and Kenny with friends and family.  It was a much cooler day than last year and we all enjoyed sitting out on the patio and having a really lovely afternoon.

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

Enjoy!
Stacy

37/52: What did you do for Summer Vacation?

I am completely envious of all the school kids who get summers off.  I long for day after day of lounging by the pool, long walks along the beach, star gazing after twilight, sleeping in until noon with nothing to do....no schedule to adhere too.  This is why I plan at least one week in the summer to relive the summers of my youth!

So how did I spent my summer vacation you ask?  These pictures don't do the 10 days justice!

I walked 6 out of 10 days and once completely alone while Brian worked.  My goal was working out everyday, but I am still pleased that I got out as much as I did.

One of my vacation highlights was quality time at home with Brian and Sammy.  Despite Brian working a few days, I had time to putter around the house with Sammy, plant fall flowers, enjoy an amazing massage at Chill, decorate the house for Brian's birthday and prepared a baked lasagna for dinner.

We celebrated Brian's 55th Birthday with a BBQ at my Mom and Kenny's and then on his actual birthday, we had an amazing meal at Cactus on Alki, then took a brief stroll along the beach (almost saying goodbye to Summer because the weather was so cool).

We took the ferry across Fauntleroy to Vashon Island and explored Point Robinson Lighthouse, then took the Talequah Ferry to Port Defiance and had lunch at Katie Downs. That was a fabulous day!

We treated my Mom to one of her birthday wishes with a ride on Seattle's Great Wheel, followed by juicy burgers at Red Robin.  Thanks, Kenny for lunch!

Labor Day weekend we enjoyed a set with the Rusty Williams Band at the Easy Monkey Taphouse.  They play great R&B and on Sunday we had brunch at Lake Morton and then grilled hot dogs at home.

I am back in Portland now, and am enjoying looking through all my photos and memories of my wonderful summer vacation.

Until next summer......

Enjoy!
Stacy

32.75/52: Summer in West Seattle

Last weekend we just didn't feel like ridding.  This past weekend, with temps back up in the 80's we took another ride along Alki Beach early in the morning.

We rode almost 8 miles (just short of my goal of 10), but we both felt great after the ride and are getting stronger on our bikes with each ride.

Friday night it was date night at Shadowland in West Seattle.  I bought a $15 LivingSocial coupon and we treated ourselves to dinner in the neighborhood.

 

 Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes with Roasted Corn Slaw, Chipotle Aioli and Organic Arugula

Saturday night it was cocktails and a BBQ on my Mom and Kenny's patio.

How did you spend your Summer weekend?

Enjoy!

Stacy

19/52

The first round of clean up and planting for the 19th week of the year!  

The Seattle patio is coming along nicely.  Brian's spent quite a bit of time weeding, edging, mowing, weeding, clearing ivy, (did I mentioned weeding?).

Here is my Rebecca Lane garden.  This year I planted broccoli, spring onions and tomatoes.  I hand laid 6 cubic feet of hemlock barkdust, but I still have at least 6 more more to go.

Enjoy!
Stacy

West Seattle Weekend Wrap-Up: West Seattle SummerFest!

 Sunset over Puget Sound - 7/12/13

Last weekend was the West Seattle Summer Festival.  It's West Seattle's summer party with food/craft booths, a beer garden, two stages of music all smack dab in the middle of California Avenue.

 

Brian and I spent a couple hours walking throughout the festival, stopped to listen to a band or two and quenched our thirst with a cold beer.

Ah.....summer in the city!

Saturday afternoon and evening were spent in at home and in our backyard sanctuary.  There was an afternoon nap, followed by Happy Hour on the patio and grilled chicken, pasta salad (recipe from last week that Brian requested again) and grilled asparagus.

 

On Sunday, before the long drive back to Portland, we took our bikes out on the Green River/Interurban Trail.

The Interurban Train links the Tukwila, Kent, Auburn areas along a near straight 14 mile-long alignment following the historic interurban rail line.  To the north (where we started) the trails is actually called the Green River Trail and becomes the Interurban Trail at Fort Dent Park.  The trail crosses over the Green River and under Interstate 405 then turns south (we didn't go that far, but it's an option in the future).

We managed a pretty good ride, nearly 10 miles...our longest one this summer.

Enjoy!
Stacy