Another visit…another great visit.  Padre came and stayed with me this weekend and we had a great time.  I love how varied the activities are with each new person that comes.  And the more I get out and enjoy what Seattle has to offer.  Dad was here from Friday night through early Tuesday morning and boy did we fill up our schedules with fun!

Friday night after meeting Dad at the airport and getting his rental car we drove to mi casa for the grand tour and a long chat into the early morning (EST).  Saturday morning we awoke and headed straight to Pike Market for some serious breakfast from Tom Douglas’ Seatown restaurant (note: Bryan and I had been here once before for a weekend brunch).  I opted for the super stellar Dungeness crab, avocado, Beecher’s jack cheese, and egg sandwich on a Tom Douglas-owned Dahlia English muffin and a side of fruit.  Perfection on my palette.  My dining companion choose the classic eggs benedict with hashbrowns.  Plus, I love that they have heat lamps for al fresco dining and people watching and stellar coffee.

After brunch we headed to the EMP museum for some exploration and history into all genres of music.  The exhibits on display were Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, ACDC, Rolling Stones, and The Lure of Horror Movies.  Both of us preferred the exhibit on Jimi Hendrix.  I liked his and Nirvana’s for the fact that they are local music artists that I myself can see have impacted the music scene in the Seattle area.  After killing a couple of hours we went back to my place to soak up some sun and talk on my balcony.  We headed out for kickoff of the UM vs. Notre Dame game at Buckley’s with the rest of the UM alumni crew.  We got a seat at the bar luckily.  We had a snack of sweet potato fries and beverages that were discounted after we won top prize for the UM trivia (a $25 coupon to Buckleys).  After a very horrifying display by Denard we headed to a new jazz bar called Vito’s on First Hill.  It was like an old school Italian mob joint, complete with red booths and an elaborate bar.  We shared some really good small plates of gamberini in garlic oil, a cannelloni, and sautéed mushrooms in Madeira wine as well as a couple glasses of their Sangiovese.  The jazz trio were great and the bar was a-hoppin.

On Sunday Dad and I went to the 9:30 service at my local church.  The sermon was as usual great and I really like going to church with my dad.  We then rode down to the stadiums for a pre-game lunch of tacos at the Camion taco truck.  As usual, the tacos were wicked, fast and cheap.  I had snagged the Mariners vs. Rangers tickets for the 1pm game from my company and Dad and I enjoyed a great afternoon of baseball in the fall atmosphere.  The Mariners almost pulled a come-back victory but instead lost 3-2.  Good for Dad and we did get to see four lovely home runs hit out of the park.  Sunday night we met Bryan at List for their glorious happy hour in Belltown.  We all opted for their $8 seabass served atop the creamy faro and sautéed kale and glasses of house wine.  We had great conversation flowing and I knew Bryan and Dad would get along just fine.

Monday we both thought was the most fun of the whole trip.  We set out straight away for the Seattle to Bainbridge ferry from the Ferry Terminal.  We drove on our car and took in the city as we departed on the 30 minute ferry.  Once we arrived at Bainbridge and toured the island for a bit we got brunch at a cute and colorful little place called the Streamliner Diner just a hop, skip and a jump away from the Bainbridge ferry terminal.  We both chose the strawberry and banana waffles, Dad sticking with the classic diner style and me venturing out to try their gloriously nutty and hearty whole wheat n’ flax waffle.  I really enjoyed my waffle and I think Dad enjoyed his as well as eggs, bacon and a biscuit he saved for an afternoon snack.  We strolled around Winslow Street window shopping and browsing the cute stores.  After some time we went to the Bainbridge High School to hit some tennis balls.  After some time playing tennis we headed back to the ferry to come back to the mainland.

Monday night, after not being able to score reasonable tickets to the MNF game against the Packers we decided to head north to Thrasher’s Corner Pub and Broiler in Bothell, WA for their Monday night all-you-can crab dinner with Bryan, Amy and David.  We snagged the last table in a raucous room full on Seahawks fans.  We were served either salad or clam chowder and then a plate of steaming hot Dungeness crab, garlic toast and butter.  It was a glorious mess and the waitresses would come without request to tong-you-up another large Dungeness crab.  I was stuffed and happy and in the closing seconds of the game the bar was also stunned and happy.  It was insane!!  All Seattle can talk about right now is the last minute touchdown “catch” to beat the Packers.

Again, such a great weekend and even memorable just recollecting everything that we did.  Thanks Dad for a great visit!!  Come back soon.

Chelsea

I think I am just waiting…waiting for my dad to come.  I’ve been trying to get out and do stuff, especially considering the exceptional weather that we are STILL having but yet I just want it to be Friday.

This weekend I lost a tennis match, I watched our team clobber UMass at Buckley’s, I went for walks around Queen Anne, I went to Lululemon for yoga, I went to church and stayed for their “Urban BBQ” (only in Seattle would they have salmon burgers), I sunned on my balcony, and I went to get a drink (tried and very much liked the Maritime Dark Amber Ale) and listen to some great jazz led by a tenor sax at the Triple Door (2^nd Sunday in a row, I’m becoming a regular).

I started the week off right with another pumpernickel bagel with pumpkin schmear from Einstein Bros. Bagels with their Autumn Harvest coffee (addict?  Yes!).  I played my makeup tennis match from Friday on Tuesday right after work and this time I won!!  Pretty single-handedly too (6-1, 6-3).  I had a girl’s night with Amy afterwards, involving me painting my nails, eating more white BBQ sauce chicken, and doing lots of talking.  This week I also made apple butter after I received a whole bag from one of our work clients.  Made in the crockpot and came out dark and delicious.  And watched a few movies and started a new book…interesting life I know.

Chelsea

Over 50 days of no rain in this drizzly city is a real bonus for a great summer.  Though there were sprinkles evident early Monday morning on the way to the airport (fitting for Claire’s departure) we have continued to let the sun persist and the warmer temperatures comfort me.

With Claire’s absence I have been trying to recuperate with sleep and nourishment.  I resumed meetings, I resumed busy days at work, and I resumed time spent with the boy.  Tuesday night I made us chicken shawarma again because I was craving it.  My favorite breakfast has come in the form of picking up a pumpernickel bagel with the new fall inspired pumpkin cream cheese from Einstein Brothers Bagels and their Autumn Harvest coffee blend.  Seriously has hit the spot every time and I am trying to get there at least once a week while the pumpkin season is in full swing.

Thursday night Amy, Bryan and I grilled ribeyes on Amy’s grill, complete with butter sauteed mushrooms, and I contributed a great quinoa, feta, arugula salad for the three of us from California Pizza Kitchen and a bottle of Blue Fin wine.  The wine, mushrooms and steak really worked together.  It was all delicious!!  Afterwards eight of us hightailed it to West Seattle Bowl for $10 unlimited bowling, using a Google Offer we all bought a while back.  We had two teams of four and played four games.  My best score was 133.  Not bad but not great.  I think I got 9 pins on at least 15 frames over the course of the night.  The 10th pin didn’t like me.  It was a great place to bowl and cheap from 9pm-1am (we left at 12:30!!).

Today is my first tennis match for my league.  I have a game scheduled right after work and one scheduled for tomorrow morning before the football game.  Hopefully this turns out to be fun.  I haven’t hit balls in a few weeks now but I did just get brand spanking new ones for the matches.  I still need to get my tennis racquet grip retaped but baby steps (at least I have a new scooter battery!).

AND I JUST BOOKED FLIGHTS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!

Chelsea

Most of the time I am so completely content in Seattle and in my life and other times I fall into the past, my childhood, East Lansing, or Ann Arbor so hard it nearly makes me want to tear up.  You never know when to expect it and you never really know why it happens.   I think sometimes I would like to just be a 10 year old stuck in time.

I think particularly this time of year sparks certain heartwarming memories for me.  I see the back to school ads and really want to go shopping for stuff.  I want to pick out my new folders, new binders, new backpack and lunch box.  I want to go clothes shopping with my Mom, and even if it is 80 degrees out, put on the new jeans I just got because I am so excited for them.  I want to attend the football game before school even begins, where you finally get to catch up with all of those familiar faces who you haven’t really seen for 3 months.  I want to smell the leaves changing and feel the cooler fall temperatures.  I want to go get a hot apple cider from Beaners.  I want someone to drink tea with after dinner.

 

I want to be there for my mom’s birthday and for mine and Grandma’s birthday.  I want to blow out candles and open presents and let Grandma pick out the meal we have.  I want Mom to burn her cinnamon apple candles and roast pumpkin seeds.  I want Dad to help us carve the pumpkins with the itty bitty little pumpkin tools and traceable designs.  I want to pose in my costume with my brother by our spooky pumpkins and hanging witch who laughs and the bat that flies around like a children’s mobile.  I want my mom to make me pork chops sautéed with apples and onions.  I want to go with the Girl Scouts pumpkin picking and apple picking.  I want my mom to steal my Halloween candy and have to hide it in my sock drawer (always my sock drawer).  I want to have to throw away the uneaten remains of my Halloween candy from last year to make room for the new candy.

I want to play H.O.R.S.E. on the basketball goal outside.  I want to go for walks around the block.  I want Coco to follow us half way around.  I want to come home from school and smell something delicious cooking in the Crockpot.

I want to go to a University of Michigan football game and stand and cheer in the student section.  I want to cheer “It’s Great to Be a Michigan Wolverine” down Hoover St. after our win.  I want to have the first day of class.  I want my dad to bake me his best in the world chocolate chip cookies.

I want a bowl of beef vegetable soup and homemade bread from my Grandma.  I want to walk to A&W with the Gpas for dinner and then come back and play cards before watching a movie and then sharing the small bed with Grandma.  I want to bake something with Grandma.  I want some of her homemade jam.  I want to grill out with the family with only a few opportunities in the year left.  I want to prepare the veggies, have Dad grill, and have Mom round out the meal with drinks, music, and whatever other side we have.  I want to have to wait for my brother to get out of the shower.  I want to eat out on the deck.  I want to mow the lawn.  I want to catch a lightning bug and put it in a jar.  I want a mosquito bite.  I want a thunderstorm.

I want all of these things and I want them now.

Chelsea

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Chelsea

I love it when I have guests.  Particularly when I have guests who are fun, who are familiar, and when I get to have a good time too.  This visit that I had with Claire was super fun for both of us.  She was in Seattle with me from Wednesday night through early Monday morning and every bit of it was a great time.

Thursday Claire visited the Queen Anne downtown, including stops at La Reve for breakfast and Homegrown for lunch.  Then she met up with me right after work.  We walked over to the First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square to look over some art exhibits.  Next stop was to El Camion taco truck for dinner (one fish taco for me and finally tried a carne asada…hard to branch away from the fish though).  After satisfying our bellies, sitting in the sun and 80 degree weather, me and my howdy partner dominated the Euchre tournament that is held biweekly at the Shelter Lounge.  For a few hours we played Euchre with other Midwesterns.  We then stopped at the Copper Gate for some of their live jazz in their very uniquely clad Scandinavian bar.

Friday was another glorious day and Claire visited Pike Market for the first time, getting a coffee and pastry from Le Panier, shopping and walking around, and eating the award-winning clam chowder from Pike Place Chowder.  She stopped at the central library for a tour and quick break and then Zeitgeist coffee in Pioneer Square.  I left work a little early to pick her up and head to Alki Beach for an afternoon in the sun and sand with the picturesque view of the city from West Seattle.  After sun time we headed back to Queen Anne to have Girl’s Night Grill Out at Amy’s.  The three of us grilled some white BBQ sauce chicken thighs, with sides and wine and settled into a movie series of forcing me to watch How I Met Your Mother shows.

Saturday was AGAIN beautiful…we are now breaking records here in Seattle for 50 continuous days of sun and no rain.  We gathered the troop around to meet in the International District for a weekend dim sum brunch.  I was the only person in our group of nine to have ever experienced the form of dim sum, complete with ladies with push carts of the Chinese tapas, replenishing jugs of hot tea, and rotating tables to get to the goodies.  We went to one of the two most acclaimed for dim sum in the city called Jade Garden.  I ate an exorbitant amount of shu mai, dumplings, and pork buns along with a few jugs of tea I think.  Everyone enjoyed it, were thoroughly stuffed, and all paid an easy $10 for so much delicious food.  Claire, Luis, Carina and I headed to Buckley’s in Belltown to catch the UM game and then when we had established victory over the competitor and couldn’t stand not being out in the sun any longer we headed to the eastside for Carina’s (Luis’ girlfriend) homecoming to Seattle for a surprise BBQ.

Sunday was Claire’s last full day in Seattle.  We started the day with brunch at home, consisting of homemade french toast, pesto scrambled eggs, and great coffee.  Claire and I wanted the day to be a little bit lackadaisical so after our long brunch we walked down the hill to do some shopping.  We picked up several Seattle-esque gifts for her family members, shopped for earrings and accessories at the Peridot boutique in Lower Queen Anne, then headed back to the Market.  We ran into the whole group who were also there for the hard cider tasting booths before getting to our dinner reservation at the very nice, French restaurant Place Pigalle, set behind the fish throwers in the market.

I treated Claire to a fancy little dinner with a great view of the Sound and Ella Fitzgerald playing in the background to celebrate her birthday and graduation.  We split the special of the day, the Oregon salmon which was espresso rubbed and pan seared served over a summer vegetable saute and an orange chipotle glaze and our other entree was their seafood bouillabaisse loaded with more salmon, shrimp, clams and mussels (her first time trying them), dungeness crab, and potatoes served in a great tomato broth and great bread for dipping.  After leaving happy and full we headed to the Triple Door to meet up with Bryan for a Latin jazz concert by Si Limon in their lounge and drink super spiked coffee drinks.  The music and jazz were great and we stayed through all three acts.  Lastly, we kept the party going by getting one more cocktail at the speakeasy Bath Tub Gin before heading to bed for a few short hours before the early wake up call to go to the airport.

I had a great time with Claire.  We shared so many stories, reminisced, laughed until our stomachs ached, ate great food, visited great places, and Claire left without one single regret or inexperience.  She claims I was a great host, I think she was an even better house guest and would welcome her back anytime!

Chelsea

(More pictures from Claire’s camera yet to come…she took all of the pictures)

What a great trip and a lovely wedding!!!  The weekend was a mix of events, socializing with new (but comfortably familiar) faces, observing the beautiful Colorado countryside, and relaxing in hot tubs.

Friday night Bryan and I arrived in Denver around 6:30 pm.  After 2 hours we were FINALLY out of the airport with our bags and rental car.  We immediately stopped at Bryan’s favorite restaurant in Denver for our reservation at Osteria Marco.  Italian is one thing Bryan really favors and the restaurant was glam and the food was stellar.  This restaurant is known for their homemade burrata which was something that Bryan has been trying to find in Seattle since having it in Denver a few years back.  We started with the burrata cheese appetizer which I can only describe as delicate, with an exterior similar to fresh mozzeralla but as soon as you cut into the mold it reveals its soft creamy interior.  The burrata had a bit of a zest to it and was fabulous spread on some of the grilled bread that is comes with.  We also sampled their really great seasonal bruschetta with roasted peppers, basil and more cheese.  I chose the lamb meatballs for my entree, which were huge and served in a great spicy tomato sauce, served atop a bowl of creamy polenta and topped with a bit of ricotta salata and fresh arugula and Bryan had their bistecca served with potatoes and sauteed onions over a fonduta sauce and we each ordered a glass of red wine.  Fabulous meal, great ambiance, and not exorbitant prices for such a nice place.  We strolled through the streets of downtown which was a hustle and a bustle with people in the very warm weather.  Much more hopping than Seattle I felt like.  We also went to the top of the Hyatt for some great views of the city from their bar at the top.

Saturday morning we took it slow and drove around Bryan’s old neighborhoods before then grabbing a coffee from his old cafe in the Highlands neighborhood.  We met his old roommate, Andrew, for brunch at Duo.  I loved this place and the meal that I had was delicious.  I got the farm fresh breakfast of a hash of kale, beets, and portabello mushrooms served atop sourdough bread and topped with two poached eggs and a light creamy sauce.  It was also served with great crispy house potatoes.  Soooooooo good and just my cup of tea.  Eggs poached perfectly.  After filling up we had a beautiful, relaxed ride through the Colorado Rockies from Denver to the destination of our rented house in Breckenridge.  Our house can be seen here:  http://www.breck.net/mtnvue/.   We met up with Kelly and Charlie, Paul and Kate, and Dillon and Rosie who were our condo mates for the weekend.  All eight of us watched the football games (win or lose) for a long time before grilling some brats, a ton of vegetables and sweet corn for dinner.  We met up with the wedding crew at the Breckenridge Brewery for an oatmeal stout and a few games of flip cup…before requesting to go back to the house for hot tub time.

Sunday was the day of the wedding and the day started off to lazy start.  We made breakfast in and then I went exploring the downtown of Breckenridge.  A lot of cute stores, boutiques, eateries, art galleries, etc.  Our group all got ready, took group shots, and then headed up into the mountains to find the rented lodge that the wedding and reception were held at.  The view overlooking the ceremony was stunning, with the Breckenridge slopes right in the background.  A violinist played their music, their was no wedding party, the brother led the ceremony, probably 50 guests attended, and the ceremony was short and sweet.  We all moved inside for drinks and appetizers while pictures were taken.  Then there was the “Texas” barbecue spread, which was delicious. The night continued with a lot of wine, champagne toasts, cutting of the cake, and then the dancing started outside on the deck.  So-so music but we all had fun requesting the songs from back in our day.  We ended the night with just the friends and bride and groom (10 total) having a sampling of the groom’s cellar selections.  We tried a total of six REALLY good beers.  The first three were not really my cup of tea but the last three were all dark, stouts, and had notes of coffee, chocolate, and fruits.  The favorite of the bunch was the sixth tasted, a great Kentucky Breakfast Stout from the good old Founders Brew Company from Kalamazoo.  It was super good…and about 14% alcohol.

Monday we packed up early and then all walked to the nearby Euro Deli, that I had spotted the day before, a streets down from where we were staying.  I had a phenomenal turkey, goat cheese, spinach and cranberry panini (best panini bread EVER) and coffee before hitting the road.  Bryan and I detoured to Red Rocks to show me the cool amphitheater that Denver holds concerts at.  We met his friend Kim for a few minutes before saying goodbye.  We stopped at Park Burger for their phenomenal sweet potato fries and a buffalo burger for me before heading to the airport and heading back to Seattle.

I really enjoyed seeing Denver, seeing where Bryan truly calls home, and meeting his friends that he misses so much.  I liked the city and the mountains but I like my Seattle and the greenness too.  The only downside to this weekend was that after spending so much time with his good friends and seeing their chemistry, I miss my friends from home too.  Thank goodness I will have a visitor soon!!!  Check back for pictures of the wedding soon.  We have some dandies!!

Chelsea