Seattle, Here I Come (and other random stuff)

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Guess what? I am going to the Emerald City, which is what some call Seattle because it’s so darn lush and green, thanks to all the rain they get. I’m practically apoplectic with delight, because I’m going to see my friends, and you know that when I was last there, last spring, we had buckets of fun.

The view from the plane as it approaches Seattle.

I’ll be staying with Pam, who I’ve known for decades. Hundreds and hundreds of years, if you ask me. Pam has a big heart and a biting wit that is way sharper than mine, and makes me laugh like crazy.

I’ll also be seeing our pal, Pat, who is very sweet and kind, and somehow tolerates our off-kilter humor, which is just one of the many reasons why we adore her. Oh, and because, when someone makes her mad by doing something really annoying (present company excluded, of course), the best she can say, in her most polite voice, is, “I’m finding it hard to remain civil.”

With any luck, I’ll also see Clare, my amazing author friend who has written and published a plethora of books for children. Not to mention, Tom, aka Dernab Swarren. That’s what I call him, and he calls me Della. That’s Della Wolf, to you. Long story.

Pike Place Market is must-visit for anyone traveling to Seattle.

I am also going to get to spend time with Pam’s twin daughters, who are the same age as my daughter, and so much fun to be with, too.  And, last but not least, those canine cuties, Digby and Maisie. No doubt, they’ll be underfoot, looking for a cuddle and a lap to rest on.

Well, there’s at least one person I’m not going to be able to meet up with while in Seattle.  I was hoping to at last meet my young blogger pal, Cappy, whose got lots of moxie and joie de vivre. But turns out, she lives nowhere near Seattle. What was I thinking??

So, here’s my dream list of stuff I want to do during my visit, in no specific order:

  • Spend time with my friends
  • Pick up chocolates at the Dilettante
  • Peruse the stalls at Pike Place Market
  • Go antiquing
  • Catch up with my friends
  • Go out drinking and listen to music
  • Nosh like crazy!   Which includes breakfast at Julia’s Restaurant where they serve French toast with orange butter, lunch at Kidd Valley for awesome char-grilled burgers and pineapple shakes, and, what else? Dinner at Ivar’s Salmon House, for some mouth-watering, alder-wood smoked salmon.
  • Take walks with my favorite little Yorkies, Digby and Maisie
  • See a new movie

Ivar’s Salmon House restaurant serves up delicious alder-wood cooked salmon.

OMG, I can’t wait! I’m packing my bags and filling them with warm clothes, because if I know anything about the Northwest, it’s going to be cold, cold, COLD!

OTHER STUFF:

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE TUESDAY!!!

Hey Neighbor! I have a new blog, folks! This one’s for my work and it’s called, Hey Neighbor! It’s all about the ordinary people that make San Diego such an extraordinary place to live. If you have a chance, I hope you’ll check it out.

AND DON’T FORGET TO VOTE TUESDAY!!!

This photo, and all the others here, were taken during my last trip to Seattle.

Sick of the election coverage? Me, too. Well, it’s almost over, but not soon enough for this four year old who gave into her tears after her mom was listening to yet another election report on NPR. Check out this story, in which NPR apologizes, Dear Little Girl: Sorry We Made You Cry About ‘Bronco Bamma’ and Mitt Romney. If you ask me, I think she’s channeling what many of us are feeling.

REMEMBER TO VOTE TUESDAY!!!

Fifty/Fifty Challenge:  Full confession. I didn’t finish reading anything in October. And, I didn’t even see one flick! Sigh. Oh, well, I am working on Winter of the World: Book Two of the Century Trilogy, a book that is 960 pages long, though I’m listening to the audio version, because I’m no fool.  All I can tell you is that Ken Follett is a brilliant writer and John Lee is the perfect audio reader, capturing every accent, and every dialect in this saga of five families across continents, on the eve of World War II. I am absolutely riveted!

REMEMBER TO VOTE TUESDAY!!!

Take the hint and vote! I already did. And, be sure to check out the latest posts from our Race 2012 bloggers.

Ta-tah for now! I’m going, but I’ll be back soon!

41 thoughts on “Seattle, Here I Come (and other random stuff)”

  1. Pingback: Sicko in Seattle « Monica's Tangled Web

  6. I have moxie and joie de vivre! Yes!
    I really wish I could see you 😦 Too bad I don’t live in the green side of the state! (It’s actually quite green here too)
    Have an amazing time in Seattle! Go to Nordstrom for me! 🙂 xoxo and happy almost-election day!

  7. I have always wanted to see Seattle Monica, so take lots of photos, you are going to have an absolute blast, I can tell. That is all I do when I get together with friends from my childhood – laugh, have martins or margaritas, laugh some more and eat. Travel safely, keep your feet warm and oh my gosh, you’re going to have chocolate???? My favorite past time is to shop for chocolate, you are a lady after my own heart. The French toast with Orange butter sounds divine. I can’t wait to hear about your trip. Meanwhile, I am anxious, anxious, anxious. I don’t think I can watch the coverage.

    • OMG, MM, you have not had chocolate until you’ve tried the gourmet chocolate made by the candy makers at the Dilettante. That place has the best chocolates. After I moved away, I would call them and order via the phone. This was before they had anything in place to take orders from outside Seattle. This was before you could order anything online. But now you can order online. Here’s the link: http://www.dilettante.com/Default.aspx
      I recommend them wholeheartedly. In fact, thanks to me, all my friends are addicted to these chocolates.

      • Oh my word Monica, you have already tempted me. I buy Seattle based Theo, for next to European chocolate, they really are the best, but this sounds divine. So I am going to check out their website. Thank you! Thank you! for the link. You are wonderful.

  8. Monica, I hope you have a wonderful time in Seattle! It seems like you have a wonderful trip planned and really, good food, good friends, and furry friends, what else can one ask for? Stay warm, amiga, and take lost of photos for a return post! I look forward to seeing shots of all your adventures! Have a safe trip! 🙂

    • Thank you, Bella. It’s going to be fabulous. I wish I could bring Henry, but he’s too big to go on a plane, and it would kill me to put him with baggage. I hope to take lots of pictures!

  9. What gorgeous blue flowers!!I know you’ll have a blast — it’s soooo good to get away now and then, isn’t it? — even though I’ve never been to Seattle. Sounds a bit like Ireland, though, with all the lushness and green. Have a safe, enjoyable trip, and we’ll see you back here when you return.

    • Debbie, it is so lush and rich with evergreens, monkey tail trees, bleeding hearts, bougainvillea, and sweet peas, it’s remarkable. Pristine and natural, the environment is front and center when you’re in Seattle. I can’t explain it, but I always took it for granted until I moved to Seattle. It truly is a green cathedral. Glad you like the flowers. How brilliant are those colors??

  10. I live on Vashon Island in Puget Sound outside of Seattle. It’s a short ferry ride and a wonderful treat to spend the day here. Also visit Snohomish for the best antiquing in the Seattle area. Enjoy your trip here. Who knows, you may love it to stay. I know I did…..

    • Mary Lisa, My friend Pam and I used to go antiquing way back when. In fact, she introduced me to the art. As I was telling Valentine, above, I used to go to Vashon a lot, when I lived in Seattle and had a friend who lived there. So lovely there.

    • Thank you, Becky. I’m so glad to hear you plan to vote. It saddens me when there are some to take this democratic right for granted and don’t vote. So I hope more people follow your example.

  13. Have a lovely trip. Seattle should be delightful and cold is a relative thing (speaks the girl from Minnesota.) Looking forward to hearing about your adventures. Yes I will vote!

  14. Have a great time Monica, it’s always nice to meet up with friends, especially those some distance away.

    I look forward to the pictures that will no doubt follow.

    By the way DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!!!!

    • Robert, I voted couple of weeks ago. I’m now on tenterhooks, awaiting the verdict. You can’t tell, but now, I’m sweating bullets. I feel as though my future hangs in a balance. Oh, wait. It does. 😉

  15. I was there in 1985. Because I live in street litter Miami I was astonished to see a city so pristine. Not a cigarette butt at the curb or black chewing gum spots on sidewalk. Ate at top of space needle revolving restaurant. Begin meal at early sunset-spectacular. And of course get the salmon. Zip up to Vancouver for a day if you can too.

  16. Hope you have a blast, of course if you could eat anywhere it should be Brunch at Salty’s on Alki Beach! My favorite brunch place, crab legs, seafood, bloody mary bar, great view.

    I love also, ferry rides short one to Vashon Island is fun if the day is nice or the longer one to anywhere.

    • Thanks for the tips. Back when I lived in Seattle, I had friends who lived on Vashon. I always enjoyed taking those ferry rides, and was amazed at how many cars they could fit on it. Great memories.

      • My mom and one of my sisters still live there, whenever I go out to Seattle I am of course compelled to take that ferry cause I can’t shake them lose from the island.

        BTW – last Race 2012 just went live.

  17. Hope you have an amazing trip, Monica. I LOVE Seattle. If I could live anywhere in the US, I suspect it would be there. It’s near perfect in so many ways.

    As far as election coverage goes, I suspect we should be glad not to live in Ohio. God knows the state may be in a collective state of psychosis by the time Tuesday’s over. Yikes!

    Thanks again for the chance to participate in Race 2012. It was an awesome experience. Say hi to the Emerald City for me! And I LOVE your new blog! Mr. Rogers rocks!

    Hugs,
    Kathy

    • Kathy, you are the best! Thank you so much for taking time to check out my new blog. It’s such an exciting opportunity to be able to write for my station’s website, which gets tons of hits each week. Plus, I’m finally using my journalism degree and putting it to good use! I’m really enjoying interviewing and writing profiles on some very extraordinary people. And of course, Fred Rogers. The nicest man I’ve ever met. He touched the lives of so many.

  19. Hope you have a great time! Next time can you squeeze me into your suitcase because I’ve never been to Seattle and I’ve heard they have steller coffee (yes, squeezing into your suitcase would be worth it.) 😉 Come back to us safely and bring me back some coffee (or your opinion of it anyway lol.)

    • I would love to squeeze you into my suitcase, Nate. I am sure you would fit as I’m not bringing much else. But in the event that you can’t make it to San Diego to climb into my suitcase, then tell me your coffee preference and I’m happy to send you some. After all, seems to me I still owe you a letter–no, wait! It’s you that owes ME a letter! Hey, what’s up with that, my friend? 😉

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