An evening in Seattle

It is Restaurant week, so we headed to a special place we have been wanting to try and not pay the price 
 (not including $12. parking but it only happens once a year ) 

If you are a Seattleite Foodie you might see two clues
 ( one large,one medium )
If you are not a Seattleite ,don't worry about it , this is just a blog !
(just having fun )

And it was very good coffee 
I prefer water with no ice, in case you noticed 

He chose soup
( with tofu )

I chose pasta. This is the appetizer . Very tasty.
(presentation is their middle name )
Then I forgot to take pictures of the entree - 
Cod
and the dessert... pie and chocolate tart
( but we took the tart home, you will see why soon )

Taking a walk down the long, very long hallway 

could not resist this photo for names sake

you probably guessed the necessary stop 

notice any similarity ?

Then after sharing the coconut cream pie, we drove a little farther to the grand finale' 

Almost there 

First things first ...the kitchen  
                 
                      and preparing good coffee, very good coffee  

Many delights with very good coffee
and very good conversation 

this would please any Lego enthusiast   

This was made by a Lego enthusiast 

if only you could see the 10,000 piece of Lego  art !!

But the real delight of the entire evening was spending time with the people who live here.
No names, no photos ( did not ask for permission )
For almost two hours our friends shared with us .
The comforts of their home.
Their delicious  treats.
Part of themselves.
So now we know them better, respect them more and love them even more.  
 That is how it is, when you take  time and give time.

Thank You

And thank you blog friends. I know you are out there even when you don't leave a message. Technology tells me  the numbers, just not the names.  Probably better that way. Play no favorites.

   

lest i forget

A day to remember,
                   Sunday's usually are..
this one was starting off with some pain
                             So, off to the ER we go

   wearing a favorite Blue Jay Jersey
                      ( one of the few tops that fit over my splint )
                                                and Mimi as my chauffeur .

We are greeted by the same receptionist as Monday - her sister Jo is my daughter's good friend, so that makes us almost related.  She was also on duty when Darrell cut his leg with his chain saw, but that is another story.

The nurse on duty is very nice . Both her daughter and her sister share  my name, Kathleen.
I like her already

The attending ER doctor, Dr T. makes a very favorable impression.  

 New pain, in my elbow and more swelling are worth checking into.  I explained that I had seen an orthopedic Dr.  on Friday, but I did not think she liked me. Since I had not made an additional appointment, I was not sure what to do.   Now it is Dr. T’ s turn to talk and after sharing his evaluation, he orders an x-ray and leaves the room

I turn to Mimi and tell her  “ I am very glad we decided to come, I am  impressed with Dr. T   and he’s cute. “  We both stifle a laugh.

We go to get the pictures which are taken by Cathy, the x-ray tech. 

Once the x-ray results are ready Dr.T returns  with his recommendations. 

 He  says that if I would like a second opinion, he will give me the name of a hand specialist to see.  “he is highly regarded in his field, I have complete confidence in him, and he’s cute"

I don’t remember what happened after that, but I definitely took his advice

But first, we collected the rest of the family and headed to Ivar’s Salmon House.

Have you ever been to their Sunday seafood buffet ? It is over at 2:00 so it can be tight to make connections after church.   Worth it !

Celebrating our 42 nd Wedding Anniversary

We had been there more than 42 years ago.  You know, the snazzy places you go to when you are dating.    The name had come to mind now and then and since we had no other plans, I made the call.  They were busy on the  27^th, so we went tonight.

We don’t go to a snazzy place without  some preparation

First a trip to the car wash.  ( some bird had flown too low and left its mark on the hood )
   We wondered  ..Would the valet notice?
Darrell was gone so long I thought he might be bringing home a little corsage.
Should  I wash my hair a second time?
 Darrell had one choice of garments.   The suit he bought a couple years ago for weddings and fancy stuff.

Me, I had to think and plan and finally made my decision.    
   About  now I am wondering if anyone will notice anything at all.
  My dainty diamond earrings that Darrell bought for me last year ( and were “missing” ) until two days ago.  My festive shoes and silky stockings ( no bare legs thank you ) No corsage, but where would I  pin it?!? 

Ready !  Leaving in more than enough time we arrived  ½ hour early. ½  hour before they open

 So we got to  make ourselves at home . While chatting by the fire, Darrell told me that he had gone to several places looking for a corsage, but found none. ( you have to order ahead of time )

  A very nice thought. We could hear the staff as they gathered in a circle around the dining room getting details on the menu and other details  ( I think that is why they have been so popular for so long – they are a well informed and trained  staff)

We are seated by the window. We are sure it is the best table in the house. Spectaclar view.

Little complimentary appetizers
Caesar salad for Darrell, prawns for me
Fresh, warm rolls and real  butter
Filet Mignon.. superb
Soufflé for Darrell, Crème Brulee and coffee  for me
Complimentary  macaroons  and box of chocolates

And service. Service and more service with smiles.

How did they know which car belonged to us?  
Who knows, but it was waiting at the door  warmed up and ready for the ride home.
Did anyone notice ….anything?  
I didn’t notice,

 but, my only regret…ate just a little too much . ( we only spent 2 ¼ hours )

A Tale of Two Cities ( and two weddings )

Two Cities, Two weddings, 
                at least two similarities,
                           and a test.


Chicago
We are picked up by great friends
 a fun lunch

There is Zentangle on the wall which our Hostess has done,

(not visible, but you get the idea it is a fun spot )

 It is the day of the wedding rehearshal and our host and hostess are very involved, so we get to be involved too. 

Chapter two..

 Saturday.  The Wedding Day.
Our Host makes a fantastic breakfast ( and he cleans up the kitchen, too )

The bride loves the style of the Royal family
So we have fine china for the wedding party. The bridal party are wearing those fascinating fasinators, along with long black gloves to match their black shoes.
Red is her favorite color.

 Here comes the bride......    the pictures speak for themselves.

It was a lovely wedding.  So priviledged to attend.
( more wedding photos are in another story, though the camera stopped . plain stopped.  )


and after the wedding,  An after party

Home tour
Amazing paintings
Back rubs,
amazing back rubs,
 by my new best friend
oh and some very tasty food






Chapter three...

The rest of the weekend was spent eating, touring our old stomping grounds ( Oak Park ) eating,

Chapter four
 Then a tour of Bible Truth Publishers

Chapter Five...

 Why are we always hungry?    Do you recognize the umbrella? 

         or the couple in the center picture wearing cute outfits ..

We are hoping Chick-fil-A will come our way

Chapter six...

    Our final dinner...this is not Chick-fil-A.   We tried as   many      desserts as we could Someone had to do it.

  Chapter seven..

  Back home and some of the amazing Zentangle of our Hostess

   These were on the bed side table in our room,
 right across from our private powder room.

 Did you ever get lost in a bubble bath?



Some of the homes in Oak Park  and  Peterson's Ice Cream 
                                 Favorite old haunts

   The beautiful back yard where our host grilled filet mignon and vegies from the garden.

And   then off to a race but first stop.....

                          The best ice cream in town,
                              before the best race in town.

                             Katie is a winner ( not first, but close enough )

Then off to the airport.
A great long weekend !


two weeks later



Toronto ( Mississauga )
Chapter one. 
We picked up our rental van ( with GPS )  Three pretty young ladies greet us at our lovely accomadations  They give us a tour.
Our Host and Hostess arrive a while later, and even though it is close to midnight, they put on a spread of food to feed an army.   Well, by then a few more guests had arrived.  I think by the final head count there were 16 of us sleeping soundly.

Chapter two
Saturday. The wedding day.
Another  huge spread of food and very good coffee 
  ( maybe Tim Horton's ) 
    Preparation for the big day.   

   We had our own private bath.

Behind this home is the amazing and charming

 wedding and reception

 I think you get the picture....then we go down the path...

                    Here comes the bride.

Here comes Mr and Mrs. Adcock

 Dinner is served.
              and then comes desserts and 
                 more desserts and of course, Coffee.

Sweet ladies and Sweet donuts 

 Then the final event. 

This is the Celi - a  dance for all the young    and young at heart.

 

We are moving on to Chapter Three 

                       having fun and a lot more good food.

                                 women have fun too. 


              Chapter four   Our Host and Hostess took us to that                              tall,   tall building
  The top floor revolves and  they serve amazing delicacies 

We just followed our leader and continued taking photos, until camera died,  just before dinner was served.  You will have to imagine a very elegant  affair.

Chapter five

                 Final breakfast - well just the start.
                                  We also got to taste caviar.

                      Off to the races.    Katie is a winner.
                              not first , but close enough

 Toronto is quite a surprising city

         and these are our suprising  hostesses 
                                  before we head back home

             How many airports have ipads in the cafe, 
                                                at each table !?!



I live an exciting life
           a very exciting life