Entre Nous.

In The Kitchen

Changes abound over at the Food Network.  Paula Deen's two sons, Jamie and Bobby Deen, have a travel/food show starting soon called Two For The Road (premiers June 27th).  The boys "criss-cross the country in search of the best local, homemade foods and family-run businesses".  My beloved Paula Deen is venturing into live television with a show called Cooking Party (premiers in September) in which she will be in front of a studio audience.  The show will be filmed in Savannah!!  The most exciting news by far though is the addition of Nigella Lawson to the Food Network lineup.  Nigella's show, Nigella Feasts, based on her recent bestseller (also premiers in September).  The show will be about "food, family, public holidays and private passions and how to celebrate with dishes that stir the senses and delight the palate," I cannot wait.  Other shows I'm less thrilled about: Alton Brown's Feasting on Asphalt and Throwdown with Bobby Flay. 

Hurrah

I just stuck the last stamp on my final Christmas card.  So if you're participating in my card swap, expect a card from me soon.  Now I'm off to finish watching All About Eve. Was anyone else unaware that Marilyn Monroe appears in this film?  [Over the weekend, while shopping for Christmas presents, we took a break to have a cappuccino and eat this most spectacular dessert.]

Happy Halloween

I was sick with a sore throat this weekend so didn't do much beyond lounging about while consuming cough drops and using lots of Chloraseptic for kids (I like the grape flavor).  I finally decided to rent Girl with a Pearl Earring.  Which I quite liked.  Although now I'm so eager for more details that I've got to get my hands on a copy of the book.  I just couldn't bring myself to read it when it was at the height of its popularity.  Beyond movie viewing I also started reading a cooking memoir I've had my eye on for a while, Julie and Julia : 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell.

 

Julie & Julia began with The Julie/Julia Project blog.  Julie was nearing 30 and feeling  disillusioned with the current state of her life (working as a temp in NYC, while living in Queens) when her husband suggested she consider going to culinary school.  After scoffing at her husband she informed him that "If I wanted to learn to cook, I'd just cook my way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking (by Julia Child)."  At this point her husband recommended starting a blog to record her trek through MtAoFC.  Julie began the blog in 2002 and completed it in 2004, the Julie & Julia book is the end result.  This book is right up my alley combining my love for cooking memoirs and blogs.  I'm only 50 pages into the book but so far so good.

 

Oh and Happy Halloween!

I heart Mr. Bubble

This weekend included such activities as: watching most of season 4 of Six Feet Under (Claire looks so good!), going out for Greek food, apartment cleaning and organizing, finishing Moby and Kelly Tisdale's book Teany Book: Stories, Food, Romance, Cartoons and, of Course, Tea, taking bubble baths, house sitting, and most importantly watching Elizabethtown.

Let me warn you that Elizabethtown is quite lengthy (almost 2 hours and 20 minutes).  There were a few scenes that dragged on a bit.  BUT overall I found the movie to be very sweet and funny and sad all tied up with a bow.  There were two scenes that really made the movie.  The first would have to be the long (I'm talking into the morning hours long) conversation between Claire (Kirsten Dunst) and Drew (Orlando Bloom).  The conversation goes on so long that phone chargers had to be plugged in, baths were taken, litter boxes were cleaned, magazines read, and alcohol was consumed.  It's one of those "just getting to know you" conversations that you can't stand to end.  The second memorable scene would have to be the roadtrip Drew takes at the end of the movie from Kentucky back to Oregon.  For the roadtrip Claire prepares "an elaborate multimedia guide complete with maps, commentary and mix CDs to give each vista its appropriate musical accompaniment."  I'm such a sucker for a movie with a good roadtrip.  I suppose I should also reveal that one of the main reasons I watched this movie was the fact that Paula Deen had a part in it.  Paula played the role of Drew's Aunt Dora.  Paula Dean is a chef from Savannah who has a show on the Food Network called Paula's Home Cooking.  I am a huge fan of Paula's.  She's just so southern and snarky.  I knew any project she was part of I had to watch.  She was sensational, quite funny.   Anyway although I liked the movie quite a bit I think I might recommend watching it on DVD for those who like to fast forward through the dull bits.

Brunch and stuff

Saturday was spent shopping and eating in Seattle. 

 

We first went to Ballard for cupcakes from Cupcake Royale (review to be written up soon).  They're featuring their autumn cupcake festival flavors.  So good (details to come soon).

 

We then went to Fremont where I found a Jamie Joseph pearl necklace at Essenza that I really must start saving for.  Jamie Joseph is one of my favorite jewelry designers (and she's from Seattle).  Currently I only have one of her pieces but I'd like to start accumulating more.  Her work is incredible.  But the necklace which I covet is close to $400 so I'm thinking, tax refund?

 

Then we went to Greenlake to check out a Seattle glass designer that I found out about via Martha Stewart.  The company is called glassybaby and here is a description of their product written by the designers 12 year old son:

"A glassybaby is physically a small, colored, glass cup, candleholder, or vase. But the light of a candle coming through a glassybaby generates more; it gives warmth to a cold day, a calm token of peace in the busy world. Since 1998, Lee Rhodes has been designing, publicizing, and selling these small, extremely tough and strong cups. In 2001, she began to learn to blow these glasses, and has produced many glasses since. glassybaby are made through a multi-layered glass-blowing process and their color comes from different shaded color rods to produce a mix of opaque, translucent, and deeply colored glasses. This method creates a thick, strong piece of glass that has many functions and uses."

They are so incredible.  The shop was booming on Saturday morning.  Apparently the designers appearance on Martha and a recent article written up about the company in a local paper stirred up much interest.  The glass cups come in a variety of seasonal colors.  So currently the fall palette is being sold but they do hold over a few popular colors from seasons past.  It is impossible to choose just one.  These would make perfect Christmas gifts.  I restrained myself from buying more than just one at this visit.  The color I selected was "stained glass" and it looks sensational with and without a lit candle inside.   

We decided to take a break from shopping with brunch at Cafe Campagne by the Market. I had Oeufs en meurette (two poached eggs served on garlic croutons with pearl onions, bacon and champignons in a red wine and foie gras sauce served with pommes frîtes).  So delicious.  Service is a bit slow but the quality of food makes up for all that.

Then we headed to Pacific Place.  At Nordstrom they were having a YSL "event" featuring their Touche Eclat.  I meant to only buy some mascara but was talked in purchasing Touche Eclat as well, so we'll see how I like it.  I also found some Michael Kors shoes that I'm coveting but thought I should think the purchase over for a few days before committing.

The day came to an end at University Village.  I had to dash into the Apple store to check out the iPod Nano's in person.  They're just so small and fragile looking.  Not my cup of tea.  At Anthropologie I purchased a Christmas ornament (in the shape of a cupcake!).  They had a whole cupcake/dessert themed display table (the picture is of a fruit tart ornament).  I was so ecstatic.  I'd love to do a dessert themed Christmas tree.

Before heading back to Bellingham we grabbed dinner at A La Francaise.

Haute Chocolate

Highlights of the past weekend include:  bookshop browsing (Village Books), brunch (salmon corn chowder at Boundary Bay Brewery), and movie viewing (In Her Shoes).  Sunday was all about watching In Her Shoes while eating the Halloween candy I snuck in.  I thought the movie was superb.  Toni Collette never lets a girl down.

I also had the opportunity this weekend to try a newish drink from Starbucks.  Chantico Drinking Chocolate is marketed as "a drinkable dessert with an intense, full-bodied chocolate flavor and silky, rich texture."  I'd been warned it was like drinking pure melted chocolate, so I was a bit leary to try it initially.  Fortunately thanks to Viv of Seattle Bon Vivant I learned the proper way to order the drink.  So I asked for a Chantico with and inch of steamed milk.  It was sensational. 

eat.shop.vancouver.

   

 

We went up to Vancouver for the day.  Our first stop was Caban on Granville Street.  Caban is owned by the same people who own Club Monaco. The store carries some clothing but mainly specializes in furniture and accessories for EVERY room in your house.  There were several covetable pieces of furniture I had my eye on.  Unfortunately my apartment is too small for anything new at the moment.

For lunch we went to Picnic.  Picnic is a little cafe started by Linda Meinhardt of Meinhardt Fine Foods which is located right next door.  Picnic is tiny but possesses a huge communal table.  During the warmer months you can eat at the individual tables outside if you're so inclined.  They specialize in Asian Fusion (that term makes me cringe).  I had a salad and an Orangina.  The food is great for taking out or eating in.  And their hot cocoa is supposed to be sensational.

After lunch we drove to Ta Da! on West Broadway. The store specializes vintage and European furniture and home accessories.  There I found a copy of eat.shop.vancouver. which is part of a series of eat.shop. guide books.  I already have a copy of eat.shop.seattle which offers a superb list of restaurants and shops many of which I had never heard of.  Beyond the Vancouver and Seattle books there's also a book for LA, Portland, San Francisco, Austin, Chicago and Brooklyn.  I highly recommend this series.  Ta Da! just happens to be located across from a bar called the Regal Beagle.  I meant to take a picture.  But you'll just have to check it out for yourself.

Next we went to The Contemporary Art Gallery.  But they were between exhibits.

So then we headed to the Vancouver Public Library. "Vancouver Library Square is a mixed-use project--the largest capital project ever undertaken by the City of Vancouver--containing Vancouver's central public library, a federal government office tower, retail and service facilities, and below-grade parking. The Library Square occupies a complete city block and consists of a seven-story rectangular block containing stacks and services. The highlight of the project is a free-standing elliptical wall that contains reading and study areas accessed by bridges from the central pavilion. The roof of the library serves as a large public garden, an example of Safdie's (the architect) efforts to introduce garden elements into urban settings. The library design was selected through an international competition and officially opened in May 1995." It's amazing.  A must see if you're in Vancouver.

Then we headed over to Robson Street for some shopping.  There's a candy shop on Robson Street that sells the best candy apples.  They remind me of the apples I used to buy at the Santa Cruz boardwalk every summer.

We then ended the day at Vij's.  Vij's is one of the best Indian restaurants I have ever come across.  Along with your menus they bring you cups of the most sensational Chai tea.  Then while you peruse the menu the wait staff passes out a variety of small appetizers.  They don't take reservations so if you want to avoid a long wait get there early.  I haven't been disappointed with anything I've ordered.  The New York Time even proclaimed it one of the finest Indian restaurants in the world.

"Summer makes me drowsy. Autumn makes me sing. Winter's pretty lousy, but I hate Spring." Dorothy Parker

In honor of the first day of fall I give you my favorite drink, pastry and writer to consume during the cool autumn days. Starbucks toffee nut latte, maple scone and Dorothy Parker.  Stock up on the the maple scones now because they're a seasonal pastry and come spring they will be history.  If you're one of those "ew Starbucks" people Peet's Coffee carries their own superb version of the maple scone (year round).  But unfortunately the nearest Peet's to me right now is 90 minutes away in Seattle.  And Dorothy Parker along with Robert Benchley, and the rest of the Algonquin Round Table, dominated American pop lit in the '20s and '30s.  Parker was reputed to be one of the most brilliant conversationalists in New York. Her caustic wit is widely renowned.  You can find a plethora of books by her and about her at Amazon.  If you aren't a "reader" then at least rent Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, it's sensational. 

                                                                                                

 

 

  +     =  Beyond Belief

Chat and chew

I went to my friend (from work) Sara's housewarming party.  Highlights from the party include eating salmon corn chowder, drinking beer, and watching Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Pod People.  Have you seen it?!  So bizarre yet so hilarious.  One of the boys from work brought Sara a Martha Stewart picture frame as a housewarming gift.  He's Mormon, they have good manners.  He was the only boy who brought a present.  I gave her Candyland because everyone needs at least one retro childhood game in their collection.

 

On Martha today Martha Stewart kept calling an Inuit woman from Alaska, who was also named Martha Stewart, an "Eskimo".   Wouldn't you think she of all people would know better?  Shame on you Martha.

Video killed the radio star

The television shows I will be indulging in this fall are mostly favorites from seasons past.  But there are also a few new shows debuting that I will be checking out. 

 

New this season:

 

Kitchen Confidential:  Premiers September 19th.  It airs on Mondays at 8:30pm on FOX and is 30 minutes long.  Here's the thing.  The show is from the creator of Sex and the City, Darren Star, who also created 90210 and Melrose Place.  It is based on the author Anthony Bourdain's book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly.  The book, Kitchen Confidential, is a memoir of Bourdain's life in the cooking industry.  The show, Kitchen Confidential, is a comedy about the life of those working in restaurant kitchens.  I'm a huge fan of Bourdain, I actually attended one of his book readings a few years ago. I watched his series, A Cook's Tour, on the Food Network.  And I watch his current show, No Reservations, which airs on the Travel Channel.  And SATC was a spectacular show and is greatly missed.  Darren Star knows how to create gems.  Also John Francis Daley, who played the brother on the show Freaks and Geeks (the beloved one season show from 1999) is part of the cast.  So the elements are all there for a superb show.

 

The Apprentice: Martha Stewart:  Premiers September 21st.  It airs on Wednesdays at 8:00pm on NBC and is 60 minutes long.  Obviously this show was created by the same people who created "The Apprentice" with Donald Trump.  At the end of the shows season it is Martha Stewart's goal "to find the best homemaker like her to head one of her businesses".  So exciting, right?  I'm such a Martha Stewart fan.  I had to settle for reruns of Martha Stewart Living on the Style Network, until now.  Oh and Martha's daughter Alexis Stewart will be one of her weekly advisors. 

 

Martha:  Premiers September 12th (that is THIS Monday!).  It airs daily and is 60 minutes long.  I am so thrilled beyond belief that I will be able to watch Martha Stewart on a daily basis once again.  There are several differences between this new show and the old Martha Stewart Living.  This show will be live before a studio audience.  Also, "Martha will be joined by some of her celebrity friends for cooking, chatting, crafts, and more. The show will also feature interactive segments with the audience, people on the street, and even viewers in their homes."  Now don't get me wrong I'm all for a show with guests but the celebrity guest aspect?  I'm just worried that it will turn into an hour of "name dropping".  Like "today we're going to talk to my friend Diddy about his herb garden".  Ick.  I hope she incorporates the celebrity element in a non "ick" manner.  Regardless of the celebrity factor I will be a devoted viewer.  Oh and FYI if you ever happen to be in her audience there's a dress code.  No tank tops, T-shirts, sunglasses, or hats.  Isn't that "so Martha"?

 

Also worth mentioning:

 

Todd Oldham's Handmade Modern:  Premiers September 26.  It airs Monday through Friday for one week only at 8:00pm on HGTV and is 30 minutes long.  This is a five part series based on designer Todd Oldham's book Handmade Modern : Mid-Century Inspired Projects for Your Home.  The show "features Todd Oldham demonstrating how to create home accessories and furnishings using the colorful and practical ideas inspired by mid-century modern design, illustrating how the elements of this style can add character to any room."  Like Martha, this show will also include the celebrity guest factor.  Some of the guests include Elizabeth Berkley (ew) Joan Jett, Amy Sedaris (yay) and Jeffrey Tambor.  My only complaint is that this is only a five part series.  Maybe if enough people watch it could be turned into a weekly show.  Also Todd Oldham will be appearing in Amy Sedaris's movie Strangers with Candy.  So cool.

 

Now I just need a fashion show to balance the new season out. 

I don't love you but I l-u-v you

So I went to this place called the Paper Zone yesterday.  They sell cards and craft supplies.  I went with the intention of buying a "congratulations on your new baby" card for one of the families that I nannyed for Berkeley.  They just had their THIRD daughter.  Can you think of anything better?  So I found the perfect card but it was $6!  Insane I know.  Then the cashier informs me that some seasonal cards are on sale in the back.  So I go check them out.  And I came across such a great variety of Mother's Day cards and Christmas Cards.  And guess how much they cost!  50 cents each!  It's only early September and I've got all my Christmas cards taken care of, oh and two years worth of Mother's Day cards.  Yay me.

 

Oh and if you don't already know this is the "It Drink" of summer.  Like the "It Bag" but only better.  It's a Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade.  And if you're one of those "ew Starbucks" people then you'll enjoy the Starbucks Gossip blog.

If you think you see with just your eyes you're mad

There's nothing that symbolizes summer in Washington like blackberries.  Of course the best way to eat them is a moment after they have been picked.  But last night I was offered a bowl of homemade blackberry ice cream and it was sublime.

 

 

I finally got a chance to view the movie A Very Long Engagement from the director of Amelie and starring Audrey Tautou.  I must say that I adore Audrey Tautou even though a friend did inform me that he had a chance to see her in person at JFK airport and she had some undesirable facial hair.  The movie was touching and sweet if not a bit violent.  But what annoyed me immensely was Jodie Foster's role in the film.  At first I though it might just be someone that looked like her but upon checking the cast list online my suspicion was confirmed.  I liked her enough in Freaky Friday, but a foreign film?  I think not.

ta da!

I took Thursday off from work to spend time with my Mom.  We had breakfast at The Mount Bakery.  Their crepes are sensational.  And they make their mochas with Belgian chocolate.  The owner is named "Olivier".  How can you not fall in love with a restaurant made up of such elements. 

 

After breakfast we went to pick up a new desk I purchased a few days ago.  It's this cute little laptop desk that I can keep downstairs in the livingroom.  My actual desk is upstairs in my bedroom.  But since I mainly use the laptop downstairs I was on the prowl for something that would function as a desk but didn't take up much space and that could easily be moved out of the way.  And I finally found what I was looking for.  I even gave in and paid the extra $ to have the store put it together for me.

Next we hit Target.  I can't get enough of that store.  I bought all kinds of things that I don't really need.  I also had to return some shoes.  I bought a pair of Issac Mizrahi's shoes a few days ago but they only had an 8 and I had to admit they were a bit too big.  So I will be ordering the right size online.  But they are these cute tweed flats and they were less than $23! 

 

We then went to Barnes and Noble and browsed their magazine.  I bought the new issue of W with Kristen Dunst on the cover.  And I had to restrain myself from buying any books.  I already have a stack of at least ten books that I've purchased and have yet had the time to read. 

 

Then we did something we've only ever done once before together.  We went and got manicures and pedicures.

 

We ended our day with a movie.  We watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  I really liked elements of it.  But I was not thrilled with the Oompa Loompas.  Why were they all played by the same person?!  I do adore Noah Taylor the actor who played Charlie's father.  I've been smitten with him since seeing him over ten years ago in the Australian films "The Year My Voice Broke" and "Flirting".  Oh and the bedspread on the grandparents bed at the end of the movie is from Ikea, FYI.

 

Yeah I heart days off.

dyn-o-mite

I went to my friend Sara's (a friend from work) bridal shower.  The party was held at Abbey Garden Tea Room, in Fairhaven.  It was so bloody hot, not the ideal day to have tea.  But the party was a lot of fun.  I met some of Sara's other friends.  And Lucy's (who is another coworker and Sara's best friend) mother paid for everyone's tea.  And by tea, I don't mean just the tea.  We all had tea sandwiches, quiche or pasty, fruit, and scones with devonshire cream.  It was just so sweet of her to pay for everyone.  After tea we walked around Fairhaven for a bit then Sara, her daughter, and I headed back to her new apartment.  We found solace from the sun in her cool apartment where we drank ice water and watched Pride and Prejudice.

Everybody! Everybody!

I worked from 7:30am to 12:30pm on Saturday.  One of my coworkers pissed me off so much that I refused to speak to *her* for a few hours.  There was something I was upset about that another coworker had done and I made the mistake of discussing the situation with *her* and she responded with "is it really that big of a deal?".  And obviously it was to me.  So how dare she respond that way.  I left work at 12:30pm because I had made plans the day before to meet my friend A**** for lunch.  So I get off work and check my messages and she has called to say that she will be catching a later ferry (she lives on the island) and can't meet me till 1:30pm.  I was of course annoyed because I could have worked an hour longer but left work at 12:30pm to accommodate HER schedule.  So then we meet for lunch in Fairhaven and decide to go to Mannino's (an Italian restaurant).  She just had a Birthday a few days before so I gave her a present and we spent some time catching up.  We haven't really hung out in a while.  The highlights of the meal was the Mint Julep and the calamari with aioli.  So then we finally discussed our Europe trip which we have been planning to take for about a year now.  We were going to take the trip last September.  Then pushed it to the spring.  Then changed the date again and had finally decided that we would go this September.  The plan was that her family would be spending a month in Poland visiting their family and then we would meet and spend a few weeks in England and France.  But her family ended up canceling their trip because their grandmother is really sick.  Now due to the fact that her family wont be paying for her plane ticket to Europe she has decided that she doesn't want to go to Europe at all.  Instead she's decided to go to South America for SIX months!  Now I knew that she was planning a trip to South America but she had decided on that trip way after we had planned our trip to Europe.  So now she bails on me a few months before we're set to go.  More than anything I think I was annoyed that she didn't even seem apologetic about canceling.  She is a notoriously flaky person so it really shouldn't have been any big surprise that she'd end up canceling.  So after I expressed my annoyance with her we managed to carry on with our lunch and move on from the subject.  But I just can't deal with people not following through with their commitments.  It's so exasperating.  So now I'm either going to find someone else to go with (Kasia are you up for it?) or else just postpone the trip for a year and go for a month with my Mom.  After lunch we walked over to Village Books and they were having this little outdoor antique sale in the courtyard out behind the book store.  A**** found a sweet little pastel bedspread for $20.  And I purchased a vintage Pollyanna book for $10.  Then we looked around Village Books for a while.  They were having a big 25th anniversary sale.  So everything was 25% off.  I bought all kinds of books I didn't need but really really wanted.  I purchased Happy Kitty Bunny Pony : A Saccharine Mouthful of Super Cute (which is not only filled with the cutest collection of colorful animals but it is also accompanied by the most hilarious commentary), Nasty : My Family and Other Glamorous Varmints, The Swell Dressed Party, and The Art of the Steal.  After A**** left the bookstore I called my Mom and had her meet me at the upstairs cafe to vent my frustration and split a dessert with me.  So after coffee and raspberry crisp we discussed the situation.  She made me feel a tab bit better.  After the bookstore we headed over to Target.  There I purchased the cutest pink laptop bag which I had been coveting for a while and I finally bought the final season of Sex and the City.  Because really if anything could make my day a bit better it's a Sex and the City marathon.

Bashville

My Birthday party took place on Saturday.  Exactly ninety minutes before the party was set to begin my father calls to say he can't make it.  And his excuse for not coming seemed rather feeble.  Subsequently due to the fact that my father couldn't make the party my sister couldn't make it either, since he was her ride.  My birthday cake came from a bakery called La Vie En Rose.  The cake was chocolate with hazelnut butter cream frosting.  So sensational.  I got plenty of nice things for my Birthday.  Ranging from a new Sony Cybershot digital camera to a Starbucks gift card.  I received a pink Neighborhoodies tank top that says "pearls" around the collar in white gothic letters.  A cross stitch pattern from Subversive Cross Stitch that reads "Irony is not dead".  Which I can't wait to complete and frame.  Coach sandals, which I've been coveting for months.  Some cute vintage floral trays.  Tulips from Martha Stewart flowers.  A pink rose Diptyque candle, one of their newest releases.  Har Mar Superstar, Belle and Sebastian and Stereo Total CDs.  All kinds of lovely books ranging from Gentleman Prefer Blondes to Todd Oldham's  Handmade Modern. 

Hip hip

So for my Birthday, on Thursday, we went to dinner at a new tapas restaurant in Fairhaven called Flats.  The food was delicious and of great variety.  But I really must say my favorite part was the cappuccino at the end of the meal and then the pistachio gelato.

We also went to see the movie Melinda and Melinda. It was superb.  Everyone thought so.  It's one of those movies where everyone claps at the end.  Woody Allen at his finest.  And the funny thing was that the discussion between the playwrights that takes place at the beginning of the movie and throughout occurs at Pastis, the restaurant in NYC that Alina and I ate at in November.  The staff there was so intolerable that we felt compelled to leave a nasty note.

Stop. Fast-Forward. Pause. Rewind.

Last Sunday and Monday was spent in Seattle.  Our first stop was Cupcake Royale in Ballard.  Finally I've discovered a place that specializes in ONLY cupcakes and cupcake accessories.  This was my first time at this establishment and I was not disappointed.  Although I did feel a bit rushed to make my decision as to which flavor cupcakes I wanted.  We decided to buy six so that we could try a variety of flavors.  The two I liked best were "Peppermint Party" and "Dance Party with Holly Hobbie".  Plus I just had to buy some of their pins with statements like "legalize frostitution".  I also purchased a T-shirt AND about 10 cupcake toppers.  Now if only I can find a place in Bellingham that makes cupcakes (and I'm not talking about the grocery store variety). 

   

Next we hit Fremont.  Since it was Mother's Day the shops were filled with a gaggle of children.  Children are all well and good but they aren't enjoyed when they're crowding the shops I only get to visit a few times a month. 

   

Next we went to the Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington.  The exhibits were so so this time.  In the gallery gift shop I spotted Loretta Lux's book of photographs which I just had to have. 

   

After the gallery we went to University Village and had lunch at the newly opened Blue C Sushi.  It's good to see that University Village is diversifying their previously limited dining options.  Blue C Sushi is one of those restaurants where the sushi travels around on a conveyor belt and you simply take a plate of whatever looks appealing.  This concept is apparently known as "kaiten sushi".  We went there with the intention of having a "light lunch" since we had dinner reservations later that evening.  But seeing the sushi meander past you it's so hard to restrain yourself from trying a variety of items.  The quality of the food was excellent.  After living in Berkeley, where even the cheap neighborhood sushi restaurants are sensational, I wasn't prepared to be too impressed.  But the quality was outstanding.  After shopping around University Village we headed downtown.    

 

Unfortunately to my chagrin my favorite shop, Great Jones Home, was closed.  I always seem to forget that Sunday is the one day a week they're not open.   

   

Next we went to Pacific Place and looked around a bit. 

   

Then we went to Tom Douglas's Palace Kitchen for dinner. 

I had the best hamburger ever that night.  It was topped with blue cheese.  Even the french fries were sensational.  I'm reluctant to say this but I think it might have even been better than the hamburger I had a few summers ago with D. at Father's Office in Santa Monica. 

   

After dinner we went to see The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy at Cinerama .  I love the name of that theater!  Apparently the theater was set to close but was saved by Paul Allen in 1999.  Doesn't Paul Allen seem to finance everything in Seattle?  It's one of the few theaters that boast one large screen.  It was opened in 1952.  The movie was smashing.  I'm always confident a movie will stay true to the original story when the author is selected to write the screen play.  My favorite part of the movie was the singing dolphins in the beginning.  That song was stuck in my head for the night.

   

Then we spent the night at a hotel on Lake Union.   

   

On Monday morning for breakfast we went to a place I'd heard about called Top Pot Doughnuts.  The donuts were beyond belief.  I ordered a cake donut topped with pink frosting and coconut.  Their donuts are enormous.  Go see for yourself. 

   

After breakfast we went to Great Jones Home, which was thankfully open.  I adore the shop owner.  She's one of those people who makes a point of getting to know her clientele by name.  And she has the sweetest little dog that wanders around the store.  I didn't find much of anything to buy on this visit though.  Usually I have to restrain myself because there's so much I covet.   

   

We stopped off at a few more places then headed home.  Spending a few days in Seattle is so much better than just going down for the day.  And I can't get enough of three day weekends. 

Vive le Week-End

I'm taking Monday off from work.  Yay for three day weekends!

 

So I got my first pay check today and went on a bit of spending spree.  I bought two pairs of sandals and a pink tunic.  I'm hesitant to reveal where the tunic came from but lets just say it's a perfect Kate Spade knockoff and until a few more pay checks come in the knock off will have to do.  I also purchased a few books.  I bought Ruth Reichl's (editor of Gourmet magazine) newest book Garlic and Sapphires : The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise, which I cannot wait to start reading.  I also bought Budget Living magazine's book Party Central.  It's a month to month guide to "entertaining" (I can't get enough of the ironic quotes). 

 

I just discovered my new favorite candy, Starburst suckers.  I'm so glad I'm back in Washington where I don't have to feel like a fool for calling them "suckers" and not "lollipops".  The kids in Berkeley that I nannyed for would give me an odd look whenever I referred to them as suckers.  But back to the candy.  At work we have a candy drawer and one of my coworkers filled the drawer with them.  Go try them!  You'll be smitten.

 

So I'm sure everyone knows about how you can send in your photos to Jones Soda ( Get your photo on a label of Jones Soda beverage drink ) and if they like the photo enough they'll make a label out of it for one of their sodas.  My friend Alina has a friend who has had several of her photos used.  But the thing is they wont actually send you a bottle with the photo on it if they decide to use your picture. They will at best send you a few labels.  Then it's up to you to find the bottle of soda (or pop as we call it here in the Pacific NW).  But of course you have no idea what flavor of soda your label will be placed on.  It's all very random.  But ANYWAY my point is that my friend Alina was actually in one of the pictures that was selected to appear on a bottle of Jones soda and the probability of actually finding a bottle with her picture is really slim.  Now I'm obsessed with searching through all the bottles of Jones soda everywhere I go in hopes of finding a bottle with her picture on it. 

You're invited

So as of today I've completed two full weeks of work at my new job.  I don't adore the job but it isn't totally abysmal either.  Tomorrow we're having a company "barbecue", which should be amusing.  Oh AND more importantly I found out that the boy I have a crush on at work is in a band.  I seem to have moved on from boys who own record labels to boys who are in bands.

My Birthday is a little less than a month away and I just finished making my Birthday invitations.  The words above the picture say "let them eat cake" and there's a pink gingham border.  Instead of a Birthday cake this year I decided I want cupcakes instead.  So I'm using recipes from the Magnolia Bakery cookbook ( More From Magnolia ).  I'm really dreading this Birthday.  I will officially be closer to 30 than 25, which I'm not dealing with very well.  So I just try to focus on the present and not think about the getting older bit that comes along with the presents.

 

I just found out that Stereo Total are starting an American tour next month.  I am so excited to get to see them.  They're going to be playing a show in Vancouver on May 24th at Richards on Richards, and I'm so going to be there.