BFD

We’re finally home from Seattle. After a while, it felt like we lived there. Short term stay; longish visit. 

Here’s my TOP TEN rainy city’s highlights (get ready, it’s wordy!):

1. Being with Smity. She is the best! An absolute dream to breakfast, lunch & supper together. She is a busy girl but we have the best adventures in food & travel. 
2. Savor Seattle food tour. For two hours, we explored Pike Place’s culture, history & of course, food.   Our wonderful guide, Warren, let us try salmon jerky, chowder, crab cakes, donuts, cheese curds & more. We miss him. 
3. Pike Place Chowder! ZOMG. I can’t stand how good this chowder is.   This is a special winner’s bread bowl. We won it in the lottery of life. (We got it for free after we just had our bowls of chowder! I know. Crazy.)
4. Children’s museum at City Center. This, my friends with children, is a must visit. There is a miniature world inside. Ghana, Japan, & Philippines are all represented.  

   

   This expansive play area for kids is amazing for the grown ups to see. Seriously, our minds were blown.  
5. Ah, yes let’s not forget the best soul food I ever had (pictured top). Simply Soulful in Capitol Hill is a true gem. We knew we’d just get there at closing & called to see if they’d serve us. A woman warmly greeted us with a yes. We rushed down & they cooked us shrimp & grits, chicken & waffles, collard greens, candied yams & mac & cheese. Everything was exquisite. The kindness of those two busily making pies to be sold in stores while we happily ate is profound. Food is love, after all. 

   

6. Visiting Smee at work meant we could explore nearby food offerings! Smity’s co-workers were all so warm & wonderful. Eggsy is beloved (& shy). Volunteer Park Cafe has superb tomato bisque. A favorite soup of mine, this one is choke full of flavor.   
7. We discovered Sweet Iron, a liege waffle shop in downtown. You know it’s good when the chef pulls a baseball of dough out & slaps it in the griddle. The result is a perfect waffle with sugar crystals & crisp exterior. I remember the liege waffle I had on top of the Eiffel Tower; this one was better.   
8. Good Japanese food is heartwarming. We made a point to make Kaname our last stop. We loved it so much we had to come back to say bye to Susan, the sweet server there.  Kaname’s tempura is divine. Light batter, super fresh. I wish this was a block from my house.  
9. Reunited with good friends. Being with Megsie was like being back in Honolulu. A lot of things have changed for us but our bond hasn’t. Here she is with the squirmy one at Ba Bar. 
    Delicious eatery, but it’s the company that makes it grand.
10. Finally, the sandwiches at Salumi Artisan Cured Meats in Pioneer Square is a godsend. There’s a long line out the door (of course). We get the porchetta. Easily one of the best decisions I ever made.   We also get the meatball. Excellent choice again, Dory! 

    

     We enjoyed these at Waterfall Park so the splashing water could drown out our squeals of delight. We felt so good afterwards.   

Thank you Seattle for being wonderful & for making my sister welcome in her new home. You’re delicious, you really are.  

The city’s care for its community is evident in the resources it provides for the public. The library is state of the art. Parks have activities & games for all ages. The way Seattle treasures its people is the way we ought to treasure each other. 

 

Eggsy tries to get in on a game of chess. One day, he’ll be a chess master & this will be his origins photo. (Like X-Men.) 

To my sister who has built a new foundation. May you enjoy this time of your life with laughter, peace & good health. Thanks for showing a girl & her little boy a good time!