Truly, time flies guys. It is hard to believe that more than a week has passed since I was jetting across the country. Visiting Seattle for the first time and catching up with some friends that I haven’t seen in a year or two, as well as some gals that I have never had the pleasure to meet before. BlogHer Food 12 was going on but to be honest this felt more like a girls vacation to me. Now you guys asked for lots of photos and I am to please. Get ready though because I took a bazillion…or two. I will try not to be too much of a jabber jaw this time and just let you guys enjoy my Seattle Scrapbook so to speak.
Seattle
A quick peek of the lovely condo that I shared with some girlfriends, had dinner parties at and…
Took in the view. The view was stunning! Panoramic if you will.
Left to right Susan, Paula, Brandi
If ever I get a chance to visit Seattle again I will make a point to allow for an entire day at the Arboretum. The little bit that I saw during the Pollinator Picnic was stunning yet I was told that there were trails that wrapped all around to the water and back. Hiking a scenic trail or two is high on my list as an afternoon well spent. As it was, we spent most of our time there waiting on a cab…or two. A long story that Brandi, Susan, Paula and I will chat about for years.
Wine Party
Fortunately, we made it back in time for a few parties. One of which that I had so much fun at that I completely forgot to pull out my camera and take photos. Never fails jabber jaw takes over and I miss coming home with photos of my girls. There was a cocktail though that I will be trying to recreate soon called a Jack Rabbit. Goodness, that was a potentially dangerous drink; however, I did get some photos of the wine party back at our suite. Meatballs, sausage bruschetta, whiskey infused cheeses and rich red syrah…a perfect Seattle evening with friends. You can barely see it but Brandi was sticking her tongue out at me for taking her photo. Shenanigans are never far behind me guys.
Can’t forget these two lovelies! We had a blast talking about fashion all night. When you live in a testosterone filled home an evening chatting about the latest styles is heaven!
Boulangerie Nantaise ~ Organic Bakery
My morning sanctuary, I always seem to find one when I am traveling. Located right around the corner from our suite it was the perfect spot for me to enjoy my coffee fix, along with the flakiest chocolate croissant ever. It felt a little like home, especially when the teenage girl came in sporting her Vans, too funny.
See look at how quaint. There was French music playing softly in the background while the aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries swirled around me. I am telling y’all, I could have lived there!
Top Pot Doughnuts
Let’s not forget Top Pot Doughnuts, or as I kept fumbling Top Spot. Goodness, the Old Fashion’s were divine! Soft, melt in your mouth with a tiny hint of crunch around the edge doughnuts. They are the epitome of enjoying the “corner piece” that we all fight over, only now there is no argument it is all for you. The boys were not too happy with me when they found out that I was spending my time going to doughnut shops without them. Honestly, I don’t know how that photo made its way to M1′s phone.
A Seattle surf shop…I couldn’t resist.
Pikes Public Market
This place was awesome!! Why can’t all markets be like this one? The peonies alone stole my heart.
Then there were rows and rows of flowers! Bouquets galore and not overly priced either. Lauren, Jess and Tina were just a dumbfounded as I.
Oh yeah! Fish market and fish mongers, enough said. Home sweet home.
Who wants to dive in, I did?! There was even a pasta vendor, holy moly!
I have a thing for signs, what can I tell you guys. Going down under to the arcade would have thrilled the boys.
This photo is purely for our buddy. We have a friend Uli that I have known since college who played the violin at our wedding. This would be exactly the sort of establishment that he would open.
Ummm…make that 1973 and you’re spot on!
Lowell’s~in Pike’s Market
Oh. My. Goodness. If you ever go to Seattle please, please stop by Lowell’s and have lunch. You will not regret it. They have everything from crispy halibut cakes to melt in your mouth brisket, word! As you can see it was so amazing that, we could not stop tweeting and taking photos. Bloggers, we are consumed by our social media {wink}.
I did something that I rarely do at Lowell’s I passed up crab cakes. I know crazy! Ask my friends how crazy that is, however they have an item on their menu called Lowell’s Bowl. It called my name guys. Your choice of pulled pork or brisket, with rice pilaf or mashed potatoes…all smothered in caramelized onion gravy. Mercy! I went with brisket and taters. I have no regrets over the crab cakes.
Dear Seattle, please come to Wilmington and talk to our council members about how to recreate your market. It is bliss by the water!
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
As we were leaving Pike’s, we could not help but notice Beecher’s making homemade cheese, which from the signs I saw around the market is used in most of the vendors scrumptious dishes. I sort of fell in love with the milk can stools.
Bakery {didn’t catch the name}
I totally missed the name of this bakery but oh my! Places like this make me giddy.
Do y’all see that black stuff in the pot? That would be an almond concoction being stirred into life at a Russian bakery. Wish I knew what it was; all I know is that we could not get over how much it looked like caviar. Craziest Almond paste I have ever seen! Totem poles in the park, Space Needle off in the distance and urban condos by the water. Seattle is not missing a thing.
They even have Bacon cupcakes. No, I did not eat one of these as well. This was strictly more torturous fun with M1. His favorite motto is, “Bacon is meat candy!”
Okay these were just too funny to pass up. Bad *ss Rose’ along with Mr. T touting wine made me giggle.
Brunch
What’s a trip without a brunch party right?
Susan and Paula threw a lovely brunch along with the smiling gentleman above, Chef Ben Ford. Chef Ben popped in to show us all some of his healthy mouthwatering recipes that he has created with Dole. There is also more about this brunch but that’s another story for later this week. I’m not going to spoil it :D
Wrap Up Party!
The Wrap Up Party thrown by Ree-The Pioneer Woman, Jaden- Steamy Kitchen & Elise- Simply Recipes was superb!! As usual, I forgot my camera {smack}. That’s okay though, I was so over the moon to see everyone that I would have lost it somewhere between the shrimp & grits or the dance floor. One of my highlights for that evening was finally meeting Elizabeth from the Guilty Kitchen and her sweet hubby. This would be my long lost redheaded canuck sister. Nah, just teasing but we could pass for sisters could we not. I tweeted once about starting a Redhead Brigade and she fired right back with an affirmation that sent tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks. We have been chatting ever since. The lovely think about Elizabeth is that I can be an ostrich {loose all track of time} and she will pick up right where we left off. Between all of the hugs with dear friends, great food, meeting new friends and impromptu Salsa dancing, I was floating on a cloud of joy.
Benihana
Which led to shenanigans during dinner. I’m not the wascally wabbit, honest!
Getting back to the room at a halfway decent hour to say goodnight and goodbye to Seattle. She is a beauty is she not folks?
The coffee bright and early before my 8AM flight was for my body alone, other than that, I didn’t need it. My mind and heart has been on a friendship/estrogen high for the past ten days. My body on the other hand could still use copious amounts of caffeine jolts. I can feel the effects of forty creeping up on me.
I hope that you enjoyed a glimpse at my visit to Seattle; hopefully it will not be the only one. Seattle is my kind of city old and new all rolled into on brilliant package. If you have ever been before please tell me about your favorite spots. If you have not gone yet, what would you look forward to seeing in Seattle?
Here are a few of the lovelies that I was able to catch up with. You can bet that I am forgetting someone vital but there were just so many sweet friends during this trip, some of whom brought their families with them which was an extra treat. Hop on over and say hi to them when you get the chance.
Susan-She’s Becoming Doughmesstic
Lori- Recipe Girl & her son Brooks Recipe Boy :D
Kristan-Confessions of a Cookbook Queen
Hugs & Kisses,
Shari-Tickled Red
Hi there guys I'm Shari, but y'all can call me Red.
Southern nut. Perpetual optimist. Food adventurer. Creative dabbler. Lovin' an impromptu surf life with my darlin' & two groms. We're so glad you stopped by! 
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
love this – you got some great pictures.
miss you!! and i would like to go to that bakery every morning for coffee and a croissant.
Looks like you had a fabulous trip! I’ve only made it out to Seattle once, but I really loved it when I was there. Now I’m itching for another trip to the West coast! :)
So glad you love my city like I do! I’ve lived in WA all my life, live about 50 miles north of Seattle. I used to work at Pike Place Market in the fish store! (soooo long ago, I was only 18 and going to school!)
Wow, so many pictures! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Love your recap! You got some great shots girl! Glad we got to hang out! Congrats on your big news ; ) xoxo
It was so good to spend some time with you…it had been too long! And OMG that brisket looks so good!
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