Ah... Seattle in Spring


This post is about 2 months overdue but hey: better late than never, right?

Our first official travels with Audrey went pretty well. Admittedly, she is not a light packer (gets that from her mom). But what's a girl to do without her Bumbo chair, stroller, playyard, etc.? It was a good trial run for the upcoming trip to Denmark. We learned a few valuable things along the way... like keep an eye on the armrest when you are changing your baby's diaper in the middle seat. It can suddenly fall down and hit her poor little cranium. Not exactly ideal when one is already doing absolutely ANYTHING to keep one's infant happy so as not to piss ones fellow travelers off. Anyhow, besides that--all went well. Audrey is a first-class trooper and recovered remarkably well from her head-trauma, lack of regular naps and sleeping in the same room as her parents.




Now, some of you may be thinking: do these people write about anything but their baby? For now the answer is: pretty much no. So if you're bored, read no further. Need I explain that there is almost nothing that will rock your world more than having a little baby move in with you? Never fear--we are still very much intent on keeping our relationship as a couple a top priority. But that's a private affair, the details of which are not fodder for a blog. So get over it: our blog contains an inordinate amount of information about our life as a threesome. Getting that off my chest will probably free me up to post more often since I won't feel the pressure to come up with creative and varied entries to match the exciting life of my sister Kelly. :)


Back to Seattle in the Spring: gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Seattle is really just an uber-cool city. Cool vibe, stunning natural beauty, friendly down-to-earth people, and so on. To all of the conservative people out there thinking, 'yes--and so very liberal too' I reply: 'and so very normal.' A few days in Seattle reminds you of how dysfunctional L.A. is. One day while taking the bus downtown, Audrey and I were chatting with an African American gentleman who confirmed this very thing. When he discovered that we were from L.A., he conveyed his condolences. Apparently, he'd moved from Los Angeles to Seattle many years ago. But enough city-bashing.

We decided on a B&B in lieu of hotel for the cozy atmosphere and were luck enough to find a nice one that allows children (The Hill House www.seattlehillhouse.com ). The place was delightful, breakfast wonderful, and the host just slightly...abrupt, as in New-Yorker seeming. Other than that it was a great choice and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.) It was a business trip so while Mike was in meetings, my girl and I happily toodled around the city. When his work was completed, we met up with Mike and explored together.


Seattle culinary faves:

• Il Bistro ("our"place in Seattle. Great everything. Especially unique is the orangy-pink lighting that gives the entire place a fire-like glow.)
  
• Pikes Market (call it cliché, but it really is a pleasure we never tire of). Everything fresh and alluring!
  
• Cream-cheese canoli (from a bakery in Pike's).
  
• Clam Chowder & crusty bread at Ettas (a Tom Douglas restaurant; for those who don't know Tom he is known as 'Seattle's chef'.
  
• Breakfast at The 5-Spot (in Queen Anne) or Atlas (University Village) (both Chow restaurants and superb!) . Check out these breakfasts, which Mike and I shared at the 5-Spot: Tiramasu French Toast: thick slices of egg bread dipped in rum & amaretto-kissed vanilla custard, griddled and dressed in alluring espresso marscapone; and the St. Stanislaus Kastka Breakfast Sandwich: heart of Polonia kielbasa griddled with apples, carmalized onion, and Swiss over toasted peasant bread with two scrambled eggs. Both SUPERB!

Mike and Audrey at the first Starbucks store