Christmas Window Shopping In Ballard

Upon leaving one of my favorite Ballard restaurants, Bastille I stopped short at the sight of this elegant, stylish, eye catching lobby across the street. I had to get a closer look. The light fixtures and high contrast design is fantastic! Hotel Ballard-I wonder what the rooms are like.

Here's Bastille, they have a back bar, look it's open late, for night owls like me. However, my late nights out on the town are few and far between...by design.

After parting ways with my friends at Bastille, I enjoyed the lights and window displays along Ballard Ave. This has to be one of my favorite streets in our city. There are so many great shops & restaurants.

An Evening @ Five

Lucky me, I got out of the house and spent some time with a dear friend while enjoying a very delicious meal by the fire @ Five in Edmonds. If you haven't checked out Five, I recommend their caesar salad, yummy!

I think Joanna must have changed her seat about...four times. I'm so high maintenance and she appeased me. The first seat by the door I was facing a black curtain. Um, hello I need to check out the place. So, she switched seats with me. Then we moved to their outside dining, yes, in 35 degree weather. It was completely enclosed and as you can see they have ample fire to keep you warm. Then she moved to sit next to me as we could not share our amazing food across the fire.

I departed from veganism full force that evening and it was worth it! We enjoyed mini scallops in a creamy cheesy sauce, caesar salad, and pizza with red onions, goat cheese and pancetta which they toasted extra crispy before baking it on the pizza. It was all so delicious. Of course we finished it all off with a flourless chocolate espresso cake.

The best part about being in this space was we had it all to ourselves. The twinkle lights and the warm fire was all we needed. We are two busy, tired mamas!

It's good to get out and it's great to catch up with old friends. Tis the season.

A Fall Visit to Swansons Nursery

What to do on a Saturday in Seattle? Last fall we headed to Swanson's Nursery for some hay maze chasin', pumpkin carving and hot dogs. We decided to go again this year but skipped the hot dogs and got all fancy with lunch in the restaurant. Sometimes you just have to splurge and enjoy. Three tired kids, waiting patiently for lunch in the atrium @ Swanson's Nursery. Sarah and Sam have the same expression. There is no mistaking these kids are siblings. I love that about them!


Here's my gang, getting ready for a hayride on the John Deer tractor. This would be Sam's third hayride of the season. Maybe that's why he looks so pensive? Well, the girls look raring to go.

Sarah seems in high spirits in this moment. Maybe it's the pumpkin bracelets.

Hay girls, how's the hay maze?

Swanson's has the best displays. This garden statue caught my eye.

Or how about this lush mossy vignette?

Loving this vintage old tractor. This pic. would be fun as a fall greeting card, maybe next year? Sure, sure. I'll put that on my list of fun craft ideas. We'll see if it actually happens.

The Tractor

More Swanson eye candy

Oh my gourdness!

If you haven't checked out the gift shop area, it's a must see. Shopping amidst the plants is a nice experience. These wire candle lanterns are a fun shape.

I'll take one of each pot, please. Loving the greys and teals.

This photo is not from Swanson's Nursery, it's my neighbors porch. I would be willing to bet all the dark chocolate in my fridge that she bought the plants from Swanson's though. The display is certainly Swansonesqe.

Gift shop eye candy

Aren't these eye popping? Another neighbor did buy these and every time I drive by her house these bright orange Chinese Lanterns catch my eye and I do a double take. I love fall!

K5 (Kirch 5)

Sarah & Marin enjoying the hay maze

The Atrium Dining-a wonderful lunch spot. But, I can't help but make one small complaint. The kid's cheese quesadilla was served with a side of Lay's chips. Yep, chips. So some fat with a side of fat. Really? A bit of fruit would have been nice. Ah well.

All in all, a lovely couple hours spent enjoying fall fall and getting fresh air and one less meal to make at home, ha!

Post

Have you ever noticed how many unique mailboxes there are in your neighborhood? Well, I did! . Who still writes good old fashion post? Now referred to as snail mail? I thought a post about post would be fun. Checking the mail is one of the highlights of my day. This first pic. is from a blog from which I cannot recall, sorry. My mailbox is nothing special, not photo worthy whatsoever. Do you have a unique mailbox, please share!

Playroom Post



Houseboat Post

(Sunset Magazine)

Verdigree Post

Barn House Post

Hedge Niche Post

Modern Post

Pottery Barnesq Post

Floral Post

Toile Post

Pint Sized Post

Fence Post