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Take It Outside

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Join the new “green exercise movement.”  Move your workout outside and you’ll soak up the beauty and the benefits of being in nature.  Studies show that as little as 5 minutes of walking in a natural setting can increase your self-esteem, boost your mood, and slash high blood pressure.  Not only that, but new research says that people who are active outdoors exercise longer that those who work out inside only.  So lace up your shoes and head for the park or hit the trail.  Mother Nature will reward you.

~ taken from Prevention.com, May 2013

Well said.

 

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March Meets ?

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It’s March which means Spring is just around the corner.  It’s time to think about spring cleaning (have you cleaned behind your appliances recently?) but it also Washington Wine Month and there is much to see and do around town.  So do both…stay in and get things cleaned up and get out and about to see what there is to see.  A number of suggestions for this month are:

  • Skip everything else this weekend and head to the Poverty Bay Wine Festival, Des Moines, Mar 1-3
  • Take a tour/walk of Kubota Garden, Seattle
  • Experience the Washington Coast – road trip worthy to awaken those weary bones
  • Penn Cove Mussel Festival, Coupeville, Mar 2-3
  • Taste Washington, Seattle, Mar 23-24
  • Participate in an Easter Egg hunt
  • It’s Dine Around Seattle time – check out  http://dinearoundseattle.org/ to view the participating restaurants – you can’t go wrong with these great selections, Puget Sound area
  • Shen Yun 2013, McCaw Hall in Seattle, Mar 28-30
  • Do you have a love of Opera or would it be your first time?  La Boheme, Seattle, thru Mar 10
  • Visit the new MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry), Lake Union, Seattle
  • It’s that time of year!  Irish Festival, Seattle Center, Mar 16-17
  • March 20th is Daffodil Day!  It’s the Spring Equinox!

Holly Days of December

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It’s a holly jolly time of year!  Dash through the snow (maybe the rain?) and see about…

  • Christmas Lighting Festival, Leavenworth, Dec 1,8,9,15,16
  • Holiday Barrel Tasting, Walla Walla, Dec 7-9
  • Winterfest, Seattle Center, through Jan 6
  • Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis,various WA state locations/dates
  • Wildlights, Woodland Park Zoo, through Dec 23
  • Head to your favorite nursery – Wight’s, Molbaks, Squak Mt., Swansons, Emery’s and more…  The Dept. 56 display at Wight’s Garden & Home is nicely displayed this year (fabulous actually) – check out the props!
  • Winter Beer Festival, Hale’s/Seattle, Dec 7-8 http://www.washingtonbeer.com
  • Bellevue Magic Season, Bellevue, through Jan 13
  • Holiday Ale Festival, Portland OR, Nov 28 – Dec 2
  • Downtown Rockin’ New Year’s Eve, Yakima, Dec 31
  • Saint Nick’s Winter in Woodinville, Nov 30 – Dec 2
  • Green Lake Pathway of Lights, Green Lake Park, Dec 8
  • Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition, Seattle, Dec 7
  • End of the World Party, search it out, Dec 20
  • How about a holiday craft show?
  • Winter Solstice Lantern Festival, Vancouver BC, Dec 21
  • Seattle Men’s Chorus, “Baby It’s Cold Outside”, Puget Sound Area, through Dec 22
  • Argosy Christmas Ship Festival, Lake Union/Washington, through Dec 23
  • Garden d’Lights, Bellevue Botanical Garden, through Dec 31
  • Zoolights, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Tacoma, through Jan 1
  • Toy Train Christmas, Northern Pacific Railway Museum, Toppenish, Dec 1-2, 8-9, 15-16
  • Have you started your Christmas cards yet?
  • Choose a bit of culture… Black Nativity, The Nutcracker, The SantaLand Diaries, Fiddler on the Roof, etc…
  • and fa la la …more

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Encircled with cedar…

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Cedar is like our mother.  Our whole lives were encircled with cedar.  – (Jerry) Dennis Jones, Tulalip Master Carver (1940  – 2003)

We are the salmon people.  We knew if we were to continue our heritage, we needed to find a way to bring the fish back.  –Terry Williams, Commissioner, Fisheries and Natural Resources, Tulalip Tribes

And the 2012 Taste of Tulalip highlights?

Small plates – 1) Chef David Buchanan – Dungeness Crab Towers (with roasted corn and apple bacon) 2) Chef Gerry Schultz – Smokey Risotto (smoked port belly, smokey bleu cheese, chanterelle mushrooms, roasted red peppers, sage and cippolini onions) 3) And it’s hard to resist a Seared Furikake Smoked  Scallop – Chef George Riedel

Wine – As far as the vast number of high quality wines available… some of my favorites included Five Star Cellars, Stephenson Cellars, Rasa Vineyards, JB Neufeld (all Washington State),Tenuta Dell Ornellaia (Northern Italian) – Wow!  And many more…

This event is one of the best of its kind.  Easily SOLD OUT, so plan ahead for November 2013!  Interested in a great night’s stay?  Stay at the Tulalip Resort – comfort at all turns…

http://www.tasteoftulalip.com/   http://www.tulalipresort.com/comfort/index.aspx

November Rain….of Events

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It’s November and the rain is back in the Pacific Northwest.  It’s a time for feasting on the earth’s bounty and gathering with friends and family.  The holiday season is getting into full swing… so enjoy!

  • The Taste of Tulalip, Tulalip Casino Resort, Nov 9-10
  • Oak Bay Artists’ Studio Tour, Oak Bay/Victoria, British Columbia, Nov 3-4
  • Christmas Lighting Festival starts on Nov 30th, Leavenworth
  • Christkindlmarkt, Leavenworth, Nov 23-25
  • Dine Around Seattle, Nov 4-29 (Sunday thru Thursday)
  • Arts Alive, La Conner, Nov 2-4
  • Bellevue Club Holiday Bazaar, Nov 3, Bellevue Club 9 am – 6pm
  • Northwest Artists’ Holiday Show, Edmonds, Nov 3-4  
  • Cornucopia – Whistler’s Celebration of Wine & Food, Whistler BC, Nov 7-11
  • Fall Release Weekend, Walla Walla, Nov 1-3
  • On the Road to Paradise Fall Wine Festival, Ashford, Nov 3
  • Woodland Park Zoo, Turkey Toss Nov 23; Wildlights – daily 11/23 – 12/23
  • Seattle International Auto Show, Seattle, Nov 14-18
  • Seattle Marathon, Nov 25 – run run run away!
  • Vancouver Rotary Festival of Trees, Pearson Air Museum, Vancouver, WA,  Nov 23-25
  • Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights, Portland, OR  Nov 23 – Dec 30
  • Check out a Seattle Seahawks game at home, Nov 4 & 11
  • and more…

October Fun!

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October… the leaves have started to fall and will soon be ready for raking, photography, and play.  Some suggestions for frolicking Fall fun this month:

  • Issaquah Salmon Days, Oct 6-7
  • Oysterfest, Shelton, Oct 6-7
  • 8th Annual Oktoberfest Northwest, Puyallup, Oct 5-7
  • 10th annual Fresh Hop Ale Festival, Downtown Yakima, Oct 6
  • Pumpkin Bash and Trick or Treating, Woodland Park Zoo, Sat/Sun Oct 13-14, 20-21, 27-28
  • Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival, Port Angeles, Oct 12-14
  • Water Music Festival, Long Beach, Oct 12-14
  • Cedar River Salmon Journey, every weekend in October, five locations – http://www.cedarriver.org/programs/
  • Leavenworth Oktoberfest, Oct 5,6,12,13,19,20
  • Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour, Oct 6-7
  • Road trip to the Coast
  • Puyallup Art & Wine Walk, Oct 6
  • Oktoberfest, Langley, Oct 6
  • Head to your nearest nursery and check out their Fall offerings
  • Catch the Crush Wine Festival, Tri-Cities & Yakima Valley, Oct 13-14
  • Meerkerk’s Autumn Garden Festival, Greenbank, Oct 6-7
  • Electrical Extravaganza Show, Spark Musuem, Bellingham, Oct 13-14
  • Old Apple Tree Festival, Vancouver, WA Oct 6
  • Festival of Family Farms, Skagit Valley, Oct 6-7
  • Earshot Jazz Festival, Seattle, Oct 12 – Nov 4
  • Catch the Crush Wine Festival, Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley, Oct 13-14
  • Cranberrian Fair, Ilwaco, Oct 13-14
  • Take a hot air balloon ride over wine country (Yakima Valley/Walla Walla)
  • Navigate a corn maze

Whale Watching in Washington

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Whale Watching in Washington State – an all-day adventure!  Whale Watching is a great way to get out on the water, view beautiful scenery, meet new people, see something that not too many people get to, and participate in nature.  On this day, towards the end of the whale watching season, we were fortunate enough to indeed see a number of Orcas. The season typically runs mid-April to the beginning of October.  Go with a friend or make it a family affair.  We booked our trip through Mystic Sea Charters out of Anacortes, WA.  We were familiar with this company through the wine and dinner cruises via Hellams Vineyard in La Conner.  So, we said… why not?  There are other departing cities as well, depending on the company you choose.

The 100 ft. Mystic Sea leaves Anacortes around 11 am and returns to dock between 4-5 pm.  The route taken will depend on where the whales are spotted, but almost all go somewhere through the San Juan Islands chain.  We got the full tour as the pods were up north in the waters around Canada (British Columbia) and the San Juan Islands.  Juveniles played and enjoyed catching salmon.  The whale fin might remind you of a shark fin at times especially as it approaches a boat. Dun um, dun um, dun um, du da (for you Jaws fans out there).

What to expect?  You’ll take a trip there and back, ours was two hours each way.   There is indoor seating or enjoy the up close and personal viewing experience out on the deck.  Bring playing cards, visit with your neighbor, or grab a bite to eat.  Bring your own picnic or purchase food and drink there…chili, sandwiches, candy bars, chips, and the like.  Grab a map and follow along as the captain will provide information…. history, facts, geographical.  The boat will move to various spots within the waters for prime viewing.  There are other boats in the area as well.  Bring or wear layers as it will probably get chilly.  Also, if photography is a hobby and you would like to record the event, a DSLR camera with appropriate lens is recommended.  I brought a point-and-shoot camera with a pretty good zoom and was satisfied with some of the photos, but a larger lens would have really got the job done.  You might need to jump from one side of the boat to the other for the optimum viewing experience but do be courteous of the other passengers as everyone wants to get the best shot.

Come aboard and see the many treasures this experience has to offer!

http://mysticseacharters.com/index.php

Do The Puyallup!

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The Puyallup Fair is here once again and runs through September 23rd.  Located in Puyallup, WA, the Puyallup Fair is also known as the Western Washington Fair to some.  Things to Do?  Whether it is the tried and true Krusty Pup, Pete’s BBQ or if you try something new… the Fair food is sure to please!  There are a number of beer/liquor/wine gardens that offer live (or TV) entertainment as well.  And speaking of live entertainment, the Puyallup Concert Series offers a good mix of artists to choose from.  Why not visit the wide variety of animals while you’re here… like the six-day old piglets (the day I was there anyway), the Beef Barn (cattle), chicks, rabbits or take in the rodeo (although you’ve missed the rodeo as it was Sept 7-9th).  Catch the largest pumpkin recorded in Puyallup Fair history or check out your favorite hobby, agriculture display, chainsaw carving, and more.  And of course, there are plenty of vendors trying to sell their goods and services.  Oh, and we can’t forget the rides now can we?  Maybe you’ll try The Giant Slide, Vertigo (swing), or Zero Gravity.  One of the new exhibits this year is the Rainforest Adventure –  you’ll find toucans, snapping turtles, roaches, and more – a welcomed addition!   And if you are looking for a bit of history… Brown & Haley is celebrating their 100th year  – you might like to purchase a commemorative tin of Almond Roca for a gift… the holidays will soon be at our doorstep.  They are also part of this year’s Fair Museum.   So much to see!

Check out my September 2010 posting for additional insight or  http://www.thefair.com/puyallup-fair/  Whether you are a seasoned fair goer or this is your first time …. you’ll want to come back for more!

Note:  Starting next year, they are changing the name of the Puyallup Fair to the Washington STATE FAIR.  Somewhat similar to the Evergreen State Fair… in Monroe.

 

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September Events

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Football season has arrived and September is the official start of the Autumn season –  my favorite!   Will we jump into Fall or will we be blessed with an Indian Summer?  What to do this month you ask?  Well, check this out…

  • Wenatchee River Salmon Festival, Sept 20-23
  • Autumn Leaf Festival, Leavenworth, Sept 28-30
  • Bremerton Blackberry Festival,  Sept 1-3
  • Bumbershoot, Seattle Center, Sept 1-3
  • Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival, Sept 7-9
  • Puyallup Fair, Sept 7-23
  • Try out Bake’s Place in downtown Bellevue   http://bakesplacebellevue.com/
  • Wooden Boat Festival, Port Townsend, Sept 7-9
  • Deutschesfest, Odessa, Sept 14-16
  • Snohomish Pumpkin Hurl and Medieval Faire, Sept 15-16
  • See Memphis at the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, Sept 18 – Oct. 7
  • Fremont Oktoberfest, Fremont area of Seattle, Sept 21-23
  • Take a drive and visit Portland’s Japanese Garden
  • Leavenworth Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival, Sept 15
  • Whidbey Island Farm Tour, Sept 15-16
  • Most Farmers Markets are still in full swing!
  • Fisherman’s Fall Festival, Seattle, Sept 22
  • Seattle Fringe Festival, Sept 19-23
  • Festa Italiana, Seattle Center, Sept 28-30 (It’s the Space Needle’s 50th Anniversary)
  • The Great Prosser Balloon Rally, Prosser, Sept 28-30
  • Aki Matsuri Japanese Fall Festival, Bellevue College, Sept 8-9
  • Take in a Seattle Seahawks game – two home games this month!