The 7th annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival is scheduled for March 4, 5, and 6th. Tickets are now available and festival information can be found at the Rotary Club of Des Moines website http://www.dmrotary.org/ …great event!
Snowflake Lane
Snowflake Lane at the Bellevue Collection. Great energy…15 minutes of holiday joy…snowflakes fall, music, winter costumes with warm greetings, toy soldiers giving it their all, and when it isn’t raining…it really hits the mark. Make it an annual outing… or consider it every other year and you just might appreciate it even more. Visit nightly through December 24th at 7 pm…then December 26th thru December 31st…check out Celebration Lane. Also to enjoy in downtown Bellevue…the decor and ambiance of The Bravern. http://www.magicseason.com/events/snowflake.html
The holly and the ivy…
“The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown:
O, the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.”
– Christmas Carol
“Lighting one candle
from another –
Winter night”
– Buson
“So the shortest day came, and the year died,
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive,
And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us – Listen!!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, fest, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!!”
– Susan Cooper, The Shortest Day
Happy Holidays…plenty to do!
Happy Holidays! So much to see…so much to do! Enjoy the festivities of the season by taking in any number of the following in the Greater Puget Sound area:
- Light displays…Garden D’Lights at Bellevue Botanical Garden, Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, Clam Lights at Gene Coulon Park in Renton , Space Needle, Zoolights at the Woodland Park Zoo, The Lights of Christmas in Stanwood
- Snowflake Lane…every evening at 7 pm at the Bellevue Collection until December 24th
- Bellevue Magic Season Enchanted Holidays at the Bravern – nightly lighting, visit Santa
- Enjoy the Holiday Star, Tree, and Carousel at Westlake Center in downtown Seattle
- Ice Skating…at the Bellevue Magic Season Ice Arena, Seattle Center
- Festival of Trees at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel
- Gingerbread Village display at the Seattle Sheraton and Bellevue Magic Season at Gingerbread Lane at the Hilton Hotel
- Reindeer Festival at Cougar Mt. Zoo in Issaquah and see Santa’s reindeer at University Village
- Arts and craft shows
- See the lights and enjoy carolers by ship
- Choose your tree at a tree farm
- Figgy Pudding Contest…but we missed it as it was yesterday
- Festivals of Lights at the Children’s Museum – Hanukkah, Diwali, Santa Lucia, Kwanzaa and Christmas
- Nursery decor – Molbak’s (Woodinville), Swanson’s (Seattle), Wights (Lynnwood), Squak (Issaquah), and more…
- Shop Shop Shop
- See the Sound of Music, the theater, or other musical performance
- Pacific Northwest Ballet Nutcracker and other dance performances around the Sound
- See the Seattle Men’s Chorus, the Northwest Boy’s Choir, and other fine classical music performances
- Give to Northwest Harvest, Salvation Army, or another charity…season of giving and goodwill
- Local lighting displays, tree lighting, and Santa…ex: Redmond, Renton, Country Village in Bothell, Auburn, Langley, and many more…
- and take a drive (or walk) to see what your neighbors have been up to
URBAN enoteca
URBAN enoteca’s VIP pre-opening party took place November 30, 2010. Experience the grand opening December 8th…that’s the buzz I hear. You will find some of the top wines in the state of Washington at their new SODO location. At this new style wine bar, you can try a taste, a pour, a glass, or a bottle of seven different wineries offerings. Stop in with friends after work, on the weekend, or book an event. This is a perfect location for an intimate get-together, a corporate party, a wedding, or any other type of special event. The wine country feel is awaiting your arrival…just under the 1st Avenue South bridge.
Great wine, Great food, Great venue!
Taste of Tulalip 2010
The second annual Taste of Tulalip (Grand Taste, Saturday, November 14th) was again a success.
Taste of Tulalip is the Washington Wine Restaurant Awards 2010 winner for “Best event featuring Washington Wine”
http://www.tulalipresort.com/entertainment/taste-of-tulalip.aspx
The Rock ‘n Roll Challenge, mc’d by Q13 Fox’s Lily Jang, was fun to watch as there was healthy competition while viewing the big screens with some of history’s favorite Rock…I happened upon Guns n’ Roses and Free. Wine Tasting was plenty. I can give a shout out to 1. Lachini Vineyards (Oregon) 2007 Pinot Noir 2. Isenhower Cellars (Walla Walla and Woodinville) El Conquistador 3. Five Star Cellars…Everything! 4. Walla Walla Vintners Sangiovese 5. Flying Trout Malbec blend 6. 2008 Turnbull Red (Napa Valley) 7. and my favorite new find..Lantz Cellars (Lake Stevens)…especially the Syrah and the now released cabernet sav. And if you like to Tweet, watch the posts in the Twitter Lounge.
A good preamble for this event can be found at http://blog.seattlepi.com/eastsideinside/archives/227940.asp.
Missed the Grand Taste Pass at TOT this year? Mark your calendar for 2011 – Saturday, November 12th!
The food served at this event is varied, modern, and tasty. A variety included Crab Cobb Salad (my favorite..absolutely wonderful), Scallop sautéed in butter (so good…) and lamb, among others.
The Resort showcases top of the line guest suites. The rooms are all suites and offer many comforts of a road trip worthy getaway. The staff was fabulous…from housekeeping to the service by William in the Shehal Room while we enjoyed the Seattle Seahawks game the following morning.
Tulalip hosts a great array of restaurants. As this was a Saturday evening and the Resort and Casino were packed, we picked up some snacks to go and brought them in to the Canoes Cabaret for consumption while we danced in our seats to The Spazmatics..and then cut a rug at mpulse Lounge. On Sunday, while watching the Seahawks game, we enjoyed Prime Rib, Club Sandwich, and Burgers in the Shelal Room.
Spend the weekend, stay the night, enjoy the experience of pure delight!
November Eats
Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant – East Valley Hwy. in Kent, WA off 180th and Hwy 167. Dim Sum – Baked Pork Buns, Ribs in black bean sauce, Sticky Rice in lotus leaf wrappers, Shrimp spring rolls, Shrimp in steamed rice noodle, and hot tea. We have stopped here a number of times as we enjoy Dim Sum. Lunch entree’s run $3-4 a piece . If you’re in the mood for Dim Sum and can’t get to Seattle or Issaquah, this is a nice option. Our rating…2-1/2 out of 5. Reviews tend to be mixed per Yelp, citysearch, and others…http://www.yelp.com/biz/imperial-garden-seafood-restaurant-kent
Palomino – in Washington…located in Seattle and Bellevue. This visit was to Bellevue as it was recommended for its lunch specials. Combination specials are a hit here…allows for a mix/match of soup, salad, sandwich or pasta. The two choices are served in bowls on a rectangular platter. The presentation was key! I can recommend the chop chop salad, tomato basil soup, and Rigatoni Bolognese. Check out the menu http://www.palomino.com/page/menu/ The hostess was top notch and service was nice. The person removing dishware from the table could have waited a bit longer.
The Triple Door Happy Hour – Located on Union Street in downtown Seattle, happy hour is offered from 4-6 pm seven days a week. On Fridays, live music is featured at 5:30 pm. The happy hour menu serves up bites inspired from China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. We enjoyed the pot stickers, duck sliders, and both the shiitake and prawn satay. The Triple Door is next door to Wild Ginger. We originally had said we were going to Wild Ginger for their happy hour but were sent to The Triple Door…the two venues share the same kitchen and are related. The lounge is called the Musicquarium as there is a large freshwater aquarium that separates the lounge and main stage. If you have not been to the Triple Door for a show, do so! http://www.tripledoor.com/Our-Lounge/happy-hour-(1).aspx
Daniel’s Broiler, Bellevue – Dining at Daniel’s Broiler is one of the real treats in the Puget Sound area. Great service, excellent food options and high quality beverages served. On this evening in the vintage room, the following was savored: Scallops wrapped in bacon (I would have preferred the bacon to be cooked more, as it was hard to chew), Sirloin tips, Ahi Tuna, Five Star Cellars Stellar and a limited edition 12 year old Kentucky whiskey…Pappy Vanwinkle…so good! http://www.schwartzbros.com/daniels.cfm
UPDATE 3/10/11 – ooohhh…got the last of the Pappy Vanwinkle. So worth it! This visit…celebrating an anniversary found us ordering the crab legs, filet steak strips, steakhouse slider with fries, artichoke hearts, and an apple tart.
The Old Spaghetti Factory – Believe me, I am all for the extraordinary scallop, pate, sushi, etc… but I have to admit that when it comes to comfort food, I love The Old Spaghetti Factory. My favorite? A combination of mizithra cheese and white clam sauce, blue cheese dressing on the salad, and a Bloody Mary to go with (if lunch..and at the Lynnwood location). It is so satisfying to me, that I had to make mention of it. 🙂
Thanks…
When I look into your eyes
I can see a love restrained
But darlin’ when I hold you
Don’t you know I feel the same
‘Cause nothin’ lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it’s hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain.
– Guns N’ Roses, November Rain
I can see a love restrained
But darlin’ when I hold you
Don’t you know I feel the same
‘Cause nothin’ lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it’s hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain.
– Guns N’ Roses, November Rain
The name ‘November’ is believed to derive from ‘novem’ which is the Latin for the number ‘nine’. In the ancient Roman calendar November was the ninth month after March. As part of the seasonal calendar November is the time of the ‘Snow Moon’ according to Pagan beliefs and the period described as the ‘Moon of the Falling Leaves’ by Black Elk. – Mystical WWW
The wild gander leads his flock through the cool night,
Ya-honk! he says, and sounds it down to me like an invitation:
The pert may suppose it meaningless, but I listen closer,
I find its purpose and place up there toward the November sky.
– Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, 1855, I Celebrate Myself, Line 238
It’s mornings like this;
The stingy sun trying to hold back
Even the warmth of its reflection
Flashing coldly In the lake.
When November leaves drop in sudden gusts,
Like a red and yellow flock of birds
Swooping at once to ground.
Or even nights:
When winds reach wet hands
To take you spinning with random paper
Down back street gutters, under straining bridges
To clogged rivers.
It’s this:
The time of year, along with spring,
When poets must take care
Not to sing the same old songs
Stolen from tribal memory.
– Thomas R. Drinkard
T hanks for time to be together, turkey, talk, and tangy weather.
H for harvest stored away, home, and hearth, and holiday.
A for autumn’s frosty art, and abundance in the heart.
N for neighbors, and November, nice things, new things to remember.
K for kitchen, kettles’ croon, kith and kin expected soon.
S for sizzles, sights, and sounds, and something special that about.
That spells THANKS for joy in living and a jolly good Thanksgiving.
– Aileen Fisher, All in a Word
Dine around Seattle 2010
This November, there are 38 restaurants who participate in the 3 for $30 promotion. The 3-course meal includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Enjoy the delicious fare at some of the top restaurants Monday thru Thursday during the month of November. Some offer lunch specials as well for $15 per person.
Check out http://www.dinearoundseattle.org/about.php and you will find the participating restaurants. Click on the restaurant and you will find the mouth-watering menu selections. Reservations recommended. Menus are not available on Thanksgiving.
An added bonus for those who might like to write about food…open the Table Talk tab! You are encouraged to compose a review and then submit it for a possible chance of winning two $30 gift certificates to one of the participating restaurants. So much fun!
Walla Walla, WA
Although Walla Walla is essentially longer than 4 hours from the Seattle area (it is actually around 4-1/2 hours), it is well worth the drive (or you can fly). In fact, Walla Walla is on the “Five things to do in Washington before you die” list from Patricia Schultz, author of “1000 Places to See Before You Die”. The name Walla Walla means “many waters” and is of Indian decent.
Lodging – Marcus Whitman in downtown Walla Walla is recommended. It is convenient to the downtown shopping, restaurants, wineries and has a good complimentary breakfast buffet. While you are there, whether you are a guest or not, check out the art gallery on the second floor of the oil paintings that depict the life of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman. Enjoy The Vineyard Lounge…good cocktails and nice food…try the Wild Mushroom Flatbread. Cozy up to the fireplace or enjoy the patio (depending on the season). http://www.marcuswhitmanhotel.com/ We have also stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and Comfort Inn and Suites which are right next to each other and provide a nice stay and good service and are close to the wineries as you enter Walla Walla from the West. However, if you have a choice, I would recommend the Marcus Whitman.
Shopping – If you like premium labels (Joes, Tommy Bahama, Ugg, Three Dot and the like), visit Walla Walla Clothing Company. It is located on East Main Street downtown, it is open 7 days a week, and offer both Men’s and Women’s wear. Willow is a great place to view local art and shop for unique items. http://www.willow-wallawalla.com/ You will also find other boutiques, home decor, and other services to meet your needs and wants. Salumiere Cesario is known for their fresh Salumi meats, cheese, and olive selections. They also have wine and wine accessories for purchase. Take a Lunchbox to go and enjoy your own picnic on the green grass of a winery like Walla Walla Vintners or from the deck at Amavi, offering an excellent view of the Walla Walla Valley and the Blue Mountains. Salumiere Cesario is located two doors down from Willow on Second Ave. and kitty corner from the Marcus Whitman Hotel. http://www.salumierecesario.com/ And check out Sweetwater Paper & Home, new to downtown Walla Walla on E. Alder…they have a nice selection of specialty cards and other gift items. The Farmers Market is a great stop on Saturdays during the summer from 9 am – 1 pm.
Dining and Good Eats – Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen – http://www.saffronmediterraneankitchen.com/ … a must try… and Pho Sho is a great place to go for lunch or dinner on these cool Walla Walla days. http://www.phoshowallawalla.com/ Both have awesome service. Yes, I said awesome! Creektown Cafe – closed but now re-opened and re-named the South Fork Grill, new owner is the previous head chef, so hopefully quality hasn’t changed. Red Monkey – mainly a lunch, late night or sports bar dining place http://www.stonehutbar.com/rmonkey.html Stone Hut Bar & Grill – http://www.stonehutbar.com/shut.html similar to the Red Monkey but offering its own unique taste… industrial, neon lighting , hang with the locals and watch your favorite sporting event (definitely a joint I would like to go back to) Mill Creek Brewery– http://millcreek-brewpub.com/menu.htm stopped in for a game and snack…my favorite part was that I could throw peanut shells on the floor. Next stop will be White House Crawford, which I hear is a well worth it fine dining experience.
For Entertainment…a variety of the wineries offer local music on different evenings. On this night, we enjoyed live music at Stephenson Cellars. http://www.stephensoncellars.com/ Others include Vintage Cellars Wine Bar http://www.vintagewinebar.org/ and Sapolil Cellars…but Sapolil has a cover charge. Check the local paper as various other wineries offer entertainment sporadically throughout the year.
Wineries – The reason you came to Walla Walla…the great selection of wine! The wineries of Walla Walla Valley are split into different sections…1) Downtown 2) Airport 3) West 4) East and 5)South Walla Walla. Also, you find a number of wineries in Milton-Freewater, Oregon…just down the road.
Pick up a winery map and enjoy your exploration. One thing to note is that there are wineries that are not listed on the maps or brochures as these wineries have not bought in to the Walla Walla Wine Alliance. One of these wineries, is the must-try Balboa wines…visit the tasting room located in the space next to the Beresan tasting room. Note: most wineries and tasting rooms will charge you a tasting fee of $5-10. Many will credit the tasting fee with a purchase. Make sure you visit the Airport wineries but adjust your schedule or call ahead as many are open only on Saturdays or my appointment…many of these are small family owned wineries where you may just meet the owner/winemaker while enjoying a taste. My personal favorite is Five Star Cellars http://www.fivestarcellars.com/
Visit during a Release Weekend or Barrel Tasting event…or go anytime and you will find a host of wineries to experience. I have been to many of the wineries, but will let you decide what your adventure will look like.
Check out http://www.wallawalla.org/ to get a well-rounded vision of Walla Walla…including historical and recreational options. Walla Walla is also the location of the nationally recognized Whitman College. View the calendar and plan your trip. An annual treat is the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede (Hot Air Balloon) held in May. What else? Walla Walla sweet onions…
Within 4 hours reach... 
