Category Archives: Cooking

Seattle-a day in Ballard

June 5, 2012

On Sunday we had made plans to meet up with an old friend of mine from high school. While that didn’t quite work out due to unexpected events in her day we had a great day. We had planned to meet her at the Ballard Sunday farmer’s market. Since you may have guessed by now (or so I’ve told you) I love farmer’s markets! I am sad to be leaving mine but after visiting this one I think I won’t have too big of a problem replacing it. The vibe is quite different, it runs down a street vs in a park, but it has everything and more than I could ask for. I loved the tiny doughnut stand (I got cinnamon and sugar-mmm), the tiny plant stand, the wild foraged plant booth, all the cheese, oh and the flowers!

After the market we just walked in and out of all the cool shops in the area. It’s such a cool neighborhood. While walking between shops I heard someone say my name. Thinking Jessica is quite common and I know no one here I paid not attention until it was clear it was directed at me. I looked over and saw a guy I went on alternative spring break with in college 5 years ago! What?! We were both shocked! We talked quickly because he had to get to work (the restaurant we happened to be standing in front of) and exchanged numbers to get together while I’m in town and maybe be a friend to Walker while I’m away. Before we parted ways he gifted us a delicious container of food to enjoy! How wonderful is that!?

Before we headed in for the night we checked out one last shop which turned out to be a game shop attached to a bar. This way you can drink while testing out games! This was right up Walker’s alley. He loves those games that take hours to play. I’ll humor him a few times a year but it’s not my thing. We did play a new game but it didn’t take long to learn or play.

Overall I really liked this area. I wouldn’t mind living up that way but it might be too long of a commute for Walker. We’ll see what happens!

Seattle-a day in capital hill

June 4, 2012

So far this trip has been so much fun! It’s great being away from most of my responsibilities and Walker having not started his job yet. We are so free and our schedules so open! We can do WHATEVER we want WHENEVER we want! The only thing we’re missing is friends to meet up with. Having those personal connections really helps to make a place feel like home. I know Walker will get there and I will too when I move here but the time it takes to make those friends and connections might be a bit tough. At least we have each other and that has been really nice and special.

We have been choosing certain areas to explore for the day and on this particular day we visited the Capital Hill area. It’s within walking distance of where we are so we got to take a day off of paying for the bus. We did some thrift store shopping and wandering around. Around lunch time we were searching for a place to eat when we ran across Dick’s. I’m guessing it’s sort of like P. Terry’s in Austin, sort of a local fast food joint. It was cheap and looked delicious and greasy. Also the fries are hand cut and really I find it super difficult to pass that up. We also got a chocolate shake to share. There was a nice park nearby and the sun was shining so we enjoyed or lunch and basked in the sun. It was lovely. It seemed like a lot of other people had the same idea.

During our walk we stumbled upon a rollerblading competition (not something you see everyday) and there were so many people crowded around watching. It was hard to really tell why. It was rather interesting though. I also really loved these dance steps placed all around the area on the sidewalk. We saw tango, waltz, and one called the busstop (a joke perhaps). I’d like to search them all out one day.

 

Seattle: an ethiopian restaurant

June 3, 2012

The other evening Walker and I did numerous searches of places to eat within walking distance of where his new place is. We’d been walking all day so we didn’t want to walk far and really didn’t have the energy to. Most of the places were at least a half mile or more away. We almost gave up until I happened to notice an Ethiopian place just a few blocks away. We still went back and forth as to whether we felt like going out but eventually we decided we’d feel lame if we didn’t.

Boy was I glad we didn’t stay in. We both knew immediately that we had made a good choice and that we were going to like it. The ambiance alone was worth it. There was Ethiopian coffee cooking on coals, a live plant growing up onto the walls and ceiling, Ethiopian music videos playing, and we were one of two couples dining. It was so quiet and relaxing, just what we needed.

We tried an Ethiopian beer and some red tea. We chose to split a meal and that was also a good choice because it was basically two meals in one. We were both quite full and more than satisfied. The owners were so sweet too and helpful. We’ve already decided that we’ll be back to breakfast while I’m still here on this trip. Can’t wait!