Holiday Memories from Seattle

Happy New Years, folks! My husband and I are back in the fray after celebrating Christmas and New Years in Seattle with our son, daughter-in-law, and their Alaskan Husky, Mako. We had a great time enjoying festivities in their home, and venturing out in the drizzle of the Pacific Northwest. In the days leading up to Christmas we did some serious shopping and online monitoring of purchases scheduled for delivery, and took long walks in the neighborhood.

Mount Shasta in the golden winter light

Capitol Hill district in Seattle

Evening walk with Mako

We ventured into Seattle to enjoy interesting architecture, and look for intriguing gardens. As always, we sought out eateries of all types. Favorites include Loretta's Northwesterner, Pomodoro Ristorante, Hudson, The Hangar Cafe, and Proletariat Pizza. New places include Jimmy Mac'sRoadhouse, goPoké for Hawaiian poke, and Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya for ramen. We also dined in, making sour cream pancakes and eggs, fettuccini, oyakodon, lamb, and meat pie. My daughter-in-law and I made a lattice crust cherry pie that was a triumph, but the gingerbread house I made was a bust!

Breakfast in Georgetown near the historical morgue

Snow on Christmas Eve

Winter wonderland

Christmas was a fete of flying paper and bows, stocking stuffers, and beautiful gifts. Mako received his fair share of squeaky toys - which he loves to destroy in search of the squeaker! For Christmas dinner we feasted with friends on duck, fried rice, mashed potatoes and gravy, and beet and spinach salad, and exchanged inter-generational news and viewpoints.

Christmas morning

Mako surrounded by his squeaky toys

Christmas feast

We took long walks with Mako in the neighborhood and in Seahurst Park, explored a rooftop garden and a community garden, and reveled in snow on Christmas Eve. We put together two puzzles, and started a third, and watched a ton of cooking shows. Alton Brown's Cutthroat Kitchen and the Chef's Kitchen were favorites, and inspired us to cook (and eat) more adventurously! 

In Georgetown in pursuit of breakfast

Puzzle fun

Selfie-stick fun

On the way to and from Seattle, we passed through Portland to visit my niece and family, and meet my great niece, Harper (she is a beautiful baby, in case you wondered)! On the return trip I had the extra pleasure of seeing my sister. My husband and I were grateful for no snow through Grants Pass and Shasta, but didn't mind the rain in the Central Valley as we listened to an eBook. It was a great trip, but it is always nice to return to our own home! I'll share some of my garden experiences in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, I'm savoring the memories of our trip, and time together celebrating the Christmas holiday with family and friends!

Quick stop in Portland to see family and meet the new baby!

Favorite stop in Medford on the way home