One-a-Day Seattle Extra Depth

Mount Rainier National Park Loop Ride

2010-08-29T23:05:00.000-07:00

If you like blackberry pie, you really need to stop at Alexander's Country Inn in Ashford, Washington just outside the Nisqually entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. Some of my scooter friends and I had the opportunity to partake of this late summer delicacy today. Yum! Just look at the smiles on our faces!

Westender scooter club members (L-R) Stinky, Hairy, Nicky, Ms. Honey, Lloyd, Big Red, Mother Goose, Wile E Coyote and Click.

R2DQ5

2010-08-23T00:35:00.000-07:00

Westender's Scooter Club gathers for their 5th Annual R2DQ (Ride to Dairy Queen) ride and BBQ.

Julie Hill (left) and Bob Brown (right) try their luck at the scooter inner-tube ring toss.

Prime Minister Bob Brown savors a bacon-wrapped chili-dog ... and pronounces it "Fit for Royalty".

Bella Umbrella

2010-08-20T20:20:00.000-07:00

Bella Umbrella is a wonderful cozy and colorful shop that carries new and vintage umbrellas. If you have need of the perfect umbrella to augment and complete your costume at any special occasion, contact Bella Umbrella ... rentals are quite affordable!

15th Avenue Coffee & Tea

2010-08-07T22:55:00.000-07:00

Starbucks has, in my opinion, finally gotten it right by designing a real coffee house. Located on 15th Avenue East on Capitol Hill it has a welcoming ambiance that is unique, and not one of their ubiquitous cookie-cutter stores. Bravo, Starbucks ... the corporate giant has even given this shop a unique neighborhood name.

VIP Seating

2010-05-29T09:35:00.001-07:00

d20100527-002f.jpg, originally uploaded by Vespaboy.

Seattle Mini invited Mini owners to partake of free refreshments while availing themselves of the dealership's offer of a complete inspection of their cars. Naturally, the goal of the dealership is to cement new service - sales relationships by providing exemplary service ... and finding pre-owned Minis to take in as trades for shiny new models.

They are definitely doing the customer service well with this promotional offering.

Mods & Rockers

2010-04-21T23:46:00.000-07:00

Backfire Moto gathering at the 2Bit Saloon in Ballard, Seattle, Washington ... above are two Lambretta and one Vespa PX150 scooters.

Aermacchi Harley-Davidson, Turismo Veloce (I think) and likely from the late 60's or very early 1970's, manufactured in Varese, Italy.

A colorful mixed-bag ...
Ducati (Italian) and BMW (German) motorcycles ...

My Piaggio MP3-400 hob-knobbing with vintage motorcycles.

The New Elliott Bay Book Company

2010-04-14T21:44:00.000-07:00

I thought it was really cool that a neighboring business made a special window display to welcome Elliott Bay Book Company to the Pike-Pine Neighborhood of Capitol Hill.
And today, April 15, 2010, is the Official Grand Opening of the new location!

but ... last night the store was open for business ... and frankly, I like the place very much. Similar ambiance to the old Pioneer Square location, but I felt like there were more people in the store. That was the goal ... more of a residential community resource and less reliant on tourists and professional sports patrons.

I'm wishing Elliott Bay Book Company many more years of life on Capitol Hill!

Knitted Designs - Pike Place Market

2010-02-22T22:31:00.000-08:00

Knitted Designs ... more of the story:

Kim Strang, of "IM Strang" stands by the Stewart House elevator door with her display legs, chair and suitcase which contains her "knitted designs, intimates and stockings" stock. Every day each craftsperson who sells at the Pike Place Market moves their inventory from a small storage locker up and across the street to the crafts tables ... arranging a display on an approximately 3 x 4 foot table space ... their store for the day. At the end of each day the opposite process happens ... hence Kim is waiting at the elevator. Below you can see her making her way through the basement into the storage locker area.

To view IM Strang knitted designs products, click here to visit her web site.

Snoqualmie Falls Ride

2010-02-21T23:42:00.000-08:00

Westender's Scooter Club waiting for the 16th Avenue drawbridge on the way to Snoqualmie Falls.

Doc's pal Rusty usually comes along on our rides ...

Snoqualmie Falls on the Snoqualmie River ... this view was in mid-summer several years ago. Unfortunately when we arrived yesterday the falls was hidden in deep shadows.

I found this little girl on the trail to the falls ... I'm not sure whether she thought the falls would rain on her, or if she was protecting herself from the bright February sunshine. Cute, however, any way you look at her.

Mediterranean Food Store

2010-02-14T21:15:00.001-08:00

The Mediterranean Food Store, also known as The Shop Agora, is located at 6417-a Phinney Avenue North, in the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood.

Truffle Popcorn is made fresh daily, using olive and truffle oil. I've never seen this before and was hoping for a taste sample. Unfortunately it wasn't offered, and because I'd just finished a filling Valentine's Day breakfast of oatmeal pancakes with blueberries, I didn't want to buy some of this interesting popcorn. Another time, perhaps. It certainly sounds interesting.
Olive oils from Italy and Greece are displayed prominently in the shop.

This is an attractive window display which gives something of an overview of what you'll find inside.

A display of Tuscan bees' work ... unfiltered honey from the Tuscany region of Italy.

And of course, no Mediterranean food store would be complete without an offering of wine. I saw Washington, California, Chile, Australia, France, Italy and Greece represented on this wall.

Extra Pork ...

2010-02-09T21:47:00.000-08:00

"Curiosity" ....... this is the original image before knocking out the wall and adding the colored gradient in Photoshop.

This is what I see when I walk through the basement hallway between the Chocolate Factory and Stewart House buildings.

Decorated piggy contestants modeling on Pike Place before the 2001 "Pigs on Parade" parade.

"Pigs on Parade" parade .......

Tour di Panificio

2010-02-06T19:23:00.000-08:00

The snow covered Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound behind a few of the Westender Scooter Club members as they get ready to head out on the first annual Bakery Ride ...

Westenders gather at the Alki Bakery in West Seattle, first stop on the Tour di Bakery ride ...

Westender member Chris Kim, also an employee at Bakery Nouveau on California Ave. SW in West Seattle greets club members and thanks them for visiting Bakery Nouveau ...

Bakery Nouveau chef making fresh pizzas in the kitchen ...

Typical dessert treats to be found fresh daily at Bakery Nouveau ...

Olive Fougasse at Bakery Nouveau is more than enough to make your mouth water ......

Nordic Heritage Museum

2010-01-30T23:11:00.001-08:00

The Nordic Heritage Museum is located in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. Dedicated to the culture of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

The first floor features a permanent exhibit that tells the story of immigration to the United States. Above you can see two immigrants with their luggage sitting on the shore of Ellis Island gazing at the New York skyline in the distance. Below is a loosely interpreted model of the ship that transported them across the ocean to their new home.

One of the missions of the museum is education, and this is a classroom devoted to that end.

Dandelion Botanical Company

2010-01-29T17:20:00.000-08:00

The Dandelion Botanical Company, a natural apothecary since 1996, is located on Ballard Avenue, just south of Market Street, in Seattle, Washington.

Of interesting note, this store location was where I bought my first PC from Ballard Computer, but that was 23 years ago. I am still partial to buildings with exposed brick walls. Feels very warm and solid to me.

A Taste of Italy in Scandinavian Ballard

2010-01-28T19:14:00.001-08:00

This is MiMi Gelato. Located near the sidewalk on the south side of Market Street in the heart of the historic Scandinavian neighborhood of Ballard. I've done your taste test for you, and I cna attest to the delicious gelato available inside this doorway. Yum! They actually have a local supplier, so the gelato in their refrigerator case is fresh!

If you're in the Seattle area, do stop by for gelato and / or espresso. This is a new business and needs our support, having opened on December 21, 2009, during the depth of our current economic downturn. Starting a business at this time requires great faith. I'm hoping they make it, as I love the idea of having a gelato treat so close at hand!

Ye Olde Curiosity Shop

2010-01-05T23:21:00.000-08:00

Souvenir coins dispensed when you pull on the cowboy's gun ...

Mysterious mechanical fortune teller .....

Coastal tribal art from Native Americans indigenous to the Pacific Northwest area of the USA.

Shrunken heads in display case

Uncle Sam is ready to evaluate your personality strength ... for a price ...

and if you need an extra smile or two, The Olde Curiosity Shop is the place to shop .......

More Seasonal Extravaganza

2009-12-28T22:45:00.001-08:00

The Menashe family holiday light decorations on SW Beach Drive in West Seattle. This home will be featured in late 2010 on the TLC (The Learning Channel).

Ice Sculpture

2009-12-09T21:10:00.000-08:00

December weather has created an artistic ice sculpture out of the courtyard fountain at the Sorrento Hotel on First Hill in Seattle.

Regal Eagle

2009-12-08T16:49:00.001-08:00

With fish a-plenty in Puget Sound and the wide open spaces of Discovery Park nearby, it's not uncommon to see Bald Eagles along Magnolia Bluff. Make no mistake, though, it is not an everyday experience by any stretch of the imagination. I marvel at these birds. They are truly amazing. I count myself very lucky to see one once-in-awhile so near to my home.

Big John's PFI

2009-12-05T20:33:00.001-08:00

Customer appreciation day at Big John's Pacific Food Importers in Seattle.

Below, "Big John" Croce sits with family at his party in his store. John made the wine that was served and believe me, his Zinfandel Vino was delicioso!

If you're interested in fresh and authentic foods from the Old Country, drop by PFI for a real treat.

test video post

2009-12-04T09:38:00.000-08:00

Test upload to Blogger for visual difference compared to YouTube post.

Birthday Surprise!

2009-11-11T19:56:00.001-08:00

Carly, Ammah and Katie mixing up frosting for Katie's birthday cupcakes ...
Happy Birthday cupcakes for KATIE!

Roy's BBQ - Columbia City

2009-11-02T17:39:00.001-08:00

Roy's BBQ, barely 8 feet wide, but warm, homey and plenty tasty! Some of the very best BBQ I've had in recent memory. And the eclectic atmosphere speaks for itself!
A "trespassing" sign seems to say "stay out of this kitchen"; "we've secret sauce brewing here"!
Clever nod to the Halloween season with this great carving. Roy's motto is "Smoke 'em If ya got 'em!". Jack looks like he's got a log on the fire to help the flavors come out just right. Did I say how delicious the food is here?

Doors & Doorways

2009-11-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Doors & Doorways - Images by Chuck Pefley

A few more doors and doorways from across the USA and Europe. I suspect you can see how difficult it was to choose "just one" for this months' City Daily Photo Blog theme day. To see any one of these a bit larger, just click the image as it appears and you'll be taken to a gallery of doors and doorways. Buon appetito!

Happy Halloween - New York Style

2009-10-30T17:22:00.000-07:00

Halloween - Images by Chuck Pefley

Greenwich Village annual Halloween Parade in New York City, October 31, 2003