Sunday Drive to Washington Park Arboretum | Exploring One of Seattle’s Most Scenic Green Spaces

The Washington Park Arboretum is one of Seattle’s most peaceful and scenic destinations, offering miles of walking paths, waterfront views, and curated plant collections just minutes from downtown.

On this Sunday Drive, we explored the Arboretum during the fall season — when colors, reflections, and quiet moments make it especially memorable. This post offers a visual look at the Arboretum and why it continues to be a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike.

One of the best things about having a new puppy in our family has been taking him out on walks to various parks around the area. Yesterday, my husband and I took Scupper, a Flat Coated Retriever, to Washington Arboretum Park.

flat coated retriever at washington arboretum park in Seattle

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Fall back on Sunday, November 4, 2012

I’ll be setting my clock back an hour before I go to bed tonight.  Day Light Saving Time ends November 4, 2012.  I’ve often wondered what it would be like to do away with DST and how it might impact the Seattle area.

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Lincoln Park, West Seattle

Fall in West Seattle’s Lincoln Park

Yesterday we took our six month old puppy to Lincoln Park in West Seattle for a walk. I thought I’d share some of the spectacular fall colors from my one of my favorite parks.

Lincoln Park WestSeattle
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Get a sneak preview of the art at Bumbershoot FREE!

This year, if you want to enjoy the art at Bumbershoot, you’ll need to buy a ticket…UNLESS you go on Friday, August 31, 2012 from 1:00 –  9:00 pm. for the free public preview.  The free preview takes place following Mayor McGinn’s Arts Awards ceremony which begins at noon at the north fountain lawn at the Seattle Center.  For more information, click here.

My black velvet painting of Elvis Presley enjoying a peanut butter bacon banana sandwich will be part of the Elvistravaganza exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of Elvis’s visit to the Seattle Center.

I am allowing my painting to be auctioned at the event with proceeds going to Cafe Race Love

Hope to see you there!

I’m going to have a painting on exhibit at Bumbershoot!

You may or may not know that I started painting earlier this year for a new hobby. Most of my paintings have been on black velvet. I was thrilled when I was asked by Marlow Harris if I would contribute an Elvis painting to the Elvistravaganza! exhibit at Seattle Center. 

My painting of Elvis getting ready to enjoy a peanut butter, bacon, banana sandwich is not quite finished yet. I just thought I’d share where I’m at with him right now. I’ll post an update when I’m finished with him.

This event takes place during Bumbershoot, Labor Day weekend, at the Seattle Center. Elvistravaganza celebrates the 50th anniversary of when Elvis filmed “It Happened at the Worlds Fair”.

Come check out the exhibit during Bumbershoot. You’ll find a whole lot of Elvis at the Seattle Center Pavilion. 

Thank You, JP

 I learned tonight of the passing of my childhood hero, JP Patches. If you didn’t grow up in the greater Seattle area in the late 70’s, you my not have had the privilege of knowing how wonderful JP Patches is. Some of my earliest childhood memories are of starting our morning off in our Renton home first (having to) watch Zoom until JP Patches came on. I was so excited just to hear the theme song start of the early morning coo-coo clock sounds. JP Patches made my day. I loved his funny skits and that he was always kind and seemed to know what was going on. He provided normalcy while my parents were going through a divorce and trying to work things out with their relationship  He played my favorite cartoons and I would wait on the edge of my seat with ever other kid within KIRO’s viewing area, hoping he would mention my name when he peered at us through the ICU2TV. I remember being absolutely honored in kindergarten when the photographer for our class photo called me Getrude because of my dress that my Mom made me. (I love that dress, by the way).

He is my childhood hero.

When my husband and I were making plans for our wedding. We actually had hired Chris Wedes (JP) to perform our ceremony. He said he had never officiated a wedding before, which we were fine with. We had planned on doing the ceremony with JP at our home.

The home wedding plans wound up being not what wanted to do. When we decided not to have him perform our ceremony, he was gracious and I promised him a bottle a wine. He was so gracious.

Much to my surprise, my husband surprised me on my birthday with…my most favorite clown…the best present ever! I’m wearing a t-shirt that I had bought years ago and proudly wore all the time. Of course, JP autographed it for me.

Not only was I thrilled to have JP as a guest in our home, and my birthday guest were all equally thrilled. He has the ability to make everyone feel like a child again.

I love JP. This year, when I decided to try painting on black velvet, I wanted to have my first painting to be of JP.

J.P. is so loved and will be very missed. I can’t help but feel grateful that he has been a part of my life. Than you, Chris Wedes for J.P. Patches.

Here are some of my photos of JP.

Seattle Sunday Drive to Olympic Sculpture Park

Last week, on our anniversary, we decided to check out the Olympic Sculpture Park which is located in the heart of Seattle on Western Avenue.  Seattle Sculpture Park

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Best Places for Beer in Seattle

Ever since I learned that Jay Thompson has joined Zillow and is making a move to my home town of Seattle, I've been thinking about this post. You see, I was able to spend a little time with Jay when he was a fellow speaker at the Mortgage Tech Summit in Arizona last month and one thing I learned about Jay is that he appreciates good beer.

Here is a quick list of some of my favorite beer places around Seattle…yes, most are in West Seattle, since that's my stomping grounds. Please keep in mind that I tend to be a "wine" drinker – however I can be swayed to refreshing brew, like a Dog Fish Head Imortal Ale.

Jay, this bud's for you!

Super Deli Mini Market on SW 35th. This is an amazing place. You step in, and it's a mini mart. They have Twinkies, motor oil and diapers and they have beer on tap. You'll see folks walking around enjoying a nice glass of beer and not just any beer – this place has an amazing selection of beers. I've seriously have never seen anything like it before. You can even get a "taste cup" to sample what ever they're serving up on tap.  It can be a little "sketchy" – my first time there, I found myself almost ducking behind a row of diapers (with my beer) when a drunk came in yelling at the cashier. Thankfully that's only happened once. They also have an incredible selection of cigars.

The Beer Junction. This is similar to the mini mart where it has an incredible selection. Both of these spots must have hundreds and hundreds of bottles to select from.  Beer Junction is located in, as the name implies, "the Junction" neighborhood of West Seattle and is nowhere near as edgy as the Mini Mart. The last time I was in the shop, I learned they're getting ready to move to a larger location just off California.

The Beverage Place Pub. Also off California in Seattle, the Beverage Place Pub is an actual pub located in a historic building with a great selection of beers. My first time there was for a barly wine event. Great atmosphere but no food!  However, you can order food to be delivered from several of the great West Seattle restaurants.

My last recommendation for Jay to check out is a place that a former Zillow-ite used to love when he lived in Seattle… yep, David Gibbons (aka David G)'s favorite hamburger spot:  Latona Pub.  Latona Pub is also a spot where a few Seattle reBarCamp planning sessions would take place over probably one of the best hamburgers in Seattle and a nice brew. Unlike my other suggestions, Latona Pub is not in West Seattle – it's in Greenlake (north Seattle).

Jay, you'll find we have no shortage of great micro-breweries, winerys or coffee in Seattle!  I know I am missing many other great places for Jay to check out – remember, I tend to be more of a "wine person".  Feel free to share your favorite finest beer spots with me (my hubby would probably really appreciate this info too).

Welcome Jay and Francy to Seattle!