Seattle so far!

Hello everyone!

David and I have arrived safely in Seattle, and it's been a whirlwind of nonstop family time as well as doing lots and lots of exploring the Seattle area these two days.  I've already covered most of the places we visited this time around in these posts (because every time someone new comes to visit, there are places that they just have to visit! even if that means that it would be your 5th time visiting the place or doing that activity...)

so this will be a quick recap of everything that is not the Chihuly Garden and Glass because Oh. My. Goodness! Chihuly Garden and Glass!  That deserves a post of its own that is coming tomorrow!

Also, this would be a pretty good sample of a 1 day trip itinerary for anyone who has only one short day to enjoy this amazing city I get to call home =)

So we began the day bright and early (at 6:30 am to be exact,,,) with a leisurely walk around our neighborhood with my baby, McKinley.  We also visited a local forest (these are everywhere near Seattle  haha), but sadly all of those photos came out pretty blurry thanks to the little man being so excited about running around sniffing anything and everything.

Then, after a brunch, we paid a visit to the Theo Chocolate Factory for their tour.  Let's not discuss how many times I have been on this tour, because you know, it's so tough getting to try amazing chocolates so many times  ;)  haha  It was amazing as usual, and we left having tried probably a pound of chocolate each.

Before the tour, rocking the hair nets  haha

After, we hit up Ivar's for some of their famous fish&chips.  Late lunch! Yes, you're allowed to have brunch and lunch in one day...

some cousin lovin

(Though we didn't have time that day, the Gas Works Park is really near this Ivars, so you can go there to walk off your fish & chips!  That park is definitely worth a visit, and it has a great view of the city as well!)

After we've fed the ducks and the geese what remained of our french fries (I mean chips, excuse me), we parked our car near the Space Needle, and walked around the Seattle Center.

Chihuly Garden and Glass happens to be right next to the needle so you can kill 2 (or 4 if you want to visit the EMP and the Pacific Science Center) birds with one stone!  but more on Chihuly tomorrow  ;)   In the meantime, here is a little bit of a teaser photo of all the gorgeousness that is the Chihuly.

Oh, and on the way back to the parking garage, you'll notice these strange metal strips planted into the ground.  I thought it was pretty cool, quite bamboo esq from afar, and it makes for a fun little frolicking venue if you're still into frolicking and all..  We most certainly are!  ;)

If you drive (or walk, or take the bus) a couple of blocks, you'll be at THE farmer's market.  Only one of my favorite places ever!  

You'll probably be hungry by this point, so go ahead, try as many samples and buy as many tasty goodness that is offered there!

And we had a wonderful time trying some tea (and tea ceremony) at one of their tea shops!  It was so nice to just sit and enjoy some hot tea before we headed back out to brave the chilly rain outside.

Then, since you're close by, you have to go by the Seattle Art Museum to take a picture with the hammer man!  and visit the museum too!  I love going to this museum, but we just didn't have the time to fit it in this time...  =(

If you drive a little South, you can walk off all of the calories you consumed at the market (I always consume an exorbitant amount of food every time I visit the market...) at the Alki Beach!

It's too cold to swim, but it's a really beautiful walk along the coast line, and if you go visit it at night, you can see the iconic Seattle skyline (the one on every poster and card you see of Seattle) with your own eyes!!

It also has a mini Statue of Liberty of its own  ;)

 Though it's really nice in the summer, Seattle spring can be a bit,,, temperamental and on the chilly side, so we stopped in for some coffee and tea to thaw at one point...

We wrapped up our day with a lovely dinner with my friends Sarah and Matthew, who were kind enough to invite us all over to their new home!  For some reason, I don't have any with them, but I do have a picture of their pup, Joey, who joined us at the table for dinner, so I leave you with a picture of this adorable Yorkie!  ;)

I hope you are all having a wonderful week so far!

Thanks for stopping by!

--Janny

chocolate continued..

Hello everyone!

Here are some more pictures from our adventures at the wonderful place called Theo's Chocolate.

yum...

Enjoy!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
--Janny

CHOCOLATE!!!

Hello everyone!

I am so excited that one of my friends from UNL has moved to Seattle!!!
Sarah and I were both in Chi Omega together, and it was really fun to get together for the first time as alums yesterday!  (I don't think the fact that we have graduated has quite hit me yet...)  Sarah and her soon-to-be-husband, Matthew, invited me over and fed me delicious lunch, and for dessert, we went over to Theo's Chocolate and took their chocolate tour.  Theo's is really cool because it was the first all organic and fair-trade chocolate factory in the United States!  AND their chocolate is delicious. If you are ever in Seattle area, and love chocolate, I would highly recommend taking this tour.  For $6, you get to learn about chocolate's journey from being the exotic cacao plant to becoming the deliciousness that we adore. but more importantly, you get to taste A LOT of chocolate!  =)   There's no need for any more encouragement, right??  --I must confess that this was not my first time taking the tour..I don't care to admit how many times I've been there, but every time I go, there's something new to see and taste  ;)

One of their final products!  Cherry and Chili Dark Chocolate.
Allow 12 seconds for the full effect.
Your tongue will let you know when the Chili part has hit.

This odd looking thing turns into chocolate!

master chocolatier at work

this is where magic happens

Their first bite of the ganache!  incredible.

lovely couple, lovely place.

Sarah and Matt are leaving today for Nebraska to prepare for their wedding in early June. I am very excited for them--their wedding is going to be so beautiful!  =)

Thanks so much for a wonderful day guys!  I can't wait to explore more places around Seattle with you when you get back.  Another plus? They have the most adorable puppy, Joey!  McKinley and Joey can be best friends! =D  (even though McKinley is about 10 times the size of Joey...)

Stay tuned for more pictures from our adventure at Theo's!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
--Janny