Thursday, December 6, 2007

Shh... Best Latte in Seattle



Julie wants to know who makes the Best Latte in Seattle. It is a bit hard to imagine the distinction going to anyone other than Starbucks. Who would dare name anyone else? Seattle Food Tours guides claim that Cherry Street coffee wins this hard-earned prize. There are 4 locations in the city and each one is decorated to reflect the neighborhood it serves. This Belltown location is sort of groovy while the one in the business district is much more buttoned-up. They say its the mellow, customized roast of coffee they use that sets their lattes above the competition. Here's an address for more information:
http://cherrystreetcoffeehouse.com/

Friday, November 30, 2007

Friends & Food for Your Soul



In an effort to not lose momentum on our holiday eating, we set out for the big city last Friday to participate in the Seattle Food Tour with our friends Amy and Jim. There is nothing like a sparkling city, fun friends and fabulous food samples to get your spirit prepared for the upcoming holidays. All four of us gave this tour a thumbs up. We liked the way it introduced us locals to some hidden gems in Pike Place Market and reminded of us of some old favorites that have been too long neglected. I took this photo of Amy and Jim at the Frontier Room with their sample of Southern BBQ because this is the place I most wanted to stay. I imagined installing myself in one of the cowhide-decorated booths and ordering whiskey for the remainder of the afternoon. Fortunately, the tour guide enticed me to stay with the group. Otherwise, I might have missed the city's best latte, the world's best chowder and Tom Douglas' famous coconut cream pie. Try this adventure yourself: www.seattlefoodtours.com.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Things to be thankful for

Today is the holiday that is specifically designed for us to get in touch with our grateful selves. I maintain that being grateful on a daily basis is at the core of a One Day Vacation mindset. My second grader spent yesterday creating a list of the Top 10 things he is thankful for. I was so glad to see that Food and Music made his list. This week I am thinking about and thanking about our dear friend, artist and role model - Deb Munson. She taught me that our life is our art. It is up to us to add the color and the design and to enjoy the results of our work. Debbie's spirit will live on in the lives of all of us that she touched in the short time she was here.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Open Art Studio Tour - One More Day



We spent a heavenly Saturday morning touring the studios of 6 working artists in the Puyallup area. You have time to get in on the fun if you make plans to participate tomorrow. This event, organized by Valley Arts United, is an opprtunity to see local artists at work in their studios, buy original art directly from the artists, and to celebrate the creativity that is alive and well right here in our neighborhoods. Studio maps can be found at any of the participating studios or at valleyartsunited.com. Studios are open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday and the whole event culminates in a reception with the artists at the Fred Oldfield Western Art Center (just inside the Red Gate on the Fairgrounds) at 5:00 on Sunday. We had our passports stamped from the studios we visited today. We'll enter the passport in a drawing at the reception tomorrow and hope to win a piece of art donated by the participating artists. My son has his eye on a black and white stipled elephant created by Becci Crowe. I can't tell you which one I am hoping to win. I hope we see you there!

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Upcoming Fun - Sunday Oct. 14

Empty Bowls Here's the scoop: on Sunday, October 14 between 2:00 - 5:00 pm you can purchase a handmade bowl for $10 and enjoy a free bowl of soup with bread. The Art Center at Manitou is offering this great event to benefit the Emergency Food Network and arts scholarships for kids. The bowls are handmade glass, pottery and wood crafted by local artists. Empty Bowls is being held at South Park Community Center 4851 South Tacoma Way For more info: www.efoodnet.org

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Art for the Soul


We spent a great day in Tacoma visiting the big museums and small galleries. Our favorite was The Helm on Broadway. Their show "Kindness of Strangers" is open until October 10. Don't miss out! http://www.thehelmgallery.com

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Governor Closes The Fair in Style



The grand finale to our One Day Vacation 17 Days in a Row came today when we were invited to be part of the Governor's entourage as she "Did the Puyallup." I didn't realize that she is from Auburn. She also got Fair going tips from her mom. She had quite the tour today including serving scones, meeting the 10 year old girl who grew the prize-winning giant pumpkin, and getting on board with the chicken mascot as part of the Fair's daily parade. We are sad the the festivities are over already.
Here are the highlights from The Fair 2007:
* Driving a Toyota Tundra on the dirt track behind the Green Gate

*Sponsoring a child in Africa after visiting World Vision's African Experience

*Figuring out to buy our water from the Mountain Mist and Crystal Springs booths rather than the food vendors

*Seeing the Governor "Do the Puyallup"

*Discovering that eating Fair food every day can be done without having to buy bigger pants

*Getting box seats at the rodeo

*Hearing from readers about their best Fair Experiences

*Finding out for sure that Happy is Good

Thanks for sharing the fun with us!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Packing in all the fun we can take





Have you seen the Dock Dogs on TV yet? We saw them "in person" at the Fair today. They run down a 40 foot dock and jump into a pool. The dog with the longest jump wins. Yeah!
We went into Toonzville finally. The Let's Pretend Circus is lots of fun because it gets the kids up on stage and into costume. Thanks to Karen Quest for getting information about this show to us.
We rode the ferris wheel in an attempt to get through every last activity on our fun list. When did the ferris wheel lose its safety bar that goes across the lap? It added an element of excitement, I tell you.
We saw a family having a birthday party at a picnic table on a big grassy area between the kiddie rides. Who knew there was a big grassy area? It helps to get up high in the rides to find these hidden sections of the Fair.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Sprint to the Finish Line - Readers Tell Us What Not To Miss






So many great readers and Fair-goers have written to me this week to tell us what not to miss in these final two days of the Fair. This is what is still on our list: rootbeer floats, Dock Dogs (Dogs run down a 40 foot ramp and jump into a pool. Longest jump wins. What's not to like about this event?), visit Toonville, and ride the ferris wheel. Here's what some readers had to say this week:
Here are my observations on what has changed, what has remained the same:
Scones are the same, wonderful. The raspberry jam is probably coming from Oregon these days (I checked at the scone stand a couple years ago and it was), which I regard as a mini-scandal, because scones came to the Fair in the early 1900s because Mr. Paulhamus (sp?) was looking for an outlet for all the raspberries Puyallup Valley farmers were producing, and scones with raspberry jam were part of the solution.)
Hamburgers seem to have down in quality, and up in price. Though I only tried two different producers. Maybe our hamburger standards have gone up since we started eating McDonald's and Burger King burgers. I was not happy paying $4.50 for a distinctly mediocre hamburger this year.
Enjoyed watching kids and their parents enjoy the Hobby Hall, as I enjoyed exhibiting my matchbook collection there.
Loved the Mutton Bustin'. Great fun, free fun.
Roller Coaster is the same, and still fun. I miss the Old Mill.
Games of chance seem cheesier. My brother and I are tall, 6'2" and 6'3", and we could lean out at the dime-throwing booth, leaning past the "foul line" when we could, and we won lots of panda bears for our sisters and girlfriends. No more dime-throwing booth, and the prizes don't seem as good.
Glad the taffy booth is still in the same place, and a bargain, 75 cents for a bar of peppermint taffy, which I enjoyed after the Fair last night, when I walked over to see the second half of the Puyallup-Bethel football game. Puyallup won. On, Puyallup! The student rooting section was in good voice.
Good addition: Churros with hot chocolate, just like I had in Barcelona.
"Killer Kielbasa." I ate one in the beer garden last night, while listening to the Smilin' Scandinavians polka band. The sausage was the size of a geoduck or a fire hose. Darn near killed me, but I can't say the Kielbasa didn't warn me, with its name.
Photo exhibit: Excellent. Some of the photos were of extremely high quality, National Geographic level.
Cordially,
Michael Mowrer

I enjoyed reading your column in today's Herald. You mentioned you will be focusing on live entertainment at The Fair. May I suggest that you take in one of my shows at the Fountain Plaza stage near the Gold Gate? My name is Karen Quest and I perform the Cowgirl Tricks show three times each day: 12:30PM, 2:45PM and 5:00PM. I have had the good fortune to be on that stage since 2002. It's a comedy cowgirl show complete with trick roping, whip cracking and kooky cowgirl shenanigans. I happen to be staying with one of your high school classmates - Elisa Hays, née Sullivan, who not so coincidentally, has a great program for children ages 4 to 12 in the red, yellow and blue tent aka Toonsville in Sillyville (that's a lot of "villes") - her showtimes are Friday at 2, 4, 6 and 8 PM, Saturday and Sunday at 12, 2, 4, 6, and 8 PM.


I haven’t been to the Fair, but looking at your blog, I FEEL like I have been to the Fair! Thanks so much for making me feel like I have been having little 3-minute vacations!!Photography is great, too! Julie

Keep those comments coming!

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Musical Fun & Young Life



We are having good luck not only finding performers on the stages but also along the walkways. The Konzelman family (family of 7 from Puyallup) is performing several times a day on the Showplace stage near the Blue Gate. Their homebrew mix of bluegrass, family warmth and clog dancing keeps the crowd clapping and cheering the whole time. I get the feeling that maybe the same audience is sitting through show after show and buying up all those new Konzelman CDs.
Hey! I finally know what all the Young Life fuss is about. I had a roast beef sandwich yesterday. Dinner foods at the Fair have always been a mystery to me. I could lead a tour of the snack foods blindfolded but I've never known what to pick for a meal. It turns out that the hype is right: the Young Life BBQ is great!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Live Entertainment - What's your pick?



This week we are taking in as much live entertainment around the fairgrounds as we can find. What acts do you recommend? My son loves the marionettes in Sillyville. Today we caught the Gotdrummers.com performance, the juggler and the Cowgirl Tricks. We saw Travis Fox the hypnotist but I need to see it several more times to find out if I saw what I think I saw during his show. Stay tuned for more reports from the entertainment frontlines...

Monday, September 17, 2007

Showcase of Odd Exhibits


So I am throwing out a challenge to all readers: what it the oddest, most noteworthy exhibit you've seen at The Fair? It is Day 11 and we are still finding whole sections of The Fair that we haven't seen yet. Today we explored the area near the Blue Gate and, to our great relief, found the chainsaw artists. It just wouldn't be The Fair without them.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Sight and Sound Sensation



We spent today in Sillville enjoying the rides for the 10 and under crowd. We think the kid size food with kid sized prices in Sillyville are great. We also got the chance to see the reservist Army band play. This week we'll be focusing on the live entertainment on the various stages and the food options. If you have ideas to share, post them here.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

What do you think The Fair will be like in 30 years?


Today Cy asked me what I think the Fair will be like when he is a grown-up. It is hard to imagine what will change and what will be the same. I assume that the core animal and agriculture purpose of The Fair will remain in place. I know I have been enjoying these Grange arrangements for 30 years and hope to for at least 30 more years. We speculated that maybe the products sold and the rides would be different because of all the advancements in technology. I know the Fair changes a little bit each year but it happens so gradually that it is now hard for me to say exactly what is different. The only big thing I remember is the one year when the Green Gate area was a Disney section. It was kind of like New Coke - short lived. Does anyone want to take a shot at predicting what the Fair will be like in the future?

Friday, September 14, 2007

Showplex Vendors - What did you buy?


We committed to tour the vendors in the Showplex this week for review in the Puyallup Herald on Thursday. I now realize that its not smart to carry a credit card through the vendors' aisles. Who doesn't need that super-absorbent sponge that lasts five years? With only a $50 down payment, I can get the night sky from a particular date painted on my ceiling. The artist from the Nickolodeon show "Magic with Marvin" sold me the greatest set of blendy-markers in my first 10 minutes in the building. There are three more rows for us to peruse and I'm not sure I can make it. How I have survived without all these great products that I now know I need? Which are the demonstrators that pull you in and get you to make a purchase?

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Which games can you win?


We started our exploration of the Midway today. We found a fishing game that guarantees everyone will win. We now have a whole collection of differently colored plush frogs. Has anybody had any luck at any of the other games? We've been tossing rings, tossing dimes, throwing balls and squirting water at ballons. We don't have a single award to show for it. I see people carrying around animals that are three times as big as me. How did they win those? My son decided that he prefers to spin the wheel that the gemologists have in the Hobby Hall. Everyone walks away a winner, with a polished rock in their pocket. Any tips on how to win an oversized bulldog out on the Midway?

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Day 6 Progress Report


These are my questions: 1) How fat will we be after eating scones 17 days in a row? 2) Will we be able to afford to finish this project? 3) Is it possible to max out your personal Fun-o-meter? It is Day 6 of 17 days and here are my answers so far: 1) Chubby, but not so that strangers will notice. On the upside, I will have built up good tolerance for holiday eating. (NOTE: We probably won't be playing the Fool the Guesser game after about Day 10). 2) One friendly reader has already offered to pledge money towards this project. I think a One Day Vacation telethon may be in order. Another reader suggested that we might bring in our own food and cut costs that way. Hello?? Its the Fair. I'm not sure it actually counts as Fair time if you pack your own lunch. Does anyone have a ruling on this? Good thing the Fair offered us season passes. I am left to my own devices to manage my spending. 3) I think our Fun-o-meters are in good shape. When ever we feel overwhelmed with the joy of it all, we find a place to sit down and remember that it will be raining soon.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

What is your favorite ride?


I've declared the Foot Jiggler to be my favorite ride. Its cheap (.50), there are no lines, and they are available all over the fairgrounds. My son thinks my choice might be a little too tame. He likes the SkyRide and the Giant Slide, also tame choices. My work friend loves the "slingshot" ride. He claims it reminds him of the scary landings on aircraft carriers that he did when he was in the Navy. I'm not sure that's a sensation that I'd work to replicate. What are your favorite rides?

Monday, September 10, 2007

Favorite New Exhibit - What is yours?



We have awarded the World Vision African Village exhibit our Favorite New Exhibit Award of 2007. The experiential display in a bamboo-lined tent walks visitors through the day in a life of a 2-year old in Niger. You can sit on her bed, try on her shoes made of tires, see the tanks of dirty water her family has access to, and see the 3 tablespoons of food that feeds her family each week. There is a place for kids to play on traditional musical instruments, grind corn into meal, and pump water. The story ends by showing the difference that World Vision has been able to make in the little girl's village. We were so impacted by the exhibit that we ended up commiting to sponsor a child with a monthly donation. I can't think of another exhibit at The Fair that has resulted in so much interesting conversation around our dinner table.

What are your favorite new exhibits?

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Pro Rodeo at The Fair - Have you gone yet?


Cy and I are big rodeo fans but we'd never seen the rodeo at the Fair before yesterday. We got lucky that the friendly staff at the Green River Community College offered us box seats for the 1:00 rodeo. Needless to say, our spot in the sun was a glorious place to spend our One Day Vacation. The cowboys, the stock, and the arena are impressive. We saw some of the best competitors in the world complete with playbacks on the big screen on either side of the stage. Eight seconds is never quite long enough to take in the whole spectacle. I am definitely going to make plans to buy my tickets early next year to be sure we're in the arena when the fun begins.
Have you been to this rodeo yet? What tips do you have for spectators who are new to this sport?

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Finding New Favorites



Cy and I returned to The Fair again today for more fun. There are some things that we do EVERY time we go to The Fair. I think coming in the Red Gate and starting with one hot scone from the booth under the grandstands offically tells our brains that it is now time to have some fun. Today we discovered lots of new exhibits that are great. The carver-of-giant-pumpkins outside the Pavillion is a hoot. He will custom carve one of these 500 lb. beauties for your next special event. Also, we loved the high school art exhibit on the ground floor of the Pavillion. Cy can't believe that it is possible to draw Jack Sparrow so well.

What new things have you found on the fairgrounds this year?

Friday, September 7, 2007

Fair Going Tips - What are yours?







Here are some things I learned from my mom about the art of Doin' the Puyallup:
1) Start out early in the day to avoid the crowds.
2) The only scones that count are the ones you buy at the booth under the grandstands.
3) It IS possible to park for free.
4) Nobody with a lick of sense needs to go on more than 3 rides.

My son and I got our season passes, complete with photos, at the Gold Gate today. We are serious about our Fair and will be reporting back here each day and look forward to hearing about your Fair experiences over the next 17 days.

Here's the tip I would add to my mom's list:
1) Take off your watch.
This is a major tenet of the One Day Vacation state of mind. There's nowhere else you need to be. Let yourself be absorbed by the sight and sound sensation that is The Fair.

What are your ideas for making the most of your One Day Vacation at the The Fair?

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

One Day Vacation 17 Days in a Row


The count down is almost over. The 2008 Western Washington Fair finally opens on Friday. The One Day Vacation team will be at The Fair for each day of its 17 day run. We'll be testing out the new trans-fat-free cooking oils, visiting the World Vision exhibit, checking on the new piglets and trying to get in on lots of the free concerts offered on various stages all over the fair grounds. Check back often to read about our new finds and old favorites. I hope you'll add to the conversation by posting your experiences at The Fair on this blog.

You can also send me photos and comments via e-mail. I can be reached at - sallyzeigerhanson@gmail.com. I will post your comments here. Also check out The Herald each Thursday for an article that showcases our experiences for the week.

Find out about Fair tickets and schedules by visiting http://www.thefair.com

Monday, September 3, 2007

Roar of the Sunday Crowd


If you like cowboys, days in the sun, $2 hamburgers, and small town adventures, Roy Pioneer Rodeo is not to be missed. On the professional circuit, this rodeo features wooden stands from days gone by, some of the best ranch stock in the country, food made by the locals and some very competitive cowboys. We've taken to spending one day each Labor Day weekend at the Roy Rodeo and I always find that it is a great way to end the summer. Don't miss out next year when the Roy Rodeo gets underway next year both in June and on Labor Day. http://www.royrodeo.com

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Are you Good To Go?



Its time to brave that new bridge and get yourself back to Gig Harbor. For the rest of the summer there are outdoor movies on Saturday nights, live music on Tuesdays at Java and Clay, 15 unique fish sculptures around town, and of course, the Tides Tavern. The first Saturday of every month there is an art walk featuring lots of local artists. We spent a great day in Gig Harbor this week and wish the same adventures for you. Does anyone know a great place to have dinner in Gig Harbor?

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Pork & Pie Daze - Don't miss out!


Alert One Day Vacationer Teri E. has notified me about this upcoming festival in Pe Ell, WA. I am passing along this information so that not one more year goes by without us properly celebrating the Pork & Pie Daze of August.

On August 4 & 5, a trip to Pe Ell will take you to a festival that features a hog calling contest, a pie eating contest, a piggy pinata, greased pig wrestling, and piggy back races among many other festivities. Now that's what I call fun! For more information: http://www.townofpeell.com/events.htm

Monday, July 30, 2007

Fun @ HG Bistro


The HG Bistro, formerly known as the Hungy Goose, in Puyallup is a great place to meet your friends for lunch. On a recent outing there with my family, we solved most of the world's problems and had spectacular coconut cream pie to boot.

Harstine Island Lavender Festival



I don't even like the smell of lavender and yet I loved this festival. Who knew that lavender could be used to make tea, cookies, spice for lamb, and make your drawers smell good? Or at least, make your drawers smell like lavender. This lovely little festival happens each July and is worth the trip just to have a day on a remote flower farm.
Arts & Flowers Nursery, Shelton 360-426-0797

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Everyday Celebrations - Trackside Pizza



We have decided that Trackside Pizza is an ideal place to celebrate. In our case, we were celebrating that it was Monday night. Any occasion will do. Its not easy to find great pizza, creative salads and a decent beer list all on one menu. Trackside Pizza offers all this in a friendly, warm environment enhanced by the trains rumbling by on the tracks that are 10 feet away.
201 N Meridian St, Puyallup 253-845-7437

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Fremont - The Art of Celebration and Vice-Versa


Fremont has declared itself the Center of the Universe and after spending a blissful Sunday there, I think I might be persuaded to agree. The funky Sunday flea market is fun and the art all around the neighborhood brightens the brunching and browsing that needs to be done when you are there. Don't miss Theo Chocolate (3400 Phinney Ave), the only independently owned organic and Fair Trade chocolate maker in the country. Tours daily at 1:00 and 3:00. Free samples available the rest of the day.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Wilkeson or Bedrock Quarry?





If you are in the mood for a Wild West relic, head to Wilkeson for the day. Just 15 miles beyond Orting, this picturesque mining town boasts the state's oldest operational elementary school and the sandstone quarry that provided all the stone for our state's capital building. Lunch is great at the Pick n' Shovel and don't forget to drive 4 miles beyond town to see the state's highest bridge, an impressive, arched structure over an even more impressive wooded canyon. Stop by city hall to pick up the map that provides a walking tour of the nine historic buildings in town. City hall also has some ghosts so its worth getting permission to check out the creepy basement. Just tell them you'd like to see the old firetruck that is parked down there. Don't miss Wilkeson Days on July 21 featuring handcar races on the railroad tracks.

Friday, June 29, 2007

Sip City Wines



This hip new wine bar in an unlikely location next to the QFC in Enumclaw is worth a visit soon. Jill, the owner and her colleague Susan, create a fun atmosphere and act like they have more to learn about wines than you do. They day I stopped by, a customer was filling them in on the new wines coming from Prague. They promised to investigate. Sip City Wines features fine wines from around the world. On Friday and Saturday nights, they host a wine tasting from 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm. $5 buys you a flight of wine samples from the region they are showcasing that weekend. They will be offering some food and selling wine by the glass in the near future. Their website offers Wine of the Month clubs and home delivery of special orders. Sip City Wines 1040 Stevenson Ave., Suite A 360-825-1695 http://www.sipcitywines.com

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

New Life for Book Clubs

Has your Book Club turned into a Supper Club? This must be a developmental phase that almost all reading groups go through. You meet a great group of friends. Someone proposes a Book Club. Everyone cheers, commits, suggests books. Someone offers to host. The next six months are filled with good reads, good conversations, and good meals. Then, one by one, people have trouble finding the books, someone has a new baby, someone objects to the book so they don't read it. Pretty soon you find yourself having dinner with this great group and then having to find other people to talk to about your books. I think a good Book Club One Day Vacation might be just the thing to reenergize your group.

My Book Club has loved having the Pierce College lecture series here in our back yard. We saw Arthur Golden speak soon after we read Memoirs of a Geisha. I got a note in the mail from Mickey in Sumner. She suggests that Book Clubs visit Baker Street Books in Black Diamond (http://www.bakerstreetbooks.com).

Another group I read with had a local author attend one of our meetings after we read her book, "Eating Heaven" by Jennie Shortridge. She has kept in touch and kept us thinking about the relationship between writers and readers.

If your Book Club has taken a One Day Vacation in order to revive itself, please tell us where you went and what you suggest. I will compile a list of One Day Vacations for Book Clubs and post it here. I look forward to hearing your ideas! - Sally

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Enumclaw - Center for the Arts



If you are looking for immersion in the arts, head for the hills. The new Arts Alive! Center for the Arts on the plateau in Enumclaw has something for everyone. It's part collaborative gallery, part studio and classroom, and part community gathering space. Arts Alive! offers watercolor, oil, acrylic, bookbinding and carving classes. Open studio times are available on Tuesday afternoons. Each Friday you can participate in open studios, poetry jams, artists' salons, and play readings. My son loved the huge "bonging" instruments (pictured) throughout the gallery and was invited by the volunteer working on Saturday to hit each one, creating quite a commotion throughout their great new space.

Arts Alive! Center for the Arts
1429 Cole St. Enumclaw
360-802-6787
http://www.plateauartsalive.org

Monday, June 11, 2007

Ben & Jerry's - Now in our neighborhood



Well, I'll go almost anywhere for good ice cream so even if this shop were in Walla Walla, I would probably try to say it was "in our neighborhood". Fortunately, you only have to go to Lake Tapps Parkway to get some Ben & Jerry's flavored fun. We got a 2 for 1 coupon from the Hometown Values magazine that came in the mail. The coupon is only good for cones with two or three scoops on them. Luckily, we adhere to May West's thought that "Too much of a good thing can be wonderful".
1410 Lake Tapps Parkway, Ste. H104 253-333-8555
http://www.benandjerrys.com/laketapps

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Summer Sittin' - the new summer hobby



The year that we added a deck to our house, my son coined a new phrase: "Summer Sittin'" He declared that it was his favorite summer pasttime. Since then we've spent a lot of time perfecting the art of Summer Sittin' and we've determined that the premier place to get in some great Summer Sittin' is at a Tacoma Rainiers game. Last Tuesday, I took a vacation day and caught the 11:30 am game with a girlfriend. The clouds cleared up just in time. We splurged $14 for box seats and spent some of the game worried that we might get called into the game because it seemed like our seats were actually IN the Rainiers dugout. I don't golf or fish or any of those other activities that call people away from the office on a sunny day. But I do need a day here and there to get caught up on my Summer Sittin'.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Secret Garden - Without the yard work




Have you been to The Secret Garden Tea Room in Sumner? What a great find! My aunt dragged us there on Saturday afternoon. We tried to talk her into meeting us at Kent Station so we could sneak in some shopping at Ann Taylor but she insisted that we head to Sumner. I'm so glad. This historic home is the site of the much beloved Secret Garden Tea Room which was at Factoria Square for 15 years. While you need to make reservations to get an official High Tea served complete with cucumber sandwiches, we had an excellent lunch and still got in on the scones and tea for dessert. Don't miss the Orzo Pea salad and the chilled gazpacho I had was excellent on the hot day we were there. Come early so you have time to hang around in the lovely, shaded gardens. Secret Garden Gift Shop and Tea Room 1711 Elm St. E. Sumner (253) 826-4479