Go to a show, see The Jungle Book at Moonpaper tent theater, Busytown at the Seattle Children's Theater, Aladdin & the Magic Lamp at Redmond Town Center, and Little Women at the Everett performing Arts Center.

Participate in the Kids for Fitness Challenge at MyGym and Kids Night Out at Imagine Children's Museum in Everett

May 2nd-Bellevue Arts Museum, Children's museum of Tacoma, Kids Quest Children's Museum,  are offering free admission today.

Drive to Yakima for the Homeschool convention over the weekend

Despite the throngs of fellow wine-lovers and deal seekers, I accomplished my mission handily and snatched up several bottles of domestic cab/merlot, some Australian Pinots and a half-bottle of Pinot Grigio (love those little bottles for weekdays dinners) - all for less than $45. Since the Outlet is well, an outlet, the inventory tends to be composed of small quantities of closeouts and changes frequently. But Kinssies' long-time relationship (over 30 years in the industry) with wholesalers and importers guarantees that you will find some true gems at bargain prices.

The new space is much cozier and less warehouse-like than the original SoDo retail spot on First Avenue South and includes a dedicated parking lot. Free tastings from at least a half dozen bottles are always available. No wonder we can't get enough of this place.

Seattle Wine Outlet (Interbay Location)
946 Elliott Ave. West
Seattle, WA 98119
206.285.1129

Closest Hotels: Homewood Suites Seattle, Mar Queen Hotel

The owner will take the time to explain to you everything you ever wanted to know about teas.  Such as black tea and green tea come from the very same plant, Camellia Sinensis, it is just the difference in processing that determines its category.  Did you know that herbs can make great teas and tisanes too?

From traditional English and Irish breakfast teas to tea accessories and medicinal teas. This shop has it all.  Order a cup of Cream Earl Grey (a flavored tea) or Vanilla Honeybush for a knock your socks off experience.  You will definitely want to take a bag or two home with you.

http://www.tigermtteaco.com/index.htm

The tour at Redhook Brewery in Woodinville did not disappoint!  The tour guide was cute and quick witted as she poured and talked about the difference between ales and lagers, hops from Yakima, and the fact that the failed batches go to Coors light or O'Douls.  Okay she might have been kidding there.

As she lead us from the bottling room (back for more beer) to the fermentation room she explained that the brewery started in a transmission shop in Ballard, (north Seattle) in the 1990s which is where the hook got the name - (from Ballard, the fishing village),  (back for more beer) to the NASA like control panels in the viewing window (back for more beer).

All for a dollar and we got to keep the glass!!   Daily tours available.   Check their website for times.

http://www.redhook.com/

They have no less than eight ales, including their flagship ESB, a Blonde, a dark (Blackhook), an IPA and seasonal favorites Winterhook, Copperhook, Sunrye, and  Late Harvest.  Plan on a meal at the Forecaster' Pub after your tour at this state-of-the-art brewing facility. 

What a great October evening we had!

http://www.villagetheatre.org/

The menu gives you a historic perspective of the Auburn area dating back to when the Trott's came west in 1906, and the old photographs on the wall go back to when Auburn was apparently called "Slaughter" Washington.  

The Bravo Burger I had was good.  Don't order the Pot Roast; they must use packaged gravy on it or something.  We had to send it back though the Club Sandwich they replaced it with was good. 

Trotters Restaurant

825 Harvey Road N.E.

Auburn, WA  98002

253-833-2323

(15^th turns into Harvey Road as you head east)

We had lunch at Tobys Tavern in Coupevillle   http://www.tobysuds.com/   where we had a long wait for lunch but everyone enjoyed the world famous Penn Cove mussels when they arrived.   Greenbank Farm "on the skinny part of the island" is the icing on the cake, or pie in this instance. Their restaurant has fantastic pies (and great breakfast we heard), they also have a wine shop, cheese shop, trails, event center.  They found their perfect crop in loganberry's in the early 1900's.  I will be looking forward to opening my bottle of Greenbank Farm loganberry wine sometime soon. 

Thanks for the great day sisters, brother-in-law and husband!

Fashion Runway Show at the legendary Paramount Theatre

On September 19, 2007 Couture Fashion Designer Luly Yang once again lends her creative heart to benefit Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center.

Expect a theatrical fashion show sparkling with the designer's one of a kind, top of the line creations.

Don't miss this opportunity to give to a good cause and receive a fantastic evening in return.

Last evening was opening night . John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers appearing tonight though Sunday, 9/9, at Jazz Alley, www.jazzalley.com, rocked the full house crowd, exceeding all expectations but only fitting this 73 year old English blues legend.

The band and sound was so tight it squeaked! Many arrived early to take advantage of the great menu provided by this club. The food and service was impeccable but the music provided by the group will linger in memory for a long, long, time.

The mature crowd clearly got its groove with the outstanding sound, beat, and blues guitars. Mayall's keyboard, harmonica playing and vocals made our toes tap and heads bob. But it was the spontaneous eruptions of applause and cheers that amped the room's energy up to make the evening unforgettable.

Don't miss this rare Seattle tour by Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. He was recently awarded the OBE in the Queen's Honour List befitting his role as the "Godfather of British Blues. Visit: www.johnmayall.com for more information on this legend.

Dimitriou's Jazz Alley is located at Sixth and Lenora. There are many hotels nearby. The Westin and the Warwick are within easy walking distance. Enter through the alley and there's even FREE PARKING!

Take a private passenger ferry from the Everett Marina.  Pack everything you'll need with a plan to carry it back out.  If traveling with your pet, it must be caged or muzzled.  Then prepare for a most unique, restful, unplugged vacation unlike any other.

Due to a last minute cancellation, we were able to rent a house for Labor Day Weekend at only $75 per night through vacation rentals on www.craigslist.org  The owner simply said to look for their island car, let the community know we were their guests, the car was unlocked at the marina and the keys to the house were inside.

Hat Island is a private island community with cabins and houses loosely placed on one of the state's most pristine and mostly untouched pieces of real estate just a 45 minute passenger ferry ride from Everett.  If you have your own boat, there's a marina too.  Interested in buying in?  There's many waterfront and interior lots for sale. Visit www.hatisland.org for island information.

The island is so peaceful and the vegetation is lush and the wildlife is limited to a few birds, many wild rabbits and all the bounty one can legally harvest from the waters of Puget Sound.

As a native of the state, I haven't spent much time on the islands of Puget Sound, especially the San Juans.  It was always the anticipation and challenge of waiting in long ferry lines that kept these jewels from my travel radar.

Here's some photos:

The passenger ferry "Holiday" has a quirky schedule.  Check the website for details.  Fares are $6 each way for adults and $1 each way for pets.

There are NO services on the island, save for a lone telephone booth.  There's a water system, electricity and one sees a few satellite TV dishes.  But looking for a latte' or a pop machine?...you're stuck!  Pack it in, and pack it out or befriend a local if you need something.  There's a fire department and yacht club.  We lucked out and attended a Saturday evening Octoberfest celebration dinner with kegs of beer and pork loin with sauerkraut.  We enjoyed the German band too.

Island cars are also a trip back in time as owners escape state licensing laws and besides the old cars you share the well manicured dirt roads with golf carts and ATVs.

There's even a 9 hole golf course and tennis courts on this 1.5 mile long island.

There is a unique mix of vegetation for what we're accustomed to in the Northwest.  Many many varieties of maples, spruce, hemlock and douglas fir fill the landscape along with brambles, thistles and even a tangle with poison ivy.  There wer enough blackberries to pick to even bake a pie.

Living in the city, I was struck, even spooked by how quiet this little slice of paradise was over the weekend.  I'll be back!