Queen Anne Playground, El Diablo, Queen Anne Farmers Market.

I will always have a fondness for QA, having lived there for 7 years. I loved the neighborhood, I loved running the crown of the hill and taking in all the vistas. I loved being in walking distance to everything I could need. And, now, I love coming here as a visitor and walking around someone elses neighborhood. And, on Thursdays, I love coming to the Farmers Market.(might be wrapping up soon, so go tomorrow!) Reason number 1: Poco Carreto Gelato, the offspring of my old place of work, Cafe Juanita. My last big project before I went on maternity leave last year was to create the recipes for the new gelato business that the chef, Holly, was to launch later that summer. For the last 6 weeks of work at 29 weeks pregnant, I would come into work, spinning gelatos, revising recipes, spinning more gelatos, tasting, tasting, tasting. Now, a year and some later, to see Poco Carretto doing so well and knowing that I had a little something to do with its birth gives me great pride. I cant help but stop by the market to sample the new flavors, right? (a little nostalgia. a tear.) Reason number 2: Skillet. two words, Bacon Jam. need I say more? no, but I will say that they have kick ass burgers, fries and some good lemonade too.
Reason number 3: good, local and organic produce..of course!

Before I hit the market, I like to stop by one of my favorite cafes on the hill. El Diablo. I recall when they first opened and, I remember thinking, how will they survive with Starbucks and Tullys down the street? Well, they have outlasted Tullys, and even since Peets moved in across the street from Starbucks (how ridiculous is this?), they seem to be plugging along. and, now I know why. they offer something different and unique. there coffees are good, although some are on the sweet side. but, it is different. cuban coffee in the Starbucks capital of the world, who would have thunk it?

After hitting my two favorite spots, I take Z up to the playground, just blocks away. They recently revamped this play area, and it is really nice now. They have a separate area for the little tykes, swings, a sandbox. The big kids area is pretty cool. If I could get away with it, I would be playing on the jungle gym too.

maybe in a few years.

Wallingford Farmers Market, Wallingford Park and Trophy Cupcake.

On Tuesday, I thought it was Wednesday. SO, I headed to Wallingford after Z's nap to take in the Farmers Market and the park. I just quit Spud CSA, which is another story, so I was fresh out of veggies and fruits. I may not be the best when it comes to eating all my fruits and veggies, but I am doing good by Z. If I ate what he ate every day, I would probably have dropped the last lingering 10 pounds of baby weight. This is where the cupcake comes in. and the daily full fat latte. After buying whole milk for the last 6 months, I am finding it extremely difficult to go back. A double short iced latte with whole milk is pretty much heaven.

SO, it is Tuesday and I am walking to the Farmers Market, which is great, but the market is on Wednesdays. take note. I was a little bummed, but the outing wasn't a complete wash. I did walk right past Trophy. I feel pretty critical when it comes to other peoples baked goods, and although I want to have something bad to say about Trophy, I've got nothing. First, I love the ambiance..the coolness, the retroness of it all. I love the line of birthday cards and doo-dads they offer. and, I love the fresh and creative look of their cupcakes. there, I said it. and, I love the cupcakes themselves. they are moist, and tasty. there, I said it. again. The potential competition has great cupcakes. well, I guess it wouldnt be competition if they sucked, right? I am thoroughly intrigued by the s'mores cupcake, but I have yet to try it. guess I will have to go back. oh, and, they make a pretty good full fat iced latte too.

The Wallingford playfield is a nice little playground. Plenty of green grass, a wading pool which has been nice this summer and a small kiddie area, separate from the big kid jungle gym. My only gripe is that I wish the play area was a bit more shaded. I went in the heat of summer and it was roasting. there is a picnic area that is on the far side of the park, nicely shaded and lovely under a canopy of trees, so there is shade around if you seek it.

The Farmers Market, on Wednesdays, is a nice afternoon outing. Though small, the market has a good array of seasonal stuff. and, I believe there is gelato and tamales to be had as well. Maybe, now that it is Wednesday, I will head back after Z's nap. oh, wait, its Thursday.

Greenlake Park and Revolutions Coffeehouse.

early morning on the lake.

I wish that I could begin this blog entry by saying, 'after I jog Greenlake multiple times a week, I head to Revolutions for my post jog coffee and then swing by the playgroud for a little playtime for Z while I do yoga in the park....' but, the truth is, I discovered Revolutions after a recent slow walk around the lake. My motivation comes in waves, and truth be told, those swells are few and far between. my poor jogging stroller. practically still has the tags on it. Anyhow, I cant tell you how many times I have tried to scoot my big ass stroller into the Starbucks on the corner, bumping into all the other walking moms and their huge ass strollers. grr. I know, I know...I AM one of them now. I laugh at how I used to get annoyed as a jogger sans baby, trying to skirt between the stroller brigades as we all ambled around the lake. funny how times change. SO, I decided that I just wasnt going to do Starbucks anymore. besides, I really do think their lattes suck. Then, I discovered Revolutions. This place is practically empty as I manuever my stroller through the big and wide glass doors, and down the ramp(!) to the barista, who is all smiles. He has none of that cool-barista attitude. none at all. and, he is incredibly genuine. it is so refreshing to interact with people like this. and, their coffee is GOOD. They have some pretty good cookie-brownie fare too.

With coffee in hand, I head to the playground. I like this place because it has enough kiddie swings, a nice sand box and a couple areas that are geared to younger kids, which is a separate place from the big kid area. This makes me feel better when sometimes, the big kids get all crazy running around the jungle gym like chickens with their heads cut off. Since Z is new to walking, I am the super paranoid mom who is like inches behind him. Not to mention, the last time I was here, I saw a toddler fall under a big kid swing and was pretty much trampled by the swinger as he swung back and forth. not cool. For now, I think I will keep on being paranoid.

Fremont Peak Park and Lighthouse Roasters.

I live in Fremont so this is a walk that I do often, when I don't feel like jumping in the car or when I just feel like getting out for a bit without making too much effort. Let me preface by saying, Lighthouse is around the corner from my house. Multiple times a week, I can smell them roasting their own beans. This, similar to walking by a pizzeria that blasts 'pizza smell' out onto the sidewalk, lures me in. almost daily. almost.

Lighthouse has a bit of a following. sort of a artsy, phish, outdoorsy, bicycle culture scene. I am usually a bit unkempt..no makeup, hair messed and pulled back somehow, gaucho pants on, crocs and ergo with baby, when I make my way in. I dont ever really feel cool enough, but its the coffee that brings me back. This is the kind of place that never yells out your order. you just 'know' when your drink is up. most of the time, I make the right assumption. and it pleases me.

I then walk over to Fremont Peak Park. not so much a playground but it does come with a nice view of the locks and Ballard, with the Olympic Mountains and sound beyond. I like this place because it seems to inspire creative play. There is a little nature trail, under great big trees, and lots of tactile sculpture pieces for Z to touch and look at. It is a nice little park. often pretty serene, it gives me a little quiet in my world, even if just for a moment.

I should be cleaning, or showering, or something.

Do I have time for a 4th blog? not really. but, as a full time mom to a 1 year old, I feel like I am always on the lookout for a good outing. a treat for me, a treat for my son. usually this means a coffee for me, and some sort of stimulation for him. I know that I am not alone when it comes to finding activities to keep busy, to get of the house. I know that for me, if nothing else, I need to at least get outside once a day. I try to make an outing out of it. In some ways, I reward myself with a coffee, as an incentive. Some days, I need that incentive. desperately. I am starting this blog because I love to seek out new things. Having time away from work gives me time to explore Seattle more, and there are some great parks, and great coffeehouses/bakerys. I am also a pastry chef in limbo, so I am all about finding good pastries too. I bake vicariously through the good eats I find. and, the coffee, well, who doesnt need a good coffee?

Stay tuned as Z and I eat, drink and play our way through Seattle.