Gray and That Time of Year

Happy Halloween! Today it's gray (yay) and rainy (boo). It's also so windy that Rocco doesn't like going for a walk because he just gets blown all over the place. 

Anyway, it's that time of year where I start taking vitamin D supplements--woo-hoo!

Rain Driving

I don't like it. 

Took me 80 minutes to get from seattle to Everett today to pick up my second set of car keys. I really need to switch to a closer dealership. Can I even do that? 

Waterfront Whimsy

A whimsical sculpture by the waterfront with the seattle great wheel in the background. 

The Series Continues

Rocco at Gas Works Park:

It was a beautiful day to be in the park. Rocco really liked sniffing the grass, saying hi to people and taking in the views. Don't think he noticed the seaplanes, but he definitely checked out the water and big sculptures. He walked all up the way up kite hill!

Autumn Morning in Seattle

10:16am, Seattle Center

Actual Car

I finally got my Tiguan today! But it is not the one I was expecting because of the clockspring recall mucking up the whole thing.

2015 pre-owned certified Tiguan in dark blue AKA Seahawks blue. I had wanted black but this one came w a bunch more features (For the same price) so I decided to take it!

Good Morning

Belltown, Seattle 10:27am

Winning Combination

Green herbed olives and pistachios taste great together!

Great Shakeout

On 10-15 at 10:15am there is going to be a Washington state-wide earthquake drill. Most schools will participate and many coastal towns will hear tsunami alarms. 

How fitting it is, then, that early this morning a mini swarm of quakes hit the seattle area... Near Gig Harbor (24 miles away from Seattle). 

2.7 12am 

2.8 4:10am

2.16 5:07am

Ranging from 16 to 21 miles deep.

From what I've read, the odds of a big earthquake hitting here are greater in the first half of the year for whatever reason. 

Post-Work Groceries

I can't even convey via text the excitement of being able to just drive on over to Trader Joe's in Ballard after work! It was just a ten-minute drive and there was a parking garage so no parallel parking. My temporary vehicle--a giant Passat sedan--isn't the easiest to get into street spots. (Listen, I studied and watched lots of videos, but I still have trouble parallel parking. I'm low on spatial intelligence, ok?)

Going to go feast on Apple sticks and spinach kale bites now :)

Kitchen Midden

Usually my little kitchen midden of a dog eats anything that falls on the floor. So I have to be extra careful when cooking with garlic, shallots and onions. 

Here's the updated list of things Rocco doesn't like to eat:

1. Fruit

2. Cooked Pasta 

Excitement

At 6am on Sunday there are oodles of parking spots all around my apartment. It's so exciting!! Even though I have a monthly lot four blocks away, I couldn't resist grabbing a spot right outside of my building :) Free street parking on Sundays!

Groomer

Rocco went to the groomer yesterday and came back sporting a cute Halloween bandana! Which, for the record, I think he dislikes. 

Rich Tropical Moisture

I can turn my humidity machine off!! Loving this gray, wet weather. Seattle seems to have collectively breathed a deep sigh of relief :)

POTUS in Town

President Obama will be in seattle tomorrow! Two blocks away from my apartment... The roads will be closed all day. 

I know Obama is a fan of Top Pot Donuts so I'll head over in the AM just in case :) I've already met (hugged!) Michelle Obama so meeting the president would just be extra amazing. 

Deception

Nope. They lie. This lot (3rd ave btwn Blanchard and Bell) actually has a year long wait list. According to Republic Parking. 

Pottery Class

First day of my pottery class!!

I am not a 3-D person.

Dried Chicken Necks

Rocco just loves his dried chicken necks! They apparently are good for cleaning teeth. 

Beer Hall

Went to Queen Anne Beer Hall last night and it was great! Reminds me of Hudson Hall in NYC but with better food. The bratwurst was pretty good and came with tasty sour kraut, pickles, herb fries and rye bread. The beers were pretty legit as well! I had Spaten Oktoberfest. 

This pretzel is the size of a baking sheet!

Weisswurst on the left and bratwurst on the right.

Beer list!