Any one who was a real Twin Peaks fan might remember this waterfall (I said a REAL Twin Peaks fan!). So along with being featured in the show Snoqualmie Falls is also home of the Salish Lodge where Marc and I recently had their fabulous Sunday brunch! About a 40 minute beautiful drive out of Seattle, we lucked out with perfect weather and really didn’t know what to expect so were quite happy to pull up to this beautiful old lodge built in 1916 and overlooking the falls. Breakfast is elegant and not cheap – even coffee is served with a small silver tray complete with chocolate shavings, whipped cream and the other usual accompaniments. The food is delicious and plentiful – I ate the other half of my omelete the next day and it was still delicious! Couldn’t resist popping in the gift shop which I have to say by hotel gift shop standards is the best I have ever been in – like a small version of Anthropologie – lots of good stuff! The falls are right there and although there is a bit of construction there was still plenty to see.The water plunges 268 feet into a 65-foot deep pool, and the average volume of water flowing over the falls is between 500 and 1500 cubic feet per second. Most surprising and delightful was the fine rain of mist resulting from the crush of water. A lovely way to spend a Sunday or any day for that matter – a great “mini excursion” outside of Seattle!

I’ve been so busy working that I didn’t notice that a very chic new salon has opened up in my neighborhood = apparently offering all kinds of services! I like Mannaise… This spa sounds like it could be just the thing I’m looking for… And what girl doesn’t want a makeover? The price is a bit out of the ordinary, perhaps I’ll wait for the Groupon…

Want to know a really fantastic way to spend a Sunday evening (or anytime for that matter?!) Try renting an eletric boat for a couple of hours on Lake Union. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to do it on a Groupon like the one my friend Kimberly had. Usually $200 for 2 hours this one was 50% off and either way, the boat fits 10 friends so you do the math – a great deal either way! Robert volunteers as our captain and happily takes the wheel! Yes, while Kimberly and I got on to more important things like starting our picnic!So here’s the scoop – for 2 hours (ours was from 7-9pm) you and 9 of your friends can sale around Lake Washington listening to our own music from your ipad (in our case it was Gavin’s playlist of musique Francaise) and bring whatever food and drink you want – how great is that! BTW, Cracker Jack makes the perfect on the fly dessert! Woman of color: Michelle Obama – Man of color: Gavin Derek Remember Sleepless in Seattle? Remember Tom Hank’s houseboat? You get to cruise right by these and get a great look at the amazing variety of these unique residences! !Also, I just bought a Groupon for a great kayak deal on Lake Washington which will enable us to get a real close up to these houses so stay tuned! Little ships and big ships – lots to see on this ride! After sunset, a ghostly view of Gasworks Park 2 hours was the perfect amount of time for this ride – and a totally perfect ending for the weekend! Check out the Electric Boat Company and happy sailing – thanks again Kimberly for a really great evening!

There is nothing cozier than having that special someone arrange a fabulous surprise weekend out of town for you, especially when it’s celebrating your birthday!
That’s what happened to my brother John this past weekend when his partner Vinnie ‘kidnapped” him from his job and whisked him 1.5 hours away to the Mast Farm Inn nestled high in the Appalachian Mountains in Valle Crucis, North Carolina. Thank you Vinnie, Howard and Jen for making this happen, this place looks amazing! I don’t know where to start with what photo I like the best but so set the tone howabout a picture of their cottage! – this one (one of several you can rent) is called the Loom House. If this is not incredible enough how about having this fabulous bathtub in your living room? Sure, it’s alittle unusual but so what, who cares – Calgon can take me away anytime, anywhere!!!! Something we all need – a good night sleep! All this picture is missing is a cat! Oh, wait, they had one of those too! No free vet exam from Dr. Vinnie – just a cozy cuddle! This next photo is one of my ideas of the ultimate in relaxation – only thing missing is a picnic and a bottle of some delicious wine!!!! Wow, I’ve written this much and haven’t really mentioned food yet – how weird!!! Have no fear, the Mast Farm has a wonderful restaurant serving up their fresh, seasonal home grown goodies! The restaurant was closed for dinner by the time John and Vinnie arrived but the next day breakfast was not only amazing but had a quirky surprised – personalized menus! Breakfast doesn’t get any better than this – incredible! If you’re asking what you do when at Mast Farm the answer is RELAX! And sometimes relaxing means taking a beautiful hike in the woods and streams and waterfalls! I think there must be something here for everyone here (especially if you’re looking for something cozy!) and I am so glad John and Vinnie got to have this wonderful weekend! Happy Pre-Birthday bro!

I’ve always thought radishes were particularly beautiful, especially the French ones which I would see in abundance in many red and pink hues at the Pasadena Farmer’s Market Marc and I used to frequent. I love using a bunch of radishes as a garnish to any plate of h’or doevres. Hey, are radishes the new parsley? Below added to a bunch of lisianthus - unique and beautiful! But don’t stop there – Fruit, vegetables and flowers make a gorgeous combination – get creative! Now I’m not sure what would drive someone to make a topiary out of brussel sprouts (Gavin, you must have the answer to that? )but you must admit, it is pretty! I’m leaving you all with a new radish dip from Martha Stewart- I have not tried it yet but will do so soon and report back!

Today we celebrated Gavin’s birthday with an Easter egg hunt and Bloody Mary’s! The sky was blue (yippee!!!) and the temperature was mild – (amazing!!!) In the spirit of “out with the old and in with the new”, the apartment building where Gavin lives has some super cool new tenants so a Sunday gathering in the courtyard with an adult Easter egg hunt was as good a get-to-know-your-neighbor excuse for a party as it gets! Gavin learned when hosting an adult Easter egg hunt it’s best not to hide the eggs the night before when you come home from a 2 bottle of wine dinner (you might think the middle of the yard is a good hiding place but this is probably only true in the dark when you are drunk…!). Gavin, Janelle and Jael decorated the eggs and included all the neighbors names as well as their pets! I wonder if this doggie found his egg? Gavin re-hid some eggs for 10 year old Cole to find – here was one particularly clever hiding place (not sure if Molly even knew what was going on?!) Cole brought a bag full of bunnies! Quintessential gourmet deviled eggs and other assorted nibbles… We missed the Veuve but that’s ok – there will be many more occasions – Happy Birthday Gavin (and Happy Easter too!) Thanks for a lovely Springtime morning!

Marc surprised me this Saturday night with a reservation at Matt’s in the Market.Located right across the street from the main part of Pike Place Market (where they throw the fish!) and up a dusty old set up stairs you might not know about this restaurant unless someone told you (as well as Chez Jay’s right next to it!). The view out of huge arched windows is pretty cool and quintessential Seattle! Also I love how at Pike Place Market they seasonally decorate the top of the roof – right now it is loaded with living daffodils. The restaurant was noisy and bustling and we were a bit on edge having just escaped on our drive what would have been a most unfortunate car accident by someone running a red light. Serious note to all reading: ALWAYS look both ways before you go. Marc saved our lives by shouting out for me to stop on this one. Hence, this bottle of wine was badly needed and tasted extra delicious! This might be a good time to say that Matt’s is on the pricy side so although the appearance of it’s patrons is Seattle casual, be prepared to drop some bills.Marc had the Seafood Stew. I opted for the sea scallops. The food was beautiful and delicious but somehow I don’t think we’ll be running back. Seasonal, local, the whole deal but everything a la carte and the place was a little too noisy and hustle bustle that night. Although the 10 year old boy sitting with his rock n roll parents next to us managed to fall asleep quite easily….Another new and different Seattle restaurant experience, and one we’re definitely glad we had. There’s lots out there to try and that’s a job I am definitely up to!