Landed the cover for this story about maximalism! Maximalism is all about excess and pushing the boundaries. But Seattle’s interpretation is tempered with balance and smaller doses.
Here's a link to The Seattle Times:
https://www.seattletimes.com/explore/at-home/7-design-tips-for-embracing-maximalism/
Pike Place, after the holiday crowds.
At the *second* most beautiful museum building in Seattle, the National Nordic Museum. Do you know what the first is?
That glass art is very pretty, but Dale Chihuly the artist is a divisive character. Phony or genius? What do you think?
He's a phony: He doesn't even make that glass art himself, he "art-directs" the glass blowers. Also, the Chihuly museum sits on city-owned land, and charges an arm and a leg for admission. They don't do First Thursday or museum pass, only museum month, which gives downtown hotel visitors a discount. That's not very community friendly.
He's a genius: The old Renaissance masters used hordes of assistants too. And Chihuly is an artist with disabilities. (He lost the eye in a car accident, and hurt his shoulder surfing.)
Run, don't walk, to Tacos Extranjeros! Three blocks from the Ballard TJ's, inside the all-ages Fair Isle Brewery. I had a taco craving and this hit the spot.
The owners are a cute young couple from LA, Bo and Liz, and their pop-up has only been open 2 months. Right now tacos are $3.50 each.
The salsa de habenero was picked as one of the 8 best eats of the year by The Seattle Times, but it was the taco abodaba that stole my heart. You can sit at the counter and watch the chef at work, but we sat under tents outside so I could inhale the scent of that roasting pork.
I've died and gone to taco heaven. Standing in the parking lot of a TJ Maxx eating $3 tacos al pastor from a street vendor with questionable hygiene. Tacos la Cuadra is open 7:30 to midnight and has two locations, one at Northgate and one in Rainier Beach.
Tacos! At La Conasupa in Greenwood. They're $7 apiece, which sounds like extortion, until you see it and realize it's the size of 4 regular tacos. They're known for their lamb, so we had that, plus a tall cup of horchata.
I wrote about our taco eating for Seattle's Child:
https://www.seattleschild.com/tijuana-style-taquerias-to-visit-in-seattle/
Happy new year from Seattle!
Paul won a coloring contest at the Magnolia Albertson's. The prize was a $15 gift card, which I applied to our groceries. Freeloader no more!
Out for a walk at Ballard Locks and saw this tree dotted with nests and comorants. It was technically a color image, but of a black tree and black birds against a grey sky.
Here you can see that distinctive Batman pose.
Trekked up to Bothell for Evergreen Christmas Lights, 6-9 p.m. every night through Christmas Eve. Impressive light show, cookies, train, photo station, snowfall — all free.
Keener's Christmas is a beacon of Christmas joy you can spot from a mile away. Every square inch of this home, on the border between Bothell and Woodinville, is covered in lights. Loved driving through, but I'd hate to see their electric bill.
Wackiest Christmas experience this year: Mr. Kringle's Inventionasium, where Santa's workshop meets Pee Wee's playhouse.
The premise: Kids help Santa invent new toys. The toy you create is genius: pick a hand-puppet form, then the accessories velcro on.
You walk through a warren of small rooms, and encounter a fantastical character in each one. Blue eyelashes, gemstone freckles, I was impressed with the costuming. In the final room, you get a one-on-one with Mr. Kringle. Also genius: parents can fill in a questionnaire ahead of time and Santa magically knows all about the kid.
Who should go: I'd say it's best for ages 5-8. Paul is 9 and he loved the puppet-making. Preschoolers are ok if they're spunky, younger kids might find the characters scary. Good for people who love improv.
Cost: $40 per person, which seems fair for live theater.
It's in its first year in Seattle, 17th year in Cleveland. The owners of a new immersive theater company in Seattle licensed the production from Cleveland. The building is across from Lumen Field, and not well marked.
Verdict: I though it was weird. The kids thought it was great.
Talk about being in the right place at the right time! I happened to be loitering outside the Nutcracker house in Ballard when the owners stepped outside to take a picture.
I wrote about this house during the pandemic, and I'd only ever talked to John on the phone. John and Scott were even nicer and funnier in person. John is the principal harpist for the PNB orchestra, and Scott refinishes antique furniture. This year is the 10th year they've displayed the Sendak nutcrackers at their storybook cottage.
Where: 9016 Loyal Ave NW
When: Roughly Thanksgiving to New Year's each year
My Seattle Times story (from 2021): https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/ballard-nutcracker-house-returns-after-year-of-uncertainty/
'Twas the night before a Christmas, and a retired grandpa was blowing huge bubbles to make people smile. (He's on FB as Bubbles of Joy.) A fellow 8th grader and her mom handed out free cups of cocoa. On a dead-end street, we watched "Frosty the Snowman" projected on the side of a house, complete with audio. Olympic Manor is the best.
Merry Christmas!
Wait, the holiday light season isn't over yet! Tulalip lights runs through Jan. 12. I almost didn't go — it was an hour's drive, in the rain, in the dark. (Is it just me or are headlights way brighter now?) While the wet roads made the drive harrowing, they also made MAGICAL reflections.
Exit 200 off I-5, next to the Seattle Premium Outlets. Lights are FREE to look at, and parking is free too. You can go skating on a tiny rink with real ice ($15) and pick up dinner at the food trucks (fry bread, $8).
Who is nuts enough to go to Snowflake Lane the weekend before Christmas, on a clear night? Me, apparently.
The last time we tried Snowflake Lane, the boys were so little and the crowd was so aggressive, I vowed we'd never do it again. But we happened to be near Bell Square, so I gave it another try. Tonight's mob was mostly civil, except for a group of pushy Mainlanders. The performers radiated positive energy and handed out lollipops to the kids.
Snowflake Lane is a 20-minute parade every night at 7 p.m., between Bell Square and Lincoln Square, through Christmas Eve.
