Enchanted Holiday Swan

I was so excited when I realized that my Duncan Miller glass swan dish would look incredible mounded with my collection of silver, aqua and green Shiny Brite Christmas ornaments. She looked enchanted and became the centerpiece for my dining table this year.
 

Christmas Punch: Non Alcoholic and Way More Than 2 Stars

I am sharing a holiday hit: my recipe for 2 Star Christmas Punch. 

I served this beautiful punch to a crowd twice this year and the ladies drank cup after cup. It is not too sweet and very refreshing. At both parties, people crossed the room to tell me how much they liked the punch. I joked with a neighbor that I had made this recipe years ago and put a "star" next to it. She responded, "Put 2."

Step 1: Ice Ring Preparation (Day in Advance)
Freeze 2 cups of Cranberry Juice with 2 cups of fresh cranberries in the bottom of a Bundt mold (make sure the width of the mold will fit into your punch bowl). Tuck 5 whole sage leaves (or fresh rosemary sprigs) around the edge so that some green will show when un-molded.

When this first layer is frozen, pour in Cranberry Juice or Cranberry Ginger Ale to fill. Allow to freeze. When you place it in your punch bowl, the ice ring will look like this. 

When prepping for the party, pulverize one bag of fresh frozen raspberries (no liquid or sugar added, just berries) in a food processor and place into punch bowl. Add 1 (12 oz) can of defrosted frozen pink lemonade and 1 (12 oz) can of defrosted cranberry juice concentrate. (*2023 Update: I can't find frozen cranberry juice concentrate for the first time ever. Okay to replace with a bottle of 100% Juice cranberry juice in its place)

When your guests are about to arrive, add 2 (2 liter) of regular Ginger Ale. Place ice ring into center. Stir and enjoy!

#punch #nonalcoholic #recipe #christmasrecipe #vintage #holidayparty #punchrecipe #christmasparty #sobercurious #bestpunchever 

Homemade LIVE: An Afternoon with Joel Gamoran on TV

What an awesome experience! You know that I love to cook and I find anything related to food to be entertaining. Because of this, my friend connected me with an opportunity to watch a LIVE taping of a new PBS television show called HOMEMADE Live with Chef Joel Gamoran filmed in Seattle. 

My friend Carol was in town and suddenly we were sitting at the kitchen island of a famous chef while he cooked. We were there for the filming of Episode 6 and while I want you to set your DVR to watch it on PBS, you can also watch it at that hyperlink above.

Carol and I both were wearing shade of pink and you can see us throughout the episode as they pan to the audience. We were front and center at the island for the cooking. It was fantastic. Nick DiGiovanni was the special guest chef and he shared stories and cooked a simple scalloped halibut. I can't promise all of my houseguests that we'll end up on national television, but this day sure worked out. And thank you, Chef Joel. It was delightful. 

Take a chance, head downtown and if someone asks if you want to sit at the counter, say yes.

#joelgamoran #homemadelive #seattle #seattlefoodscene #pbs #thecookbookcollection #findingdelight

Erin French of The Lost Kitchen: Book Tour in Seattle

When I moved to the Seattle area, I moved to the right place. Did you know that we have a cookbook bookstore? That's right. The Book Larder in Fremont sells solely cookbooks (swoon) and is known for filling the calendar with book signings and cooking demonstrations. Its really something. 

As long as you are quick to sign up, you can do a lot of really cool things, like meet Erin French of The Lost Kitchen. 

The event was held at the Fremont Abbey and Erin was there with her husband Michael, who gave a warm and loving introduction and then played a video that showcased The Lost Kitchen restaurant and world that Erin now shares on Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Network. She tipped her hand and said the the next season of the show, The Lost Kitchen would likely feature her and Michael taking their airstream on the road throughout America. I can't wait to see how it unfolds. 

Her television show The Lost Kitchen is a quiet and beautiful glimpse at a women-run restaurant where the customer fan-base, having been selected from a postcard drawing, already feels lucky to dine with her and therefore is primed to be enjoy whatever she whips up. I feel the same way as a viewer. I want to see a beautiful table with delicate wildflowers, clean wineglasses and beautiful soup being poured into stoneware bowls. A dollop of creme fraiche and a pansy floating on top and I'm happy to see it. It's beautiful and it feel like I'm reading Victoria magazine. This genre of television is soothing me in a new way and I like it. 

Erin French was very relaxed and very real with the audience. It was not lost on her that she was able to run her restaurant as she had for years and her new found fame was won simply by allowing cameras to capture the magic of it. Her attention to detail. The friendships and camaraderie of women. Her mother as sommelier. A normal bumpy life full of very real complications turned out well. She has told her story in her autobiography Finding Freedom and was very clear that she has no secret sauce. I found her to be charming and I am so glad that I was able to hear her speak and support her in this small way.

#bigheartsmallstove #booktour #erinfrench #thelostkitchen #lostkitchen #findingfreedom #seattle #beautyofeverydaylife #cookbook

Michigan State vs Univ of Washington tailgate with RevelXP

Sometimes things turn out even better than you could have hoped for. I put out a lot of hype calls, texts and emails trying to bring my friends together for a tailgate on campus at Michigan State for the MSU vs University of Washington Huskys game 9-16-23. Our Husky friends Matt & Sally had taken us to the football game when MSU played Univ of Washington in Seattle last year, so this was part of the master plan. Return to Michigan State and revel in the fun of being on campus again, but how? 

It was all a dream until I found out that REVELxp was a company that was founded on making tailgating easy. They handled all of the logistics that were hard for me as someone coming from out of state. They provide the reserved space; They put up the tent and fill it with a couple big tables and folding chairs and a few coolers full of ice. They hung a banner (they printed) so my friends could find me. They met us at a designated drop off spot and unloaded our car into a golf car and drop our load to our designated tent. (Am I dreaming?) At the end of the game, they make it all go away. Incredible. It was just what we needed and I can't say enough positive things. 

These 2 great friends of mine Tricia (and Tim) and Alicia (and Alan!) also went above & beyond to make our tailgate a success. They brought a huge bar of mixed drinks, a grill for hot dogs and tons of tailgating supplies. Things I never would have been able to come up with flying in. They are the best and I think they had as much fun as I did. What a great reunion. Tons of our friends from Junior League dinner club came with bells on.

Lots of my friends brought food or drinks to make the party great. Btw, REVELxp also offers catering. It's expensive, but it does allow you to guarantee that you'll have some bites for your guests. We had sandwich platters and chicken wings to fill people up. And we were able to get all of the drinks in cans at the local Meijers the morning of the game. 

Our Junior League of Birmingham, MI dinner club (started in 1997) came out and it was so wonderful to see so many of our friends again. I was levitating. I stood for 3 1/2 hours, didn't eat or drink and it felt like a wedding reception. I knew everyone there and I didn't want to miss a moment.

I couldn't pack a lot in my suitcase, but I did manage to bring football stadium tablecloths (cute!) and tiny beer can dessert picks with me. Don't they look darling in my friend Karla's brownies? They are my kind of beer.

Another whole part of this event was getting my Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sisters together. Many of these women, I hadn't seen in about 25 years and I had only been writing on Facebook. The photo above shows 22 women from my time as a Theta at Michigan State. It was fabulous.

We were known as the "4 H" 

You can see from the image above that our UW friends Matt & Sally made sure that the Husky fans they knew (that had also travelled) felt welcome to come tailgate with us. It was so fun seeing everyone together. Dan & I had stood in a sea of purple in Seattle the year before, so it was wonderful to host this year and include everyone.

Liz and I met our first year volunteering with Junior League in 1997 and have been kindred spirits ever since.  

There was a great banner so tailgaters can tell which tent to go to. This was just as we arrived - I'm so glad we took a photograph. Smartest thing we did in 2023 - host a tailgate and get all of our friends and family together. Yes, my brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews came too. It was a awesome.

The game was a disaster. University of Washington won 41 to 7. It looked like we had sent our Tennis Team to try and play them. Horrible. But, our seats were great, the weather was beautiful and we had a blast! 

And, University of Washington went on this season to be in the National Championships, so clearly they were an excellent team. 

This was the best thing I planned all year. If you get a chance to do a reunion tailgate, I highly recommend it.

A Window on Butchart Garden in Victoria, BC

We had a perfect trip to Butchart Garden in August and I will be sharing highlights here.
 

Heirloom Electric Blue Sweet Pea arrangement

As a Garden Writer, I was given the opportunity to try some of Renee's Garden seeds and I chose Heirloom Electric Blue sweet peas. Wow, am I glad that I did! I know that I love blue in dishes and fabric, but this is a whole other category!

I have deep blue hydrangeas, but these tiny wisps of blue have a lot of impact on their own.

I'm including a juice can bouquet that I posted on Instagram (@FindDelight). I like to echo the colors of the can's packaging in the flower arrangement. I call it a floral story. This one now has a touch of blue to complement the can. A match made in heaven. I hope it makes you feel, "Oh my gosh, I need to show someone."

And then go find a pretty juice or sparkling water can and make your own floral bouquet.
 

Floral Cheerleaders: Crushing The Rose Game

Eden climber 

I just had a woman shout out praise at me like I was a tennis pro. She and her husband (early 30s) were on a walk, I was in the front yard and she shouted,

“The roses are blooming!

I wait for them every year.

You are crushing the rose game!”

David Austin, Lady of Shalott

Can you imagine how good I felt? To hear that someone else anticipates my roses blooming. And that they wanted to encourage me with praise like crushing it.

I've always considered myself a floral cheerleader, but I've never had one for myself. It feels amazing.

        Star Rose, Passionate Kisses

Are you a floral cheerleader?

Generosity Can Take Many Forms

I want to share the story of how I came to have this spectacular German Bearded Iris blooming in my yard. Huge silk-like purple blooms on thick sturdy stems. I love them.

During the pandemic, my mom (now 88) lived with us from March to August. She enjoyed watching our neighborhood activity from a chair by the house and we walked up and down the street for exercise almost every day. Part of the fun of spring is seeing plants develop and thrive and we gave steady commentary on how all of the local plants were doing. A favorite stop was neighbor Barb's huge purple iris planted right near the street. We watched the leaves grow and fan out and were so pleased to see stalk after stalk rise up out of the huge iris bed. We would stand and talk about them every day when they were in bloom and marvel and the size of the purple heads. It is a vivid memory of mine. 

So when Barb divided her rhizomes and left me a large section about a year later I was surprised and delighted. She was moving and said that "We need to make sure your mom can keep enjoying these iris!" Doesn't that make your heart swell?

What a lovely thought and gesture. She knew she had the power to guarantee delight and she wanted to make it happen. And it worked. Her iris are thriving and my mom and I were discussing the stalks as they were starting to open on Sunday and admired this arrangement yesterday on FaceTime. In fact, she told me to take the photo above and show the arrangement to Barb. Delight continues.

Have you thought about generosity in those terms lately? It takes courage to tell someone "I want you to have this." When it is right, the effect is positive and long-lasting. 

#neighbors #iris #sharing 

The Power of Cute: Why Collecting Cute Things Is Good For You

 
I shared my opinion about the Power of Cute and a recipe for molded lemon pear salad today with Axios Seattle and it got picked up nationally. Is that how you found me? Welcome to my webpage - best viewed on a computer, it connects you to my posts on finding delight in everyday life that I started in 2007, has my links to my books, a podcast interview. Lots of layers of information to look through.

When I first moved to Seattle, I went to a cookie exchange with 3 dozen gingerbread men and brought a darling gingerbread house tin to transport the cookies I got at the exchange home in. The people I met appreciated the gingerbread cookies I made, but it was cute tin that got all the attention. When asked if I had just bought it, I said that I had owned it for at least 10 years, and then added, "But cute is forever."

When I encourage people with this phrase I mean a few different things. Cute is Forever means that something that you immediately love and respond to will make you happy every time you see it no matter how long you have it, so it is absolutely worth it to own it. Another 5 years have passed since I took my tin to that party and it still gets great happy reactions from people.

Cute is Forever is also about pleasing yourself. I know that storage space is limited and we have to prioritize what stays and what goes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a stash of cute things for a season of your life and then when the time is right sell or donate them to make room for the next batch of wonderful. We need bright spots in our lives. Finding Delight in your life is equivalent to a steady stream of music, flowers, sugar, color. The beauty of every day life is endless. And part of that formula is the power of cute.

Another example of the Power of Cute works can be seen in this edible lemon pear bunny. It’s cute. It’s delicious. You’re curious. That’s powerful. I puree canned pears, half & half, water and lemon Jell-O and freeze it into a bunny mold and once frozen, I set one the edge of each individual salad plate holding a gorgeous lettuce salad. Guests can’t believe how cute it is. How delicious it is. They won’t forget it. I’ll have the mold forever and I can bring delight whenever I want to. That is powerful to. The mold could be of flowers or anything really. I found this one at a local craft store. Life takes planning and effort. We may as well make it cute.

Frozen Lemon Pear Bunny

• 15 oz can of pears, in lightly sweetened juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 oz box of lemon Jell-O powder
• 1 cup of Half & Half (can be Fat Free)
• 1/4 cup water

Pour the juice from the can of pears into a saucepan. Add 1/4 cup of water. Bring to a boil. Take off the heat and add the lemon Jell-o power and stir until dissolved. In a powerful blender, pulverize the pears. Stir in the cold half & half. When the hot lemon Jell-O mixture has cooled a few minutes, stir the cold mixture into the lemon Jell-O mixture. Place your silicone molds on a tray to catch any spills and to aid in transport. Pour the mixture into the molds until almost full. Place the tray in a level spot in your freezer. Freeze at least 3 hours.

Unmold about 20 min before you are ready to serve.

Renee's Garden Seeds: Thrilled with Nasturtiums

I'm opening this post with a photo of my deck last July - I needed a #goals photo after the cold wet Spring we've been having to remind me what is coming and what to plan for. Last summer was the first time I committed to a collidescope of color palette and I loved it. Beautiful pops of pink, orange lavender, yellow against bright green leaves. 

I have been letting small 1 quart hydrangeas grow larger in my pots and I found that planting one or two nasturtiums seedlings (that I sprouted in Jiffy Seed Starting Greenhouses in peat pellets) at the edge of the hydrangea pot has become a great companion plant. The nasturtiums grow and fluff beautifully and really fill in the hydrangea.

The nasturtium seeds can be planted right into the ground when the timing is right, of course, but I like to get them started early when I'm ready to garden. These examples (below) have only been planted about a week and they are doing fantastic!

I am a garden communicator and member of GardenComm (remember when I was Regional Director for a few years?) by Renee's Garden Seeds and I am generously given a credit toward some free seeds by Renee's Garden. Thank you! 

I can't wait to see these colors come to life, especially Cherries Jubilee. And I am thrilled to try the Heirloom Electric Blue Sweet Peas. Stay tuned, as the these seeds will light up my blog and @FindDelight all summer long.

#reneesgarden #seeds #nasturtiums #growfromseed #pnw #gardener #springgarden #edibleflowers #gardencomm

Perfect Puzzle & Considering A Clock: El Mercado Latino

Knowing how much I love packaging, you know I had to take a photograph of this impeccable shop. This is El Mercado Latino in Pike Place Market in Seattle and I was struck by their beautiful shelves. Their attention to detail is spectacular.

I asked the shop keeper if I could take a photograph, praising her display and it was all I could do to keep myself from telling her that it would make a great puzzle. A high compliment. Frankly, I also think this image could be turned into a beautiful pattern for fabric. I was mesmerized. Do you see it too?

She was thinking: ingredients, recipes, inventory. 

My friends were rushing up the street so I didn't linger, but boy oh boy. 

I love to cook, but I think I love design and packaging more. I stared at the shelves wondering if I could make one of those boxes into a clock. Have you seen my kitchen clocks? I hope she didn't think I was searching for something she didn't have. I was simply admiring her work.

#latinmarket #seattle #visualvitamins #smallbusiness 

Cath Kidston Cupcake Papers: Making Khaki Cute

A few years ago I wanted to try making my grandmother's caramel frosting.  I had an ever changing audience of family members at the cottage and I knew that even if the cupcakes weren't perfect, it would be a welcome snack after a swim in the lake.

However, I am driven by the Power of Cute. I couldn't imagine setting out a plate of drab khaki cupcakes. Caramel frosting is delicious, but it isn't pretty. I like it when my audience is excited about a bite before they even try it.

Thank heaven for Cath Kidston. My favorite British designer saves the day again. My mom gets some credit too, as she found this darling Cath Kidston cupcake kit and gave it to me for my birthday. I've been saving them for the right occasion. 

Light brown frosting is the right occasion. Don't they look great? And they were delicious. I am going to make the recipe one more time and then I'll share it with you. 

#cathkidston #cupcakes #caramelanythingisgood #powerofcute

Modern May Day: Seed Packets

Who wouldn't love to receive a May Day surprise like this in the mail? Axios Seattle asked me about the May Day tradition of leaving a posy of flowers on a neighbor's doorknob in honor of the 1st of May. We all love the idea of it, but times have changed and most of our dear friends and relatives are far flung. 

Even if your tribe lives in Seattle, asking anyone to deliver something after work to a handful of addresses across our great city is frankly too big of an ask. But wait! The mail carriers do that already.

I've put a delightful modern spin on the charm of delivering May Day baskets. Read all about it in today's issue of Axio Seattle. 

https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/04/20/may-day-tradition-modern

#mayday #finddelight #momentsofdelight #maydaybaskets #seedpackets 

Hot Chocolate & Great Books

It’s been so very cold here in Seattle that this favorite photo I took in England came to mind.

We were in Stoke on Trent at the Emma Bridgewater factory in 2010 and these darling mugs made for drinking hot chocolate filled the table. I had to take a photo.

I shouldn’t want hot chocolate now, but there have been snow flurries and a dampness lately that simply calls for a warm drink. Downright weird this late in spring. At least I tell myself it’s weird until I remember Rosamunde Pilcher and her book Snow In April. I loved reading all of her novels years ago and I have been thinking about finding them on my kindle and working my way through her body of work all over again. Her most famous book is called The Shell Seekers and I’m sure I’ve read it 3 times. Her books are set in England after the war with sweeping vistas of the sea near Cornwall. The stories are about families, traditions and life moving on in a place that never seems to change. There are lots of old roses, tumblers of whiskey and deep conversations by the seashore. I think you’d love everything about these books. And that sometimes life feels weird and then it snows…in April. 

#books #snowinapril #emmabridgewater #coldspring

Delightful Jell-O Salad

Do you hear music too? And I don't mean because of Instagram reels. I mean because this Jell-O is so darn beautiful. I served this at our teeny-tiny Easter for 3, but you could wow a whole group if you wanted to. Every piece comes out this well, just take your time and serve it to your guests by serving it for them with a brownie spatula pan-to-plate. Have a delightful meal.

Delightful Jell-O Salad 

Boiling water

6 (4-serving size) boxes of different flavors of classic Jell-O

1 large carton of sour cream

Choose a glass rectangular pan, about 13 x 9 or slightly smaller. Spray with plain non-stick cooking spray. Stir 1 1/4 cups of boiling water into 1 package of Jell-O. Stir until dissolved. Pour 3/4 of that mixture into the pan. Place in the refrigerator. Leave the balance of the warm Jell-O on the counter to cool to room temperature. When the Jell-O in the pan has set, it is time to make the creamy layer. Mix 3 Tablespoons of room temperature sour cream into the remaining liquid Jell-O on the counter. Whisk gently until the sour cream is incorporated and there are no lumps. Having both ingredients at room temperature helps this. Slowly pour the creamy mixture onto the set Jell-O in the pan. Use the bowl of the spoon to slow down the stream of liquid, so that the pouring liquid doesn't dent the layer below. Tip the pan to coat the entire first layer in creamy Jell-O, if necessary. Repeat until all of your layers are built.

To serve, slice into squares with a knife and lift out with a small spatula, or use a scalloped cutter as I did, the results are so satisfying. Serve from the pan; it can only be moved once - pan to plate.

*Tips:

Be sure to let each layer set before proceeding to the next. I make a few layers each day and it seems easier.

Buy flavors that are different colors so that each layer looks distinct. You can find Vegan flavored gelatin choices in stores and online, but I used classic Jell-O.

#jello #rainbowsalad #colorfulfood #springmenu #prettyfood

Having Fun at Easter

Happy Easter to all who celebrate! 

I had a lot of fun in the kitchen this year puttering around and making things as the spirit moved me. I had successes and failures but it felt like I was right where I was supposed to be. 

Since we moved to Seattle, our Easter dinners are tiny. Just the 3 of us and lots of time on the phone. But curbing my Easter falderal just because I'm not hosting a dinner for 10, doesn't really feel like me, so I don't. I make a lot of food with special dishes, even though only three of us are eating.

I make different things each year and this year I decided to try out my new chocolate rabbit mold (results above). He's great! I learned a bit about how to fill the mold so that the 2 sides fit together better, but it worked well enough for my little display. 

Last week I made rainbow layered Jell-O. I baked shortbread bunny-on-a-stick cookies. I baked individual egg-shaped cakes covered in poured fondant (Loved it, btw. Why have I not been making poured fondant??) and I froze little lemon pear bunnies for the side of the salad. It was great. 

Dan loves my own private Spring Baking Championship too because every night this week he's been able to eat a bunny shortbread cookie while we watched tv. 

Celebrating is what you make it. Baking should be whatever makes sense to you and Cute is forever.

#finddelight #springbaking #eggcupcakes #chocolaterabbit #easter #easterbaking

Cherry Blossom Bonanza in Fall City

I am someone who points out pink blossoms. Do you know someone like that? Who names the tree and points to its fantastic display of color as they drive along. This year, Dan and I heard that Fall City was in full bloom and when we arrived we pulled over. This was something that was short-lived and needed to be enjoyed up close.

Fall City is a small town on the backroad route near our house. 

While we were there we perused an antique shop called The Vintage Flea and stopped in the library to look over their selection. Then we drove to North Bend, WA for a latte at Hutdotter Coffee. It was a glorious spring day and I pointed out cherries, magnolia and forsythia every chance I got.

#springblossoms #bloomingtrees #fallcitywa  

 

Spring Dinner with Sentimental Serving Pieces

My sorority sister Heidi came to stay with us after years of only talking on the phone. Remember when I went to Chicago for the Garden Writers of America (GardenComm) conference in 2018? That was the last time we'd seen each other in person. So I got the guest room ready, made a list of place I wanted to show her and dug out some college scrap books. 

I wanted to have a relaxing dinner at home one night and the spring table we set looked so pretty, I had to show you. The platter with the strawberries on the rim and the beehive cloche were part of tonight's tablescape on purpose. Thirty years ago (cough cough) a bunch of our sorority sisters all drove to Heidi's house near Holland, Michigan for a girl's weekend during the annual tulip festival. We had so much fun, and in a little gift shop the spirit moved me to buy these serving pieces and I hauled them around town all day. It was fun to pull them out and reminisce about a very carefree time in our lives. 

The wire centerpiece is a vintage garden gate that I bought last year at an antique store. The gate works and I intend to weave some of the sweet peas and nasturtiums I'm growing up this arch! It's all part of my master plan. For now, I put a glass jar full of the peachy daffodils we bought when we were showing her Pike Place Market.

My favorite memory from this meal was making dinner. I'm usually cooking by myself and it was wonderful to have Heidi in the kitchen with me. We made Delightful Chicken with a sauce of raspberry jam & balsamic vinegar and Shaved Carrots (shaved fresh carrot, covered and microwaved for 5 min. Tossed with smidge of butter and salt. Serve warm) 

#friendsvisiting #springdinner #gardengate #beehivecloche #shavedcarrots #delightfulchicken

Chateau Ste Michelle Winery: Weekday Wine Flight

While Heidi was visiting, I took her to the perfect place that would allow us to sit and talk but still experience something special in our area, Chateau Ste Michelle winery!

It wasn't busy midweek and it was the perfect place to stop in after driving her around the Eastside after lunch. I was happy to see a lovely menu available in case we shown up at a different time of day. I will keep this in mind for future guests coming to Seattle.

The grounds are beautiful and daffodils were blooming. It was chilly but the rain stopped and it really felt like spring. I would love to sit outside here on a warmer day. Chateau Ste Michelle has an outdoor summer concert series that my travel schedule hasn't synced up with all these years, but this summer I hope to snag tickets to a concert.  

#chateaustemichelle #woodinvillewinery #flightofwine #finddelight 

 

Snoqualmie Falls and Huxdotter Coffee: I Insist

Whenever someone comes out to visit us, we make sure to take them to see Snoqualmie Falls. You can see the famous Salish Lodge & Spa on the left side of this photo. It is perched above the Falls and was the location of the fictious Great Northern Hotel in the hit television show Twin Peaks.  

Do you want to hear a coincidence I've never been able to explain? When I was in college, everyone had an answering machine with a tape on which you recorded an outgoing message, "Hello you've reached..."  I had never watched the show Twin Peaks, but I liked it's eerie opening music so I used that as my answering machine message. No message from me. Just the music. Very random. 30 years later I live in the town where it was filmed. It somehow feels like foreshadowing, doesn't it?

This is the view looking away from the Falls. When the conditions are right you can see a rainbow in the air! With luck, the sun has to be shining and there has to be enough water rushing over the falls to create a mist. I've caught it several times and it is magical - be on the lookout.

And then you'll need coffee. On most of my scenic drives in Snoqualmie Valley, I make up a reason to stop in North Bend for Huxdotter coffee. They offer fun and delicious drinks like the Twin Peaks latte (that is the famous Twin Peaks covered in snow - on Mt Si). I love to sit outside and see the Mountain looming large, though I only ever order a classic latte and it is perfect. 

These are the requisite stops when you have a 2 hours on a beautiful day. Lots more to see and wonderful places to shop, but you must see the Falls first.

#mtsi #huxdottercoffee #salishlodge #snoqualmiefalls #snovalleylife #pnw