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 

Sosio's Fruit & Produce: Kindness & Mushrooms Are Having A Moment

When I was at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival Feb 15-19, I posted all kinds of content on my @FindDelight Instagram account, and one trend was that mushroom are having a moment. They were all over the show as cement garden ornaments, or wooden decorations for your home. They were imbedded in logs to grow in your kitchen or the subject of books for sale along side mushroom notecards. Mushrooms are having a moment for sure, so I wanted share this photograph of them in their original edible form (wink). This beautiful selection is available at Sosio's Fruit & Produce at Pike Place Market right now.  

I'd like to tell you a little story about Sosio's Fruit & Produce, if I may. They showed my family a simple kindness that I will never forget. When my mom had a terrible fall last March, my two brothers flew in from Detroit. Only one family member could enter the hospital per day due to Covid restrictions, so while I was at the hospital my brothers wandered around Seattle hoping for good news. One brother struck up a conversation with Mike of Sosio's and explained how they were certainly visiting Seattle, but not really sightseeing, just at loose ends, worrying about my mom in the hospital. My brother was surprised to see Mike start picking out plums, apples, grapes and putting them in a big bag as a gift for the family. Mike told him to have me eat lots of fruit to stay strong as I went in and out of the hospital at this trying time. 

It was lovely and unexpected and certainly welcome when I was on fumes. Later I made sure to write a thank you to Mike and share that my mom was out of the woods and that my brothers had flown home relieved. 

I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to find Sosio's in Pike Place Market, buy some plums and grapes knowing that life was so much better almost exactly a year later. 

#thankful #kindness #pikeplacemarket #seattle #beautyofeverydaylife

Seattle: Matt's in the Market has a Must Try Fishwich

I can count on one hand how many times I've ordered a fish sandwich, yet when I was at Matt's in the Market in Seattle last week, I knew it was the right thing to do. And the fish that day was halibut, and I love halibut.

Well, this may have been the best sandwich I've ever eaten. Truly. The Fishwich is described as iceberg lettuce, mam lil's pepper aioli, bacon and saved sweet onion on brioche. The battered fish was hot and tender; the chew of thick cut bacon gives resistance and heft to each bite; the sauce completely necessary though I have no idea what was in it and the slightly charred fresh brioche bun made me question why I hadn't eaten here sooner.

My 2 college friends were in town and while showing off Pike Place Market, the crowd started to get thick and I suggested trying a restaurant that I had heard about for lunch. It had been a busy morning and we needed a chance to sit down and absorb the experience. Bravo me. I'm so glad that Matt's name came to mind and that I was able to find it. We were on foot on Pike Street and I used Google Maps to walk to the corner of Pike and First. You have to walk up 2 flights of stairs to find it, though we found the easy access elevator once we were upstairs.

The sandwich was served with a side of watermelon strawberry gazpacho drizzled with olive oil. We loved that too and wondered all day if the hint of herb we detected had been tarragon or savory. The next afternoon, we decided to make our own batch of watermelon gazpacho. Thanks for the inspiration, Matt!   

#seattle #pikeplacemarket #mattsinthemarket #fishwish #memorablemeal #friendsintown    

Pike Place Market: Foodies & Families

When you visit Pike Place Market (and you must visit Pike Place Market), you will be overwhelmed with the people, the flowers, the fish and the overall bounty of Seattle. The fruit is bigger, the selection is wider and the staff is friendlier. I am always impressed and I want you to come and enjoy it. And now you can walk past some of the artisans and walk outside on a huge open air platform (near the Market Parking Garage on the map) to enjoy the fresh air and activity on Puget Sound. Don't miss this chance to watch the ferry traffic.

I suggest you download this official map that will help you understand where you are and what is not to be missed. I personally recommend these places to stop and snack. If I've blogged about them, I will leave a link for you below.

Confectional - tiny delicious cheesecakes (trust me)
Starbucks Original storefront on Pike
Piroshky Piroshky - Russian pastries
Rachel's Ginger Beer - delicious hot, I like Lemon Ginger
Daily Dozen Doughnuts
Ellenos Greek Yogurt - try some, but get the Lemon Curd
Pike Place Chower - excellent clam chowder in a bread bowl

I know that this photograph looks like a painting, but it is real and unedited, I swear. The light was just that good that day. Enjoy.

#pikeplace #pikeplacemarket #seattle #pugetsound #foodfordays #foodieheaven #ellenos #dailydoughnut #pikeplacechowder #rachelsgingerbeer #originalstarbucks #confectional

Peony: Perfection in... late July!?

How on earth can there be peonies for sale at Pike Place Market in Seattle on July 29? How? In Michigan, the plant starts to bloom in May and all varieties are completely gone by late June.

My first thought is that these blooms must be flown in from Alaska. My second thought is that I can't believe I get to live in a place where peonies are available for sale in late July. Truly. 

Flowers are my thing and peonies are a favorite among favorites. 

Remember in 2008, when I blogged about saving peony buds and delaying their bloom for weeks with wax? Well, Alaska has made life so much easier for us!

On this same day in late July, the market had this beautiful selection of currants,
as well as bountiful flower bouquets. 

Seattle: Maximilien Restaurant has Spectacular View of Puget Sound

When I was still in Michigan, I made a reservation at Maximilien Restaurant in Seattle for the Saturday just after I returned. It was to celebrate being together for the second half of the summer and put us right in the heart of the Seattle waterfront and Pike Place Market.

There is a large rooftop garden adjacent to Maximilien's patio and the public is welcome to explore, take pictures and admire the view from up there.

There are vegetables growing, flowers blooming and a smattering of kooky art installations.

You must stop and see this beautiful outdoor patio before having a lovely French meal.

We both ordered French Onion soup, a summer halibut dish and an icy drink. I think this would be a wonderful place to enjoy a cheese plate, fresh bread and a bottle of wine. Bon appetit!

#pikeplacemarket #maximilienrestaurant #seattle #seattleblogger #foodandwine #cigarboxpurse #makersgonnamake

Flower Power: Pike Place Market in Seattle is Ready

These are the glory days of spring! My best friend is visiting me and checking out where we are starting to make our new life. We have had so much fun talking face-to-face and in between I've been showing her the sights.

Pound, pound, pound. Can you hear my heart beating?

#seattle #pikeplace 

Piroshky Piroshky is Delicious Delicious

I finally made it to Piroshky Piroshky for a savory Russian pastry and found a future cigar box purse along the way.

You can't browse a Visit Seattle guide without being directed to Pike Place Market, an indoor marketplace with floral vendors, fresh fish, spices, pasta and independent artists selling their designs. 

The overall feel of Pike Place is pride - experts in their field promoting their offerings in a bustling atmosphere.  After you read about the fish throwing mayhem at Pike Place Fish, the guides generally branch out and include specialty restaurants nearby.

Piroshky Piroshky is a popular Russian bakery that actually has to have crowd management on weekends. A young staffer hands out menus and allows customers into the space in front of the glass case, just a few at a time. There are ropes out front just like Disney World, to mange the throngs of tourists hungry for an endorsed snack.

The bakery is tiny, but it does offer a a few stools and a long ledge to allow for on site eating. Dan and I were lucky to secure a spot, which is where I took the photo of my delicious ham, cheese and spinach piroshky (tender pastry, rich filling - the perfect cozy meal!) along with my newest cigar box. 

I found a cigar shop along one of the back alleyways across from the main Pike Place Market and I could not resist it's shape or color. Someday someone will have a fabulous handbag, compliments of this rainy morning of exploring Seattle. If you need a red cigar box purse now, I have two in stock. Please browse my Etsy shop for more information.

Pepper Wreath Perfection

What's hot, bright and packs a punch? A fresh pepper wreath! I absolutely love these vibrant wreaths and I intend to buy one the moment I have a house. I simply do not have the wall space to show it off properly. But when I do...

I have seen multi-color pepper wreaths for sale in the Seattle area farmers markets beginning in September and I am happy to report (late November 2015) that even though the local farmers markets have closed for the season, you can still find wreaths in perfect condition at Pike's Place Market - both inside in a permanent stall, as well as outside the main building in a tent vendor.

Mother's Day at Pike Place Market

Doesn't this look like home run for Mother's Day? I saw many a family giving their mother a little extra attention while strolling Seattle's Pike Place Market on Sunday. This weekend was the market's Flower Fest and there were far more vendors selling fresh-as-a-daisy bouquets. The market has become a regular stop for me (can you blame me?) and this was the first I have seen of the beloved peony. 

                              

I watched a cute exchange between a twenty-something girl and her mother. The mother had chosen a bouquet and the daughter was insisting that she be allowed to pay for the it. The $20 bill got passed back and forth between the two of them before the daughter got wily and tucked the money into her mom's purse when she looked away. Well done, daughter, well done.

I think I helped to seal the deal for a father and son who were waffling between two arrangements. I pointed to one of their choices, an exquisite arrangement in all pinks and white and said, "That's the one." They looked relieved.

The sun was out and people were buying flowers - what could be better? 

Cheesecake! I think whoever decided to personalize the mini cheesecakes at The Confectional is a genius. Shoppers could choose between Mom, Mummy, Mum, Mommy and it looked as cute as can be. I bought a caramel one to the left and it was just as good as the last time I visited. Yum and yum.

Seattle: Pike Place Market: A Floral Corridor to Make You Swoon

Yes, it was pretty much the best day ever. I was back in Seattle with Dan and we had a Saturday all to ourselves.  Since flowers are my oxygen, we planned our day around a stop at Pike Place Market on the waterfront in Seattle.

I bought the bouquet above because I couldn't resist one last chance at pink tulips. The season was early here this year and I know that they are almost gone. Plus the bouquet had white lilacs and real pussy willow branches. I was holding the best of Spring in my arms.

The second bouquet I chose looked so completely French and fabulous that I couldn't resist it. Enormous orange/green parrot tulips (the size of water goblets!) and white/green parrot tulips with fresh greens and white/peach daffodils. This bouquet belongs in the finest French restaurant. Dramatic, yet believable, this arrangement had to come home with me.

There were bulk tulips for sale - typically $1 per stem

There were bouquets dedicated to every shade of purple... 

Some bouquets looked like bridal arrangements in pink and peach...

I just learned that Mother's Day Weekend is the Pike Place Market Flower Festival.  How could they possibly have more flowers than this? I can't wait to see. I'll be your eyes and ears and report back.

Mother Nature was showing off. Cameras rule along this floral corridor and it was fun to overhear the comments. My favorite was when a young woman exclaimed, "Wait...is that a tulip?" pointing to a cluster of double tulips (aka peony tulips). The vendor and I said "Yes!" in unison.

When I am in a place like this I really have to use willpower. Not to resist buying too many flowers. No, I need willpower to keep myself from climbing behind the tables and helping the women make more bouquets. 

I can imagine the heady feeling of having buckets and buckets of tulips at my disposal and the day ahead of me to invent color and texture combinations to make people swoon.  

Seattle: The Pink Door is a Hidden Treasure near Pikes Place Market

I love whenever I see "The Pink Door" on a Seattle Favorites list.  I think to myself how lucky we were to find it on our own.

My dinner at The Pink Door was purely by accident. It was my first-ever night in Seattle and while heading to Pikes Place Market right from the airport was what I wanted to do, I also wanted to eat.  We didn't see any sit down restaurants in our jet lag haze and while pizza at DeLaurenti is delicious, it just wasn't going to cut it.

We were in the heart of Pikes Place Market area and my husband walked into a 2-story open mall area (across from the flower stalls) and noticed people dining at tables at a second-story restaurant . We climbed the stairs (indoors) and came in the back door of The Pink Door. Thankfully, they had a table available in the dining room and suddenly we were sitting down to a romantic dinner for two.

It was spring and I ordered a dish that was celebrating the season: Lemon Asparagus risotto with a side of grilled shrimp. It was creamy and rich and citrusy and perfect. Dan loves lasagna and was very happy with their recipe. The ate every bite kind of happy.  The restaurant is cozy, has a wonderful menu and offers a lovely respite from the bustle of the market. We will be back.

Seattle: Sentimental Starbucks

Grande Nonfat Latte has been part of my vernacular for so long it is hard to remember that Starbucks had a modest beginning, just like all great American brands.  I've never seen "the first McDonald's" or "the first Baskin-Robbins" but when I had the chance to visit the first Starbucks across from Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, I had to stand in line and place my order.

There was a line out the door and of course it was orderly chaos inside, but I found that the wait time was not that bad.  The store is loaded with Pike Place Market Starbucks merchandise and everyone seemed perfectly happy to wait to drink a sentimental Starbucks.

Seattle: Pike Place Market: Agrarian Abundance

Yes, I swooned over the tulips at Pike Place Market in early April, who wouldn't? I also returned the following week and bought items for a Pike Place Market inspired dinner, complete with fresh flowers for the table.

A wonderful plus about this tourist attraction is the farm-to-table aspect that puts the freshest of the fresh fruits and vegetable at your fingertips.

Everything looked gorgeous and it was fun to imagine which recipes I could bring to life in my little hotel room kitchen.  

When I was wandering around, I noticed people walking through a door and out onto a little deck.  It was tiny, but allowed me to take this photo of the ferris wheel on the water.

I stopped at world famous Pike Place Fish (where the fish mongers throw whole fish as it is ordered) and bought a pound of salmon. It was fun to hear the staff yell out (and then echo) the fish orders like auctioneers.

I bought salmon (and from another vendor - fresh dill and fingerling potatoes) for our Pike Place-theme dinner that night.  It was delicious and it was the first meal after a long winter where I could buy the ingredients at a market in the morning and then cook it for dinner that night.  Welcome Spring!

Seattle: Pike Place Market Flowers: Faint or Levitate

If I had been wearing a blood pressure cuff, I know that the bells and whistles would have been going off.  I could hardly stay on my feet I was so happy with the selection of flowers at Seattle's Pike Place Market.  I didn't know whether to faint or levitate.

I bought 3 stems of the pink/white peony tulips (above). I believe it is the variety called "Angelique."

I mean really, look at all the tulips! I always say "Spring is like the Circus - it only comes to town once a year."  You may find the blog flower-heavy right now, but it is Spring and I am celebrating.

I also bought a dozen of these pink and pale yellow tulips - I think they are "Blushing Beauty."  It is hard to tell from the photo, but when I got them in water in the room, they opened up as large as wine goblets.  Magnificent.  

Seattle: Daily Dozen Doughnuts at Pike Place Market

It was the right thing to do.  I arrived at Seattle's Famed Pike Place Market and I wove through the crowd with determination.  "Where are the doughnuts?" I asked one of the vendors.  I followed her gesture to the line forming in front of Daily Dozen Doughnut Company.

Their doughnuts are a perfect mini size and as I watched the fresh and wonderful batter dropping into the hot grease, I considered my order as if it was of national importance.  

(How many could I eat?  Was it silly to order plain? No, I really like plain doughnuts - especially when they are still warm.  I have to get the maple bacon one, everybody in the food world is talking about that combo right now.  Cinnamon.  Cinnamon sounds wonderful...) 

My mind was racing and I told myself that it was the doughnut-scented air that was making me unhinged.   

My choices were: Plain, Cinnamon, Powdered, Sprinkles, Maple Frosting and Maple Frosting topped with Real Bacon.  I ordered a half dozen combination of Plain, Cinnamon and Maple Frosting with Bacon (see below) but the vendor was very generous and gave me far more than 6.

At first, I enjoyed the three doughnuts (below) as I leaned on the counter and watched the crowd grow at the Pikes Place entrance and then I snacked on a few more over the next 2 hours as I walked around buying flowers and soaking up the sights.  Thank you, Daily Dozen Doughnut Company. This is the way to start your Saturday in Seattle.