Rave - Smartypants, Biryani & Cupcakes

So today started out with the whole family going out to look for lighting. Our first stop was Seattle Design Center. This place is HUGE. Many showrooms with some open to the public, very nice things but spendy.

We wound up buying our 5 can lights at Alexander Lighting.

Next on the agenda was lunch/dinner at Chutney's Bistro in Wallingford at Wallingford Center.. But by the time we arrived it was 3:30 and they were closed. We were VERY hungry but I talked hubby into waiting till 4:30 when the reopened. So we killed some time at Harolds Lighting. Found a great table top fan. and something we didn't expect to see in a lighting store, niches. Now I want to add one to each bedroom!

So back to Wallingford Center we go but Chutney's was not open yet, so we looked around. First thing we saw was Cupcakes. We bought some for dessert. Two Red Velvet, one Hummingbird, one Vanilla Chocolate and a mini Green Tea. I can tell you the Hummingbird and Green Tea cupcakes are delicious. Hubby ate the Vanilla Chocolate and the Red Velvets are for tomorrow's dessert.

I also found Smartypants! I mentioned them in the previous post, they just crack me up.

Lunch/dinner at Chutney's was fantastic as usual. I always get the Lamb Biryani. I must learn how to make this!!

Rave - University District Street Fair

This post is a bit late but I wanted to mention we went to our local University District Street Fair. It was rainy which we LOVED. We saw quite a few great things.
The first was Art of Wings Some very beautiful fairy wings, will have to get a pair when my daughter is a little bigger.
Next was Blowing Sands Glass Studio Simply beautiful. When we remodel the living room we will have to check them out.
The funniest thing we saw were creatures made out of socks called Smartypants. Unfortunatly I did not pick up a business card so I do not know if they have a website. And searching for Smartypants did not turn up anything. If anyone has info on this company PLEASE contact me.

Rave - Cherry blossoms

So it was a beautiful spring day here in Seattle. We decided to go see the Cherry Blossoms at the University of Washington. We have been told that the Cherry blossoms at UW are the same type that are in Japan. If you are ever in Seattle for Spring in March check out the Cherry Blossoms at the UW.

Rant - Government employees

Today I had to call our City Utilities to discuss a problem with our garbage bill. A few months ago my husband called them to add a garbage can to our pickup. We have a new baby and 2 cats with diabetes so our garbage has grown a little. He though adding a mini can to our service would do the trick, so one was ordered.
Cut to 2 months later and we notice our regular garbage can has been removed from our bill. We call and the person my husband talks to tells us a residential house can not have a regular garbage can AND a mini can. So they dropped our regular 32 gallon can. WHAT?!? So on Friday I call to try to find out what to do, because now they are charging the garbage in our 32 gallon can as EXTRA bags.
Well the guy I was talking to kept telling me you can not have a 32 gallon AND a mini can, that the technician changed our level of service. I told him I understand that NOW but when we called to ADD a can we were not told this. So to make a long story short I have to wait till my next bill to see how much extra garbage they re charging us.
Oh and it would have been nice to have an I'm sorry about this confusion, what can we do to make this right........but that is wishful thinking.....

Rant - Fabric selection

I'm a sewer at heart, everything from quilts, crafts and smocked dresses. Well I am looking for a line of fabric for a baby blanket for my 7month old. It's called Baby Geniuses by Benartex and I can not find it in a single fabric store here in Washington (well ones that I could drive to easily) that carries the complete line.
I do wish someone would open up another fabric store around here.

Rant - Government officials

This is a big RANT! I elect politicians to make the tough decisions that need to be made in regards to my City, State and Country. What I don't like are these same politicians who don't want to make decisions, instead let's ask the people, which is usually by polls or in the case of our dreaded highway 99 that needs to be 'fixed' through downtown Seattle, let's have a special election and ask the people what they think. Yes let's throw more money at the problem. That's why you are in office. Make a decision!!!!

Well let me tell you what I think. Both options are costly and I can't say I like them. We have earthquakes, granted not as bad as California, but I don't want to be on an elevated structure with a celing on concrete and cars above me when the "big one" hits. And I don't want to be in a tunnel that is so close to the ocean either. Now granted the "big one" might never come but I for one don't want to risk it.

What about buying up the property and building a highway at street level. That might be cheaper than another viaduct or tunnel.... think about it.

Rant - Those opposed to the viaduct

Now I'm not saying one way or the other if I am for or against rebuilding the existing viaduct with another elevated structure. But what I am ranting against is the group against building an elevated structure. We keep getting their flyers and while I will agree the proposed structure looks ugly as they flyers say but what they don't say is what they are in favor for. So from that standpoint alone I want to vote for an elevated structure.

What I can't stand are people who are against something and spend a lot of energy making sure you know they are against it but they don't have any suggestions on what would be better.

Rave - Sewing and Stitchery Expo

Last weekend was the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup. If you are a sewer you know how exciting this can be. To see the new fabrics, threads, machines, patterns, notions...etc. Just like every year my husband and I were there to take it all in. Most of the vendors are the same AND in the same places every year. A few bits of fabric were bought and new Fabric Stores were noted as our beloved In The Beginning store closed last year.

Rave - Snow!

I'm starting this blog with a Rave. Today we had our first snow fall of the year! It probably won't last but it was nice to see it falling.