The husband and I went to Seattle yesterday for a Sounders game.  We left just a bit after noon and stopped at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way to check out the blue poppies.  I’ll share about that in a later blog.

We stayed at Silver Cloud Stadium, which sits conveniently between Safeco field and Centurylink field.  Our room wasn’t quite ready when we arrived, so we slipped into Jimmy’s On First for a cocktail.  Tasty.

After getting into our room we dropped our stuff and headed up town.  It was about 4 pm.  There were a lot of other fans already in the area.  We tried someplace new, Shawn O’Donnell’s American Grill & Irish Pub.  I ordered a cider, the husband a cocktail and we kicked back and made ourselves comfortable.  We had food, another cider, another cocktail…you get the idea.  By-the-by, their reuben sandwich was excellent.  Chunks of pastrami.  Good stuff.  We decided there was no reason to try to find another place pre-game due to the crowds that flood into the area restaurants, so we had another drink.

About 40 minutes before game time we headed towards Centurylink.  However, we got a little sidetracked and this happened:

Got to the field and got ourselves settled.  The weather wasn’t fantastic, but it didn’t rain and there was no wind, so we really couldn’t complain.  We sat in the 300 level for the first time and the view was pretty darn nice.

Unfortunately, the game ended in a tie, 0-0.  We still had fun.

We headed out of the stadium and decided to take advantage of the decent weather and the fact that we were staying just down the street.  We headed the other direction, down First, to a favorite pub, Fado.

We managed to grab a table and, about that time, I received a text from my cousin’s wife.  What do you know, they were in Seattle for the evening and wanted to know where we were.  So, they joined us for a cocktail and some conversation. If you can call yelling over a band “conversation.”

We made it back to the room about midnight.  Sometimes the husband stays up that late.  I can’t remember the last time I stayed up that late.  Today I remember why I don’t stay up that late.

We woke up this morning a little foggy.  Around 9 am we headed down the street and around the corner to Zeitgeist Coffee.  The husband had a mocha and a ham and cheese croissant, I had a chai and a slice of squash bread.  The bread was really good.  They topped it with pumpkin seeds and walnuts, so it had a nice crunch.  The bread itself was not too sweet and perfectly baked.

I love coffee art.  It makes me wish I drank coffee.  Love the smell, but it just doesn’t do much for me.  I’ll stick with chai.  Zeitgeist is fun because they have a “topping” bar with all sorts of things you can add to your beverage:  cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa, an assortment of sugars, etc.

We left Zeitgeist and headed up to Pike Place Market.  I had flowers on the mind and wasn’t disappointed.  Lots and lots of peonies.  I picked up a bouquet and a tub of curds from Beecher’s.  We eyed the line at Piroshky Piroshky, but it was ridiculous so we reluctantly passed it by.

Someday I want to stay within just a block or a few of Pike’s Place so I can spend a weekend eating my way through that place.  So much amazing food.  But, we had already decided to do lunch at a favorite restaurant in the International District, so we didn’t linger too long.

We left the market and headed up the street to Penzeys.  If you’ve never shopped at Penzeys, either in-store or on the internet, I highly recommend it.  Their seasonings and spices are amazing.

Today I really only needed Chicago Steak Seasoning, but you don’t go into Penzeys and only buy one item.  The husband asked if I had something specific in mind or if I was browsing.  Because he knows that I can get lost in Penzeys for an extended period of time.  Today I kept it short.  I picked up two different steak seasonings, some whole nutmeg, vanilla bean, bold taco seasoning and garlic granules.  I think that’s it.  I have no plans for the nutmeg and vanilla bean, but I’m sure I’ll come up with something.

We walked back to the hotel just around noon.  Checked out and headed to Shanghai Garden for lunch.  They have hand shaven noodles, both original and barleygreen.  I love those noodles.  Love, love, love.  They have a great chew, they’re thick, the sauce is tasty….mmmmm….

We left Seattle around 2.  We agreed that the rest of the afternoon would be spent doing…well, very little.  The husband is currently on the couch.  I’m on the floor. We’re tired.  It was a lot of fun but, frankly, we’re too old to stay out until midnight.  Looking forward to a quiet day off tomorrow.