santa. stilettos & steak

bob and i definitely have more than a hand full of favorite spots we like to hit when we venture over to Seattle. our decisions usually revolve around such factors as...tools...booze...food...booze...friends...and this time of the year, santa.

here we are at our favorite hardware spot. Hardwick's . this place is like being stuck in your grandpa's tool shed on crack. i especially like traveling from the fine hand plane section to the used teaspoons...it's a nice touch.

damn if i had a reason to own these adorable anvils

maria will get this..."i waawnt that". but really, i do. a stiletto framing hammer. hint hint.

this sign should read "free teaspoons full of germs"

i got a little excited between the first stop Hardwicks and this stop. so a quick re-cap was spinach naan at Taste of India with piping hot chai. then a jaunt over to U village to see Santa and to check out the new First Ascent line of apparel at Eddie Bauer, which Leif won't shut up about. I'm sure it fits tall lanky Whittakers just fine...but failed to fit my frame as gracefully. Above was the stop after Santa photos....ZAYDA BUDDY'S! one of our top choices for happy hour. always friendly and tonight surprised us with illegally having Bell's Two Hearted. apparently the owner pays someone to bring him secret beers and bourbons...check out the pic below for a kick ass bourbon selection to boot.

that's right, a MN owned and operated business in the PNW selling canned beer from Soul Korea, you got a problem with that?

this is for you Marco.

last stop was Fremont to join up with our dear, dear friend Mark. a few reminiscent shots of where i used to spend a lot of my seattle days. Norm's Eatery, a fab Ohio run joint with great fish n' chips.

Railey's Leash & Treat, the best damn pet boutique where i used to work. Mark gave it his all for 7 years and is closing the doors at the end of the month. A sad moment for all the wonderful lives he touched, but a door opening for a new adventure. I'll miss you Railey's.

no tacky, shitty neon going out of business signs for this place. Mark has the classiest signs and best looking shop around.

In the 7 years i have been lucky to know Mark, he has been vegan, vegetarian, a smoker, a non smoker, a drinker, a non drinker. i don't mean that he is flaky or undecided...actually it's quite the opposite. I'd like to think that Mark is always evolving and always making meaningful and present choices. this night we went to Brouwers for a few pints and some grub. Mark surprised me with the news that he was eating meat again, but had not had a steak in 20 years. He wanted it to be a special occasion, so here sits Mark getting the low down from our server on NewYork strip vs ribeye.

Mark's manly mean with whiskey cream sauce, frites and and anniversary ale. A night worth celebrating...sitting across the table from Mark and watching him smile, i couldn't ask for a better eve.