New Orleans for Christmas

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

No worries, you're still in Seattle. It's just that the Five Spot restaurant on Queen Anne Hill is featuring New Orleans style cuisine in its ever rotating lineup of regional American cooking. They've dressed their windows with New Orleans figures for the occasion, and added lighted nativity figures, Santas and Christmas lights outside as well. Just beyond is Olympia Pizza which sits where the old Counterbalance streetcar line reached the top of the steep grade.

Santa's Live Helper

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

I didn't see the pooch on the porch when I was walking by and took this shot. That pup blended into the seasonal display so well, I thought it was part of the decorations! It saw me, though ;^)

It's In the Details

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Everyone seems to be shopping in downtown Seattle right now. There are so many people and so much activity, one might miss small details all about in the rush leading up to Christmas. These are the door handles on the glass entryway of the upscale Saint John Knits store in downtown Seattle. I noticed the handles form the letters S J, and are reversed on the interior side. I probably would have walked right by myself, except that longtime friends of mine are in the family that founded SJK, so when the name registered, I stopped to take a look at the sophisticated clean lines of the store. It was only then that my eyes made sense of the handles. Wishing everyone small moments of discovery in this busy week!

Oaxaca Photo Wall

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

La Carta Oaxaca (pronounced wa-HOCK-ah) serves a zillion kinds of tequilas and, wonderful regional cooking of this Mexican state. It's always jammed, and often has a line of folks outside waiting for a table. The decor features hundreds of quality photos on the walls, some illuminated (this is one of my faves). On historic Ballard Avenue near NW Market. You won't find grande platters of Americano-style Mexican combos with rice and refrieds, but you WILL have the opportunity to sample small plates of delicious regional specialties. Don't let your kids say "hockalugi" in there. In fact, leave them HOME--its a great date night or meet friends out kind of place.

Silence

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

From the few snippets of news I've heard, the Fun Forest amusement area at the base of the Space Needle will lose its lease and be closed in 2009. It has faced steady economic losses, and there has been a movement afoot to revitalize the area. Think 60s kitschy, tacky, noisy low tech fun for kids. Think bumper cars and tilt a whirls. Not only will the ferris wheel and other spinning delights be silent, they will become fond ghosts in the collective memory.

Blue Ridge Tree Deco

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

When lights are plentiful, but ladders are few, concentrating the bulbs on the trunks of trees alone can prove effective for the amateur home holiday decorator. I think these red and white bulb wrapped trees in the Blue Ridge neighborhod might be an attempt at Candy Canes. I liked the simplicity.

The Night Is As Bright As The Day

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

On the northeast slope of Queen Anne Hill I was passing the graveyard to my left and off to my right ahead by the beam of the streetlight I saw an extension ladder beyond the fence reaching up into the darkness, seemingly unsupported by anything at all. A ladder into the night sky, beckoning for at least a look.

Lamplit & Sparkley

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Coming home to a classic 1920's Seattle apartment building at Christmastime has its charm. On gray days its been dark before five o'clock, so the cheery lights work a little magic.

Deja Vu All Over Again

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

A vintage 50s apartment building with a 40s classic car in the foreground (check out the "eyebrow"!) would almost look like a period photo if I threw it into black & white, if not for the uber typical present day Subaru w/sport roof carrier in the shot.

Alki

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

The peninsula of West Seattle is just a few minutes drive from downtown Seattle along the viaduct and over a bridge, but seemingly a world away. Here the beach and point at Alki are pictured in the midst of Puget Sound under a huge cloud structure. On a cold winter day, the beach along Alki is a great place for a run and a warm up stop at the very fab Alki Bakery.

Nutcracker Dancers Depicted

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

I thought visitors from other places might like to see a bit more of one neighborhood's 58 year old tradition. This year the residents of Candy Cane Lane (NE Park Road in the Ravenna neighborhood, near Ravenna and 20th Ave. NE) have a moving display of dancers from The Nutcracker gracing their village circle, and a giant Nutcracker with snapping jaws. There were many pedestrians when we visited, and many cars packed with adults and kids drove by, several smart enough to darken their headlights as they went to better enjoy the lights. It was fun to see a stretch limo try to maneuver around the circle and through the narrow lane, too. Tight fit! For more views, please visit my More Seattle Stuff page.

Candy Cane Lane

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Back in 1949, neighbors on a short looping street with a village circle, NE Park Road, in the Ravenna neighborhood, started a tradition that has been a Seattle favorite ever since. The neighbors all decorate their homes and yards with detailed Christmas displays, and the village circle in the midst of their curved lane has a themed display with moving characters on a carousel mechanism and music. It's all low tech, homeowner made, and much traversed by delighted visitors in car and on foot all of December. A home is for sale on this street right now (listed in the $800ks) which, considering the three weeks of constant passers by, seems like a good move on the real estate agent's part. Here is part of one home's display.

Holiday Magic

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Last night the main shopping street in the Queen Anne neighborhood sponsored its annual festive night of street life called Holiday Magic. Droves of people wandered shop to shop enjoying the special lights and decorations, hot cider, storekeepers in costume, special displays, live music and special activities for children's such as craft and advent wreath making at the little church. Here a couple, hot cider in hand, passes a Nutcracker-themed card and gift store display.

Two AM Delivery

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Nearly all is quiet after hours at the Market. Just a security guard and delivery driver are about. So many who truck freight and deliveries have been affected by road closures, people are keeping up as best they can. In the morning, all will be bustling again at Pike Place Market. Fish will be tossed, tourists entertained, unique gifts will be found, dinner menus will be planned around what looks good today, and flowers for the table will go home wrapped in PPM paper. Workers from surrounding businesses will duck in from the cold for happy hour at a pub and couples and groups of friends will trickle into the many surrounding restaurants for a warm meal and conversation above the lights shining on Elliott Bay. Have a lovely Friday!

Wondering how to help those in Washington State who were severely affected by the recent storm and flooding? Please click here for information.

Dry Now, But Cold and Lots of Work to Do

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

The view from the road: that's Capitol Hill rising up on your right, and Lake Union and East Lake are to the left. . .of course you can't glimpse any of that because this wasn't a wide angle lens. ;^) It's dry, but cold now. You may have heard about all the road problems the flooding from the recent rain storm caused. Here in Seattle, Interstate 5 is fine. But, this main north/south corridor that extends from the Canadian to the Mexican borders had a 20 mile stretch in southern Washington that was still submerged as of last night. Freight truckers and other traffic have to use a very out of the way detour to get through. Hats off to all the workers from every agency who are working overtime in the cold to keep things safe, repair and clean up the wide effects of the storm's damage.

Always Ready

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Two tugs lashed to each other make their way up the Lake Washington Ship Canal toward their home at a Nickerson Street marina. The Stacey Foss and the Sandra Foss are part of a fleet of tugboats owned and operated by Foss Maritime, who are often called upon in emergencies. Their motto: "Always Ready." A crew member in blue gloves visible on deck is getting drenched in the steady rain as the boats make their way back under the Ballard Bridge during the storm. The rains have abated now, but have left many parts of Washington State devastated, including a 20 mile stretch of the main north/south artery, I-5, which is still impassable.

My apology if you experienced difficulty viewing SDP this evening. Some hacker with nothing better to do replaced some code in my sidebar. Peace.

32 Straight Hours of Downpour

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Yes, it rains in Seattle, but it doesn't normally rain like THIS in Seattle. The most rainfall in Seattle's recorded history fell during a 32 hour period on Sunday/Monday. These rains followed the snow storm on Saturday. The Pineapple Express weather pattern was credited with the 5+ inches of rainfall in the northern neighborhoods of Seattle which overflowed creeks and sewers, flooding homes and causing erosion, landslides and street and freeway closures. The southern neighborhoods and SEATAC received slightly less rain. All of the Pacific Northwest was very hard hit by the storm. I'm wishing everyone affected by the storm a speedy recovery and clean up with as few snags as possible in recovering and replacing what has been damaged and lost.

She's Reading Over His Shoulder

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Thought I'd start the work week with a little humor. Check out the little girl behind the guy with the laptop. ;^) Hope everyone is keeping warm and dry. Seems like the US and Canada are blanketed with storm systems everywhere. Maybe duck into a warm coffee house for a cuppa and to check your email. . .visit a few city daily photo blogs. . .let your mother know you're alive and stuff like that.

Green Boots, Red Barn

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Add a little snow and it must be Christmastime. . . How apropos that snow should take us unawares while we were up just north east of Seattle at a "cut your own" tree farm. It was a festive and crowded atmosphere with smiles all around, hot cider and cocoa in the office, and helpful people working hard in the cold to make a nice experience for people from communities all around. We even caught some big fat fluffy flakes on our tongues. Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday!

Theme Day: Bridges

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Most Seattlites call this the Aurora Bridge because Aurora Avenue (Hwy 99) passes over it. Its formal name is the George Washington Bridge and it spans the ship canal from the Fremont neighborhood on the north (where a giant troll lives under the bridge and snatches cars!) to the West Lake / Queen Anne neighborhoods to the south. No, you can't see Tom Hanks houseboat from Sleepless in Seattle in this shot, that's further south along West Lake, but you do see part of a small collective of some Fremont liveaboards and houseboats. The bridge dwarfs the nearby Fremont Bridge, and because of its height has been much too attractive to despondent people jumping from it.

128 Daily City Photo bloggers from around the globe would like to show you bridges in their areas, too. Just click on these links to see them. There are differing time zones, so if a photo is not up yet, you can check back later. Our CDPB community really appreciates your leaving us a comment when you visit. Thanks, and have a great trip!
Boston (MA), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - New York City (NY), USA - Portland (OR), USA - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Inverness (IL), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Stockholm, Sweden - Setúbal, Portugal - Brussels, Belgium - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Hyde, UK - Manila, Philippines - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - London, England - Austin (TX), USA - Toulouse, France - Weston (FL), USA - Sesimbra, Portugal - Selma (AL), USA - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Cleveland (OH), USA - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - North Bay (ON), Canada - Arradon, France - Paderborn, Germany - Durban, South Africa - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Portland (OR), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Wichita (Ks), USA - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Grenoble, France - New York City (NY), USA - Nottingham, UK - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Arlington (VA), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Miami (FL), USA - Cheltenham, UK - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Saratoga Spgs. (NY), USA - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Nashville (TN), USA - Toruń, Poland - New Orleans (LA), USA - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Melbourne, Australia - Moscow, Russia - Trujillo, Peru - Château-Gontier, France - Quincy (MA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Joplin (MO), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Brookville (OH), USA - Chateaubriant, France - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Baziège, France - Auckland, New Zealand - Wellington, New Zealand - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Subang Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Detroit (MI), USA - Riga, Latvia - Nelson, New Zealand - Budapest, Hungary - Cape Town, South Africa - Sydney, Australia - Dunedin (FL), USA - Sofia, Bulgaria - Radonvilliers, France - Turin, Italy - Montpellier, France - Kansas City (MO), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Wailea (HI), USA - Lubbock (TX), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Terrell (TX), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Budapest, Hungary - Montréal (QC), Canada - Sharon (CT), USA - Le Guilvinec, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - London, UK - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Orlando (FL), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Paris, France - Mainz, Germany - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Darmstadt, Germany - Naples (FL), USA - Torino, Italy - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Bogor, Indonesia - The Hague, Netherlands - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Melbourne (VIC), Australia - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Christchurch, New Zealand

Blades & Needle

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

This is the Needle in dark November a few nights ago before the Christmas tree lights were rigged up on the top. The tips of the Grass Blades sculpture by John Fleming wave below as if this were a giant dandelion perched above some lawn. To see what it looked like just last night with all the holiday trimmings click on my More Seattle Stuff page and read my salute to Cooking Light Magazine who chose Seattle as the number one city of the top 20 cities in America for healthy living and contacted me with a few questions for the article.

Silver Bells

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

It's all about light in this season of long nights and chill winds. I feel like I need to capture it wherever I can, wherever it turns up least expected. I had to wait a while for the cold breeze to die down enough to "see" this. Sometimes there's illumination in the wet and cold and still places, even a gutter along Alaskan Way.

Verticle Horizontal Thin Thick

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Shopping is in full swing below Seattle's downtown skyline. The city's variety of eras of architecture often combine in view to create wonderful patterns and abstractions. Here I'm guessing it's stripes from the 60s and 80s, thin and thick that caught my eye. Because of the high contrast, this color shot comes off like a black and white from a distance.

Warm & Dry Under Robertino's Sky

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

It was cold enough to snow just north of the city last night, and the cold rain in Seattle made getting out and around less than appealing. To the rescue, the cheery hand painted blue skies and warm espresso specialties of Robertino's, a tiny beverage shop on NW 80th (next to Zaggi's Pizza which we find is worth the drive across town to sample their amazingly yummy specialties). The owner has displayed photos of the sunny village in Italy where he was born, a nice contrast to the first cold winter storm outside. He makes foam deco on steamed beverages an art form. Of course if you'd rather have something cold to drink, their iced drinks are ever present on the menu.

The Decks Are Decked

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

A few boats along the Elliott Bay waterfront have strung Christmas lights along their lifelines and rigging. That trend will be seen more and more in the next weeks in most marinas. The air was windless enough to capture the lights in the water and the sky, backdropped by the work lights of Harbor Island and the hills of West Seattle beyond.

Red 2CV

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

A Citroen 2CV in absolutely mint condition pulled out of a parking space in front of me and I just had to capture the perfect red charmer. I'm sure the people within must be used to this kind of reaction as they waved that little perfect Queen Mum sort of wave and the woman gave me a quick knowing wink. I love just seeing her look at me in this shot. Eric posted a wonderful shot of an old classic car at Paris Daily Photo today (albeit covered in graffiti and definitely not mint, but running) so I thought we'd start a classic French car theme for Sunday. To see the whole car, please visit my More Seattle Stuff page. Anyone else care to join in with a car photo today, please do! Have a restful Sunday everyone!

Star Awaits 50th Anniversary Lighting

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

This star was not the first to be placed on the side of the Bon Marche (now Macy's). It is about the third incarnation created by the Bon's display designer, and it is this particular star's 50th anniversary of being put in place and lit on the evening after Thanksgiving, along with the downtown Christmas tree, the the light tree atop the Space Needle, and a broadcasting tower on Queen Anne Hill. As the star was illuminated last night, fireworks were set off atop the edges of the building while thousands of people crowded in the plaza and intersection below looked on. I took this shot at about 2:30 AM the night before when the star was still awaiting its lighting and tech crews were getting things set up for the annual morning parade. For a photo of the illuminated star and carousel, see my More Seattle Stuff page.

Moon at the Top of Seattle's Christmas Tree

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Poor big ol' Seattle Christmas tree! It was so sparse and bare and limp that people seeing it being put up said it was worse than Charlie Brown's Christmas tree. A lot of branches have been added to fill in the 60 foot city giant, and lovely ornaments were added. It still needs a little something, though. Tonight at 5:20 PM or so it may look a lot better when thousands of lights will bring the tree into its fullest possible glory. A huge crowd will gather downtown at Westlake Center to watch as it and the tree at the top of the Space Needle and the giant star at the top of the the Macy's (the old Bon Marche) building will all be lit simultaneously.

But right now, this giant is still a little under done. Seems the moon took pity on the much criticized tree and added it's own gift by perching right at the top when nobody except me was looking at about 2:30 AM. Now, that's a special tree!

Thanksgiving Morning

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Here's what's doing on this bright, beautiful holiday morning in Seattle. I came across this laughing couple who'd just been to the market, a father and child out for a neighborhood walk and trike ride, a men's and women's flag football game, and a turkey balloon at the local florists. A relaxing morning for those not cooking! Wishing all my American visitors a happy Thanksgiving, and wishing everyone good health, wonderful family moments, and fun with great friends.

La Medusa

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

When friends and family arrive in town on Thanksgiving Eve to spend the holiday weekend together, its good to get away from the Thanksgiving dinner prep for a bit and catch up on the news in each others' lives. Great neighborhood restaurants await exploration in all sections of town. This one is La Medusa in the Columbia City historic district. It's warm, friendly, serves great fresh food, and is always packed with interesting people.

Gabe Charming the Blue Bins

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

He wasn't quite the Piper at the Gates of Dawn, but this trumpeter was off in his own solitary world late at night on the grounds of Seattle Center, playing a steady stream of wonderful tones to the blue bins in front of him. I imagine when you live in a Belltown condo and get the urge to play your horn in the night, this is one place you might resort to undisturbed (except for the odd photographer or two ;^) ).

1 AM Reflection

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Lots of daytime commitments of late prompted a late night shoot. It had been a long while since I'd taken any shots at Seattle Center. I'm trying to understand night exposures and not come home as disappointed with shots as I have been in the past. Seeing the Space Needle reflected topsy turvy in a rain puddle prompted this shot. Luckily, the breeze cooperated and didn't disturb the water until after the shutter closed. And, I hear things will remain dry here through Thanksgiving. That will be nice for the big parade and tree lighting downtown on Friday! Happy Monday everyone!

Do You Know Where Key Arena Is?

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

That's what these guys asked me as they passed by on their way from a night spot across the street from the Space Needle through the Seattle Center campus.

Art Glass Windows

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

An old church on Capitol Hill, now converted to office space for a bioresearch firm (I think). There are beautiful period details, and the windows remain lovely and unifying throughout. I took this shot in an alley/parking area on the south side of the building.

Snows Return

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

The recent rain storms have dusted the Olympic range with snow again. I took this early morning shot looking west from Seattle over Puget Sound toward Bainbridge Island and the Olympic Peninsula.

El Diablo, Everyone Studying

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Full of students reading, studying, working on their laptops. The cheerful interior of El Diablo Cuban Coffee Co. chases away the gloom of a cold, gray day.

Church of the Immaculate Conception

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

These bell towers are from the oldest standing Roman Catholic church in Seattle. Church of the Immaculate Conception with its double copulas visible from all over the Central District neighborhood that it has called home since 1904.

On the Passenger-Side Window

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Wind and rain plastered small Japanese maple leaves to our car. There is a house upside down in each raindrop on the window. Trees that were aflame with bright color just a couple days ago are bare now. The 30 to 45 mph gusts of wind we had with this recent storm have done their job.

Obsolecence?

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

It's like that Dylan song on Time Out of Mind. . ."Things Have Changed." She found the city trees along the boulevard too much to keep up with and borrowed an electric blower to round up piles to put in the compost bin. He, on the other hand is vacuuming his leaves into a bag that he will empty into his yard waste can. Meanwhile, rakes aren't big movers down at the hardware store. Ah, postmodern life. . .
1. Not Ur Granny's Raked Piles, 2. Sign of Autumn, 3. He's Vacuuming Leaves

Sunday Breakfast Stroll

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

When friends come into town its fun to go out for breakfast and stroll around the neighborhood, pick up a Sunday Paper, find a warm cafe to relax with a coffee and converse. Afterward the chill autumn air is perfect for a slow walkabout punctuated with laughter. This stroll was in the Wallingford neighborhood. Have a great Sunday everyone!

Freeway Close Retreat

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Within view of the 520 bridge and its offramps to the University District, the arboretum and the Montlake neighborhood is a Lake Washington inlet frequented by kyak and canoe enthusiasts (and waterfowl). This pleasant autumn afternoon, people had beached their crafts and gone ashore to explore. The ducks are bottoms up. The city of Seattle's current slogan is "Metronatural," and in this case it fit! Hope your Saturday included some restful pleasures!

Cioppino Pacific Northwest Style

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Hey, its Friday. I know this isn't a foodie blog, but lets go out to dinner anyway. There's a long history of cioppino lovers in our family, starting with my parents who spent many a Friday night back in the day at The Gold Spike on Columbus in San Francisco for it's cioppino special. This was the first time I'd experienced an abundance of salmon in the mix of lovely seafood. This presentation is from Ray's Boathouse which offers a sweeping vista of Puget Sound. Uh, please pass the crab cracker. . .

More Than a Feast for the Eyes

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Here in the States the fall and winter holidays typically include lots of feasting and sharing time with extended family and friends. Shopping at farmers markets at this time of year is a feast for the eyes. Throughout the year shoppers in Seattle enjoy an abundance of fresh, healthy, beautiful foods. I thought I'd share with you not only this photo of the variety of fruits sold by this Pike Place Market vendor (and a peek at what prices are like here), but also bring your attention to an opportunity in my sidebar to the right. When we lived in Berkeley, our next door neighbor, Jim, used to fast all day every Thanksgiving to remember the hungry. Instead of his family sharing a meal together, they would take a lovely hike in the hills or a bike ride and try to be mindful of all they enjoyed and how they might use their time and resources through the year to work for longed-for change. So, this is in the spirit of what Jim does every year. Oxfam is a worldwide organization I trust and support that involves regular people like you and me in effective efforts to end poverty and injustice. I hope you'll click on the link and consider this invitation to skip a meal on November 15 and share what you can. It could be a feast for somebody.

A More Interesting Design

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

There are so many multi-unit housing developments going up in all areas of Seattle it is head spinning. This two year old project in the Wallingford neighborhood caught my eye because is was so refreshingly different in its design elements than most. The materials seem of better quality generally, and the detail of design shows some brains and thoughtfulness within a simple, relatively affordable small footprint. Hopefully it will age more gracefully than some of the larger slapped-up monstrosities I've passed in the U-District, Belltown, Ballard, West Seattle, Capitol Hill and South Lake Union neighborhoods probably will. JMHO, your mileage may vary, of course ;^)

Dr. Seuss Goes to Market?

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

At least it looks like a drawing from a Dr. Seuss book to me! Another mystery for you to ponder today. Are they vents? Down spouts? A stationary horn? Well, two things I know for sure: these act as planters for flowers and grass; these are used as nesting places for birds. Post Alley, Pike Place Market. . .inventive PVC sculpture or drainage? Leave a comment if you have a guess. Have a great Tuesday, and Seattlites, don't forget to cast your ballots today!

Mystery

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Can you solve the mystery? I was shooting some photos by Lake Washington in the Montlake neighborhood when something blue caught my eye in some nearby branches at the water's edge. When I came near, this is what I found: what remains of a blue and white ceramic cup that says Made in Japan upon it. Nearby on another branch was an old and similarly broken creamer with a shiny lavender glaze and faded flowers hanging by its handle on a limb that had grown quite a bit since the handle was slipped onto a branch, because it couldn't be slipped off the grown branch now. You can see another photo on my Flickr page (in the sidebar to the right).

Reflected Building Face

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Here's another Seattle reflection for you, ths time fully urban, looking up to a high glass facade that is mirroring the colorful condo building across the street from it. I took this photo in the Fremont district at sunset. The autumn colors of the reflection mimic nature down on the street. In this photo can you find a red ladder, an American flag, a telephone pole?

Freeway Offramp Over Reflective Water

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

An offramp from the 520 bridge cuts through a small park in the Montlake neighborhood. I loved the reflections in the still water. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Wine Tasting

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Northeast of Seattle in the Sammamish Valley lies the small town of Woodinville. There are a number of wineries there, and especially in autumn during crush time people enjoy touring the facilities and visiting the tasting bars. Here a foursome is trying five wines of their choice from the ten to twelve available on the menu. The charge for tasting is $5 at the two largest and most well know of the wineries, St. Michelle and Columbia. These are located across the road form one another and are easily reachable by bicycle from Seattle, making a very pleasant day trip. The atmosphere is relaxed and there is much besides wine to enjoy looking at in the large gift shops. There are places to picnic on the grounds, and the autumn colors in the valley make a beautiful backdrop. It might interest you to know that the vineyards are not located near the wineries, but over on the eastern side of the Cascade range. The grapes are harvested and brought over the mountains to the wineries for crush and fermentation. Wine barrels are purchased from France and American makers according to the type of oak best for each type of wine made. Wine making in Washington state is relatively new. . .only 40 to 45 years. The industry is expanding and the products coming into their own. Washington's growing regions share similar latitudes to some of the great wine regions in France and the climate is apparently ideal for several grape varieties. I'm used to the wineries of Northern California, so it was fun to become more familiar with the varieties of wines being produced locally.

CDPB Theme Day: Blue Seattle

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Which is your favorite photo from the mosaic? Can you guess which neighborhoods these were taken in? Today 121 City Daily Photo Bloggers from around the globe have the blues to share for the November first of the month theme day. Start your journey by clicking on the links below, and be sure to leave a comment at each site you visit. We really enjoy hearing from you!

Boston (MA), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Arlington (VA), USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Portland (OR), USA - Sequim (WA), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Arradon, France - Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Stockholm, Sweden - Singapore, Singapore - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Toulouse, France - The Hague, Netherlands - Moscow, Russia - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Stayton (OR), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Detroit (MI), USA - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - Bandung (West Java), Indonesia - Greenville (SC), USA - Hyde, UK - Radonvilliers, France - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Nashville (TN), USA - Manila, Philippines - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Saarbrücken, Germany - New Orleans (LA), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Forks (WA), USA - Wichita (Ks), USA - Barton (VT), USA - St. Louis (MO), USA - Joplin (MO), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Quincy (MA), USA - Setúbal, Portugal - Inverness (IL), USA - Christchurch, New Zealand - Toruń, Poland - North Bay (ON), Canada - Le Guilvinec, France - Chateaubriant, France - London, England - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Naples (FL), USA - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - Sydney, Australia - Austin (TX), USA - Mumbai, India - Boston (MA), USA - Santa Fe (NM), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Paderborn, Germany - Montréal (QC), Canada - Jackson (MS), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Orlando (FL), USA - Grenoble, France - Cheltenham, UK - Forks (WA), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Weston (FL), USA - London, UK - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Belgrade, Serbia - Paris, France - Shanghai, China - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Montpellier, France - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Auckland, New Zealand - Evry, France - New York City (NY), USA - Nottingham, UK - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Oslo, Norway - Minneapolis (MN), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Trujillo, Peru - Trujillo, Peru - Melbourne (VIC), Australia - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Durban, South Africa - Brussels, Belgium - Anderson (SC), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Wellington, New Zealand - Prague, Czech Republic - Saigon, Vietnam - Ystad, Sweden - Miami (FL), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Hong Kong, China - Melbourne, Australia - Baziège, France - Greensboro (NC), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia