Lake Fair

I don't think I've done a post in about two weeks! That is because I've been working seven days, then having one off for most of this summer. Sadly that isn't likely to change for a while. 

A week or two (three? What year is it?) ago Chris and I did get a lovely day to ourselves, and we made the most of it. We took a trip to Olympia, Washington. and it turned out to be Lake Fair! The fair was colorful, both literally, and in the charming eccentricity of people we love about this area. We wandered through absorbing it all, bits of music, laughter, excited voices... And the smells! Cotton candy sweet, rich hamburgers and sausages, and the elephant ears combined intoxicatingly with the fresh summer air.

We wandered around the lake in the perfect sun, and watched tiny schools of fish dart below the clear water. The farther we walked the more the music of the band mixed with birdsong and its own echos across the lake.

After that we rode the ferris wheel and looked out over the whole wonderful scene! I didn't really appreciate ferris wheels until I got much older, now I love them. For the sake of pictures not least of all!

The whole downtown was festive and bright that weekend, and shop owners even decorated the sidewalks outside their shops.

We wandered down the salty, fresh smelling waterfront for a while to dream about houseboats and the adventures you could have in them. It was one of those days where it is a pleasure just to be outside, especially with the person you love! Not much else would have been necessary.

But to that we added delicious Vietnamese food we can't get at home, and gluten free pizza! Another treat I must usually forgo, there is an amazing shop called The Bearded Lady Bakery, that has a great array of gluten free treats. Half of the luxury lies in choice, usually if there is an option other places it is only one, and not a very good one. Needless to say I took forever. The winner was this plum and lavender cupcake- heavenly!

To top off a wonderful day, we actually came up here to see The Tempest at the Little Olympia Theater! It was marvelous, they have a stage that you sit around in a semi circle quite close to the actors, so you had a great view of their faces. It helped with being able to hear the beautiful language of the play, which it would be a shame to miss. It was also very humorous! You could tell the actors were having a great time themselves.

Have a wonderful day! 

The Spice Road

Last weekend Chris and I took a trip to Olympia, Washington. It is wonderful, colorful city and one of our favorites. Luckily it is also not too far away! We went specifically to get a supply of exotic spices, from Buck's 5th Avenue. This amazing store has caught my eye on many previous trips but had always been closed, but just from the outside it seemed fascinating.

The store did not disappoint! We came home with a variety of curries and some lovely, fragrant raspberry tea. The shopkeepers were enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and had a number of ideas for the different spices.

It was a treat for the eyes and certainly for the nose, with the many spicy scents mingled together, and separate as you peruse the jars.

They let us go upstairs to look at the area where they host cooking classes from different countries (drool!) and a small but fascinating gallery. These were done by the lady facing us above.

Aren't they marvelous? I love the expressions.

We wandered for a bit, finding murals around every corner...

And found the Radiance shop, which has a plethora of delicious teas I could spend hours perusing.

We also roamed down to Burial Grounds. We came here on our first date, and its been a favorite since. They have a number of delicious and unusual choices, with amusing names like Ultra Violence (creme de cacao, ibarra  and orange) and Rigor Mortis (chocolate, peanut butter, marshmallow). I got a Molotov, with cinnamon, chocolate and chipotle, and some ghost chili oil. As always is was excellent, I love the combination of bitter coffee with sweet chocolate and a little burn from the chilies.

When I lived in Olympia, I liked to use my day off to grab a coffee, then go to a park I hadn't seen yet. It was handy because I was a nanny and could scope out good new places. There are a number of beautiful and unique places I've found this way. Chris and I like to keep up the tradition when we can, so we picked a random park nearby and checked it out. 

Decatur Woods Park turned out to be a gem. There were many cherry, pear and Indian plum trees, enough that this may have been a farm before it was a park. The trails are not long, but there are many beautiful flowers and tree shaded spots with open fields, wonderful for a picnic. 

Definitely one we will have to explore again! What is your favorite place to take a daytrip?