Sleepless (Weekend) in Seattle

Friday morning I headed to Seattle for a dear friend's wedding. Being that Chris couldn't attend, I decided that the easiest thing to do would be to fly in Friday morning, attend the wedding Friday night and return to Phoenix Saturday evening. Of course, as soon as I hit that 60 degree weather, I really wished I had sucked it up and stayed another day! Anyway, before I headed up there, I did a lot of food research, as always. Cakespy is a fantastic blog based in Seattle, so I managed to find a donut tour that she did a while back. I was extremely happy to find a donut shop that was close to where I'd be traveling. So as soon as I had landed and gotten my rental car, I was off to find Top Pot Doughnuts. After a minor issue with my GPS system (thank goodness I'm good with navigation) I found it. I kept telling myself that I was allowing myself ONE. However, the minute I stepped in there, I couldn't make up my mind. Thank goodness there was a line so I could take a while to figure it out. In the end though I couldn't decide and had to choose 3. Yes 3. I couldn't help myself. I settled on a maple bar, chocolate cake and a glazed old fashioned. As soon as I got in the car I couldn't contain myself and ate the chocolate frosted cake immediately. Once I got to the hotel I pulled out the camera and snapped a few photos of the old fashioned before consuming that one as well. I did manage to save the maple bar for the next morning. This is also the same company that supplies Starbucks with there doughnuts these days, but I can't guarantee they taste the same. No matter what, I wish they had them in Arizona so I could eat one every day.

After the doughnut incident, I managed to get myself ready for the wedding. The wedding was for my friend Megan. She and I have known each other since Freshman year of college. Not only were we sorority sisters, but we also lived together in Germany during our sophomore year and were roommates our junior year as well. She is an amazing person (and now attorney) and I was so happy to be able to share the occasion with her. The wedding was in Woodinville, Washington at the Willows Lodge and it was incredible. Below are a few photos I took of the wonderful evening.

Megan and her dad walking towards us in order to walk down the aisle. We had a nice long glimpse of them, which was a great opportunity to take some photos.

The archway where the minister stood and some of the floral decorations. This photo is a little dark, but the sunset was frustrating me and my camera.

My friends Lauren and Carin and me. Lauren was in Germany with us, and Carin is also a sorority sister of ours!
Megan and her new husband Scott cutting the cake with his marmaluke. He's a Marine Corps JAG and he wore his uniform instead of a tux. How handsome!

Sharing their first dance as husband and wife.

Megan and I at the reception. That guy in the cowboy hat behind us is the best man.

The next morning, I met my grandparents and cousin at the Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. My grandparents were visiting my cousin Rainy who goes to school in Olympia, so we decided to spend the day together. After a horrific parking ordeal (let's just say that parking in downtown Seattle is ridiculously expensive) we started the day off with a trip to Daily Dozen Doughnuts. I was in serious heaven here. They serve 3 kinds of cake doughnuts, powdered sugar, sugar and spice, and frosted sprinkle. They are small and come in 1/2 dozens in paper bags. I think I could have eaten an entire dozen by myself.

After breakfast we hung around the market, taking in all the sites. The place overwhelms the senses, in a good way. The sights, sounds and smells are amazing. It makes me wish I could live near a big market like that. I would make the best food with fresh produce like that.

After the market tour, we headed to the Seattle Aquarium, which was really fun. They had all kinds of touch tanks, and seals and otters and such. I recommend it to anyone who finds themselves in downtown Seattle. After the aquarium we headed to lunch at Pike Place Chowder. I have one word for their food...AMAZING! I had a 1/2 crab roll sandwich and a cup of clam chowder and the chowder was possibly the best I've ever had. My cousin recommended it because she had been there on a previous trip, and I'm glad she did. After lunch we headed to the Space Needle, which was another must-do just to be able to say that we went there. After that, we headed back to the market for a snack before I headed back home. I could have easily eaten more, although my stomach couldn't have handled it. I guess that means another trip in the future!
These two photos are of me with famous pigs they have around the market. There are a series of pink pigs directing people to the market and the bronze pig is at the front of the market.