A SATURDAY IN SEATTLE

Not quite the right shade -- oh well

Damage -- moths or mice?

Knowing that our time in Seattle would be short and that no one else would enjoy hanging around fabric or doll shops, I tried not to make demands. But I did ask Hallie to help me accomplish one thing. I have come by a beautiful mohair coverlet that has sustained moth damage. I decided to repair it even though I can’t make it like new, and I wanted to buy a little mohair yarn for that purpose.

So, Saturday morning we quickly settled on a yarn shop a short distance from the little Tudor and were there in a matter of minutes. It would have been wise to have taken the coverlet with me, but I didn’t. I knew I could never match the color or the yarn anyway, so it didn’t take me long to just pick a green from what was available at the yarn shop. It will be what it will be, and the coverlet will put its best side out with the mend folded under.

As we watched TV Friday evening, Hallie demonstrated how their “Chromecast” enabled us to watch videos from her phone on the TV screen. “Hey,” she said, “you could have a Chromecast.” Discussion ensued, and we determined that our TV set would be smart enough. So, on the way back to the house from the yarn shop, we stopped at Fred Meyer and there was a Chromecast amongst the groceries as we checked out.

Nice gate!

Nick and Mike install the gate

After lunch, Mike assisted Nick in setting the gate he built. It still needs a latch and a decorative piece, but now the backyard is a secure place for Primo.

  

The Troll under the Bridge

Mike still wanted to sight-see and geocache (mostly geocache), so Hallie and Nick humored him. We went to visit “the Troll,” where I quickly located the cache. Then we made several trips in and around the Fremont library where we were eventually successful in finding another cache. The next one was discovered at the bottom of a steep hill near the water. Climbing back up the hill was not fun. Mike pulled me for several blocks.

Many brick Tudors, different entries

On the way home, we stopped at a wonderful fish market where Hallie and Nick bought delicious crab cakes for our dinner. At the bakery next door, Nick selected a loaf of fresh-baked bread. I saw lots of goodies there, but we didn’t indulge.

Little Brick Tudor -- alive and well

The tour ended with a drive through the neighborhood to see the variety of little brick Tudors, all built in the ‘20s and ‘30s. There are many of them, and Hallie says the main difference is the entryway. And there are larger Tudors as well. As far as I could see, most of them look great, and it’s wonderful to be able to say that Hallie and Nick's does, too, thanks to them.

And by the way, you can read the story of Hallie and Nick's "Seattle Tudor Renovation" here. KW

THE STEEP AND WINDING ROAD TO SEATTLE

Thursday sunset (Clarkston)

Our drive took us from the rural southeast corner of the state of Washington to the urban northwest corner. It was Friday, March 23, and at 6:23 a.m., Mike, Bess, and I were off to the big city – Seattle – in our little VW GTI, arrangements having been made to board Nellie. Mike had an appointment for an amendment to the GTI at 1:00 in Seattle.

Thursday sunset (Clarkston)

We wended our way over curvy country roads in agricultural / ranching country. We were halfway to Seattle before we came to the divided highway that blends the traffic from northern and southern localities into one, and then once again we traveled a two-way highway across the vast interior of central Washington State. On we went until we came to the freeway that carried us over Snoqualmie Pass, where it was snowing, and on into the city. 

Little Tudor

Finally, just before noon, we arrived at the little brick Tudor where Hallie and Nick live. Mike went off to the GTI appointment while I settled in to wait with Bess and Primo, our grand-dog, until everyone would begin to come home. Hallie and Nick both had to work. 

Bess in the fireplace

Bess and Primo had to get acquainted, of course, scuffling in the process. At length they settled down. Bess managed to pull a dog pillow into the fireplace for a cozy nap.

It turned cold on Thursday, and I thought I should probably take my winter coat – just in case. “Nah,” I decided, “it’s not going to be so cold that I need my coat. After all, it’s spring now, and the car is so little, and I can do without it.” So, there I was in Seattle without my coat – and it WAS cold. Well, I had my old fleece jacket and my raincoat, and I had taken a pair of gloves and my warm undershirt, so I made out all right. The weather on Saturday was warmer, convincing me that I’d made the right decision after all.

We spent Saturday doing things with Hallie and Nick – and I’ll talk a little about that tomorrow. Sunday came all too quickly – time to go home. We headed out about 10:00 a.m., doing our route in reverse – out of the city and back to our quiet country roads.

Campground at Lyon's Ferry

Near Lyon's Ferry

We arrived at the town house at 3:30, just after a shower. We quickly unpacked and then settled down to wait until time to pick up Nellie at the boarding facility at 5:00. Mike went to get her, and she was so happy to be home! – dancing and prancing all about the house. We then went for our customary late afternoon walk, and Nellie ran the whole way – so relieved to be back home and see the familiar places. (At 14, Nellie usually saunters along. Running more than a short distance is unusual for her.)

Mike said that Nellie earned a good report from the boarding facility. They said she was a sweet girl. KW

NEW BLOG: SEATTLE TUDOR RENOVATION

Little Tudor in Christmas finery

 We have occasionally posted updates on daughter Hallie and Nick’s project to renovate their little brick Tudor in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. Hallie has now started her own blog to chronicle their work under the title “Seattle Tudor Renovation.” 

Check out Hallie's blog at: 
https://tudorrenovation.blogspot.com/

Before