Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Happiness is...This Shop Window


Gnomes and Pandas.
Dancing Flowers and Nohohon.
Astro Turf.
Flamingos.

You can't tell me that this isn't one of the cutest
window dressings you have ever seen.

I can't wait to start my collection of 
Solar Powered Bobble Toys


Stare at this window for 5 min.
and I guarantee you will be smiling and
ready to get your Good Mood on.

**Location: Ballard Ave. between Volterra and Carta de Oaxaca



Monday, June 28, 2010

Happiness is...Rainy Days & Hamburgers

 
March wind and April showers, 
bring forth May showers?  
And now June showers?  

When is this rain ever going to stop?!!! 

This has been one long, wet, gray spring.  I'm usually behind my Seattle weather 100%, I like the light gray skies and a little drizzle in the afternoon, but this year has been a little much.  Not only has it been cold (I don't believe we have had a day out of the 60's yet) it has been Dark.  Really Dark.  Thick layers of Dark Gray clouds overhead at all times.  It makes you not want to get out of bed, and it definitely makes you not want to leave the house.  You just want to lay under a blanket with a hot cup of tea and a cat watching movies all day long.  For Days. Then after a week or so, and you haven't left the couch except to pee, and you realize...you're depressed. 

Oh God!  Depressed!  

Even the cats are depressed!  

Okay.
You have to get up.  
You have to get dressed.  
You have to call a friend and get them up and dressed.  
You have. To leave. The house!

You have to go get a Hamburger! 

Hamburgers make everything better!

And that's what we've been doing this whole rainy season...bein' depressed and eatin' Hamburgers.
**Remember: It has been a really long rainy season.


SALTORO'S  
Perfectly cooked Lamb Burger on a brioche bun.
The sauces are so good: Moroccan Ketchup, Wasabi Mayo, and Garlic Aoli.
I love the super crispy Yukon Gold Potato Chips.
Plus they make a really good Martini; good olives.



THE TIN TABLE

As you can see, it's not so much about the burger 
as it is about the shoestring fries.
I love this place for Happy Hour, though it can get hot and crowded.
It  also has great creaking wood floors and brick walls.



HATTIE'S HAT

My favorite dive Bar/Burger joint.
Down a couple Vodka tonics,
eat a burger and some fries,
and then you are ready to venture out in the rain
to get all soggy again.
(Looks sunny out but it was actually pouring!)



THE COUNTER

Yes. When chicken is on a bun it counts as a Burger.
Sweet Potato Fries are a must!
Love the multi-grain buns and cocktails.



ZEKE'S BURGERS

Located in Zekesville, WA.  Population: 5
There is nothing better than a Rainy Day Roadtrip
to get a great burger.
Greasy, messy, goodness topped off with crinkle fries.
Not only did we eat out of a bag on a picnic table
in the rain under our umbrellas,
but we shared our table with a Real Honest to Goodness
Hell's Angel!!!



PATTY'S EGGNEST

The original one in Everett, WA.
(which is only a hop, skip, and a jump from my house)
Old-school, homey, good coffee, local color.
A good place for a burger.
Ooh! Steak Fries...gotta love the steak fry.



RED MILL BURGERS

A Seattle Favorite!
This is a Bacon Deluxe with Cheese
Loves me some Mill Sauce.


You gotta love Babe's Onion Rings!
Dusted in corn meal and fried to perfection.
Worth every penny.



RUBY'S DINER

My favorite place to go after a movie at the mall.
Yes.  Every once in a while I got out to watch a movie.
Cute girls with ponytails and diner uniforms.
Good music and lots of chrome.
You feel wide awake and stimulated after eating here.
It's so bright and shiny!



VERA'S

Patty Melt + Coffee Shop = Good
Good service.
Pink formica.
Pie case.
That special coffee.
Rye bread grilled, not toasted.
All = Good


The Mushroom Swiss Burgers are always tasty.
The grilled to order garlicky mushrooms
are so good we usually get an extra side order.




THE SEATTLE BURGER COMPANY

What stands out for me here is that they serve
the Prettiest Burgers!
The burgers always look ready to have their picture taken.
I've heard good things about the Hawaiian Burger,
but I usually stick to the Classic Cheese Deluxe.


I really like the Onion-ring/French Fry combo,
and the red squeeze bottles of ketchup on the table.




 KIDD VALLEY
kiddvalley.com/

My favorite fast-food burger joint in Seattle.
Hands Down!
Thick juicy burgers. 
The BEST Root Beer Milkshakes!


Really yummy fries and Hand-breaded Onion-Rings.
Kidd Valley also has the best service.
I want to know where they find such nice employees.

That's it.  Our Rainy Day Burger Tour has come to an end.

Looks like the clouds are rollin' back in.
Might be a good night to pick up some burgers.