Chuc Mung Nam Moi!
It's been one action packed day to celebrate the arrival of the year of the snake. For starters, I met up with Courtney and Eric in the morning at Louisa's to have breakfast and coffee before our first bike ride of the year. The sun was burning through in my neighborhood when I left home but the bridge crossing was ridden through thick chilly fog. By the time we finished eating the sun was out and we had perfect February weather.
We cut through downtown and rode along the waterfront south to cross the West Seattle Bridge. The former detour at the base of the bridge, which had seemed permanent, is no longer there. The pavement is complete and instead of my forgetting to take the turn and needing to loop back, not taking turn is now the correct choice.
We rode over the bridge and along Alki Beach out to the lighthouse before turning around and riding back, stopping to take skyline pictures along the way. In Pioneer Square we parted ways with Courtney then continued north through Myrtle Edwards. It was nice to see all that construction work had been completed and the trail is open again.
In Fremont we crossed the bridge in search of a caffeine bump. I rejected Peet's and Starbucks and Ladro in favor of Milstead & Co. When in doubt, it hasn't failed me yet to trust Yelp reviews of coffee shops. This was a great one, possibly the best espresso in Seattle. Not only do they include a side of bubbly, their bubbles come care of San Pellegrino. I'm no snob when it comes to sparkling water, but San Pellegrino's fizz is certainly different than Shasta's. The espresso was nearly perfect. The place was packed with MacBooks and iPads and tattoos. There were also hooks under the counter to hang hats and jackets. All the boxes were ticked for me.
After coffee Eric and I parted ways and I climbed Stone Way to go home. It was fairly slow going, though not especially painful. I got home and cleaned up as quickly as I could so I could be out the door and on the way to Joe's for the Mardi Gras party. On the way I went back through Fremont to pick up some growlers.
The party was pretty fantastic. Steven and Aomowa were there when I arrived, along with a cheese and fruit plate that I couldn't stop eating from. Joe's friend Sharleen, another Michigander by birth, was there too, and chatty.
Eric and Angela were next to arrive and the main course remained on hold until much later, just before Chad and his dog arrived. In addition to the cheese and fruit, Joe had prepared a collection of New Orleans dishes. Most memorable was the gumbo with its spicy fiery broth, sausage, chicken, and clams. I think everybody there had at least 3 helpings and would have had more if not for full capacities. There was corn bread, beans and rice, and a shrimp and pasta salad to round out dinner.
We really were quite stuffed before dessert was served, but Joe also backed a wonderful lemon meringue pie and two king cakes. I've never had king cake but it tastes like a cinnamon bun and is decorated with green, purple, and gold sugar. Hidden within was a single bean (traditionally a little baby Jesus figurine) and the finder was expected to host the next party. I lucked out on that, serving the beaned piece to Chad.
I was the last to leave the party, meaning I was the one to least fullest handed. I was sent home not only with king cake, but also with containers of gumbo, rice, pasta, salad, and pie. I made out fantastically well and was even able to leave the growlers behind instead of having them occupy space in my house.
Tomorrow is another Monday, so that ought to mean getting back in the gym to work off this New Orleans feast. It's a blessing to have close friends who like to cook and eat. It's as much a blessing to have a car and to have consecutive days off work. 2013 continues to be a lucky year and with the arrival of the snake, it's a year of rejuvenation and new beginnings.
We cut through downtown and rode along the waterfront south to cross the West Seattle Bridge. The former detour at the base of the bridge, which had seemed permanent, is no longer there. The pavement is complete and instead of my forgetting to take the turn and needing to loop back, not taking turn is now the correct choice.
We rode over the bridge and along Alki Beach out to the lighthouse before turning around and riding back, stopping to take skyline pictures along the way. In Pioneer Square we parted ways with Courtney then continued north through Myrtle Edwards. It was nice to see all that construction work had been completed and the trail is open again.
In Fremont we crossed the bridge in search of a caffeine bump. I rejected Peet's and Starbucks and Ladro in favor of Milstead & Co. When in doubt, it hasn't failed me yet to trust Yelp reviews of coffee shops. This was a great one, possibly the best espresso in Seattle. Not only do they include a side of bubbly, their bubbles come care of San Pellegrino. I'm no snob when it comes to sparkling water, but San Pellegrino's fizz is certainly different than Shasta's. The espresso was nearly perfect. The place was packed with MacBooks and iPads and tattoos. There were also hooks under the counter to hang hats and jackets. All the boxes were ticked for me.
After coffee Eric and I parted ways and I climbed Stone Way to go home. It was fairly slow going, though not especially painful. I got home and cleaned up as quickly as I could so I could be out the door and on the way to Joe's for the Mardi Gras party. On the way I went back through Fremont to pick up some growlers.
The party was pretty fantastic. Steven and Aomowa were there when I arrived, along with a cheese and fruit plate that I couldn't stop eating from. Joe's friend Sharleen, another Michigander by birth, was there too, and chatty.
Eric and Angela were next to arrive and the main course remained on hold until much later, just before Chad and his dog arrived. In addition to the cheese and fruit, Joe had prepared a collection of New Orleans dishes. Most memorable was the gumbo with its spicy fiery broth, sausage, chicken, and clams. I think everybody there had at least 3 helpings and would have had more if not for full capacities. There was corn bread, beans and rice, and a shrimp and pasta salad to round out dinner.
We really were quite stuffed before dessert was served, but Joe also backed a wonderful lemon meringue pie and two king cakes. I've never had king cake but it tastes like a cinnamon bun and is decorated with green, purple, and gold sugar. Hidden within was a single bean (traditionally a little baby Jesus figurine) and the finder was expected to host the next party. I lucked out on that, serving the beaned piece to Chad.
I was the last to leave the party, meaning I was the one to least fullest handed. I was sent home not only with king cake, but also with containers of gumbo, rice, pasta, salad, and pie. I made out fantastically well and was even able to leave the growlers behind instead of having them occupy space in my house.
Tomorrow is another Monday, so that ought to mean getting back in the gym to work off this New Orleans feast. It's a blessing to have close friends who like to cook and eat. It's as much a blessing to have a car and to have consecutive days off work. 2013 continues to be a lucky year and with the arrival of the snake, it's a year of rejuvenation and new beginnings.