Saturday morning in Seattle brought a burst of blue sky and sunshine, the perfect conditions for a walk.
My feet took me to the famous Dahlia Bakery.
This fish stared at me through the window while I ate.
I think it needs a coconut pie bite too, don’t you?
Somebody had to get me from place to place while I was jetting about Seattle, and that somebody was Jaime Temairik–artist/writer/entrepeneur.
I could not have asked for a more professional, warm or caring escort while I was in Seattle. Jaime made sure that every detail was handled. In addition, she made sure that I had plenty to eat and drink. Yes, she introduced me to Theo’s Chocolate and…
I love Cheddar Bunnies.
She’s also a published illustrator and a dedicated blogger. While you’re surfing, check out Bound.
THANKS JAIME!!!
P.S. Did she say cocoastomp?
From May 19-21, I visited seven schools in the Seattle area. Each one had something special to offer up, from tall trees to cockatiels to a dragon, all of them were just great!
At Adams Elementary, I had a SUPRISE visit from two of my former students from Vermont College.
Anne Teplick, Kerry Leaf, Me
Anne and Kerry were two of my first students at Vermont, so we have a long history. It was a thrill to see them, especially since I didn’t expect them.
Along with all of these elementary schools, I had the great privilege of being the guest author for Everett High School’s “Writer’s Cafe.” Look at this beautiful old school, built in 1909, over a hundred years ago.
Great schools, great teachers, great kids!
While I was in Seattle, I also stopped off at Third Place Books, where one of my favorite picture book characters EVER was floating above the children’s department. Do you know who this is?
Yep, Skippyjon Jones!
And here are the human types who manage one of the finest children’s departments anywhere:
Cheryl, Rene, Me, and Renee--in our pastel best!
What a great city–Seattle!
Two of the stops on the tour took place in Ballard, Washington. Stop number one: Cupcake Royale. Where you can have your cupcake and eat it too.
Stop number two: The Secret Garden Bookstore. Where I followed the red brick road to my own personal brick…right next to one of my favorites.
And just in case you’ve been wondering how I’ve been getting around, here’s the EscortMobile, which belongs to my escort, the incredible Jaime Temairik, whom you’ll meet later.
The EscortMobile
It’s all good, my homies.
Last night brought a major storm to the Seattle area, but in between gales, I was able to trek up 1st Avenue to the Union Bar and Restaurant for delicious dinner of mackerel and fava beans. My taste buds were smiling.
Union Restaurant, corner of 1st & Union, Seattle
The restaurant is directly across from the Seattle Museum of Art
Better even than the food, however, was this amazing painting. I couldn’t take my eyes off of it.
Well, I found out a little about Adde Russell.
It turns out that she’s the artist for the cd covers for Death Cab for Cutie:
Cover art by Adde Russell
Can I just say that Adde Russell has a new fan!
After Wednesday night’s storms, Thursday greeted Seattle with sunshine. In between school visits my intrepid tour guide took me to Mockingbird Books in Greenlake to sign stock, and who should I find there but one of my all-time favorite people, poet Julie Larios.
And then, to seal the deal, Julie and her handsome husband Fernando, invited me to dinner at their house:
The Larios Household
There you go, life is good!