|
When I decided to move to Seattle, no small part of my decision was based on the fact that Seattle is extremely vegan-friendly. But I had no idea of the goodness that awaited me and my son in the...
When I decided to move to Seattle, no small part of my decision was based on the fact that Seattle is extremely vegan-friendly. But I had no idea of the goodness that awaited me and my son in the shape of the humble O.
The Mighty-O is a vegan donut shop.
Vegan donuts?! Yes, and just like the lard-fried originals, they're entirely unhealthy, and entirely scrumptious. Unlike the original versions, though, Mighty-O donuts are slightly less health-threatening. They're fried in palm oil, and made with organic ingredients! The donuts are perfectly fried to a crispy outside with soft cake inside, and besides the classic glazed and chocolate coated, they also come in many more favors such as chocolate raspberry, French toast, and lemon poppyseed.
You can find Mighty-O donuts in many coffee shops and grocery stores (such as PCC and Whole Foods Market), but a particularly nice treat is to stop in the bakery to be able to choose from the full selection, and have a "Good Cop Special" (you can guess what that is, right?) while your kids flip through the books in the corner box.
Lest you think that all that's available is sugar-coated gluttony, they also have prepared sandwiches (with Field Roast) until they sell out. I also saw a couple perfectly-ripe bananas available. They have an espresso bar, too, so you can get a mocha if you really want to pile on the calories. Their coffee is organic and fairly traded.
Arrive between 4 and 5 pm and take advantage of happy hour - 2 for 1 donuts!
There's not much more Seattle can possibly offer since it boasts its own vegan donut shop. I'll never move away.
Hide
|
|
I'm truly not an excessively vain person, but I cannot begin to describe the effect on my life my incredible haircut has. I can't stop checking myself out! This haircut has made me even more...
I'm truly not an excessively vain person, but I cannot begin to describe the effect on my life my incredible haircut has. I can't stop checking myself out! This haircut has made me even more confident, sassy, and sexy. It won back an ex-boyfriend. It has garnered raves and wonder from passers-by. Friends are enamored, and commenting on the "whole new Doh."
And for this I can thank Kelly, my stylist at Mode. My first few haircuts with Kelly were very good, certainly good enough to go back. But he was working with what I was trying to describe, and I'm no hairstylist. So when I'd been visiting him long enough to trust him, I told him to go short and that he could do what he wanted--and he gave me this, this most amazing look, all for a very reasonable $35. [Update: prices at the salon have increased considerably. A haircut from Kelly is now $60, but still worth it.]
Mode is known for excellent color work, as well, although I have only seen the beautiful results on other people since I color my own hair. I also see other great haircuts leaving the salon. But it's my own cut that turns my head whenever I pass a mirror!
Hide
|
|
I don't often laugh out loud when I read. Maybe a chuckle, if it's very clever. And when I began Magical Thinking, I thought it was funny, but not laugh-out-loud funny.
Then something changed. A...
I don't often laugh out loud when I read. Maybe a chuckle, if it's very clever. And when I began Magical Thinking, I thought it was funny, but not laugh-out-loud funny.
Then something changed. A few essays into the book, I realized I was chuckling. I had a hard time putting the book down. Soon, I was laughing hard enough to cry--all by myself, there at my work desk (not working), with tears running down my face. Another essay further, and I found I sometimes had to stop reading to catch my breath, to control the laughter that was making progress impossible. I finally finished the book, only because towards the end it returned to a more "normal" funny, and even touching.
Author Augusten Burroughs has lived a bizarre life, and has a dark and disturbed streak. I would not appreciate this book so much if I didn't have a dark and disturbed streak myself; in other words, it's not for the faint at heart. It's also not for the homophobic, as the author's relationships are not spared his microscopic disection. Rather unpleasant events (between man and mouse, between man and housekeeper, between man and himself) are treated entirely irreverently. If you are simply unable to read descriptions of animal torture, skip this book. You should also move along if you find that human cruelty (that is, the kind humans perpetuate upon each other) is too upsetting to read about, especially when it's a true story. If you get angry at the thought of Catholic priests having sex with gay men, do not read Magical Thinking.
However, if you can remove the lenses of propriety long enough to read about these topics when they're written in such an incredibly human, honest way, and can revel in how disturbed (or perhaps, frighteningly normal) the events are, then you'll probably enjoy Magical Thinking. Maybe not quite as much as I did, but surely you'll laugh out loud a few times.
Hide
|
|
This CD and Book set make a nice gift for a They Might Be Giants fan. Four songs on the CD, and the book is simply those 4 songs' lyrics, illustrated.
The first song, Impossible, is for all the...
This CD and Book set make a nice gift for a They Might Be Giants fan. Four songs on the CD, and the book is simply those 4 songs' lyrics, illustrated.
The first song, Impossible, is for all the wild kids out there who are too-often told that they're "impossible!" Happy Doesn't Have to Have an Ending is my son's favorite on the CD, woven with a canticle from "a long-haired hippy kitten." Idlewild is a dream-style song for the young aviators. The tracks are arranged to get progressively more mellow so that the final song, which is the title track, is hopefully sleep-inducing. I've never tested it on my son, but I do sometimes sing the song to him as we're getting ready for bed, and it sure beats the heck out of Rock-a-bye Baby....
Hide
|
|
Sometimes stores that buy used books are hard to deal with - you have to make an appointment, wait for The Buyer to come back from break, lug the books down to the store ... only to find they aren't...
Sometimes stores that buy used books are hard to deal with - you have to make an appointment, wait for The Buyer to come back from break, lug the books down to the store ... only to find they aren't going to buy most of them.
Here's an online buyer. You enter the ISBN, and they tell you immediately if they're buying, and what they'll buy it for, and THEY PAY FOR SHIPPING!!
www.cash4books.net
Note that, probably because they pay for shipping, they don't give you much per book. And, there are plenty they don't buy. But you can avoid the hassle of trying to sell at a bookstore, and all you need is a sturdy box to mail 'em in.
Print their prepaid mailer and slap it on the box and hand it to your mail carrier and you get a check (or PayPal deposit) within a few days of their arrival.
My bookshelf is already 1/3 less cluttered, and I've only just gotten started.
Hide
|
|
Another parent-pleasing children's CD from They Might Be Giants. Yeah, those two guys have us nailed - now that their fans are having kids, they've figured out a way to get the next generation...
Another parent-pleasing children's CD from They Might Be Giants. Yeah, those two guys have us nailed - now that their fans are having kids, they've figured out a way to get the next generation hooked on their infectious music! Well, it's a far sight better than the cigarette companies trying to hook the next generation on their products....
And what a fun way to sing the ABC's. The Alphabet of Nations is really appealing (you've heard of West Xylophone, right?), E Eats Everything has a surprise ending, I C U is sung entirely with one-letter words, The Alphabet Lost and Found poses an interesting situation, and Go for G is pure kid-pop fun.
With characteristic TMBG creativity, this is one of their best releases yet. And with a discography that spans nearly 20 years, including 3 CDs that are kid-dedicated, that's an achievement.
Hide
|
|
I came across You Are My Flower quite accidentally. It was advertised in a small space in the newsletter from the now-defunct Mother and Others for a Livable Planet. There was no picture and no...
I came across You Are My Flower quite accidentally. It was advertised in a small space in the newsletter from the now-defunct Mother and Others for a Livable Planet. There was no picture and no description, just an address with a note that proceeds would get donated to Mothers and Others. Something drew me to it, and I sent off the $12 check.
It was the best $12 I ever spent on a kids' CD - and even many adult CDs.
Elizabeth Mitchell's clear, charming vocals serve due reverence to many classic children's folk songs. My son's favorite changes weekly, though he loves hearing Jingle Bells any time (of year).
On my part, not only do I love putting this CD in for my son, I often leave it in the player long after he's gotten out of the car. We sing Freight Train on car trips, changing our destination with each verse. I sang Little Sack of Sugar to my son when he was a roly-poly baby, and Pony Boy when he was toddler on his rocking horse. Now I sing This Little Light of Mine in our rare cuddle moments.
This collection of songs, sung so sweetly, have lodged firmly in my psyche and I hope it never leaves.
Hide
|
|
No!
Category:
CDs & Music
,
They Might Be Giants go for the next generation
Having been a long-time fan of They Might Be Giants, I would have bought this CD even if I weren't a parent. And I would have enjoyed it. But now that I have a kid who is old enough to pick out a...
Having been a long-time fan of They Might Be Giants, I would have bought this CD even if I weren't a parent. And I would have enjoyed it. But now that I have a kid who is old enough to pick out a CD, put it in the player, and rock out all on his own, I'm immeasurably thrilled that this CD is available.
Fun, booty-shakin' grooves line the tracks, from the opening Fibber Island to the favorite song for all kids, Robot Parade. Other songs take a mellow route, like this early incantation of Bed Bed Bed, and the dreamily-sung ballad of the contentious relationship between Lazyhead and Sleepybones, who just can't get along.
Goofiness in the traditional TMBG style reigns over all, most notably on I Am Not Your Broom and The House at the Top of the Tree.
Give No! a spin, and your whole family will be laughing and dancing.
Hide
|
|
Dish D'lish has opened an outpost in the Seattle Airport, and it was so refreshing to find good snacks at an airport! Fresh hummus and chips, cucumber salad... as a vegan, that's what I went for, but...
Dish D'lish has opened an outpost in the Seattle Airport, and it was so refreshing to find good snacks at an airport! Fresh hummus and chips, cucumber salad... as a vegan, that's what I went for, but I'm sure Kathy Casey's quality is on all the grab'n'go items available there. It's not only grab'n'go, though, it's a full-service deli - sandwiches to order, fresh juices, coffee - so if you have time to relax while you're waiting for your flight, take the time to order what you like.
Hide
|
|
This tiny café (or is it a bistro?!) on Belmont is a real gem, especially if you like spicy foods, but even if you don't. It's great for an adventurous date night! The only thing that kept me from...
This tiny café (or is it a bistro?!) on Belmont is a real gem, especially if you like spicy foods, but even if you don't. It's great for an adventurous date night! The only thing that kept me from giving it a Perfect 5-star rating is that it has a few of the quirks of a newly-established business. Nothing to bring it down, just need to work out a few kinks. Service style is *very* friendly and casual.
NOTE1:
I am a spice wimp, and I barely made it through the meal, but I still considered it absolutely delicious. *Everything* on the menu is spicy, including the complimentary popcorn.
NOTE2:
This is a vegetarian, nearly vegan, café, and the chef is Brilliant! The decor is colorful and tasteful, international in style - as is the menu, a creative and eclectic collection of flavors with influences f |