I had a couple hours free (ie, ran away from conference center for a few hours) so I walked from my hotel down to Pike’s Market to do a little exploring of Seattle. I originally wanted to go somewhere else because quite a few people had commented that it was a very touristy area but ended up going there anyway because I was not sure where else to go…

One thing that was nice was that on the way to the Market, I was temporarily unsure that I was walking in the right direction, so I got out my map. A woman immediately came up to me to ask if I needed any help. People seem pretty friendly here and it is quite refreshing after living in Boston for so long.

I walked around the Market for a little while, dodging flying fish and looking at all the beautiful flowers and produce. My stomach was unhappy with me so I eventually started looking for somewhere to get some lunch. I decided on Matt’s in the Market because I heard about it from somewhere and thought I remembered that it was good.

I had a great eggplant and tomato sandwich with some creamy butternut squash soup. It is too bad my stomach is a bit touchy still from being sick or I would have had a glass of wine. Lots of the other customers were having wine and exclaiming how good it was.

Here is a terrible picture of the restaurant. It is actually more a picture of that guy, who is making a great face and wearing sunglasses indoors for no apparent reason. (click to make bigger)

Then I walked around some more and recognized a french bakery from my reading on Seattle, Le Panier. Of course, I had to go in and see if they had any good tarts. I am obsessed with anything in a tart shell. mmmm… they did. So me and my tarts went to the park to sit in the sunshine.

It is not a sock or anything cool like that but the lemon tart wanted to be recognized.

Boy, was she good too. mmmmm..

I walked around a bit more after my lunch and little snack. I really lucked out that the first nice weather since I arrived just happened to correspond with my couple free hours. yay!

I like the little girl in this picture. She had a really cool backpack and also liked pigeons. Here it is a little closer up:

I also saw the very first Starbucks and for the benefit of you people, I embarrassed myself by taking pictures there. No, don’t thank me. I know you appreciate it.

Okay, Casey wanted me to say hi so here it is: Hi, sweetie. I love you in Seattle.

I am in Seattle.

The flight here was relatively uneventful… although the view from the plane was just amazing. I have never been to the west coast before and seeing those mountains from so high was incredible.

The city seems really cool although I only saw about 5 square blocks today. It is now 1:30 in the morning east coast time (10pm Seattle) and I am wiped out.

Hope everyone is doing well out there in bloggy land. I haven’t gotten to read anyone’s updates in a while! But now is not the time- bed calls.

XO

Going to Seattle on Monday for a conference next week. I am really looking forward to it but, seriously, if it rains the whole time I am there I am going to cry. I can’t take it anymore!

Anyway, I know next to nothing about the city… anything I shouldn’t miss?

I have been put on a shopping moratorium (because we are trying to put our extra pennies toward the wedding for the next month, of course)… and because of that I keep seeing things that I want to buy.

The horror- I am such an American consumer!! gah!

I went to the American Apparel store today on Newbury Street… very bad move.

I tried on a couple things, thinking that there is no way that I would find pants that I felt good in. I tried on these yoga pants- skin tight yoga pants.

Would you believe that I felt pretty in a pair of skin tight pants?! I did! It made me want to run to yoga class! Okay, they were black but still!

I tried it on with that cute little tee- in bright pink. I feel pretty! Cute little sleeves…

I also liked this ruffled skirt and want it in a million colors.

Perfect honeymoon skirt, non?

wah. Being mature sucks.

We just got back from the Decemberists concert at Avalon. It was so awesome and now I am all keyed up and don’t want to go to bed.

The weather is absolutely RIDICULOUS outside- like Forest Gump, the rain coming sideways and all directions… We immediately stripped out of all our clothes because everything is drenched.

DRENCHED!

We saw the band in Portand a little while ago and while that show was good, this one blew it away. Petra is an awesome addition to the group and has a great talent both with violin and voice. She is cute too… a little bashful in front of the crowd.

They played a ton of new songs from Picaresque and it was cool to see them perform the songs live that I have been singing to myself back and forth to work for a few months.

I just love it when you see a band who clearly loves what they are doing… These guys have a fun time and it makes you get wrapped up in the music also. They brought down the house with Chimbley Sweep and the The Mariner’s Revenge Song.

In my humble opinion, I think we did a pretty good job screaming our heads off when the whale attacked.

So I have been thinking about my post yesterday and I think it was a little obnoxious.

I mean, anyone who has read my blog before knows that Casey and I looove each other. A lot.

Then I am like, “My boy loves me! LALALALA!”

Anyway, it was a little overboard and I wanted to acknowledge that. The end.

I mentioned that I bought some yarn the other day when we were out in western Mass doing some stuff for the wedding (in one month from tomorrow if anyone is counting !! and I am !!)

I am going to post it real big so that you can see its beautiful-ness even if you are too lazy to click on the darn picture.

It is Manos de Uruguay, of course. (The green is color 70 and variegated is 116.)

Anyone have any ideas for projects that are worthy? Maybe a felted bag? Anyone?

Okay, I am still feeling like crap so I am going to bed.

You know a guy loves you truly when he whispers it in your ear, softly and sweetly.

You know a guy loves you truly when he goes on one knee in the cold sand of a Canadian afternoon and asks you to be his wife.

You know a guy really freaking really loves you when he has you permanently drawn on his skin so that he can have you with him always.

Yes, Casey got a tattoo done tonight. It is something that he has been talking about for ages… he wanted a pin-up picture of me with our wedding date. (Casey talks about it better than me on his site.)

Awwww…

Here is Casey getting it done. So brave…

Here she is- introducing the Tropical Jessica Wedding Tattoo!

He is never going to forget our anniversary.

slept half the day

what a waste of a weekend

dammit. I think I have to go to the doctor.

wah.

I have come down with something pretty yucky. I was going to say something interesting, I am sure, but now I can’t remember what it is.

um yeah.

I did get some yarn today. It is beautiful Manos that looks like summertime.

Bed calls…

I went to the gym… All by myself! No gun pointed at me either!

Casey was less than impressed even though he pays for it every month and I haven’t been there in a really really long time.

Okay, I just had to share that.