Monday, August 13, 2007

Family

My husband’s dad was going on an Alaskan cruise. Since he was leaving out of Seattle he came in a couple days earlier to visit with us. So we set off on a trip to the other side of the mountain to see him. Also going on the trip was his uncle. We were to take them on Sunday to the ship so we needed to rent a car so we could fit everyone’s luggage and seat six people. (Renting the car is an entire blog by itself.) Pictured above - seating left to right, Tom, me, Lorraine & Dad. Standing Teresa & Uncle Al.

We spent Friday at Pike Street Market, which is 100 years old. We kept noticing all these pig statues all over the place and since inquiring minds have to know I asked someone. “Hey, what’s with the pigs?” One of the shopkeepers explained that it’s in honor of the Market’s mascot, Rachel the pig. She stands outside the market and is a piggybank (pictured to the right). All the funds donated go back into serves for the market, like the medical clinic. So the city commissioned artists to paint different pig statues (100 of them) and they are placed throughout Seattle. I caught a few on camera. Check them out below.
Also located in the market is the very first Starbucks.
Check out the lobster tails and the beautiful flower vendors.

Here's a picture of Dad & Tom











I interrupt this blog for a side item. Pink and Blues Girls is having a contest and it has to do with my next item but first go over there and check it out - CLICK HERE. If you ever find yourself at Pike Street Market and have to go to the bathroom either hold it or find a restaurant nearby. The public bathroom was a bit of a shock to me. The doors on the lady’s room stall looked a bit odd at first glance. I look and thought that they looked a bit short. I had to take a picture from inside the stall before going to the bathroom. Check it out below. A lady was walking by at the time. To make this worse the door didn’t lock or close very well, but when you gotta go, you gotta go. I now hold the world record on how quickly someone can use the facilities.
Dad loves steak so Tom wanted to take him the best steakhouse in Seattle. He heard about Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. We thought it would be expensive but I didn’t know we would have to hock one of the kids to pay for dinner. Everything is a la carte. I have to say everything we ate was delicious. The atmosphere was nice but very dark. Even the restrooms were dark. The reason they kept the place so dark was so you couldn’t see the prices. The service was great and the food really good. My suggestion to you if you go can be summed up in one word - share. Share an appetizer, salad, steak, veggie and potato. The portions are enough for two people to eat. Here’s a picture of the outside, the inside was too dark to take pictures with my camera.

Stay tuned for my next post entitled, Remember the Alamo.

© Nadine Z. 2007

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, look at all that swine! Well, at least they are very pretty looking! Oink, oink!

And how funny about the bathroom stalls! What about privacy!? I don't blame you for getting in and out of there as fast as possible!

We have a Ruth's Chris around here that just opened a few months ago. I haven't been... I have heard it is good, but very expensive like you said. We'll save it for a special night!

Thanks for sharing your bathroom story and entering the contest!

Jane, P&B Girls

Dedee said...

I love the pigs.

That bathroom picture is a hoot. I've been in one before and it's a bit unnerving.

I loved Seattle. The Aquarium is awesome.

I'm glad you had fun!

Jill said...

I've only been to Seattle (and Pike Street Market) once...way back in college. I had a ball and drank more Starbucks Cafe Mochas than I'd care to admit. I have a niece and nephew there, and an aunt. I'd love to visit again! Sounds like you had a great time.

Art said...

Nice pics. Looks a like a great time!

Knit-Wit said...

Looks like a fun family time.

At leas the stalls are still more private than what men have. Yeesh!

Anonymous said...

Alright... those lobster tails look DELICIOUS!!
Love those photos!!
- Audrey
Pinks & Blues Girls

Sandy said...

I love Seattle! And there's nothing like a good steak. YUM. My hubby just ate at RC's in Sacramento (without me, tho :(
The "pigs" are great, too!
Sandy

Anonymous said...

lol those pigs are hilarious!

Those bathroom stalls are terrifying!

Ann(ie) said...

GIRL!!! You were in my hood! Next time you'd best be calling me. I work about three blocks from Ruth Chris and I walk to Pike Place all of the time. We have a pig outside of our office building. SO GLAD you had a good visit and that the weather cooperated. NEXT TIME YOU'D BETTER CALL ME! xoxo.

Shionge said...

How interesting to find 'porky' all over Nadine and I enjoy the family picture...all the smiles :D It is contagious coz it makes me smile too :D

palmtreefanatic said...

Wow! look at all those piggies!
reminds me of cincinnati!

Love the family photo! everyone looks happy!

nice post and the food sounds devine!

yours truly B said...

did you check to make sure you had both arms and legs after the visit to Ruth's Chris? it seems to me you might need crutches now HEHE. anyway the pigs are so cute I love pigs. I think I would have held it until I got to hey Ruth's chris. anyway thanks for the comment
Billie

Louise said...

Sounds like fun!!
Mmmmmmm that lobster looks delish...cooked even better :)

Funny bathroom shot!! LOL

Elle*Bee said...

I love the pigs! Son #2 (age 10) is a huge pig fan. Not sure why - it's just one of those things that he loves, so he'll get a kick out of the pictures. New Orleans had various artists paint fish, Washington, D.C. had their pandas, and Chicago, I believe, had cows.

palmtreefanatic said...

I forgot to add Nadine that you are just beautiful;)

Damselfly said...

Those pigs are hamming it up! Har! ;) In a town about four hours away, they do the same thing with swans. It's fun. I love your photos of the marketplace, especially the first Starbucks. Pretty funny.

Keshi said...

u r beauuuutiful! Great family pics of happy times!

Keshi.

eph2810 said...

Sounds like you all had a great time - except for the 'facilities' - I think I would have had the new world-record 'holding it' - lol...
Wow - didn't know that Ruth Chris' is 'international' - we have them in the Phoenix area. You are right - the food is delicious, but a bit on the pricey side.
I hope that Tom's dad has a great time on the cruise...

Thanks for sharing your outing.
Be blessed today and always.

Johnny Ong said...

u r shocked by that toilet? just wait till u go to those toilets located in rural areas in China

a woman who is said...

Love the family pics. I learned two new things from your post. The Seattle pig thing? Yes I have seen the pig outside Pike's, but who knew they were a thing???

There is a restroom in Pike's Market??? I always buy a coffee to use the one at Starbucks. I am looking for pigs on my next trip to Seattle. Fun post!

Love the roadside pictures too. Looks like you had a great time in spite of circumstances. I love that about you. No wonder Tom loves having you around. Me too!

Deb said...

Cool pics! This is the Year of the Pig in China so I really enjoyed seeing these piggies!
So are you guys right in Seattle? We just had a youth pastor from The City Church/Generation Church here for a youth festival.
I have also listened to some podcasts from Mars Hill Church too have you heard of either of them?