March 2010

  • Gray Whales Spotted at Ballard Locks, Seattle

    By lisala on 3/30/10 3:09pm
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    Returning from a weekend sailing trip, Diana Lind spotted two grey whales near the Ballard Locks Sunday afternoon. If you watch the video, you'll see both whales spouting. Notice the absence of a dorsal fin, suggesting that these are gray whales, and not orcas.

  • Ivar's Acres of Clams

    By lisala on 3/26/10 12:01pm
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    Pier 54
    1001 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA
    (206) 624-6852
    Directions.

    I know, you're already sneering because as a native Seattlite, you view Ivar's Acres of Clams as a tourist magnet. I don't care. I think the chowder is fantastic—and I've had Maine chowdah cooked on the beech. I mostly eat outside, along the wharf, and no, not just because the food is cheaper (which, it is), but because I like the view, and I love the sea gulls. If you choose to eat outside, you join a mass of people outside a series of windows. If there's a big crowd from tourist busses, you'll be asked to raise your hand when an order taker lists an entree you want, so they know how many of what you want. Sometimes, yo

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  • Pyramid Haywire Hefweizen

    By lisala on 3/21/10 5:49pm
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    I'm more than a little chagrined that I haven't written about Pyramid Haywire before. I've yet to have a Pyramid beer I didn't like, and this one is no exception, though I'll admit a certain prejudicial fondness for Hefeweizen. Pyramid's Haywire is a slightly cloudy lovely golden yellow in the glass, with a decent head. Slightly sweet "wheat" aroma, and a fabulous taste. A gentle 5.2% ABV, Haywire is made with 2 Row Pale Barley, Malted Wheat (60%) and Caramel malts, and Nugget, Liberty and Mt. Hood hops, it's incredibly subtle and very smooth. This is, by the way, the more mellow, nutty rather than fruity or spicy American hefe style of beer, by which I mean it wasn't made with the special weizen yeast's used in more traditional Bavarian styles.

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  • Forcing Bulbs for Spring Beauty in Winter

    By lisala on 3/8/10 4:07pm
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    If you live anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, you've probably seen them at your local grocery store, co-op, home improvement or gardening supply store; small pots with daffodils, Paper White Narcissus, crocuses or hyacinths, either blooming or with buds about to burst into flower. It's a lovely, fun way, to bring some bright spring color into a winter home as a reminder that spring really is on the way. Paper Whites and Hyacinths, in addition to their attractive colored blossoms, are also scented.

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