South Sound Staycations--Tell Me Your Thoughts

My family never travels outside Washington during the summer. When the weather is summer PERFECT (recent weather aside) there is no better place to be: HOME. Puget Sound. Festivals, activities, outdoors....It reinforces why I love to live here.

Now summer is nearly here (spring slipped away in the night, or the rain, really!) and we are NOT as organized as we like. Sure, we know the local activities we love, but we aren't really planned out and are always looking for new things (and cheap and free also works well too!). So, tell me: what do you like to do in the South Sound in the summer? What is the summer activity that makes home great? I am reaching for fresh ideas and discussion.  Thank you.

Come Smell the Oregon Lavender Festival

Is the economy keeping you home from Hawaii this summer and the notion of murder, kidnapping and Swine Flu making Mexico unappealing? Try Oregon and the Oregon Lavender Festival for a sweet smelling summer get-away. The festival begins this Saturday, July 11th and ends Sunday. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for the rolling hills and fields of our neighbor Oregon. Whether it’s a day trip or you decide to stay over in one of Oregon’s villages, new views are right next door at very little trouble and expense.

Sail Away For Vaughn Elementary

Schools have to make difficult cuts as they plan for the 2009-2010 school year. Here’s a way to take a little stay-cation and help Vaughn Elementary School on Key Peninsula.

For more information or tickets, you may either call or email Marci Cummings-Cohoe at Vaughn Elementary (cummingsm@peninsula.wednet.edu or 253-530-4762)

I (Heart) 6th Ave.!

6th Ave., Tacoma icon, purveyor of cool, pretty gritty city jewel, I am madly in love with you. I mean, I’ve SUPER liked you for awhile, but now I am IN love with you.

My fave restaurants in the whole city live there. I like the shops, the vibe, the energy, the mixture of our Gritizens.

This Sunday’s “Art on Ave.” festival was groovy. I liked the booths, the weirdness, and the energy of this festival. It was hot times in the city and I swear, every district, every ‘burb, every bit of South Sound goodness walked your streets. I strolled back today to take in the 6th Ave. Farmer’s Market. Bravo! You can literally buy your entire meal and your meal experience (veggies, fruits, cheeses, hummus, meats, seafood, flowers, and desserts). I liked the turnout and the buzz. My only concern, Dear Avenue is that the fact that folks were crossing against the light on 6th and Pine to get to the market (ala Las Vegas style at times, where the peds think they rule) and car drivers were running the red light at that same intersection. Fix this, my love. You don’t want anyone hurt. Safe and fun, right, Baby?

So safely across Pine Street, my daughter and I picked up fresh raspberries, zucs, and shaved ice treats and wandered through your home like welcomed guests. We popped over to the Primo Grill for a little mother-daughter early dinner time. Primo is your heart, 6th Ave. This is the restaurant that kicked it all off, in my gritty opinion. This long time 6th Ave. staple, with their rockin’ kids menu, their “dinner before dusk” extravaganza, and cool artwork, proved to be affordable, fun, and totally delicious. AGAIN.

So, sweetheart, how about date next week, hmm? Let’s meet at the Farmer’s Market and hoof it up to Posh Home for me to oogle the framed South American butterflies, sweet lamps, and slick jewelry.

I promise to wear something great and bring a smile.