Friendly Cat

Will you please check out this super friendly cat we met in front of a residence in Capitol Hill? He made us pet him with his Jedi Mind Tricks. Now that's a good cat right there.

Volunteer Park Conservatory

Beautiful old greenhouse in Volunteer Park.

From the Friends of the Conservatory website:

"As a registered US Fish and Wildlife repository for confiscated plants, the Conservatory also acquires, quarantines, and later displays restricted orchids, cycads, and other plants seized by USFW agents."

Now that's badass right there. I want to become a repository for confiscated plants (snail plant above pretty but perfectly legal)! New goal after learning to surf.
This man really loves his pitcher plants.
Old fashion greenhouse venting hardware. Needless to say I like this place A LOT.

Stir Fry

I have been stir fry obsesses lately. This is my first one made with eggplant and basil from my garden.

Dahlias

I bet you didn't realize how bad ass dahlias are.

Per the Puget Sound Dahlia Association website:
"It's a waterlily -- It's a cactus -- It's an orchid -- It's a peony. They're all dahlias. The most versatile of garden flowers, dahlias are available in dozens of shapes and in sizes ranging from petite mignons and poms little more than an inch across to giant decoratives over a foot in diameter. They come in a dazzling array of colors - reds, pinks, yellows, oranges, lavenders -- that complement just about any garden setting.
Unlike the varieties that grandma used to grow, today's dahlias boast much more refined growth habits, with stronger stems and more proportionately sized foliage to better withstand rain and wind. Although dahlias are native to the highland areas of Mexico and Central America, they are particularly fond of our cool-summer Northwest Coast climate in Washington State, and it's easy for anyone to grow them to perfection with very little care.
As members of the Puget Sound Dahlia Association, the largest local group of dahlia growers and admirers in the United States, we'd be delighted to share with you our knowledge and enthusiasm for these glorious flowers."
Hobbits like them too.

Hydrangea

Apparently in the Pacific NW they grow most excellent hydrangea.
I am Alice in Wonderland.

Seattle Asian Art Museum

SAM has a branch in Volunteer Park (yes, Volunteer Park has a lot of cool stuff) to house its Asian collection.
You're not allowed to photograph inside (which is a bummer!) but I snuck in a few nice real ones before I found that out.
Camel at the entrance, photographs permitted.

Water Tower

This is what turn-of-the-century architectural water towers in roundabouts with excellent observation decks at the top look like.
And this is the stairway you can climb to the top for fantastique Seattle views.
And this is the grating on the windows to you don't fall out and bump your head.
And this is the tree outside the window.
And these are the clouds from the top of the tower.
Downtowns.
Spike with towers in the background.