One of the highlights of the month of January was a tour of KOMO TV’s studios at Fisher Plaza near downtown Seattle. Many of you know the sleek, modern building as the home of Seattle Grace Hospital on the popular Grey’s Anatomy television show. And while we didn’t see McDreamy or any of the other cast members (who haven’t done any filming at KOMO during the past two years, according to our tour guide), we did get up close and personal with KOMO’s super-star anchor Mary Nam and its effervescent weatherman, Steve Pool, during a taping of KOMO 4 News@4PM.

Above is Mary and 425 magazine’s style editor, Alexandra Hedin, chatting before they do a segment on creative ideas for Superbowl parties. Alexandra was just one week away from having a baby, and her husband had begged her to bag the segment, but she went on like a trooper.

And here is Steve (resident gourmet and wine lover) sampling Pizza and Nacho Rolls, an easy Superbowl snack. Complete recipes and tips are on the 425 Web site.

Back this summer, I had the pleasure of signing my books, including Pacific Northwest Wining & Dining, at the beguiling Queen Anne Farmers’ Market, an invitation from Queen Anne Bookstore.

Here are some of the creative entries in the fruit-carving contest, from porcupines to turtles to bird cages. Seems like a long time ago, with all the cool fog and drizzle of late.

During the holidays, our thoughts often turn to the dear departed. On our recent trip to the Olympic Peninsula, I was phondly reminded of a member of our phamily, Phish, who passed to the great beyond earlier this year.

Here’s a little lookalike from Fins (or should I say, Phins?) Coastal Cuisine, a lovely waterfront restaurant in Port Townsend. If we hadn’t watched Phish’s tiny coffin float into Shilshole Bay, we would have sworn our Phish-y phriend had been reincarnated.

Very surprisingly (at least to me) was the positive response I got to one of my blogs from a couple of months ago showcasing my flower arrangements that I create weekly solely for Spencer’s and my enjoyment.

So, egged on by readers “reviews,” I’ve continued to create the bouquets and my darling husband has kept a visual record using his big digital camera and tricks from his photo studio and PhotoShop.

So here are the latest images for your viewing pleasure. Here is White on Black:

And here is Black on Black:

And here is A Burst of Orange:

Just for fun, here are the flower arrangements that we spotted in the main lobby at our hotel in New York City, the Jumeirah Essex House. Groupings of clear glass vases in various rectangular shapes, with stems gathered (sometimes tied) and visible, seemed to be all the rage both in NYC and Philadelphia.

Every year I rehydrate this hand for some ghoulish Halloween fun. I love the way the hand pops out of the top of the clear glass container and the fingertips are just a bit withered.

In keeping with the Halloween spirit (so to speak), here’s an interesting release from the venerable Columbia Winery in Woodinville that really pulls out all the stops.

“HalloWINE Party

Columbia Winery – Woodinville, WA

Friday, October 30^th

6:30pm-9:00pm

$30 per person / $25 Cellar Club Members and guests

RSVP online at www.columbiawinery.com or by calling 425-482-7383

We’ve added a twist to our HalloWINE Party.  Now at $30 per person ($25 Cellar Club Members), join us for a night of fright and fun.  Located in our Cellar of Terror, party amongst friends and take a stab at a blind wine tasting.  Tease your taste buds with a blind food tasting and kill at our many wine games.  Costumes encouraged.  Prizes and wine discounts will be awarded throughout the evening.  Price includes 5 blind wine tasting tokens.  Wine by the glass/bottle will also be available for purchase.”

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I must admit I’m a “sucker” for anything vampire-related, so the following press release sent my blood racing. This would be the perfect Halloween treat for the Twilight fan(s) in your house. 

“EverGreen Escapes will begin offering a full-day tour to Washington’s infamous Olympic Peninsula, inspired by the best-selling Twilight book series, in October. The tour begins with a ferry ride across Puget Sound followed by a scenic drive to the town of Forks, Washington, home to Twilight characters Edward and Bella.

“Visitors and Twilight fans are invited to traverse the old growth, moss-filled Hoh Rainforest during a guided walk through the Hall of Mosses Trail. Additional tour destinations include La Push, home of the Quileute Native American Tribe and Jacob Black, as well as First Beach, a drive-to beach known for occasional whale spotting. The tour concludes with dinner at La Bella Italia in Port Angeles where Edward and Bella had their first date.”

I love the stark elegance of calla lilies, the graceful way in which their ivory flowers curl and their stems droop slightly. Here’s an Asian-inspired arrangement I dreamed a few months back.

And here’s the same vase, radically different flowers. I love the bold vermillion color of the flowers, their vibrant green leaves, and their graceful height. So zen!

Here’s a beautiful bouquet we snapped in the lobby of the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver. It’s scale and grandeur were truly majestic, on a scale that can’t be matched on our little condo stand!

While on an excursion in Juneau last month, we visited the Mendenhall Glacier, which rears its sparkling face just a short ride outside of downtown.

As gorgeous as the glacier was, I could hardly take my eyes off the Tongass National Forest Steep Creek Fish Cam, where you can watch a live feed of salmon (pinks and sockeyes the day we visited) making their way through Steep Creek from July through November.

You know I’m a big fan of Web cams. . .click here to view my very own Puget Sound Cam.

We’re still experiencing happy flashbacks from our Alaska cruise, trying to hang onto that carefree holiday  spirit as long as possible.

One of the funniest moments was when Eric, our ship’s vivacious cruise director, shared these Top-10 Cruise Ship Questions as part of our disembarkation session.

I hope you enjoy them as much as we and the other passengers did.

Top-10 Cruise Ship Questions

10. Do these steps go up and down?

9. Will I get wet on the snorkeling tour?

8. How do I know if the photos in the photo gallery are mine?

7. What time is the midnight buffet?

6. Does this elevator go to the front of the ship?

5. A cruise passenger on the M.S. Veendam looking up at the mountain overlooking Juneau: So what elevation are we at?

4. What do you do with the ice carvings after they melt?

3. Has this ship ever sunk?

2. Is the water in the toilets fresh or salt water?

1. Does the crew sleep on board?

You just gotta see this photo of a world-record-breaking matzo ball made in (where else?) New York City.