Views of Sequim, the Olympic Peninsula. . .and beyond
Most summer flowers seem pretty cheerful. But I think if they were ranked sunflowers would probably top the list.
And the only thing more cheerful than a sunflower is an entire field of them. I’ve been patiently watching these come into bloom for about a month.
They’re at a small farm on Sequim-Dungeness Road that sells eggs and a variety of vegetables. They were out of eggs but I picked up some exquisitely fresh beets. And I’ll bet it won’t be long before they’re selling bunches of sunflowers.
Summer offers a very sweet benefit: lunch outside. Under the grape arbor at Alder Wood Bistro is a perfect place to enjoy a warm day, good meal, and great friends.
The one problem is when someone else orders what I should have and didn’t. Salad envy.
The only consolation in a case like this is to order the Bistro’s signature “Chocolate Bliss” for desert. It will obliterate any second guessing about a perfect meal.
When I moved to Sequim I was newly retired. I hadn’t really done any kind of craft since childhood. The next spring a visit with my sister-in-law changed everything. I learned just enough to be dangerous and ventured into the craft supply store Doodlebugs for the first time. It felt like I’d walked into Nirvana. I was hooked and Doodlebugs had my drug.
Doodlebugs taught me all the basics. They had every tool I needed and demonstrated how to use them, one-on-one. They had “make and take” mini-classes that helped me start making handmade greeting cards. And they had top quality paper and supplies to keep me going. If they sold it it was good quality, it worked.
Cathy, shown here, her mom Mary, and their niece/granddaughter Kayla have provided the best customer service in a town filled with helpful people. They remember names, take time to talk, help solve problems. They are artists. And if they don’t have what you want they’ll order it for you.
They haven’t been able to compete with Internet competition and, now, the new Michael’s store. Since I learned they were closing I have spent hours wandering in the store. I’ve purchased more paper than I can conceivably use and then I purchased a couple of their paper rack fixtures. I stand around, talking, visiting with my friend Judy who keeps showing up, as I do, because neither of us wants to leave or let go. It’s a happy place, full of creative possibilities and good memories.
Doodlebugs will close on August 4th. They will strengthen their online presence so they won’t disappear entirely. If you’re local and they’ve helped you, brightened your day, or had what you needed, stop by and thank them. Stock up. And support them online if you can.
Am I sad? Yeah. That just begins to cover it.
The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe recently opened The House of Seven Brothers, a new restaurant in their Seven Cedars Casino in Blyn.
A friend and I figuratively had lunch there with the brothers the other day. The masks on the wall of the restaurant represent and honor seven brothers whose genealogy is part of the Tribe’s present day lineage.
The dining room was remodeled from a previous buffet restaurant and enlarged with space from a former gift shop. As with other Tribal enterprises this one is nicely done and very attractive.
An open kitchen stands at the back of the restaurant. Based on our lunches, it produces tasty food. The new restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Several of us civic minded citizens have formed a new ad hoc committee dedicated to the support and preservation of small business in Sequim. We are facing the closing of my favorite crafting store, Doodlebugs, as it caves from the pressure of internet and big box competition (more on that when I’m strong enough to take farewell photos). Though it hardly seems at risk, we want to avoid a similar fate for another favorite, our new frozen yogurt store, Sweet Spot. Thus the first official inaugural meeting of the Sweet Spot Preservation Society. I nominated myself the recording secretary. My first report is shown above. We’re considering weekly meetings convened around favorite flavors. And perhaps we’ll bring our book club here. It’s the least that civic minded, selfless, yogurt-loving people can do.
Sequim has a taste of the Middle East with a new restaurant, Sequim Kabob House. It has taken over a space that previously housed two successive fish and chips venues, Kiwi and Fudd’s, on West Washington. The Kabob House offers traditional foods “made with imported spices from Jerusalem.,” including kabobs, falafel, gyros, and tabouli. A lamb shawarma wrap is above.
There are a few decorative nods to the Middle East.
I want to go back and try both the kabobs and baba ghanoush (roasted seasoned eggplant). It’s probably too much to hope that they serve Persian rice, an unforgettable delicacy a friend’s grandmother used to make.
Today is the official grand opening of our new local Michaels store. But the doors were thrown open for a “soft” opening starting last Thursday night.
What’s appealing about a bigger store like this is a broad array of the many things a crafter might use. From minding ones Ps and Qs to yarn and art supplies there’s lots to choose from, a bigger selection than we’re used to locally.
And there’s a lot of stuff for home decor.
Michaels has a lot of everything and the employees seem like genuinely nice people. But I do hope that locals will remember to also support our own locally owned businesses like Doodlebugs, Karen’s Quilts, A Dropped Stitch, Local Yarn Shop, and Over the Fence. They are vital to the health of our community.