Best Christmas Light Display Ever

The Gospel According to Helena

Damn
She loves to sing
She knows she may not even be that good
What does it mean when somebody
Loves to do something
So much
She
Doesn't care
Whether or not
It makes any sense to the world

What does it mean when somebody
Does something just because
It makes her feel more alive
Opens her eyes

What does it mean when somebody
Does something just because
She's missing God
And wonders if she always will

She must know that all good songs
Are a form of prayer


Copyright 2007, Linford Detweiler (of Over the Rhine)

Rainy Day Music: Ghosts of the Great Highway

"Ghosts of the Great Highway" by Sun Kil Moon sounds particularly good on this rainy Seattle morning. This is an album that doesn't beat you over the head with pop simplicity, but instead quietly slips in the side door of your brain with its poignant, haunting, well crafted bits of musical complexity. Definitely one of my favorites of the last year or so. Josh Jeter, thanks once again for showing me the musical light.

Buy it on iTunes

p.s. Also a great album for studying/reading. It's hard to find these after all.

Red Mill Burger should be called Red Mill Onion Ring

Burger, Cheese, Bun and Bacon comes together in a special way at Red Mill Burger. It’s currently on my short list of best burgers in Seattle. While the burgers are really great here, it’s in the onion rings that real magic happens.

I repeat. Don’t go to Red Mill without trying the onion rings. I, who don’t consider myself to be a big onion ring fan in general, can’t get enough of these things. Why? Unlike most onion rings that are more bready batter than onion, Red Mill serves them up huge hot crispy rings accented with a crumbly corn meal batter. This spin on the usual onion ring equation results in a deep fried goodness is a crispy, flavorful onion experience that nicely compliments the still present onion taste instead of overwhelming it like your standard onion ring does.


-Watch for the huge pile of pre-cooked bacon stacked next to the grill.
-Their lemonade is pretty good.
-In the Phinney Ridge location, look for the hand written noted that a kid sent Red Mill. It’s pretty darn cute. Sadly, I heard the same kid went into coronary arrest at age 17. (kidding)
-I always get the blue cheese and bacon burger. It’s very good. I can’t attest to the rest but I’m sure their tasty too.
-cash only
-closed Mondays

A Poem for Summer

"The Summer Day"
by Mary Oliver

Who made the World?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

Steak. Sauce. Bun. Genius.

This is one of the best sandwiches in the world. 
I’m not kidding.

Hundreds of people every day will attest to the goodness found here by happily slapping down their $8.00. They stand in line, they fight for a seat, they crowd around the counter, eagerly awaiting their number to be call- all to get just a few bites bites of sandwich perfection.

It’s power is in its simplicity. Thinly sliced, tender, juicy trip-tip between a bun that’s soft and garlicy yet has just a touch of crispiness to add texture to the experiece. Add just the right amount (not too much) of sweet bbq sauce and you’re there: sandwich heaven.

Steak. Sauce. Bun. Simple, yet oh so profound. The Firestone Trip-tip sandwich is truly more than the sum of it’s parts.

-Here’s the official Guide To Good version for the optimal Firestone experience. Deviate from this at your own risk:

-Get there early- say 5:30p to avoid the dinner rush and the semi-ridiculously long line.
-Find someone to split your order with. Then order the following:
-Trip Tip Sandwich
-Side of fries ( not the basket unless you’re a very big eater)
-Steak Cobb salad. You’re call on the dressing. I like the ranch or the vinigerette.
-A glass of Mountain Dew to wash it all down. There’s something about the combo of the salty that nicely compliments the sweetness of the classic Mt. Dew.
-When you pick up your order, ask them for a side of BBQ sauce to dip your fries and sandwich in.
-Thank me later for one of the best meals of your life.

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Out on a Limb: The Best Coffee in Seattle

I know I'm going out on a limb here, but I’ve discovered the best coffee in Seattle. In a city filled with cafes staffed by baristas who take coffee extremely seriously Stumptown Coffee coffee rises above the rest like the crema to the top of an espresso shot.

I’m not saying they have the best espresso, or the best latte or even the best atmosphere. But they do have, hands down, the best damn coffee in Seattle. This is because when you order a regular cup of coffee you’ll get only coffee brewed in a french press; none of this drip coffee drivel. If you’ve never had coffee made with french press you really need to.

I’ve come up with a few things to help give you a sense of how dramatically different it is to taste french press coffee done right compared to drip coffee (by definition mediocre).

Taco Bell compared to authentic Mexican food.

Bud Light to a quality, sweet, dark beer

A postcard of a Van Gogh painting vs seeing one in person

Watching a kiss vs actually kissing

A few tips:

Take it black. Let it sit on your tongue and sparkle and shine. French press coffee (when done correctly) tends to have a lighter feel on your tongue that blooms into a complexity of flavor you won’t find in traditional drip. This method also leaves more of the coffee’s natural oils intact. Also, as your coffee cools in its cup you’ll find that the flavor profiles grow more and more complex and yummy.

So sit back, grab one of the thick, heavy ceramic mugs Stumptown gives you and savor a leisurely walk down a meandering side street of coffee goodness. And don’t worry if you’re left wanting more. Refills are only $0.55 cents after tax.

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