#seattleplaydate

Last month I came across Knack’s joy campaign on my Instagram feed, where they were declaring October 11th a national holiday to spread joy. Anyone could sign up to receive an email on the morning of the 11th from Knack and send one of the 800 gift boxes they provided to be shipped to anyone of their choice in the country. I was told this was created to overshadow the negativity everywhere, including social media and bring some joy to the world. 

While I tried to be part of those 800 people, my young son had plans of us attending the actual event on Chophouse Row in Seattle instead. I gave him every excuse in the book on why we shouldn’t go, from traffic, no parking, not being the first 100 people in line to receive a box to gift, and much more. The favor of The Lord was on him, as we not only got a great parking space and arrived earlier than expected due to no traffic, but he also was first in line. I should have known the awesome God we serve is always in the details for the greater good. 

I am glad my son encouraged me to attend Spread Joy Day, where I met some wonderful business owners, including the owner of Knack. It’s from there where I wanted the ladies of Breakfast in the City to go beyond the John 21:12 Project to impact hunger, but to spread some joy and love of our own. Especially as we enter the holiday season, which can be tough for various groups of people. 

At our recent breakfast event, I included prayer cards and gifts from Bloom Daily Planner, where the ladies wrote notes to someone God placed on their heart and gifted them the planner. Sometimes it’s the smallest gesture, that can make a big impact. With that said, I am happy to announce that John 21:12 Project will be partnering with a great organization this holiday season to help those in need. I can’t wait to share the details publicly, and how you might want to get involved. 

When God calls us to care for others, there are no ends to the efforts when you do it with God. Breakfast in the City isn’t just about women who fellowship and brunch once a month to discuss our faith. It’s just like Jesus said in John 21:12, “Come and have breakfast”, it was Him pouring out to His disciples and equipping them to serve others and spread the gospel. It’s the bible verse, in which God led me to that sparked the creation of Breakfast in the City and us women being His hands and feet, in which ever way we are called to serve others like Jesus did with His disciples.

Consider how your family can spread joy this holiday season, which can start by just checking in on someone and saying hello. You can send a greeting card, drop off a holiday treat just to let someone know you are thinking of them. Of course there are bigger ways to give your time, just do it with Christ in mind.

After reading an article about a parent who takes her kids on walks through her town exploring ice cream shops, I knew I wanted to adventure around greater Seattle. Thinking our list would be about 5-10 shops, we ended up with over 25 ice cream shops on our list and still growing. Ice cream is my favorite dessert and I can eat it year-round, even in a cold climate. When I realized we hadn’t even put a dent in our list as Summer ended, I had no complaints about extending the ice cream journey, that could go well into the holidays. Mainly because Seattle has a lot to offer in the world of ice cream with new businesses venturing to town like Salt & Straw and Cloud Nine Creamery, plus new local spots like Seattle Freeze. Also shops change out their menu’s every month, so it truly keeps you returning for the latest flavor. 

An ice cream shop I had wrote off previously, now has become my newest favorite ice cream shop. Just goes to show, that one month may not have flavors to your liking, but just wait a month, because they will introduce something new. The downside to that is that your new favorite flavor is limited, and will be exiting soon. Which is why I enjoy shops that offer pints. 

Cupcake Royal offers pints where I tend to buy my groceries, but one item I will not find at my local Metropolitan Market is their Choco-Taco. It was limited edition this Summer for a week, taking scoops of their triple vanilla ice cream inside of a taco shaped waffle cone, dipped in chocolate and covered in sprinkles. It was amazing, but also something I won’t experience anytime soon until they open the vault. 

My son experimented with vegan ice cream for the first time at Sweet Bumpas and instantly fell in love. Though we don’t mind chasing down their cart around local farmers markets, it’s a convenience to buy scoops at their facility through the ice cream window on select days. Our family partook in the Daniel Fast this Summer, which is strictly plant based, so discovering plant-based ice cream shops, such as our visit to Sugar Plum was a special treat. Still on our list is Frankie & Jo’s, per so many recommendations.

Featured below is the bubble waffle cone from Blank Space. They make their waffles on a griddle instantly, so your cone is served warm. You choose your flavors of ice cream and toppings of your choice, which include sauces, chopped candies, and so much more. We have similar bubble waffle cone ice cream shops on our list that we are still seeking to experience, such as The Moo Bar. 

We still have close to 10 more ice cream shops to explore, granted if nobody recommends anymore to add to our list. If you find yourself on an ice cream tour with your family, it’s such a fun way to spend quality time and explore new places in your city. I can’t wait to update you with my favorite ice cream above all after we complete the Seattle Playdate ice cream tour. 

A few months ago, God called my family to fast and draw unto Him spiritually through His word. I had been preparing for such a time since the top of the year but was waiting for His direction. I debated on partaking in the annual fast a close friend and her church does every January, or waiting to fast during Lent season. I just kept praying for God to reveal His plan, and then one day in June He showed me I was to begin in July. 

Once I knew when I was to begin, I sought The Lord on what my fast was to focus on, and begin preparation for myself and my family. I came across a book on The Bible App titled, “The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast” by Kristen Feola. It’s a combination between a 21 day devotional (hence why it was on the app) and a cookbook full of recipes with a meal plan for each day to help you conquer the 21 day Daniel Fast. 

Between praying for direction, meal preparation, and gathering various reading resources for the 21 days ahead, I also mapped out local restaurants that fit the Daniel Fast diet, just in case I was ever in a pinch from cooking. Wow, I did a lot of cooking and surprisingly all of the meals turned out great to be plant-based. It actually opened up my families eyes to pay attention to the ingredients in our foods and learned about the plant-based diet. When you think of Daniel’s obedience to deny himself food from the kings table, to continue on his Hebrew diet, and we see what The Lord did through Him as He grew wise and looked better than any of the other men. Then we know, denying ourselves the things we may enjoy and spending time with Him through prayer, will begin the shaping and transformation that needs to take place in us for us prosper in the direction He wants to take us.

My easy go-to meal since it was also very hot during this time were jazzed up salads with oils for dressing. I visited Farmers Markers for their produce for salad toppings, and also burgers made from sweet potatoes, black beans, and quinoa with a side of french fries, which were potatoes cut up and baked in the oven, topped with herbs. 

I’m considering another fast soon, which I why I posted about my experience for those seeking a deeper connection with Jesus Christ, who may be calling you to intercede in prayer for your circumstances, your family and loved ones, or believing for career moves or healing in your body. There are various reasons why people fast, and I actually kept a daily journal of my prayer journey and how God was right there with me. I pray you all the best if you decide to partake in a Daniel Fast of your own, and just remember, the more you draw unto God, the more you will forget about your food cravings. 

It was during my morning devotion when I came across John 21:12 and it truly spoke to my heart. God was giving me the answer to what so many ladies had recently shared with me in their search for community at church and overall in life. From that moment, God breathed “Breakfast in the City” and what followed has been a blessed journey of fellowship and togetherness. 

Now in it’s 4th month, Breakfast in the City meets every month at various restaurants around Seattle and surrounding areas. It’s the first subscription club of it’s kind, with a gift that keeps on giving, as you meet new people to grow into friendships and gather in community as Jesus calls us to do. 

When you sign up for Breakfast in the City, you immediately fill out a questionnaire of your breakfast likes as well as other details about your favorite things. You may wonder what does a list of favorite things have to do with breakfast? As you can see below, you walk away from the table with more than just a meal. Lovely sponsors have blessed each lady attending each month, with lavish gifts that I feature in their swag bags and on the blog. 

As the founder of Breakfast in the City, it is my prayer that you are fulfilled from attending our monthly gatherings. Increasing in your faith, exploring new faith filled friendships, all in addition to walking away full from a gourmet breakfast at the featured restaurant.  As part of Breakfast in the City, which I often refer to it as the John 21:12 Project, from how it originated through the bible verse, I can’t forget to talk about the charitable aspect. Jesus calls us to serve and be His hands and feet, and the John 21:12 Project allows me to do so by working with certain restaurants to donate a percentage of our breakfast tab to give back to local pantries or organizations. 

You will have quite the bucket list for activities around Seattle, with quite the amount time to get mostly everything accomplished before children go back to school or before vacation time is over at the workplace if you plan accordingly. 

Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Hotel kicks off the same week as Thanksgiving, usually a couple days prior. This year with their hotel remodel going on, they transferred the exhibit across the street featuring a Seattle theme of displays. You can always check them out along with other happenings in downtown Seattle to get a few things accomplished on your holiday bucket list. Such as the Teddy Bear Suites or Festival of Trees occurring at Fairmont Hotel, which you can also check out their Holiday Afternoon Tea. 

Westlake Park also has a lot to offer during the holidays with their Holiday Carousel and games of giant Jenga or Chess for fun, while taking in all the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers passing by. There’s a Fisher’s Scones food truck, just to give you that nostalgic feeling that you are at the fair when you ride the carousel, so pick up a scone or two.  Across the way from Westlake Park, both Santa at Nordstrom or Santa at Macy’s will not disappoint. Cross holiday pictures off your task list and even write a letter at the Macy’s Believe station, don’t forget postage. 

Tired of downtown Seattle yet? Or maybe overwhelmed because it’s so much to do. Well venture over to Bellevue for more holiday fun. Everything isn’t close together like downtown Seattle, which I will share another post with more Seattle happenings.  Snowflake Lane outside of Bellevue Square Mall is such a favorite for all. The new extended route made the nightly parade so much more fun and enjoyable, and takes place at 7pm through Christmas Eve, before they close out with Celebration Lane starting the day after Christmas, through New Years Eve. Friendly characters, parade floats, and of course all the dancers and entertainers, not to mention the falling snow. 

My ultimate favorite holiday finding in Bellevue is the live nativity called Road to Bethlehem at Calvary Chapel Eastside. Last year we ventured through via car, but this year we walked through which made the experience that more memorable. Traveling the journey with my son and following the story of the coming of Baby Jesus is so special. The church that puts this together each year, truly gets into character and makes it surreal. But it only occurs for one week only in December, so make sure you get it on your bucket list and if possible visit at the early part of the week. 

Also located on Ocean Drive, the Las Vegas strip, and in New York City, the celebrity iconic restaurant Sugar Factory premiered in Bellevue, WA earlier this month. The grand opening featured the Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey herself, who debuted her line of treats for the upcoming holiday season. Judging from my blog, you can tell I am all about my sweets, so it’s no surprise that my friends and I found ourselves dining at the trendy sweet spot one Friday evening. As you can see, everything is bright and colorful and might I add tasty. Unlike other restaurants, you are tempted to start off with desserts first. I mean hello, the menu is 46 pages with the first half featuring their signature 60 oz Goblets and their Insane Milkshakes.  

I surely didn’t have to think twice about ordering a milkshake, but with so many options and flavors, it did take time to ponder over which shake I was ready to conquer. The Dulce De Leche won, with all it’s caramel goodness delivered all over the tall mug, coated with milk chocolate and popcorn. The unicorn lollipop and candy bracelet was a nice added touch to the caramel shake.  My friend conquered the Campfire S’mores chocolate milkshake with layers of dark chocolate and gold graham cracker cookie pieces on the outside of the tall mug, and a brownie and stacks of S’mores flowing out of the mug. More drinks and beverages circulated, but these two were the most insane. 

When I first learned of Sugar Factory’s arrival, I began following them on social media where I immediately fell in love with the signature rubbery duck in their posts. So there was no question that their rainbow sliders was my appetizer of choice, which they had made with chicken instead of beef due to my allergy. These lovely burgers arrive on your table with the adorable duckie to take home.  Despite all the sweets, I did order a caesar salad and fettuccine alfredo, which came home with me because after eating desserts first, there just isn’t any room for much more. I’m already planning my next visit, because they have quite an impressive breakfast menu that I can’t wait to check out, along with a chocolate lounge that serves up special chocolate desserts. Be sure you visit their candy store inside, which is like a cute souvenir shop with bulk candy, gelato ice cream, and specialty desserts you grab to go, like their doughnuts and cupcakes.  

After visiting their shop on Mother’s Day for a chocolate and champagne experience, I knew I had to return for their one day ice cream venture this Summer. They partnered with Olympic Mountain ice cream and introduced 8 different flavors based upon their popular chocolate truffles and bars. 

My favorite was the Lemon White Chocolate (pictured below), which I had the candy bar at home in my private stash, but had yet to try it. My son had the salted caramel (pictured above) which was equally delicious.The marriage was a partnership in heaven, even for just one day. Which a percentage of the proceeds going to charity, Northwest Harvest.  

Inside the store, factory tours were taking place with one of my favorite tour guides, Chris. Seattle Chocolates had beautiful displays of chocolates, including their Jcoco brand. But just when you thought you knew all there was to know about Seattle Chocolates, they throw in a twist with displays of chocolate and wine pairings. I was intrigued! 

I learned about this place, ironically after an intense workout at Soul Cycle, which is across the street. One evening my son and I planned a foodie adventure and experienced excellent customer service, delicious food, and here we are again, back for their weekend brunch.

Initially I was skeptical to order their chicken and waffles, but I just took the challenge after listening to my server describe the juicy details of its creation. Let's face it, it's not too many places in Seattle to score prickle-brined chicken, fried to perfection. Match that with a delicious malted Belgian waffle and add in their spice honey and maple syrup and you may think you're in heaven.

What I like about Tavern Hall is the way their Chef develops recipes and flavors for their menu. Let's start with their starters, they serve chips and guacamole like other restaurants, but don't expect tortillas. Instead Yukon gold potato chips served with roasted pistachios, jalapeños, and cotija cheese. So unexpected right? This is definitely next on my foodie list to conquer. We've also had their homemade pretzels, and even the dipping sauces are flavors that you wouldn't expect. Such as their salted peanut caramel sauce or white cheddar jalapeño sauce, and although I don't eat pork, they say the bacon-onion sauce is a top favorite. Lastly, washing it all down with their strawberry mint lemonade is a refreshing treat.

The staff is always friendly and accommodating and flat screens are everywhere to catch whatever sport is on the tube. It's definitely a place to gather with friends or co-workers for happy hour, or a late brunch with family on the weekend, since it goes until 2pm. You won't be disappointed.