Finding color in Seattle

This is how it looked last week from the ferry as the intrepid Feet & Forks approached Seattle for our December walk. This was late morning, and this was about as light as the day was going to get. As soon as our feet hit land, we set out to find color and excitement.

First stop was the new ferris wheel on the waterfront by the ferry docks. The operator took our picture before we climbed into the -- thankfully -- enclosed cab.

Up we went, 200 feet above sea level. We had a bird's eye view of the harbor, the docks, and the nuts and bolts of the big wheel.

From there we hustled uphill to the exhibit of women artists at the Seattle Art Museum. No photos were allowed in the exhibit, but I did get one of this ceremonial costume in another exhibit:

It's called an "egungun (power concealed)" costume and is from the 1970s from Nigeria. It's part of a costume that whirls around the dancer, stirring up a "breeze of blessing" from the ancestors. According to the signage, "Egungun allow recently deceased ancestors to appear temporarily on earth, which they do for festivals and when problems threaten community stability."

The skies were still gray when we emerged from the museum, but we spotted this bright planting of red, green, white and silver in the shopping district.

Next up was the gingerbread village, explained above. Last year's exhibit featured train stations around the world. I blogged about them here: http://sherriequilt.blogspot.com/2011/12/and-answer-is-seattle.html. This year's exhibit featured children's stories.

"Alice In Wonderland" caught my attention because of the rabbit. You know how I love rabbits!

Can you spot Rapunzel and some other fairy tale characters in this one?

No trip to Seattle is complete without a trek through Pike Place Market, seen here as darkness settled in. On the way, I shot this wall of colorful ornaments in a store near the market:

We sampled succulent pears and crisp, sweet apples, devoured a bag of warm cinnamon doughnuts with tea from the famous MarketSpice shop, and bought flavored pasta, olive oil and dark chocolate and dark cherry balsamic vinegars.

Mural near Pike Place Market.

Wanting to hold onto the color once I got home, I worked on this baby quilt that a friend had commissioned for her first grandchild. I put the final stitches in last night.

Have a colorful day