I will update this with more info, stories and pictures later.

Family diners are getting to be a dime a dozen in many parts of the country. Well, in the Seattle area, this really nice one is called “Shari’s”. Some people say it is a nicer, cleaner Denny’s. We found the luncheon menu to be excellent with plenty of sandwiches, salads, soup and small meals. Prices were very fair for the portion sizes. The staff here was excellent, keeping our glasses full as we sat and chatted well after our meals were eaten. Some places tend to push you out, but this staff made you feel welcome. If we had Shari’s in our part of the country, we would be definitely go in often. I recommend highly.

Up bright and early again, well for us anyway.  Judy’s cousin had made sure that we would have fresh coffee with a coffee machine that we just flipped the switch on when we got up.  That helped a whole lot.  We showered and dressed, finished our coffee and went over to the main house where we were greeted with a great breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast.  We sat and chatted for awhile and decided that today was going to be a good day to visit another of my wife’s cousins in Renton, just a few miles away.

It took us about half an hour to drive from Kent to Renton and find a parking place near our destination.

Uptown Glassworks specializes in custom blown glass.  Whether it is artistic, something wild and outrageous, or a specific kind of piece you need for a gift, this is a great place to find it.  Shucks, you can take an idea in and they can create it for you.

John has been blowing glass since he was in high school.  He had a chance to try while still in high school and fell in love with it.  He’s been at it ever since, which means he has 35 years of experience.  Today he not only creates and sells his wonderful glass designs but he teaches students much like he was taught. 

We spent a couple of hours chatting and watching him blow some very pretty pieces, and promised to return the next day and watch as he finishes a few pieces.  It was nice to be able to learn what had been happening in his life over the last few years.  As many families in this day we live so far apart it’s hard to keep close.

After leaving the glass shop we went out for a late lunch at Shari’s.  We have a daughter whose name we spelled the same way.  She was so happy to find out she had several nice little family restaurants in the north-west.  It was a long relaxing lunch with more time for chatting.

We spent the rest of the afternoon back in Kent just relaxing and continuing our updates of family news.

Our evening meal was at home tonight.  She prepared a venison roast with potatoes, salad and the best jalapeno cornbread you have ever tasted.

And again, I still can’t believe how late it gets dark!